NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Engine And Engine Cooling complaints
142 reportsClear category filter100,000 miles · Sep 11, 2005
Engine And Engine Cooling
THREE EXHAUST MANIFOLD BOLTS ON THE FRONT, AND THREE MORE ON THE REAR ARE BROKEN OFF, WITH A INCREASINGLY MORE LOUD SOUND COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. I BELIEVE THEY ARE AWARE OF THIS DEFECT IN THESE VANS, BUT REQUIRE THE OWNER TO SHOULDER THE PAYMENT OF THIS EXPENSIVE REPAIR. THIS PROBLEM IS VERY EVIDENT IN THE 1993 MODEL YEAR…
Read full complaint
THREE EXHAUST MANIFOLD BOLTS ON THE FRONT, AND THREE MORE ON THE REAR ARE BROKEN OFF, WITH A INCREASINGLY MORE LOUD SOUND COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. I BELIEVE THEY ARE AWARE OF THIS DEFECT IN THESE VANS, BUT REQUIRE THE OWNER TO SHOULDER THE PAYMENT OF THIS EXPENSIVE REPAIR. THIS PROBLEM IS VERY EVIDENT IN THE 1993 MODEL YEAR OF THE MERCURY VILLAGER AND THE NISSAN QUEST. *NM
NHTSA ODI #10136136
156,000 miles · Aug 5, 2004
Engine And Engine Cooling
BAD FACTORY DESIGN LEADS TO EXHAUST MANIFOLD STUDS BREAKING. THUS CAUSING EXPENSIVE, UNDUE REPAIRS. FORD IS UNWILLING TO ASSIST CUSTOMERS WHO EXPERIENCE THIS PROBLEM, BUT IT IS A KNOWN DEFECT WITH THE ENGINE. *AK MORE INFORMATION CAN BE FOUND AT: HTTP://WWW.CARTRACKERS.COM/FORUMS/LIVE/MINIVANSENTHUSIASTDISCUSSIONGROUP/169.HTML
NHTSA ODI #10086267
124,000 miles · Apr 20, 2004
Engine And Engine CoolingCrashFireInjury
WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A MINOR COLLISION. THEN, VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE WITHOUT WARNING. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10053748
104,000 miles · Mar 13, 2004
Engine And Engine Cooling
STUDS ON EXHAUST MANIFOLD SHEARED OFF. CAUSED EXHAUST FUMES TO ENTER PASSENGER COMPARTMENT SICKING PASSENGERS. ALSO CAUSED A LOUD NOISE LIKE A EXHAUST LEAK. MECHANIC SAID HAD SEEN THIS ON SEVERAL OTHER VILLAGERS.*AK
NHTSA ODI #10062123
106,000 miles · Feb 26, 2004
Engine And Engine CoolingSeat Belts
I AM THE OWNER OF A '93 MERCURY VILLAGER. I HAVE HAD TO HAVE SEVERAL OF MY HEAD BOLTS REPLACED DUE TO BROKEN BOLTS CAUSING MY HEAD GASKET TO LEAK AND CAUSE MY ENGINE TO OVERHEAT. I AM NOT THE ONLY PERSON WITH THIS PARTICULAR PROBLEM, THERE ARE MANY OF US SEEKING AN EXPLANATION. FOR MORE INFORMATION YOU CAN VISIT CARTRACKERS.COM …
Read full complaint
I AM THE OWNER OF A '93 MERCURY VILLAGER. I HAVE HAD TO HAVE SEVERAL OF MY HEAD BOLTS REPLACED DUE TO BROKEN BOLTS CAUSING MY HEAD GASKET TO LEAK AND CAUSE MY ENGINE TO OVERHEAT. I AM NOT THE ONLY PERSON WITH THIS PARTICULAR PROBLEM, THERE ARE MANY OF US SEEKING AN EXPLANATION. FOR MORE INFORMATION YOU CAN VISIT CARTRACKERS.COM AND YOU WILL FIND MANY UPSET OWNERS OF BOTH NISSAN QUEST AND MERCURY VILLAGERS (SAME MOTORS) WITH SAME PROBLEM.*AK
NHTSA ODI #10059081
188,000 miles · Feb 2, 2004
Engine And Engine Cooling
EXHAUST MANIFOLD BOLTS HAVE BROKEN AND EXHAUST IS BACKING UP INTO THE CABIN. MY MECHANIC OWNS A VILLAGER AND TOLD ME THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM AND THAT THE DEALER IS THE ONLY ONE WHO CAN FIX IT. I HAVE DONE SOME ON-LINE RESEARCH AND IT APPEARS THAT THIS IS VERY COMMON AND COULD POSSIBLY BE A MANUFACTURING DEFECT. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10056340
145,000 miles · Sep 7, 2003
Engine And Engine Cooling
THE TWO OUTSIDE EXHAUST MANIFOLD BOLTS ON THE BOTH THE FRONT AND BACK WERE BROKEN. THIS CAUSED EXHAUST FUMES TO ENTER THE CABIN.*AK
NHTSA ODI #10037373
87,000 miles · Jan 26, 2003
Engine And Engine Cooling
THIS IS ABOUT MY 1993 MERCURY VILLAGER. AFTER VIEWING YOUR SITE, IT APPEARS THAT THE PROBLEM WITH MY CAR IS WIDESPREAD. THE BOLTS THAT CONNECT THE MANIFOLD TO THE ENGINE BLOCK SHEARED OFF. I HAD THE REPAIR DONE IN MAY OF 1998 AND ALSO CONTACTED THE LINCOLN MERCURY DIVISION OF FORD. I EVEN SENT THEM TWO OF THE SHEARED BOLTS. S…
Read full complaint
THIS IS ABOUT MY 1993 MERCURY VILLAGER. AFTER VIEWING YOUR SITE, IT APPEARS THAT THE PROBLEM WITH MY CAR IS WIDESPREAD. THE BOLTS THAT CONNECT THE MANIFOLD TO THE ENGINE BLOCK SHEARED OFF. I HAD THE REPAIR DONE IN MAY OF 1998 AND ALSO CONTACTED THE LINCOLN MERCURY DIVISION OF FORD. I EVEN SENT THEM TWO OF THE SHEARED BOLTS. SINCE THAT TIME, THE BOLTS ON THE FRONT MANIFOLD HAVE SHEARED. I NEVER EVEN RECEIVED AN ACKNOWLEDGEMENT FROM FORD IN RESPONSE TO MY LETTER. THE ENGINE NOW IS VERY NOISY AND I BROUGHT IT IN TO MY MUFFLER MECHANIC ABOUT 3 WEEKS AGO AND HE NOTED THE SHEARED BOLTS ON THE FRONT OF THE MANIFOLD. I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW WHETHER NHTSA IS DOING ANYTHING ABOUT THIS OR WHETHER YOU ARE AWARE OF ANY SUCCESS WITH FORD IN GETTING THIS PROBLEM TAKEN CARE OF. IT IS POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS.
NHTSA ODI #10003415
Mileage unknown · Jan 2, 2003
Engine And Engine Cooling
CONSUMER STATES THAT VEHICLE'S FUMES WERE ESCAPING INSIDE THE VEHICLE. DEALER STATED THAT EXHAUST MANIFOLD HAS DEVELOPED A LEAK. PLEASE PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. TS
NHTSA ODI #10001847
Mileage unknown · Dec 11, 2002
Engine And Engine CoolingFire
WHILE DRIVING ON EXPRESSWAY, TAIL PIPE CAUGHT ON FIRE, BURNED THROUGH REAR FLOOR OF INTERIOR CABIN AND IGNITED AN UMBRELLA. MR
NHTSA ODI #8024164
Official recalls
5Jan 2, 2001
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.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: FUEL LEAKAGE IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE CAN RESULT IN A FIRE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE VENT HOSE.
Nov 21, 1995
LEAVES AND OTHER FOREIGN MATERIAL CAN ENTER THROUGH THE COWL PANEL AIR INTAKE DURING OPERATION OF THE FRONT HEATER AND/OR AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEM RESULTING IN A BUILD-UP OF MATERIAL IN THE PLENUM. THIS CAN LEAD TO NOISE, ODORS, OR IN SOME CASES, IGNITION OF THESE MATERIALS.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: A VEHICLE FIRE COULD OCCUR.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL AN ADDITIONAL HEATER/AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEM INTAKE SCREEN.
Dec 2, 1992
FUEL FILLER HOSES MAY HAVE BEEN CUT PRIOR TO INSTALLATION BY A UTILITY KNIFE USED TO OPEN THE SHIPPING BOX.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: FUEL LEAKAGE CAN RESULT IF THE CUT EXTENDED THROUGH THETHICKNESS OF THE HOSE WALL. LEAKING FUEL CAN RESULT IN A FIRE IF EXPOSEDTO A SOURCE OF IGNITION.
Remedy: REPLACE THE FUEL FILLER HOSE.
Sep 21, 1992
THE SERVICE BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER WAS NOT PROPERLY ASSEMBLED OR COULD HAVE BEEN DAMAGED BY THE EVACUATION AND FILLING OF THE BRAKE SYSTEM AT THE ASSEMBLY PLANT.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THIS CAN RESULT IN A PARTIAL BRAKE SYSTEM FAILURE DUE TOINTERNAL MASTER CYLINDER LEAKAGE WHICH CAN CAUSE LOSS OF BRAKING ON TWO OF THEFOUR WHEELS. IF THIS OCCURS, THERE WOULD BE INCREASED BRAKE PEDAL TRAVEL, HIGHERPEDAL EFFORTS AND INCREASED STOPPING DISTANCES.
Remedy: A NEW BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER WILL BE INSTALLED.
Sep 21, 1992
ONE OR BOTH OF THE BOLTS SECURING THE AUTOMATIC SEAT BELT RESTRAINT SYSTEM TRACKS TO THE B-PILLARS WERE NOT ADEQUATELY TIGHTENED.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THIS CONDITION CAN RESULT IN THE AUTOMATIC SEAT BELTSYSTEM TRACK JOINTS HAVING LESS THAN DESIGN STRENGTH, AND INCREASE THE RISK OFINJURY TO THE SEAT OCCUPANT IN THE EVENT OF A COLLISION OR SUDDEN STOP.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL TIGHTEN THE PASSIVE RESTRAINT SYSTEM TRACK MOUNTING BOLTS.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
8EA00014 · Fuel Tank Vent Hose Leakage
Opened May 22, 2000 · Closed Jan 4, 2001
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Vehicle Speed Control:linkages
PERIODIC EXPOSURE TO LIQUID GASOLINE MAY RESULT IN EXTRACTION OF ANTIDEGRADANTS FROM THE SUBJECT FUEL TANK VENT HOSE.HOSES WHICH HAVE SUFFERED LOSS OF ANTIDEGRADANTS CAN DEVELOP CRACKS IN AREAS OF HIGH STRAIN.FUEL MAY SPRAY OR DRIP FROM CRACKED VENT HOSES FOLLOWING TANK FILL.STARTING AT JOB#1 1998 MY (CALIFORNIA EMISSIONS VEHICLES) AND JOB#1 1999 MY (FEDERAL EMISSIONS VEHICLES), THE SUBJECT VENT HOSE COMPOSITION CHANGED FROM NITRILE RUBBER HOSES WITH CHLOROPRENE RUBBER COVERS (NBR/CR) TO FLUOROCARBON RUBBER HOSES WITH AN OUTER LAYER BLEND OF NBR/PVC.THE CHANGES WERE MADE TO IMPROVE HYDRACARBON RESISTANCE FOR COMPLAINCE WITH NEW EVAPORATIVE EMISSIONS REGULATIONS.THE MODIFIED HOSES ARE ALSO SIGNIFICANTLY MORE RESISTANT TO DEGRADATION AND CRACKING.IN A LETTER DATED JANUARY 2, 2001, FORD NOTIFIED NHTSA THAT IT WILL CONDUCT A SAFETY RECALL CAMPAIGN TO REPLACE THE SUBJECT VENT HOSE IN AFFACTED VEHICLES.FORD WILL BEGIN NOTIFYING CUSTOMERS OF THE AFFECTED VEHICLES ON OR ABOUT THE WEEK OF FEBRUARY 12, 2001 TO RETURN THEIR VEHICLES TO DEALERS FOR REPLACEMENT OF THE FUEL TANK VENT HOSE WITH THE LATEST DESIGN LEVER PART.
EA99015 · Fuel Rail Hose Fitting Leakage
Opened Jun 29, 1999 · Closed Apr 18, 2001
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Vehicle Speed Control:linkages
THE ENGINEERING ANALYSIS CLOSING REPORT COVERS 1993-1998 MERCURY VILLAGER AND NISSAN QUEST MINIVANS.THESE TWO MINIVANS SHARE A COMMON BODY PLATFORM AND POWER TRAIN.BASED ON THE LOW NUMBER OF REPORTED INCIDENTS AND THE ABSENCE OF A DEMONSTRABLE FAILURE TREND, A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT TREND HAS NOT BEEN IDENTIFIED AT THIS TIME AND FURTHER USE OF AGENCY RESOURCES IS NOT WARRANTED.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT NO SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT EXISTS.THE AGENCY RESERVES THE RIGHT TO TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES. SEE ENGINEERING CLOSING REPORT EA99-015 FOR DETAILS.
EA96005 · Battery Explosions
Opened May 30, 1996 · Closed May 29, 1997
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Electrical System
A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT TREND HAS NOT BEEN IDENTIFIED AT THIS TIME AND FURTHER USE OF AGENCY RESOURCES DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE WARRANTED.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT NO SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT EXISTS.THE AGENCY RESERVES THE RIGHT TO TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES.AN ENGINEERING ANALYSIS CLOSING REPORT IS INCLUDED IN THE PUBLIC FILE.
PE96009 · Battery Explosion
Opened Jan 25, 1996 · Closed May 30, 1996
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Electrical System
1993 MERCURY VILLAGERBATTERY EXPLOSION
EA95027 · Blower Area Fires
Opened Sep 22, 1995 · Closed Nov 17, 1995
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Equipment
There is no summary currently available
PE95037 · Front Blower Assembly Fire
Opened Jun 19, 1995 · Closed Sep 22, 1995
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Visibility:defroster/defogger/hvac System
There is no summary currently available
PE93047 · Power Door Lock Failure
Opened May 7, 1993 · Closed Aug 11, 1993
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Structure
There is no summary currently available
PE93020 · Backlite Shattering
Opened Apr 1, 1993 · Closed Jul 28, 1993
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Exterior Lighting
There is no summary currently available