RoadVitals

1994 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.
253
Latest Jan 14, 2015
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.
3
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.
5
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.
18
5 injuries, 0 deaths reported

Overview

Our database contains 253 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1994 Mercury Villager, most frequently naming the engine, fuel system and brakes categories. 3 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; 5 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

3 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
00V419002

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
96V253003

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TAIL LIGHTS

Aug 17, 1998
72,940 units potentially affected
The defect: THE REAR LAMP SOCKET MAY NOT ILLUMINATE BECAUSE THE METAL CAN IN THE LAMP SOCKET MOVES OR SEPARATES FROM THE PLASTIC SOCKET HOUSING.
The risk: THIS CAN RESULT IN MALFUNCTION OF THE STOP OR REAR RUNNING LAMPS. CENTER HIGH MOUNT STOP LAMP FUNCTION IS UNAFFECTED. REAR LAMP MALFUNCTION CAN RESULT IN FOLLOWING DRIVERS NOT BEING ALERTED TO THE SUBJECT VEHICLE'S PRESENCE OR INTENDED ACTIONS, PARTICULARLY IN THE CASE IN WHICH BOTH LAMPS HAVE MALFUNCTIONED.
The remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A REVISED REAR LAMP SOCKET AND WIRING ASSEMBLIES.
FORD MOTOR COMPANYView on NHTSA.gov
94V142000

VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD

Aug 1, 1994
17 units potentially affected
The defect: THE WINDSHIELDS WERE MARKED WITH A "PROTOTYPE" DESIGNATION AND NOT MARKED AS REQUIRED BY FMVSS NO. 205, "GLAZING MATERIALS."
The risk: CONSEQUENCE OF NON-COMPLIANCE: INCORRECT LABELING OF WINDSHIELD MAY CAUSE CONCERN OR CONFUSION ABOUT THE PROTOTYPE DESIGNATION.
The remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE WINDSHIELDS ON THE AFFECTED VANS.
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
PE99077ClosedPreliminary Evaluation

FUEL TANK VENT HOSE LEAKAGE

Opened Dec 28, 1999
Closed May 22, 2000

There is no summary currently available

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
PE99013ClosedPreliminary Evaluation

FUEL RAIL HOSE FITTING LEAKAGE

Opened Feb 9, 1999
Closed Jun 29, 1999

SINCE SEPTEMBER 1998, ODI HAS RECEIVED SEVEN COMPLAINTS OF FUEL ODOR OR LEAKAGE IN 1994 THROUGH 1995 MERCURY VILLAGER VEHICLES.FOUR OF THE LEAKS HAVE BEEN TRACED TO A SHORT SECTION OF HOSE THAT CONNECTS THE FUEL SUPPLY TUBE TO THE REAR OF THE FUEL RAIL.INFORMAITON CONTAINED IN THE REPORTS INDICATE THAT THE PROBLEM MAY BE DIFFICULT TO DIAGNOSE, WITH SEVERAL OWNERS ALLEGING MULTIPLE DEALER SERVICE REPAIRS.ADVANCED COMPRESSION SET IS EVIDENT IN A HOSE REMOVED FROM THE MOST RECENT COMPLAINT VEHICLE.

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:LINKAGES

Recent owner complaints

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

View all 253
Steering
Filed Jan 14, 2015

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1994 MERCURY VILLAGER. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE STEERING WHEEL WAS NOT ALIGNED PROPERLY WHICH MADE IT DIFFICULT TO DRIVE IN A STRAIGHT LINE. THE CONTACT INDICATED THAT THE FAILURE PROGRESSED WITH NO WARNING. THE FAILURE RECURRED AND THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A MECHANIC FOR FURTHER INSPECTION AND DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 200,000. UPDATED 4/7/15*CN UPDATED 9/15/2017*CN

NHTSA ID
10672390
Incident
Oct 5, 2013
Mileage
200,000 mi
Fuel system
Filed Apr 6, 2012

THE SMELL OF FUEL IS SO STRONG INSIDE THE VAN THAT IT MAKES YOU DIZZY AND SICK. *TR

NHTSA ID
10454386
Incident
Jan 5, 2012
Engine
Filed Jan 26, 2012

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1994 MERCURY VILLAGER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD BOLTS FRACTURED, CAUSING A LEAK OF EXHAUST FUMES INSIDE THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO HAVE THE FAILURE DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 170,000.

NHTSA ID
10445475
Incident
Oct 13, 2011
Mileage
170,000 mi
Tires & wheels
Filed Mar 22, 2010
Crash reported

1994 MERCURY VILLAGER, RIGHT FRONT TIRE BLEW. *BF THE CONSUMER SIDESWIPED A TRACTOR TRAILER. OHIO TRAFFIC CRASH REPORT # 10-0501-90 UPDATED 05/03/10 *BF

NHTSA ID
10321965
Incident
Jul 9, 2008
Engine
Filed Jan 8, 2010

WHY WASN'T THE 94 VILLAGER EVER RECALLED FOR EXHAUST STUDS BREAKING OFF? THIS CAUSES EXHAUST GAS TO FILL THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT. I STILL HAVE THE REAR MANIFOLD LEAKING. I MEASURED 300 PPM C.O. WHILE THE VAN WAS IDLING. I CAN'T AFFORD TO PAY HUNDREDS OF DOLLARS TO GET IT FIXED. *TR

NHTSA ID
10298685
Incident
Dec 20, 2009
Exterior lighting
Filed Oct 31, 2009

HEADLIGHTS ARE SEVERELY CLOUDED/WEATHERED. THIS GREATLY REDUCES THE AVAILABLE LIGHT WHEN DRIVING AT NIGHT. DEFINITELY A SAFETY ISSUE. HAVE NOT ATTEMPTED ANY REPAIRS YET. *TR

NHTSA ID
10290445
Incident
Oct 30, 2009
BrakesExterior lighting
Filed Jul 18, 2007

FORD TOLD ME THE VIN DIDN'T SHOW UP ON THEIR RECALL RECORDS. AS A RESULT, THE CAR WAS EITHER REPAIRED ALREADY OR WASN'T SUBJECT TO THE RECALL. ACCORDING TO NHTSA RECALL 96V253003 RECALL THE CAR SHOULD BE INCLUDED IN THE RECALL SINCE IT EXPERIENCED THE SAME PROBLEM AS MENTIONED IN THE RECALL. THIS PROBLEM HAS NEVER BEEN REPAIRED BY A DEALER. I HAD NO IDEA WHY IT DIDN'T COME UP ON MY VIN . BUT THE CUSTOMER REPRESENTATIVE KEPT SAYING IT WAS NOT IN THEIR RECORDS. *AK

NHTSA ID
10196721
Incident
Jul 18, 2007
Mileage
90,000 mi
Tires & wheels
Filed May 9, 2007
Crash reported

I OWN A 1994 MERCURY VILLAGER THAT WAS GIVEN TO US BACK IN 2005 AFTER WE LOST EVERYTHING IN HURRICANE KATRINA. COMPLAINED ABOUT THE FIRESTONE SEIBERLING TIRES THAT WERE ON THIS VEHICLE. SEIBERLING TRAILRIDER RADIAL, LT P205 75 R15/MS. I RECENTLY REPLACED THE 2 FRONT SEIBERLINGS TIRES ON APRIL 29, 2007 DUE TO THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE HAVING TREAD SEPARATION. I KEPT THE SEIBERLING TIRES ON THE FRONT PASSENGER'S SIDE AS A SPARE. STILL HAD 2 SEIBERLING TIRES ON THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. WELL, TODAY MY WIFE WAS TAKING MY DAUGHTER TO WORK AND THE DRIVER'S SIDE REAR TIRE HAD A CATASTROPHIC TREAD SEPARATION AT HIGHWAY SPEED. 55 MPH. SHE DID ALL SHE COULD DO TO KEEP THE VEHICLE FROM FLIPPING OFF THE ROAD. SHE MANAGED TO GET THE VAN STOPPED BY CRASHING INTO THE SOFT GRAVEL DITCH, AND NO ONE WAS INJURED. THE DRIVER'S SIDE REAR QUARTER PANEL WAS DENTED AND SCUFFED BADLY FROM THE TIRE DEBRIS, AND THE TREAD THAT FLEW OFF ALSO BROKE THE TAIL LIGHT. THE PLASTIC SHROUD SURROUNDING THE GAS FILLER TUBE INSIDE THE REAR WHEEL WELL BROKE. I HAVE PHOTOS AND THE TIRES AT HOME. PLEASE CONTACT ME IF YOU HAVE ANY FURTHER QUESTIONS. TWO TIRES FAILING IN TWO WEEKS HAS ME CONCERNED. NOW, I HAVE TO REPLACE THE REAR TIRES AS WELL . *AK

NHTSA ID
10190343
Incident
May 9, 2007

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
1994Viewing2533558.6
19934145864.4
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.