NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Engine And Engine Cooling complaints
91 reportsClear category filterMileage unknown · Sep 27, 1999
Engine And Engine Cooling
THIS VEHICLE HAD SEVEN (7) OF TWELVE (12)EXHAUST MANIFOLD STUDS SHEAR. I WAS INFORMED BY THE QUEEN CITY SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE, THAT THIS CONDITION HAS BEEN A COMMON OCCURRENCE WITH 1993 AND 1994 YEAR MODEL MERCURY VILLAGERS. I WAS FURTHER INFORMED THAT ALL TWELVE (12) STUDS WERE REPLACED WITH NEW STUDS THAT MERCURY IS NOW INS…
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THIS VEHICLE HAD SEVEN (7) OF TWELVE (12)EXHAUST MANIFOLD STUDS SHEAR. I WAS INFORMED BY THE QUEEN CITY SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE, THAT THIS CONDITION HAS BEEN A COMMON OCCURRENCE WITH 1993 AND 1994 YEAR MODEL MERCURY VILLAGERS. I WAS FURTHER INFORMED THAT ALL TWELVE (12) STUDS WERE REPLACED WITH NEW STUDS THAT MERCURY IS NOW INSTALLING IN ALL VILLAGERS MANUFACTURED SUBSEQUENT TO THE 1993 AND 1994 YEAR MODELS. THE TECHNICIAN AT QUEEN CITY MERCURY STATED THAT MERCURY IS NO LONGER USING THE ORIGINAL STUDS DUE TO THE ORIGINAL STUD'S FAILURE RATE. QUEEN CITY FURTHER INFORMED ME THAT THEY ARE ROUTINELY CHECKING ALL 1993 AND 1994 VILLAGERS THAT COME IN FOR ANY SERVICE FOR SIGNS OF THE STUD FAILURE. I WAS INFORMED THAT FAILING TO MAKE THIS REPAIR COULD RESULT IN CARBON MONOXIDE FUMES ENTERING THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT. THE REPAIR COST ASSOCIATED WITH THIS MANIFOLD STUD FAILURE WAS $641.30. FORD/MERCURY DENIED MY REQUEST FOR REIMBURSEMENT OF THE REPAIR EXPENSE STATING THAT, TO DATE, THERE HAD BEEN NO MANDATED RECALL TO CORRECT THIS PROBLEM. I WOULD APPRECIATE NHTSA'S REVIEW, IF IN FACT, MERCURY HAS EXPERIENCED SIGNIFICANT FAILURE RATES RESULTING FROM DEFECTIVE STUDS.
NHTSA ODI #712256
Mileage unknown · Aug 11, 1999
Engine And Engine Cooling
VEHICLE STOPPED RUNNING WHILE WAITING AT STOP LIGHT DUE TO CRANKSHAFT FAILURE. VEHICLE AT DEALER SHOP. VEHICLE AT DEALER'S . SEEKING HELP FROM NHTSA IN THIS MATTER.*AK
NHTSA ODI #844893
Mileage unknown · Aug 10, 1999
Engine And Engine Cooling
CRANK SHAFT BROKEN. DAMAGED HEADS. DEALER SUGGESTS ENGINE REPLACEMENT. CAR ONLY HAS 75000 MILES ON IT AND THE ENGINE SHOULD NOT BE FREEZING UP. WE'RE NOT TALKING ABOUT AN ASPIRE OR ANOTHER 8000 DOLLAR VEHICLE. WE'RE TALKING ABOUT A 30000 DOLLAR VEHICLE. NO CAR ESPECIALLY AN EXPENSIVE ONE SHOULD LOSE IT'S ENGINE AT 75000 MI…
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CRANK SHAFT BROKEN. DAMAGED HEADS. DEALER SUGGESTS ENGINE REPLACEMENT. CAR ONLY HAS 75000 MILES ON IT AND THE ENGINE SHOULD NOT BE FREEZING UP. WE'RE NOT TALKING ABOUT AN ASPIRE OR ANOTHER 8000 DOLLAR VEHICLE. WE'RE TALKING ABOUT A 30000 DOLLAR VEHICLE. NO CAR ESPECIALLY AN EXPENSIVE ONE SHOULD LOSE IT'S ENGINE AT 75000 MILES. IT SHOW POOR QUALITY AND MANUFACTURING. THE MECHANIC AT GLEN BURNIE LINCOLN MERCURY STATED THAT IT WAS A MANUFACTURERS DEFECT AND NOT PREVENTABLE ON MY PART. FORD SHOWED NO INTEREST IN HELPING ME WITH THE REPAIRS NOR DID THEY SEEM TO CARE THAT ONE OF THEIR VEHICLES HAD SUCH A MAJOR MECHANICAL FLAW AT SUCH A YOUNG AGE. I WILL ALSO BE CONTACTING THE BBB AND CONSUMER REPORTS AS WELL AS A NUMBER OF NEWSPAPERS. THANK-YOU MICHAEL G. DRISCOLL
NHTSA ODI #709820
Mileage unknown · Jul 18, 1999
Engine And Engine CoolingStructure
CRANKSHAFT BROKE APART IMMEDIATELY BEHIND TIMING GEAR. VEHICLE IDLING AT A STOP SIGN AT TIME OF FAILURE. TOTAL ENGINE FAILURE. / ELECTRIC LOCKS LOCK THEMSELVES INTERMITTENTLY, WITHOUT HUMAN ASSISTANCE. MUST ALWAYS HAVE KEY IN HAND WHEN EXITING THE VEHICLE. FAILURES ARE ONGOING AND UNPREDICTABLE. *AK
NHTSA ODI #708770
Mileage unknown · May 19, 1999
Engine And Engine Cooling
WHILE EITHER STARTING THE ENGINE OR SHUTTING THE ENGINE DOWN (THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY), THE CRANKSHAFT BROKE AND THE DAMPER PULLEY WAS INJURED. WE PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE FROM A PRIVATE PARTY ONLY 4 WEEKS EARLIER AND HAD LESS THAN 1500 MILES ON IT. IS THERE ANY RECOURSE??
NHTSA ODI #706656
Mileage unknown · May 12, 1999
Engine And Engine CoolingService Brakes, Hydraulic
WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE STALLED. ALSO, BRAKES TO FAILED. VEHICLE HAS BEEN IN REPAIR SHOP TIME AFTER TIME, AND DEALERS CAN'T DETERMINE THE PROBLEM. *AK
NHTSA ODI #835632
Mileage unknown · Mar 28, 1999
Engine And Engine Cooling
ON MARCH 25TH I WAS INFORMED THAT THE RIGHT SIDE ENGINE CAMSHAFT HAD LOCKED UP AND THERE WAS NO COMPRESSION; A MAJOR REPAIR. NEW HEAD MAY BE NEEDED. MY CAR WAS MAINTAINED AT ALL TIMES. THERE WAS NO UNUSUAL SOUNDS OR INDICATIONS. IT WAS A NISSAN ENGINE. PLEASE REVIEW AND LET ME KNOW. THIS SHOULD NOT HAPPEN AFTER 4 YEARS. *…
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ON MARCH 25TH I WAS INFORMED THAT THE RIGHT SIDE ENGINE CAMSHAFT HAD LOCKED UP AND THERE WAS NO COMPRESSION; A MAJOR REPAIR. NEW HEAD MAY BE NEEDED. MY CAR WAS MAINTAINED AT ALL TIMES. THERE WAS NO UNUSUAL SOUNDS OR INDICATIONS. IT WAS A NISSAN ENGINE. PLEASE REVIEW AND LET ME KNOW. THIS SHOULD NOT HAPPEN AFTER 4 YEARS. *AK
NHTSA ODI #705019
Mileage unknown · Mar 25, 1999
Engine And Engine Cooling
POSSIBLE ENGINE FAILURE CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO STALL INTERMITTENTLY WITHOUT WARNING RESULTING IN LOSE OF POWER STEERING AND BRAKE CONTROL.
NHTSA ODI #544632
Mileage unknown · Mar 19, 1999
Engine And Engine Cooling
MY WIFE DROVE THE VEHICLE ON THAT DAY. ACCORDING TO MY WIFE, SHE STOPPED AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT FOR A WHILE, AND WHEN SHE DEPARTED ON GREEN LIGHT, THERE WAS NO RESPONSE WITH A LOUD NOISE. AFTER THAT THE ENGINE WAS STILL IN IDLE WITH HESITATION. THE VAN WAS TOWED TO A NEARBY GAS STATION. MECHANICS AT THAT GAS STATION COULD NOT FIND…
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MY WIFE DROVE THE VEHICLE ON THAT DAY. ACCORDING TO MY WIFE, SHE STOPPED AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT FOR A WHILE, AND WHEN SHE DEPARTED ON GREEN LIGHT, THERE WAS NO RESPONSE WITH A LOUD NOISE. AFTER THAT THE ENGINE WAS STILL IN IDLE WITH HESITATION. THE VAN WAS TOWED TO A NEARBY GAS STATION. MECHANICS AT THAT GAS STATION COULD NOT FIND OUT THE PROBLEM. 1 DAY LATER, THE VAN WAS TOWED TO A DEALER AND AT THIS TIME, EVERYTHING WENT DEAD. TWO DAYS LATER, A MECHANIC IN THE DEALER SERVICE CALLED AND REPORTED OF BROKEN CRANKSHAFT. THE DEALER ASKED FOR $4500 (PARTS+LABOR) TO REPLACE A REMANUFACTURED ENGINE.
NHTSA ODI #704640
Mileage unknown · Feb 14, 1999
Engine And Engine Cooling
MY VEHICLE JUST LOST POWER AND SHUT DOWN IN THE MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC. I WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER. HOWEVER, THE VAN WOULD NOT RESTART. AFTER THE DEALER HAD THE VAN FOR THREE DAYS, THEY CONCLUDED THE CRANKSHAFT BROKE. NOW THIS MINI-VAN, ALTHOUGH A MERCURY, HAS A NISSAN 3.0 6 CYLINDER ENGINE. IT HAS BEEN SERVICED WITH PROPER OIL CHAN…
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MY VEHICLE JUST LOST POWER AND SHUT DOWN IN THE MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC. I WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER. HOWEVER, THE VAN WOULD NOT RESTART. AFTER THE DEALER HAD THE VAN FOR THREE DAYS, THEY CONCLUDED THE CRANKSHAFT BROKE. NOW THIS MINI-VAN, ALTHOUGH A MERCURY, HAS A NISSAN 3.0 6 CYLINDER ENGINE. IT HAS BEEN SERVICED WITH PROPER OIL CHANGES AND WE HAVE NOT EXPERIENCED ANY PROBLEMS OVER THE 37,000 MILES WE HAVE DRIVEN IT. WHEN WE APPROACHED FORD ABOUT ANY HELP IN REPAIR, THE DOOR WAS SHUT. NO, THEY SAID. A CRANKSHAFT JUST DOESN'T BREAK AT 60,000 MILES ON THIS TYPE OF ENGINE. THIS IS A FAMILY VAN DRIVEN FOR FAMILY PURPOSES. WHEN YOU ARE TALKING A $4000.00 + REPAIR BILL, IT WOULD BE NICE IF SOMEONE ACTED AS IF THEY CARED AND WENT BEYOND A COMPUTER RESPONSE, THAT THIS IS NOT A PROBLEM FORD WILL HELP US WITH. WE PURCHASED THE EXTENDED WARRANTY AND HAD WARRANTY UNTIL 60,000 MILES. WE WERE ONLY 1600 MILES OUT OF WARRANTY. IS THERE ANY WAY TO GET FORD TO RELOOK AT THIS AND SOMEHOW GET SOME HELP? *AK
NHTSA ODI #703304
NHTSA investigations
5EA00014 · 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.
PE99077 · Fuel Tank Vent Hose Leakage
Opened Dec 28, 1999 · Closed May 22, 2000
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Vehicle Speed Control:linkages
There is no summary currently available
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.
PE99013 · Fuel Rail Hose Fitting Leakage
Opened Feb 9, 1999 · Closed Jun 29, 1999
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Vehicle Speed Control:linkages
SINCE SEPTEMBER 1998, ODI HAS RECEIVED SEVEN COMPLAINTS OF FUEL ODOR OR LEAKAGE IN 1994 THROUGH 1995 MERCURY VILLAGER VEHICLES.FOUR OF THE LEAKS HAVE BEEN TRACED TO A SHORT SECTION OF HOSE THAT CONNECTS THE FUEL SUPPLY TUBE TO THE REAR OF THE FUEL RAIL.INFORMAITON CONTAINED IN THE REPORTS INDICATE THAT THE PROBLEM MAY BE DIFFICULT TO DIAGNOSE, WITH SEVERAL OWNERS ALLEGING MULTIPLE DEALER SERVICE REPAIRS.ADVANCED COMPRESSION SET IS EVIDENT IN A HOSE REMOVED FROM THE MOST RECENT COMPLAINT VEHICLE.
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.
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