FaultScore

FaultScore report

2002 Mercury Villager problems

Owners have filed 20 complaints about the 2002 Mercury Villager with NHTSA between 2002 and 2015. The largest single group is the steering. Across this model's run it ranks 10 of 10 worst.

B

FaultScore 29/100

Higher is worse. Measured against the other years of the Mercury Villager.

How this is worked out

The numbers

20

Complaints

2

Crashes reported

0

Fires reported

1

Injuries reported

66,500 mi

Median mileage at failure

Half of reported failures happened before this

10%

Failed under 36,000 miles

Inside a typical bumper-to-bumper warranty

What kind of bad

The letter says how bad. This says what kind — whether this year drew an unusual number of complaints, unusually dangerous ones, or failures that arrived unusually early.

Complaint volume 5 vs 50 Severity 77 vs 50 Early failure 17 vs 50
The dashed ring is 50 — the national norm. Further out is worse.
Complaint volume — 5
Against the median year of the Mercury Villager. 50 means typical for this model; 100 means roughly double.
Severity — 77
15% of these complaints involved a crash, fire, injury or death, against a national rate of 9.7%.
Early failure — 17
10% of failures with a mileage on record happened under 36,000 miles, against a national rate of 29%.

How 2002 compares with every other Mercury Villager

Click any bar to open that year's report.

Complaints filed with NHTSA, by model year. Bar colour is the FaultScore grade: A B C D F ungraded

What breaks on a 2002 Mercury Villager

Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.

Suspension 3 15.0%

Median failure at 68,000 miles

Steering 3 15.0%
Tires 2 10.0%
Body & Structure 2 10.0%
Brakes 2 10.0%

Median failure at 65,000 miles

Airbags 2 10.0%

2 crashes, 0 fires · median 53,500 mi

Electrical System 2 10.0%

Median failure at 88,250 miles

Engine & Cooling 2 10.0%

Median failure at 88,000 miles

Other & Unspecified 1 5.0%

Median failure at 54,840 miles

Equipment & Accessories 1 5.0%

Median failure at 61,000 miles

When it fails

Odometer readings owners gave when they filed. About half of all complaints include one.

25,000 – 49,999 miles 2 20.0%
50,000 – 74,999 miles 5 50.0%
75,000 – 99,999 miles 2 20.0%
100,000 – 149,999 miles 1 10.0%

When owners complained

A spike years after the car went on sale usually means a part wearing out on schedule across the whole fleet — the kind of pattern no single owner can see from inside their own car.

Nov 2002 peak 3 Aug 2015

Complaints that involved harm

Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.

at 70,000 miles Willianston, MI Crash

AIR BAGS

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH ON A NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS THE VEHICLE CRASH INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE EXITING A PARKING LOT. A POLICE REPORT WAS PROCESSED AT THE SCENE OF THE ACCIDENT. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS ALSO PRESENT BUT NO EVACUATION WAS REQUIRED FOR THE MINOR INJRIES INCURRED. THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY HOWEVER THE SEATBELTS DID RESTRAIN THE OCCUPANTS. THE VEHICLE WAS DETERMINED TO BE A TOTAL LOSS.

NHTSA complaint #10160923 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 37,000 miles Sheridan, IN Crash 1 injured

AIR BAGS

CONTACTS WIFE HIT A CAR AT ABOUT 45 MPH, THERE WERE NO AIRBAGS DEPLOYED, AND VERY LITTLE BRAKING BEFORE IMPACT. VEHICLE WAS HIT IN THE FRONT AND THE OCCUPANT WAS WEARING A SEAT BELT. THERE WERE PICTURES TAKEN, POLICE REPORT MADE, AND THERE WILL BE REPAIR INVOICES. *AK *SB

NHTSA complaint #10119829 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

The most recent complaints

In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.

at 148,000 miles Peachtree City, GA

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

I TOOK MY CAR TO ALLAN VIGIL FORD IN FAYETTVILLE GA FOR SERVICE AND I NOT HAPPY WITH THE REPAIRS . FIRST , THE ALARM IS GOING OFF ALONG WITH THE HORN AT RANDOM .SECOND ,THE DASHBOARD LIGHTS DO NOT WORK . I HAVE TO USE A FLASHLIGHT AT NIGHR TO SEE WHAT SPEED I AM GOING .THIRD , I AM DRIVING WITH NO HORN . AND FINALLY ,THE IGNITION KEY DOES NOT LOCK OR UNLOCK THE DRIVER DOOR. .

NHTSA complaint #10749753 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 78,000 miles ST. Clair Shores, MI

ENGINE

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MERCURY VILLAGER. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH MAKING A TURN, THE ENGINE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE RESTARTED IMMEDIATELY. THE FAILURE RECURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 78,000.

NHTSA complaint #10637028 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 98,000 miles Roslyn Heights, NY

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

ENGINE FAILURE DUE TO SUDDEN LOSS OF OIL.

NHTSA complaint #10250057 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Clarksville, TN

STRUCTURE

MOTOR MOUNT MUST BE REPLACED DO TO FAILURE. ANY ACCELERATION OR SHIFTING CAUSES THE ENGINE TO SHAKE. THIS SHAKING CAUSES A STRONG VIBRATION THROUGHOUT THE VAN. I WAS QUOTED $200 TO REPLACE THE MOUNT.

NHTSA complaint #10210247 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 65,000 miles Marietta, GA

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE

DURING A VACATION TRIP ON NOVEMBER 21, 2006, THE "PROPORTIONAL VALVE" ON OUR 2002 MERCURY VILLAGER BEGAN TO APPLY THE BRAKES WHILE WE WERE ON THE INTERSTATE. THERE WAS NO WARNING LIGHT, JUST A GRADUAL INCREASE IN THE POWER NECESSARY TO KEEP GOING. BY THE TIME WE REALIZED IT, THE ENTIRE BRAKE SYSTEM HAD OVERHEATED, RESULTING IN OVER $1,000 IN DEALER REPAIRS. OUR CONTENTION IS THAT THIS IS A MANUFACTURING DEFECT AND THE VEHICLE SHOULD AT LEAST HAVE BEEN CONSIDERED FOR SOME FORM OF REIMBURSEMENT. WE ALSO WANTED TO MAKE THE NHTSA AWARE OF THIS IN CASE OTHER CONSUMERS ENCOUNTER SIMILAR PROBLEMS. AS IT WAS, THE ENTIRE COST OF THE REPAIR WAS FOR OUR ACCOUNT.

NHTSA complaint #10175815 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 28,500 miles Palatine, IL

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

WE PURCHASED A USED (28K MILES) 2002 MERCURY VILLAGER IN 8'06. AS I LATER FOUND OUT THIS IS A SISTER TO THE NISSAN QUEST. WITHIN 2 MONTHS IT STARTED TO HAVE PERIODIC STARTING PROBLEMS - MEANING ALL POWER SEEMED OK, BUT WHEN THE KEY WAS TURNED, ONLY A CLICKING SOUND WAS HEARD. WE DISCOVERED SOMETIMES THIS COULD BE CORRECTED BY OPENING & CLOSING THE DOORS, OR CYCLING THE LOCKS. AFTER SEARCHING THE WEB I FOUND OTHERS WITH WHAT APPEARED TO BE A SIMILAR PROBLEM AND WHAT OTHERS CLAIMED THE FIX WAS. IT SEEMS AN ANTI-THEFT IGNITION INHIBIT RELAY IS THE CULPRIT. IT SEEMS TO ME FAILURE OF THIS RELAY SHOULD BE BE IN A FAIL-SAFE FASHION. NONETHELESS, IS THERE A FACTORY TSB FOR THIS ISSUE FROM MERCURY OR NISSAN? IS THERE A PART AVAILABLE TO CORRECT THIS PROBLEM? ALREADY MY WIFE AND KIDS HAVE BEEN STRANDED DUE TO THIS PROBLEM AND I IMAGINE SOMEONE SOMEWHERE MAY HAVE AN ACTUAL EMERGENCY.

NHTSA complaint #10175203 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 68,000 miles Solon, OH

SUSPENSION:FRONT

FRONT SUSPENSION BALL JOINTS ARE PRONE TO EXCESSIVE WEAR AND FAILURE. JOINTS REPLACED AT 28,000 MILES ARE NOW FAILING AGAIN AT 68,000 MILES. THERE IS NO SERVICE REQUIRED ON THESE JOINTS. WEAR CAUSES EXCESSIVE TIRE LIFE LOSS, VIBRATION IN THE STEERING AND POTENTIAL LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL.

NHTSA complaint #10172367 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 54,840 miles Danville, IL

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION OFFICE OF DEFECTS INVESTIGATION (NVS-211) 400 7TH STREET, SW WASHINGTON, DC 20590 SEPTEMBER 1, 2006 I OWN A 2002 MERCURY VILLAGER ESTATE MINI VAN WITH 54,840 MILES AND THE PAINT IS PEELING AND IN SOME PLACES SHOWING CORROSION. I HAVE BEEN TOLD BY THE COURTESY FORD LINCOLN MERCURY DEALERSHIP THAT THERE IS NOTHING THEY CAN DO AND THE FORD CUSTOMER SERVICE AGENTS TELL ME THE SAME THING AND ONLY A DISTRICT REPRESENTATIVE CAN MAKE THE DETERMINATION. UNFORTUNATELY, NEITHER THE DEALERSHIP OR FORD CUSTOMER SEEN TO KNOW HOW TO LOCATE HIM. I CAN FURNISH PHOTOS OF THE VEHICLE HOOD WITH PAINT PEELING OFF AND THE BACK WHERE THERE IS RUST NEAR THE REAR WINDSHIELD WIPER. FORD AND THE DEALERSHIP ARE NOT RESPONDING TO MY ATTEMPTS TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM. THEY TELL ME THAT ONLY THE FIELD REPRESENTATIVE CAN MAKE THE DECISION, BUT THEY WILL NOT TELL ME HOW TO COMMUNICATE WITH HIM. IT HAS BEEN OVER A MONTH.

NHTSA complaint #10168585 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 70,000 miles Willianston, MI Crash

AIR BAGS

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH ON A NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS THE VEHICLE CRASH INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE EXITING A PARKING LOT. A POLICE REPORT WAS PROCESSED AT THE SCENE OF THE ACCIDENT. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS ALSO PRESENT BUT NO EVACUATION WAS REQUIRED FOR THE MINOR INJRIES INCURRED. THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY HOWEVER THE SEATBELTS DID RESTRAIN THE OCCUPANTS. THE VEHICLE WAS DETERMINED TO BE A TOTAL LOSS.

NHTSA complaint #10160923 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 61,000 miles Gahanna, OH

EQUIPMENT

WHILE DRIVING FOR AN EXTENDED PERIOD OF TIME USING CRUISE CONTROL, THE SPEEDOMETER SUDDENLY FAILED AT AN APPROXIMATE ODOMETER READING OF 61,000 MILES. THE SPEEDOMETER HAD ALSO FAILED ON MY PREVIOUSLY OWNED '93 VILLAGER FOR SHORT PERIODS BUT THE CURRENT FAILURE ON MY '02 VILLAGER CONTINUED THROUGHOUT THE FOLLOWING 7 HOURS OF MY TRIP HOME. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE "SERVICE ENGINE SOON" INDICATOR LIT UP AND THE ENGINE NOW BRIEFLY LOSES POWER UPON STARTUP AND INITIAL ACCELERATION. I WILL CALL DEALERSHIP IN THE MORNING TO SEE IF THIS PROBLEM IS COVERED. I AM VERY UPSET THAT MY RELATIVELY YOUNG VAN HAS NOW LOST VALUE DUE TO UNCERTIFIED MILEAGE ON THE TITLE WHEN I WANT TO SELL IT. BECAUSE IT HAPPENED IN THE MIDST OF MY TRIP, I WAS DELAYED WHILE CHECKING THE SOURCE OF THE INDICATOR LIGHT AND HAD TO DRIVE HOME WITHOUT KNOWING MY TRUE SPEED.

NHTSA complaint #10154675 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 37,000 miles Sheridan, IN Crash 1 injured

AIR BAGS

CONTACTS WIFE HIT A CAR AT ABOUT 45 MPH, THERE WERE NO AIRBAGS DEPLOYED, AND VERY LITTLE BRAKING BEFORE IMPACT. VEHICLE WAS HIT IN THE FRONT AND THE OCCUPANT WAS WEARING A SEAT BELT. THERE WERE PICTURES TAKEN, POLICE REPORT MADE, AND THERE WILL BE REPAIR INVOICES. *AK *SB

NHTSA complaint #10119829 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Suffolk, VA

STEERING:COLUMN

WHILE DRIVING 55 TO 60 MPH STEERING WHEEL FEELS LOOSE, AND MAKES A LOUD NOISE. DEALERSHIP INSPECTED VEHICLE SEVERAL TIMES, BU TPROBLEM RECURRED.

NHTSA complaint #10087693 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Sylmar, CA

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

THE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE IN FOR THE 15000 MILE CHECK UP AND BECAUSE THE BRAKE LIGHT WAS ON. WHILE DRIVING THE CONSUMER PRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL AND THE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR. THE DEALER REPLACED PARTS BUT THE CONSUMER DOES NOT KNOW WHICH PARTS WERE REPLACED. PLEASE DESCRIBE FURTHER. *NLM

NHTSA complaint #10048681 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Franklin, OH

SUSPENSION

PROBLEMS WITH VIBRATION IN REAR AND RIGHT FRONT OF VEHICLE. *MR THERE WAS A VIBRATION IN THE REAR AND THE RIGHT FRONT. THE TIRES WERE REPLACED THREE TIMES. THE VIBRATION REMAINED WHICH ALSO CAUSED THE SEATS TO VIBRATE. *SCC

NHTSA complaint #10042794 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Franklin, OH

TIRES

PROBLEMS WITH VIBRATION IN REAR AND RIGHT FRONT OF VEHICLE. *MR THERE WAS A VIBRATION IN THE REAR AND THE RIGHT FRONT. THE TIRES WERE REPLACED THREE TIMES. THE VIBRATION REMAINED WHICH ALSO CAUSED THE SEATS TO VIBRATE. *SCC

NHTSA complaint #10042794 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SAN Antonio, TX

SUSPENSION

THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED A SEVER VIBRATION.

NHTSA complaint #10015601 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Franklin, OH

STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS

CONSUMER STATES WHEN REACH A SPEED OF 60MPH THE VEHICLE SHAKES VIOLENTLY. DEALER NOTIFIED REPAIRED PROBLEM REOCCURED. TS

NHTSA complaint #10001599 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Dublin, OH

STEERING

2002 MERCURY VILLAGER HAS VIBRATION IN STEERING WHEEL AT SPEEDS ABOVE 10MPH. DEALER HAS TRIED 3 TIMES TO FIX AND EVEN REPLACED 2 OF THE 4 TIRES. STILL THE VIBRATION. REPAIR SHOP OTHER THAN THE DEALER SUGGESTED SWITCHING BRANDS OF TIRES BECAUSE AFTER THEY ALIGNED THE FRONT END THEY ROTATED THE TIRES TO TRY TO ISOLATE THE VIBRATION PROBLEM ONLY TO FIND THAT THE ROTATION NULLIFIED THE ALIGNMENT. HARD FOR ME TO BELIEVE THAT WITH ALL THE VILLAGERS MANUFACTURED I'M THE ONLY ONE WITH THIS PROBLEM.

NHTSA complaint #10000294 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Dublin, OH

TIRES

2002 MERCURY VILLAGER HAS VIBRATION IN STEERING WHEEL AT SPEEDS ABOVE 10MPH. DEALER HAS TRIED 3 TIMES TO FIX AND EVEN REPLACED 2 OF THE 4 TIRES. STILL THE VIBRATION. REPAIR SHOP OTHER THAN THE DEALER SUGGESTED SWITCHING BRANDS OF TIRES BECAUSE AFTER THEY ALIGNED THE FRONT END THEY ROTATED THE TIRES TO TRY TO ISOLATE THE VIBRATION PROBLEM ONLY TO FIND THAT THE ROTATION NULLIFIED THE ALIGNMENT. HARD FOR ME TO BELIEVE THAT WITH ALL THE VILLAGERS MANUFACTURED I'M THE ONLY ONE WITH THIS PROBLEM.

NHTSA complaint #10000294 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Livonia, MI

STEERING: STEERING WHEEL/HANDLE BAR

CONSUMER CALLED COMPLAINIMNG ABOUT HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE STEERING. ALSO STATED THAT THERE IS A REAL BAD VIBRATION ON THE STEERING WHEEL.DEALER WAS CONTACTED AND STATED THAT THEY WILL FIX IT AND THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN TOTHE DEALER A TOTAL OF FOUR TIMES SINCE THE PURCHASE ON SEP.302,2002. PH

NHTSA complaint #8023452 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.