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1999 Mercury Villager

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 1999 Mercury Villager do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 125.

About this comparison →

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

54 reports with mileage · 131 unknown

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 87 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Exterior Lighting. Review the 17 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Service Brakes, Hydraulic. Review the 12 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 reports3 fire reports7 injury reports

Power Train complaints

11 reports
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140,000 miles · Jul 5, 2007
Power Train

VEHICLE WAS BEING DRIVE WHEN AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FAILED AND REVERTED BACK TO FIRST GEAR. AFTER STOPPING, TURNING OFF ENGINE, AND RESTARTING, VEHICLE WOULD NOT COME OUT OF FIRST GEAR WHEN BEING DRIVEN. VEHICLE WAS SUBSEQUENTLY TOWED TO DEALERSHIP , CARMAN FORD IN NEW CASTLE DE), BUT WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE PROBLEM. DEALE…

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VEHICLE WAS BEING DRIVE WHEN AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FAILED AND REVERTED BACK TO FIRST GEAR. AFTER STOPPING, TURNING OFF ENGINE, AND RESTARTING, VEHICLE WOULD NOT COME OUT OF FIRST GEAR WHEN BEING DRIVEN. VEHICLE WAS SUBSEQUENTLY TOWED TO DEALERSHIP , CARMAN FORD IN NEW CASTLE DE), BUT WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE PROBLEM. DEALERSHIP REPORTED THAT THEY COULD NOT DUPLICATE. VEHICLE WAS PICKED UP BY OWNER AND BEGAN TO DRIVE IT HOME WHEN PROBLEM RE-OCCURRED. VEHICLE IS NOW AT COTTMAN TRANSMISSION IN WEST CHESTER PA WHO DIAGNOSE METAL SHAVINGS IN THE TRANSMISSION WELL (MINUTE FRAGMENTS) THAT MAY OR MAY NOT BE CAUSING THE PROBLEM.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10195389

Mileage unknown · Jul 15, 2005
Power Train

DT: THE CONSUMER STATES THAT APPROXIMATELY A YEAR AGO THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL BEGAN TO STICK IN THE UP POSITION. WHEN HE TRIED TO GO SLOW FROM THE STOP POSITION IT WOULD NOT WORK, CAUSING HIM TO PLACE MORE PRESSURE ON THE PEDAL CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO LURCH. THE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE SERVICE DEALER, AND THEY SUGGEST…

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DT: THE CONSUMER STATES THAT APPROXIMATELY A YEAR AGO THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL BEGAN TO STICK IN THE UP POSITION. WHEN HE TRIED TO GO SLOW FROM THE STOP POSITION IT WOULD NOT WORK, CAUSING HIM TO PLACE MORE PRESSURE ON THE PEDAL CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO LURCH. THE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE SERVICE DEALER, AND THEY SUGGESTED THAT HE PLACE A FUEL INJECTION CLEANER IN THE AIR FILTER, WHICH HELPED, BUT THE PROBLEM RECURRED. *AK *SC

NHTSA ODI #10125646

Mileage unknown · Feb 27, 2002
Engine And Engine CoolingFuel System, GasolinePower Train

TACHOMETER, TEMPERATURE AND FUEL GAUGE HAVE QUIT. *AK

NHTSA ODI #758719

Mileage unknown · Dec 28, 2001
Engine And Engine CoolingFuel System, OtherPower Train

TACHOMETER/ FUEL GAUGE/ TEMPERATURE GAUGE HAVE QUIT WORKING. *AK

NHTSA ODI #756127

Mileage unknown · Nov 20, 2001
Power Train

TACKOMETER FAILED TO REGISTER WHILE DRIVING. DEALER NOTIFIED, AND INFORMED CONSUMER THAT THIS PART WAS NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY OR A MANUFACTURER'S RECALL. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS ON THIS MATTER.*AK

NHTSA ODI #899303

Mileage unknown · Oct 21, 2001
Power Train

TRANSMISSION BEGAN SLIPPING SHEN SHIFTING BETWEEN SECOND AND THIRD GEAR AFTER THROTTLE BODY WAS REPLACED BY SELLING DEALER. TOOK VEHICLE TO ANOTHER DEALER WHO PLACED AND ADDITIVE IN THE TRANSMISSION. THIS DID NOT SOLVE THE PROBLEM AND THE TRANSMISSION STARTED SLIPPING BETWEEN THIRD AND FOURTH. TOOK BACK TO DEALER AND THEY SAI…

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TRANSMISSION BEGAN SLIPPING SHEN SHIFTING BETWEEN SECOND AND THIRD GEAR AFTER THROTTLE BODY WAS REPLACED BY SELLING DEALER. TOOK VEHICLE TO ANOTHER DEALER WHO PLACED AND ADDITIVE IN THE TRANSMISSION. THIS DID NOT SOLVE THE PROBLEM AND THE TRANSMISSION STARTED SLIPPING BETWEEN THIRD AND FOURTH. TOOK BACK TO DEALER AND THEY SAID "THEY COULD NOT VERIFY CUSTOMERS CONCERN". VEHICLE IS BECOMING ALMOST SCARY TO DRIVE AT THIS POINT AND IS OUT OF WARRANTY. FORD NEEDS TO ADDRESS THIS PROBLEM.

NHTSA ODI #753480

Mileage unknown · Jun 26, 2001
Power TrainCrash

WHILE VEHICLE WAS PARKED AND KEYS WERE IN A LOCKED POSITION CONSUMER'S CHILD WAS ABLE TO SWITCH GEAR SHIFT FROM PARK TO DRIVE WITHOUT BRAKE PEDAL BEING APPLIED. DEALER HAS NOT BEEN CONTATCED.*AK DEALER STATED EVERYTHING WAS FUNCTIONING AS NORMAL. *SLC

NHTSA ODI #891317

Mileage unknown · Jun 22, 2001
Power Train

STEERING WHEEL WILL MOVE TO THE LEFT AND RIGHT DURING SLOW SPEEDS ON SMOOTH ROADS. THE MOVMENT IS VISUAL AND CAN BE FELT WHEN HANDS ARE ON THE STEERING WHEEL. EXCESSIVE DELAY WHEN SHIFTING FROM REVERSE TO DRIVE AND NOISE CAN BE HEARD WHEN TRANS IS SHIFTING FROM 2ND TO THIRD.

NHTSA ODI #747267

Mileage unknown · May 9, 2001
Power Train

TRANSMISSION OPERATED ERRATICALLY. HAD TO TRY THREE OR FOUR TIMES TO PUT IT INTO GEAR, BUT IT DID NOT WORK. *AK

NHTSA ODI #887809

Mileage unknown · Sep 5, 2000
Power Train

I REPORTED TO THE DEALER THAT THE AUTO TRANS MAKES A "CHIRP" NOISE BETWTEEN 2ND & 3RD GEAR. THEY INITIALLY DENIED A PROBLEM. I RECENTLY CONFRONTED THE DEALER WITH SB613610 AND THEY CLAIM THAT OPERATION AND DURABILITY ARE UNAFFECTED BY THIS NOISE. YET THEIR OWN INTERNAL DOCUMENTS REVEAL THAT VEHICLES MADE AFTER 5/19/00 WILL NOT …

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I REPORTED TO THE DEALER THAT THE AUTO TRANS MAKES A "CHIRP" NOISE BETWTEEN 2ND & 3RD GEAR. THEY INITIALLY DENIED A PROBLEM. I RECENTLY CONFRONTED THE DEALER WITH SB613610 AND THEY CLAIM THAT OPERATION AND DURABILITY ARE UNAFFECTED BY THIS NOISE. YET THEIR OWN INTERNAL DOCUMENTS REVEAL THAT VEHICLES MADE AFTER 5/19/00 WILL NOT HAVE THIS PROBLEM. WHAT DID THEY DO TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM IN NEWER VEHICLES? WHY ARE THEY UNWILLING TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM IN EXISTING VEHICLES? YOUR ASSISTANCE IN INVESTIGATING THIS PROBLEM IS GREATLY APPRECIATED.

NHTSA ODI #730303

Official recalls

4

00V292001 · Steering:rack And Pinion

Oct 10, 2000

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MINI VANS. ONE OR MORE OF THE FIVE BOLTS THAT MOUNT THE RACK AND PINION STEERING GEAR TO THE VEHICLE MAY HAVE BEEN INCORRECTLY TIGHTENED.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THERE COULD BE A LOOSENESS IN THE STEERING, WHICH MAY BE ACCOMPANIED BY NOISE OR VIBRATION.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE VEHICLES AND, IF THE BOLTS ARE MISSING, WILL REPLACE THE STEERING GEAR MOUNTING BOLTS. ALL BOLTS WILL BE TIGHTENED TO THE SPECIFIED TORQUE. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN NOVEMBER 28, 2000. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-392-3673.

99V347001 · Exterior Lighting:tail Lights

Dec 10, 1999

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MINIVANS. THE TAIL LIGHT SOCKET MAY HAVE BEEN IMPROPERLY MOLDED, RESULTING IN THE LOCKING TAB HAVING INSUFFICIENT FORCE TO RETAIN THE BULB.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: IF THE BULB FALLS OUT OF THE SOCKET, THE BRAKE OR TAIL LAMP FUNCTION CANNOT OCCUR.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE TAIL LAMP SOCKETS.

99V205001 · Fuel System, Gasoline:storage:tank Assembly:mounting

Aug 3, 1999

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MINI VANS. THE FUEL TANK RETENTION STRAP (TWO STRAPS PER VEHICLE) CAN BREAK AT THE SPOT WELDS CAUSING AN UNDERBODY RATTLE.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THERE IS ALSO A POTENTIAL FOR FUEL TANK SEPARATION OR FUEL LEAK, INCREASING THE RISK OF A FIRE.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FUEL TANK RETENTION STRAPS.

99V056001 · Seats

Mar 30, 1999

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MINI VANS. THE AFFECTED VEHICLES MAY HAVE A SECOND ROW RIGHT HAND SIDE CAPTAIN CHAIR THAT HAS INADEQUATE LUBRICATION OF THE EASY ENTRY AND EXIT LATCH SYSTEM. IN SOME CASES, THE ACTUATOR SPRING IN THE LATCH COULD DEFORM AFTER REPEATED USE, CAUSING THE LATCH TO REMAIN IN THE UNLATCHED POSITION. IF THIS OCCURS, THE SEAT WILL SLIDE FREELY ON THE SEAT TRACK AND THE SPRINGS ON THE TRACK WILL MOVE THE SEAT TO THE EASY ENTRY POSITION TOWARD THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: AN UNLATCHED SEAT TRACK COULD RESULT IN AN INCREASED RISK OF INJURY IN THE EVENT OF A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE SEAT TRACK FOR THE SECOND ROW RIGHT HAND SIDE CAPTAIN'S CHAIR, WHICH INCLUDES THE EASY ENTRY AND EXIT LATCH MECHANISM.

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

PE04020 · Failing Headlights

Opened Feb 26, 2004 · Closed Jun 24, 2004

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Exterior Lighting:headlights

NISSAN AND FORD FOUND THAT THE ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT HEADLIGHT STAINLESS STEEL BULB TERMINALS MAY OVER TIME CAUSE ELEVATED CONTACT RESISTANCE AND OVERHEAT THE ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR HOUSING.THIS CAN RESULT IN A HEADLIGHT FLICKERING, BULB OUTAGE AND HEAT DEFORMATION TO THE HEADLIGHT CONNECTOR.IN APRIL 1999, THE SUPPLIER OF THE HEADLIGHT FOR NISSAN AND FORD CHANGED TO A BULB USING THE STAINLESS STEEL TERMINALS THAT DID NOT MEET ORIGINAL SPECIFICATIONS.ON JULY 17, 2000, THE SUPPLIER BEGAN USING A BULB MEETING THE VEHICLE MANUFACTURER'S SPECIFICATIONS.THIS PROBLEM CAN AFFECT INDEPENDENTLY EITHER HEADLIGHT BUT DOES NOT CAUSE SIMULTANEOUS FAILURE OF BOTH HEADLIGHTS. THE PROBLEM ALSO DOES NOT AFFECT FRONT PARKING LAMPS.AS A RESULT, THE COMPLAINTS TYPICAL REPORT SINGLE FAILURE OF ONE HEADLIGHT.THERE ARE NO CRASHES OR LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL REPORTED.A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT TREND HAS NOT BEEN IDENTIFIED AT THIS TIME AND FURTHER USE OF AGENCY RESOURCES DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE WARRANTED.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT NO SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT EXISTS.THE AGENCY RESERVES THE RIGHT TO TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES.