RoadVitals

1996 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.
188
Latest Jul 6, 2017
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.
2
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.
4
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.
17
4 injuries, 0 deaths reported

Overview

Our database contains 188 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1996 Mercury Villager, most frequently naming the engine, interior & seats and body & structure categories. 2 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; 4 NHTSA investigations name it; and 137 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

2 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
98V012001

VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS

Mar 23, 1998
57,400 units potentially affected
The defect: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MINI VANS. THESE VEHICLES WERE PRODUCED WITH POWER WINDOWS THAT CAN BE CLOSED AFTER THE IGNITION KEY IS TURNED TO THE "OFF" POSITION AND THE RIGHT FRONT (PASSENGER) DOOR IS OPENED. THIS DOES NOT MEET THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS 118, "POWER-OPERATED WINDOW SYSTEMS."
The risk: THERE IS THE POTENTIAL FOR UNSUPERVISED CHILDREN TO OPERATE THE POWER WINDOWS, INCREASING THE RISK OF PERSONAL INJURY TO THE CHILD.
The remedy: OWNERS WILL BE PROVIDED WITH A LABEL REMINDING OWNERS NOT TO LEAVE CHILDREN UNATTENDED BECAUSE THE POWER WINDOWS CAN OPERATE FOR 15 MINUTES AFTER THE VEHICLE IGNITION HAS BEEN TURNED OFF UNLESS THE DRIVER'S DOOR IS OPENED. ALSO INCLUDED ARE INSTRUCTIONS DESCRIBING HOW AND WHERE THIS LABEL IS TO BE INSTALLED. IF AN OWNER PREFERS, THEIR DEALER CAN INSTALL THIS LABEL FOR THEM.
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
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

Recent owner complaints

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

View all 188
Electrical
Filed Jul 6, 2017

THE CAR CONTINUALLY LOCKS ITSELF (POWER LOCKS). IF I'M OUTSIDE THE CAR I HAVE TO REPEATEDLY TRY TO UNLOCK IT WHILE AT THE SAME TIME IT RELOCKS ITSELF. AFTER NUMEROUS ATTEMPTS IT WILL STOP AND LET ME IN. SAME IS TRUE IF I'M IN THE CAR EXCEPT NOW I CAN'T GET OUT. IT'S USUALLY MUCH WORSE DURING THE DAY THAN AT NIGHT. DOESN'T MATTER IF YOU'RE IN THE CAR, TRYING TO GET IN OR NEARBY (I DON'T HAVE A REMOTE NOR IS IT AN OPTION). THE CAR CAN BE SITTING IDLE FOR HOURS AND THEN ALL OF A SUDDEN STARTS LOCKING AND UNLOCKING ITSELF IN RAPID SUCCESSION. RARELY IF EVER DOES IT END UP UNLOCKED. WILL OCCASIONALLY GO THROUGH THE SAME PROCEDURE WHILE DRIVING. IT DOESN'T EFFECT ANYTHING BUT ALL THE DOOR LOCKS (AT LEAST THAT I HAVE BEEN ABLE TO ASCERTAIN). IF IT MATTERS I COULD SEND A VIDEO OF THIS PROBLEM. THE QUESTION BELOW OF WHEN DOES THIS HAPPEN IS MOOT. IT HAPPENS EVERY DAY AT ANYTIME. I'VE TRIED NUMEROUS WORKAROUNDS WITH LITTLE SUCCESS BECAUSE THE CAR SEEMS TO ADAPT AND THEN BECOMES MORE DIFFICULT. ( BELIEVE ME, I KNOW WHAT THIS SOUNDS LIKE.)

NHTSA ID
11003535
Incident
Jul 6, 2017
Mileage
162,000 mi
Airbags
Filed Jan 28, 2012

WHILE TURNING FROM STREET INTO A SHORT STEEP DRIVEWAY APPROACH, FRONT LOWER BUMPER FACIA DRUG VERY SLIGHTLY ON THE STEEP APPROACH RAMP SETTING OFF THE AIRBAGS, WHICH BROKE THE WINDSHIELD, CRACKED THE DASH, SNAPPED ALL FOUR BACK SIDE WINDOW LATCHES, AND CAUSED BACK NECK AND SHOULDER INJURIES TO THE DRIVER. *TR

NHTSA ID
10445687
Incident
Jan 11, 2012
Mileage
215,834 mi
Interior & seats
Filed Oct 29, 2006

WHILE I AM DRIVING THE SLIDING DOOR WILL POP. CURRENTLY IT DOES NOT COMPLETELY OPEN, BUT IS DOES BECOME UNSECURED. THE INTERIOR LIGHTS COME ON AND WHEN DRIVING AT NIGHT INHIBITS MY VISION AND MAKES DRIVING UNSAFE. MY CHILDREN ARE ALSO THE PASSENGERS NEAR THE DOOR AT THIS TIME AND I AM AFRAID THAT THE DOOR WILL FLY OPEN AND CAUSE HARM EVEN THOUGH THEY ARE IN SAFETY BELTS. I HAVE HAD A MECHANIC LOOK AT THE LATCH AND HE SEES NOTHING THAT SHOULD BE CAUSING THIS TO MALFUNCTION. *NM

NHTSA ID
10172065
Incident
Jan 16, 2006
Mileage
128,300 mi
Heating & air conditioning
Filed Aug 12, 2005
Fire reported

DT: CONSUMER STATED: IT WAS NIGHT, COLD OUTSIDE, AND WHILE DRIVING SMELLED BURNING RUBBER. PULLED OVER, TURNED OFF THE VEHICLE, OPENED HOOD BEDORE HOOD WAS COMPLETED OPENED, CONSUMER COULD SEE FLAMES BURNING AND THE AIR CONDITIONER COMPRESSOR PULLEY WAS SO HOT THAT IT WAS GLOWING RED. THE BELT ATTACHED TO THE COMPRESSOR WAS BURNING. *AK THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE DAMAGING THE COMPRESSOR AND BELT(S) AND LIKELY OTHER A/C COMPONENTS. *NM CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO PUT OUT FIRE. THE A/C COMRESSOR FAILED CAUSING THE FIRE. *TT

NHTSA ID
10122154
Incident
Mar 12, 2005
Mileage
99,472 mi
Filed Jun 21, 2005

DOORS LOCKS DID NOT OPERATE PROPERLY. DOORS WOULD LOCK WITHOUT WARNING. WHEN CONSUMER STEPPED OUT OF VEHICLE DOORS WOULD LOCK ON THEIR OWN, EVEN WITH THE KEY STILL IN THE IGNITION SWITCH.

NHTSA ID
10126146
Incident
Jan 28, 2005
Mileage
46,030 mi
Engine
Filed Nov 29, 2004

WHILE DRIVING ANY SPEED CONSUMER HEARD A TICKING NOISE COMING FROM THE ENGINE. DEALERSHIP DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. *AK

NHTSA ID
10101740
Incident
Sep 2, 2004
Mileage
82,177 mi
Interior & seats
Filed Oct 15, 2004
Crash reported

I HAD A LOW IMPACT ACCIDENT WHERE THE FRONT OF MY VEHICLE HIT THE BACK OF ANOTHER VEHICLE. (FORGOT TO PUT CAR IN PARK AND WAS ABOUT 4 FEET FROM BACK OF ANOTHER CAR ON SLIGHT GRADE, WELL YOU KNOW THE REST).*AK AFTER THE ACCIDENT THE SLIDING DOOR BEGAN TO "POP" ENOUGH FOR THE AJAR DOOR LIGHT TO COME ON BUT NOT ENOUGH FOR THE DOOR TO ACTUALLY OPEN. I HAVE CHECKED WITH THE PEOPLE THAT GAVE ESTIMATES ON REPAIRS AND WAS INFORMED BY EVERY ONE THAT IT WAS NOT A RESULT OF THE ACCIDENT. WHAT I CAN NOT UNDERSTAND IS WHY IT STARTED ONLY AFTER THE ACCIDENT. I HAVE BEEN INFORMED THAT THE LOCKS MAY NEED TO BE REPLACED BECAUSE OF WARE.

NHTSA ID
10095815
Incident
Sep 1, 2003
ElectricalInterior & seatsSeat belts+1 more
Filed Apr 17, 2004

I PURCHASED A USED VAN, THERE SEEM TO BE SEVERAL RECALLS EITHER NOT IDENITFIED OR NOT KNOW ABOUT, EITHER WAY THEY WERE NOT FIXED. I HAVE BEEN UNABLE TO FINE A DEALER WHOM WILL ACKNOWLEDGE THE RECALLS AND REPAIR THEM.*AK

NHTSA ID
10066378
Incident
Jan 1, 2004

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
1996Viewing1882458.4
19953673661.7
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.