1998 Mercury Villager Owner Complaints

FUEL LEAK UNDER THE HOOD

NHTSA ID

11079440

Incident

Mar 14, 2018

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 MERCURY VILLAGER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE EMITTED A STRONG FUEL ODOR IN THE CABIN. THE ODOR WAS PRIMARILY OBSERVED NEAR THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE AT ALL TIMES. WHEN THE HEAT IN THE VEHICLE WAS ACTIVATED, THE ODOR INTENSIFIED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT A CERTIFIED MECHANIC CONCLUDED THAT THE FAILURE OF THE VEHICLE DIRECTLY RELATED TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 00V419002 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 202,000.

NHTSA ID

10865161

Incident

Feb 1, 2015

Mileage

202,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 MERCURY VILLAGER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR BRAKE LIGHTS ILLUMINATED AND FAILED TO TURN OFF ALTHOUGH THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS NOT DEPRESSED. AFTER INSPECTING THE VEHICLE AND CRUISE CONTROL SWITCH THE CONTACT DISCOVERED THAT THE PLASTIC BUSHINGS LOCATED ON THE BRAKE PEDAL AGAINST THE STOP LIGHT SWITCH WERE CRACKED INTO PIECES CAUSING THE REAR BRAKE LIGHT TO REMAIN ILLUMINATED. THE PLASTIC BUSHINGS WERE REPLACED BY THE CONTACT. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 116,000...UPDATED 09/30/14 *BF UPDATED 2/27/2015 *JS

NHTSA ID

10615095

Incident

Jun 4, 2014

Mileage

116,000 mi

I PARKED MY VAN, 1998 MERCURY VILLAGER ON THE STREET IN FRONT OF MY HOME. TWO DAYS LATER, I NOTICED THE FRONT RIGHT TIRE WAS FLAT. I HAD FOUR NEW TIRES SINCE JAN 2011. WHEN I LIFTED UP THE FRONT RIGHT AND TRIED TO REMOVE THE FR TIRE, IT WOULD NOT COME OFF. AFTER A WHILE, I NOTICED THE STRUT COIL SPRING GOT BROKE, AND THE SHAPE END OF BROKEN COIL SPRING PIERCED THRU. THE INSIDE SIDE WALL OF THE TIRE. I AM THE ORIGINAL OWNER OF THIS VAN,AND BOUGHT NEW. IT HAS `150,000 MILES ON IT. THIS INCIDENT COULD HAVE BEEN TURNED OUT BE A VERY SERIOUS ACCIDENT IF IT HAPPENED WHILE I WAS DRIVING AT 70MPG. I DO A LOT OF HIGHWAY DRIVING. BOTH FRONT RIGHT AND LEFT COMPLETE STRUT ASSEMBLIES WERE REPLACED AND THE FLAT TIRE WAS REPLACED WITH NEW ONE. I TOOK SOME PICTURES AND HAVE THE SHARP END OF BROKEN COIL SPRING. *TR

NHTSA ID

10389919

Incident

Mar 6, 2011

1998 VILLAGER-4 RAPID ACCELERATION SITUATIONS-STARTING TO BRAKE THE ENGINE STARTS REVVING UP TO THE POINT YOU CANNOT HOLD THE CAR WITH THE BRAKE, ONLY BY SHIFTING TO NEUTRAL. SEPT.2005,10/2006, 8/2010 & 12/09/10. CAUSED ACCIDENT ON 12/09 AND TOTALED VEHICLE. FORTUNATE NO INJURIES BUT A VERY SHOOK UP DRIVER TRYING TO GET IT STOPPED. IT DRAGGED HER ACROSS THE INTERSECTION UP ONTO A SIDEWALK AND TOOK HER SEVERAL FEET DOWN THE SIDEWALK BARELY MISSING HOUSES & TREES. ALL THE TIME SHE WAS PUSHING ON THE BRAKE & THE ENGINE WAS RACING & THE TIRES WERE DIGGING UP THE DIRT DRAGGING THE VEHICLE. RAN OVER A TWO FOOT STUMP & THE VAN FINALLY CAME TO A STOP. THE DRIVER WAS VERY SHOOK AND THIS ALL HAPPENED THROUGH NO FAULT OF HERS. THIS PROBLEM WAS REPORTED TO NHTSA WHEN THE 9/2005 INCIDENT HAPPENED. THERE HAVE BEEN AT LEAST 4 OR 5 OTHER REPORTS OF THE SAME PROBLEM WITH THE 98 VILLAGER. THE POWER TRAINS IN THE VILLAGER ARE BUILT BY NISSAN. VERY FORTUNATE THE DRIVER WAS NOT INJURED OR THAT NO ONE WAS ON THE SIDEWALK AT THE TIME. SOMETHING DEFINITELY NEEDS TO BE CHECKED ABOUT THIS PROBLEM BEFORE SOMEONE GETS INJURED OR KILLED. I HAVE SEVERAL PICTURES OF THIS LAST INCIDENT IF SOMEONE WOULD BE INTERESTED IN SEEING WHAT HAPPENED. *TR

NHTSA ID

10370299

Incident

Dec 9, 2010

Mileage

115,000 mi

MY HUSBAND USES OUR MERCURY VILLAGER VAN FOR HIS WORK. HE WAS GOING TO A JOB AND WAS TRAVELING WHEN HE STATED THE VAN LOST POWER, THE ENGINE ACTUALLY TURNED ITSELF OFF. HE WAS ABLE TO GET OFF THE ROAD BEFORE HE WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT. HE PROCEEDED TO TRY RESTARTING THE VAN. IT DID NOT WORK, SO WE HAD THE VAN TOWED TO OUR HOME. HE CHECK TO SEE IF THE MOTOR WAS TIED UP BUT IT WAS FINE.HE CHANGED BATTERIES, BECAUSE DURING THE EVENT, THE BATTERY WAS DRAINED. AFTER ABOUT 3 HOURS, THE VAN MIRACULOUSLY STARTED. WE HAVE SPOKEN TO A COUPLE THAT HAD THIS HAPPEN TO THEM. THEY STATED THAT IF THE OIL GETS CLOSE TO 1 QUART BELOW LEVEL, THE SENSORS AUTOMATICALLY SHUT OFF THE ENGINE. THIS IS DANGEROUS. MY HUSBAND COULD OF BEEN IN A SERIOUS ACCIDENT WHEN THE ENGINE TURNED ITSELF OFF. THERE WERE NO ENGINE LIGHTS SIGNIFYING LOW OIL. PLEASE CHECK AND ADVISE. THANK YOU. *TR

NHTSA ID

10342853

Incident

Jul 12, 2010

Mileage

180,000 mi

SOMETIMES WHEN I GO FROM A STOP POSITION OR SLOW DOWN AND YOU WANT TO ACCELERATE, YOU PUT YOUR FOOT DOWN AND GET NOTHING, WHEN TAP HARDER ON IT, IT WILL LURCH FORWARD, AND WHIP BACK YOUR PASSENGERS (CHILDREN). IT SEEMS TO OCCUR WHEN HUMIDITY IS HIGHER, REGARDLESS OF SEASON. *TR

NHTSA ID

10315469

Incident

Apr 1, 2004

Mileage

40,000 mi

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 MERCURY VILLAGER WHICH WAS PURCHASED IN 2007. SHE STATED THAT THE FUEL FILLER HOSE HAD SEVERAL CRACKS IN IT. THE CRACKS IN THE HOSE CAUSED MAJOR GASOLINE FUMES TO ENTER THE INTERIOR OF THE VEHICLE. ALTHOUGH THERE WAS A RECALL FOR THE FAILURE, NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER, 00V419002, FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE STORAGE TANK ASSEMBLY HER VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. ON A SEPARATE OCCASION, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT ACCELERATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO HER HOME WHERE AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC STATED THAT THE SUB-FRAME ON THE VEHICLE WAS CRACKED. NO REPAIRS HAD BEEN MADE TO DATE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE UNDER 189,732.

NHTSA ID

10299634

Incident

Jul 1, 2009

Mileage

189,732 mi

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 MERCURY VILLAGER. THE CONTACT SMELLS A STRONG ODOR OF FUEL, WHICH CAN BE NOTICED BOTH INSIDE AND OUTSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THROUGH RESEARCH, THE CONTACT DISCOVERED NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 00V419002 AND NHTSA ACTION NUMBER EA00015 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY). HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND PROVIDED THEM WITH THE INFORMATION HE FOUND ONLINE. THE CONTACT LEFT THE VEHICLE AT THE DEALER FOR THE DAY. HE RETRIEVED THE VEHICLE THE FOLLOWING DAY AND NOTICED THAT THE REPAIR WAS NOT PERFORMED. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE VIN WAS EXCLUDED FROM THE 19 YEAR RECALL RANGE. THE MANUFACTURER AGREED WITH THE DEALER. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT YET BEEN REPAIRED, BUT THE CONTACT BELIEVES THAT HIS VIN SHOULD BE INCLUDED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 130,000.

NHTSA ID

10258092

Incident

Jan 1, 2008

Mileage

80,000 mi

1998 MERCURY VILLAGER PURCHASED USED IN 2003. IDLE THROTTLE BODY FAILED IN 2006, MERCURY DEALER TOOK TWO WEEKS TO FIND THE PART AND REPLACED AT MY EXPENSE. IDLE THROTTLE BODY FAILED AGAIN IN EARLY 2007. DEALER TOOK TWO WEEKS AGAIN TO FIND PART AND DID NOT CHARGE ME BUT I HAD TO RENT A CAR AT MY EXPENSE. TODAY 9/30/07 THE SAME SYMPTOM OF THE CAR ACCELERATING TO 1500 RPM INTERMITTENTLY WHILE SITTING STOPPED AT A LIGHT HAS BEGUN AGAIN INSTEAD OF CONSTANT 800 RPM WHEN THIS PART IS WORKING CORRECTLY. I WILL HAVE TO WAIT ON THE DEALER TO FIND A PART AND REPAIR IT AGAIN AT MY INCONVENIENCE AND EXPENSE. HAVE OTHER OWNERS OF THIS VEHICLE ENGINE EXPERIENCED THE SAME REPEATED SAFETY AND WASTE OF FUEL ISSUE? *TR

NHTSA ID

10204465

Incident

Sep 29, 2007

Mileage

144,946 mi

THE STRUT TOWER IS RUSTING BAD AND IS ABOUT TO BREAK OFF. IT IS EVERY TIME MY WIFE AND KIDS GO SOME WHERE IT COULD BREAK THROW AND CAUSE MASSIVE DAMAGE AND PUT THEIR LIVES IN DANGER. JUST HOPE IT DOES NOT BREAK ON THE HIGHWAY. *JB

NHTSA ID

10170233

Incident

Oct 13, 2003

1998 MERCURY VILLAGER'S FRONT LEFT WHEEL CAME OFF OF THE VEHICLE. *KB THE WHEEL BOUNCED OVER THE CENTER WALL AND THE VEHICLE DROVE OFF THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE ROAD TO A CONTROLLED STOP. THE FRONT LEFT FENDER WAS DENTED AND SCRAPED AS WELL AS THE LOWER PORTION OF THE DRIVER'S DOOR. THE LEFT FRONT WHEEL LUG NUTS SHEARED OFF, ONE WAS STILL PARTIALLY INTACT. *NM

NHTSA ID

10166901

Incident

Jul 26, 2006

1998 MERCURY VILLAGER PARKED. WHEN FAMILY RETURNED TO VAN AND GOT INTO IT, THE FRONT LEFT (DRIVERS) SIDE COIL SPRING SNAPPED. ABLE TO SLOWLY DRIVE VEHICLE TO GARAGE TO REPLACE BOTH SPRINGS. *NM

NHTSA ID

10165762

Incident

Aug 8, 2006

DT: CONTACT PUT THE VEHICLE IN PARK AND EXITED THE VEHICLE AND IT ROLLED BACKWARDS. THE DOOR PULLED THE CONTACT UNDER THE VEHICLE, AND BOTH SETS OF TIRES RAN HER OVER. SHE SUSTAINED A BROKEN PELVIC BONE, A BROKEN HIP, A BROKEN FEMUR, A BROKEN KNEE, A BROKEN ANKLE, AND A BROKEN BACK FROM L1-5. AS A RESULT, SHE SPENT THE SUMMER IN A NURSING HOME. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN TO A MECHANIC FOR THIS PROBLEM.*AK

NHTSA ID

10142425

Incident

May 30, 2005

THE VEHICLE AUTOMATIC DOOR LOCKS AUTOMATICALLY LOCK THE DOORS THIS HAS HAPPENED INNUMERABLE OCCASIONS. THIS BEGAN SHORTLY AFTER PURCHASE OF THE VEHICLE IN 1998, AND CONTINUES TODAY. THE DOORS AR NOT TO LOCK IF THE KEYS ARE IN THE IGNITION, AND THEY DO. THIS HAS OCCURRED WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE, WHILE IT IS PARKED, WHEN ENTERING, AND EXITING THE VEHICLE. THE INTERIOR DOORS DO NOT OVERRIDE THE LOCKS, AND IN AN EMERGENCY, ONE WOULD BE UNABLE TO EXIT THE VEHICLE IF THEY WERE TO LOCK. USUALLY THIS OCCURS MOST OFTEN WHEN THE DOORS ARE BEING CLOSED; AND IF THE BATTERY IS UNHOOKED, AND RECONNECTED, IT MAY REMEDY THE SITUATION FOR SEVERAL DAYS. THE REAR AUTOMATIC WINDOWS GO OUT WHEN YOU PRESS THE BUTTONS TO MAKE THEM GO IN, AND THE REAR WIPER STAYS DOWN AS IF THE WINDOW IS UNLOCKED. THAT CAN BE REMEDIED BY UNLOCKING THE WINDOW, AND RELATCHING IT, IT USUALLY STAYS UP FOR 2-3 DAYS. WHEN YOU ATTEMPT TO RETRACT THE REAR WINDOWS, THEY WILL NOT GO IN AUTOMATICALLY. I HAVE CONTACTED PUTNAM LINCOLN MERCURY IN FORT SMITH, ARKANSAS, AND I DO NOT HAVE THE MONEY TO COMPLETE THESE REPAIRS WHICH COULD POSSIBLY CAUSE INJURY OR DEATH IF THE DOORS LOCKED SOMEONE IN. IN OTHER NEWS, THE GAS PEDAL IS STICKING ALSO, THIS HAPPENS WHEN YOU TAKE OFF IN THE VEHICLE, AND HAPPENS EVERY TIME. THIS HAS ALSO BEEN REPORTED TO THE DEALERSHIP. *NM

NHTSA ID

10139592

Incident

Oct 12, 2005

Mileage

20,000 mi

DT: 1998 MERCURY VILLAGER. THE CONSUMER STATES ALL OF THE DOORS ARE LOCKING ON THEIR OWN. THIS HAS HAPPENED A COUPLE OF TIMES. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN INSPECTED BY THE DEALERSHIP TO SEE WHY THIS WAS OCCURRING. HE HAS NOT YET CONTACTED MERCURY. THIS STARTED ON AUGUST 15, 2005. THIS ALMOST LOCKED THE CONSUMER'S CHILD IN THE CAR. THIS WA SA KEYLESS ENTRY LOCKING SYSTEM.*AK

NHTSA ID

10136920

Incident

Aug 15, 2005

A DEFECT IN THE KEYLESS ENTRY SYSTEM OF 1998 MODEL YEAR MERCURY VILLAGER MINIVANS CAUSES UNCONTROLLED LOCKING AND UNLOCKING OF THE VEHICLE DOORS. COMPANY IS AWARE OF THE DEFECT AND A TECHNICAL MEMORANDUM EXISTS REGARDING THIS PROBLEM BUT THE COMPANY REFUSES TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR REPAIR OF THE DEFECT.*AK

NHTSA ID

10093229

Incident

Jan 1, 2002

I HAVE OWNED A 1996 AND 1998 MERCURY VILLAGER. BOTH VEHICLES HAD A FAILURE OF THE DRIVER'S SIDE CV BOOT WITH THE EVENTUAL FAILURE OF THE TRANS AXLE CV JOINT. EACH TIME THE TRANSAXLE HAD TO BE REPLACED.*AK

NHTSA ID

10093226

Incident

Aug 1, 2004

Mileage

70,000 mi

CONSUMER'S 4 YEAR OLD CHILD WAS ABLE TO SHIFT THE LEVER OUT OF THE PARK GEAR WHILE VEHICLE WAS PARKED ON AN INCLINE. VEHICLE ROLLED ACROSS SEVERAL STREETS BEFORE CRASHING INTO A NEIGHBOR'S TRUCK PARKED IN DRIVEWAY. DEALERSHIP INDICATED THAT THE STEERING PIN BROKE. *AK

NHTSA ID

10093994

Incident

Sep 19, 2004

Mileage

82,000 mi

CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALERSHIP BECAUSE OF A NOISE THAT WAS BEING HEARD WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES. DEALER MAINTAINED THAT THE BRAKES WERE FINE, YET THE NOISE CONTINUED. IT COULD BE HEARD WHEN VEHICLE WAS GOING AT 35 MPH. *AK

NHTSA ID

10090364

Incident

Aug 18, 2003

Mileage

60,000 mi

BOUGHT USED 1998 MERCURY VILLAGER IN JUNE, 2004. FROM JUNE THROUGH PRESENT DATE, WE HAVE HAD ACCELERATOR PEDAL STICKING IN UPRIGHT POSITION CAUSING LURCHING FROM A STOPPED POSITION DUE TO HAVING TO PRESS DOWN UNUSUALLY HARD TO ACCELERATE. DUE TO THIS "FAILURE", I DO NOT WANT TO CRASH INTO SOMEONE IN FRONT OF ME IN TRAFFIC TO MOVE FORWARD INTO TRAFFIC FROM A STOPPED OR SLOWED POSITION. I HAVE SPRAYED WD40 ON THE PEDAL FROM INSIDE THE VEHICLE THAT RELIEVED THE PROBLEM FOR A LITTLE WHILE, BUT IT HAS STARTED STICKING AGAIN.*AK

NHTSA ID

10088603

Incident

Jun 25, 2004

THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL SOME TIMES STICKS WERE YOU CAN NOT GIVE IT GAS. THIS HAS BEEN HAPPENING FOR ABOUT 3 YRS. IT CAUSES FEAR, BECAUSE YOU IF YOU HAD TO SPEED UP SOME TIME IT WILL NOT LET YOU.*AK

NHTSA ID

10088552

Incident

Jun 1, 2001

MY 1998 MERCURY VILLAGER MINI VAN HAS A PROBLEM WITH THE ACCELERATOR. THE PEDAL CAN BE HARD TO PUSH SOMETIMES CAUSING TO PUSH DOWN TOO FAR. SEVERAL TIMES THE ACCELERATOR BECAME STUCK CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO LUNGE OUT OF CONTROL. I FELT VERY UNSAFE AND I AM CONCERNED ABOUT THE CONDITION. *JB

NHTSA ID

10088348

Incident

Jul 11, 2004

PASSENGER SIDE COIL SPRING RUSTED IN HALF AND BROKE. SPRING CAME DOWN ONTO TIRE. I HAD TO BUY NEW SPRING,COIL,AND STRUT.*AK

NHTSA ID

10083057

Incident

Jun 12, 2004

Mileage

83,650 mi

THE VEHICLE WAS IN PARK WHEN A SMALL CHILD MISTAKENLY KNOCKED GEAR SHIFTER TO REVERSE. THE VEHICLE ROLLED BACKWARDS ONTO THE GRASS WHICH HELPED IT COME TO A STOP. *NLM

NHTSA ID

10042284

Mileage

99,000 mi