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Model year record

1998 Mercury Villager recalls & problems

The 1998 Mercury Villager has 2 safety recalls and 83 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is vehicle speed control (14 complaints).

Recalls2safety recalls
Complaints83filed by owners
Crashes · fires11 · 0reported in complaints
Injuries · deaths4 · 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.
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.

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.

Fuel economy

Villager FWD Van

18mpg combined
City / highway16 / 22 mpg
FuelRegular Gasoline

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

Villager FWD Wagon

18mpg combined
City / highway16 / 22 mpg
FuelRegular 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 areaComplaintsCrashesFiresInjuriesTypical mileage*
Vehicle speed controlAccelerator pedal14301—
StructureBody › Door; Frame and members13100—
Service brakes, hydraulicFoundation components; Pedals and linkages10300—
SuspensionFront › Springs › Coil springs; Front10000—
Power trainAutomatic transmission; Automatic transmission › Gear position indication (prndl)820184,500 mi
Latches/locks/linkagesDoors › Latch; Hatchback/liftgate › Lock700024,000 mi
VisibilityGlass, side/rear; Windshield6000—
Fuel system, gasolineStorage › Tank assembly; Carburetor system5000144,946 mi
TiresTread/belt4000—
Air bagsFrontal3302—
WheelsLugs/nuts/bolts/studs3100—
Steering2100—

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

Recent owner complaints

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