IllustrationDRIVING MY '97 MERCURY VILLAGER INTO A COMMERCIAL DRIVEWAY AT ABOUT 3 MPH, BOTH AIR BAGS DEPLOYED UPON GOING OVER A SLIGHT BUMP. *NM
1997 Mercury Villager
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
Similar to other model years
Owner complaints for the 1997 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: 19 of 125 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.
- Fuel System, Gasoline. Review the 26 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Structure. Review the 21 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Latches/locks/linkages. Review the 17 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
5 crash reports1 fire reports1 injury reports
Air Bags complaints
12 reportsI WENT TO THE MERCURY DEALERSHIP TODAY FOR A FRONT WHEEL ALIGNMENT TODAY ON MY 1997 VILLAGER. I WAS INFORMED THAT THIS VEHICLE REQUIRES A FOUR WHEEL ALIGNMENT, DUE TO THE FRONT WHEEL DRIVE. I WAS INFORMED ALSO THAT IN ORDER FOR THE DEALER TO GET THE ALIGNMENT IN SPECS, REAR SHIMS WOULD NEED TO BE INSTALLED IN THE REAR TWO WHEELS…
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I WENT TO THE MERCURY DEALERSHIP TODAY FOR A FRONT WHEEL ALIGNMENT TODAY ON MY 1997 VILLAGER. I WAS INFORMED THAT THIS VEHICLE REQUIRES A FOUR WHEEL ALIGNMENT, DUE TO THE FRONT WHEEL DRIVE. I WAS INFORMED ALSO THAT IN ORDER FOR THE DEALER TO GET THE ALIGNMENT IN SPECS, REAR SHIMS WOULD NEED TO BE INSTALLED IN THE REAR TWO WHEELS OF THE VEHICLE. I WAS ALSO INFORMED THAT THESE SHIMS ARE NOT INSTALLED WHEN THE VEHICLE IS BUILT, BUT ARE REQUIRED IN ALMOST ALL CASES ONCE THE VEHICLE IS OUT ON THE ROAD AND HAS BEEN SUBJECTED TO NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR. THE PRICE TAG? A HEFTY $347 PLUS TAX! I HAD TO DECLINE THE REPAIR, I THINK IT IS PATHETIC FOR FORD TO CUT COSTS IN THIS MANNER, ALWAYS PASSING UP QUALITY IN THE INTEREST OF SAVING A BUCK! THE MORAL OF THIS STORY IS I PAID 80.00 DOLLARS TODAY FOR A FRONT END ALIGNMENT AND NOTHING HAS CHANGED! I THINK FORD/MERCURY SHOULD BE CALLED ON THE CARPET AND REQUIRED TO INSTALL THIS PART ON ALL VILLAGERS. THIS IN MY OPINION SHOULD HAVE BEEN DONE IN THE FIRST PLACE!
PLEASE REFER TO MY E-MAIL THIS DATE TO THE "WEBMASTER". NO SAFETY DEFECT MENTIONED. *AK
PANEL RIGHT IN FRONT OF AIR BAG IS POPPING UP, AND AIR BAG HAS NOT COME OUT YET, BUT PANEL THAT COVERS IT HAS BEEN POPPING UP. CONTACTED DEALER, AND DEALER COULDN'T DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT. *AK
PROBLEM: INTERIOR SYSTEMS:PASSIVE RESTRAINT:AIR BAG. - WHEN I STARTED MY VEHICLE ON SUNDAY EVENING, JANUARY 28TH ABOUT 6:15PM, THE "AIR BAG" RED WARNING LIGHT WAS FLASHING. I CALLED THE DEALER THE NEXT DAY, MONDAY, 29TH AND SCHEDULED AN APPOINTMENT TO LOOK AT THIS ON THURSDAY, FEB 1 AT 7:30AM. THE LIGHT CONTINUES TO FLASH AS…
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PROBLEM: INTERIOR SYSTEMS:PASSIVE RESTRAINT:AIR BAG. - WHEN I STARTED MY VEHICLE ON SUNDAY EVENING, JANUARY 28TH ABOUT 6:15PM, THE "AIR BAG" RED WARNING LIGHT WAS FLASHING. I CALLED THE DEALER THE NEXT DAY, MONDAY, 29TH AND SCHEDULED AN APPOINTMENT TO LOOK AT THIS ON THURSDAY, FEB 1 AT 7:30AM. THE LIGHT CONTINUES TO FLASH AS OF THIS WRITING AND HAS NOT STOPPED. SECOND PROBLEM: THIS HAS NOT BEEN ADDRESSED UNTIL NOW BECAUSE I HAD ONLY JUST NOW WHILE RESEARCHING TSB'S THAT OWNERS HAVE HAD PROBLEM WITH "INTERMITTENT SELF-ACTIVATION DOOR LOCKS." I WILL ALSO ADDRESS THIS WITH THE DEALER. THE MILEAGE INDICATED AT THE TIME OF THIS PROBLEM IS APPROXIMATE. I DO KNOW THAT IT FIRST OCCURED WHEN I USED DOOR LOCK MECHANISM WHEN GETTING OUT OF THE VAN ON A SATURDAY IN OCTOBER. I WAS ATTENDING MY SON'S FOOTBALL GAME. THANKS FOR YOUR EFFORTS. ADDITIONALLY, I HAVE NEVER HAD A PROBLEM OR COMPLAINT W/SKINNER SALES. SIGNED, RICH MONAHAN.*AK
DRIVER WAS AT A STOP AND LIFTED FOOT OFF THE BRAKE AND LIGHTLY REAR ENDED ANOTHER VEHICLE AT ABOUT 1-2MPH, AND BOTH DRIVER'S SIDE AND PASSENGER'S SIDE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. DEALER HAS SEEN VEHICLE. *AK
WHILE DRIVING BOTH DRIVER'S SIDE AND PASSENGER'S SIDE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED WITHOUT A CAUSE. ALSO, FOR TWO DAYS THERE WAS A BURNING SMELL WITHIN THE PASSENGER'S COMPARTMENT. CONSUMER PAID LITTLE ATTENTION TO THE SMELL. HOWEVER, THE SMELL MIGHT BE LINKED TO THE AIR BAG PROBLEM. CONSUMER HAS CONTACTED THE DEALER. DEALER REPAIRED AI…
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WHILE DRIVING BOTH DRIVER'S SIDE AND PASSENGER'S SIDE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED WITHOUT A CAUSE. ALSO, FOR TWO DAYS THERE WAS A BURNING SMELL WITHIN THE PASSENGER'S COMPARTMENT. CONSUMER PAID LITTLE ATTENTION TO THE SMELL. HOWEVER, THE SMELL MIGHT BE LINKED TO THE AIR BAG PROBLEM. CONSUMER HAS CONTACTED THE DEALER. DEALER REPAIRED AIRBAGS AND WINDSHIELD UNDER WARRANTY. FORD SENT AN ENGINEER TO LOOK AT THE VAN, CONCLUDED THE AIR BAGS WAS DEFECTIVE DUE TO GENERAL WEAR AND TEAR. *AK *ML
WHILE DRIVING AIR BAG LIGHT FLASHED AT ALL TIMES. PREVIOUSLY, THE SAME PROBLEM APPEARED, BUT WITH ENGINE CHECK LIGHT COMING ON, AND HAD TO BE REPAIRED. *AK
DRIVING AT APRROXIMATELY 70 MPH VEHICLE HYDROPLANED, WENT INTO A SPIN AND HIT A BRIDGE RAIL WITH RIGHT FRONT BUMPER. DUAL AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY WHICH COULD HAVE CAUSED INJURIES AND TOTAL LOSS OF VEHICLE. *AK
SLIDING DOOR PANEL FALLS OFF, THERE IS A SPOT ON THE DOOR, AND IF ONE TOUCHES IT THE DOOR POPS OPEN. ALSO TIRES ARE BALD, AND AIR BAG LIGHT FLASHES.
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.
97V184001 · Electrical SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V Battery
Oct 29, 1997
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER MINI VANS EQUIPPED WITH AUTOMOTIVE BATTERIES SUPPLIED BY GNB TECHNOLOGIES. THESE BATTERIES HAVE A DEFECTIVE NEGATIVE POST THAT CAN CAUSE ACID LEAKAGE AND RELATED CORROSION DAMAGE.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THIS CONDITION CAN CAUSE A CATASTROPHIC FAILURE OF THE BATTERY WHICH COULD LEAD TO AN ENGINE FIRE OR BATTERY EXPLOSION.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THESE BATTERIES. UNTIL A NEW BATTERY IS OBTAINED, OWNERS SHOULD NOT ATTEMPT TO "JUMP START" THESE BATTERIES.
96V203000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:storage:tank Assembly:mounting
Oct 17, 1996
THE FOUR RUBBER FUEL LINE CONNECTOR HOSES THAT ARE SUPPLIED TO FORD WITH THE FUEL TANK ASSEMBLY WERE IMPROPERLY MANUFACTURED. THESE HOSES CAN DEVELOP CRACKS OR SPLITS RESULTING IN FUEL LEAKAGE.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: FUEL LEAKAGE IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE CAN RESULT IN A FIRE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE FUEL TANK ASSEMBLY FOR THE SUSPECT DATE CODES AND REPLACE THE FOUR RUBBER FUEL CONNECTOR HOSES IF NECESSARY.
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
3EA00014 · 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.