Model year record

2000 Mercury Villager recalls & problems

The 2000 Mercury Villager has 2 safety recalls and 71 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is vehicle speed control (40 complaints).

Recalls2safety recalls

Complaints71filed by owners

Crashes · fires8 · 1reported in complaints

Injuries · deaths11 · 0reported in complaints

2000 Mercury Villager in an NHTSA crash test — NHTSA crash test

Safety recalls

SteeringOct 10, 2000

Rack and pinion

Recall 00V29200167,200 vehicles

Problem: 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.
Risk: THERE COULD BE A LOOSENESS IN THE STEERING, WHICH MAY BE ACCOMPANIED BY NOISE OR VIBRATION.
Fix: 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.

Seat beltsAug 18, 2000

Seat belts

Recall 00V228001144,435 vehicles

Problem: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES, LIGHT DUTY TRUCKS, SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, AND MINI VANS EQUIPPED WITH TRW SEAT BELT BUCKLE ASSEMBLIES. THE BUCKLE BASE OF THESE SEAT BELT ASSEMBLIES WERE NOT PROPERLY HEAT TREATED AND THEREFORE DO NOT PASS THE LOAD BEARING REQUIREMENT OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 209, "SEAT BELT ASSEMBLIES."
Risk: IN THE EVENT OF A VEHICLE CRASH, THE OCCUPANT MAY NOT BE PROPERLY RESTRAINED.
Fix: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE DATE CODE ON CERTAIN SEAT BELT BUCKLES OF YOUR VEHICLE AND REPLACE ALL SEAT BELT BUCKLES THAT FALL WITHIN THE SUSPECT DATE CODE RANGE. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN OCTOBER 26, 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.

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

2000 Mercury Villager Van

OverallNot Rated

Frontal crash	Not Rated
Side crash	Not Rated
Rollover	Not Rated

2000 Mercury Villager NHTSA side crash test — NHTSA side barrier crash test

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 Wagon

18mpg combined

City / highway	15 / 22 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

3.3 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	Fires	Injuries	Typical mileage*
Vehicle speed controlAccelerator pedal	40	0	0	0	40,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulicAntilock/traction control/electronic limited slip; Foundation components › Drum › Shoes/linings	7	3	0	2	—
Seat beltsFront › Buckle assembly; Front › Retractor	7	1	0	2	—
StructureBody › Tailgate › Hinge and attachments; Body	5	0	0	1	—
Air bagsFrontal	5	4	0	7	—
SuspensionFront › Stabilizer bar; Rear	4	0	0	1	—
Electrical systemWiring › Interior/under dash; Ignition › Switch	4	0	1	2	—
SeatsFront assembly › Seat heater/cooler; Mid/rear assembly	4	1	0	2	50,351 mi
Engine and engine coolingExhaust system › Manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe; Cooling system › Radiator assembly	4	0	0	0	—
EquipmentAppliance › Air conditioner	2	0	0	0	—
VisibilityRear window wiper/washer › Motor; Power window devices and controls	2	0	0	0	—
Unknown or other	1	0	0	0	—

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

Recent owner complaints

Seat belts
SEAT BELTS ON 2000 MERCURY VILLAGER ESTATE HAVE LOCKED UP AND WILL NOT RELEASE. CALLED FORD CUSTOMER RELATIONS REGARDING ISSUE AND THEY ARE STATING THEY HAVE NO KNOW ISSUE OR RECALL WITH SEAT BELTS LOCKING UP. REAR SEAT BELTS ARE THE ONES AFFECTED. FORD CUSTOMER RELATIONS IS STATING IT IS OUT OF WARRANTY SO I WILL BE RESPONSIBLE FOR FIXING VEHICLE. *TR
Jan 9, 2015 · 108,722 miles
Seat belts
INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6) EVENT- EVERY TIME THE FRONT SEAT BELTS ARE USED. FAILURE- SEAT BELTS DO NOT PROBERLY RETRACT AFTER EACH USE. SUBSUQUENT DRIVERS AND PASSENGERS WHO USE THE VEHICLE THEN USE THE SEAT BELTS THINK THEY ARE SAFELY BUCKLED INTO THEIR SEAT---BUT GUESS WHAT!?!--- THEY AREN'T BUCKLED SAFELY AT ALL BECAUSE 12-18" OF UNRETRACTED SEATBELT IS STILL STUCK IN THE SPACE BETWEEN THE DOOR AND THE DOOR FRAME! ENGINEERS EVEN HAVE A NAME FOR IT, "LAZY RETRACTION". AUTO MAKERS KNOW ABOUT IT, THE GOVERNMENT KNOWS ABOUT IT, BUT NOBODY DOES ANYTHING ABOUT IT. MY OLD DODGE CARAVAN DID IT AFTER 70,000 MILES AND NOW MY MERCURY…
May 10, 2010 · 90,000 miles
Electrical systemFire
LEFT A FRIENDS HOUSE DROVE 1/3 OF A MILE VAN WAS ON FIRE PULLED OVER TO SIDE OF RODE WAS SMOKING/ TOTALING ENGULFED IN FLAMES AFTER ABOUT 10-15 MINUTES THE VAN WAS A TOTAL LOSS. IT WAS A 2000 VILLAGER COULD THIS BE THE SAME AS THE WINDSTAR.? THE CAR HAD BEEN SITTING IDLE IN DRIVE WAY FOR APP. 3HRS BEFORE THIS INCIDENT.. *TR
Mar 9, 2009 · 76,000 miles
Air bags › FrontalCrash1 injury
I WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT WHILE TRAVELING AT ABOUT 45 MPH. I HIT ANOTHER VEHICLE THAT PULLED OUT IN FRONT OF ME. NO AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. *TR
Dec 12, 2000 · 8,000 miles
Engine and engine cooling › Cooling system
THE A/C STOPPED WORKING. *TR
May 10, 2002 · 40,000 miles
Structure
WE HAVE VERY LITTLE MILEAGE ON OUR MERCURY VILLAGER SPORT VAN AND THE PAINT IS CHIPPING. APPARENTLY, THIS SHOULD NOT BE HAPPENING. IT ACTUALLY NEEDS A COMPLETE PAINT JOB. WE HAVE NEVER HAD A VEHICLE DO THIS. IT WILL RUST IF THIS IS NOT TAKEN CARE OF. WE ONLY HAVE APP. 68,000 MILES ON A 2000 YEAR CAR. *TR
Dec 9, 2006
Vehicle speed control
STICKY ACCELERATOR PEDAL ON 2000 MERCURY VILLAGER. STICKS ABOUT HALF THE TIME CAUSING ABRUPT SURGE INTO TRAFFIC AND DISLODGING OF OCCUPANTS. *NM
Feb 17, 2007 · 88,168 miles
Vehicle speed control
TL*- THE CONTACT STATED THAT HER 2000 MERCURY VILLAGER HAS ACCELERATION PROBLEMS. WHEN AT A COMPLETE STOP OR AT A LOW SPEED, WHEN SHE TRIED TO ACCELERATE, THE VEHICLE WILL NOT ACCELERATE AS EXPECTED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE HAS TO PUT THE FOOT COMPLETELY TO THE FLOOR FOR THE VEHICLE TO ACCELERATE. SHE HAS REPLACED THE THROTTLE BODY TWICE SINCE SHE OWNED THE VEHICLE. SHE STATED THAT SHE HAD SEVERAL CLOSE CALLS, ALMOST RESULTING IN SEVERAL CRASHES. ALSO, THE STABILIZING LINK WAS CAUSING PROBLEMS WITH THE STEERING. WHEN SHE TURNED LEFT OR RIGHT THERE WAS A NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT END OF THE DRIVER SIDE WHEEL. IF SHE HIT A HOLE THE VEHICLE MADE A LOUD CLUNKY NOISE. THE CONTACT HAD THE…
Mar 1, 2003

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

FAILING HEADLIGHTSClosed
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…
PE04020 · opened Feb 26, 2004 · closed Jun 24, 2004