Model year record

1997 Mercury Villager recalls & problems

The 1997 Mercury Villager has 3 safety recalls and 125 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is fuel system, gasoline (27 complaints).

Recalls3safety recalls

Complaints125filed by owners

Crashes · fires5 · 1reported in complaints

Injuries · deaths2 · 1reported 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.

Electrical systemOct 29, 1997

12v/24v/48v battery

Recall 97V1840016,000 vehicles

Problem: 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.
Risk: THIS CONDITION CAN CAUSE A CATASTROPHIC FAILURE OF THE BATTERY WHICH COULD LEAD TO AN ENGINE FIRE OR BATTERY EXPLOSION.
Fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THESE BATTERIES. UNTIL A NEW BATTERY IS OBTAINED, OWNERS SHOULD NOT ATTEMPT TO "JUMP START" THESE BATTERIES.

Fuel system, gasolineOct 17, 1996

Storage › Tank assembly › Mounting

Recall 96V2030001,300 vehicles

Problem: 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.
Risk: FUEL LEAKAGE IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE CAN RESULT IN A FIRE.
Fix: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE FUEL TANK ASSEMBLY FOR THE SUSPECT DATE CODES AND REPLACE THE FOUR RUBBER FUEL CONNECTOR HOSES IF NECESSARY.

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

1997 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

18mpg combined

City / highway	16 / 21 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

3 L · 6 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $3,700/year to fuel

Villager FWD Wagon

18mpg combined

City / highway	16 / 21 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

3 L · 6 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $3,700/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	Injuries	Typical mileage*
Fuel system, gasolineStorage › Tank assembly; Storage › Tank assembly › Filler pipe and cap	27	0	0	125,304 mi
StructureBody › Door; Body › Door › Hinge and attachments	22	0	0	—
Latches/locks/linkagesDoors › Latch	17	0	0	—
Engine and engine coolingExhaust system › Emission control; Engine › Gasoline	16	0	0	—
Air bagsFrontal › Sensor/control module; Frontal	12	3	0	—
Service brakes, hydraulicAntilock/traction control/electronic limited slip; Foundation components	12	2	0	—
Vehicle speed controlAccelerator pedal	10	1	0	—
Power trainAutomatic transmission; Automatic transmission › Gear position indication (prndl)	5	0	0	—
EquipmentAppliance › Air conditioner; Electrical	4	0	0	—
TiresPressure monitoring and regulating systems	4	0	0	—
Seat beltsFront › Buckle assembly; Front › Retractor	4	1	2	—
VisibilityWindshield wiper/washer; Windshield	4	1	0	—

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

Recent owner complaints

Structure › Body
I WAS DRIVING ALONG AFTER SHOPPING AND I STARTED TO HEAR THIS DRAGGING OR BOTTOMING OUT SOUND SO I PULLED OVER TO SEE WHAT WAS HAPPENING AND TO MY SURPRISE THE FRONT FRAME ON THE PASSENGER SIDE THAT HOLDS UP THE ENGINE WAS BROKEN I THEN OPENED THE HOOD AND SAW THAT THE ENGINE WAS SITTING SIDEWAYS TOWARD THE PASSENGER SIDE. I LIMPED THE VAN HOME AND HAD MY MECHANIC LOOK AT IT AND HE SAID THAT IT WAS ON FIXABLE AND THEN I CALLED FIVE BODY SHOPS TO SEE IF THEY COULD FIX IT AND THEY SAID NO AND THAT MERCURY VILLAGERS WAS KNOWN TO DO THIS AND THAT THEY WERE RECALLED FOR THIS BEFORE. *TR
Dec 3, 2014 · 190,000 miles
Seat belts
MY 7 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER THOUGHT IT WOULD BE FUN TO SEE HOW MANY TIMES SHE COULD WRAP THE SHOULDER BELT AROUND HER NECK. I WAS UNAWARE AS I WAS GETTING MY OTHER CHILDREN BUCKLED IN. BEFORE WE WERE ABOUT TO LEAVE, I TURNED TO SEE IF SHE TOO WAS BUCKLED IN AND FOUND HER USING HER FINGERS BETWEEN HER NECK AND THE BELT TO TRY TO FREE HERSELF AS THE SLACK HAD BEEN PULLED BACK IN. WE IMMEDIATELY GOT SOME SCISSORS TO CUT THE BELT TO LET HER FREE. THE POTENTIAL FOR SOME OTHER KID DOING THIS AND NOT HAVING ANYONE OR ANYTHING AROUND TO HELP MAKES ME NERVOUS. BIZARRE, I KNOW, BUT KIDS COME UP WITH RIDICULOUS STUFF ALL THE TIME. *TR
Mar 30, 2013
Fuel system, gasoline
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 MERCURY VILLAGER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ENGINE WAS STARTED IN COLD WEATHER, THE VEHICLE WOULD EXHIBIT AN ABNORMALLY STRONG GASOLINE ODOR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A MECHANIC WHO ADVISED THAT THERE WERE NO VISIBLE FUEL LEAKAGES BUT THE CANISTER AND THE CONNECTED HOSES WERE FAULTY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND ADVISED THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS FOR THE PROBLEM. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 155,000.
Nov 21, 2011 · 155,000 miles
Service brakes, hydraulicCrash
DRIVER REPORTS HE MUST HAVE HAD HIS FOOT ON THE BRAKE AND ACCELERATOR AT THE SAME TIME (SEMI-PANIC BRAKE APPLICATION). POLICE REPORT STATES "TIRE MARKS" ON THE (DRY) PAVEMENT. ONE DOES NOT PRODUCE "TIRE MARKS" ON DRY PAVEMENT (NO TURNING INVOLVED) WITHOUT BRAKE APPLICATION. DRIVER HAD EPISODE OF MICROSLEEP: WHEN ALERTED BY THE EVENT TAKING PLACE, HE COULD NOT GET THE VEHICLE STOPPED IN TIME TO PREVENT HITTING AND FATALLY INJURING A PEDESTRIAN. UPON EXAMINATION OF ACCIDENT VEHICLE, INSPECTOR DISCOVERED UNUSUAL ARCHED ACCELERATOR PEDAL DESIGN WHEREIN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS LOCATED ONLY 1 5/8 INCH FROM THE ARCHED ACCELERATOR PEDAL ALLOWING BRAKE APPLICATION AND ACCELERATION CONCURRENTLY IF…
May 9, 2009 · 188,000 miles
Seats
HEADREST GUIDES ARE NO LONGER AVAILABLE FROM MANUFACTURER (FORD OR NISSAN). THE GUIDE ITSELF IS A CHEAPLY BUILT PLASTIC SLEEVE WHICH BREAKS EASILY (I'VE BEEN THROUGH SEVERAL IN MY NINE YEARS OF OWNERSHIP). UNFORTUNATELY, THE HEADREST CANNOT BE SECURED TO THE SEAT WITHOUT THEM!! *TR
Jul 17, 2010 · 30,000 miles
Fuel system, gasoline
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 MERCURY VILLAGER. THE CONTACT SMELLS GASOLINE AFTER THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN DRIVEN OR WHILE IT IS IDLING. NO FUEL HAS BEEN FOUND ON THE GROUND AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS MOVED. NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBERS 96V203000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY: MOUNTING) AND 00V419002 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE: TANK ASSEMBLY) WERE REFERENCED; HOWEVER, THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THERE WAS NO LONGER A SAFETY RECALL. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 69,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 68,000.
May 1, 2008 · 68,000 miles
Fuel system, gasoline › Storage › Tank assembly
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 MERCURY VILLAGER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT EVERY TIME HE FILLS UP HIS GAS TANK AND PARKS THE VEHICLE, FUEL LEAKS OUT FROM UNDERNEATH. HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND THEY REPLACED THE VENT HOSE FOR A SERVICE CHARGE BECAUSE IT WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 00V419002 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY). THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 106,108. RECALL# 00V419002 UPDATED 11/26/07. *JB
Aug 15, 2007 · 106,108 miles
Air bags › Frontal
DRIVING MY '97 MERCURY VILLAGER INTO A COMMERCIAL DRIVEWAY AT ABOUT 3 MPH, BOTH AIR BAGS DEPLOYED UPON GOING OVER A SLIGHT BUMP. *NM
Jan 8, 2007 · 134,912 miles

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
UNEXPECTED OPENING ON SLIDING DOORClosed
There is no summary currently available
SQ00008 · opened May 12, 2000 · closed Apr 1, 2002
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