IllustrationBOLT ON EXHAUST MANIFOLD BROKE SECOND TIME, CAUSING OIL TO LEAK.*AK
1993 Mercury Villager
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
More warning signs than most Villager years
Owner complaints for the 1993 Mercury Villager are substantially higher than the model-year median of 125.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Villager years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
Limited mileage data: 17 of 414 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
- Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 142 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Visibility. Review the 61 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Electrical System. Review the 34 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
15 crash reports30 fire reports16 injury reports
Engine And Engine Cooling complaints
142 reportsSINCE THE FIRST OCCURRENCE WAS WITHIN THE WARRANTY PERIOD, IT WAS A DOCUMENTED TSB PRIOR TO THE FIRST OCCURRENCE, AND IT IS THE SAME RECURRING PROBLEM, FORD MOTOR COMPANY IS OBLIGATED TO PROVIDE A REMEDY. CURRENT MILEAGE SHOULD NOT BE A FACTOR. *AK
THE VEHICLE WAS MAKING A NOISE & HAD A EXHAUST LEAK.THE LONGER IT WAS DRIVEN IT GOT LOUDER & WORSE. MECHANIC SAW THAT BOLT BROKE OFF & ENGINE HAD TO BE DROPPED TO GET BOLT OUT. PROBELM HAS REOCCURED. CONSUMER HAS BEEN TOLD THERE IS A PLATE IN THERE THAT CAUSES THE BOLTS TO SNAP.*AK
BOLTS THAT CONNECT MANIFOLD TO ENGINE BLOCK HAVE SHEARED OFF, CAUSING EXHAUST TO LEAK INTO ENGINE COMPARTMENT. DEALER HAS NOT SEEN VEHICLE. *AK CONSUMER STATES THAT WHEN THE HEATING SYSTEM OR AIR CONDITIONER IS IN USE, THE EXHAUST FUMES ARE DRAWN INTO THE VENTILATION SYSTEM WHEN THE FAILURE ABOVE OCCURRED. *SLC
SOON AFTER PURCHASING VEHICLE, STARTED SMELL EXHAUST AND GAS SMELL. DEALERSHIP CHANGED A BROKEN EXHAUST BOLT. SAME THING HAPPEN ABOUT SIX MONTHS LATER. AFTER THREE OR FOUR TRIPS FOR SAME PROBLEM, DEALER CHANGED EXHAUST MANIFOLD. PROBLEM RESURFACED AFTER ABOUT THREE YEARS. TOOK VEHICLE TO ANOTHER SHOP TO HAVE BOLTS CHANGE AGAIN. …
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SOON AFTER PURCHASING VEHICLE, STARTED SMELL EXHAUST AND GAS SMELL. DEALERSHIP CHANGED A BROKEN EXHAUST BOLT. SAME THING HAPPEN ABOUT SIX MONTHS LATER. AFTER THREE OR FOUR TRIPS FOR SAME PROBLEM, DEALER CHANGED EXHAUST MANIFOLD. PROBLEM RESURFACED AFTER ABOUT THREE YEARS. TOOK VEHICLE TO ANOTHER SHOP TO HAVE BOLTS CHANGE AGAIN. AFTER ABOUT THREE MONTHS, PROBLEM IS BACK AGAIN. ONE OF MY CO-WORKERS HAVE SAME MODEL WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. WAS TOLD BY A MECHANIC THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM. SOME OF THE STUDS COULD NOT BE REMOVED. MECHANIC INFORMED ME THAT FORD USES A MANIFOLD WITH TWO SETS OF HOLES BECAUSE OF THE BOLT PROBLEM. HE USED THE SECOND SET OF BOLT HOLES ONLY TO HAVE THE BOLTS BREAK OFF AGAIN. IS THERE A FIX OR RECALL IN EFFECT TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM. PLEASE RESPOND.
EXHAUST MANIFOLD BOLTS HAVE REPEATEDLY BROKEN. ENGINE HAS BEEN REPAIRED TWICE, AND NOW THE BOLTS HAVE BROKEN AGAIN. THE CAR IS DRIVEABLE, BUT THE ENGINE IS VERY NOISY (CAN HEAR THE VALVES/PISTONS RATTLING WHEN STEPPING ON THE GAS) AND EXHAUST GOES EVERYWHERE BUT OUT THE TAILPIPE. I FEEL THIS IS A STRONG SAFETY CONCERN, AS EXH…
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EXHAUST MANIFOLD BOLTS HAVE REPEATEDLY BROKEN. ENGINE HAS BEEN REPAIRED TWICE, AND NOW THE BOLTS HAVE BROKEN AGAIN. THE CAR IS DRIVEABLE, BUT THE ENGINE IS VERY NOISY (CAN HEAR THE VALVES/PISTONS RATTLING WHEN STEPPING ON THE GAS) AND EXHAUST GOES EVERYWHERE BUT OUT THE TAILPIPE. I FEEL THIS IS A STRONG SAFETY CONCERN, AS EXHAUST ENTERING THE PASSENGER CABIN IS DANGEROUS AND MAY HAVE SERIOUS HEALTH CONSEQUENCES IF NOT FATALITIES. I HAVE CONTACTED FORD CUSTOMER SERVICE, NO PROGRESS HAS BEEN MADE AND I AM CERTAINLY NOT SATISFIED WITH ANY OF THEIR RESPONSES.
EXHUST BOLTS BROKEN AT HEAD;PART OF EMMISION CONTROL;COUSING LEAK SEE WEB PAGE WITH SAME COMPLAINTSHTTP://TOWNHALL-TALK.EDMUNDS.COM/ENGAGED/EDMUND.CGI?C=FINANCE,_WARRANTY,_AND_INSURANCE&T=208. *AK
A BROKEN BOLT ON EXHAUST MANIFOLD IS CREATING EXCESSIVE AMOUNT OF FUMES AND SMELL OF FUMES IN VEHICLE. IT IS POSSIBLE VEHICLE WILL NOT PASS STATE INSPECTION. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK
ENGINE MANIFOLD BOLTS BROKE AT THE SEAL BETWEEN MANIFOLD AND ENGINE , CAUSING EXHAUST TO FLOW INTO THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT. DEALER HAS NOT BEEN CONTACTED. *AK
FUEL LEAKS FROM FUEL TANK VENT HOSES WHEN TANK IS FULL OR NEAR FULL. *AK
Official recalls
500V419002 · Fuel System, Gasoline:storage:tank Assembly
Jan 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.
95V222001 · Visibility:defroster/defogger/hvac System
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.
92V172001 · Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:hoses, Lines/piping, And Fittings
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.
92V132002 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:foundation Components:master Cylinder
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.
92V133002 · Seat Belts
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