1993 Mercury Villager

High concern

Owners filed 414 complaints about this vehicle with federal regulators, most often about the engine and engine cooling › exhaust system › manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe. It has been recalled 5 times.

What fails
ComponentReportsCrashesFiresInjuries
Engine and Engine Cooling › Exhaust System › Manifold/Header/Muffler/Tail Pipe77
010
Visibility › Defroster/Defogger/Hvac System29
081
Equipment › Appliance › Air Conditioner27
041
Engine and Engine Cooling › Exhaust System25
000
Power Train › Automatic Transmission15
202
Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip13
303
Structure › Body › Door12
000
Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine12
000
Seat Belts11
000
Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine › Gasoline10
000

5 safety recalls

Part 573 reports
Fuel System, Gasoline › Storage › Tank Assembly00V419002
Filed Jan 2, 2001394,000 vehiclesFord Motor Company

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.

Risk. FUEL LEAKAGE IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE CAN RESULT IN A FIRE.

Remedy. DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE VENT HOSE.

Visibility › Defroster/Defogger/Hvac System95V222001
Filed Nov 21, 199548,053 vehiclesFord Motor Company

Defect. LEAVES AND OTHER FOREIGN MATERIAL CAN ENTER THROUGH THE COWL PANEL AIR INTAKE DURING OPERATION OF THE FRONT HEATER AND/OR AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEM RESULTING IN A BUILD-UP OF MATERIAL IN THE PLENUM. THIS CAN LEAD TO NOISE, ODORS, OR IN SOME CASES, IGNITION OF THESE MATERIALS.

Risk. A VEHICLE FIRE COULD OCCUR.

Remedy. DEALERS WILL INSTALL AN ADDITIONAL HEATER/AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEM INTAKE SCREEN.

Fuel System, Gasoline › Delivery › Hoses, Lines/Piping, and Fittings92V172001
Filed Dec 2, 199210,800 vehiclesFord Motor Company

Defect. FUEL FILLER HOSES MAY HAVE BEEN CUT PRIOR TO INSTALLATION BY A UTILITY KNIFE USED TO OPEN THE SHIPPING BOX.

Risk. FUEL LEAKAGE CAN RESULT IF THE CUT EXTENDED THROUGH THETHICKNESS OF THE HOSE WALL. LEAKING FUEL CAN RESULT IN A FIRE IF EXPOSEDTO A SOURCE OF IGNITION.

Remedy. REPLACE THE FUEL FILLER HOSE.

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components › Master Cylinder92V132002
Filed Sep 21, 19923,500 vehiclesFord Motor Company

Defect. THE SERVICE BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER WAS NOT PROPERLY ASSEMBLED OR COULD HAVE BEEN DAMAGED BY THE EVACUATION AND FILLING OF THE BRAKE SYSTEM AT THE ASSEMBLY PLANT.

Risk. THIS CAN RESULT IN A PARTIAL BRAKE SYSTEM FAILURE DUE TOINTERNAL MASTER CYLINDER LEAKAGE WHICH CAN CAUSE LOSS OF BRAKING ON TWO OF THEFOUR WHEELS. IF THIS OCCURS, THERE WOULD BE INCREASED BRAKE PEDAL TRAVEL, HIGHERPEDAL EFFORTS AND INCREASED STOPPING DISTANCES.

Remedy. A NEW BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER WILL BE INSTALLED.

Seat Belts92V133002
Filed Sep 21, 19923,500 vehiclesFord Motor Company

Defect. ONE OR BOTH OF THE BOLTS SECURING THE AUTOMATIC SEAT BELT RESTRAINT SYSTEM TRACKS TO THE B-PILLARS WERE NOT ADEQUATELY TIGHTENED.

Risk. THIS CONDITION CAN RESULT IN THE AUTOMATIC SEAT BELTSYSTEM TRACK JOINTS HAVING LESS THAN DESIGN STRENGTH, AND INCREASE THE RISK OFINJURY TO THE SEAT OCCUPANT IN THE EVENT OF A COLLISION OR SUDDEN STOP.

Remedy. DEALERS WILL TIGHTEN THE PASSIVE RESTRAINT SYSTEM TRACK MOUNTING BOLTS.

What owners reported

Newest filings
Structure › Body
Filed Oct 18, 201194,000 milesIL

OWNER NOTICE ENGINE BEGINNING TO DRAG ON THE GROUND, CAR WAS STILL CAPABLE OF OPERATING. TRANSVERSE STRUCTURAL MEMBER BENEATH THE RADIATOR WHICH SUPPORTS THE FRONT END OF THE ENGINE SUPPORT BEAM FAILED AND ALLOWED ENGINE TO TILT FORWARD. ATTACH BRACKET FOR SUPPORT BEAM TORE THROUGH THE STRUCTURAL MEMBER. SERIOUS POTENTIAL FOR SNAGGING THE FRONT END OF THE ENGINE SUPPORT BEAM ON A ROAD HAZARD AND FORCING THE FRONT END OF THE CAR UP IN THE AIR THUS ROLLING THE ENGINE AFT UNDER THE VEHICLE WITH LOSS OF CONTROL. TRANSVERSE BEAM WAS PARTIALLY CORRODED HOWEVER METAL THICKNESS AND STRENGTH OF THIS COMPONENT APPEARS TO BE INADEQUATE. PICTURES AVAILABLE. *TR

Exterior Lighting › Brake Lights
Filed Sep 17, 200795,000 milesCA

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1993 MERCURY VILLAGER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKE LIGHTS HAVE FAILED FOR TWO YEARS AND SEVERAL UNSUCCESSFUL ATTEMPTS HAVE BEEN MADE TO DIAGNOSE AND REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE MECHANIC REPLACED THE BULBS, FUSE, AND BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH, HOWEVER, THE FAILURE REMAINS. ON SEPTEMBER 14, 2007, THE BRAKE LIGHTS WERE REPLACED, BUT FAILED AGAIN ON SEPTEMBER 17, 2007. THE DEALER STATED THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS ON HER VEHICLE. THE CONTACT CAN PROVIDE INVOICES. THE FUEL SYSTEM WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 95,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 138,000. UPDATED 01/09/08. *LJ UPDATED 12/12/07 *TR

Electrical SystemFire
Filed Feb 28, 2007IN

TL* - THE CONTACT CALLED REGARDING THE 1993 MERCURY VILLAGER. THE CONTACT WAS TRAVELING UNDER 30 MPH WHEN THE VEHICLE DECELERATED, IT SEEMED AS THOUGH THE VEHICLE WAS NOT GETTING GAS. THE CONTACT HAD TO KEEP THE VEHICLE IN FIRST GEAR. THE CONTACT SMELLED SOMETHING BURNING AND TURNED OFF THE HEATER. SHE TURNED THE IGNITION OFF, AND SMOKE CAME FROM UNDER THE HOOD. THE FLAMES WERE ON THE PASSENGER'S SIDE NEAR THE ENGINE. THE CONTACT PUT THE FIRE OUT WITH A FIRE EXTINGUISHER. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE CONTACT STATED SHE SMELLEDGAS FOR MONTHS. SHE HAD THE EMISSIONS CHECKED, AND THEY DID NOT FIND A PROBLEM. THE CONTACT WILL TAKE PICTURES OF THE VEHICLE. *AK

Visibility › Windshield Wiper/Washer
Filed Nov 16, 2005MO

I PURCHASED A SET OF ANCO WINTER WIPER BLADES FROM AUTOZONE, FOR A 93 MERCURY VILLAGER. MY WIFE WAS DRIVING MY DAUGHTER TO SCHOOL, AND THE DRIVERS SIDE WIPER BLADE FAILED COMPLETELY, DURING A SERIOUS STORM AND IN HEAVY TRAFFIC. MY WIFE WAS COMPLETELY BLINDED, ALL SHE COULD DO TO MANEUVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. WIPER BLADES HAD BEEN ON THE CAR LESS THAN A WEEK. RECEIVED NO SATISFACTION FROM AUTOZONE, STORE REPRESENTATIVE REFUSED TO CONSIDER BLATANT DEFECT IN MANUFACTURING. TRIED TO CONVINCE ME THAT MY WIFE MUST HAVE BEEN DRIVING RECKLESSLY OR SOMETHING TO THAT EFFECT. THIS HAD CATASTROPHE WRITTEN ALL OVER IT, ANCO MAKES THESE BLADES IN MEXICO. I DON'T UNDERSTAND HOW A CORPORATION CAN PLACE PROFIT ABOVE THE SAFETY OF FAMILY. *JB

Engine and Engine Cooling › Exhaust System › Manifold/Header/Muffler/Tail Pipe
Filed Sep 11, 2005100,000 milesPA

THREE EXHAUST MANIFOLD BOLTS ON THE FRONT, AND THREE MORE ON THE REAR ARE BROKEN OFF, WITH A INCREASINGLY MORE LOUD SOUND COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. I BELIEVE THEY ARE AWARE OF THIS DEFECT IN THESE VANS, BUT REQUIRE THE OWNER TO SHOULDER THE PAYMENT OF THIS EXPENSIVE REPAIR. THIS PROBLEM IS VERY EVIDENT IN THE 1993 MODEL YEAR OF THE MERCURY VILLAGER AND THE NISSAN QUEST. *NM

Power Train › Automatic Transmission1 injured
Filed Aug 26, 2005WI

1993 MERCURY VILLAGER DEVELOPED PROBLEMS WITH THE TRANSMISSION.***NO ANSWER REQUIRED***. *MR THE CONSUMER'S VEHICLE WAS PARKED AND OFF WHEN IT JUMPED OUT OF GEAR AND ROLLED OVER THE CONSUMER'S LEG CAUSING RESIDUAL NERVE DAMAGE AFTER THE INITIAL COMPOUND FRACTURE TO HER TIBIA BONE. THE CONSUMER CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER BUT THEY ASSUME NO RESPONSIBILITY. *NM

Seat Belts
Filed Jul 11, 2005NM

THE MOTORIZED SEATBELTS IN THE PASSENGER AND DRIVER SEATS STOPPED WORKING. THE PASSENGER SEATBELT MOTOR STARTED SMOKING AND WE HAD TO SHUT DOWN THE MOTOR BY TAKING OFF THE PANEL AND UNPLUGGING THE FUSE.

Fuel System, Diesel › Storage › Tank AssemblyFire
Filed May 24, 2005168,000 milesIN

PURCHASED A 1993 MERCURY VILLAGER FROM MZN AUTO SALES ON JANUARY 28, 2005. WAS DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY ON MAY 19TH, HEARD A LOUD NOISE AND PEOPLE WERE YELLING TO PULL OVER THAT MY VAN WAS ON FIRE, BOTH SIDES IN FLAMES. COME TO FIND OUT, THERE WAS A RECALL ON THIS VEHICLE FOR FUEL RELATED FIRES AND WE WERE NOT NOTIFIED BY THE OWNER OF MZN AUTO SALES OF ANY RECALLS. THEY HAVE OUR VAN IN THEIR POSSESSION AT THIS TIME.

Air Bags › FrontalCrash
Filed Mar 28, 2005MO

CONSUMER CONCERN ABOUT WHAT TYPE OF ACCIDENT YOU MUST HAVE FOR THE AIR BAGS TO DEPLOY PROPERLY. *BF THE CONSUMER STATED HE WAS INVOLVED IN A HEAD ON COLLISION AND ONLY THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED. *JB

Seat Belts
Filed Mar 19, 2005110,000 milesFL

1993 FORD MERCURY VILLAGER V6 3.0L SOHC HAVING SEAT BELT GUIDE RAIL PROBLEMS FUNCTION IS IRRADIC AND NOISEY. SPOKE WITH MERCURY CUSTOMER SERVICE DEPT AND AFTER PROVIDING THEM WITH THE RECALL NUMBER (92V133002) WHICH IS PROVIDED BY NHTSA. THEY EXPLN THAT THIS IS NOT A RECALL NUMBER AND THERE IS NO RECALL FOR THIS VEHICLE. I SPOKE WITH MONIQUE AND HER SUPERVISOR AKALYA. *AK

Suspension › Front
Filed Feb 4, 2005111,000 milesNY

WHILE TURNING AT ANY SPEED CONSUMER HEARD A KNOCKING NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT END. DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. *AK

Steering2 injured
Filed Dec 21, 2004137,700 milesWI

PLEASE ADD DETAILS. TS THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN THE PARK POSITION ON A SLIGHT SLOPE. THE CONSUMER WAS INSTALLING A CAR SEAT WHEN HE VEHICLE STARTED ROLLING BACKWARDS. THE CONSUMER WAS THROWN OUT OF THE VEHICLE THEN RUN OVER BY THE BACK TIRE. THE CONSUMERS RIGHT LEG WAS INJURED. CHILD STILL IN THE VAN AS IT CONTINUED TO ROLL. THE CONSUMER NOTICED PLAY IN THE IGNITION AND LOCK ON THE COLUMN. THE CONSUMER STATED THAT THE IGNITION SWITCH EITHER MAY OR MAY NOT CLICK DEPENDING ON HOW FAR THE KEY WAS TURNED. THE CONSUMERS BONE POPPED OUT CAUSING A LOT OF BLEEDING AND CHILDREN ARE STILL SCARRED BY THE ACCIDENT. *TC

Engine and Engine Cooling › Exhaust System › Manifold/Header/Muffler/Tail Pipe
Filed Aug 5, 2004156,000 milesWA

BAD FACTORY DESIGN LEADS TO EXHAUST MANIFOLD STUDS BREAKING. THUS CAUSING EXPENSIVE, UNDUE REPAIRS. FORD IS UNWILLING TO ASSIST CUSTOMERS WHO EXPERIENCE THIS PROBLEM, BUT IT IS A KNOWN DEFECT WITH THE ENGINE. *AK MORE INFORMATION CAN BE FOUND AT: HTTP://WWW.CARTRACKERS.COM/FORUMS/LIVE/MINIVANSENTHUSIASTDISCUSSIONGROUP/169.HTML

Engine and Engine CoolingCrashFire1 injured
Filed Apr 20, 2004124,000 milesKY

WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A MINOR COLLISION. THEN, VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE WITHOUT WARNING. *AK

Engine and Engine Cooling › Exhaust System
Filed Mar 13, 2004104,000 milesPA

STUDS ON EXHAUST MANIFOLD SHEARED OFF. CAUSED EXHAUST FUMES TO ENTER PASSENGER COMPARTMENT SICKING PASSENGERS. ALSO CAUSED A LOUD NOISE LIKE A EXHAUST LEAK. MECHANIC SAID HAD SEEN THIS ON SEVERAL OTHER VILLAGERS.*AK

Engine and Engine Cooling › Exhaust System › Manifold/Header/Muffler/Tail Pipe
Filed Feb 26, 2004106,000 milesFL

I AM THE OWNER OF A '93 MERCURY VILLAGER. I HAVE HAD TO HAVE SEVERAL OF MY HEAD BOLTS REPLACED DUE TO BROKEN BOLTS CAUSING MY HEAD GASKET TO LEAK AND CAUSE MY ENGINE TO OVERHEAT. I AM NOT THE ONLY PERSON WITH THIS PARTICULAR PROBLEM, THERE ARE MANY OF US SEEKING AN EXPLANATION. FOR MORE INFORMATION YOU CAN VISIT CARTRACKERS.COM AND YOU WILL FIND MANY UPSET OWNERS OF BOTH NISSAN QUEST AND MERCURY VILLAGERS (SAME MOTORS) WITH SAME PROBLEM.*AK

Engine and Engine Cooling › Exhaust System › Manifold/Header/Muffler/Tail Pipe
Filed Feb 2, 2004188,000 milesOH

EXHAUST MANIFOLD BOLTS HAVE BROKEN AND EXHAUST IS BACKING UP INTO THE CABIN. MY MECHANIC OWNS A VILLAGER AND TOLD ME THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM AND THAT THE DEALER IS THE ONLY ONE WHO CAN FIX IT. I HAVE DONE SOME ON-LINE RESEARCH AND IT APPEARS THAT THIS IS VERY COMMON AND COULD POSSIBLY BE A MANUFACTURING DEFECT. *JB

Unknown or Other
Filed Jan 15, 200497,935 milesNY

EXHAUST MANIFOLD STUDS BREAKING OFF. CHECKED PRIOR TO REPAIR BY CALLING A LOCAL FORD DEALER AND ALSO ON THE INTERNET, TO SEE IF THERE WAS A RECALL ON THIS AS IT IS AN EXTENSIVE REPAIR AND VERY EXPENSIVE TO REPAIR. COULD NOT FIND AN OFFICIAL RECALL FROM FORD, BUT FOUND NUMEROUS WEBSITES AND COMPLAINTS AND CONCERNS FROM OWNERS, NATIONALLY, AS WELL AS INTERNATIONALLY, OF THE 1993 MERCURY VILLAGER WHO HAVE EXPERIENCED THIS EXACT PROBLEM.

Engine and Engine Cooling › Exhaust System › Manifold/Header/Muffler/Tail Pipe
Filed Sep 7, 2003145,000 milesUT

THE TWO OUTSIDE EXHAUST MANIFOLD BOLTS ON THE BOTH THE FRONT AND BACK WERE BROKEN. THIS CAUSED EXHAUST FUMES TO ENTER THE CABIN.*AK

Exterior Lighting › Headlights › Concealment Devices
Filed Apr 24, 2003140,000 milesCA

THE HEADLIGHT LENS COVERS DEGRADED EXCESSIVELY AND TURNED GRAY/OPAQUE, WHICH MADE IT VERY DIFFICULT TO SEE THE ROAD WHILE TRAVELING AT NIGHT. *JB NISSAN AND FORDS PLASTIC HEADLIGHT, FADE AND TURN AMBER WHICH RESTRICTED THE LIGHT OUTPUT AND HAS TO BE CHANGED EVERY THREE MONTHS. THE CONSUMER REQUESTED GLASS TO ALLEVIATE THE PROBLEM. *SCC

20 of 414 complaints, reproduced as filed.

Across model years

Worst on record: 1993
YearComplaintsRecallsFiresDeathsAssessment
200218000Routine
200120100Routine
200071210Routine
1999185430Routine
199883200Routine
1997125311Fatalities reported
1996188270Routine
1995367373Fatalities reported
1994253360Above average
1993 — this page4145300High concern
19921000Routine

Compare every Villager year →

Reading this record

A high number of complaints describe fires or crashes.

Complaint counts track how many cars were sold and how long they have been on the road as much as they track quality. A common model from 2013 has had a decade to accumulate reports; a rare one from last year has not. The signal worth weighing is in the severity columns, in whether the same component keeps appearing, and in whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.

Recall repairs are free for as long as the recall stands. Check whether a specific car still has open work at NHTSA's VIN lookup.

Most recent recall on file: Jan 2, 2001. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.