IllustrationTHE ENGINE HAD BEEN MAKING A KNOCKING SOUND UPON COLD STARTS UNTIL ENGINE WARMED UP. TOOK IT IN TO DEALERSHIP AND FOUND THEY WERE REPLACING ENGINE. WONDER IF THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH 1999 MERCURY VILLAGERS. I'M FILING THIS SO YOU WILL HAVE ON RECORD IN CASE OF OTHER COMPLAINTS.
1999 Mercury Villager
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
Similar to other model years
Owner complaints for the 1999 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
70–25K
1925–50K
1850–75K
375–100K
6100–150K
1150K+
54 reports with mileage · 131 unknown
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.
- Vehicle Speed Control. Review the 87 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Exterior Lighting. Review the 17 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Service Brakes, Hydraulic. Review the 12 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 reports3 fire reports7 injury reports
What owners actually said
185 reportsTHE WINDSHIELD WIPERS TURN ON WHENEVER THEY FEEL LIKE IT. SOMETIMES THEY DON'T COME ON AT ALL. THERE IS NO PREDICTING WHEN THEY WILL WORK OR NOT WORK...IT'S AT RANDOM. I REPORTED THIS TO THE DEALER. THEY SAID THEY CONTACTED FORD AND THERE IS NO "FIX" FOR THIS PROBLEM. IT IS DEFINATELY A SAFETY CONCERN TO HAVE WIPERS COME ON…
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THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS TURN ON WHENEVER THEY FEEL LIKE IT. SOMETIMES THEY DON'T COME ON AT ALL. THERE IS NO PREDICTING WHEN THEY WILL WORK OR NOT WORK...IT'S AT RANDOM. I REPORTED THIS TO THE DEALER. THEY SAID THEY CONTACTED FORD AND THERE IS NO "FIX" FOR THIS PROBLEM. IT IS DEFINATELY A SAFETY CONCERN TO HAVE WIPERS COME ON UNEXPECTEDLY OR NOT COME ON WHEN NEEDED.
DEFECTIVE DESIGN OF THE BRAKING SYSTEM CAUSED A GRINDING NOISE WHEN BRAKING, AND COULD CAUSE EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE WHICH MIGHT RESULT IN A CRASH. DEALER REPLACED FRONT BRAKE ROTORS TWICE, AND TURNED ROTORS ONCE/ BRAKE PADS 4 TIMES. ALSO NOIS ECOMING FROM SUB-FRAME BOLTS. DEALER COULD NOT DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE PRO…
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DEFECTIVE DESIGN OF THE BRAKING SYSTEM CAUSED A GRINDING NOISE WHEN BRAKING, AND COULD CAUSE EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE WHICH MIGHT RESULT IN A CRASH. DEALER REPLACED FRONT BRAKE ROTORS TWICE, AND TURNED ROTORS ONCE/ BRAKE PADS 4 TIMES. ALSO NOIS ECOMING FROM SUB-FRAME BOLTS. DEALER COULD NOT DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM. *AK
OUR WINDSHIELD WIPERS SPORATICALLY TURN ON AND STARTLE DRIVER. THEY HAVE BEEN DOING THIS SINCE ABOUT TWO MONTHS AFTER WE BOUGHT VEHICLE. FORD IS AWARE OF THIS DANGER BUT CANNOT FIND A REPLACEMENT PART. THEY KNOW THE MULTIFUNCTION SWITCH IS DEFECTIVE ON MANY OF THE VANS BUT WILL NOT REPLACE UNTIL PRESUMABLY SOME TIME IN OCTOBE…
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OUR WINDSHIELD WIPERS SPORATICALLY TURN ON AND STARTLE DRIVER. THEY HAVE BEEN DOING THIS SINCE ABOUT TWO MONTHS AFTER WE BOUGHT VEHICLE. FORD IS AWARE OF THIS DANGER BUT CANNOT FIND A REPLACEMENT PART. THEY KNOW THE MULTIFUNCTION SWITCH IS DEFECTIVE ON MANY OF THE VANS BUT WILL NOT REPLACE UNTIL PRESUMABLY SOME TIME IN OCTOBER. MY WIFE AND I FEEL THIS IS A HAZARD. THEY WILL GO ON AS IF THEY ARE ON A 15 SECOND DELAY AND DO THIS FOR 10 MINUTES STRAIGHT, THEN STAY OFF FOR THE NEXT HOUR. FORD SAYS PULL THE FUSE TO THE WIPERS IF IT GETS ANNOYING.
WE ARE HAVING A LOT OF TROUBLE WITH THE STARTING OF THE VEHICLE. IT WONT START EASILY AND IT STRUGGLES TO IDLE WHEN THIS OCCURS. IT DOESNT OCCUR ALL THE TIME AND THE DEALER HAS BEEN UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM YET. THIS HAS BEEN DOING IT ON AND OFF FOR 2 MONTHS NOW. IT WILL WORF FINE FOR 2 DAYS THEN SUDDENLY JUNP OUT AND DO I…
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WE ARE HAVING A LOT OF TROUBLE WITH THE STARTING OF THE VEHICLE. IT WONT START EASILY AND IT STRUGGLES TO IDLE WHEN THIS OCCURS. IT DOESNT OCCUR ALL THE TIME AND THE DEALER HAS BEEN UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM YET. THIS HAS BEEN DOING IT ON AND OFF FOR 2 MONTHS NOW. IT WILL WORF FINE FOR 2 DAYS THEN SUDDENLY JUNP OUT AND DO IT AGAIN.
Official recalls
400V292001 · Steering:rack And Pinion
Oct 10, 2000
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MINI VANS. ONE OR MORE OF THE FIVE BOLTS THAT MOUNT THE RACK AND PINION STEERING GEAR TO THE VEHICLE MAY HAVE BEEN INCORRECTLY TIGHTENED.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THERE COULD BE A LOOSENESS IN THE STEERING, WHICH MAY BE ACCOMPANIED BY NOISE OR VIBRATION.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE VEHICLES AND, IF THE BOLTS ARE MISSING, WILL REPLACE THE STEERING GEAR MOUNTING BOLTS. ALL BOLTS WILL BE TIGHTENED TO THE SPECIFIED TORQUE. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN NOVEMBER 28, 2000. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-392-3673.
99V347001 · Exterior Lighting:tail Lights
Dec 10, 1999
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MINIVANS. THE TAIL LIGHT SOCKET MAY HAVE BEEN IMPROPERLY MOLDED, RESULTING IN THE LOCKING TAB HAVING INSUFFICIENT FORCE TO RETAIN THE BULB.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IF THE BULB FALLS OUT OF THE SOCKET, THE BRAKE OR TAIL LAMP FUNCTION CANNOT OCCUR.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE TAIL LAMP SOCKETS.
99V205001 · Fuel System, Gasoline:storage:tank Assembly:mounting
Aug 3, 1999
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MINI VANS. THE FUEL TANK RETENTION STRAP (TWO STRAPS PER VEHICLE) CAN BREAK AT THE SPOT WELDS CAUSING AN UNDERBODY RATTLE.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THERE IS ALSO A POTENTIAL FOR FUEL TANK SEPARATION OR FUEL LEAK, INCREASING THE RISK OF A FIRE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FUEL TANK RETENTION STRAPS.
99V056001 · Seats
Mar 30, 1999
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MINI VANS. THE AFFECTED VEHICLES MAY HAVE A SECOND ROW RIGHT HAND SIDE CAPTAIN CHAIR THAT HAS INADEQUATE LUBRICATION OF THE EASY ENTRY AND EXIT LATCH SYSTEM. IN SOME CASES, THE ACTUATOR SPRING IN THE LATCH COULD DEFORM AFTER REPEATED USE, CAUSING THE LATCH TO REMAIN IN THE UNLATCHED POSITION. IF THIS OCCURS, THE SEAT WILL SLIDE FREELY ON THE SEAT TRACK AND THE SPRINGS ON THE TRACK WILL MOVE THE SEAT TO THE EASY ENTRY POSITION TOWARD THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: AN UNLATCHED SEAT TRACK COULD RESULT IN AN INCREASED RISK OF INJURY IN THE EVENT OF A VEHICLE CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE SEAT TRACK FOR THE SECOND ROW RIGHT HAND SIDE CAPTAIN'S CHAIR, WHICH INCLUDES THE EASY ENTRY AND EXIT LATCH MECHANISM.
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
1PE04020 · Failing Headlights
Opened Feb 26, 2004 · Closed Jun 24, 2004
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Exterior Lighting:headlights
NISSAN AND FORD FOUND THAT THE ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT HEADLIGHT STAINLESS STEEL BULB TERMINALS MAY OVER TIME CAUSE ELEVATED CONTACT RESISTANCE AND OVERHEAT THE ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR HOUSING.THIS CAN RESULT IN A HEADLIGHT FLICKERING, BULB OUTAGE AND HEAT DEFORMATION TO THE HEADLIGHT CONNECTOR.IN APRIL 1999, THE SUPPLIER OF THE HEADLIGHT FOR NISSAN AND FORD CHANGED TO A BULB USING THE STAINLESS STEEL TERMINALS THAT DID NOT MEET ORIGINAL SPECIFICATIONS.ON JULY 17, 2000, THE SUPPLIER BEGAN USING A BULB MEETING THE VEHICLE MANUFACTURER'S SPECIFICATIONS.THIS PROBLEM CAN AFFECT INDEPENDENTLY EITHER HEADLIGHT BUT DOES NOT CAUSE SIMULTANEOUS FAILURE OF BOTH HEADLIGHTS. THE PROBLEM ALSO DOES NOT AFFECT FRONT PARKING LAMPS.AS A RESULT, THE COMPLAINTS TYPICAL REPORT SINGLE FAILURE OF ONE HEADLIGHT.THERE ARE NO CRASHES OR LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL REPORTED.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.