Model year record

1994 Mercury Villager recalls & problems

The 1994 Mercury Villager has 3 safety recalls and 253 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is engine and engine cooling (100 complaints).

Recalls3safety recalls

Complaints253filed by owners

Crashes · fires11 · 6reported in complaints

Injuries · deaths5 · 0reported in complaints

Safety recalls

Fuel system, gasolineJan 2, 2001

Storage › Tank assembly

Recall 00V419002394,000 vehiclesopened after NHTSA action (ODI)

Problem: 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.
Risk: FUEL LEAKAGE IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE CAN RESULT IN A FIRE.
Fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE VENT HOSE.

Exterior lightingAug 17, 1998

Tail lights

Recall 96V25300372,940 vehiclesopened after NHTSA action (ODI)

Problem: THE REAR LAMP SOCKET MAY NOT ILLUMINATE BECAUSE THE METAL CAN IN THE LAMP SOCKET MOVES OR SEPARATES FROM THE PLASTIC SOCKET HOUSING.
Risk: 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.
Fix: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A REVISED REAR LAMP SOCKET AND WIRING ASSEMBLIES.

VisibilityAug 1, 1994

Windshield

Recall 94V14200017 vehicles

Problem: THE WINDSHIELDS WERE MARKED WITH A "PROTOTYPE" DESIGNATION AND NOT MARKED AS REQUIRED BY FMVSS NO. 205, "GLAZING MATERIALS."
Risk: CONSEQUENCE OF NON-COMPLIANCE: INCORRECT LABELING OF WINDSHIELD MAY CAUSE CONCERN OR CONFUSION ABOUT THE PROTOTYPE DESIGNATION.
Fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE WINDSHIELDS ON THE AFFECTED VANS.

Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. A recall listed here may already have been fixed on a particular car: enter its 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls.

Crash test ratings

1994 Mercury Villager Van

OverallNot Rated

Frontal crash	Not Rated
Side crash	Not Rated
Rollover	Not Rated

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (New Car Assessment Program). Ratings are comparable only between vehicles of similar size and weight, and ratings from 2011 on use tougher tests than earlier years. Photos: NHTSA.

Fuel economy

Villager FWD Van

17mpg combined

City / highway	15 / 21 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

3 L · 6 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $3,950/year to fuel

Villager FWD Wagon

17mpg combined

City / highway	15 / 21 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

3 L · 6 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $3,950/year to fuel

EPA estimates from fueleconomy.gov for each engine and transmission sold. Annual cost is the EPA's estimate for 15,000 miles a year at its current fuel and electricity price assumptions. Your results will vary.

What owners report

Problem area	Complaints	Crashes	Fires	Injuries	Typical mileage*
Engine and engine coolingEngine; Exhaust system › Manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe	100	1	2	0	94,500 mi
Fuel system, gasolineStorage › Tank assembly; Delivery › Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings	52	0	1	0	104,500 mi
Exterior lightingTail lights; Brake lights	33	2	0	0	90,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulicAntilock/traction control/electronic limited slip; Foundation components	25	3	0	1	—
VisibilityWindshield; Glass, side/rear	17	0	0	0	—
Seat beltsFront › Anchorage; Front › Retractor	15	1	0	1	—
EquipmentAppliance › Air conditioner; Electrical › Radio/tape deck/cd etc.	13	0	0	0	—
Electrical systemIgnition › Switch; Starter assembly › Relay	11	1	3	2	—
Power trainAutomatic transmission; Automatic transmission › Gear position indication (prndl)	9	0	0	0	—
Vehicle speed controlLinkages	8	0	0	0	—
StructureBody › Door	7	0	0	0	—
TiresTread/belt	7	2	0	0	—

*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.

Recent owner complaints

Steering
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1994 MERCURY VILLAGER. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE STEERING WHEEL WAS NOT ALIGNED PROPERLY WHICH MADE IT DIFFICULT TO DRIVE IN A STRAIGHT LINE. THE CONTACT INDICATED THAT THE FAILURE PROGRESSED WITH NO WARNING. THE FAILURE RECURRED AND THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A MECHANIC FOR FURTHER INSPECTION AND DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 200,000. UPDATED 4/7/15*CN UPDATED 9/15/2017*CN
Oct 5, 2013 · 200,000 miles
Fuel system, gasoline
THE SMELL OF FUEL IS SO STRONG INSIDE THE VAN THAT IT MAKES YOU DIZZY AND SICK. *TR
Jan 5, 2012
Engine and engine cooling
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1994 MERCURY VILLAGER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD BOLTS FRACTURED, CAUSING A LEAK OF EXHAUST FUMES INSIDE THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO HAVE THE FAILURE DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 170,000.
Oct 13, 2011 · 170,000 miles
TiresCrash
1994 MERCURY VILLAGER, RIGHT FRONT TIRE BLEW. *BF THE CONSUMER SIDESWIPED A TRACTOR TRAILER. OHIO TRAFFIC CRASH REPORT # 10-0501-90 UPDATED 05/03/10 *BF
Jul 9, 2008
Engine and engine cooling › Exhaust system
WHY WASN'T THE 94 VILLAGER EVER RECALLED FOR EXHAUST STUDS BREAKING OFF? THIS CAUSES EXHAUST GAS TO FILL THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT. I STILL HAVE THE REAR MANIFOLD LEAKING. I MEASURED 300 PPM C.O. WHILE THE VAN WAS IDLING. I CAN'T AFFORD TO PAY HUNDREDS OF DOLLARS TO GET IT FIXED. *TR
Dec 20, 2009
Exterior lighting
HEADLIGHTS ARE SEVERELY CLOUDED/WEATHERED. THIS GREATLY REDUCES THE AVAILABLE LIGHT WHEN DRIVING AT NIGHT. DEFINITELY A SAFETY ISSUE. HAVE NOT ATTEMPTED ANY REPAIRS YET. *TR
Oct 30, 2009
Exterior lighting › Brake lights
FORD TOLD ME THE VIN DIDN'T SHOW UP ON THEIR RECALL RECORDS. AS A RESULT, THE CAR WAS EITHER REPAIRED ALREADY OR WASN'T SUBJECT TO THE RECALL. ACCORDING TO NHTSA RECALL 96V253003 RECALL THE CAR SHOULD BE INCLUDED IN THE RECALL SINCE IT EXPERIENCED THE SAME PROBLEM AS MENTIONED IN THE RECALL. THIS PROBLEM HAS NEVER BEEN REPAIRED BY A DEALER. I HAD NO IDEA WHY IT DIDN'T COME UP ON MY VIN . BUT THE CUSTOMER REPRESENTATIVE KEPT SAYING IT WAS NOT IN THEIR RECORDS. *AK
Jul 18, 2007 · 90,000 miles
Tires › Tread/beltCrash
I OWN A 1994 MERCURY VILLAGER THAT WAS GIVEN TO US BACK IN 2005 AFTER WE LOST EVERYTHING IN HURRICANE KATRINA. COMPLAINED ABOUT THE FIRESTONE SEIBERLING TIRES THAT WERE ON THIS VEHICLE. SEIBERLING TRAILRIDER RADIAL, LT P205 75 R15/MS. I RECENTLY REPLACED THE 2 FRONT SEIBERLINGS TIRES ON APRIL 29, 2007 DUE TO THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE HAVING TREAD SEPARATION. I KEPT THE SEIBERLING TIRES ON THE FRONT PASSENGER'S SIDE AS A SPARE. STILL HAD 2 SEIBERLING TIRES ON THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. WELL, TODAY MY WIFE WAS TAKING MY DAUGHTER TO WORK AND THE DRIVER'S SIDE REAR TIRE HAD A CATASTROPHIC TREAD SEPARATION AT HIGHWAY SPEED. 55 MPH. SHE DID ALL SHE COULD DO TO KEEP THE VEHICLE FROM FLIPPING OFF THE…
May 9, 2007

Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.

NHTSA defect investigations

FUEL TANK VENT HOSE LEAKAGEClosed
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…
EA00014 · opened May 22, 2000 · closed Jan 4, 2001
FUEL TANK VENT HOSE LEAKAGEClosed
There is no summary currently available
PE99077 · opened Dec 28, 1999 · closed May 22, 2000
FUEL RAIL HOSE FITTING LEAKAGEClosed
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.
EA99015 · opened Jun 29, 1999 · closed Apr 18, 2001
FUEL RAIL HOSE FITTING LEAKAGEClosed
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.
PE99013 · opened Feb 9, 1999 · closed Jun 29, 1999
BATTERY EXPLOSIONSClosed
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.
EA96005 · opened May 30, 1996 · closed May 29, 1997