RoadVitals

1995 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.
367
Latest Dec 10, 2016
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.
6
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.
33
23 injuries, 3 deaths reported

Overview

Our database contains 367 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1995 Mercury Villager, most frequently naming the engine, fuel system and brakes categories. 3 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; 6 NHTSA investigations name it; and 121 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

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

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
Jun 3, 1996
6,600 units potentially affected
The defect: AN OUT-OF-SPECIFICATION CONDITION IN THE SEAT CABLE ROLLER PULLEY ASSEMBLY CAN ALLOW THE CABLE THAT CONNECTS THE SEAT ADJUST LEVER TO THE LATCH TO BE PINCHED IN THE ROLLER ASSEMBLY.
The risk: CONSEQUENCE OF NON-COMPLIANCE: THIS CONDITION CAN PREVENT THE LATCH ON THE LEFT SIDE FROM FULLY ENGAGING THE SEAT RAIL. THIS DOES NOT COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENT OF FMVSS NO. 207, "SEATING SYSTEMS."
The remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE A COMPONENT IN THE THIRD ROW SLIDING BENCH SEAT LATCH ASSEMBLY.
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
SQ00008ClosedInvestigation

UNEXPECTED OPENING ON SLIDING DOOR

Opened May 12, 2000
Closed Apr 1, 2002

There is no summary currently available

STRUCTURE
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

Recent owner complaints

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

Fuel system
Filed Dec 10, 2016

THERE IS A VERY BAD FUEL SMELL INSIDE THE VAN!

NHTSA ID
10934385
Incident
Nov 22, 2016
Mileage
198,000 mi
Fuel system
Filed Feb 13, 2015

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1995 MERCURY VILLAGER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE EMITTED STRONG FUEL FUMES FROM OUTSIDE AND INSIDE THE VEHICLE. THE SMELL WAS AFFECTING THE CONTACT WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 00V419002 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS INVALID. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000.

NHTSA ID
10683143
Incident
Mar 5, 2014
Mileage
150,000 mi
Engine
Filed Jun 10, 2008
Fire reported

I HAVE A 1995 MERCURY VILLAGER. ON 6/6/08 I HEARD A NOISE AND SAW AND PUFF OF SMOKE. I WENT TO CHECK IT AND SAW NOTHING. I DROVE IT HOME AND THE NEXT MORNING THE PASSENGER SEAT AND THE PASSENGER DOOR WERE BURNED UP. THE ENTIRE INSIDE WAS COVERED IN SMOKE. THE CAR WOULD NOT START, AND THE MECHANIC SAID THAT IT WAS WOULD BE TOO EXPENSIVE TO REPAIR CONSIDERING IT'S AGE AND CONDITION. *TR

NHTSA ID
10230451
Incident
Jun 6, 2008
Mileage
180,000 mi
Fuel system
Filed Jan 9, 2008

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1995 MERCURY VILLAGER. WHILE IDLING, THE CONTACT SMELLED FUEL IN THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT COMING FROM THE FRONT VENTS. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT YET BEEN DIAGNOSED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 163,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 155,000. UPDATED 02-14-08. *KB THE CONSUMER STATED A RECALL HAD BEEN ISSUED IN 2001, FOR THE SAME PROBLEM SHE EXPERIENCED, HOWEVER HER VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER WAS NOT INCLUDED. UPDATED .

NHTSA ID
10214287
Incident
Jan 12, 2007
Mileage
155,000 mi
Fuel system
Filed Aug 15, 2007

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1995 MERCURY VILLAGER. IN FEBRUARY OF 2001, THE FUEL SYSTEM WAS REPLACED BECAUSE IT WAS LEAKING GASOLINE. ON AUGUST 8, 2007, SHE NOTICED FUEL LEAKING FROM HER VEHICLE WHILE PARKED IN THE DRIVEWAY. THE LEAKING CONTINUED UNTIL THE FUEL LEVEL WAS LOWER THAN THE FILLER TUBE. THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY AT THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE FUEL SYSTEM NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AGAIN. SAFETY RECALL NUMBER 00V419002 (FUEL SYSTEM: GASOLINE: STORAGE: TANK ASSEMBLY) DOES NOT APPLY TO THE VEHICLE. THE POWERTRAIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 87,829 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 43,441.

NHTSA ID
10199660
Incident
Aug 8, 2007
Mileage
43,441 mi
Driver assistance
Filed May 27, 2007
Fire reported

MY MERCURY VILLAGER WHILE LOCK IN MY GARAGE AND DOOR LOCK WE SMELL SMOKE OUTSIDE OF GARAGE WE HAD NOT USED THE GARAGE EXCEPT WEEK AGO WE FOUND THE WINDOW CRACK FRONT ALSO VENTS FRONT WERE ALL MELTED MOST DAMAGE IS LOCATED BEHIND THE HEATER AND RADIO ALSO NEAR THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL THAT PART OF THE DASH WAS ALSO BURNT ALL THE WINDOWS WERE ALSO FULLY CLOSED! WE CALLED THE POLICE THEY HAD NO SIGNS OF FORCE ENTRY THEY ALSO DETERMINED THE FIRE STARTED INSIDE DASH BETWEEN THE HEATER CONTROL AND THE RADIO. THE VEHICLE HAS NEVER BEEN SERVICE OR HAD ANY ITEM REPAIR OR REPLACED AS LONG AS WE OWN THE VEHICLE. *TR

NHTSA ID
10191813
Incident
May 25, 2007
Mileage
13,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Mar 13, 2007

TL*- THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE PARKING THE 1995 MERCURY VILLAGER HE ATTEMPTED TO SHUT THE VEHICLE OFF BUT COULD NOT. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO TAKE THE KEYS OUT THE IGNITION, BUT THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO RUN WITHOUT THE KEY BEING IN THE IGNITION. IN ORDER TURN OFF THE POWER OF THE VEHICLE THE CONTACT HAD TO DISCONNECT THE DISTRIBUTOR WIRE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WERE BOTH 129434.*AK

NHTSA ID
10184971
Incident
Mar 13, 2007
Mileage
129,434 mi
Engine
Filed Aug 29, 2006

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE ENGINE STALLED AND WOULD NOT RESTART AFTER REVERSING OUT OF A DRIVEWAY. THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED AND THE VEHICLE WAS PUT IN DRIVE PRIOR TO THE STALLING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP WHO DETERMINED THE END OF THE CRANKSHAFT SNAPPED OFF AND THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. UPDATED 9/20/2006 - *NM

NHTSA ID
10166858
Incident
Aug 29, 2006
Mileage
92,000 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

01246

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE

ENGINE OIL SYSTEM PRIMING PROCEDURES, SERVICE TIPS FOR REPORTS OF PREMATURE ENGINE FAILURE. *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

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
1995Viewing3673661.7
19942533558.6
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.