Model year record

1999 MERCURY Villager

4 recall campaigns on file for this model year. 252 owner complaints on file.

Recalls

Recall campaignNHTSA 00V292001

Steering: rack and pinion

Component
Steering: rack and pinion
Manufacturer
FORD MOTOR COMPANY
Vehicles affected
67,200
Reported to NHTSA
2000-10-10
Owners notified
2000-11-28

Defect description

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MINI VANS. ONE OR MORE OF THE FIVE BOLTS THAT MOUNT THE RACK AND PINION STEERING GEAR TO THE VEHICLE MAY HAVE BEEN INCORRECTLY TIGHTENED.

Safety risk

THERE COULD BE A LOOSENESS IN THE STEERING, WHICH MAY BE ACCOMPANIED BY NOISE OR VIBRATION.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE VEHICLES AND, IF THE BOLTS ARE MISSING, WILL REPLACE THE STEERING GEAR MOUNTING BOLTS. ALL BOLTS WILL BE TIGHTENED TO THE SPECIFIED TORQUE. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN NOVEMBER 28, 2000. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-392-3673.

Recall campaignNHTSA 99V347001

Exterior lighting: tail lights

Component
Exterior lighting: tail lights
Manufacturer
FORD MOTOR COMPANY
Vehicles affected
41,891
Reported to NHTSA
1999-12-10
Owners notified
2000-01-19

Defect description

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MINIVANS. THE TAIL LIGHT SOCKET MAY HAVE BEEN IMPROPERLY MOLDED, RESULTING IN THE LOCKING TAB HAVING INSUFFICIENT FORCE TO RETAIN THE BULB.

Safety risk

IF THE BULB FALLS OUT OF THE SOCKET, THE BRAKE OR TAIL LAMP FUNCTION CANNOT OCCUR.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE TAIL LAMP SOCKETS.

Recall campaignNHTSA 99V205001

Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly: mounting

Component
Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly: mounting
Manufacturer
FORD MOTOR COMPANY
Vehicles affected
2,785
Reported to NHTSA
1999-08-03
Owners notified
1999-08-10

Defect description

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MINI VANS. THE FUEL TANK RETENTION STRAP (TWO STRAPS PER VEHICLE) CAN BREAK AT THE SPOT WELDS CAUSING AN UNDERBODY RATTLE.

Safety risk

THERE IS ALSO A POTENTIAL FOR FUEL TANK SEPARATION OR FUEL LEAK, INCREASING THE RISK OF A FIRE.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FUEL TANK RETENTION STRAPS.

Recall campaignNHTSA 99V056001

Seats

Component
Seats
Manufacturer
FORD MOTOR COMPANY
Vehicles affected
2,012
Reported to NHTSA
1999-03-30
Owners notified
1999-05-17

Defect description

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MINI VANS. THE AFFECTED VEHICLES MAY HAVE A SECOND ROW RIGHT HAND SIDE CAPTAIN CHAIR THAT HAS INADEQUATE LUBRICATION OF THE EASY ENTRY AND EXIT LATCH SYSTEM. IN SOME CASES, THE ACTUATOR SPRING IN THE LATCH COULD DEFORM AFTER REPEATED USE, CAUSING THE LATCH TO REMAIN IN THE UNLATCHED POSITION. IF THIS OCCURS, THE SEAT WILL SLIDE FREELY ON THE SEAT TRACK AND THE SPRINGS ON THE TRACK WILL MOVE THE SEAT TO THE EASY ENTRY POSITION TOWARD THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE.

Safety risk

AN UNLATCHED SEAT TRACK COULD RESULT IN AN INCREASED RISK OF INJURY IN THE EVENT OF A VEHICLE CRASH.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE SEAT TRACK FOR THE SECOND ROW RIGHT HAND SIDE CAPTAIN'S CHAIR, WHICH INCLUDES THE EASY ENTRY AND EXIT LATCH MECHANISM.

Owner complaints

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

ComponentComplaintsMedian mileage
Vehicle speed control: accelerator pedal5553,000 mi
Vehicle speed control3355,000 mi
Power train: automatic transmission9140,000 mi
Exterior lighting: headlights643,000 mi
Seats5
Steering: rack and pinion548,000 mi
Suspension: front5
Tires: tread/belt556,000 mi
Air bags: frontal453,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline4
Equipment4
Exterior lighting: brake lights4
Exterior lighting: tail lights45,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling3
Exterior lighting: turn signal3
Fuel system, gasoline3105,000 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly3
Fuel system, other3
Power train3
Service brakes, hydraulic342,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip335,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc3
Structure: body: door3
Suspension3
Tires320,000 mi
Vehicle speed control: linkages3
Visibility: windshield wiper/washer3
Electrical system2
Electrical system: wiring243,000 mi
Electrical system: wiring: fuses and circuit breakers2
Fuel system, gasoline: fuel injection system239,000 mi
Latches/locks/linkages: doors: latch2
Seat belts: front: retractor2
Seat belts: rear/other245,000 mi
Steering: steering wheel/handle bar2
Steering: hydraulic power assist system2
Structure242,000 mi
Suspension: front: springs: air suspension: lines and fittings2
Unknown or other2
Child seat1
Electrical system: 12V/24V/48V battery1
Electrical system: horn1
Electrical system: wiring: front underhood1
Electrical system: wiring: interior/under dash1
Engine168,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine1145,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: emission control1
Equipment: appliance: air conditioner1
Equipment: electrical: radio/tape deck/CD etc.1
Exterior lighting1
Exterior lighting: turn signal: switch1
Fuel system, gasoline: fuel injection system: injectors155,015 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly: filler pipe and cap1110,000 mi
Fuel/propulsion system140,000 mi
Interior lighting157,000 mi
Latches/locks/linkages157,000 mi
Latches/locks/linkages: tailgate: latch1
Parking brake: driveline: hydraulic1
Power train: automatic transmission: park/neutral start interlock switch1
Seat belts168,000 mi
Seat belts: rear/other: buckle assembly1
Seat belts: front: webbing1
Seats: front assembly: recliner1
Seats: mid/rear assembly167,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: drum: drum184,079 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: master cylinder1
Service brakes, hydraulic: power assist1
Steering130,000 mi
Steering: gear box (other than rack and pinion)1
Structure: body: bumpers1
Structure: body: door: hinge and attachments1
Structure: body: hatchback/liftgate1
Structure: body: tailgate1
Structure: body: trunk lid1
Structure: frame and members1
Tires: sidewall120,000 mi
Vehicle speed control: cables1
Visibility142,000 mi
Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system: fan/motor155,015 mi
Visibility: windshield1
Visibility: windshield wiper/washer: switch/wiring1
Wheels110,000 mi

The 1998 model has 3 times as many complaints as this one. The 2000 model has 3 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.