Investigations
FUEL RAIL HOSE FITTING LEAKAGE
NHTSA Engineering Analysis EA99015 — closed, opened 1999-06-29 and involving the MERCURY VILLAGER.
NHTSA investigation EA99015 is a Engineering Analysis opened on 1999-06-29 and currently closed. The subject of record is MERCURY VILLAGER, which places this file inside the Office of Defects Investigation queue for MERCURY. Latest activity on this investigation was logged on 2001-04-18 — NHTSA updates that field whenever an Information Request goes out, a supplement is filed, or a status change is recorded in the public docket.
An Engineering Analysis like EA99015 is the deeper technical phase that follows a PE. NHTSA requests design, warranty, and field-failure data from the manufacturer, conducts its own testing when needed, and determines whether the evidence supports a safety defect finding that would compel a recall.
Investigators summarized the matter as follows: "THE ENGINEERING ANALYSIS CLOSING REPORT COVERS 1993-1998 MERCURY VILLAGER AND NISSAN QUEST MINIVANS. THESE TWO MINIVANS SHARE A COMMON BODY PLATFORM AND POWER TRAIN. BASED ON THE LOW NUMBER OF REPORTED INCIDENTS AND THE..." Investigations are the early-warning layer of the federal auto-safety system, sitting upstream of formal recalls and defect orders. Whether this one closes without action or escalates into an Engineering Analysis, the full history stays in the ODI archive so researchers, litigators, and buyers can pull the paper trail at any time. Related MERCURY files, listed below, give context on whether this is an isolated concern or part of a broader pattern across the brand.
Investigation Summary
THE ENGINEERING ANALYSIS CLOSING REPORT COVERS 1993-1998 MERCURY VILLAGER AND NISSAN QUEST MINIVANS. THESE TWO MINIVANS SHARE A COMMON BODY PLATFORM AND POWER TRAIN. BASED ON THE LOW NUMBER OF REPORTED INCIDENTS AND THE ABSENCE OF A DEMONSTRABLE FAILURE TREND, A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT TREND HAS NOT BEEN IDENTIFIED AT THIS TIME AND FURTHER USE OF AGENCY RESOURCES IS NOT WARRANTED. THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT NO SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT EXISTS. THE AGENCY RESERVES THE RIGHT TO TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES. SEE ENGINEERING CLOSING REPORT EA99-015 FOR DETAILS.
About This Investigation Type
An Engineering Analysis (EA) is the in-depth phase following a Preliminary Evaluation. NHTSA engineers conduct testing, collect data from manufacturers, and perform detailed technical analysis to determine whether a safety defect exists. An EA may lead to a voluntary recall by the manufacturer or, in rare cases, a mandatory recall order.
Other MERCURY Investigations
Extended Braking Distance
Extended Braking Distance
Loss of headlights
Loss of headlamp/exterior lighting
Loss of Steering Control
Data from NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Cross-references: NHTSA recall campaign API and NHTSA FARS where fatality records overlap. PlainCars does not rate or recommend vehicles. Learn more.
Read our methodology — how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.