RoadVitals

1993 Mercury Villager

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
414
Latest Oct 18, 2011
Safety recallsA safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
5
Latest Jan 2, 2001
InvestigationsNHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
8
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
45
29 injuries, 0 deaths reported

Overview

Our database contains 414 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1993 Mercury Villager, most frequently naming the engine, visibility and brakes categories. 5 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; 8 NHTSA investigations name it; and 113 manufacturer communications are on file.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

What owners report

Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Safety recalls

5 campaigns cover this model year

Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.

Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY

Jan 2, 2001
394,000 units potentially affected
The defect: 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.
The risk: FUEL LEAKAGE IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE CAN RESULT IN A FIRE.
The remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE VENT HOSE.
FORD MOTOR COMPANYManufacturer number 00S59View on NHTSA.gov

VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM

Nov 21, 1995
48,053 units potentially affected
The defect: LEAVES AND OTHER FOREIGN MATERIAL CAN ENTER THROUGH THE COWL PANEL AIR INTAKE DURING OPERATION OF THE FRONT HEATER AND/OR AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEM RESULTING IN A BUILD-UP OF MATERIAL IN THE PLENUM. THIS CAN LEAD TO NOISE, ODORS, OR IN SOME CASES, IGNITION OF THESE MATERIALS.
The risk: A VEHICLE FIRE COULD OCCUR.
The remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL AN ADDITIONAL HEATER/AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEM INTAKE SCREEN.
FORD MOTOR COMPANYView on NHTSA.gov

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS

Dec 2, 1992
10,800 units potentially affected
The defect: FUEL FILLER HOSES MAY HAVE BEEN CUT PRIOR TO INSTALLATION BY A UTILITY KNIFE USED TO OPEN THE SHIPPING BOX.
The risk: FUEL LEAKAGE CAN RESULT IF THE CUT EXTENDED THROUGH THETHICKNESS OF THE HOSE WALL. LEAKING FUEL CAN RESULT IN A FIRE IF EXPOSEDTO A SOURCE OF IGNITION.
The remedy: REPLACE THE FUEL FILLER HOSE.
FORD MOTOR COMPANYView on NHTSA.gov

Safety investigations

NHTSA inquiries naming this vehicle. An investigation is not a finding of a defect.

EA00014ClosedEngineering Analysis

FUEL TANK VENT HOSE LEAKAGE

Opened May 22, 2000
Closed Jan 4, 2001

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.

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:LINKAGES
EA99015ClosedEngineering Analysis

FUEL RAIL HOSE FITTING LEAKAGE

Opened Jun 29, 1999
Closed Apr 18, 2001

THE ENGINEERING ANALYSIS CLOSING REPORT COVERS 1993-1998 MERCURY VILLAGER AND NISSAN QUEST MINIVANS.THESE TWO MINIVANS SHARE A COMMON BODY PLATFORM AND POWER TRAIN.BASED ON THE LOW NUMBER OF REPORTED INCIDENTS AND THE ABSENCE OF A DEMONSTRABLE FAILURE TREND, A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT TREND HAS NOT BEEN IDENTIFIED AT THIS TIME AND FURTHER USE OF AGENCY RESOURCES IS NOT 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. SEE ENGINEERING CLOSING REPORT EA99-015 FOR DETAILS.

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:LINKAGES
EA96005ClosedEngineering Analysis

BATTERY EXPLOSIONS

Opened May 30, 1996
Closed May 29, 1997

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.AN ENGINEERING ANALYSIS CLOSING REPORT IS INCLUDED IN THE PUBLIC FILE.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
PE96009ClosedPreliminary Evaluation

BATTERY EXPLOSION

Opened Jan 25, 1996
Closed May 30, 1996

1993 MERCURY VILLAGERBATTERY EXPLOSION

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

Recent owner complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words

Body & structure
Filed Oct 18, 2011

OWNER NOTICE ENGINE BEGINNING TO DRAG ON THE GROUND, CAR WAS STILL CAPABLE OF OPERATING. TRANSVERSE STRUCTURAL MEMBER BENEATH THE RADIATOR WHICH SUPPORTS THE FRONT END OF THE ENGINE SUPPORT BEAM FAILED AND ALLOWED ENGINE TO TILT FORWARD. ATTACH BRACKET FOR SUPPORT BEAM TORE THROUGH THE STRUCTURAL MEMBER. SERIOUS POTENTIAL FOR SNAGGING THE FRONT END OF THE ENGINE SUPPORT BEAM ON A ROAD HAZARD AND FORCING THE FRONT END OF THE CAR UP IN THE AIR THUS ROLLING THE ENGINE AFT UNDER THE VEHICLE WITH LOSS OF CONTROL. TRANSVERSE BEAM WAS PARTIALLY CORRODED HOWEVER METAL THICKNESS AND STRENGTH OF THIS COMPONENT APPEARS TO BE INADEQUATE. PICTURES AVAILABLE. *TR

NHTSA ID
10430715
Incident
Oct 1, 2011
Mileage
94,000 mi
Brakes
Filed Sep 17, 2007

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1993 MERCURY VILLAGER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKE LIGHTS HAVE FAILED FOR TWO YEARS AND SEVERAL UNSUCCESSFUL ATTEMPTS HAVE BEEN MADE TO DIAGNOSE AND REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE MECHANIC REPLACED THE BULBS, FUSE, AND BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH, HOWEVER, THE FAILURE REMAINS. ON SEPTEMBER 14, 2007, THE BRAKE LIGHTS WERE REPLACED, BUT FAILED AGAIN ON SEPTEMBER 17, 2007. THE DEALER STATED THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS ON HER VEHICLE. THE CONTACT CAN PROVIDE INVOICES. THE FUEL SYSTEM WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 95,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 138,000. UPDATED 01/09/08. *LJ UPDATED 12/12/07 *TR

NHTSA ID
10203795
Incident
Sep 16, 2005
Mileage
95,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Feb 28, 2007
Fire reported

TL* - THE CONTACT CALLED REGARDING THE 1993 MERCURY VILLAGER. THE CONTACT WAS TRAVELING UNDER 30 MPH WHEN THE VEHICLE DECELERATED, IT SEEMED AS THOUGH THE VEHICLE WAS NOT GETTING GAS. THE CONTACT HAD TO KEEP THE VEHICLE IN FIRST GEAR. THE CONTACT SMELLED SOMETHING BURNING AND TURNED OFF THE HEATER. SHE TURNED THE IGNITION OFF, AND SMOKE CAME FROM UNDER THE HOOD. THE FLAMES WERE ON THE PASSENGER'S SIDE NEAR THE ENGINE. THE CONTACT PUT THE FIRE OUT WITH A FIRE EXTINGUISHER. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE CONTACT STATED SHE SMELLEDGAS FOR MONTHS. SHE HAD THE EMISSIONS CHECKED, AND THEY DID NOT FIND A PROBLEM. THE CONTACT WILL TAKE PICTURES OF THE VEHICLE. *AK

NHTSA ID
10183829
Incident
Feb 27, 2007
Other / unspecifiedVisibility
Filed Nov 16, 2005

I PURCHASED A SET OF ANCO WINTER WIPER BLADES FROM AUTOZONE, FOR A 93 MERCURY VILLAGER. MY WIFE WAS DRIVING MY DAUGHTER TO SCHOOL, AND THE DRIVERS SIDE WIPER BLADE FAILED COMPLETELY, DURING A SERIOUS STORM AND IN HEAVY TRAFFIC. MY WIFE WAS COMPLETELY BLINDED, ALL SHE COULD DO TO MANEUVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. WIPER BLADES HAD BEEN ON THE CAR LESS THAN A WEEK. RECEIVED NO SATISFACTION FROM AUTOZONE, STORE REPRESENTATIVE REFUSED TO CONSIDER BLATANT DEFECT IN MANUFACTURING. TRIED TO CONVINCE ME THAT MY WIFE MUST HAVE BEEN DRIVING RECKLESSLY OR SOMETHING TO THAT EFFECT. THIS HAD CATASTROPHE WRITTEN ALL OVER IT, ANCO MAKES THESE BLADES IN MEXICO. I DON'T UNDERSTAND HOW A CORPORATION CAN PLACE PROFIT ABOVE THE SAFETY OF FAMILY. *JB

NHTSA ID
10142888
Incident
Nov 14, 2005
Engine
Filed Sep 11, 2005

THREE EXHAUST MANIFOLD BOLTS ON THE FRONT, AND THREE MORE ON THE REAR ARE BROKEN OFF, WITH A INCREASINGLY MORE LOUD SOUND COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. I BELIEVE THEY ARE AWARE OF THIS DEFECT IN THESE VANS, BUT REQUIRE THE OWNER TO SHOULDER THE PAYMENT OF THIS EXPENSIVE REPAIR. THIS PROBLEM IS VERY EVIDENT IN THE 1993 MODEL YEAR OF THE MERCURY VILLAGER AND THE NISSAN QUEST. *NM

NHTSA ID
10136136
Incident
Sep 11, 2005
Mileage
100,000 mi
Transmission
Filed Aug 26, 2005
1 injury reported

1993 MERCURY VILLAGER DEVELOPED PROBLEMS WITH THE TRANSMISSION.***NO ANSWER REQUIRED***. *MR THE CONSUMER'S VEHICLE WAS PARKED AND OFF WHEN IT JUMPED OUT OF GEAR AND ROLLED OVER THE CONSUMER'S LEG CAUSING RESIDUAL NERVE DAMAGE AFTER THE INITIAL COMPOUND FRACTURE TO HER TIBIA BONE. THE CONSUMER CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER BUT THEY ASSUME NO RESPONSIBILITY. *NM

NHTSA ID
10135626
Incident
Aug 7, 2002
Seat belts
Filed Jul 11, 2005

THE MOTORIZED SEATBELTS IN THE PASSENGER AND DRIVER SEATS STOPPED WORKING. THE PASSENGER SEATBELT MOTOR STARTED SMOKING AND WE HAD TO SHUT DOWN THE MOTOR BY TAKING OFF THE PANEL AND UNPLUGGING THE FUSE.

NHTSA ID
10128291
Incident
May 1, 2005
Fuel system
Filed May 24, 2005
Fire reported

PURCHASED A 1993 MERCURY VILLAGER FROM MZN AUTO SALES ON JANUARY 28, 2005. WAS DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY ON MAY 19TH, HEARD A LOUD NOISE AND PEOPLE WERE YELLING TO PULL OVER THAT MY VAN WAS ON FIRE, BOTH SIDES IN FLAMES. COME TO FIND OUT, THERE WAS A RECALL ON THIS VEHICLE FOR FUEL RELATED FIRES AND WE WERE NOT NOTIFIED BY THE OWNER OF MZN AUTO SALES OF ANY RECALLS. THEY HAVE OUR VAN IN THEIR POSSESSION AT THIS TIME.

NHTSA ID
10122013
Incident
May 20, 2005
Mileage
168,000 mi

Manufacturer communications

A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.

03148

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:COOLING UNIT AND LINES

NEW TRANSMISSION COOLER FLUSHER - SERVICE TIPS. 2003 ESCORT AND SUPER DUTY F SERIES INCLUDED. *TT

02208

EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER

CLIMATE CONTROL A/C SERVICE TECH TIPS. *EH

02176

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS:SWITCH

LAMP-BRAKE-INVADVERTENT DISABLING OF BRAKE SHIFT INTERLOCK. *MJ

0214

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE

SOME ENGINE ASSEMBLIES WITH ALUMINUM CYLINDER HEADS REPAIRED IN-VEHILE HAVE BEEN FOUND TO LEAK COOLANT AND/OR OIL FROM THE CYLINDER HEAD GASKET AREA. *TT

01194

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

THIS ARITLCE IS TO PROVIDE INFORMATION ON REPLACEMENT OF OLD STYLE HOOD LAMP SWITCH TO THE RVISED MECHANICAL HOOD LAMP SWITCH. *TT

01181

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:PARK/NEUTRAL START INTERLOCK SWITCH

BRAKE SHIFT INTERLOCK.*JB

Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

Mercury Villager by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2002180035.7
2001201042.7
2000712157.0
19991854155.4
1998832155.4
19971253354.3
19961882458.4
19953673661.7
19942533558.6
1993Viewing4145864.4
1992100

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.