IllustrationSLIDING DOOR WILL BEGIN TO OPEN EVEN IF LOCKED, LIGHT COMES ON, DOOR OPENED. *AK
1996 Mercury Villager
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
Similar to other model years
Owner complaints for the 1996 Mercury Villager do not stand out strongly from 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: 16 of 188 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 36 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Latches/locks/linkages. Review the 28 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Structure. Review the 25 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 reports7 fire reports5 injury reports
What owners actually said
188 reportsGASOLINE LEAKS RAPIDLY FROM UNDERNEATH THE VAN EVERY TIME THE TANK IS FILLED. *AK
AIR BAG LIGHT FLASHING.DIAGNOSED BY DEALER AS AIR BAG MONITOR OR WIRING ISSUE.WAS TOLD BY SERVICE PERSON"DON'T WORRY I DON'T BELIEVE IN AIR BAGS".VEHICLE IS ONLY 4 YEARS OLD.THIS SYSTEM SHOULD HAVE A LIFETIME WARRANTY.*AK
IN WARM WEATHER, MY CAR VENTS A TERRIBLE AMOUNT OF GAS FUMES INTO THE INTERIOR OF THE VEHICLE (PARTICULARLY WHEN A/C IS ON). THIS IS A TERRIBLE PROBLEM AND THE DEALER CANNOT FIX IT. IN MY OPINION IT IS VERY DANGEROUS, ESPECIALLY HERE AT HIGH ALTITUDES IN DENVER WHEN TREMENDOUS PRESSURE BUILDS UP IN THE GAS TANK WHICH APPEARS T…
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IN WARM WEATHER, MY CAR VENTS A TERRIBLE AMOUNT OF GAS FUMES INTO THE INTERIOR OF THE VEHICLE (PARTICULARLY WHEN A/C IS ON). THIS IS A TERRIBLE PROBLEM AND THE DEALER CANNOT FIX IT. IN MY OPINION IT IS VERY DANGEROUS, ESPECIALLY HERE AT HIGH ALTITUDES IN DENVER WHEN TREMENDOUS PRESSURE BUILDS UP IN THE GAS TANK WHICH APPEARS TO BE CAUSING THIS PROBLEM. THIS IS SECOND VEHICLE OF THIS TYPE THAT I HAVE HAD WITH THIS PROBLEM. I ALSO HAD A 1995 NISSAN QUEST (THE SAME CAR - NISSAN VERSION) WHICH DID THIS. IT GOT SO BAD THAT THE DEALER KEPT PUTTING ME IN A RENTAL CAR UNTIL THEY COULD FIX IT (WHICH THEY NEVER DID). NISSAN ENDED UP BUYING THE CAR BACK. I THOUGHT THAT I JUST HAD A "LEMON" (AN ISOLATED INCIDENT) AND BOUGHT THE VILLAGER BECAUSE THE SLIDING SEAT SYSTEM IN THE CAR IS NECESSARY FOR ME (IT IS THE ONLY CAR THAT HAS ONE, NAMELY, REAR SEATS THAT ARE ON TRACKS/RAILS). ANYWAY, I WAS SURPRISED AND ANGRY TO FIND OUT THAT THE VILLAGER DOES THE SAME THING AND THE DEALER WAS NEVER ABLE TO FIX IT. THIS IS A SERIOUS AND DANGEROUS PROBLEM. IF YOU WANT TO HEAR MORE ABOUT IT, FEEL FREE TO CONTACT ME.*AK
VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A FRONTAL COLLISION AT 45MPH. UPON IMPACT, AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY, RESULTING IN MINOR INJURIES.*AK
CONSUMER STATE WHILE TRAVELING VEHICLE SLIDING DOOR BECOME UNLOCK. DOOR INDICATION LIGHT COME ON. PLEASE PROVDE FURTHER INFORMATIN.
WHILE ATTEMPTING TO CHANGE A FLAT TIRE, LUG NUT WRENCH BROKE. *SLC
THE DOORS WILL LOCK AUTOMATICALLY WITH THE KEY IN THE IGNITION OR NOT. WE HAD A BABY IN THE CAR AND THE DOORS AUTOMATICALLY LOCKED. THIS HAS BEEN A PROBLEM SINCE 35,000 MILES RECENTLY FORD TOLD US THEIR WAS A RECOMMEND FIX - SERVICE MESSAGE 11243 BECAUSE OF NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS BUT IT IS NOT A RECALL. AS A SAFETY PROFESSIONAL I T…
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THE DOORS WILL LOCK AUTOMATICALLY WITH THE KEY IN THE IGNITION OR NOT. WE HAD A BABY IN THE CAR AND THE DOORS AUTOMATICALLY LOCKED. THIS HAS BEEN A PROBLEM SINCE 35,000 MILES RECENTLY FORD TOLD US THEIR WAS A RECOMMEND FIX - SERVICE MESSAGE 11243 BECAUSE OF NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS BUT IT IS NOT A RECALL. AS A SAFETY PROFESSIONAL I THINK THIS IS OUTRAGEOUS - POTENTIAL ENTRAPMENT OF SMALL CHILDREN WITHOUT ADEQUATE ESCAPE MECHANISM ( NOT BREAKING THE WINDOW) IS A CONCERN.
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK
THE SLIDING DOOR ON THE VEHICLE POPS OPEN WHEN GOING OVER BUMPS, RAILROAD TRACKS, ETC. *AK
Official recalls
200V419002 · 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.
98V012001 · Visibility:power Window Devices And Controls
Mar 23, 1998
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MINI VANS. THESE VEHICLES WERE PRODUCED WITH POWER WINDOWS THAT CAN BE CLOSED AFTER THE IGNITION KEY IS TURNED TO THE "OFF" POSITION AND THE RIGHT FRONT (PASSENGER) DOOR IS OPENED. THIS DOES NOT MEET THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS 118, "POWER-OPERATED WINDOW SYSTEMS."
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THERE IS THE POTENTIAL FOR UNSUPERVISED CHILDREN TO OPERATE THE POWER WINDOWS, INCREASING THE RISK OF PERSONAL INJURY TO THE CHILD.
Remedy: OWNERS WILL BE PROVIDED WITH A LABEL REMINDING OWNERS NOT TO LEAVE CHILDREN UNATTENDED BECAUSE THE POWER WINDOWS CAN OPERATE FOR 15 MINUTES AFTER THE VEHICLE IGNITION HAS BEEN TURNED OFF UNLESS THE DRIVER'S DOOR IS OPENED. ALSO INCLUDED ARE INSTRUCTIONS DESCRIBING HOW AND WHERE THIS LABEL IS TO BE INSTALLED. IF AN OWNER PREFERS, THEIR DEALER CAN INSTALL THIS LABEL FOR THEM.
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
4EA00014 · 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
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.