Model year record

1996 Mercury Villager

2 recall campaigns on file for this model year. 253 owner complaints on file.

Mercury Villager, 1993–2002 generation
Pictured: the 1993–2002 generation. DestinationFearFan, CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons

Recalls

Recall campaignNHTSA 00V419002

Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly

Component
Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly
Manufacturer
FORD MOTOR COMPANY
Vehicles affected
394,000
Reported to NHTSA
2001-01-02
Owners notified
2001-02-15

Defect description

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.

Safety risk

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

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE VENT HOSE.

Recall campaignNHTSA 98V012001

Visibility: power window devices and controls

Component
Visibility: power window devices and controls
Manufacturer
FORD MOTOR COMPANY
Vehicles affected
57,400
Reported to NHTSA
1998-03-23
Owners notified
1998-04-15

Defect description

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MINI VANS. THESE VEHICLES WERE PRODUCED WITH POWER WINDOWS THAT CAN BE CLOSED AFTER THE IGNITION KEY IS TURNED TO THE "OFF" POSITION AND THE RIGHT FRONT (PASSENGER) DOOR IS OPENED. THIS DOES NOT MEET THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS 118, "POWER-OPERATED WINDOW SYSTEMS."

Safety risk

THERE IS THE POTENTIAL FOR UNSUPERVISED CHILDREN TO OPERATE THE POWER WINDOWS, INCREASING THE RISK OF PERSONAL INJURY TO THE CHILD.

Manufacturer remedy

OWNERS WILL BE PROVIDED WITH A LABEL REMINDING OWNERS NOT TO LEAVE CHILDREN UNATTENDED BECAUSE THE POWER WINDOWS CAN OPERATE FOR 15 MINUTES AFTER THE VEHICLE IGNITION HAS BEEN TURNED OFF UNLESS THE DRIVER'S DOOR IS OPENED. ALSO INCLUDED ARE INSTRUCTIONS DESCRIBING HOW AND WHERE THIS LABEL IS TO BE INSTALLED. IF AN OWNER PREFERS, THEIR DEALER CAN INSTALL THIS LABEL FOR THEM.

Owner complaints

A complaint is one person's report to a federal agency. It is not a finding.

ComponentComplaintsMedian mileage
Latches/locks/linkages: doors: latch27125,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline22—
Structure: body: door22—
Unknown or other1046,030 mi
Air bags9215,834 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: fuel pump9—
Engine and engine cooling: engine7—
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe781,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip7—
Equipment: appliance: air conditioner699,472 mi
Air bags: frontal5106,000 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly5—
Visibility: power window devices and controls5—
Visibility: windshield5—
Power train: automatic transmission4—
Vehicle speed control4—
Vehicle speed control: accelerator pedal4—
Visibility: windshield wiper/washer4—
Electrical system3162,000 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery3—
Seat belts: front: anchorage3—
Seat belts: front: retractor3—
Seat belts: front: webbing3—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components3—
Steering3—
Vehicle speed control: linkages3—
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system281,600 mi
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: emission control2—
Equipment: mechanical: accessory scissor/screw/bottle jack/lift2—
Exterior lighting: headlights2—
Exterior lighting: turn signal: switch2—
Fuel system, gasoline2—
Fuel system, gasoline: fuel injection system2—
Seats2—
Steering: steering wheel/handle bar2—
Steering: column locking: anti-theft device2—
Structure: body: door: hinge and attachments2—
Suspension: front2—
Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system2—
Visibility: windshield wiper/washer: motor2—
Electrical system: ignition: module1—
Electrical system: wiring: front underhood1—
Electrical system: wiring: interior/under dash1—
Engine and engine cooling182,177 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: carburetor system1—
Fuel system, gasoline: fuel injection system: fuel rail176,000 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: fuel injection system: injectors1—
Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly: filler pipe and cap1—
Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly: mounting1—
Fuel system, other1—
Interior lighting1—
Latches/locks/linkages: hatchback/liftgate: lock1—
Latches/locks/linkages: tailgate: latch1—
Power train1—
Power train: automatic transmission: cooling unit and lines1—
Power train: automatic transmission: gear position indication (PRNDL)1—
Power train: automatic transmission: lever and linkage: column shift1—
Seat belts1—
Seat belts: integrated child seat1—
Service brakes, air: drum: drum1—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc1—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: pads1—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: rotor1—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: master cylinder1—
Service brakes, hydraulic: power assist1—
Steering: column1—
Steering: hydraulic power assist: pump1—
Steering: linkages: tie rod assembly1—
Steering: rack and pinion1—
Structure: body: hood1—
Suspension1—
Suspension: front: control arm1—
Tires1—
Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system: heater core1—
Visibility: glass, side/rear1—
Visibility: rear window wiper/washer1—
Visibility: rear window wiper/washer: motor1—
Visibility: rearview mirrors/devices: interior172,000 mi
Visibility: windshield wiper/washer: switch/wiring1—

The 1995 model has about half as many complaints as this one. The 1997 model has about 1.5 times as many complaints as this one. These figures reflect raw complaint counts, not failure rates. Higher-selling model years naturally receive more complaints.

Other Mercury Villager model years

All Mercury Villager recalls by year

Safety recall repairs are provided free of charge by franchised dealers, regardless of vehicle age or mileage. This page displays aggregated data for the model year. To check recall status for a specific vehicle, search its VIN at nhtsa.gov.