185 of the
2,205 complaints filed about the Mercury Villager
are about the braking system —
8% of everything owners reported.
The worst model year for it is 1995.
DRIVER REPORTS HE MUST HAVE HAD HIS FOOT ON THE BRAKE AND ACCELERATOR AT THE SAME TIME (SEMI-PANIC BRAKE APPLICATION). POLICE REPORT STATES "TIRE MARKS" ON THE (DRY) PAVEMENT. ONE DOES NOT PRODUCE "TIRE MARKS" ON DRY PAVEMENT (NO TURNING INVOLVED) WITHOUT BRAKE APPLICATION. DRIVER HAD EPISODE OF MICROSLEEP: WHEN ALERTED BY THE EVENT TAKING PLACE, HE COULD NOT GET THE VEHICLE STOPPED IN TIME TO PREVENT HITTING AND FATALLY INJURING A PEDESTRIAN. UPON EXAMINATION OF ACCIDENT VEHICLE, INSPECTOR DISCOVERED UNUSUAL ARCHED ACCELERATOR PEDAL DESIGN WHEREIN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS LOCATED ONLY 1 5/8 INCH FROM THE ARCHED ACCELERATOR PEDAL ALLOWING BRAKE APPLICATION AND ACCELERATION CONCURRENTLY IF CERTAIN CONDITIONS PREVAIL. EXAMINATION DEMONSTRATED THAT WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED, THE PEDAL WENT SUBSTANTIALLY BELOW THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. FURTHERMORE, WITH THE 4 5/8 INCH WIDE BOOT THE DRIVER (AND INSPECTOR) WORE, IT WAS EASY TO ACCIDENTALLY CATCH THE EDGE OF THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL, CONSEQUENTLY ENABLING THE USER TO ACCIDENTALLY DEPRESS THE ACCELERATOR AND BRAKE PEDAL (UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS) AT THE SAME TIME.
NHTSA complaint #10374963 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DRUM:DRUM
I SENT THIS LETTER TO THE FORD MOTOR COMPANY. NO REPLY YET. I ALSO HAVE COPIES OF THE WORK THAT WAS DONE TO THE VAN. I HOPE YOU CAN HELP. THANK YOU VERY MUCH. ON THURSDAY MAY 3, 2007 WE WERE DRIVING, WITH MY WIFE BEING THE DRIVER, NORTH ON U.S. 441 IN FLORIDA. AS WE PASSED A TRUCK WE HEARD A GROWLING NOISE. IT WAS OUR VAN. I-75 THE TRAFFIC WAS STOPPED UP FROM AN ACCIDENT SO WE TOOK A PARALLEL ROAD TO THE NORTH. THE VAN WAS STILL GROWLING. WHEN WE GOT TO U.S. 27 I TOLD HER WE HAD BETTER FIND A MERCURY DEALER AND SEE WHAT THE PROBLEM WAS. WE TURNED BACK INTO OCALA AND STOPPED AT A SMALL INDEPENDENT USED AUTO SALES BUSINESS. WE WERE TOLD THE MERCURY DEALERSHIP WAS JUST DOWN THE STREET, SO WE GOT BACK INTO THE VAN AND PROCEEDED TO START OUT. MY WIFE HAD TO BACK UP A LITTLE TOWARD BUSY U.S. 441. THEN SHE SCREAMED ?I HAVE NO BRAKES!? QUICKLY SHE PUT THE VAN INTO DRIVE AND IT SCREECHED AND LUNGED FORWARD. NOW WE WERE HEADED TOWARD A CHAIN-LINK FENCE. STILL NO BRAKES, SO SHE WAS SMART ENOUGH TO TURN OFF THE KEY AND WE STOPPED TWO FEET FROM THE FENCE. NEEDLESS TO SAY SHE WAS MY HEROINE. WE GOT OUT AND SHE SAID, ?LOOK AT THIS HUB CAP.? THE PLASTIC CONNECTORS THAT HOLD IT TO THE WHEEL WERE MELTED AND THE CAP HAD FALLEN OFF. THE WHEEL WAS TOO HOT TO TOUCH. BOTH FRONT WHEELS WERE VERY HOT AND NOW YOU COULD SMELL BRAKE FLUID. WE CALLED A WRECKER AND THE PEOPLE THAT OWNED THE AUTO SALES STORE GAVE US A TIRE STORE THAT WAS SUPPOSE TO BE THE BEST IN THE AREA. I CALLED THEM AND THEY WOULD TAKE US IN RIGHT AWAY. APPARENTLY THE WHEEL CYLINDERS ENGAGED ON THE FRONT OF THE VAN AND THE INTENSE HEAT FROM FRICTION BUILT UP HAD MELTED THE BRAKE HOSES. WE ARE SURE GLAD WE HAD NOT VENTURED ONTO I-75. IS THIS A MANUFACTURER?S DEFECT THAT HASN'T BEEN FOUND YET?
NHTSA complaint #10194055 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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.
CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALERSHIP BECAUSE OF A NOISE THAT WAS BEING HEARD WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES. DEALER MAINTAINED THAT THE BRAKES WERE FINE, YET THE NOISE CONTINUED. IT COULD BE HEARD WHEN VEHICLE WAS GOING AT 35 MPH.
NHTSA complaint #10090364 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
LTR FM SALETTE SILVANA SELVAGGI(NY) INVOLVED IN ACCIDENT TRAVELING I-95 IN CONNECTICUT IN VEHICLE A 1999 MERCURY VILLAGE EXPERIENCED LOSS OF STOPPING POWER AND CONTROL QUESTION IF VEHICLE IS DEFECTIVE REPLY TO THE ROCKLAND DISTRICT OFC WEST NYACK, NY. *MR WHILE TRYING TO BRAKE THERE WAS A TOTAL LOSS OF STOPPING POWER AND LOSS OF CONTROL RESULTING IN A CRASH IN THE PASSENGER SIDE. LUCKILY THERE WERE NO INJURIES BUT THE CONSUMER BELIEVES A VEHICLE MALFUNCTION CAUSED THE PROBLEM. THE INSURANCE COMPANY CAME TO THE CONCLUSION THAT HE CONSUMER WAS 100% AT FAULT.
NHTSA complaint #10081703 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR
VERY STRONG SMELLING GAS FUMES INSIDE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT WHEN HEATER IS TURNED ON. WHILE DRIVING THE SPEED GAUGE WILL STOP WORKING AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WILL COME ON. BRAKES MAKE A GRINDING NOISE EVEN AFTER BEING REPLACED. CV BOOT IS LEAKING AND CRACKED. DRIVER SIDE AUTO-SEAT BELT SOMETIMES FAILS TO GO UP AND DOWN. REAR WINDSHIELD WIPER GETS STUCK IN UP POSITIONS WHEN TRING TO USE IT.
NHTSA complaint #10080599 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VEHICLE LOST POWER RESULTING IN LOSS OF CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE CAUSING AN ACCIDENT. *MR THIS OCCURRED AS THE CONSUMER WAS ATTEMPTING TO BRAKE. THE CONSUMER WAS UNAWARE OF WHAT CAUSED THE PROBLEM. *SC THE TROOPER CAME TO THE CONCLUSION THE CONSUMERS VEHICLE HAD DEFECTIVE DUE TO THE FLUID TRAIL, SKID MARKS ON THE ROAD AND PHYSICAL DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE. THE CONSUMER WAS ISSUED A CITATION.
NHTSA complaint #10075871 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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.
CONSUMER COMPLAINED ABOUT LEFT REAR WHEEL LOCKING UP AND DAMAGING THE TIRE. CONSUMER WAS DRIVING ABOUT 25 MPH AND THE VEHICLE SPUN OUT OUT OF CONTROL. VEHICLE WAS EQUIPPED WITH ABS BRAKE SYSTEM.
NHTSA complaint #10060965 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:PADS
CONSUMER HEARD A NOISE WHEN BRAKING, AND THE BRAKE LIGHT WAS ON. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER, AND THE BRAKE PADS WERE REPLACED AT 13,780. CONSUMER STATED THAT AT 28,000 THE PROBLEM RECURRED.
NHTSA complaint #10047938 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS THE CONSUMER WOULD HEAR A LOUD NOISE COMING FROM THE BRAKES. WHEN BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED IT WOULD GO TO THE FLOOR AND THERE WOULD BE EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. *AK DIFFERENT BRAKE COMPONENTS HAVE BEEN REPLACED SEVERAL TIMES BUT THE BRAKES CONTINUE TO FAIL. THE WINDSHIELD MOLDING FLAPPED WHILE DRIVING. THE DRIVER'S FRONT DOOR RATTLED WHILE DRIVING. THE DEALER LUBED THE WINDOW TRACKS. *NLM
NHTSA complaint #10043928 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
DEFECTIVE ABS IN 1997 MERCURY VILLAGER. WHILE SITTING STILL THE BRAKE PEDAL WILL RELEASE CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO LUNGE FORWARD POSSIBLY STRIKING SOMEONE OR SOMETHING. I HAVE RESEARCHED THIS PROBLEM ONLINE AND FOUND SEVERAL SIMILAR STATEMENTS FROM OWNERS OF THE SAME VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #10039092 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
WE OWN A '1999 MERCURY VILLAGER VAN. THE BRAKES HAVE HAD EXTENSIVE REPAIRS TWICE ,AND NOW MUST BE REPLACED AGAIN AFTER ONLY 13,000 MILES. SECONDLY, THE ACCELERATOR STICKS. IT HAS BEEN REPAIRED ONCE AND REQUIRES REPAIR AGAIN. (FIRST TIME UNDER WARRANTY. THIS TIME AT A COST OF APPROX. $460.) THE REPAIRMEN AT THE DEALERSHIP CLAIM THE DEVICE USED TO PREVENT SLUDGE FROM ACCUMULATING ON THE ACCELERATOR LINE TENDS TO WARP DUE TO HEAT EXPOSURE ALLOWING SLUDGE TO ACCUMULATE ON THE LINE AND CAUSING THE ACCELERATOR TO STICK. IT WAS FIRST REPAIRED AT 35,000 MILES AND NOW REQUIRES A SECOND REPAIR AT 73,000 MILES.
NHTSA complaint #10036954 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:PADS
HAVE HAD REPEATED FRONT BRAKE WEAR OUT AND NOISE (SQUAEK/GROAN) ON MY 2000 MERCURY VILLAGER SINCE NEW. HAVE HAD 4 SETS OF FRONT BRAKE PADS AND A SET OF ROTORS REPLACED IN ONLY 28,000 MILES. DEALER SAYS THERE IS NOTHING WRONG. THE OTHER TWO MERCURY VILLAGERS THAT I'VE OWNED (1996 AND 1998 MODELS) DID NOT HAVE THIS PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #10021151 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
WHEN THE CONSUMER APPLIED THE BRAKES, THEY LOCKED UP AND CAUSED EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. *NLM BOTH FRONT BRAKES LOCKED UP WITHIN LESS THAN A MONTH APART. THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH BOTH REAR BRAKES AND THE LEFT FRONT CALIPER LOCKED UP. *SCC
NHTSA complaint #10017946 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR
THE VEHICLES FRONT CALIPERS ARE LOCKING UP STATES CONSUMER. WHILE DRIVING AT 20 MPH THE RPM'S ARE HIGHER THAN NORMAL. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION. TS
NHTSA complaint #10004448 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC
APPLIED BRAKES ON FREEWAY WHICH WAS DRY AT THE TIME; CAUSED ME TO SLIDE SPIN OUT, AND SLIDE BACKWARDS ACROSS THREE LANES OF TRAFFIC. COULD HAVE RESULTED IN A FATAL ACCIDENT. I DID NOT "JAM" ON MY BRAKES. TWO DAYS LATER, I AM GETTING SEVERE VIBRATION AND THE REAR BRAKES ARE VERY HOT, RIMS VERY WARM TO TOUCH AND SMELL FROM PASSENGER REAR WHEEL. MECHANICS CAN NOT SEE ANYTHING WRONG. SOMETHING IS VERY WRONG TO CAUSE REAR BRAKES TO HEAT UP LIKE THAT. DID NOT HAVE PARKING BRAKE ON! I WAS DRIVING FOR 1/2 HOUR BEFORE THE VIBRATION STARTED. IT WOULD STOP FOR ABOUT 5 MINUTES AFTER I WOULD BRING CAR TO A STOP AND THEN CONTINUE. SOMETHING CAUSED ME TO SKID AND SPIN OUT ON THE FREEWAY; APPLYING THE BRAKES HARD (BUT NOT JAMMING THEM!) SHOULD NOT CAUSE ME TO SPIN OUT LIKE THAT. I FEAR SOMETHING IS VERY, VERY WRONG. DT
NHTSA complaint #770628 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.