Model year record

1998 MERCURY Villager

2 recall campaigns on file for this model year. 100 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.

Owner complaints

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

ComponentComplaintsMedian mileage
Vehicle speed control: accelerator pedal920,000 mi
Structure: body: door8
Power train: automatic transmission540,000 mi
Vehicle speed control5144,946 mi
Latches/locks/linkages: doors: latch420,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components4
Suspension: front: springs: coil springs483,650 mi
Air bags: frontal3
Tires3
Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly2
Fuel/propulsion system2202,000 mi
Latches/locks/linkages265,889 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip215,765 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: pedals and linkages2
Steering282,000 mi
Structure: frame and members2189,732 mi
Suspension2
Suspension: front2
Unknown or other2
Visibility: glass, side/rear220,000 mi
Visibility: rearview mirrors/devices: exterior2
Visibility: windshield2
Wheels2
Child seat1
Engine and engine cooling1180,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline1
Equipment: appliance: air conditioner1
Equipment: recreational vehicle/trailer1
Exterior lighting1116,000 mi
Fuel system, gasoline180,000 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: carburetor system1144,946 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings1189,732 mi
Fuel system, other1
Latches/locks/linkages: hatchback/liftgate: lock1
Power train1115,000 mi
Power train: automatic transmission: gear position indication (PRNDL)1
Power train: driveline: constant velocity joint170,000 mi
Seat belts: front: anchorage1
Seats1
Seats: front assembly: power adjust1
Service brakes, air: antilock160,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic1
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc1
Structure: body1
Structure: body: door: hinge and attachments1
Structure: frame and members: underbody shields1
Suspension: front: macpherson strut1
Suspension: front: wheel bearing1
Tires: tread/belt1
Wheels: lugs/nuts/bolts/studs1

The 1997 model has about half as many complaints as this one. The 1999 model has about a third 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.