Model year record

1996 MERCURY Villager

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

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.

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.