FaultScore

Mercury Villager door lock problems

80 of the 2,205 complaints filed about the Mercury Villager are about the doors, latches and locks — 4% of everything owners reported. The worst model year for it is 1996.

80

Complaints

4%

Share of all complaints

3

Crashes

0

Fires

Doors, Latches & Locks complaints by model year

1993 Villager 9 11.3%
1994 Villager 4 5.0%

Median failure at 92,000 miles

1995 Villager 9 11.3%

Median failure at 87,000 miles

1996 Villager 29 36.3%

Median failure at 126,650 miles

1997 Villager 17 21.3%

Median failure at 32,500 miles

1998 Villager 7 8.8%

Median failure at 24,000 miles

1999 Villager 4 5.0%

Median failure at 57,000 miles

2000 Villager 1 1.3%

What owners said

1996 Mercury Villager at 128,300 miles Cincinnati, 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.

1998 Mercury Villager at 20,000 miles Boles, AR

LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH

THE VEHICLE AUTOMATIC DOOR LOCKS AUTOMATICALLY LOCK THE DOORS THIS HAS HAPPENED INNUMERABLE OCCASIONS. THIS BEGAN SHORTLY AFTER PURCHASE OF THE VEHICLE IN 1998, AND CONTINUES TODAY. THE DOORS AR NOT TO LOCK IF THE KEYS ARE IN THE IGNITION, AND THEY DO. THIS HAS OCCURRED WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE, WHILE IT IS PARKED, WHEN ENTERING, AND EXITING THE VEHICLE. THE INTERIOR DOORS DO NOT OVERRIDE THE LOCKS, AND IN AN EMERGENCY, ONE WOULD BE UNABLE TO EXIT THE VEHICLE IF THEY WERE TO LOCK. USUALLY THIS OCCURS MOST OFTEN WHEN THE DOORS ARE BEING CLOSED; AND IF THE BATTERY IS UNHOOKED, AND RECONNECTED, IT MAY REMEDY THE SITUATION FOR SEVERAL DAYS. THE REAR AUTOMATIC WINDOWS GO OUT WHEN YOU PRESS THE BUTTONS TO MAKE THEM GO IN, AND THE REAR WIPER STAYS DOWN AS IF THE WINDOW IS UNLOCKED. THAT CAN BE REMEDIED BY UNLOCKING THE WINDOW, AND RELATCHING IT, IT USUALLY STAYS UP FOR 2-3 DAYS. WHEN YOU ATTEMPT TO RETRACT THE REAR WINDOWS, THEY WILL NOT GO IN AUTOMATICALLY. I HAVE CONTACTED PUTNAM LINCOLN MERCURY IN FORT SMITH, ARKANSAS, AND I DO NOT HAVE THE MONEY TO COMPLETE THESE REPAIRS WHICH COULD POSSIBLY CAUSE INJURY OR DEATH IF THE DOORS LOCKED SOMEONE IN. IN OTHER NEWS, THE GAS PEDAL IS STICKING ALSO, THIS HAPPENS WHEN YOU TAKE OFF IN THE VEHICLE, AND HAPPENS EVERY TIME. THIS HAS ALSO BEEN REPORTED TO THE DEALERSHIP.

NHTSA complaint #10139592 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

1998 Mercury Villager Canton, OH

LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES

DT: 1998 MERCURY VILLAGER. THE CONSUMER STATES ALL OF THE DOORS ARE LOCKING ON THEIR OWN. THIS HAS HAPPENED A COUPLE OF TIMES. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN INSPECTED BY THE DEALERSHIP TO SEE WHY THIS WAS OCCURRING. HE HAS NOT YET CONTACTED MERCURY. THIS STARTED ON AUGUST 15, 2005. THIS ALMOST LOCKED THE CONSUMER'S CHILD IN THE CAR. THIS WA SA KEYLESS ENTRY LOCKING SYSTEM.

NHTSA complaint #10136920 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

1999 Mercury Villager Medina, OH

LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:TAILGATE:LATCH

IF THERE IS ANYTHING JUST EVEN SLIGHTLY HANGING OVER THE BACK HATCH WHEN IT IS CLOSED IT WILL NOT RELEASE (OPEN). A RECENT INCIDENT OCCURRED WHEN I HAD A PIECE OF CARDBOARD FROM A CLOTHES HANGER HANGING OVER THE EDGE OF WHERE THE BACK HATCH CLOSES. IT WOULD NOT REOPEN. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AND THEY COULDN'T GET IT OPEN. I FINALLY PULLED THE CARDBOARD OUT, PIECE BY PIECE, AND THEN THE HATCH WOULD OPEN. IT HAS DONE THIS WITH CLOTHING -- SHIRT SLEEVE, BLANKET, PENCIL, ETC. IF SOMETHING IS ON THE EDGE OF THE DOOR HATCH FLOOR, AND GETS STUCK IN THE HATCH, THE HATCH WILL NOT OPEN. FROM A SAFETY ASPECT, IF A CHILD OR SOMEONE ELSE'S FINGER GOT SLAMMED SHUT INTO THE HATCH, YOU WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO OPEN THE HATCH TO GET THE FINGER OUT!!!! IT DOES NOT HAVE TO BE SOMETHING THICK, NOR DOES IT HAVE TO BE BY THE LATCH -- IN FACT IT IS NEVER BY THE LATCH BECAUSE THE LATCH IS ON THE SIDES. THE CARDBOARD FROM THE HANGER WAS THE CIRCUMFERENCE OF A FINGER. NO ONE COULD GET IT OPEN -- THE CARDBOARD HAD TO BE RIPPED OUT FROM UNDER THE HATCH.

NHTSA complaint #10105770 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

1996 Mercury Villager Centre Hall, PA Crash

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.

1998 Mercury Villager Savannah, GA

LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH

A DEFECT IN THE KEYLESS ENTRY SYSTEM OF 1998 MODEL YEAR MERCURY VILLAGER MINIVANS CAUSES UNCONTROLLED LOCKING AND UNLOCKING OF THE VEHICLE DOORS. COMPANY IS AWARE OF THE DEFECT AND A TECHNICAL MEMORANDUM EXISTS REGARDING THIS PROBLEM BUT THE COMPANY REFUSES TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR REPAIR OF THE DEFECT.

NHTSA complaint #10093229 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

1999 Mercury Villager at 57,000 miles Medina, OH

LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES

INTERIOR DASH LIGHTS WENT OUT.INTERIOR REAR PASSENGER LIGHTS WENT OUT.BALL JOINTS NEED TO BE REPLACED.KNOCK SENSOR NEEDS TO BE REPLACED.POWER WINDOWS AND LOCKS DON'T WORK.DEALER TOLD ME THE KNOCK SENSORS COST $1500.00 TO FIX AND REAR INTERIOR LIGHTS $250 AND BALL JOINTS $225.INTERIOR DASH LIGHTS JUST WENT OUT.

NHTSA complaint #10083085 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

1996 Mercury Villager 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.

1996 Mercury Villager 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.

1997 Mercury Villager Methuen, MA

LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH

WHILE OPENING AND LOCKING DOORS THE REMOTE CONTROL WAS INOPERABLE. CONSUMER HAD TO OPEN THE DOORS AND LOCK THE DOORS MANUALLY. CONSUMER DROVE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION, AND MECHANIC INFORMED THE DRIVER THERE WAS NOT A RECALL FOR THIS VEHICLE. CONSUMER TOLD THE MECHANIC THAT THE LOCKS HAD BEEN REPLACED NUMEROUS TIMES, BUT PROBLEM STILL EXISTS.

NHTSA complaint #10067032 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

1997 Mercury Villager at 20,000 miles Sonoma, CA

LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH

CONSUMER COMPLAINED ABOUT AUTOMATIC DOOR LOCK PROBLEM. THE DOORS LOCKED WITHOUT NOTICE. CURRENTLY, HATCHBACK WILL NOT OPEN. ALSO, DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BELT DID NOT RETRACT.

NHTSA complaint #10059825 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

1996 Mercury Villager 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.

1997 Mercury Villager at 45,000 miles Manteca, CA

LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH

DOOR LOCKS ENGAGE INTERMITTENTLY BY THEMSELVES. THIS OCCURS BOTH WHEN THE VEHICLE IS RUNNING AND OFF, AND WHEN THE VEHICLE IS MOVING OR PARKED.

NHTSA complaint #10045210 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

1995 Mercury Villager at 87,000 miles Massapequa Park, NY 1 injured

LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH

MY SLIDING DOOR LATCH ON MY 1995 MERCURY VILLAGER POPS OPEN WHEN I AM DRIVING!!! I AM AFRAID MY CHILD WILL FALL OUT AND I WILL SUE MERCURY FOR A GREAT DEAL OF MONEY.

NHTSA complaint #10045128 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

1998 Mercury Villager at 65,889 miles Bakersfield, CA

LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES

THE CHILD SAFETY LOCK ON THE SLIDING SIDE DOOR OF VEHICLE WAS INOPERABLE . THE CONSUMER FELT THAT THE CHILDREN COULD OPEN THE DOOR WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION. THE DEALER HAS BEEN INFORMED OF THE PROBLEM. *NLM

NHTSA complaint #10040197 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

1996 Mercury Villager at 125,000 miles Saracuse, 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.

1994 Mercury Villager at 92,000 miles Mandeville, LA

LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH

AUTOMATIC DOOR LOCKS DO NOT WORK AT VARIOUS TIMES. ALL THE DOORS WILL NOT LOCK. *AK THE AUTOMOTIVE MECHANIC CLEANED THE CONTACTS, HOWEVER HE COULD NOT LOCATE A PROBLEM. *JB *NLM

NHTSA complaint #10024158 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

1998 Mercury Villager at 24,000 miles Tamarac, FL

LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH

THE POWER DOOR LOCKS LOCK WHEN EVER THEY SEEM TO WANT TO, WHEN I UNLOCK THEM THEY WILL LOCK AGAIN AS IM TRYING TO OPEN THE DOOR.

NHTSA complaint #10007954 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

1998 Mercury Villager Glastonbury, CT

LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE:LOCK

VEHICLE LOCKS AUTOMATICALLTY WHILE BEING DRIVEN, SITTING STILL IN PARKING LOT, GARAGE, ETC. THIS HAS HAPPENED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. THE DATE INDICATED BELOW IS JUST THE LAST TIME.

NHTSA complaint #10007576 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

1997 Mercury Villager Clinton, TN

LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH

WHILE TRYING TO EXIT VEHICLE DOOR LOCKS WILL NOT UNLOCK. CONSUMER STATES DOORS WILL BECOME INOPERABLE.

NHTSA complaint #8013754 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Other Mercury Villager problems