IllustrationWHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED APPLIED BRAKES, AND HEARD GRINDING NOISE COMING FROM BRAKES, AND VEHICLE WON'T STOP. ALSO, PEDAL WILL GO ALL THE WAY TO FLOOR, AND BRAKES WILL PULSATE. *AK
1994 Mercury Villager
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
More warning signs than most Villager years
Owner complaints for the 1994 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: 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 reportsVEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A FRONTAL COLLISION. UPON IMPACT, DRIVER'S RESTRAINT BROKE, RESULTING IN MINOR INJURIES. VEHICLE WAS TOTALED. *AK
CRANKSHAFT BROKE AT FRONT OF ENGINE, CAUSING LOSS OF POWER. DEALER NOTIFIED ,AND INFORMED CONSUMER THAT VEHICLE WOULD ONLY BE REPAIRED AT CONSUMER'S COST. *AK
THE CAR INTERIOR SMELLED STRONGLY OF FUEL AFTER FILL UP. GAS SPILLED TO THE FLOOR, CREATING A FIRE HAZARD. THE DOORS LOCKS LATCH UNASSISTED AFTER THE CAR HAS BEEN OPENED. THERE ARE MULTIPLE REPORTS OF SAME OCCURRENCES FROM OTHER OWNERS.
THERE IS A VERY STRONG GAS SMELL IN THE MINI VAN, WHICH SEEMS TO BE TEMPERATURE SENSITIVE - I.E. WHEN IT IS VERY COLD, THE PROBLEM OCCURS, THEN GOES AWAY WHEN THE OUTSIDE TEMPERATURE WARMS UP. THE SMELL OF GAS IS SO STRONG THAT THE HEAT CANNOT BE TURNED ON IN THE VAN, WHICH MAKES THE VAN UNDRIVABLE IN THE VERY COLD WEATHER. I …
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THERE IS A VERY STRONG GAS SMELL IN THE MINI VAN, WHICH SEEMS TO BE TEMPERATURE SENSITIVE - I.E. WHEN IT IS VERY COLD, THE PROBLEM OCCURS, THEN GOES AWAY WHEN THE OUTSIDE TEMPERATURE WARMS UP. THE SMELL OF GAS IS SO STRONG THAT THE HEAT CANNOT BE TURNED ON IN THE VAN, WHICH MAKES THE VAN UNDRIVABLE IN THE VERY COLD WEATHER. I HAVE HAD THE VAN IN TO THE DEALER, WHO HAS TOLD ME THAT I NEED TO REPLACE THE FUEL INJECTOR SEALS. *AK
THIS VEHICLE HAS A RADIATOR LEAK DUE TO THE RADIATOR COMING A LOOSE AT THE MANUFACTURED SEAMS. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. *AK
ENGINE STOPPED RUNNING WHILE BACKING OUT OF PARKING SPACE DUE TO CRANKSHAFT FAILURE. *MJS
FUEL TANK VENT HOSE HOSE WAS LEAKING, ODOR ESPECIALLY STRONG AFTER FILL-UP. VERY UPSET THAT MY FORD EXTENDED WARRANTY DIDN'T COVER IT, EVEN THOUGH IT COVERS "FUEL LINES AND FUEL TANK." TOOK TO DEALER; COST $210 TO REPAIR. POWER WINDOW CONTROL: CONTROL FOR DRIVER'S SIDE WINDOW QUIT WORKING. TOOK TO DEALER; COVERED UNDER MY F…
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FUEL TANK VENT HOSE HOSE WAS LEAKING, ODOR ESPECIALLY STRONG AFTER FILL-UP. VERY UPSET THAT MY FORD EXTENDED WARRANTY DIDN'T COVER IT, EVEN THOUGH IT COVERS "FUEL LINES AND FUEL TANK." TOOK TO DEALER; COST $210 TO REPAIR. POWER WINDOW CONTROL: CONTROL FOR DRIVER'S SIDE WINDOW QUIT WORKING. TOOK TO DEALER; COVERED UNDER MY FORD EXTENDED WARRANTY. DRIVER'S SIDE WINDOW OPERATION: WINDOW BINDS WHEN GOING UP; GOES UP MUCH SLOWER THAN PASSENGER SIDE WINDOW. TOOK TO DEALER; COST $187 TO FIX INCLUDING $82 FOR WEATHERSTRIPPING! EGR SYSTEM: CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON; DIAGNOSTICS INDICATED IT WAS EXHAUST GAS RECIRCULATION SYSTEM. AUTO MECHANIC CONFIRMED AND ISOLATED IT TO EGR SOLENOID SENSOR. HAVEN'T FIXED IT YET DUE TO HIGH COST ESTIMATES FROM DEALER. BROKEN CRANKSHAFT: CRANKSHAFT BROKE AT 20535 MILES WHILE DRIVING IN ENTERING TRAFFIC LANE AT 5 MPH. DEALER FIXED UNDER WARRANTY. NOTE: ALL OF THESE ITEMS HAVE SEVERAL TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETINS ASSOCIATED WITH THEM. ALSO THERE IS CURRENTLY A NHTSA DEFECT INVESTIGATION (PE9977 OPENED 28 DEC 99) ASSOCIATED WITH THE FULE TANK VENT HOSE LEAKAGE. I WOULD APPRECIATE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION NHTSA CAN PROVIDE ME ABOUT THIS INVESTIGATION.
WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY & EXITING OFF THE HIGHWAY, PULLED INTO A PARKING LOT, SHUT OFF THE VEHICLE TO GO INTO THE BUILDING FOR A DOCTOR'S APPT, AND WAS NOTIIFIED THAT ALL OF A SUDDEN VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE. CONTACTED THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER. *AK
SMELL OF GAS INITIALLY AROUND VEHICLE. DISCOVERED LEAK WHEN FILLED UP TANK WITH GAS. THIS WAS REPAIRED. LATER STARTED NOTICING SMELL OF GAS CONTINUING INSIDE VEHICLE. WOULD GET HEADACHES WHEN A/C WAS ON. THOUGHT IT WAS FROM MOLD. NOW WITH WINTER AND USING HEAT, SMELL REALLY BAD AND STRONG. AT FIRST THOUGHT MAYBE SMELL COMING FRO…
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SMELL OF GAS INITIALLY AROUND VEHICLE. DISCOVERED LEAK WHEN FILLED UP TANK WITH GAS. THIS WAS REPAIRED. LATER STARTED NOTICING SMELL OF GAS CONTINUING INSIDE VEHICLE. WOULD GET HEADACHES WHEN A/C WAS ON. THOUGHT IT WAS FROM MOLD. NOW WITH WINTER AND USING HEAT, SMELL REALLY BAD AND STRONG. AT FIRST THOUGHT MAYBE SMELL COMING FROM CAR IN FRONT.
Official recalls
300V419002 · 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.
96V253003 · Exterior Lighting:tail Lights
Aug 17, 1998
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.
94V142000 · Visibility:windshield
Aug 1, 1994
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
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.