Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
Limited mileage data: 18 of 83 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
Vehicle Speed Control. Review the 14 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Structure. Review the 12 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Service Brakes, Hydraulic. Review the 9 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
11 crash reports0 fire reports3 injury reports
What owners actually said
83 reports
Mileage unknown · Aug 26, 2004
Vehicle Speed Control
BOUGHT USED 1998 MERCURY VILLAGER IN JUNE, 2004. FROM JUNE THROUGH PRESENT DATE, WE HAVE HAD ACCELERATOR PEDAL STICKING IN UPRIGHT POSITION CAUSING LURCHING FROM A STOPPED POSITION DUE TO HAVING TO PRESS DOWN UNUSUALLY HARD TO ACCELERATE. DUE TO THIS "FAILURE", I DO NOT WANT TO CRASH INTO SOMEONE IN FRONT OF ME IN TRAFFIC TO M…
Read full complaint
BOUGHT USED 1998 MERCURY VILLAGER IN JUNE, 2004. FROM JUNE THROUGH PRESENT DATE, WE HAVE HAD ACCELERATOR PEDAL STICKING IN UPRIGHT POSITION CAUSING LURCHING FROM A STOPPED POSITION DUE TO HAVING TO PRESS DOWN UNUSUALLY HARD TO ACCELERATE. DUE TO THIS "FAILURE", I DO NOT WANT TO CRASH INTO SOMEONE IN FRONT OF ME IN TRAFFIC TO MOVE FORWARD INTO TRAFFIC FROM A STOPPED OR SLOWED POSITION. I HAVE SPRAYED WD40 ON THE PEDAL FROM INSIDE THE VEHICLE THAT RELIEVED THE PROBLEM FOR A LITTLE WHILE, BUT IT HAS STARTED STICKING AGAIN.*AK
NHTSA ODI #10088603
Mileage unknown · Aug 25, 2004
Vehicle Speed Control
THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL SOME TIMES STICKS WERE YOU CAN NOT GIVE IT GAS. THIS HAS BEEN HAPPENING FOR ABOUT 3 YRS. IT CAUSES FEAR, BECAUSE YOU IF YOU HAD TO SPEED UP SOME TIME IT WILL NOT LET YOU.*AK
NHTSA ODI #10088552
Mileage unknown · Aug 22, 2004
Vehicle Speed Control
MY 1998 MERCURY VILLAGER MINI VAN HAS A PROBLEM WITH THE ACCELERATOR. THE PEDAL CAN BE HARD TO PUSH SOMETIMES CAUSING TO PUSH DOWN TOO FAR. SEVERAL TIMES THE ACCELERATOR BECAME STUCK CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO LUNGE OUT OF CONTROL. I FELT VERY UNSAFE AND I AM CONCERNED ABOUT THE CONDITION. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10088348
83,650 miles · Jul 31, 2004
Suspension
PASSENGER SIDE COIL SPRING RUSTED IN HALF AND BROKE. SPRING CAME DOWN ONTO TIRE. I HAD TO BUY NEW SPRING,COIL,AND STRUT.*AK
NHTSA ODI #10083057
99,000 miles · Oct 3, 2003
Power Train
THE VEHICLE WAS IN PARK WHEN A SMALL CHILD MISTAKENLY KNOCKED GEAR SHIFTER TO REVERSE. THE VEHICLE ROLLED BACKWARDS ONTO THE GRASS WHICH HELPED IT COME TO A STOP. *NLM
NHTSA ODI #10042284
65,889 miles · Sep 17, 2003
Latches/locks/linkages
THE CHILD SAFETY LOCK ON THE SLIDING SIDE DOOR OF VEHICLE WAS INOPERABLE . THE CONSUMER FELT THAT THE CHILDREN COULD OPEN THE DOOR WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION. THE DEALER HAS BEEN INFORMED OF THE PROBLEM. *NLM
NHTSA ODI #10040197
15,765 miles · Jun 26, 2003
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
WHEN THE CONSUMER APPLIED THE BRAKES, THEY LOCKED UP AND CAUSED EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. *NLM BOTH FRONT BRAKES LOCKED UP WITHIN LESS THAN A MONTH APART. THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH BOTH REAR BRAKES AND THE LEFT FRONT CALIPER LOCKED UP. *SCC *JB
NHTSA ODI #10017946
24,000 miles · Feb 21, 2003
Latches/locks/linkages
THE POWER DOOR LOCKS LOCK WHEN EVER THEY SEEM TO WANT TO, WHEN I UNLOCK THEM THEY WILL LOCK AGAIN AS IM TRYING TO OPEN THE DOOR.
NHTSA ODI #10007954
Mileage unknown · Feb 16, 2003
Latches/locks/linkages
VEHICLE LOCKS AUTOMATICALLTY WHILE BEING DRIVEN, SITTING STILL IN PARKING LOT, GARAGE, ETC. THIS HAS HAPPENED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. THE DATE INDICATED BELOW IS JUST THE LAST TIME.
NHTSA ODI #10007576
Mileage unknown · Aug 27, 2002
Suspension
THERE WAS A LOUD EXPLOSION WHILE THE CONSUMER WAS TRAVELING. IT WAS FOUND OUT THAT THE RIGHT STRUT SPRING WAS BROKEN. *YH
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MINIVANS. THE FUEL TANK VENT HOSE ALLOWS AIR TO VENT FROM THE FUEL TANK DURING REFUELING. CRACKS HAVE DEVELOPED IN THE VENT HOSE. IF (1) THE FUEL TANK IS OVERFILLED, NOT ALLOWING EXCESS FUEL IN THE VENT HOSE TO FLOW BACK INTO THE TANK, (2) THE VEHICLE IS DRIVEN ONLY A SHORT DISTANCE AFTER REFUELING AND, (3) THERE IS SUBSEQUENTLY SIGNIFICANT HEATING OF THE FUEL TANK, THE FUEL IN THE TANK CAN EXPAND INTO THE VENT HOSE AND LEAK FUEL.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: FUEL LEAKAGE IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE CAN RESULT IN A FIRE.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER MINI VANS EQUIPPED WITH AUTOMOTIVE BATTERIES SUPPLIED BY GNB TECHNOLOGIES. THESE BATTERIES HAVE A DEFECTIVE NEGATIVE POST THAT CAN CAUSE ACID LEAKAGE AND RELATED CORROSION DAMAGE.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THIS CONDITION CAN CAUSE A CATASTROPHIC FAILURE OF THE BATTERY WHICH COULD LEAD TO AN ENGINE FIRE OR BATTERY EXPLOSION.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THESE BATTERIES. UNTIL A NEW BATTERY IS OBTAINED, OWNERS SHOULD NOT ATTEMPT TO "JUMP START" THESE BATTERIES.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
1
EA00014 · Fuel Tank Vent Hose Leakage
Opened May 22, 2000 · Closed Jan 4, 2001
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Vehicle Speed Control:linkages
PERIODIC EXPOSURE TO LIQUID GASOLINE MAY RESULT IN EXTRACTION OF ANTIDEGRADANTS FROM THE SUBJECT FUEL TANK VENT HOSE.HOSES WHICH HAVE SUFFERED LOSS OF ANTIDEGRADANTS CAN DEVELOP CRACKS IN AREAS OF HIGH STRAIN.FUEL MAY SPRAY OR DRIP FROM CRACKED VENT HOSES FOLLOWING TANK FILL.STARTING AT JOB#1 1998 MY (CALIFORNIA EMISSIONS VEHICLES) AND JOB#1 1999 MY (FEDERAL EMISSIONS VEHICLES), THE SUBJECT VENT HOSE COMPOSITION CHANGED FROM NITRILE RUBBER HOSES WITH CHLOROPRENE RUBBER COVERS (NBR/CR) TO FLUOROCARBON RUBBER HOSES WITH AN OUTER LAYER BLEND OF NBR/PVC.THE CHANGES WERE MADE TO IMPROVE HYDRACARBON RESISTANCE FOR COMPLAINCE WITH NEW EVAPORATIVE EMISSIONS REGULATIONS.THE MODIFIED HOSES ARE ALSO SIGNIFICANTLY MORE RESISTANT TO DEGRADATION AND CRACKING.IN A LETTER DATED JANUARY 2, 2001, FORD NOTIFIED NHTSA THAT IT WILL CONDUCT A SAFETY RECALL CAMPAIGN TO REPLACE THE SUBJECT VENT HOSE IN AFFACTED VEHICLES.FORD WILL BEGIN NOTIFYING CUSTOMERS OF THE AFFECTED VEHICLES ON OR ABOUT THE WEEK OF FEBRUARY 12, 2001 TO RETURN THEIR VEHICLES TO DEALERS FOR REPLACEMENT OF THE FUEL TANK VENT HOSE WITH THE LATEST DESIGN LEVER PART.
1998 Mercury Villager Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year
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