1996 MERCURY VILLAGER — Problems, Recalls & Safety Data
N/A
Safety Rating
253
Owner Complaints
2
Recalls
29
Service Bulletins
0
Investigations
Overview of the 1996 MERCURY VILLAGER
The 1996 MERCURY VILLAGER has received a total of 253 safety complaints filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). There have been 2 recall campaigns affecting this vehicle, covering issues with FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY, VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS. 29 technical service bulletins have been issued by Ford Motor Company for this model year. The most commonly reported problems involve the Latcheslockslinkagesdoorslatch (27 complaints), Engine And Engine Coolingenginegasoline (22 complaints), and Structurebodydoor (22 complaints).
Recalls for the 1996 MERCURY VILLAGER
NHTSA has recorded 2 recalls for the 1996 MERCURY VILLAGER, potentially affecting up to 451,400 vehicles.
Recall 00V419002 — FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY
| 394,000 vehicles affected
Defect: 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...
Consequence: FUEL LEAKAGE IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE CAN RESULT IN A FIRE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE VENT HOSE.
View full details →Recall 98V012001 — VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS
| 57,400 vehicles affected
Defect: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MINI VANS. THESE VEHICLES WERE PRODUCED WITH POWER WINDOWS THAT CAN BE CLOSED AFTER THE IGNITION KEY IS TURNED TO THE "OFF" POSITION AND THE RIGHT FRONT (PASSENGER) DOOR IS OPENED. THIS DOES NOT MEET THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS 118, "POWER-OPERATED WINDOW SYSTEMS."
Consequence: THERE IS THE POTENTIAL FOR UNSUPERVISED CHILDREN TO OPERATE THE POWER WINDOWS, INCREASING THE RISK OF PERSONAL INJURY TO THE CHILD.
Remedy: OWNERS WILL BE PROVIDED WITH A LABEL REMINDING OWNERS NOT TO LEAVE CHILDREN UNATTENDED BECAUSE THE POWER WINDOWS CAN OPERATE FOR 15 MINUTES AFTER THE VEHICLE IGNITION HAS BEEN TURNED OFF UNLESS THE DRIVER'S DOOR IS OPENED. ALSO INCLUDED ARE...
View full details →Owner Complaints for the 1996 MERCURY VILLAGER
253 complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 1996 MERCURY VILLAGER. Below is a breakdown by vehicle component.
Most Recent Complaints
THE CAR CONTINUALLY LOCKS ITSELF (POWER LOCKS). IF I'M OUTSIDE THE CAR I HAVE TO REPEATEDLY TRY TO UNLOCK IT WHILE AT THE SAME TIME IT RELOCKS ITSELF. AFTER NUMEROUS ATTEMPTS IT WILL STOP AND LET ME IN. SAME IS TRUE IF I'M IN THE CAR EXCEPT NOW I CAN'T GET OUT. IT'S USUALLY MUCH WORSE DURING THE DAY THAN AT NIGHT. DOESN'T MATTER IF YOU'RE IN THE CAR, TRYING TO GET IN OR NEARBY (I DON'T HAVE A REMOTE NOR IS IT AN OPTION). THE CAR CAN BE SITTING IDLE FOR HOURS AND THEN ALL OF A SUDDEN STARTS LOCKING AND UNLOCKING ITSELF IN RAPID SUCCESSION. RARELY IF EVER DOES IT END UP UNLOCKED. WILL OCCASIONALLY GO THROUGH THE SAME PROCEDURE WHILE DRIVING. IT DOESN'T EFFECT ANYTHING BUT ALL THE DOOR LOCKS (AT LEAST THAT I HAVE BEEN ABLE TO ASCERTAIN). IF IT MATTERS I COULD SEND A VIDEO OF THIS PROBLEM. THE QUESTION BELOW OF WHEN DOES THIS HAPPEN IS MOOT. IT HAPPENS EVERY DAY AT ANYTIME. I'VE TRIED NUMEROUS WORKAROUNDS WITH LITTLE SUCCESS BECAUSE THE CAR SEEMS TO ADAPT AND THEN BECOMES MORE DIFFICULT. ( BELIEVE ME, I KNOW WHAT THIS SOUNDS LIKE.)
WHILE TURNING FROM STREET INTO A SHORT STEEP DRIVEWAY APPROACH, FRONT LOWER BUMPER FACIA DRUG VERY SLIGHTLY ON THE STEEP APPROACH RAMP SETTING OFF THE AIRBAGS, WHICH BROKE THE WINDSHIELD, CRACKED THE DASH, SNAPPED ALL FOUR BACK SIDE WINDOW LATCHES, AND CAUSED BACK NECK AND SHOULDER INJURIES TO THE DRIVER. *TR
WHILE I AM DRIVING THE SLIDING DOOR WILL POP. CURRENTLY IT DOES NOT COMPLETELY OPEN, BUT IS DOES BECOME UNSECURED. THE INTERIOR LIGHTS COME ON AND WHEN DRIVING AT NIGHT INHIBITS MY VISION AND MAKES DRIVING UNSAFE. MY CHILDREN ARE ALSO THE PASSENGERS NEAR THE DOOR AT THIS TIME AND I AM AFRAID THAT THE DOOR WILL FLY OPEN AND CAUSE HARM EVEN THOUGH THEY ARE IN SAFETY BELTS. I HAVE HAD A MECHANIC LOOK AT THE LATCH AND HE SEES NOTHING THAT SHOULD BE CAUSING THIS TO MALFUNCTION. *NM
DOORS LOCKS DID NOT OPERATE PROPERLY. DOORS WOULD LOCK WITHOUT WARNING. WHEN CONSUMER STEPPED OUT OF VEHICLE DOORS WOULD LOCK ON THEIR OWN, EVEN WITH THE KEY STILL IN THE IGNITION SWITCH.
DT: CONSUMER STATED: IT WAS NIGHT, COLD OUTSIDE, AND WHILE DRIVING SMELLED BURNING RUBBER. PULLED OVER, TURNED OFF THE VEHICLE, OPENED HOOD BEDORE HOOD WAS COMPLETED OPENED, CONSUMER COULD SEE FLAMES BURNING AND THE AIR CONDITIONER COMPRESSOR PULLEY WAS SO HOT THAT IT WAS GLOWING RED. THE BELT ATTACHED TO THE COMPRESSOR WAS BURNING. *AK THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE DAMAGING THE COMPRESSOR AND BELT(S) AND LIKELY OTHER A/C COMPONENTS. *NM CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO PUT OUT FIRE. THE A/C COMRESSOR FAILED CAUSING THE FIRE. *TT
Safety Rating for the 1996 MERCURY VILLAGER
NHTSA has not yet tested the 1996 MERCURY VILLAGER in its New Car Assessment Program.
Technical Service Bulletins for the 1996 MERCURY VILLAGER
Ford Motor Company has issued 29 technical service bulletins (TSBs) for the 1996 MERCURY VILLAGER. TSBs are notices sent by manufacturers to their dealers describing a known issue and the recommended repair procedure.
11510 — ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM
SOME VEHICLES MAY EXHIBIT A SULFUR ODOR DURING VARIOUS DRIVING CONDITIONS. *TT
5051 — STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR
REPEAT MESSAGE REGARDING POWER DOOR LOCKS SELF-LOCKING / ERRATIC OPERATION. *TT
982016 — EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER
EXPERIENCING LOW OR NO A/C PERFORMANCE IN HIGH AMBIENT TEMPERATURES. *YC
98-4814 — STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR
SOME 1996-1998 VILLAGERS EXHIBIT INTERMITTENT SELF-ACTIVATION OF POWER DOOR LOCKS. *AK
11778 — POWER TRAIN
SOME VEHICLES WITH ANALOG INSTRUMENT CLUSTERS MAY EXHIBIT A CONCERN OF A FLUCTUATING OR JUMPING TACHOMETER INDICATOR NEEDLE. *TT
982454 — ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL:CATALYTIC CONVERTOR
SOME VEHICLES MAY EXHIBIT A SULFUR ODOR DURING VARIOUS DRIVING CONDITIONS. *AK
11531 — ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM
SOME VEHICLES MAY PRODUCE AN OBJECTIONABLE SULFUR OR ROTTEN EGG - TYPE ODOR FROM THE EXHAUST DURING VARIOUS DRIVING CONDITIONS. *TT
BC2373970501 — ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:MODULE
ENGINEERING IS INVESTIGATING DTC'S 1103, 1104, 1105 ON A FEW 1996 AND 1997 VILLAGERS - DURING CODE RETRIEVAL A TP SENSOR CODE (DTC0403) WHICH IS SUSPECTED TO BE THE ROOT CAUSE. *TW
97712 — EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER
ELECTRONIC TEMPERATURE CONTROL DISPLAY- DISPLAYS FAHRENHEIT AND CELSIUS IN DIFFERENT DISPLAYS- VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH ELECTRONIC TEMPERATURE CONTROL. *JD
97714 — POWER TRAIN:CLUTCH ASSEMBLY
TRANSAXLE- DIFFICULTY MOVING SHIFT LEVER FROM "PARK" POSITION- VEHICLES BUILT THROUGH 2/1/97. *JD
Showing 10 of 29 technical service bulletins.
NHTSA Investigations for the 1996 MERCURY VILLAGER
There are no NHTSA defect investigations on record for this vehicle.
Other Model Years of the MERCURY VILLAGER
- 1992 MERCURY VILLAGER — 1 complaint
- 1993 MERCURY VILLAGER — 516 complaints
- 1994 MERCURY VILLAGER — 323 complaints
- 1995 MERCURY VILLAGER — 477 complaints
- 1996 MERCURY VILLAGER (current)
- 1997 MERCURY VILLAGER — 152 complaints
- 1998 MERCURY VILLAGER — 100 complaints
- 1999 MERCURY VILLAGER — 252 complaints
- 2000 MERCURY VILLAGER — 90 complaints
- 2001 MERCURY VILLAGER — 21 complaints
Other MERCURY Models
- MERCURY SABLE — 7,190 total complaints
- MERCURY GRAND MARQUIS — 4,949 total complaints
- MERCURY MILAN — 3,211 total complaints
- MERCURY COUGAR — 2,646 total complaints
- MERCURY MOUNTAINEER — 2,646 total complaints
- MERCURY MARINER — 1,716 total complaints
- MERCURY MYSTIQUE — 1,510 total complaints
- MERCURY TRACER — 754 total complaints