1994 Mercury Villager

Above average

Owners filed 253 complaints about this vehicle with federal regulators, most often about the engine. It has been recalled 3 times.

Not among the Mercury Villager years to avoid. Which Mercury Villager years to avoid →

Most common 1994 Mercury Villager problems

88 of the 253 complaints (35%) are about the engine.

ComponentReportsCrashesFiresInjuries
Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine · engine40
000
Engine and Engine Cooling › Exhaust System › Manifold/Header/Muffler/Tail Pipe · engine15
000
Fuel System, Gasoline › Storage › Tank Assembly · fuel system14
000
Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip · brakes11
100
Fuel System, Gasoline › Delivery › Hoses, Lines/Piping, and Fittings · fuel system10
000
Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine › Gasoline · engine10
010
Engine and Engine Cooling › Exhaust System › Emission Control · engine9
010
Exterior Lighting › Tail Lights · headlights8
000
Exterior Lighting › Brake Lights · headlights8
000
Fuel System, Gasoline › Delivery · fuel system7
000

3 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.

Exterior Lighting › Tail Lights96V253003
Filed Aug 17, 199872,940 vehiclesFord Motor Company

Defect. THE REAR LAMP SOCKET MAY NOT ILLUMINATE BECAUSE THE METAL CAN IN THE LAMP SOCKET MOVES OR SEPARATES FROM THE PLASTIC SOCKET HOUSING.

Risk. THIS CAN RESULT IN MALFUNCTION OF THE STOP OR REAR RUNNING LAMPS. CENTER HIGH MOUNT STOP LAMP FUNCTION IS UNAFFECTED. REAR LAMP MALFUNCTION CAN RESULT IN FOLLOWING DRIVERS NOT BEING ALERTED TO THE SUBJECT VEHICLE'S PRESENCE OR INTENDED ACTIONS, PARTICULARLY IN THE CASE IN WHICH BOTH LAMPS HAVE MALFUNCTIONED.

Remedy. DEALERS WILL INSTALL A REVISED REAR LAMP SOCKET AND WIRING ASSEMBLIES.

Visibility › Windshield94V142000
Filed Aug 1, 199417 vehiclesFord Motor Company

Defect. THE WINDSHIELDS WERE MARKED WITH A "PROTOTYPE" DESIGNATION AND NOT MARKED AS REQUIRED BY FMVSS NO. 205, "GLAZING MATERIALS."

Risk. CONSEQUENCE OF NON-COMPLIANCE: INCORRECT LABELING OF WINDSHIELD MAY CAUSE CONCERN OR CONFUSION ABOUT THE PROTOTYPE DESIGNATION.

Remedy. DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE WINDSHIELDS ON THE AFFECTED VANS.

All 3 campaigns on file, newest first.

What owners reported

Newest filings
Steering
Filed Jan 14, 2015200,000 milesGA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1994 MERCURY VILLAGER. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE STEERING WHEEL WAS NOT ALIGNED PROPERLY WHICH MADE IT DIFFICULT TO DRIVE IN A STRAIGHT LINE. THE CONTACT INDICATED THAT THE FAILURE PROGRESSED WITH NO WARNING. THE FAILURE RECURRED AND THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A MECHANIC FOR FURTHER INSPECTION AND DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 200,000. UPDATED 4/7/15*CN UPDATED 9/15/2017*CN

Fuel System, Gasoline
Filed Apr 6, 2012OR

THE SMELL OF FUEL IS SO STRONG INSIDE THE VAN THAT IT MAKES YOU DIZZY AND SICK. *TR

Engine and Engine Cooling
Filed Jan 26, 2012170,000 milesPA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1994 MERCURY VILLAGER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD BOLTS FRACTURED, CAUSING A LEAK OF EXHAUST FUMES INSIDE THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO HAVE THE FAILURE DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 170,000.

TiresCrash
Filed Mar 22, 2010OH

1994 MERCURY VILLAGER, RIGHT FRONT TIRE BLEW. *BF THE CONSUMER SIDESWIPED A TRACTOR TRAILER. OHIO TRAFFIC CRASH REPORT # 10-0501-90 UPDATED 05/03/10 *BF

Engine and Engine Cooling › Exhaust System
Filed Jan 8, 2010IL

WHY WASN'T THE 94 VILLAGER EVER RECALLED FOR EXHAUST STUDS BREAKING OFF? THIS CAUSES EXHAUST GAS TO FILL THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT. I STILL HAVE THE REAR MANIFOLD LEAKING. I MEASURED 300 PPM C.O. WHILE THE VAN WAS IDLING. I CAN'T AFFORD TO PAY HUNDREDS OF DOLLARS TO GET IT FIXED. *TR

Exterior Lighting
Filed Oct 31, 2009IN

HEADLIGHTS ARE SEVERELY CLOUDED/WEATHERED. THIS GREATLY REDUCES THE AVAILABLE LIGHT WHEN DRIVING AT NIGHT. DEFINITELY A SAFETY ISSUE. HAVE NOT ATTEMPTED ANY REPAIRS YET. *TR

Exterior Lighting › Brake Lights
Filed Jul 18, 200790,000 milesMA

FORD TOLD ME THE VIN DIDN'T SHOW UP ON THEIR RECALL RECORDS. AS A RESULT, THE CAR WAS EITHER REPAIRED ALREADY OR WASN'T SUBJECT TO THE RECALL. ACCORDING TO NHTSA RECALL 96V253003 RECALL THE CAR SHOULD BE INCLUDED IN THE RECALL SINCE IT EXPERIENCED THE SAME PROBLEM AS MENTIONED IN THE RECALL. THIS PROBLEM HAS NEVER BEEN REPAIRED BY A DEALER. I HAD NO IDEA WHY IT DIDN'T COME UP ON MY VIN . BUT THE CUSTOMER REPRESENTATIVE KEPT SAYING IT WAS NOT IN THEIR RECORDS. *AK

Tires › Tread/BeltCrash
Filed May 9, 2007WI

I OWN A 1994 MERCURY VILLAGER THAT WAS GIVEN TO US BACK IN 2005 AFTER WE LOST EVERYTHING IN HURRICANE KATRINA. COMPLAINED ABOUT THE FIRESTONE SEIBERLING TIRES THAT WERE ON THIS VEHICLE. SEIBERLING TRAILRIDER RADIAL, LT P205 75 R15/MS. I RECENTLY REPLACED THE 2 FRONT SEIBERLINGS TIRES ON APRIL 29, 2007 DUE TO THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE HAVING TREAD SEPARATION. I KEPT THE SEIBERLING TIRES ON THE FRONT PASSENGER'S SIDE AS A SPARE. STILL HAD 2 SEIBERLING TIRES ON THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. WELL, TODAY MY WIFE WAS TAKING MY DAUGHTER TO WORK AND THE DRIVER'S SIDE REAR TIRE HAD A CATASTROPHIC TREAD SEPARATION AT HIGHWAY SPEED. 55 MPH. SHE DID ALL SHE COULD DO TO KEEP THE VEHICLE FROM FLIPPING OFF THE ROAD. SHE MANAGED TO GET THE VAN STOPPED BY CRASHING INTO THE SOFT GRAVEL DITCH, AND NO ONE WAS INJURED. THE DRIVER'S SIDE REAR QUARTER PANEL WAS DENTED AND SCUFFED BADLY FROM THE TIRE DEBRIS, AND THE TREAD THAT FLEW OFF ALSO BROKE THE TAIL LIGHT. THE PLASTIC SHROUD SURROUNDING THE GAS FILLER TUBE INSIDE THE REAR WHEEL WELL BROKE. I HAVE PHOTOS AND THE TIRES AT HOME. PLEASE CONTACT ME IF YOU HAVE ANY FURTHER QUESTIONS. TWO TIRES FAILING IN TWO WEEKS HAS ME CONCERNED. NOW, I HAVE TO REPLACE THE REAR TIRES AS WELL . *AK

Electrical System › Wiring › Front UnderhoodFire
Filed Mar 4, 200792,000 milesMI

ELECTRICAL FIRE, VEHICLE WAS TURNED OFF AT TIME OF FIRE. *JB

Fuel System, Gasoline › Storage › Tank Assembly
Filed Aug 22, 2006129,000 milesMD

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE SMELL OF GAS WAS NOTICED IN THE CAB OF THE VEHICLE. AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP DETERMINED THE FUEL TANK VENT HOSE WAS FAULTY. THERE IS A NHTSA RECALL, # 00V419002, REGARDING THE FUEL SYSTEM; STORAGE; TANK ASSEMBLY. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL.

Engine and Engine Cooling › Exhaust System › Manifold/Header/Muffler/Tail Pipe
Filed Feb 27, 200697,000 milesMI

MANIFOLD BOLT FAILURE ON A 1994 MERCURY VILLAGER. THIS HAS NOW OCCURRED TWICE. THE FIRST TIME IT WAS REPAIRED BY A NISAN DEALER. *JB

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine
Filed Sep 4, 2005124,000 milesCA

1) BACKED OUT OF DRIVEWAY AND WAS SITTING IDLING 2) ENGINE STOPPED, TRIED TO RESTART IT AND NOTHING WOULD HAPPEN. ENGINE WOULD TURN OVER BUT SOUNDED DIFFERENT 3) HAD VEHICLE TOWED TO MECHANIC'S GARAGE FOR EVALUATION. LEARNED THAT TIMING BELT HAD BROKEN BUT THE DAMAGE DONE TO CYLINDER HEADS IS THE ISSUE. *JB

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine
Filed Jun 28, 200522,000 milesTX

CRANKSHAFT FAILED UNDER NORMAL DRIVING CONDITIONS. DEALER REPAIR COST WAS GOING TO BE $4200, ALTHOUGH THE VEHICLE WAS ONLY 3 MONTHS OUT OF WARRANTY WITH LESS THAN 25000 MILES, AND WAS WELL MAINTAINED, AND EVEN THOUGH THIS PROBLEM WAS WELL KNOWN WITH THIS ENGINE. NOTE THAT THIS HAPPENED 8 YEARS AGO, BUT I HAVE ALWAYS WANTED TO FORMALLY DOCUMENT THE PROBLEM, AND JUST FOUND THE NHTSA COMPLAINT SITE.

Fuel System, Gasoline › Delivery › Hoses, Lines/Piping, and Fittings
Filed Oct 17, 200493,000 milesNE

FUEL SUPPLY LINES TO FUEL RAIL STARTED LEAKING AT CLAMP NO SIGN OF HOSE DETERATION, REPLACED ALL RUBBER LINES AND CLAMPS UPTO THE FUEL FILTER. *JB

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine › Gasoline › Belts and Associated Pulleys
Filed Sep 3, 2004CA

MY 1994 MERCURY VILLAGER HAS 26 CYLINDER HEAD BOLTS, ONE OF WHICH APPARENTLY BROKE OFF SPONTANEOUSLY ACCORDING TO MY MECHANIC. AS A RESULT, THE BROKEN PIECE JAMMED THE CAMSHAFT, CAUSING IT TO FRACTURE NEAR THE END (WHERE THE PIN IS LOCATED). THE TIMING BELT REMAINED INTACT. COINCIDENATLY, THIS EVENT OCCURRED THREE DAYS AFTER THE VILLAGER WAS REPAIRED BY THE SAME MECHANIC FOR A FAILED TENSIONER THAT SNAPPED THE 5-MONTH-OLD TIMING BELT.*AK

Engine and Engine Cooling › Exhaust System › Manifold/Header/Muffler/Tail Pipe
Filed Aug 30, 2004CO

PROBLEMS WITH BROKEN EXHAUST MANIFOLD BOLTS.*MR THE CONSUMER EXPRESSES HIS CONCERNS ABOUT HIS VEHICLE'S EXHAUST LEAKS AND BROKEN MANIFOLD BOLTS. THE DEALER DENIED ANY KNOWLEDGE OF THE PROBLEM EVEN THOUGH A SERVICE BULLETIN EXIST TO REPLACE THE OLD BOLTS WITH A STRONGER NEW BOLT. *NM

Engine and Engine Cooling › Exhaust System › Manifold/Header/Muffler/Tail Pipe
Filed Aug 20, 2004CO

PROBLEMS WITH THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD BOLTS ON VEHICLE. *MR THE EXHAUST CYLINDER HEAD DEVELOPED A LEAK THAT BEGAN WHEN THREE OF THE SIX MANIFOLD BOLTS BROKE OFF LEAVING THE EXHAUST SYSTEM ONLY PARTLY ATTACHED TO THE ENGINE. (TWO MORE OF THE MANIFOLD BOLTS HAVE BROKEN OFF) THE CONSUMER REQUESTED REIMBURSEMENT. *SC *JB

Exterior Lighting › Tail Lights
Filed Jul 7, 2004137,000 milesKY

WHILE BRAKING REAR TAIL LIGHTS FAILED TO WORK. RECALL 96V253000. THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT COVERED UNDER THE RECALL DUE TO VIN. *AK

Engine and Engine Cooling › Exhaust System › Manifold/Header/Muffler/Tail Pipe
Filed May 29, 200492,000 milesME

1994 MERCURY VILLAGER EXHAUST MANIFOLD BOLTS FAILED AND CAUSED EXHAUST LEAK AND WARPING OF EXHAUST MANIFOLD. THIS IS A WIDESPREAD PROBLEM, AND FORD, AND NISSAN (QUEST) ARE NOT HONORING THIS DEFECT. THEY OFFER A DIFFERENT BOLT REPLACEMENT, INDICATING A DESIGN DEFECT. *LA

Fuel System, Gasoline › Delivery › Hoses, Lines/Piping, and Fittings
Filed Feb 6, 200495,000 milesNJ

A FOUL ODOR OF GAS PERMEATED THROUGHOUT THE VEHICLE. DEALER EXAMINED THE VEHICLE FOUR TIMES, AND COULD NOT FIND THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM. CONSUMER DETERMINED THAT A HOSE CONNECTOR WAS LEAKING. *AK

Fuel System, Gasoline › Storage › Tank Assembly
Filed Feb 5, 2004114,000 milesPA

I AM THE OWNER OF A MERCURY VILLAGER 1994 MINIVAN AND I NEVER RECEIVED A NOTICE ABOUT THE RECALL INVOLVING LEAKING GAS. I HAVE A STRONG GAS ODOR IN MY VEHICLE AND MY MECHANIC THOUGHT IT WAS A BAD GAS CAP BUT THE FUMES ARE STILL THERE. NOW I'M THINKING IT'S THIS VENT HOSE LEAKING GAS LIKE THE RECALL SAYS. *JB

Engine and Engine Cooling
Filed Jan 15, 2004IN

HAVING PROBLEM WITH THE BACK HEATER NOT WORKING AT ALL. TRANSMISSION HAS A SLOW SHIFT AND WILL SHIFT HARD WHEN DOWN SHIFTING, STERRING WHEEL GET HARD WHEN TEMP. ARE IN THE TEEN,S. CLUCK NOISES WHEN HITTING LIGHT BUMPS. BRAKES GRIND WHEN BRAKES ARE COLD. RADIO WILL LOOSE MEMORY. HEATER SWITCH WHEN ONE 1, MAKES A TICKING NOISE. SLIDING DOOR GETS HARD TO CLOSE. GAS TANK, HAVE TO TURN CAP SLOWLY SO GAS AIR WILL LEAK OUT. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT APPEARS THEN GOES OUT.

Fuel System, Gasoline
Filed Dec 24, 2003AR

1994, MERCURY, VILLAGER HAS GAS FUMES INSIDE DURING COLD WEATHER. DEALERS HAVE BEEN UNABLE TO FIX.*AK

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine
Filed Nov 24, 2003LA

MOTOR MOUNTS KEEP BREAKING. CONSUMER HAS REPLACED FOUR SETS OF MOTOR MOUNTS SINCE THE PURCHASE OF THE VEHICLE. *AK *JB *NM

Engine and Engine Cooling › Exhaust System › Manifold/Header/Muffler/Tail Pipe
Filed Nov 5, 200355,000 milesLA

MANIFOLD EXHAUST BOLT SHEARED OFF AT 55,000 MILES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR REPAIRS. *AK THERE WERE FIVE BROKEN BOLTS. THE CONSUMER WOULD GET NAUSEATED DUE THE EXHAUST FUMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THEY REMOVED ALL 12 BOLTS AND REPLACED THEM WITH NEW UNITS. (COMMON PROBLEM) *SCC *JB

Fuel System, Gasoline
Filed Nov 5, 2003LA

A FUEL SMELL ENTERS THE PASSENGER CABIN OF THE VEHICLE WHEN THE WEATHER IS COLD AND THE HEATER IS ON. IT IS ALSO NOTICED WHEN THE AIR CONDITIONING IS ON. THE SMELL CAUSES THE OCCUPANTS TO VOMIT OR BECOME NAUSEATED. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, WHO COULD NOT DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM. *AK *JB *NLM

Latches/Locks/Linkages › Doors › Latch
Filed Nov 5, 200392,000 milesLA

AUTOMATIC DOOR LOCKS DO NOT WORK AT VARIOUS TIMES. ALL THE DOORS WILL NOT LOCK. *AK THE AUTOMOTIVE MECHANIC CLEANED THE CONTACTS, HOWEVER HE COULD NOT LOCATE A PROBLEM. *JB *NLM

Engine and Engine Cooling › Exhaust System › Manifold/Header/Muffler/Tail Pipe
Filed Oct 26, 2003116,000 milesWA

EXHAUST MANIFOLD BOLTS BROKE OFF. BOTH EXHAUST MANIFOLDS AND CROSSOVER PIPE HAD TO BE REPLACED DUE TO WARPING. EXHAUST FUMES COULD BE LEAKING INTO THE VEHICLE SO I HAD THE WORK DONE AT THE MERCURY DEALER. *LA

Engine and Engine Cooling › Exhaust System › Emission Control › Crankcase (pcv)
Filed Sep 30, 2003FL

WHILE TRAVELING AT 30 MPH VEHICLE SUDDENLY SHUT OFF. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A MECHANIC. THE CRANKSHAFT BROKE OFF.*AK

Exterior Lighting › Brake Lights
Filed Sep 5, 200395,000 milesTX

THE REAR LAMP STOPS WORKING LOOKS LIKE THE METAL IN THE LAMP SOCKET DETECHED FROM THE PLASTIC SOCKET. THE LIGHT BULB KEEPS FALLING OUT. CONTACTED THE DEALER AND FORD AND THEY WERE NOT ABLE TO RESOLVE THE ISSUE. *AK

Exterior Lighting › Tail Lights
Filed Jul 8, 2003KY

CONSUMER CALLED COMPLAINING ABOUT HAVING PROBLEMS WITH REAR HEADLAMP SOCKET ON THE TAIL LIGHT. MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED, AND STATED THAT CONSUMERS VEHICLE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED ON THE RECALL, BUT CONSUMER WAS HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM AS THE RECALL INDICATED.*AK

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine
Filed Jun 19, 200374,000 milesND

WHILE TEST DRIVING THE 94 MERCURY VILLAGER, WITH ONLY 74000 MILES, AT AROUND 40 MPH VEHICLE SHUT DOWN, AND LOST ALL POWER TO BRAKES AND STEERING, WITH NO WARNING. THE MECHANIC AT THE DEALERSHIP INSISTED THAT THIS WAS A "BUILT-IN MECHANISM" AND THAT THIS WAS SUPPOSED TO HAPPEN OCCASIONALLY TO "RESET THE COMPUTER SYSTEM." OF COURSE THIS IS COMPLETELY FALSE. THEY ARE TRYING TO SELL THIS VEHICLE IN EXTREMELY UNSAFE CONDITION AND FRANKLY I BELIEVE SOMETHING SHOULD BE DONE ABOUT IT. THE DEALER, GRAND AUTO MART IN ND STILL HAS THE VEHICLE FOR SALE FOR NEARLY $8,000. AFTER READING THE OTHER COMPLAINTS ON THIS SITE, I KNOW THAT THIS IS A MAJOR REPAIR, AND WOULD COST ABOUT $4500 TO FIX. BUYER BEWARE! FOR THIS DEALERS INFO, FEEL FREE TO CONTACT ME. [email protected]. *NLM

Engine and Engine Cooling › Exhaust System › Manifold/Header/Muffler/Tail Pipe
Filed Jun 14, 200382,000 milesCA

BROKEN MANIFOLD BOLTS ON OUR '94 MERCURY VILLAGER. *NLM

Engine and Engine Cooling › Exhaust System › Manifold/Header/Muffler/Tail Pipe
Filed Jun 3, 2003MI

3 EXHAUST MANIFOLD STUDS BROKE OFF. SERVICE TECH SAYS THAT'S COMMON WITH VILLAGERS. *NLM

Electrical SystemFire2 injured
Filed May 6, 2003CA

MY WIFE AND KIDS WHERE PULLING OUT OF THE GARAGE WHEN SMOKE BEGAN TO FILL THE VEHICLE. SHE TURNED THE VEHICLE OFF AND TOOK THE KIDS OUT OF THE VEHICLE. A FEW MINUTES LATER THE CAR WAS IN AN INFERNO. I SPOKE TO FORD AND THEY INITIALLY DENIED ANY RECALLS ON THE VEHICLE BUT I FOUND A COUPLE ON MY OWN THROUGH YOUR WEB SITE. ONCE THAT WAS MADE KNOWN TO FORD THEY SIMPLY STATED THAT I WAS SENT LETTERS TO HAVE THE REPAIRS MADE SO THEY HAVE NO LIABILITY. THIS IS WRONG I'M SURE. MY WIFE AND TWO SMALL CHILDREN COULD HAVE BURNED TO DEATH! WHAT RECOURSE DO I HAVE IN THIS CASE? *NLM

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine
Filed Apr 22, 2003125,000 milesGA

BROKEN CRANKSHAFT ON 94 MERCURY VILLAGER. MANY DOCUMENTED COMPLAINTS IN YOUR DATABASE. FORD OASIS REPORT SSM 04925 STATES "ENGINEERING DETERMINED THE CAUSE WAS THE INITIAL TENSILE FORCE SET ON THE ENGINE ACCESSORY BELTS DURING ASSEMBLY." IN FEB 1995 A NEW CRANKSHAFT THAT IS 2MM THICKER AT FRONT WAS IMPLEMENTED. IF FORD IS AWARE OF THEIR MANUFACTURING DEFECT, WHY WAS A RECALL NOT REQUIRED? MANY WELL-MAINTAINED VEHICLES HAVE PERFORMED BEYOND THE WARRANTY PERIOD AND NOW CONSUMERS MUST PAY TO REPAIR A DEFECT FORD ACKNOWLEDGED OCCURRED "DURING ASSEMBLY" FORD REFUSES ANY ASSISTANCE. VERY POOR CUSTOMER SERVICE. *NLM

Fuel System, Gasoline › Fuel Injection System › Fuel Rail
Filed Jan 31, 2003IL

VEHICLE'S FUEL RAIL CUFF LINKS IS DEFECTIVE. DEALER NOTIFIED. PLEASE PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. TS

Fuel System, Other
Filed Jan 16, 200370,000 milesKY

1994 MERCURY VILLAGER HAS EXHAUST AND GAS FUMES IN THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT. I'VE NOTICED 50 SIMILAR COMPLAINTS ON THE NHTSA DEFECT SITE. LOCAL AUTO SERVICE SHOP AND DEALER SERVICE SHOPS BOTH HAVE NO IDEA WHAT IS CAUSING THE NOXIOUS FUMES (DEALER TIGHTENED A HOSE, BUT THAT DID NOT WORK - CHARGED $70)

Seat Belts › Front
Filed Dec 27, 200229,000 milesMA

THE BOTH VEHICLES' FRONT AUTOMATIC SHOULDER SEAT BELT ARE INOPERATIVE. DRIVER HAS TO MANUAL UNHOOK THE BELT TO GET OUT OF THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. PLEASE PROVIDE MORE DETAILS. TS

Engine and Engine Cooling › Exhaust System › Emission Control
Filed Nov 4, 2002OR

CONSUMER NOTICED NOISE FROM THE EXAUST MANIFOLD. MECHANIC TOLD MANUFACTURER USED IMPROPERLY MATERIAL REASON WHY THE MANIFOLD BROKE. DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. MR

Fuel System, Gasoline
Filed Oct 23, 2002CA

THERE WAS A STRONG ODOR OF A GASOLINE SMELL WHILE THE CONSUMER WAS DRIVING AND PARKING THE VEHICLE. *YH

Exterior Lighting › Tail Lights › Switch
Filed Oct 11, 2002SC

CONSUMER NOTICED THE REAR TAIL AND BRAKE LIGHTS ARE NOT WORKING PROPERLY. DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. PLEASE PROVIDE FIURTHER INFORMATION. MR

Fuel System, Gasoline › Delivery
Filed Oct 2, 2002CA

CONSUMER STATES THAT THERE IS A STRONG SMELL OF FUEL WHEN THE CONSUMER IS DRIVE. CONTACTED DEALER. NLM

Engine and Engine Cooling
Filed Sep 23, 2002RI

THE VEHICLE LOST POWER WHILE DRIVING AND AT LOWER SPEEDS WHEN TURNING A CORNER. THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN TAKEN TO THREE MECHANICS, NONE OF WHICH CAN FIND THE PROBLEM. TFI (THICK FILM IGNITION) MODULE WAS THOUGHT TO BE A POSSIBLE CAUSE. *YH THE CONSUMER REQUESTED REIMBURSEMENT OF THE MONIES SPENT ON TOWING AND ATTEMPTED REPAIR. *SCC

Visibility › Power Window Devices and Controls
Filed Sep 20, 2002PA

NONE OF FOUR POWER WINDOWS WORK. CONTACTED DEALER. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK

Engine and Engine Cooling › Exhaust System › Manifold/Header/Muffler/Tail Pipe
Filed Aug 26, 2002PA

THE ENGINE NOISE I REPORTED TO THE DEALER WAS FOUND TO BE A LEAK AT THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD DUE TO ONE OR MORE STUDS BREAKING OFF IN THE ENGINE BLOCK. THE DEALER'S SERVICE REP. TOLD ME THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE VILLAGER, WHICH I HAVE SINCE CONFIRMED AT YOUR WEB SITE. THIS IS A SAFETY DEFECT, WHICH THE SERVICE REP. TOLD ME COULD CAUSE EXHAUST FUMES TO ENTER THE VEHICLE.

Tires › Tread/Belt
Filed Jul 15, 2002DE

TREAD SEPARATED FROM TIRE, CAUSING SOME LOSS OF CONTROL OF VEHICLE.*AK

Fuel System, Gasoline › Storage › Tank Assembly
Filed May 3, 2002CA

PRIOR TO RECALL NOTIFICATION (00V419002)CONSUMER HAD REPAIRS DONE, CONSUMER WAS INSTUCTED TO GO TO THE DEALER WHO MADE THE REPAIRS TO GET A REFUND, HOWEVER BEFORE CONSUMER COULD GET A REFUND THE DEALER WENT OUT OF BUSINESS, HOWEVER CONSUMER CONTINUES TO RECEIVE NOTICES ABOUT GETTING THE REPAIR WORK DONE.*JB

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip
Filed Mar 16, 2002GA

BRAKES SQUEAL - VERY LOUDLY. I HAVE REPLACED THE FRONT ROTORS AND PADS. THE REAR SHOES ARE BRAND NEW. THE VAN HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS BUT THEY CAN'T FIGURE OUT WHAT IS WRONG. THE FACT THAT THE SQUEAL CANNOT BE MADE TO GO AWAY LEADS ME TO BELIEVE THAT THERE IS A DESIGN FLAW. PLEASE ADVISE IF YOU HAVE HEARD OF A FIX OR A RECALL.*AK

Fuel System, Gasoline
Filed Mar 4, 2002TX

WHEN TURNING ON VAN TO WARM UP THERE WAS A VERY STRONG GAS SMELL. THERE WAS A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN OUT ON THIS PROBLEM. *AK CONSUMER STATES STRONG GASOLINE NOT EXHAUST SMELLS WAS ALSO PRESENT IMMEDIATELY AFTER REFUELING. *YH

Complaints 1-50 of 253, newest first, reproduced as filed.

Across model years

Worst on record: 1993
YearComplaintsRecallsFiresDeathsAssessment
200218000Routine
200120100Routine
200071210Routine
1999185430Routine
199883200Routine
1997125311Fatalities reported
1996188270Routine
1995367373Fatalities reported
1994 — this page253360Above average
19934145300High concern
19921000Routine

Compare every Villager year →

Reading this record

Complaint volume is well above typical for a single model year.

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.