100 of the 323 complaints about the 1994 Mercury Villager are about the engine — 31% of everything reported for this model year. Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before 94,500 miles.
100
Complaints
1
Crashes
2
Fires
0
Injuries
Filed with NHTSA, in their own words.
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.
NHTSA complaint #10445475 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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.
NHTSA complaint #10298685 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE
MANIFOLD BOLT FAILURE ON A 1994 MERCURY VILLAGER. THIS HAS NOW OCCURRED TWICE. THE FIRST TIME IT WAS REPAIRED BY A NISAN DEALER.
NHTSA complaint #10151282 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
1) BACKED OUT OF DRIVEWAY AND WAS SITTING IDLING 2) ENGINE STOPPED, TRIED TO RESTART IT AND NOTHING WOULD HAPPEN. ENGINE WOULD TURN OVER BUT SOUNDED DIFFERENT 3) HAD VEHICLE TOWED TO MECHANIC'S GARAGE FOR EVALUATION. LEARNED THAT TIMING BELT HAD BROKEN BUT THE DAMAGE DONE TO CYLINDER HEADS IS THE ISSUE.
NHTSA complaint #10135290 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
CRANKSHAFT FAILED UNDER NORMAL DRIVING CONDITIONS. DEALER REPAIR COST WAS GOING TO BE $4200, ALTHOUGH THE VEHICLE WAS ONLY 3 MONTHS OUT OF WARRANTY WITH LESS THAN 25000 MILES, AND WAS WELL MAINTAINED, AND EVEN THOUGH THIS PROBLEM WAS WELL KNOWN WITH THIS ENGINE. NOTE THAT THIS HAPPENED 8 YEARS AGO, BUT I HAVE ALWAYS WANTED TO FORMALLY DOCUMENT THE PROBLEM, AND JUST FOUND THE NHTSA COMPLAINT SITE.
NHTSA complaint #10126943 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE
PROBLEMS WITH BROKEN EXHAUST MANIFOLD BOLTS.*MR THE CONSUMER EXPRESSES HIS CONCERNS ABOUT HIS VEHICLE'S EXHAUST LEAKS AND BROKEN MANIFOLD BOLTS. THE DEALER DENIED ANY KNOWLEDGE OF THE PROBLEM EVEN THOUGH A SERVICE BULLETIN EXIST TO REPLACE THE OLD BOLTS WITH A STRONGER NEW BOLT.
NHTSA complaint #10089540 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE:BELTS AND ASSOCIATED PULLEYS
MY 1994 MERCURY VILLAGER HAS 26 CYLINDER HEAD BOLTS, ONE OF WHICH APPARENTLY BROKE OFF SPONTANEOUSLY ACCORDING TO MY MECHANIC. AS A RESULT, THE BROKEN PIECE JAMMED THE CAMSHAFT, CAUSING IT TO FRACTURE NEAR THE END (WHERE THE PIN IS LOCATED). THE TIMING BELT REMAINED INTACT. COINCIDENATLY, THIS EVENT OCCURRED THREE DAYS AFTER THE VILLAGER WAS REPAIRED BY THE SAME MECHANIC FOR A FAILED TENSIONER THAT SNAPPED THE 5-MONTH-OLD TIMING BELT.
NHTSA complaint #10089040 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE
PROBLEMS WITH THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD BOLTS ON VEHICLE. *MR THE EXHAUST CYLINDER HEAD DEVELOPED A LEAK THAT BEGAN WHEN THREE OF THE SIX MANIFOLD BOLTS BROKE OFF LEAVING THE EXHAUST SYSTEM ONLY PARTLY ATTACHED TO THE ENGINE. (TWO MORE OF THE MANIFOLD BOLTS HAVE BROKEN OFF) THE CONSUMER REQUESTED REIMBURSEMENT. *SC
NHTSA complaint #10089699 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE
1994 MERCURY VILLAGER EXHAUST MANIFOLD BOLTS FAILED AND CAUSED EXHAUST LEAK AND WARPING OF EXHAUST MANIFOLD. THIS IS A WIDESPREAD PROBLEM, AND FORD, AND NISSAN (QUEST) ARE NOT HONORING THIS DEFECT. THEY OFFER A DIFFERENT BOLT REPLACEMENT, INDICATING A DESIGN DEFECT.
NHTSA complaint #10074487 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
HAVING PROBLEM WITH THE BACK HEATER NOT WORKING AT ALL. TRANSMISSION HAS A SLOW SHIFT AND WILL SHIFT HARD WHEN DOWN SHIFTING, STERRING WHEEL GET HARD WHEN TEMP. ARE IN THE TEEN,S. CLUCK NOISES WHEN HITTING LIGHT BUMPS. BRAKES GRIND WHEN BRAKES ARE COLD. RADIO WILL LOOSE MEMORY. HEATER SWITCH WHEN ONE 1, MAKES A TICKING NOISE. SLIDING DOOR GETS HARD TO CLOSE. GAS TANK, HAVE TO TURN CAP SLOWLY SO GAS AIR WILL LEAK OUT. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT APPEARS THEN GOES OUT.
NHTSA complaint #10070101 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE
EXHAUST MANIFOLD BOLTS BROKE OFF. BOTH EXHAUST MANIFOLDS AND CROSSOVER PIPE HAD TO BE REPLACED DUE TO WARPING. EXHAUST FUMES COULD BE LEAKING INTO THE VEHICLE SO I HAD THE WORK DONE AT THE MERCURY DEALER.
NHTSA complaint #10043612 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL:CRANKCASE (PCV)
WHILE TRAVELING AT 30 MPH VEHICLE SUDDENLY SHUT OFF. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A MECHANIC. THE CRANKSHAFT BROKE OFF.
NHTSA complaint #10041937 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
WHILE TEST DRIVING THE 94 MERCURY VILLAGER, WITH ONLY 74000 MILES, AT AROUND 40 MPH VEHICLE SHUT DOWN, AND LOST ALL POWER TO BRAKES AND STEERING, WITH NO WARNING. THE MECHANIC AT THE DEALERSHIP INSISTED THAT THIS WAS A "BUILT-IN MECHANISM" AND THAT THIS WAS SUPPOSED TO HAPPEN OCCASIONALLY TO "RESET THE COMPUTER SYSTEM." OF COURSE THIS IS COMPLETELY FALSE. THEY ARE TRYING TO SELL THIS VEHICLE IN EXTREMELY UNSAFE CONDITION AND FRANKLY I BELIEVE SOMETHING SHOULD BE DONE ABOUT IT. THE DEALER, GRAND AUTO MART IN ND STILL HAS THE VEHICLE FOR SALE FOR NEARLY $8,000. AFTER READING THE OTHER COMPLAINTS ON THIS SITE, I KNOW THAT THIS IS A MAJOR REPAIR, AND WOULD COST ABOUT $4500 TO FIX. BUYER BEWARE! FOR THIS DEALERS INFO, FEEL FREE TO CONTACT ME. SMAHLMAN@EARTHLINK.NET. *NLM
NHTSA complaint #10023399 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE
MANIFOLD EXHAUST BOLT SHEARED OFF AT 55,000 MILES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR REPAIRS. *AK THERE WERE FIVE BROKEN BOLTS. THE CONSUMER WOULD GET NAUSEATED DUE THE EXHAUST FUMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THEY REMOVED ALL 12 BOLTS AND REPLACED THEM WITH NEW UNITS. (COMMON PROBLEM) *SCC
NHTSA complaint #10024155 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
MOTOR MOUNTS KEEP BREAKING. CONSUMER HAS REPLACED FOUR SETS OF MOTOR MOUNTS SINCE THE PURCHASE OF THE VEHICLE. *AK *JB
NHTSA complaint #10024157 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE
BROKEN MANIFOLD BOLTS ON OUR '94 MERCURY VILLAGER. *NLM
NHTSA complaint #10023059 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE
3 EXHAUST MANIFOLD STUDS BROKE OFF. SERVICE TECH SAYS THAT'S COMMON WITH VILLAGERS. *NLM
NHTSA complaint #10020998 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
BROKEN CRANKSHAFT ON 94 MERCURY VILLAGER. MANY DOCUMENTED COMPLAINTS IN YOUR DATABASE. FORD OASIS REPORT SSM 04925 STATES "ENGINEERING DETERMINED THE CAUSE WAS THE INITIAL TENSILE FORCE SET ON THE ENGINE ACCESSORY BELTS DURING ASSEMBLY." IN FEB 1995 A NEW CRANKSHAFT THAT IS 2MM THICKER AT FRONT WAS IMPLEMENTED. IF FORD IS AWARE OF THEIR MANUFACTURING DEFECT, WHY WAS A RECALL NOT REQUIRED? MANY WELL-MAINTAINED VEHICLES HAVE PERFORMED BEYOND THE WARRANTY PERIOD AND NOW CONSUMERS MUST PAY TO REPAIR A DEFECT FORD ACKNOWLEDGED OCCURRED "DURING ASSEMBLY" FORD REFUSES ANY ASSISTANCE. VERY POOR CUSTOMER SERVICE. *NLM
NHTSA complaint #10016330 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL
CONSUMER NOTICED NOISE FROM THE EXAUST MANIFOLD. MECHANIC TOLD MANUFACTURER USED IMPROPERLY MATERIAL REASON WHY THE MANIFOLD BROKE. DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. MR
NHTSA complaint #8022137 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
THE VEHICLE LOST POWER WHILE DRIVING AND AT LOWER SPEEDS WHEN TURNING A CORNER. THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN TAKEN TO THREE MECHANICS, NONE OF WHICH CAN FIND THE PROBLEM. TFI (THICK FILM IGNITION) MODULE WAS THOUGHT TO BE A POSSIBLE CAUSE. *YH THE CONSUMER REQUESTED REIMBURSEMENT OF THE MONIES SPENT ON TOWING AND ATTEMPTED REPAIR. *SCC
NHTSA complaint #567574 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE
THE ENGINE NOISE I REPORTED TO THE DEALER WAS FOUND TO BE A LEAK AT THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD DUE TO ONE OR MORE STUDS BREAKING OFF IN THE ENGINE BLOCK. THE DEALER'S SERVICE REP. TOLD ME THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE VILLAGER, WHICH I HAVE SINCE CONFIRMED AT YOUR WEB SITE. THIS IS A SAFETY DEFECT, WHICH THE SERVICE REP. TOLD ME COULD CAUSE EXHAUST FUMES TO ENTER THE VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #766256 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE
YOU CAN SMELL GAS WHEN I START MY CAR; ESPECIALLY IN THE COLD WEATHER, MY CAR ALSO HAS SMOKE COMING FROM THE HOOD; UPON INSPECTION FROM THE DEALER IN MARYLAND THEY STATED MY EXHAUT HEAD HAD A BROKE STUD WHICH WAS CAUSING THE PROBLEM. THE PROBLEM WOULD NOT AFFECT THE DRIVING OF THE VEHICLE; BUT WOULD COST ME $1000.00 TO FIX. AFTER SPEAKING WITH OTHER MERCURY VILLAGER OWNERS; THEY ALSO WERE TOLD THEIR VECHICLE HAD THE SAME DEFECT; I FEEL A BROKE STUD IN THE EXHAUST HEAD IS A DEFECT; ESPECIALLY SINCE SO MANY OTHER VILLAGERS/PATHFINDERS HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM. THE SMELL OF GAS IS NAUSEATING AT TIMES. I HAVE MY INVOICE WHICH STATES THE PROBLEM. THANK YOU.
NHTSA complaint #757718 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
FOR PAST 3-4 YEARS HAVE HAD NUMEROUS OCCURRENCES OF POWER FAILING AND CAR STALLING WITH NO WARNING. MOST TIMES OCCURS WHILE MAKING A RIGHT TURN, AND OFTEN TIMES DURING MOIST WEATHER, BUT NOT EXCLUSIVELY. HAVE WORKED WITH A DEALER ON THIS MANY TIMES AND HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO ID CAUSE. (HAVE RECORDS). CONTINUES TO OCCUR RANDOMLY WHICH IS A REAL HAZARD AS IT HAS HAPPENED WITH OTHER CARS BEHIND ME. VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN IN ANY ACCIDENTS AS YET, AND HAS BEEN PROPERLY MAINTAINED. SIMPLY WANT TO KNOW IF THERE IS ANY KNOWLEDGE OF SIMILIAR ISSUES AND HAVE THEY BEEN RESOLVED.
NHTSA complaint #756879 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL
THERE IS A FUEL ODOR, RECALL 00V419002 WAS DONE IN THE SUMMER OF 2001, BUT FUEL SMELL PERSISTED. TAKEN TO ANOTHER DEALER WHO DETERMINED THE VENT HOSE WAS PUT ON BACKWARD. CONSUMER STILL SMELLS FUEL.
NHTSA complaint #8001394 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
VEHICLE EXPERIENCING PROBLEM WITH EXHAUST FUMES COMING INTO VEHICLE. PROBLEM IS DUE TO BROKEN STUDS ON ENGINE HEAD PASSENGER'S SIDE. DEALER NOTIFIED. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION CONCERNING THIS MATTER.
NHTSA complaint #8000998 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE
2 FRONT ENGINE MANIFOLD BOLTS SHEARED OFF, CAUSING EXHAUST LEAK INTO VEHICLE AND POSSIBLE HEAD WARPING PROBLEMS IN THE FUTURE.THE REAR TAIL LIGHTS HAVE BLOWN BULBS ON AN AVERAGE OF 4 A YEAR ,ONCE RESULTING IN A REAR END COLLISION. MY IGNITION SWITCH IS SO SCREWED UP, IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO REMOVE THE KEY SAFELY SO I AM FORCED TO LEAVE IT IN AT ALL TIMES.MY WIPER/TURNSIGNAL SWITCH HAS BEEN A JOKE FROM DAY 1, THE TECHS COULDN'T FIGURE IT OUT UNTIL THE WARRANTEE WAS OVER AND TRIED TO CHARGE ME FOR IT.
NHTSA complaint #755740 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
AFTER DRIVING FOR APPROXIMATELY 15MINUTES ENGINE CHECK LIGHT WOULD COME ON. AFTER AWHILE IT WOULD GO OUT BUT IT WOULD COME BACK ON. HAVE TAKEN VEHICLE TO PRIVATE MECHANIC AND IT WAS PLACED ON A TESTER AFTER BEING TEST DRIVEN. FIRST TIME INDICATION WAS A WATER PUMP AND IT WAS REPLACED. SECOND TIME, A TICKING HAD DEVELOPED, AND PROBLEM WASTHE EXHAUST, WHICH WAS LEAKING. MECHANIC NOTICED 2 STUDS HAD MELTED & BROKE OFF IN ENGINE HEAD. NEEDED TO BE DRILLED OUT AND REPLACED DUE TO INCORRECT TEMPERMENT. *AK CONSUMER STATES THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT HAD BEEN COMING ON FOR A YEAR, THE REPLACEMENT OF THE WATER PUMP DID NOT CORRECT THE PROBLEM, AS WELL AS THE EXHAUST, ONCE THE BOLTS WERE REPLACED THE ENGINE LIGHT STOPPED COMING ON.
NHTSA complaint #893500 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM
AFTER DRIVING FOR APPROXIMATELY 15MINUTES ENGINE CHECK LIGHT WOULD COME ON. AFTER AWHILE IT WOULD GO OUT BUT IT WOULD COME BACK ON. HAVE TAKEN VEHICLE TO PRIVATE MECHANIC AND IT WAS PLACED ON A TESTER AFTER BEING TEST DRIVEN. FIRST TIME INDICATION WAS A WATER PUMP AND IT WAS REPLACED. SECOND TIME, A TICKING HAD DEVELOPED, AND PROBLEM WASTHE EXHAUST, WHICH WAS LEAKING. MECHANIC NOTICED 2 STUDS HAD MELTED & BROKE OFF IN ENGINE HEAD. NEEDED TO BE DRILLED OUT AND REPLACED DUE TO INCORRECT TEMPERMENT. *AK CONSUMER STATES THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT HAD BEEN COMING ON FOR A YEAR, THE REPLACEMENT OF THE WATER PUMP DID NOT CORRECT THE PROBLEM, AS WELL AS THE EXHAUST, ONCE THE BOLTS WERE REPLACED THE ENGINE LIGHT STOPPED COMING ON.
NHTSA complaint #893500 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM
AFTER DRIVING FOR APPROXIMATELY 15MINUTES ENGINE CHECK LIGHT WOULD COME ON. AFTER AWHILE IT WOULD GO OUT BUT IT WOULD COME BACK ON. HAVE TAKEN VEHICLE TO PRIVATE MECHANIC AND IT WAS PLACED ON A TESTER AFTER BEING TEST DRIVEN. FIRST TIME INDICATION WAS A WATER PUMP AND IT WAS REPLACED. SECOND TIME, A TICKING HAD DEVELOPED, AND PROBLEM WASTHE EXHAUST, WHICH WAS LEAKING. MECHANIC NOTICED 2 STUDS HAD MELTED & BROKE OFF IN ENGINE HEAD. NEEDED TO BE DRILLED OUT AND REPLACED DUE TO INCORRECT TEMPERMENT. *AK CONSUMER STATES THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT HAD BEEN COMING ON FOR A YEAR, THE REPLACEMENT OF THE WATER PUMP DID NOT CORRECT THE PROBLEM, AS WELL AS THE EXHAUST, ONCE THE BOLTS WERE REPLACED THE ENGINE LIGHT STOPPED COMING ON.
NHTSA complaint #893500 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
IN MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC VEHICLE DIED. CONSUMER HAD VEHICLE TOWED TO THE DEALER, MECHANIC STATED THAT CRANKSHAFT WAS BROKEN. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK INJECTORS AND FUEL PUMP RUNNING ALL THE TIME, THE SPARK LEADING UP ALL THE TIME , TIMING BELT APPEAR BROKE, DISTRIBUTORS NOT MOVING, TIMING BELT FAILED, THE DEALER REPLACED THE TIMING BELT AND FOUND CRANKSHAFT BROKEN. NLM
NHTSA complaint #893553 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.