RoadVitals

1997 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.
125
Latest Jan 8, 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.
3
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.
6
2 injuries, 1 deaths reported

Overview

Our database contains 125 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1997 Mercury Villager, most frequently naming the fuel system, body & structure and interior & seats categories. 3 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; 3 NHTSA investigations name it; and 128 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
97V184001

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY

Oct 29, 1997
6,000 units potentially affected
The defect: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER MINI VANS EQUIPPED WITH AUTOMOTIVE BATTERIES SUPPLIED BY GNB TECHNOLOGIES. THESE BATTERIES HAVE A DEFECTIVE NEGATIVE POST THAT CAN CAUSE ACID LEAKAGE AND RELATED CORROSION DAMAGE.
The risk: THIS CONDITION CAN CAUSE A CATASTROPHIC FAILURE OF THE BATTERY WHICH COULD LEAD TO AN ENGINE FIRE OR BATTERY EXPLOSION.
The remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THESE BATTERIES. UNTIL A NEW BATTERY IS OBTAINED, OWNERS SHOULD NOT ATTEMPT TO "JUMP START" THESE BATTERIES.
FORD MOTOR COMPANYView on NHTSA.gov
96V203000

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY:MOUNTING

Oct 17, 1996
1,300 units potentially affected
The defect: THE FOUR RUBBER FUEL LINE CONNECTOR HOSES THAT ARE SUPPLIED TO FORD WITH THE FUEL TANK ASSEMBLY WERE IMPROPERLY MANUFACTURED. THESE HOSES CAN DEVELOP CRACKS OR SPLITS RESULTING IN FUEL LEAKAGE.
The risk: FUEL LEAKAGE IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE CAN RESULT IN A FIRE.
The remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE FUEL TANK ASSEMBLY FOR THE SUSPECT DATE CODES AND REPLACE THE FOUR RUBBER FUEL CONNECTOR HOSES IF NECESSARY.
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

Recent owner complaints

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

View all 125
Body & structure
Filed Jan 8, 2015

I WAS DRIVING ALONG AFTER SHOPPING AND I STARTED TO HEAR THIS DRAGGING OR BOTTOMING OUT SOUND SO I PULLED OVER TO SEE WHAT WAS HAPPENING AND TO MY SURPRISE THE FRONT FRAME ON THE PASSENGER SIDE THAT HOLDS UP THE ENGINE WAS BROKEN I THEN OPENED THE HOOD AND SAW THAT THE ENGINE WAS SITTING SIDEWAYS TOWARD THE PASSENGER SIDE. I LIMPED THE VAN HOME AND HAD MY MECHANIC LOOK AT IT AND HE SAID THAT IT WAS ON FIXABLE AND THEN I CALLED FIVE BODY SHOPS TO SEE IF THEY COULD FIX IT AND THEY SAID NO AND THAT MERCURY VILLAGERS WAS KNOWN TO DO THIS AND THAT THEY WERE RECALLED FOR THIS BEFORE. *TR

NHTSA ID
10671108
Incident
Dec 3, 2014
Mileage
190,000 mi
Seat belts
Filed Jun 2, 2013

MY 7 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER THOUGHT IT WOULD BE FUN TO SEE HOW MANY TIMES SHE COULD WRAP THE SHOULDER BELT AROUND HER NECK. I WAS UNAWARE AS I WAS GETTING MY OTHER CHILDREN BUCKLED IN. BEFORE WE WERE ABOUT TO LEAVE, I TURNED TO SEE IF SHE TOO WAS BUCKLED IN AND FOUND HER USING HER FINGERS BETWEEN HER NECK AND THE BELT TO TRY TO FREE HERSELF AS THE SLACK HAD BEEN PULLED BACK IN. WE IMMEDIATELY GOT SOME SCISSORS TO CUT THE BELT TO LET HER FREE. THE POTENTIAL FOR SOME OTHER KID DOING THIS AND NOT HAVING ANYONE OR ANYTHING AROUND TO HELP MAKES ME NERVOUS. BIZARRE, I KNOW, BUT KIDS COME UP WITH RIDICULOUS STUFF ALL THE TIME. *TR

NHTSA ID
10514755
Incident
Mar 30, 2013
Fuel system
Filed Dec 9, 2011

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 MERCURY VILLAGER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ENGINE WAS STARTED IN COLD WEATHER, THE VEHICLE WOULD EXHIBIT AN ABNORMALLY STRONG GASOLINE ODOR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A MECHANIC WHO ADVISED THAT THERE WERE NO VISIBLE FUEL LEAKAGES BUT THE CANISTER AND THE CONNECTED HOSES WERE FAULTY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND ADVISED THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS FOR THE PROBLEM. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 155,000.

NHTSA ID
10439155
Incident
Nov 21, 2011
Mileage
155,000 mi
BrakesDriver assistance
Filed Jan 6, 2011
Crash reported1 death reported

DRIVER REPORTS HE MUST HAVE HAD HIS FOOT ON THE BRAKE AND ACCELERATOR AT THE SAME TIME (SEMI-PANIC BRAKE APPLICATION). POLICE REPORT STATES "TIRE MARKS" ON THE (DRY) PAVEMENT. ONE DOES NOT PRODUCE "TIRE MARKS" ON DRY PAVEMENT (NO TURNING INVOLVED) WITHOUT BRAKE APPLICATION. DRIVER HAD EPISODE OF MICROSLEEP: WHEN ALERTED BY THE EVENT TAKING PLACE, HE COULD NOT GET THE VEHICLE STOPPED IN TIME TO PREVENT HITTING AND FATALLY INJURING A PEDESTRIAN. UPON EXAMINATION OF ACCIDENT VEHICLE, INSPECTOR DISCOVERED UNUSUAL ARCHED ACCELERATOR PEDAL DESIGN WHEREIN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS LOCATED ONLY 1 5/8 INCH FROM THE ARCHED ACCELERATOR PEDAL ALLOWING BRAKE APPLICATION AND ACCELERATION CONCURRENTLY IF CERTAIN CONDITIONS PREVAIL. EXAMINATION DEMONSTRATED THAT WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED, THE PEDAL WENT SUBSTANTIALLY BELOW THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. FURTHERMORE, WITH THE 4 5/8 INCH WIDE BOOT THE DRIVER (AND INSPECTOR) WORE, IT WAS EASY TO ACCIDENTALLY CATCH THE EDGE OF THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL, CONSEQUENTLY ENABLING THE USER TO ACCIDENTALLY DEPRESS THE ACCELERATOR AND BRAKE PEDAL (UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS) AT THE SAME TIME. *TR

NHTSA ID
10374963
Incident
May 9, 2009
Mileage
188,000 mi
Interior & seats
Filed Jul 30, 2010

HEADREST GUIDES ARE NO LONGER AVAILABLE FROM MANUFACTURER (FORD OR NISSAN). THE GUIDE ITSELF IS A CHEAPLY BUILT PLASTIC SLEEVE WHICH BREAKS EASILY (I'VE BEEN THROUGH SEVERAL IN MY NINE YEARS OF OWNERSHIP). UNFORTUNATELY, THE HEADREST CANNOT BE SECURED TO THE SEAT WITHOUT THEM!! *TR

NHTSA ID
10346425
Incident
Jul 17, 2010
Mileage
30,000 mi
Fuel system
Filed Jul 14, 2008

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 MERCURY VILLAGER. THE CONTACT SMELLS GASOLINE AFTER THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN DRIVEN OR WHILE IT IS IDLING. NO FUEL HAS BEEN FOUND ON THE GROUND AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS MOVED. NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBERS 96V203000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY: MOUNTING) AND 00V419002 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE: TANK ASSEMBLY) WERE REFERENCED; HOWEVER, THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THERE WAS NO LONGER A SAFETY RECALL. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 69,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 68,000.

NHTSA ID
10234162
Incident
May 1, 2008
Mileage
68,000 mi
Fuel system
Filed Nov 7, 2007

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 MERCURY VILLAGER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT EVERY TIME HE FILLS UP HIS GAS TANK AND PARKS THE VEHICLE, FUEL LEAKS OUT FROM UNDERNEATH. HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND THEY REPLACED THE VENT HOSE FOR A SERVICE CHARGE BECAUSE IT WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 00V419002 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY). THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 106,108. RECALL# 00V419002 UPDATED 11/26/07. *JB

NHTSA ID
10208142
Incident
Aug 15, 2007
Mileage
106,108 mi
Airbags
Filed Jan 24, 2007

DRIVING MY '97 MERCURY VILLAGER INTO A COMMERCIAL DRIVEWAY AT ABOUT 3 MPH, BOTH AIR BAGS DEPLOYED UPON GOING OVER A SLIGHT BUMP. *NM

NHTSA ID
10180660
Incident
Jan 8, 2007
Mileage
134,912 mi

Manufacturer communications

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

042107

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:CONTROL MODULE (TCM/PCM/TECM)

GENERAL (PCM) POWER TRAIN CONTROL MODULE PROGRAMMING PROCEDURES. *TT

04217

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:CONTROL MODULE (TCM/PCM/TECM)

GENERAL POWER TRAIN CONTROL MODULE (PCM) PROGRAMMING PROCEDURES. *TT

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

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
1997Viewing1253354.3
19961882458.4
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.