FaultScore

Mercury Villager steering problems

48 of the 2,205 complaints filed about the Mercury Villager are about the steering — 2% of everything owners reported. The worst model year for it is 1996.

48

Complaints

2%

Share of all complaints

5

Crashes

0

Fires

Steering complaints by model year

1993 Villager 8 16.7%

Median failure at 137,700 miles

1994 Villager 5 10.4%

Median failure at 200,000 miles

1995 Villager 5 10.4%
1996 Villager 11 22.9%
1997 Villager 2 4.2%

Median failure at 61,000 miles

1998 Villager 2 4.2%

Median failure at 82,000 miles

1999 Villager 11 22.9%

Median failure at 39,000 miles

2000 Villager 1 2.1%
2002 Villager 3 6.3%

What owners said

1994 Mercury Villager at 200,000 miles REX, GA

STEERING

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1994 MERCURY VILLAGER. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE STEERING WHEEL WAS NOT ALIGNED PROPERLY WHICH MADE IT DIFFICULT TO DRIVE IN A STRAIGHT LINE. THE CONTACT INDICATED THAT THE FAILURE PROGRESSED WITH NO WARNING. THE FAILURE RECURRED AND THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A MECHANIC FOR FURTHER INSPECTION AND DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 200,000. UPDATED 4/7/15*CN UPDATED 9/15/2017

NHTSA complaint #10672390 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

1999 Mercury Villager at 30,000 miles Orange, VA

STEERING

FOR MORE TIMES THAN I CAN REMEMBER, I AGAIN TODAY HAD THE AGONIZING EXPERIENCE OF MY VEHICLE STEERING LOCKING UP WHILE TRYING TO STEER IT. I HAVE A 1999 MERCURY VILLAGER THAT WAS PURCHASED NEW IN 1999. ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS SINCE THEN I HAVE HAD MY VEHICLE IN AT FORD DEALERSHIPS WITH THE COMPLAINT OF THE STEERING LOCKING UP. THIS CAN OCCUR AT ANY GIVEN MOMENT WHEN MAKING A TURN. IT SEEMS TO HAPPEN ESPECIALLY WHEN THE WEATHER IS DAMP. I HAVE HAD SEVERAL CLOSE CALLS. EVERY TIME I HAVE TAKEN THE VEHICLE IN THEY NEVER FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH THE STEERING. AFTER ANOTHER NEAR MISHAP TODAY I AM VERY RELUCTANT TO DRIVE THIS VEHICLE BECAUSE OF THE POTENTIAL DANGER. I AM EXTREMELY FRUSTRATED THAT THIS HAS BEEN OCCURRING EVERY SINCE I HAVE HAD THE VEHICLE AND NO ONE SEEMS TO LISTEN. AS STUPID AS THIS MAY SOUND, I HAVE TOLD SEVERAL FAMILY MEMBERS, CLOSE FRIENDS AND CO-WORKERS ABOUT MY ORDEAL. I HAVE INSTRUCTED THEM TO PURSUE LEGAL ACTION IN THE EVENT THAT I AM EITHER KILLED OR SERIOUSLY INJURED IN A ACCIDENT INVOLVING THIS VEHICLE.

NHTSA complaint #10143385 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

1998 Mercury Villager at 82,000 miles Toledo, OH Crash

STEERING

CONSUMER'S 4 YEAR OLD CHILD WAS ABLE TO SHIFT THE LEVER OUT OF THE PARK GEAR WHILE VEHICLE WAS PARKED ON AN INCLINE. VEHICLE ROLLED ACROSS SEVERAL STREETS BEFORE CRASHING INTO A NEIGHBOR'S TRUCK PARKED IN DRIVEWAY. DEALERSHIP INDICATED THAT THE STEERING PIN BROKE.

NHTSA complaint #10093994 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2002 Mercury Villager 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.

1999 Mercury Villager at 48,000 miles ANN Arbor, MI

STEERING:RACK AND PINION

WHILE DRIVING 55-65 MPH, THE CONSUMER NOTICED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL AND THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE VIBRATED. *AK THERE WAS A LOOSENESS AT HIGH SPEEDS ACCOMPANIED BY EXTENSIVE VIBRATION. THE WHEEL IMBALANCE WAS EXCLUDED AFTER SEVERAL RE-BALANCING JOBS. THE SYMPTOMS MATCHED THE STEERING GEAR RECALL# 00V292001. THE DEALER CLAIMED THAT THERE WERE NO OPEN RECALLS AND REFUSED TO INSPECT THE VEHICLE. *SC

NHTSA complaint #10079363 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

1994 Mercury Villager Warsaw, IN

STEERING

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.

1997 Mercury Villager at 61,000 miles Willingboro, NJ

STEERING

I WENT TO THE MERCURY DEALERSHIP TODAY FOR A FRONT WHEEL ALIGNMENT TODAY ON MY 1997 VILLAGER. I WAS INFORMED THAT THIS VEHICLE REQUIRES A FOUR WHEEL ALIGNMENT, DUE TO THE FRONT WHEEL DRIVE. I WAS INFORMED ALSO THAT IN ORDER FOR THE DEALER TO GET THE ALIGNMENT IN SPECS, REAR SHIMS WOULD NEED TO BE INSTALLED IN THE REAR TWO WHEELS OF THE VEHICLE. I WAS ALSO INFORMED THAT THESE SHIMS ARE NOT INSTALLED WHEN THE VEHICLE IS BUILT, BUT ARE REQUIRED IN ALMOST ALL CASES ONCE THE VEHICLE IS OUT ON THE ROAD AND HAS BEEN SUBJECTED TO NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR. THE PRICE TAG? A HEFTY $347 PLUS TAX! I HAD TO DECLINE THE REPAIR, I THINK IT IS PATHETIC FOR FORD TO CUT COSTS IN THIS MANNER, ALWAYS PASSING UP QUALITY IN THE INTEREST OF SAVING A BUCK! THE MORAL OF THIS STORY IS I PAID 80.00 DOLLARS TODAY FOR A FRONT END ALIGNMENT AND NOTHING HAS CHANGED! I THINK FORD/MERCURY SHOULD BE CALLED ON THE CARPET AND REQUIRED TO INSTALL THIS PART ON ALL VILLAGERS. THIS IN MY OPINION SHOULD HAVE BEEN DONE IN THE FIRST PLACE!

NHTSA complaint #10070635 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2002 Mercury Villager 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.

2002 Mercury Villager 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.

1993 Mercury Villager at 137,700 miles Woaukesha, WI 2 injured

STEERING

PLEASE ADD DETAILS. TS THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN THE PARK POSITION ON A SLIGHT SLOPE. THE CONSUMER WAS INSTALLING A CAR SEAT WHEN HE VEHICLE STARTED ROLLING BACKWARDS. THE CONSUMER WAS THROWN OUT OF THE VEHICLE THEN RUN OVER BY THE BACK TIRE. THE CONSUMERS RIGHT LEG WAS INJURED. CHILD STILL IN THE VAN AS IT CONTINUED TO ROLL. THE CONSUMER NOTICED PLAY IN THE IGNITION AND LOCK ON THE COLUMN. THE CONSUMER STATED THAT THE IGNITION SWITCH EITHER MAY OR MAY NOT CLICK DEPENDING ON HOW FAR THE KEY WAS TURNED. THE CONSUMERS BONE POPPED OUT CAUSING A LOT OF BLEEDING AND CHILDREN ARE STILL SCARRED BY THE ACCIDENT.

NHTSA complaint #8021198 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

1993 Mercury Villager Louisville, KY

STEERING

INTERMITTENTLY STEERING IN ANY DIRECTION CAUSES VEHICLE TO STALL. NO INDICATION LIGHTS ILLUMINATE ON DASHBOARD. VEHICLE WILL RESTART AFTER STALLING. THERE IS NO WAY TO DETECT WHEN VEHICLE WILL STALL. DEALER HAS TRIED DIFFERENT REPAIRS, AND PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. *AK

NHTSA complaint #8011853 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

1999 Mercury Villager Bethpage, NY

STEERING: STEERING WHEEL/HANDLE BAR

THE STEERING WHEEL FAILED. NLM

NHTSA complaint #785475 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

1999 Mercury Villager Newburgh, NY

STEERING:RACK AND PINION

CONSUMER EXPLAINS THAT PRIOR TO RECALL NOTICE, WHILE DRIVING HE LOST CONTROL OF VEHICLE, VEHICLE WOULD NOT RESPOND TO HIS STEERING CAUSING CONSUMER TO DRIVE OFF THE ROAD AND CRASH, IN NOVEMBER CONSUMER RECEIVES SAID RECALL LETTER EXPLAINING OF FAULTY STEERING GEAR, REIMBURSMENT IS REQUESTED.

NHTSA complaint #561159 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

1993 Mercury Villager Columbus, OH

STEERING: STEERING WHEEL/HANDLE BAR

NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE.

NHTSA complaint #759198 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

1999 Mercury Villager E. Palestine, OH

STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM

WHILE TRAVELING DURING RAIN OR OVER PUDDLES, POWER STEERING WOULD FAIL. THIS CONDITION IS INTERMITTENT, DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. *AK UPON PURCHASE OF VEHICLE CONSUMER NOTICED NOISE COMING FROM FRONT END WHILE TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL, AFTER SEVERAL INSPECTIONS, CONSUMER WAS TOLD THAT THE NOISE WAS NORMAL, DEALER COULD NOT DUPLICATE, CONSUMER STATES THAT NOISE IS INTERMITTENT, MANUFACTURER NOTIFIED.

NHTSA complaint #8004104 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

1999 Mercury Villager Newburgh, NY

STEERING:RACK AND PINION

CONSUMER EXPLAINS THAT PRIOR TO RECALL NOTICE, WHILE DRIVING HE LOST CONTROL OF VEHICLE, VEHICLE WOULD NOT RESPOND TO HIS STEERING CAUSING CONSUMER TO DRIVE OFF THE ROAD AND CRASH, IN NOVEMBER CONSUMER RECEIVES SAID RECALL LETTER EXPLAINING OF FAULTY STEERING GEAR, REIMBURSMENT IS REQUESTED.

NHTSA complaint #561159 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

1995 Mercury Villager Tulsa, OK

STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST:HOSE, PIPING, AND CONNECTIONS

FUEL VAPORS WERE IN PASSENGER'S COMPARTMENT. DEALERSHIP EXAMINED VEHICLE, AND MADE NECESSARY REPAIRS. VEHICLE WAS AFFECTED BY RECALL 00V419002. BUT, CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THAT REPAIR WORK WAS UNRELATED TO THIS CAMPAIGN. *AK CONUMER STATES FULE LINES WERE LEAKING AT FUEL RAIL, THRER WAS ALSO LEAK UNDER VEHICLE WHICH WAS DETERMINED TO BE POWER STEERING LEAK FROM A HOSE.

NHTSA complaint #892994 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

1999 Mercury Villager Acron, OH

STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM

STEERING PROBLEMS WHEN TRAVELING AT 50 MPH OR ABOVE, IT BECOMES HARD TO STEER.

NHTSA complaint #887810 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

1993 Mercury Villager LOS Angeles, CA

STEERING:RACK AND PINION

A METAL BRACKET THAT IS WELDED TO THE CHASIS, WHICH HOLDS THE RACK AND PINION TOGETHER BROKE. THIS ALMOST CAUSED A CRASH BECAUSE DRIVER COULD NOT STEER VAN TO THE LEFT. ALSO, THERE IS FOGGING OF THE WINDSHIELD AT ANY TIME OF THE DAY.

NHTSA complaint #9001976 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

1996 Mercury Villager Chesapeake, VA

STEERING:COLUMN

THE TILT WHEEL ASSEMBLY MOVES SIDEWAYS AS YOU ARE MAKING TURNS TO THE LEFT. ON COLD DAYS THE RACK AND PINION WORKS FINE ON THE LEFT SIDE BUT TAKES A WHILE TO WORK ON THE RIGHT SIDE. IT'S AS IF IT NEEDS TO WARM UP, FIRST.

NHTSA complaint #744269 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Other Mercury Villager problems