IllustrationWHEN IT IS COLD OUTSIDE AUTOMOBILE WILL NOT KEEP RUNNING AFTER IT IS PUT IN GEAR. WHEN IT IS FINALLY IN GEAR, IT HAS NO POWER. FRONT BRAKES ARE NOISY,BELTS REPLACED, VEHICLE SCREECHES WHEN RUNNING. DESPITE REPLACEMENTS AND REPAIRS FOR ALL THESE PROBLEMS, THEY STILL EXIST. *AK *ML
1995 Mercury Villager
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
More warning signs than most Villager years
Owner complaints for the 1995 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: 44 of 367 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 95 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Fuel System, Gasoline. Review the 72 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Service Brakes, Hydraulic. Review the 44 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
26 crash reports7 fire reports19 injury reports
What owners actually said
367 reportsDUE TO DEFECTIVE CASTING REAR PASSENGER'S WHEEL CRACKED, WHICH COULD HAVE CAUSED WHEEL TO FALL OFF, AND RESULT IN A CRASH. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK
THE WINDOW WAS POPPED OPEN WHILE DRIVING AND FELL OUT OF THE VEHICLE. (OHIO TRAFFIC CRASH REPORT) *. MJS
WHEN YOU COME TO A COMPLETE OR ALMOST COMPLETE STOP, THERE IS GAS FUMES COMING FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THIS IS A VERY STRONG GAS ODOR! AS LONG AS YOU ARE MOVING YOU CAN'T SMELL IT. MY CONCERN IS POSSIBLE VEHICLE FIRE. I THINK THE PROBLEM IS STILL THERE WHILE MOVING BUT YOU JUST CAN'T SMELL IT. A FRIEND OF MINE HAS THE …
Read full complaint
WHEN YOU COME TO A COMPLETE OR ALMOST COMPLETE STOP, THERE IS GAS FUMES COMING FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THIS IS A VERY STRONG GAS ODOR! AS LONG AS YOU ARE MOVING YOU CAN'T SMELL IT. MY CONCERN IS POSSIBLE VEHICLE FIRE. I THINK THE PROBLEM IS STILL THERE WHILE MOVING BUT YOU JUST CAN'T SMELL IT. A FRIEND OF MINE HAS THE SAME PROBLEM WITH HIS 95 VILLAGER. *AK
WHILE DRIVING ON FARM 1385, TRAVELLING 55MPH AND GOING NORTH AT NIGHT, HIT A BLACK COW ON THE ROAD, AND AIR BAG DIDN'T DEPLOY. DRIVER WORE A SEAT BELT. CONTACTED DEALER. *AK
BROKEN CRANKSHAFT D/T METAL FATIGUE. *AK
THIS ENGINE WAS KNOWN TO BE DEFECTIVE WHEN SOLD TO ME. *AK
WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE, THE PASSENGER SLIDER OPENS AND THE DOOR IS AJAR. THIS HAPPENED REPEATEDLY OVER SEVERAL MONTHS. IT COST ME OVER $200 TO REPLACE THE FRONT AND REAR LATCHES ON THE VEHICLE. I FELT THAT THIS WAS A SAFETY ISSUE AND I SHOULDN'T HAVE TO PAY FOR THE DEFECTIVE PARTS OR LABOR. *AK
THE SEAT BELT FOR THE MIDDLE SEAT IS DAMAGED THE PLASTIC GUARD/PROTECTOR HAS WORN THE BELT ALMOST THE WHOLE WAY THROUGH FROM CHAFING. YH
WHILE DRIVING CAN SMELL VERY STRONG GAS COMING FROM INSIDE OF VEHICLE. CONSUMER FEELS THIS IS VERY UNSAFE. TOOK TO DEALER AND THEY SAID IT WAS THE FILLER TUBE. *AK
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.
96V089001 · Seats
Jun 3, 1996
AN OUT-OF-SPECIFICATION CONDITION IN THE SEAT CABLE ROLLER PULLEY ASSEMBLY CAN ALLOW THE CABLE THAT CONNECTS THE SEAT ADJUST LEVER TO THE LATCH TO BE PINCHED IN THE ROLLER ASSEMBLY.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: CONSEQUENCE OF NON-COMPLIANCE: THIS CONDITION CAN PREVENT THE LATCH ON THE LEFT SIDE FROM FULLY ENGAGING THE SEAT RAIL. THIS DOES NOT COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENT OF FMVSS NO. 207, "SEATING SYSTEMS."
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE A COMPONENT IN THE THIRD ROW SLIDING BENCH SEAT LATCH ASSEMBLY.
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
6EA00014 · 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.
SQ00008 · Unexpected Opening On Sliding Door
Opened May 12, 2000 · Closed Apr 1, 2002
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Structure
There is no summary currently available
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.