29 of the
253 complaints about the 1996 Mercury Villager are about the
doors, latches and locks — 11% of everything
reported for this model year.
Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before
126,650 miles.
C
29
Complaints
2
Crashes
0
Fires
0
Injuries
Exactly what failed
Latch
2793.1%
Lock
13.4%
Latch
13.4%
What owners said
Filed with NHTSA, in their own words.
at 128,300 milesCincinnati, OH
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH
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.
NHTSA complaint #10172065 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Centre Hall, PACrash
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH
I HAD A LOW IMPACT ACCIDENT WHERE THE FRONT OF MY VEHICLE HIT THE BACK OF ANOTHER VEHICLE. (FORGOT TO PUT CAR IN PARK AND WAS ABOUT 4 FEET FROM BACK OF ANOTHER CAR ON SLIGHT GRADE, WELL YOU KNOW THE REST).*AK AFTER THE ACCIDENT THE SLIDING DOOR BEGAN TO "POP" ENOUGH FOR THE AJAR DOOR LIGHT TO COME ON BUT NOT ENOUGH FOR THE DOOR TO ACTUALLY OPEN. I HAVE CHECKED WITH THE PEOPLE THAT GAVE ESTIMATES ON REPAIRS AND WAS INFORMED BY EVERY ONE THAT IT WAS NOT A RESULT OF THE ACCIDENT. WHAT I CAN NOT UNDERSTAND IS WHY IT STARTED ONLY AFTER THE ACCIDENT. I HAVE BEEN INFORMED THAT THE LOCKS MAY NEED TO BE REPLACED BECAUSE OF WARE.
NHTSA complaint #10095815 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Seattle, WA
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH
I PURCHASED A USED VAN, THERE SEEM TO BE SEVERAL RECALLS EITHER NOT IDENITFIED OR NOT KNOW ABOUT, EITHER WAY THEY WERE NOT FIXED. I HAVE BEEN UNABLE TO FINE A DEALER WHOM WILL ACKNOWLEDGE THE RECALLS AND REPAIR THEM.
NHTSA complaint #10066378 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Seattle, WA
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE:LOCK
I PURCHASED A USED VAN, THERE SEEM TO BE SEVERAL RECALLS EITHER NOT IDENITFIED OR NOT KNOW ABOUT, EITHER WAY THEY WERE NOT FIXED. I HAVE BEEN UNABLE TO FINE A DEALER WHOM WILL ACKNOWLEDGE THE RECALLS AND REPAIR THEM.
NHTSA complaint #10066378 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Columbia, SC
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH
LOCK MECHANISM//LOCKS WOULD LOCK AND UNLOCK AUTOMATICALLY. I HAD NO CONTROL OF THE LOCKS. SOMETIMES FOUND MYSELF STUCK IN THE CAR UNTIL THE LOCKS DECIDED TO STOP LOCKING AND UNLOCKING ON THEIR OWN. I BELIEVE I PAID ABOUT $500.00 FOR REPAIRS TO THIS SYSTEM JUST FOR THE WHOLE SYSTEM TO FAIL AGAIN ALMOST TWO YEARS LATER. MY LOCKS NO LONGER WORK. I HAVE VIDEO OF THE LOCKS WORKING ON THEIR OWN. AS FOR INCIDENT DATE-TOO MANY TO COUNT.
NHTSA complaint #10049689 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 125,000 milesSaracuse, NY
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH
WHEN VEHICLE IS BEING DRIVEN SLIDING DOOR LOCATED ON THE PASSENGER'S SIDE KEEPS SLIDING OPEN. CONSUMER BELIEVES LOCKING MECHANISM IS BROKEN.
NHTSA complaint #10034169 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Belfair, WA
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH
SLIDING DOOR OPENED AFTER BEING LOCKED.
NHTSA complaint #8007256 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Bellingham, WA
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:TAILGATE:LATCH
REAR DOOR LATCH WOULD DISENGAGE WHILE TRAVELING. NOTIFIED DEALER FOR REPAIRS. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION ON THIS MATTER.
NHTSA complaint #892626 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
OAK Lawn, IL
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH
WHEN VEHICLE REACHES SPEEDS ABOVE 40 MPH OR TRAVELING AROUND A CORNER PASSENGER'S SIDE SLIDING DOOR WILL OPEN. DEALERSHIP HAS EXAMINED VEHICLE, AND DETERMINED THAT LOCKING MECHANISM NEEDED TO BE REPLACED.*AK CONSUMER STATES THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND THAT THE SERVICE TO REPAIR THIS DEFECT SHOULD BE FREE OF CHARGE, HOWEVER DEALERSHIP IS CHARGING A FEE FOR REPAIRS. *SLC
NHTSA complaint #890674 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Spring Hill, FL
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH
CONSUMER CAN LOCK ALL DOORS AND SLIDING DOOR WILL FLY OPEN. IT DOESN'T MATTER WHAT SURFACE RIDING ON, IT POPS OPEN. SLIDING DOOR HAS BEEN MANUALLY LOCKED.
NHTSA complaint #885564 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Bayside, CA
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH
REAR PASSENGER SLIDING DOOR COMES OPEN WHILE DRIVING REGARDLESS OF SPEED. DOOR APPEARS TO BE SHUT AND LOCKED, BUT WHEN DRIVING LATCH SYSTEM FAILS. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. *AK THE SLIDING DOOR POPS OPEN WHETHER LOCKED OR NOT.
NHTSA complaint #881526 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Maple Lake, MN
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH
SLIDING DOOR WILL BEGIN TO OPEN EVEN IF LOCKED, LIGHT COMES ON, DOOR OPENED.
NHTSA complaint #880807 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Mcallen, TX
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH
THE SLIDING DOOR ON THE VEHICLE POPS OPEN WHEN GOING OVER BUMPS, RAILROAD TRACKS, ETC.
NHTSA complaint #726017 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Decatur, IL
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH
SINCE JULY 16, 1998 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. VEHICLE HAD BEEN TAKEN TO DEALER FIVE TIMES FOR THE SAME PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #863269 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Gilbert, AZ
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH
SLIDING DOOR COMES UNLATCHED (AT BACK)WHEN DRIVING AT ANY SPEED AND WHEN HITTING A SLIGHT BUMP WITH IT LOCKED OR NOT LOCKED.
NHTSA complaint #722409 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Lavatette, NJ
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH
WHEN TURNING ON REAR WINDSHIELD WIPERS CONSUMER HEARS A HUMMING SOUND. THEN THEY VIBRATE, AND HANG DOWN TOWARDS THE LICENSE PLATE. ALSO, CAN'T OPEN REAR DOOR WITH THE KEY, HAS TO USE POWER LOCK TO OPEN DOOR. CONSUMER FEELS THIS IS A SAFETY DEFECT BECAUSE SHE CAN'T SEE OUT OF REAR WINDOW.
NHTSA complaint #859576 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Everett, MA
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH
WHILE DRIVING REAR SLIDING DOOR WILL POP OPEN ON ITS OWN. THIS HAS HAPPENED MANY TIMES. WHEN BROUGHT TO DEALER THEY CLAIM THEY COULD NOT CREATE PROBLEM, SO NOTHING WAS CORRECTED. PLEASE ADVISE ON FURTHER ACTION.
NHTSA complaint #718155 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
W. Jordon, UT
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH
WHEN CLOSING THE SLIDING DOOR & THEN ENTERING THE DRIVER'S SIDE, LATCHES WOULD AUTOMATICALLY LOCK BY THEMSELVES. TOOK THE VEHICLE TO DEALER & THE MECHANIC CHANGED THE LOCKING MECHANISM. ALSO, GAVE OWNER NEW REMOTE CONTROL. PROBLEM STILL EXISTS.
NHTSA complaint #854317 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Pomona, CA
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH
INTERMITTENTLY, WHILE DRIVING SLIDING DOOR POPS OPEN UNEXPECTEDLY. THE DEALERSHIP IS NOT ABLE TO FIND OUT WHAT IS CAUSING THE PROBLEM. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.
NHTSA complaint #848760 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Bentonville, AK
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH
LOCKS ARE NOT OPERABLE. DOORS LOCKED WHEN CONSUMER GOT OUT AND SHUT THE DOOR. TWO SMALL CHILDREN WERE LOCKED IN VEHICLE WITH TEMPERATURES AT 100 DEGREES. THE DOORS WILL EVEN LOCK BY THEMSELVES WHILE DRIVING. A BUMP IN THE ROAD OR TURNING A CORNER CAUSES DOORS TO LOCK.
NHTSA complaint #846681 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
South Berwick, ME
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH
VEHICLE DOOR LOCKS MALFUNCTIONED, CAUSING ALL DOORS TO LOCK UNEXPECTEDLY. IF OCCUPANT WAS OUT OF VEHICLE / VEHICLE WAS RUNNING WITH CHILDREN IN IT, CONSUMER WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO GET INTO VEHICLE. DEALER REPLACED DOOR LOCKS MODULE TWICE. PROBLEM REOCCURRING. VAN HAS REMOTE DOOR LOCK/UNLOCK FEATURE-USES KEY TOB.
NHTSA complaint #842201 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
FAR Rockaw, NY
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH
WHILE DRIVING THE SLIDING DOOR UNLATCHED.
NHTSA complaint #546267 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Swampscott, MACrash
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH
WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED THE SLIDING DOOR KEEPS OPENING.
NHTSA complaint #842532 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
FAR Rock Away, NY
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH
THE SLIDING DOOR WOULD BECOME UNLATCHED & OPEN WHEN EVER VEHICLE HITS BUMPS OR ROUGH PATCH IN ROAD. PROBLEM WAS INTERMITTEN BUT NOW MORE CONSTANT. ALSO, HAVE A HUMMING SOUND FROM FUEL TANK. INFORMED BY MECHANIC IT WAS FUEL PUMP. WAS ALSO INFORMED BY DEALER ALL VILLAGERS HAVE HUMMING SOUND AFTER 1 YEAR.
NHTSA complaint #839907 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Summerfield, FL
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH
WHILE DRIVING DOOR LATCHES BEGAN TO LOCK AND UNLOCK BY THEMSELVES. WHILE PARKED WITH POWER OFF, DOOR LATCHES ALSO LOCKED AND UNLOCKED. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. *AK
NHTSA complaint #833551 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Yoakum, TX
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH
WHILE DRIVING THE SLIDING DOOR OPENS UNEXPECTEDLY ALMOST CAUSING AN OCCUPANT TO FALL OUT AND COULD RESULT IN AN ACCIDENT AND INJURIES. DEALER REPLACED SLIDING DOOR LOCKS. DEALER CANNOT DETERMINE PROBLEM. PLEASE PROVIDE DETAILS.
NHTSA complaint #828101 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Arlington, TX
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH
WHEN DRIVING THE SLIDING DOOR OPENS FOR NO APPARENT REASON. CONSUMER HAS CONTACTED THE DEALER. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS.
NHTSA complaint #825497 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Pittsfield, MA
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH
GRANDSON GOT INTO VEHICLE & BUMPED SLIDING DOOR. THE DOOR BECAME UNLATCHED. VEHICLE ON SLIGHT INCLINE AT TIME. DOOR WAS CAUGHT BEFORE CLOSING ON CHILD IN DOOR AREA.
NHTSA complaint #818639 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Massapegua, NY
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH
REAR DOOR LATCH AND LOCK ASSEMBLY FAILED, DOOR WILL COME OPEN WHILE DRIVING AFTER LOCKING FROM THE INSIDE.*AK *SLC
NHTSA complaint #801167 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.