RoadVitals

2000 Mercury Villager Problems

Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component

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.
71
Latest Jan 27, 2015
Components namedHow many of our component categories appear on at least one report for this model year. One report can name several.
16
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.
9

What this page shows

Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 2000 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

  • Brakes78.1%
  • Seat belts67.0%
  • Airbags55.8%
  • Body & structure55.8%
  • Interior & seats55.8%
  • Suspension44.7%
  • Engine33.5%
  • Electrical33.5%
  • Heating & air conditioning22.3%
  • Visibility22.3%
  • Exterior lighting11.2%
  • Fuel system11.2%
  • Transmission11.2%
  • Steering11.2%
  • Other / unspecified11.2%

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.

39
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

STICKY ACCELERATOR PEDAL ON 2000 MERCURY VILLAGER. STICKS ABOUT HALF THE TIME CAUSING ABRUPT SURGE INTO TRAFFIC AND DISLODGING OF OCCUPANTS. *NM

NHTSA ID 10182895 · filed Feb 18, 2007

TL*- THE CONTACT STATED THAT HER 2000 MERCURY VILLAGER HAS ACCELERATION PROBLEMS. WHEN AT A COMPLETE STOP OR AT A LOW SPEED, WHEN SHE TRIED TO ACCELERATE, THE VEHICLE WILL NOT ACCELERATE AS EXPECTED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE HAS TO PUT THE FOOT COMPLETELY TO THE FLOOR FOR THE VEHICLE TO ACCELERATE. SHE HAS REPLACED THE THROTTLE BODY TWICE SINCE SHE OWNED THE VEHICLE. SHE STATED THAT SHE HAD SEVERAL CLOSE CALLS, ALMOST RESULTING IN SEVERAL CRASHES. ALSO, THE STABILIZING LINK WAS CAUSING PROBLEMS WITH THE STEERING. WHEN SHE TURNED LEFT OR RIGHT THERE WAS A NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT END OF THE DRIVER SIDE WHEEL. IF SHE HIT A HOLE THE VEHICLE MADE A LOUD CLUNKY NOISE. THE CONTACT HAD THE STABILIZER BAR REPAIRED 2/1/07, AND SHE HAS HAD THREE TIRES REPLACED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT DEALERSHIP SAID THE STABILIZER BAR WAS THE CAUSE OF THE TIRES WEARING OUT SO QUICKLY. THERE HAVE BEEN 6 OCCURENCES OF THIS FAILURE. *AK

NHTSA ID 10181341 · filed Feb 1, 2007
All 39 reports naming driver assistance

Brakes

Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.

7
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

INDEPENDENT SHOP REPLACED IN ONE YEAR THE BRAKES. *AK

NHTSA ID 10030102 · filed Jul 24, 2003

HAVE HAD REPEATED FRONT BRAKE WEAR OUT AND NOISE (SQUAEK/GROAN) ON MY 2000 MERCURY VILLAGER SINCE NEW. HAVE HAD 4 SETS OF FRONT BRAKE PADS AND A SET OF ROTORS REPLACED IN ONLY 28,000 MILES. DEALER SAYS THERE IS NOTHING WRONG. THE OTHER TWO MERCURY VILLAGERS THAT I'VE OWNED (1996 AND 1998 MODELS) DID NOT HAVE THIS PROBLEM.*AK

NHTSA ID 10021151 · filed Jun 6, 2003

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.

6
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

SEAT BELTS ON 2000 MERCURY VILLAGER ESTATE HAVE LOCKED UP AND WILL NOT RELEASE. CALLED FORD CUSTOMER RELATIONS REGARDING ISSUE AND THEY ARE STATING THEY HAVE NO KNOW ISSUE OR RECALL WITH SEAT BELTS LOCKING UP. REAR SEAT BELTS ARE THE ONES AFFECTED. FORD CUSTOMER RELATIONS IS STATING IT IS OUT OF WARRANTY SO I WILL BE RESPONSIBLE FOR FIXING VEHICLE. *TR

NHTSA ID 10679246 · filed Jan 27, 2015

INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6) EVENT- EVERY TIME THE FRONT SEAT BELTS ARE USED. FAILURE- SEAT BELTS DO NOT PROBERLY RETRACT AFTER EACH USE. SUBSUQUENT DRIVERS AND PASSENGERS WHO USE THE VEHICLE THEN USE THE SEAT BELTS THINK THEY ARE SAFELY BUCKLED INTO THEIR SEAT---BUT GUESS WHAT!?!--- THEY AREN'T BUCKLED SAFELY AT ALL BECAUSE 12-18" OF UNRETRACTED SEATBELT IS STILL STUCK IN THE SPACE BETWEEN THE DOOR AND THE DOOR FRAME! ENGINEERS EVEN HAVE A NAME FOR IT, "LAZY RETRACTION". AUTO MAKERS KNOW ABOUT IT, THE GOVERNMENT KNOWS ABOUT IT, BUT NOBODY DOES ANYTHING ABOUT IT. MY OLD DODGE CARAVAN DID IT AFTER 70,000 MILES AND NOW MY MERCURY VILLAGER/NISSAN QUEST STARTED DOUNG IT AFTER 90,000 MILES. CORRECT FAILURE- LECTURE THE [XXX] OUT OF MY WIFE, KIDS AND ANBODY WHO WILL LISTEN ABOUT THE USE OF [XXX], DEFECTIVE SEATBELTS THAT NO LONGER RETRACT SO THAT THEY DON'T THINK THEY ARE SAFELY BUCKLED WHEN THEY ARE NOT! NOBODY WIL EVER CONVINCE ME THIS HASN'T CAUSED INJURIES AND PROBABLY COST LIVES. *TR

NHTSA ID 10331352 · filed May 20, 2010

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.

5
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

I WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT WHILE TRAVELING AT ABOUT 45 MPH. I HIT ANOTHER VEHICLE THAT PULLED OUT IN FRONT OF ME. NO AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. *TR

NHTSA ID 10232141 · filed Jun 24, 2008

DT: ON 5/17/05 WHILE ON THE WAY TO WORK AN ACCIDENT OCCURRED. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE VEHICLE IS EQUIPPED WITH PASSENGER AND DRIVER AIR BAGS. THE AIR BAG LIGHT WAS NOT ON. THE AIR BAG LIGHT HAS NEVER CAME ON. THERE WERE NO RECALLS ON THE VEHICLE AS FAR AS THE OWNER KNOWS. THE VEHICLE WAS TRAVELING ABOUT 50 MPH WHILE ON HIGHWAY. THERE WAS A VEHICLE IN FRONT OF THE OWNER'S CAR WHO STOPPED COMPLETELY AND THEN OWNER HIT THE OTHER VEHICLE IN THE REAR END. THE IMPACT WAS FRONTAL TO THE OWNER'S VEHICLE. THERE WERE NO PREVIOUS PROBLEMS WITH THE VEHICLE. THERE WERE INJURIES. THERE WERE INJURIES TO THE PASSENGER'S CHEST, NECK AND BACK. THERE WAS A POLICE REPORT FILED. THE VEHICLE MANUFACTURER HAS NOT BEEN CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS A TOTAL LOSS. THE OCCUPANTS WERE WEARING SEAT BELTS. *NM *SC

NHTSA ID 10128306 · filed Aug 23, 2005

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Body & structure

Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim.

5
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

WE HAVE VERY LITTLE MILEAGE ON OUR MERCURY VILLAGER SPORT VAN AND THE PAINT IS CHIPPING. APPARENTLY, THIS SHOULD NOT BE HAPPENING. IT ACTUALLY NEEDS A COMPLETE PAINT JOB. WE HAVE NEVER HAD A VEHICLE DO THIS. IT WILL RUST IF THIS IS NOT TAKEN CARE OF. WE ONLY HAVE APP. 68,000 MILES ON A 2000 YEAR CAR. *TR

NHTSA ID 10192356 · filed Jun 4, 2007

OUR 2000 MERCURY VILLAGER HAS 3 MOTOR MOUNTS THAT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. IF THESE HAD FAILED I WAS INFORMED THAT THE ENGINE COULD FALL OUT. THE CAR ONLY HAS 65000 MILES ON IT AND HAS BEEN DRIVEN FOR ABOUT 54 MONTHS (BECAUSE WE HAVE 6 PAYMENTS LEFT). THIS IS EITHER POOR ENGINEERING, BAD/DEFECTIVE PARTS OR A COMBINATION OF THE TWO. *JB

NHTSA ID 10106356 · filed Jan 14, 2005

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Interior & seats

Reports naming seats, latches, locks, linkages and interior fittings.

5
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

FRONT PASSENGER SEAT IS POWER CONTROLLED. DURING A HARD BRAKE TO AVOID A COLLISION THE SEAT WENT INTO A FULL RECLINE POSITION. THE SEAT BELT WOULD NOT HAVE RESTRAINED A PASSENGER IF ONE HAD BEEN PRESENT. SEAT WAS WORKING FINE WHEN I WENT TO THE DEALER. COULD THIS HAPPEN AGAIN? WHAT WOULD HAVE CAUSED IT? NOTHING TOUCHED THOSE POWER BUTTONS. CAR IS 2000 MERCURY VILLAGER. MARY HIXSON. *NM

NHTSA ID 10149624 · filed Feb 7, 2006

THE CONSUMER WAS INVOLVED IN A HEAD ON COLLISION WHICH CAUSED THE SECOND ROW PASSENGER SEAT TO DISLODGE FROM THE FLOOR. THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED DURING THIS ACCIDENT. *NM *NM

NHTSA ID 10057619 · filed Mar 3, 2004

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Suspension

Reports naming suspension components — springs, struts, shocks, control arms and related hardware.

4
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

TL*- THE CONTACT STATED THAT HER 2000 MERCURY VILLAGER HAS ACCELERATION PROBLEMS. WHEN AT A COMPLETE STOP OR AT A LOW SPEED, WHEN SHE TRIED TO ACCELERATE, THE VEHICLE WILL NOT ACCELERATE AS EXPECTED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE HAS TO PUT THE FOOT COMPLETELY TO THE FLOOR FOR THE VEHICLE TO ACCELERATE. SHE HAS REPLACED THE THROTTLE BODY TWICE SINCE SHE OWNED THE VEHICLE. SHE STATED THAT SHE HAD SEVERAL CLOSE CALLS, ALMOST RESULTING IN SEVERAL CRASHES. ALSO, THE STABILIZING LINK WAS CAUSING PROBLEMS WITH THE STEERING. WHEN SHE TURNED LEFT OR RIGHT THERE WAS A NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT END OF THE DRIVER SIDE WHEEL. IF SHE HIT A HOLE THE VEHICLE MADE A LOUD CLUNKY NOISE. THE CONTACT HAD THE STABILIZER BAR REPAIRED 2/1/07, AND SHE HAS HAD THREE TIRES REPLACED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT DEALERSHIP SAID THE STABILIZER BAR WAS THE CAUSE OF THE TIRES WEARING OUT SO QUICKLY. THERE HAVE BEEN 6 OCCURENCES OF THIS FAILURE. *AK

NHTSA ID 10181341 · filed Feb 1, 2007

FRONT SWAY BAR BUSHINGS FAIL TOO QUICKLY. *NM

NHTSA ID 10152557 · filed Mar 13, 2006

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.

3
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

THE A/C STOPPED WORKING. *TR

NHTSA ID 10232143 · filed Jun 24, 2008

WHENEVER RAIN OR DAMP CONDITIONS OCCUR, A CONSTANT SQUEAL IS PRESENT FROM ALL OR SOME OF THE FLYWHEELS ASSOCIATED WITH THE BELT. *JB

NHTSA ID 10149807 · filed Feb 8, 2006

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Electrical

Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.

3
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

LEFT A FRIENDS HOUSE DROVE 1/3 OF A MILE VAN WAS ON FIRE PULLED OVER TO SIDE OF RODE WAS SMOKING/ TOTALING ENGULFED IN FLAMES AFTER ABOUT 10-15 MINUTES THE VAN WAS A TOTAL LOSS. IT WAS A 2000 VILLAGER COULD THIS BE THE SAME AS THE WINDSTAR.? THE CAR HAD BEEN SITTING IDLE IN DRIVE WAY FOR APP. 3HRS BEFORE THIS INCIDENT.. *TR

NHTSA ID 10287334 · filed Oct 14, 2009

2000 MERCURY VILLAGER HAS COMMON PROBLEM OF GAS PEDAL STICKING AND SPEEDOMETER OUTAGE. BOTH OF THESE ARE SAFETY ISSUES AND NEED TO BE CORRECTED. *JB

NHTSA ID 10178643 · filed Jan 13, 2007

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.

2
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

I PURCHASED A 2000 MERCURY VILLAGER BRAN NEW. AT AROUND 8,000 MILES I WOULD GET A SICKLY SWEET SMELL WITH THE AIR CONDITIONER ON. I COMPLAINED BUT NEITHER FORD NOR THE DEALER COULD TELL ME ANYTHING OR FIND ANYTHING. LATER IT GOR SO BAD THE SMELL WAS ON MY BREATH AND IT TRIGGERED A BRONCHIAL INFECTION THAT LASTED FOR THREE MONTHS. SINCE THEN I HAVE FOUND THAT THE DEALER KNEW IT WAS A MOLD BUILD UP IN THE AIR CONDITIONER AND HE HAS BEEN SPRAYING WITH ANANTI FUNGAL TREATMENT. THIS CLEARS IT FOR A WHILE, BUT NOT PERMANENTLY. I NOW HAVE A BATHROOM CLEANER THAT I SPRAYED IN AND THAT SEEMS TO ALSO WORK.*AK

NHTSA ID 10036910 · filed Aug 30, 2003

AIR JUST QUITS AND BLOWS OUT AT 115 DEGREES AND HIGHER. FOUR UNSUCCESSFUL ATTEMPTS TO REPAIR. *AK

NHTSA ID 746190 · filed May 31, 2001

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.

2
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

I HAVE A 2000 MERCURY VILLAGER. THE POWER WINDOWS ON THE DRIVERS SIDE AND PASSENGERS SIDE HAVE ALWAYS HAD TROUBLE AT TIMES GOING UP AND DOWN. THE PASSENGER WINDOW HAS NOT GONE UP OR DOWN FOR A YEAR. THE DRIVERS WINDOW JUST STOPPED WORKING, AS I WAS DRIVING IT WENT DOWN AND WOULD NOT GO BACK UP. THE DEALER IS TELLING ME IT IS THE MOTOR AND WILL BE ABOUT $300 TO FIX. I HAVE HAS OTHER CARS WITH POWER WINDOWS, NEVER HAVING ANY TROUBLE. IT DOES NOT SEEM THAT THIS IS RIGHT, THAT THE POWER WINDOWS SHOULD ONLY WORK FOR 3 YEARS AND THAN HAVE TO HAVE THE MOTOR REPLACED. I HAVE TO HAVE ACCESS TO THE WINDOWS.

NHTSA ID 10056173 · filed Jan 30, 2004

THE CONSUMER HAS EXPERIENCED THE FOLLOWING: REAR WIPER HANGS-WON'T CLEAR THE GLASS(TO OPEN REAR HATCH GLASS)-MOTOR INOPERATIVE, ACCELERATOR STICKS-HAS TO KEEP TAPPING IT TO LOOSEN, THE REAR BENCH SEAT RECLINER WILL LET GO AND SEAT WILL COLLAPSE, THE LEFT HANDLE IS LOOSE, AND THE REAR SEAT LATCH IS BINDING/COLLAPSING.

NHTSA ID 10004700 · filed Feb 3, 2003

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.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

TWO YEARS AGO I HAD A VEHICLE WARRENTY. I WENT TO THE DEALERSHIP AND HAD THEM REPLACE MY DRIVER SIDE HEADLIGHT. IT WOULD GO ON AND OFF WHILE DRIVING. THE DEALERSHIP NOTICED THE CONNECTIONS WERE MELTED AND REPLACED IT. LAST YEAR THE PASSENGER SIDE HAS BEEN ACTING UP. I HAVE TO POP THE HOOD AND MOVE THE WIRE IN ORDER TO GET TO TO WORK FOR A MINUTE. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE NOW BUT MERCURY DOES NOT HAVE A RECALL ON IT. I NEED TO FIX IT BUT CANNOT AFFORD DEALER COST TO DO SO. WILL THIS EVER BE RECALLED?

NHTSA ID 10123781 · filed Jun 1, 2005

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Fuel system

Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

TRAVELING INSIDE LANE; CRUISE ON 60MPH. ROCK IN ROAD APPEARED SIZE OF SOFTBALL. PASSED OVER ROCK SCRAPPING BOTTOM OF MANIFOLD SHIELD, HITTING THE PLIABLE PLASTIC SHIELD BREAKING FUEL PURGE VALVE, AND BENDING REAR STABILIZER BAR. LIST OF PARTS ORDERED FOR REPAIR BY GARAGE AND INSURANCE ADJUSTOR: CLOCK SPRING, AIRBAG CONTROL MODULE, STEERING WHEEL AND INSTRUMENT PANEL AIRBAGS, FUEL TANK, REAR STABILIZER BAR AND BRACKET, FRONT LOWER AIR DEFECTOR, FUEL PURGE VALVE, AND ALIGN 4 WHEEL SUSPENSION. NO ONE HAS AN ANSWER TO WHY THE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED ONLY, "THE ROCK DID IT." JACK IS TOTALLY DISABLED (ASBESTOS IN THE LUNG) AND JUST USED UP ANOTHER ONE OF HIS NINE LIVES. HE HAD BURNS ON HIS RIGHT THUMB/HAND AREA, FOREARM,; ALONG WITH SWELLING, BURNS ON HIS ABDOMEN, AND BROKEN BLOOD VESSELS IN THE CHEST AREA. THE CAR DID NOT STOP RUNNING, BUT DUE TO THE GASES AND SMELL, JACK GOT OUT ASAP AND A LADY THAT STOP TO ASSIST TURNED THE IGNITION OFF AND REMOVED KEYS. THE CAR IS STILL AT FORD WAITING FOR PARTS.

NHTSA ID 746252 · filed Jun 1, 2001

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Transmission

Reports naming the automatic or manual transmission, including shifting behaviour, shudder, slipping and transmission control modules.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

TRUCK WAS PARKED AND WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING TRUCK SUDDENLY JUMPED OUT OF GEAR, ACCELERATING DOWN A HILL. *AK

NHTSA ID 10037786 · filed Aug 27, 2003

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.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

CONSUMER WAS TRAVELING 45MPH ON HIGHWAY THE CAR STARTED VEERING TO LEFT, HEADING TOWARDS MERIDIAN STRIP, SHE LOST CONTROL OF VEHICLE AND IT HIT A CURB. STEERING GEAR BOLTS WEREN'T UP FOR INSPECTION. DEALERSHIP WAS AWARE OF PROBLEM. *AK *SLC

NHTSA ID 875924 · filed Dec 4, 2000

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.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

HAVE HAD REPEATED FRONT BRAKE WEAR OUT AND NOISE (SQUAEK/GROAN) ON MY 2000 MERCURY VILLAGER SINCE NEW. HAVE HAD 4 SETS OF FRONT BRAKE PADS AND A SET OF ROTORS REPLACED IN ONLY 28,000 MILES. DEALER SAYS THERE IS NOTHING WRONG. THE OTHER TWO MERCURY VILLAGERS THAT I'VE OWNED (1996 AND 1998 MODELS) DID NOT HAVE THIS PROBLEM.*AK

NHTSA ID 10021151 · filed Jun 6, 2003

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

Data on this page last refreshed .