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: 22 of 253 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 91 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Fuel System, Gasoline. Review the 51 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Exterior Lighting. Review the 26 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
11 crash reports6 fire reports4 injury reports
What owners actually said
253 reports
Mileage unknown · Jul 11, 2000
Fuel System, GasolineSeat Belts
DRIVER SEAT BELT HAS A LOCK IN A FORWARD POSITION AND LEAVING OCCUPANT WITHOUT ANY RESTRAINT. ALSO, FUEL LINE UNDER FUEL INTAKE MANIFOLD LEAKS FUEL OVER ENGINE. UNABLE TO REPLACE IT UNLESS THE ENGINE HEAD IS REMOVE FIRST. DEALER NOTIFIED, AND INFORMED CONSUMER THAT VEHICLE WAS NOT COVERED UNDER MANUFACTURER'S RECALL. FEEL F…
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DRIVER SEAT BELT HAS A LOCK IN A FORWARD POSITION AND LEAVING OCCUPANT WITHOUT ANY RESTRAINT. ALSO, FUEL LINE UNDER FUEL INTAKE MANIFOLD LEAKS FUEL OVER ENGINE. UNABLE TO REPLACE IT UNLESS THE ENGINE HEAD IS REMOVE FIRST. DEALER NOTIFIED, AND INFORMED CONSUMER THAT VEHICLE WAS NOT COVERED UNDER MANUFACTURER'S RECALL. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS. *AK
NHTSA ODI #865198
Mileage unknown · Jul 7, 2000
Engine And Engine Cooling
BOLT THAT HOLDS EXHAUST MANIFOLD HAS SHEARED OFF DUE TO TO STRESS WHICH IS CAUSING A LOUD NOISE. VEHICLE MIGHT NOT PASS STATE INSPECTION. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK
NHTSA ODI #864977
Mileage unknown · Jun 21, 2000
Exterior Lighting
REAR LAMP SOCKET WAS ON RECALL, THE PART WAS REPLACED AND REPAIRED, BUT WITH THE SAME DEFECTIVE PART. HOWEVER, PROBLEM HAS OCCURRED AGAIN. FORD KNEW OF PROBLEM, BUT WOULD NOT TAKE RESPONSIBILITY. *AK
NHTSA ODI #863929
Mileage unknown · Jun 13, 2000
Power Train
WHILE DRIVING VAN JUST CUTS OFF/STALLS. PROBLEM HAS BEEN REPORTED TO DEALERSHIP. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK
NHTSA ODI #863465
Mileage unknown · Jun 8, 2000
Seat Belts
SEAT BELT SYSTEM DID NOT FUNCTION PROPERLY. IT TIGHTENED, AND COULD CUT THROUGH, WHICH WON'T PROTECT THE DRIVER IN EVENT OF A CRASH. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK
NHTSA ODI #863252
Mileage unknown · May 17, 2000
Air Bags
AIR BAG SENSOR LIGHT CONTINUALLY BLINKED. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO DEALER WHO INFORMED CONSUMER THAT AIR BAG MAIN MODULE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AT CONSUMER'S COST, ESTIMATED BETWEEN $700 - $900. *AK
NHTSA ODI #862063
Mileage unknown · May 6, 2000
Fuel System, Gasoline
WE SMELL GASOLINE FUMES OCCASIONALLY BUT COULDN'T FIGURE OUT WHAT WAS CAUSING IT. I READ IN THE NEWSPAPER WHERE AN OWNER OF A VEHICLE LIKE MINE, WAS EXPERIENCING THE SAME PROBLEM. HE FOUND OUT THAT THE SMELL WAS CAUSED BY GASOLINE LEAKING ONTO THE ENGINE AT MULTIPLE POINTS WHERE THE NEOPRENE FUEL LINES CONNECT TO THE FUEL INJE…
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WE SMELL GASOLINE FUMES OCCASIONALLY BUT COULDN'T FIGURE OUT WHAT WAS CAUSING IT. I READ IN THE NEWSPAPER WHERE AN OWNER OF A VEHICLE LIKE MINE, WAS EXPERIENCING THE SAME PROBLEM. HE FOUND OUT THAT THE SMELL WAS CAUSED BY GASOLINE LEAKING ONTO THE ENGINE AT MULTIPLE POINTS WHERE THE NEOPRENE FUEL LINES CONNECT TO THE FUEL INJECTION RAILS. *AK
NHTSA ODI #722350
Mileage unknown · Apr 26, 2000
Engine And Engine Cooling
THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD HAS A BOLT THAT HAS SHEARED OFF. THIS TO ME SEEMS AS THOUGH IT IS A DEFECT IN WORKMANSHIP AND A SAFETY HAZARD. I WAS UNAWARE OF THE PROBLEM UNTIL A MECHANIC NOTICED THE BOLT BROKE AND BROUGHT IT TO MY ATTENTION. THE EXHAUST SYSTEM IS THE ORIGINAL. THIS PROBLEM COULD CAUSE EXHUAST TO COME INTO PASSENGER COMPA…
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THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD HAS A BOLT THAT HAS SHEARED OFF. THIS TO ME SEEMS AS THOUGH IT IS A DEFECT IN WORKMANSHIP AND A SAFETY HAZARD. I WAS UNAWARE OF THE PROBLEM UNTIL A MECHANIC NOTICED THE BOLT BROKE AND BROUGHT IT TO MY ATTENTION. THE EXHAUST SYSTEM IS THE ORIGINAL. THIS PROBLEM COULD CAUSE EXHUAST TO COME INTO PASSENGER COMPARTMENT AT ANY GIVEN TIME. THE DEALERSHIP LISTS NO RECALL ON THIS AND SAY THEY CANNOT GIVE ME AN ESTIMATE BECAUSE THEY DON'T KNOW HOW LONG IT WILL TAKE TO GET THE BROKE OFF BOLT OUT OF THE ENGINE BLOCK. I HAVE TALKED WITH OTHER PEOPLE THAT HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM. IT IS THE SAME ENGINE THAT IS IN THE NISSAN QUEST. I THINK CAR MANUFACTORS' SHOULD BE ACCOUNTABLE FOR THERE MISTAKES. I HAVE BEEN TOLD THE COST COULD BE FROM 500 TO 1600 DOLLARS TO REPAIR THIS PROBLEM WHICH IS CLEARLY POOR WORKMANSHIP IN THE AREA OF THIS VEHICLE. PLEASE INVESTIAGTE THIS MATTER. *AK
NHTSA ODI #721948
Mileage unknown · Apr 25, 2000
Vehicle Speed Control
WHEN BRAKES ARE APPLIED PEDAL RELEASES SUDDENLY AND UNEXPECTEDLY, CAUSING VEHICLE TO SURGE FORWARD. DEALER WILL INSPECT VEHICLE. *AK
NHTSA ODI #860872
Mileage unknown · Apr 4, 2000
Vehicle Speed Control
THROTTLE PLATE ASSEMBLY STICKS, CAUSING CONSUMER TO HIT THROTTLE HARD IN ORDER TO RELEASE IT, WHICH CAN MAKE VEHICLE JUMP OR FREEZE UP. *AK
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.
THE REAR LAMP SOCKET MAY NOT ILLUMINATE BECAUSE THE METAL CAN IN THE LAMP SOCKET MOVES OR SEPARATES FROM THE PLASTIC SOCKET HOUSING.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THIS CAN RESULT IN MALFUNCTION OF THE STOP OR REAR RUNNING LAMPS. CENTER HIGH MOUNT STOP LAMP FUNCTION IS UNAFFECTED. REAR LAMP MALFUNCTION CAN RESULT IN FOLLOWING DRIVERS NOT BEING ALERTED TO THE SUBJECT VEHICLE'S PRESENCE OR INTENDED ACTIONS, PARTICULARLY IN THE CASE IN WHICH BOTH LAMPS HAVE MALFUNCTIONED.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A REVISED REAR LAMP SOCKET AND WIRING ASSEMBLIES.
THE WINDSHIELDS WERE MARKED WITH A "PROTOTYPE" DESIGNATION AND NOT MARKED AS REQUIRED BY FMVSS NO. 205, "GLAZING MATERIALS."
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: CONSEQUENCE OF NON-COMPLIANCE: INCORRECT LABELING OF WINDSHIELD MAY CAUSE CONCERN OR CONFUSION ABOUT THE PROTOTYPE DESIGNATION.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE WINDSHIELDS ON THE AFFECTED VANS.
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
5
EA00014 · 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.
1994 Mercury Villager Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year
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