IllustrationWHILE DRIVING SMELL OF INTENSIVE GAS FILLED THE VEHICLE. TOOK TO DEALER. ALSO TOOK TO MECHANIC. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*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
What owners actually said
414 reportsNO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK
BRAKE LIGHTS WERE NOT WORKING. AT FIRST, ONE OF THE LIGHTS WAS NOT WORKING; THEN, BOTH LIGHTS WENT OUT. CONSUMER HAD AN ACCIDENT DUE TO THIS PROBLEM. CONTACTED DEALER, AND DEALER WAS NOT WILLING TO DO ANY WORK ON IT.*AK
FOUR BOLTS ON ENGINE MANIFOLD HAVE PREMATURELY BROKEN OFF, THIS WOULD EVENTUALLY CAUSE EXHAUST SYSTEM TO SEPARATE FROM VEHICLES FRAME. *AK CONSUMER STATED THAT ALL 8 BOLTS ON EXHAUST MANIFOLD WERE REPLACED AT DEALER, MECHANICS AND SERVICE PERSONNEL TOLD HIM THAT ITS COMMON, PARTICULAR TO 93 VILLAGERS. CONSUMER SAID THE PROBLEM…
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FOUR BOLTS ON ENGINE MANIFOLD HAVE PREMATURELY BROKEN OFF, THIS WOULD EVENTUALLY CAUSE EXHAUST SYSTEM TO SEPARATE FROM VEHICLES FRAME. *AK CONSUMER STATED THAT ALL 8 BOLTS ON EXHAUST MANIFOLD WERE REPLACED AT DEALER, MECHANICS AND SERVICE PERSONNEL TOLD HIM THAT ITS COMMON, PARTICULAR TO 93 VILLAGERS. CONSUMER SAID THE PROBLEM IS LAPPING AGAIN AT 95000 MILES, SINCE THIS IS A DEFECT CONSUMER IS ASKING FOR COMPENSATION. *YD
LEAVES AND DEBRIS BUILD IN DASHBOARD CAUSED A FIRE. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER.*AK
DOORS LOCK AUTOMATICALLY WHEN DRIVERS DOOR IS OPENED FROM THE INSIDE. MY GRANDSON, AT AGE 2 WAS IN A CHILD RESTRAINT SEAT WHILE I WAS LOCKED OUT. THIS OCCURRED WHEN IT FIRST STARTED HAPPENING. BECAUSE IT LOCKS EVERY TIME I OPEN THE DOOR, I HAVE BEEN LOCKED OUT MYSELF ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. ABOUT THE SAME TIME, MY CRUISE C…
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DOORS LOCK AUTOMATICALLY WHEN DRIVERS DOOR IS OPENED FROM THE INSIDE. MY GRANDSON, AT AGE 2 WAS IN A CHILD RESTRAINT SEAT WHILE I WAS LOCKED OUT. THIS OCCURRED WHEN IT FIRST STARTED HAPPENING. BECAUSE IT LOCKS EVERY TIME I OPEN THE DOOR, I HAVE BEEN LOCKED OUT MYSELF ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. ABOUT THE SAME TIME, MY CRUISE CONTROL STOPPED WORKING ALSO. I FEEL THESE ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS MAY BE RELATED. ALSO, THE LOCK ON THE REAR HATCH DOES NOT SWITCH TO THE LOCKED POSITON MAKING IT NECESSARY TO SLAM THE HATCH SEVERAL TIMES BEFORE IT CATCHES. SOMETIMES I HAVE TO MANUALLY FLIP THE LOCK SWITCH TO GET IT TO CATCH. I HAVE BEEN IN CONTACT WITH FORD MOTOR CO. AND THE DEALERSHIP WHERE I HAVE MY MAINTENANCE WORK DONE, TO NO AVAIL. THE DEALERSHIP WILL REPAIR AT MY COST BUT NEEDS A RECALL TO DO OTHERWISE. I E-MAILED CBS NEWS A FEW MONTHS AGO, AFTER THE NEWS COVERAGE AIRED ON 9/7/01 AND JUST DISCOVERED YOUR LINK FROM CBS WEBSITE TONIGHT. *AK
DRIVING THROUGH MY JOB'S PARKING LOT AT 15MPH, SUDDENLY THERE WAS A LOUD POP, LIKE SOMETHING BROKE. AT THIS TIME, I PROCEEDED TO INVESTIGATE PROBLEM, UPON ENTRYING THE VAN AND ABOUT TO PRECEED DRIVING, THE VAN IN QUESTION REFUSES TO ENGAGE IN GEAR. *AK
THE VEHICLE WAS RECALLED FOR "LEAF INGESTION". LEAVES ARE MAKING THEIR WAY ONTO THE HEATING COIL AND POSE A FIRE HAZARD. I BROUGHT THE VEHICLE IN TWICE FOR THE REPAIR AND I STILL SMELL BURNING LEAVES WHEN I USE THE HEATER. I HAVE CONTACTED BOTH THE DEALER AND FORD MOTOR COMPANY ABOUT THE ON-GOING PROBLEM AND BOTH HAVE OFFERED…
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THE VEHICLE WAS RECALLED FOR "LEAF INGESTION". LEAVES ARE MAKING THEIR WAY ONTO THE HEATING COIL AND POSE A FIRE HAZARD. I BROUGHT THE VEHICLE IN TWICE FOR THE REPAIR AND I STILL SMELL BURNING LEAVES WHEN I USE THE HEATER. I HAVE CONTACTED BOTH THE DEALER AND FORD MOTOR COMPANY ABOUT THE ON-GOING PROBLEM AND BOTH HAVE OFFERED ONLY THE ORIGINAL SOLUTION. HOWEVER I BELIEVE THAT THE ORIGINAL SOLUTION DID NOT RESOLVE THE ISSUE. I BELIEVE THAT "LEAF INGESTION" STILL IS A FIRE HAZARD IN MY VEHICLE.*AK
LOCKS CONTINUOUSLY WHEN A DRIVERS SIDE DOOR HANDLE (IN OR OUT) IS TOUCHED. *AK
BROKEN STUDS ON THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD LED TO FAILURE OF THE OXYGEN SENSOR AND REQUIRED HIRING A SUBCONTRACTOR TO DRILL OUT BROKEN STUDS FROM THE ENGINE BLOCK. TOTAL COST FOR REPAIR WAS $1731. I CALLED FORD CUSTOMER SERVICE AND WAS TOLD THAT THIS WAS A FAILURE THAT SHOULD BE EXPECTED FOR ANY CAR AFTER 76,000 MILES. HOWEVER, SEA…
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BROKEN STUDS ON THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD LED TO FAILURE OF THE OXYGEN SENSOR AND REQUIRED HIRING A SUBCONTRACTOR TO DRILL OUT BROKEN STUDS FROM THE ENGINE BLOCK. TOTAL COST FOR REPAIR WAS $1731. I CALLED FORD CUSTOMER SERVICE AND WAS TOLD THAT THIS WAS A FAILURE THAT SHOULD BE EXPECTED FOR ANY CAR AFTER 76,000 MILES. HOWEVER, SEARCHING INTERNET RESOURCES INDICATES THAT THIS IS A SPECIFIC DEFECT OF MERCURY VILLAGER AND NISSAN QUEST. OVER 100 COMPLAINTS HAVE BEEN FILED WITH NHTSA FOR 1993 AND 1994 VILLAGERS. THE SAME SEARCH OF 1993 DODGE CARAVAN, AS A SIMILAR VEHICLE WITH HIGHER SALES, YIELDED NO COMPLAINTS FOR EXHAUST MANIFOLD FAILURE. ACCORDING TO INTERNET RESOURCES, FORD LOST A LEGAL SUIT IN CANADA ABOUT THIS PROBLEM AND IS PAYING FOR REPAIRS OF VILLAGERS IN CANADA. FORD HOWEVER, REFUSED TO CONSIDER THIS IN MY CASE. NISSAN HAS APPARENTLY CHANGED STUD SPECIFICATIONS 4 TIMES TO ACHIEVE A SUITABLE STUD THAT DOES NOT BREAK. THE CRITERIA LISTED FOR A SUFFICIENT NUMBER OF COMPLAINTS TO INITIATE A RECALL IS VAGUE, BUT THIS SEEMS TO BE AN OBVIOUS MANUFACTURING DEFECT THAT MERITS A RECALL.
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