1997 Mercury Villager Owner Complaints

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

OUR CUSTOMERS 1997 MERCURY VILLAGER VAN CAUGHT FIRE WHILE DRIVING IN THE CITY. WONDER IF THIS COULD BE RELATED TO THE NISSAN MAXIMA RECALL FOR ALTERNATOR FIRES? I HAVE SEEN 3 MAXIMA ALTERNATORS BURN AND WE ARE NOT EVEN A NISSAN DEALER. *JB

NHTSA ID

10153805

Incident

Mar 23, 2006

I HAD NOTICED THAT WHEN I FILLED GAS TANK THERE WAS A STRONG ODOR OF GASOLINE INSIDE VEHICLE FOR SEVERAL DAYS. I HAD THE VEHICLE CHECKED BY THE SHOP THAT DOES MY OIL CHANGES AND THEY STATED THAT IT WAS THE FILLER HOSE AND IT SHOULD BE COVERED UNDER A RECALL. THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP STATES THAT SINCE THE REPAIR WAS MADE UNDER THE RECALL IN 2002 THAT IT WAS NOT COVERED AGAIN. REPAIR PART WAS APPARENTLY DEFECTIVE. THE REPAIR COST WILL BE $150.00.*AK

NHTSA ID

10114100

Incident

Mar 14, 2005

Mileage

100,000 mi

THE VEHICLE HAD A FLAT TIRE. THE CONSUMER DISCOVERED THAT A VALVE STEM DEVICE, CALLED A TIRE MINDER, DESIGNED TO INDICATE THE PROPER INFLATION OF THE TIRE HAD FAILED. *NM *SC *JB

NHTSA ID

10111197

Incident

Oct 23, 2004

CONSTANT PROBLEM WITH BRAKES WITH MY MERCURY VILLAGER GS, 1997. *JB

NHTSA ID

10100328

Incident

Aug 18, 1997

I AM ONE OF TONS OF PEOPLE WITH THE NOTORIOUS EXHAUST MANIFOLD STUDS BREAKING ISSUE! WHICH CAUSES THE CHECK ENGINE LIKE TO COME ON, AND DANGEROUS FUMES TO ENTER THE VEHICLE. WITH 4 CHILDREN, THIS IS NOT A GOOD THING...AND THE PRICE IS MORE THEN A FAMILY OF 4 CHILDREN CAN AFFORD AT $1500-3000 DEPENDING ON THE DAMAGE AND NOW I CANNOT HAVE MY VEHICLE SAFELY INSPECTED DUE TO THIS ISSUE. PLEASE HAVE THEM ISSUE A RECALL ON THIS AND PROTECT OUR FAMILIES.

NHTSA ID

10078559

Incident

Jun 21, 2004

Mileage

81,000 mi

WHILE OPENING AND LOCKING DOORS THE REMOTE CONTROL WAS INOPERABLE. CONSUMER HAD TO OPEN THE DOORS AND LOCK THE DOORS MANUALLY. CONSUMER DROVE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION, AND MECHANIC INFORMED THE DRIVER THERE WAS NOT A RECALL FOR THIS VEHICLE. CONSUMER TOLD THE MECHANIC THAT THE LOCKS HAD BEEN REPLACED NUMEROUS TIMES, BUT PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. *AK

NHTSA ID

10067032

Incident

Apr 12, 2004

CHECK ENGINE LIGHT KEPT ILLUMINATING. *PH WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED THE CONSUMER NOTICED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS ON. THE DEALER RESET IT BUT IT KEPT COMING BACK ON. IT WAS LATER DETERMINED THAT THE PROBLEM WAS WITH THE SPEED SENSOR. *NM

NHTSA ID

10064768

Incident

Jan 1, 1901

MERCURY VILLAGER, 1997. TRANSMISSION CONTROL MODULE TRIGGERED THE ENGINE LIGHT TO STAY ON. REPAIRS $300. ONLY 27,000 MILES.*AK

NHTSA ID

10062196

Incident

Mar 11, 2004

Mileage

27,000 mi

CONSUMER COMPLAINED ABOUT AUTOMATIC DOOR LOCK PROBLEM. THE DOORS LOCKED WITHOUT NOTICE. CURRENTLY, HATCHBACK WILL NOT OPEN. ALSO, DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BELT DID NOT RETRACT.*AK

NHTSA ID

10059825

Mileage

20,000 mi

FILLER PIPE VENT HOSE WAS RECALLED IN MARCH 2001 RECALL#00S59 AND REPLACED. THE SAME PART FAILED IN THE EXACT SAME MANNER AND WAS REPLACED NOVEMBER 2003. FORD SAYS THAT THE FILLER PIPE VENT HOSE IS OUT OF WARRANTY AND WILL NOT PAY ANY REPLACEMENT COSTS. DID THE MARCH 2001 RECALL ADEQUATELY ADDRESS THIS PROBLEM?

NHTSA ID

10071169

Incident

Nov 15, 2003

Mileage

145,000 mi

I WENT TO THE MERCURY DEALERSHIP TODAY FOR A FRONT WHEEL ALIGNMENT TODAY ON MY 1997 VILLAGER. I WAS INFORMED THAT THIS VEHICLE REQUIRES A FOUR WHEEL ALIGNMENT, DUE TO THE FRONT WHEEL DRIVE. I WAS INFORMED ALSO THAT IN ORDER FOR THE DEALER TO GET THE ALIGNMENT IN SPECS, REAR SHIMS WOULD NEED TO BE INSTALLED IN THE REAR TWO WHEELS OF THE VEHICLE. I WAS ALSO INFORMED THAT THESE SHIMS ARE NOT INSTALLED WHEN THE VEHICLE IS BUILT, BUT ARE REQUIRED IN ALMOST ALL CASES ONCE THE VEHICLE IS OUT ON THE ROAD AND HAS BEEN SUBJECTED TO NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR. THE PRICE TAG? A HEFTY $347 PLUS TAX! I HAD TO DECLINE THE REPAIR, I THINK IT IS PATHETIC FOR FORD TO CUT COSTS IN THIS MANNER, ALWAYS PASSING UP QUALITY IN THE INTEREST OF SAVING A BUCK! THE MORAL OF THIS STORY IS I PAID 80.00 DOLLARS TODAY FOR A FRONT END ALIGNMENT AND NOTHING HAS CHANGED! I THINK FORD/MERCURY SHOULD BE CALLED ON THE CARPET AND REQUIRED TO INSTALL THIS PART ON ALL VILLAGERS. THIS IN MY OPINION SHOULD HAVE BEEN DONE IN THE FIRST PLACE!

NHTSA ID

10070635

Incident

Jul 15, 2003

Mileage

61,000 mi

THERE WAS A FILLER PIPE/VENT HOSE FAILURE WHICH WAS RECALLED AND REPAIRED IN MARCH 2001. IT FAILED A SECOND TIME IN THE SAME LOCATION. *AK RECALL#00V419002 *SCC *JB

NHTSA ID

10046523

Mileage

144,500 mi

WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY, DRIVER SIDE FRONT WINDOW 'POPPED', SHATTERED, THEN FLEW INWARD ON ME. POLICE INSPECTION OF VEHICLE DID NOT FIND ANY SLUGS, WAS NOT DRIVING UNDER A BRIDGE, NOR NO CARS NEXT TO ME.*AK

NHTSA ID

10045866

Incident

Nov 7, 2003

Mileage

108,000 mi

THERE WERE PROBLEMS WITH THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD BOLTS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED AT THE TIME OF THIS CALL. *AK *SCC *JB

NHTSA ID

10031650

DOOR LOCKS ENGAGE INTERMITTENTLY BY THEMSELVES. THIS OCCURS BOTH WHEN THE VEHICLE IS RUNNING AND OFF, AND WHEN THE VEHICLE IS MOVING OR PARKED. *LA

NHTSA ID

10045210

Incident

Apr 4, 2001

Mileage

45,000 mi

DEFECTIVE ABS IN 1997 MERCURY VILLAGER. WHILE SITTING STILL THE BRAKE PEDAL WILL RELEASE CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO LUNGE FORWARD POSSIBLY STRIKING SOMEONE OR SOMETHING. I HAVE RESEARCHED THIS PROBLEM ONLINE AND FOUND SEVERAL SIMILAR STATEMENTS FROM OWNERS OF THE SAME VEHICLE. *JB

NHTSA ID

10039092

Incident

Sep 18, 2003

Mileage

110,000 mi

VEHICLE IS ABLE TO SHIFT GEARS EVEN THOUGH KEY HAS BEEN REMOVED. *AK

NHTSA ID

10038093

Incident

Aug 31, 2003