Model year record

1997 MERCURY Villager

3 recall campaigns on file for this model year. 152 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 97V184001

Electrical system: 12V/24V/48V battery

Component
Electrical system: 12V/24V/48V battery
Manufacturer
FORD MOTOR COMPANY
Vehicles affected
6,000
Reported to NHTSA
1997-10-29
Owners notified
1997-12-01

Defect description

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER MINI VANS EQUIPPED WITH AUTOMOTIVE BATTERIES SUPPLIED BY GNB TECHNOLOGIES. THESE BATTERIES HAVE A DEFECTIVE NEGATIVE POST THAT CAN CAUSE ACID LEAKAGE AND RELATED CORROSION DAMAGE.

Safety risk

THIS CONDITION CAN CAUSE A CATASTROPHIC FAILURE OF THE BATTERY WHICH COULD LEAD TO AN ENGINE FIRE OR BATTERY EXPLOSION.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THESE BATTERIES. UNTIL A NEW BATTERY IS OBTAINED, OWNERS SHOULD NOT ATTEMPT TO "JUMP START" THESE BATTERIES.

Recall campaignNHTSA 96V203000

Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly: mounting

Component
Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly: mounting
Manufacturer
FORD MOTOR COMPANY
Vehicles affected
1,300
Reported to NHTSA
1996-10-17
Owners notified
1996-10-25

Defect description

THE FOUR RUBBER FUEL LINE CONNECTOR HOSES THAT ARE SUPPLIED TO FORD WITH THE FUEL TANK ASSEMBLY WERE IMPROPERLY MANUFACTURED. THESE HOSES CAN DEVELOP CRACKS OR SPLITS RESULTING IN FUEL LEAKAGE.

Safety risk

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

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE FUEL TANK ASSEMBLY FOR THE SUSPECT DATE CODES AND REPLACE THE FOUR RUBBER FUEL CONNECTOR HOSES IF NECESSARY.

Owner complaints

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

ComponentComplaintsMedian mileage
Structure: body: door19
Latches/locks/linkages: doors: latch1720,000 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly12106,108 mi
Fuel system, gasoline7145,000 mi
Vehicle speed control: accelerator pedal650,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip5110,000 mi
Air bags461,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline4
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: emission control4
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe481,000 mi
Power train: automatic transmission427,000 mi
Vehicle speed control4188,000 mi
Air bags: frontal3134,912 mi
Air bags: frontal: sensor/control module3
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system3
Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly: filler pipe and cap3100,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components3
Tires3
Unknown or other3
Air bags: side/window2
Equipment: appliance: air conditioner2
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: fuel pump2
Seat belts: front: buckle assembly2
Service brakes, hydraulic2
Child seat1
Electrical system: alternator/generator/regulator1
Electrical system: ignition: switch1114,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine1
Equipment: electrical1
Equipment: electrical: radio/tape deck/CD etc.1
Exterior lighting: back up lights1
Exterior lighting: brake lights: switch1
Exterior lighting: headlights1
Fuel system, gasoline: carburetor system1
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings1
Fuel system, gasoline: fuel injection system: injectors1
Fuel system, other: delivery: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings1
Interior lighting1
Power train: automatic transmission: gear position indication (PRNDL)1
Seat belts1
Seat belts: front: retractor120,000 mi
Seats130,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc1
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: rotor1
Steering161,000 mi
Steering: steering wheel/handle bar1
Structure: body1190,000 mi
Structure: body: door: hinge and attachments1
Structure: body: hatchback/liftgate120,000 mi
Tires: pressure monitoring and regulating systems1
Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system: heater core1
Visibility: power window devices and controls1108,000 mi
Visibility: windshield1
Visibility: windshield wiper/washer1
Wheels1

The 1996 model has about half as many complaints as this one. The 1998 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.