1998 Mercury Villager Problems
Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component
Data refreshed
What this page shows
Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 1998 Mercury Villager, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Reports by component
Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category
- Driver assistance1414.4%
- Body & structure1212.4%
- Brakes1010.3%
- Fuel system99.3%
- Interior & seats99.3%
- Suspension99.3%
- Transmission66.2%
- Visibility66.2%
- Other / unspecified55.2%
- Tires & wheels44.1%
- Airbags33.1%
- Seat belts22.1%
- Steering22.1%
- Powertrain (other)22.1%
- Engine22.1%
- Exterior lighting11.0%
- Heating & air conditioning11.0%
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
Each component in detail
What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words
Driver assistance
Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems.
From owner reports, verbatim
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
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
Body & structure
Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim.
From owner reports, verbatim
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.
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
Brakes
Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.
From owner reports, verbatim
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
WHEN THE CONSUMER APPLIED THE BRAKES, THEY LOCKED UP AND CAUSED EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. *NLM BOTH FRONT BRAKES LOCKED UP WITHIN LESS THAN A MONTH APART. THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH BOTH REAR BRAKES AND THE LEFT FRONT CALIPER LOCKED UP. *SCC *JB
Fuel system
Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.
From owner reports, verbatim
FUEL LEAK UNDER THE HOOD
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.
Interior & seats
Reports naming seats, latches, locks, linkages and interior fittings.
From owner reports, verbatim
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
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
Suspension
Reports naming suspension components — springs, struts, shocks, control arms and related hardware.
From owner reports, verbatim
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
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
Transmission
Reports naming the automatic or manual transmission, including shifting behaviour, shudder, slipping and transmission control modules.
From owner reports, verbatim
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
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
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Visibility
Reports naming windshields, glass, wipers, defrosters and mirrors.
From owner reports, verbatim
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
WOULD LIKE TO HAVE THE WINDOW HINGES REPLACE WITH ONES THAT WILL NOT OPEN BY THEMSELFS.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Other / unspecified
Reports whose component NHTSA recorded as unknown, or that do not map to one of the categories above.
From owner reports, verbatim
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
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
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Tires & wheels
Reports naming tires, wheels, hubs, or the tire-pressure monitoring system.
From owner reports, verbatim
GENERAL AMER-G3GO TIRES (NO SIZE) WERE REPLACED AFTER 30,360 MILES, THE FRONT TIRES WORE DOWN ONLY AFTER 9600 MILES. *SLC
PE00 020; CONSUMER WAS TRAVELING ABOUT 70MPH ON HIGHWAY AND HEARD A NOISE AND VIBRATIONS. SHE PULLED OVER TO THE SHOULDER AND NOTICED THAT FRONT DRIVER'S TIRE TREAD HAD SEPARATED . FIRESTONE, #WILDERNESS #AT, P23575R15. SHE HAS CONTACTED FIRESTONE, AN DIS WAITING FOR A RESPONSE.*AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Airbags
Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights.
From owner reports, verbatim
WHILE STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT, DUAL FRONT AIRBAGS DEPLOYED, CAUSING MY CAR TO LURCH FORWARD INTO VEHICLE IN FRONT OF MINE. VERY LITTLE STRUCTURAL EXTERIOR/INTERIOR DAMAGE WAS DONE TO MY CAR WHICH INDICATED THAT THE AIRBAGS MAY HAVE EITHER CAUSED THE ACCIDENT, OR GONE OFF UNNECESSARILY AT TOO LOW A SPEED. ON THE VERY SAME DAY, A SAFETY RECALL NOTICE FROM FORD MOTOR CO. ARRIVED IN THE MAIL INDICATING THAT THERE IS ALSO A DEFECT IN THE FILLER PIPE VENT HOSE OF MY VEHICLE WHICH COULD CAUSE A FIRE. DID THIS SOMEHOW CAUSE A MALFUNCTION OF THE AIRBAG SENSORS? OR IS THERE A FUEL LINE IRREGULARITY THAT COULD HAVE CAUSED THE SUDDEN LURCHING FORWARD OF MY CAR? I HAD NOTICED IN THE WEEKS PRIOR TO THIS INCIDENT, SOMEWHAT JERKY ACCELERATION OF MY CAR, BUT THOUGHT IT WAS JUST DUE TO THE COLD WEATHER. ALSO, THERE IS EVIDENCE OF GASOLINE OR OIL HAVING LEAKED FROM CAR ON THE FLOOR OF MY GARAGE. MY HUSBAND AND I ONLY NOTICED THIS WHEN WE RETURNED HOME AFTER THE ACCIDENT, AND OUR CAR WAS NOT PARKED IN ITS USUAL SPOT. I HOPE YOU CAN INVESTIGATE THIS MATTER. I BELIEVE THAT IF AIRBAGS WERE TO GO OFF SPONTANEOUSLY AT A HIGHER SPEED, THEY WOULD MOST CERTAINLY CAUSE A COMPLETE LOSS OF CONTROL OF THE CAR, AND POSSIBLE FATALITIES. ADDITIONALLY, IF ONE'S FOOT IS ACCIDENTALLY RELEASED FROM THE BRAKE PEDAL, BUT NOT PLACED ON THE ACCELERATOR, SHOULD THE CAR LURCH OR SURGE FORWARD? I FEEL THAT THE TRAUMA AND SUDDEN DEPLOYMENT OF THE AIRBAG MAY HAVE CAUSED ME TO RECOIL AND RELEASE THE BRAKE, THEREBY CAUSING A LOSS OF CONTROL OF MY VEHICLE. FORTUNATELY, WE WERE STOPPED AT A LIGHT, AND MY CHILDREN AND I ONLY SUSTAINED MINOR PHYSICAL INJURIES.*AK
VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A FRONTAL COLLISION, AND THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. VEHICLE WAS TOTALED. DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. *AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Seat belts
Reports naming seat belts, buckles, retractors and pretensioners.
From owner reports, verbatim
22 MONTH OLD CHILD WAS ABLE TO PULL THE CLASP APART ON BUILT IN CHILD SAFETY SEAT. QCAW
UNDER SIDE OF VEHICLE IS DEFECTIVE. WHILE DRIVING FRONT END SQUEALS, SOUNDS LIKE BOTTOM OF VEHICLE IS FALLING APART. ALSO SEAT BELTS ARE DEFECTIVE. DEALER CURRENTLY HAS VEHICLE. CAUSE UNKNOWN.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Steering
Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage.
From owner reports, verbatim
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
ENGINE EXPERIENCED LOSS OF POWER ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS, REPLACED FUEL PUMP MODULE AND ENGINE CONTROL MODULE HOWEVER CONTINUED ENGINE POWER LOSS.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Powertrain (other)
Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials.
From owner reports, verbatim
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
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
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Engine
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.
From owner reports, verbatim
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
ENGINE EXPERIENCED LOSS OF POWER ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS, REPLACED FUEL PUMP MODULE AND ENGINE CONTROL MODULE HOWEVER CONTINUED ENGINE POWER LOSS.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Exterior lighting
Reports naming headlights, tail lights, turn signals and other exterior lighting.
From owner reports, verbatim
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
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Heating & air conditioning
Reports naming the heating, ventilation and air-conditioning system.
From owner reports, verbatim
AIR CONDITIONER FAILED DUE TO FAILURE OF THE BLOWER MOTOR, HOWEVER CONTINUES TO EXPERIENCE PROBLEMS.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
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.
Elsewhere on this vehicle
Data sources
- NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation — owner-reported complaints and the components recorded on them
Data on this page last refreshed .