1995 Mercury Villager Problems

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

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

THERE IS A VERY BAD FUEL SMELL INSIDE THE VAN!

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.

VERY STRONG SMELLING GAS FUMES INSIDE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT WHEN HEATER IS TURNED ON. WHILE DRIVING THE SPEED GAUGE WILL STOP WORKING AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WILL COME ON. BRAKES MAKE A GRINDING NOISE EVEN AFTER BEING REPLACED. CV BOOT IS LEAKING AND CRACKED. DRIVER SIDE AUTO-SEAT BELT SOMETIMES FAILS TO GO UP AND DOWN. REAR WINDSHIELD WIPER GETS STUCK IN UP POSITIONS WHEN TRING TO USE IT. *AK

THE REAR FIRESTONE SI TIRE EXPERIENCED TREAD SEPARATION AND WRAPPED AROUND THE AXLE CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO SKID AND CRASH. (TIRE SIZE, P205/75SR15).THE CONSUMER WAS ASKING REIMBURSEMENT. *YH

DRIVER'S AUTOMATIC SEAT BELT FAILED TO FUNCTION AS IT WAS DESIGNED. SEAT BELT HAD TO BE MANUALLY PLACED IN THE RELEASE AND RETRACT POSITION. THE SEAT BELT MOTOR MADE A GRINDING NOISE WHEN THIS OCCURRED. *AK

THE PAINT IS CRACKED ON THE HOOD, UNKNOWN WHAT MONTH, ABOUT 1997. WE NEVER HAD IT FIXED. DRIVERS DOOR SEATBELT STAYS IN THE RUNNING POSITION, IT WON'T MOVE FORWARD, BUT IT MAKES A LOUD MOTOR NOISE, UNKNOWN WHAT MONTH, SINCE ABOUT 1999. WE NEVER HAD IT FIXED. THE SEAT BELT ON THE RIGHT NEXT TO THE MIDDLE SEAT FELL OFF. WE TOLD THE DEALER. THEY ORDERED ONE. WE WENT BACK ABOUT A MONTH LATER THEY SAID IT WAS TOO LATE TO FIX IT. THE TRANSMISSION WENT OUT IN ABOUT MAY OF 1998, AT ABOUT 120,000 MILES. WE HAD IT REBUILT. IT WENT OUT AGAIN ABOUT A YR LATER. WE CAN'T AFFORD TO HAVE IT REBUILT AGAIN RIGHT NOW. SO IT SITS. IN JUL OR AUG OF 1998, THE MOTOR WENT OUT. WE WERE DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY, AND IT STARTED KNOCKING, THEN QUIT. ALSO ON CHRISTMAS EVE OF 1997, WE WERE GOING DOWN THE ROAD AND THE THING SOUNDED LIKE ALL THE RODS WERE KNOCKING. THE TEMP GAUGE SAID IT WAS OVER HEATING. WE PAID A GUY $100 TO BRING IT FROM EDMORE, MI TO BATTLE CREEK, MI. THE NEXT DAY WE WENT OUT AND STARTED IT, AND IT WAS FINE. OUR TAIL LIGHTS ALSO WENT OUT, THE FORD DEALER FIXED THEM. SO NEEDLESS TO SAY, I WILL NEVER BUY A MERCURY AGAIN. IF I HAD WANTED A NISSAN, I WOULD HAVE BOUGHT A NISSAN. I HAVE A 1976 FORD CHATEAU CLUB WAGON, OVER 250,000 MILES. IT HAS ONLY HAD TO HAVE A TRANSMISSION AT ABOUT 240,000 MILES. SO I GUESS I AM SAYING THIS VILLAGER IS A LEMON. THANK YOU FOR LISTENING, DAWN GREEN

SIDE SLIDING DOOR STICKS,SLIDING DOOR WINDOW DOESNT STAY SHUT,LOCKS WILL LOCK THEMSELVES ,BACK WIPER MALFUNCTIONS,GRINDING AND SQUEAKING FROM BRAKES,SMELL OF FUEL FROM PASSENGER SIDE AND PASSENGER P/W STICKS SOMETIMES

CONTROL SWITCH FOR THE WINDSHIELD WASHER FLUID DOES NOT WORK. *TS

MY SLIDING DOOR LATCH ON MY 1995 MERCURY VILLAGER POPS OPEN WHEN I AM DRIVING!!! I AM AFRAID MY CHILD WILL FALL OUT AND I WILL SUE MERCURY FOR A GREAT DEAL OF MONEY. *LA

VEHICLE WAS HIT FROM THE REAR AND COLLIDED WITH VEHICLE IN FRONT. FRONT SEATS LURCHED FORWARD THAN COLLAPSED FLAT BACKWARDS ,TRAPPING 2 CHILDREN IN REAR SEAT.*AKI

VEHICLE GEAR SHIFT APPEARS TO GO INTO PARK, HOWEVER THE TRANSMISSION IS NOT REALLY IN PARK, THUS CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO ROLL, POSSIBLY WHEN NO ONE IS INSIDE THE VEHICLE. IN ADDITION, THIS CONDITION CAN CAUSE THE DRIVER TO BE STRANDED BECAUSE THE CAR WILL NOT RESTART DUE TO IT NOT BEING ENGAGED IN THE PARK POSITION.*AK

LOST REVERSE GEAR ON TRANSMISSION. TOOK TO THE NEAREST TRANSMISSION SHOP. OWNER SAID A PIECE HAD BROKEN APART IN THE TRANSMISSION, WEARING A GROOVE IN THE REVERSE CYLINDER. THE TRANSMISSION WAS FULL OF METAL PIECES. AFTER A $2000 REPAIR, FORD TELLS ME THAT THEY WON'T HONOR ANY WORK DONE AT A NONE FORD REPAIR SHOP. I BELIEVE THAT THIS DEFECT HAS BEEN SEEN IN OTHER TRANSMISSION FAILURES IN THESE VEHICLES. *AK

SIDE SLIDING DOOR STICKS,SLIDING DOOR WINDOW DOESNT STAY SHUT,LOCKS WILL LOCK THEMSELVES ,BACK WIPER MALFUNCTIONS,GRINDING AND SQUEAKING FROM BRAKES,SMELL OF FUEL FROM PASSENGER SIDE AND PASSENGER P/W STICKS SOMETIMES

DRIVERS SEATBELT HAS STOPPED WORKING FOR THE 3RD TIME, IT WAS REPLACED IN FEBRUARY AND APRIL OF 2001, IT WAS REPLACED TWICE IN MAY 2001 AND IS BEING REPLACED AGAIN AT THIS TIME. BURNED OUT MOTOR IS THE CAUSE.*AK CONSUMER STATES CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON AT TIME WHEN DRIVING BUT DOES NOT STAY ON AND MOLDING ON DRIVER SIDE IS LOOSE. *YD

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED DURING A STATE INSPECTION THE BRAKE AND RUNNING LIGHTS CONTINUALLY FAILED TO ILLUMINATE. ALTHOUGH, THE BULBS WERE REPLACED SIX TIMES THE LIGHTS CONTINUED FAILING. THE FUSES WERE INSPECTED, BUT WERE NOT THE REASON FOR THE FAILURES. THERE IS A NHTSA RECALL, # 96V253003, REGARDING THE TAIL LIGHTS. THE VEHICLE HAD THE SAME PROBLEMS AS INDICATED IN THE RECALL; HOWEVER IT IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO THE VIN. UPDATE 3/9/2006 - *NM

THE HEADLIGHT LENS FOGGED UP AND DO NOT PROVIDE PROPER LIGHTING AT NIGHT.*AK

WHILE SITTING AT A STOP LIGHT THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A HEAD ON COLLISION. THE DUAL AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED INJURIES TO HER CHEST. *NM

WHILE AT A STOP, CONSUMER'S VEHICLE WAS REAR ENDED AND WAS THEN PUSHED INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE AND THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. TS *JB

WHILE PARKED IN THE DRIVEWAY, THE FRONT COIL SPRING FAILED AND PUNCTURED THE LEFT FRONT TIRE WHICH CAUSED IT TO DEFLATE. *JB

CONSUMER STATES RIGHT FRONT COIL SPRING HAS BROKEN AND PUNTURE THE TIRE WHILE PARKED IN THE GARGE. DEALER CONTACTED. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.

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

WHILE PULLING IN TO OUR GARAGE, MY FOOT WAS NOT ON THE GAS PEDAL, AND THE VAN ACCELERATED. I PUSHED THE BRAKE BUT THE VAN DID NOT STOP. THE VAN CRASHED IN TO THE BACK OF OUR GARAGE, MOVING THE HOUSE OFF OF THE CEMENT BLOCK. VAN IS CURRENTLY AT THE DEALERSHIP AND I WAS TOLD THAT "IT WILL GO TO SERVICE ON MONDAY FOR DIAGNOSTICS". I AM SCARED TO DRIVE THIS VEHICLE AGAIN. I HAVE TWO SMALL CHILDREN AND IF THIS HAD HAPPENED ANYWHERE ELSE, THE ACCIDENT COULD HAVE BEEN MORE SEVERE/FATAL. I AM COMPLETING THIS REPORT IN HOPES THAT SOMEONE CAN LOOK IN TO THIS PROBLEM (I'VE READ OTHER CASES WITH THIS SAME PROBLEM) BECAUSE I AM SCARED TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE ANY LONGER. I'M HOPING THAT SOMEONE CAN HELP BEFORE SOMETHING WORSE HAPPENS. *NM

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

DT: THE CONTACT STATED ON 9-8-05 HAD THE CRUISE CONTROL ON AT APPROXIMATELY 62 MPH AND SUDDENLY THE CAR STARTED COASTING. IT SLOWED DOWN. HE PULLED OVER AND STOPPED THE CAR. HE OPENED THE HOOD, AND THERE WAS A BIG FIRE ON THE DISTRIBUTOR AND IGNITION AREAS. ALL OF THE SIX WIRES MELTED. THE CONTACT HAD IT TOWED TO A WORKSHOP, AND THEY SAID HE SHOULD CALL THE FORD CUSTOMER SERVICE. THE CONTACT CALLED FORD, AND FORD SAID SOMEONE WOULD GET IN TOUCH WITH HIM. THE MECHANIC AT THE WORKSHOP TOLD FORD THAT IT SEEMED TO BE AN ELECTRICAL FIRE DUE TO THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM WIRING MALFUNCTIONING. *AK THE CONSUMER CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER. THEY OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE BECAUSE THERE WERE NO RECALLS UNDER THE VEHICLE'S VIN/. *NM

I OWN A 1995 MERCURY VILLAGER. THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE SEAT BELT BECAME UN-OPERATIONAL IN MARCH 2001. I CONTACTED MY DEALER AND MERCURY AT THE TIME, NEITHER WAS OF ANY HELP AND SHOWED NO CONCERN. I PAID $121 OUT OF POCKET TO REPLACE THE PART. NOW, IN FEBRUARY OF 2003 THE SAME LOCATIONS SEAT BELT IS UN-OPERATIONAL AGAIN. I CONTACTED MY DEALER WHO TOLD ME TO CALL MERCURY. THEY WILL NOT HELP COVER A PART THAT IS MORE THAN 12 MONTHS OLD. WE WERE TOLD OVER AND OVER THAT IT'S THEIR POLICY. I HAVE OWNED ABOUT 6 VEHICLES IN MY YEARS OF DRIVING, THIS HAS NEVER HAPPENED TO ME BEFORE. A DEFECTIVE SEAT BELT SHOULD BE AT THE BOTTOM OF MY LIST OF CONCERNS REGARDING MY AUTOMOBILES. THE SEAT BELT ON THIS PASSENGER SEAT IS USED THE LEAST IN THE VAN BECAUSE I REQUIRE MY CHILD TO SIT IN THE MIDDLE ROW OF MY VAN AND 90% OF THE TIME MY WIFE OR I ARE TRANSPORTING OURSELVES ALONE OR ONE OF US WITH OUR CHILD. THE SEAT IS HARDLY EVER-USED OR BEING PUT THROUGH UNNECESSARY WEAR AND TEAR.*JB

HAVE HAD SEVERAL WATER PUMPS REPLACED IN OUR 1995 MERCURY VILLAGER. BEGINS LEAKING AFTER TWO TO FOUR WEEKS DRIVING IN COLD WEATHER. 4 REPLACED LAST WINTER, DROVE FINE DURING SUMMER, RECENTLY REPLACED AGAIN BY SAME REPAIR SHOP. EACH TIME THE WATER PUMP LEAKS BY THE SEALS IN THE PUMP. DEFECTIVE DESIGN?

FIRESTONE TIRE MODEL FR575 215/70R15 DOT NO. HYM3R5A427 TREAD SEPARATION. TREAD SEPARATED FROM TIRE WHILE ON I-10 IN HOUSTON, TX. TIRE CONTINUED TO HOLD AIR PRESSURE BUT TREAD DAMAGED REAR AREA OF VEHICLE. FIRESTONE CLAIM LACK OF MAINTENANCE WHICH IS NOT THE CASE. *JB

WE BOUGHT BRAND NEW SIGMA TEMPEST TIRES JUST A WEEK OR TWO AGO. ON OUR FIRST TRIP OUT OF TOWN, ONE OF THE SIDEWALLS OF THE TIRES SIMPLY DISINTEGRATED...NO ROAD HAZARD, NOTHING...THE TIRE JUST FELL APART. FORTUNATELY, IT WAS A REAR TIRE AND THERE WAS NO ACCIDENT. NOW, I AM AFRAID OF THAT THESE TIRES ARE TOTALLY UNSAFE, AND WISH THE MANUFACTURER WOULD REFUND OUR MONEY, SO WE COULD GET A BETTER BRAND. WE BOUGHT THEM AT OK TIRE, FARGO, ND. *NLM

VERY STRONG SMELLING GAS FUMES INSIDE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT WHEN HEATER IS TURNED ON. WHILE DRIVING THE SPEED GAUGE WILL STOP WORKING AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WILL COME ON. BRAKES MAKE A GRINDING NOISE EVEN AFTER BEING REPLACED. CV BOOT IS LEAKING AND CRACKED. DRIVER SIDE AUTO-SEAT BELT SOMETIMES FAILS TO GO UP AND DOWN. REAR WINDSHIELD WIPER GETS STUCK IN UP POSITIONS WHEN TRING TO USE IT. *AK

THE PAINT IS CRACKED ON THE HOOD, UNKNOWN WHAT MONTH, ABOUT 1997. WE NEVER HAD IT FIXED. DRIVERS DOOR SEATBELT STAYS IN THE RUNNING POSITION, IT WON'T MOVE FORWARD, BUT IT MAKES A LOUD MOTOR NOISE, UNKNOWN WHAT MONTH, SINCE ABOUT 1999. WE NEVER HAD IT FIXED. THE SEAT BELT ON THE RIGHT NEXT TO THE MIDDLE SEAT FELL OFF. WE TOLD THE DEALER. THEY ORDERED ONE. WE WENT BACK ABOUT A MONTH LATER THEY SAID IT WAS TOO LATE TO FIX IT. THE TRANSMISSION WENT OUT IN ABOUT MAY OF 1998, AT ABOUT 120,000 MILES. WE HAD IT REBUILT. IT WENT OUT AGAIN ABOUT A YR LATER. WE CAN'T AFFORD TO HAVE IT REBUILT AGAIN RIGHT NOW. SO IT SITS. IN JUL OR AUG OF 1998, THE MOTOR WENT OUT. WE WERE DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY, AND IT STARTED KNOCKING, THEN QUIT. ALSO ON CHRISTMAS EVE OF 1997, WE WERE GOING DOWN THE ROAD AND THE THING SOUNDED LIKE ALL THE RODS WERE KNOCKING. THE TEMP GAUGE SAID IT WAS OVER HEATING. WE PAID A GUY $100 TO BRING IT FROM EDMORE, MI TO BATTLE CREEK, MI. THE NEXT DAY WE WENT OUT AND STARTED IT, AND IT WAS FINE. OUR TAIL LIGHTS ALSO WENT OUT, THE FORD DEALER FIXED THEM. SO NEEDLESS TO SAY, I WILL NEVER BUY A MERCURY AGAIN. IF I HAD WANTED A NISSAN, I WOULD HAVE BOUGHT A NISSAN. I HAVE A 1976 FORD CHATEAU CLUB WAGON, OVER 250,000 MILES. IT HAS ONLY HAD TO HAVE A TRANSMISSION AT ABOUT 240,000 MILES. SO I GUESS I AM SAYING THIS VILLAGER IS A LEMON. THANK YOU FOR LISTENING, DAWN GREEN

FUEL VAPORS WERE IN PASSENGER'S COMPARTMENT. DEALERSHIP EXAMINED VEHICLE, AND MADE NECESSARY REPAIRS. VEHICLE WAS AFFECTED BY RECALL 00V419002. BUT, CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THAT REPAIR WORK WAS UNRELATED TO THIS CAMPAIGN. *AK CONUMER STATES FULE LINES WERE LEAKING AT FUEL RAIL, THRER WAS ALSO LEAK UNDER VEHICLE WHICH WAS DETERMINED TO BE POWER STEERING LEAK FROM A HOSE.*JB

ANT-THEFT LOCKING SYSTEM OPERATES INTERMITTENTLY. *AK DOOR LOCKS ALL DOORS WHEN TRYING TO GET OUT OR OPEN THE DOOR. *ET

A $700 COMPONENT NEAR PASSENGER SEAT (2ND ROW) SHOULD NOT BLOW FROM ELECTICAL SURGE, ELECTRICAL SHORT OR THE LIKE. WHERE IS THE FUSE, OR OTHER PROTECTIVE DEVICE TO PREVENT THIS FROM HAPPENING. AT THE DEALER I WAS NOT SHOWN DAMAGED PART NOR DO I REALLY DO NOT KNOW IF ELECTICAL OR FIRE DAMAGED THE BLOWER UNIT.

ODOR IN THE CAR WHEN THE AIR CONDITIONING IS ON. HIGH CARBON MONOXIDE LEVELS IN THE CAR WHEN THE A/C IS ON.