Total Complaints
477 filings
MERCURY VILLAGER · model year
477 NHTSA complaints, 30 crash reports for this specific cohort.
NHTSA overall rating
Not crash-tested
New Car Assessment Program
The 1995MERCURYVILLAGER carries 477 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 30 crashes, 8 fires, 29 injuries, and 5 fatalities. No NCAP 5-star crash-test rating is available for this model year in the federal database.
Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 1995 VILLAGER is engine and engine cooling:engine with 31 filings, followed by fuel system, gasoline:storage:tank assembly (25) and service brakes, hydraulic:antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip (23). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability.
NHTSA currently has 3 investigation files overlapping the 1995 VILLAGER. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page — a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.
Total Complaints
477 filings
Crashes Reported
30 reports
Source
NHTSA ODI
Federal complaints database
Above median complaint volume — review patterns below.
| Component | Count |
|---|---|
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE | 31 |
| FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY | 25 |
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP | 23 |
| FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE | 21 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE | 20 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL | 14 |
| SEAT BELTS | 13 |
| POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION | 13 |
| FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY | 13 |
| AIR BAGS:FRONTAL | 12 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE | 12 |
| STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR | 11 |
| SEAT BELTS:FRONT:RETRACTOR | 10 |
| UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 9 |
| EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TAIL LIGHTS | 9 |
THERE IS A VERY BAD FUEL SMELL INSIDE THE VAN!
Mileage: 198,000
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1995 MERCURY VILLAGER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE EMITTED STRONG FUEL FUMES FROM OUTSIDE AND INSIDE THE VEHICLE. THE SMELL WAS AFFECTING THE CONTACT WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 00V419002 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS INVALID. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000.
Mileage: 150,000
I HAVE A 1995 MERCURY VILLAGER. ON 6/6/08 I HEARD A NOISE AND SAW AND PUFF OF SMOKE. I WENT TO CHECK IT AND SAW NOTHING. I DROVE IT HOME AND THE NEXT MORNING THE PASSENGER SEAT AND THE PASSENGER DOOR WERE BURNED UP. THE ENTIRE INSIDE WAS COVERED IN SMOKE. THE CAR WOULD NOT START, AND THE MECHANIC SAID THAT IT WAS WOULD BE TOO EXPENSIVE TO REPAIR CONSIDERING IT'S AGE AND CONDITION. *TR
Mileage: 180,000
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1995 MERCURY VILLAGER. WHILE IDLING, THE CONTACT SMELLED FUEL IN THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT COMING FROM THE FRONT VENTS. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT YET BEEN DIAGNOSED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 163,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 155,000. UPDATED 02-14-08. *KB THE CONSUMER STATED A RECALL HAD BEEN ISSUED IN 2001, FOR THE SAME PROBLEM SHE EXPERIENCED, HOWEVER HER VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER WAS NOT INCLUDED. UPDATED .
Mileage: 155,000
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1995 MERCURY VILLAGER. IN FEBRUARY OF 2001, THE FUEL SYSTEM WAS REPLACED BECAUSE IT WAS LEAKING GASOLINE. ON AUGUST 8, 2007, SHE NOTICED FUEL LEAKING FROM HER VEHICLE WHILE PARKED IN THE DRIVEWAY. THE LEAKING CONTINUED UNTIL THE FUEL LEVEL WAS LOWER THAN THE FILLER TUBE. THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY AT THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE FUEL SYSTEM NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AGAIN. SAFETY RECALL NUMBER 00V419002 (FUEL SYSTEM: GASOLINE: STORAGE: TANK ASSEMBLY) DOES NOT APPLY TO THE VEHICLE. THE POWERTRAIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 87,829 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 43,441.
Mileage: 43,441
MY MERCURY VILLAGER WHILE LOCK IN MY GARAGE AND DOOR LOCK WE SMELL SMOKE OUTSIDE OF GARAGE WE HAD NOT USED THE GARAGE EXCEPT WEEK AGO WE FOUND THE WINDOW CRACK FRONT ALSO VENTS FRONT WERE ALL MELTED MOST DAMAGE IS LOCATED BEHIND THE HEATER AND RADIO ALSO NEAR THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL THAT PART OF THE DASH WAS ALSO BURNT ALL THE WINDOWS WERE ALSO FULLY CLOSED! WE CALLED THE POLICE THEY HAD NO SIGNS OF FORCE ENTRY THEY ALSO DETERMINED THE FIRE STARTED INSIDE DASH BETWEEN THE HEATER CONTROL AND THE RADIO. THE VEHICLE HAS NEVER BEEN SERVICE OR HAD ANY ITEM REPAIR OR REPLACED AS LONG AS WE OWN THE VEHICLE. *TR
Mileage: 13,000
TL*- THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE PARKING THE 1995 MERCURY VILLAGER HE ATTEMPTED TO SHUT THE VEHICLE OFF BUT COULD NOT. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO TAKE THE KEYS OUT THE IGNITION, BUT THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO RUN WITHOUT THE KEY BEING IN THE IGNITION. IN ORDER TURN OFF THE POWER OF THE VEHICLE THE CONTACT HAD TO DISCONNECT THE DISTRIBUTOR WIRE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WERE BOTH 129434.*AK
Mileage: 129,434
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE ENGINE STALLED AND WOULD NOT RESTART AFTER REVERSING OUT OF A DRIVEWAY. THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED AND THE VEHICLE WAS PUT IN DRIVE PRIOR TO THE STALLING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP WHO DETERMINED THE END OF THE CRANKSHAFT SNAPPED OFF AND THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. UPDATED 9/20/2006 - *NM
Mileage: 92,000
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE SMELL OF GASOLINE IS OFTEN PRESENT INSIDE THE VEHICLE. THERE IS A NHTSA RECALL, # 00V419002, REGARDING THE FUEL TANK ASSEMBLY. THE VEHICLE HAS THE SAME PROBLEMS AS INDICATED IN THE RECALL; HOWEVER IT IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO THE VIN. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN FOR INSPECTION OR REPAIR.
Mileage: 100,000
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THERE WAS AN ODOR OF GAS IN THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP, WHERE IT WAS DETERMINED THERE WERE CRACKS IN THE VENT HOSE. THERE IS A NHTSA RECALL, # 00V419002, REGARDING THE TANK ASSEMBLY. THE VEHICLE HAS THE SAME PROBLEMS AS INDICATED IN THE RECALL; HOWEVER, IT IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO THE VIN.
Mileage: 139,580
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED DURING A STATE INSPECTION THE BRAKE AND RUNNING LIGHTS CONTINUALLY FAILED TO ILLUMINATE. ALTHOUGH, THE BULBS WERE REPLACED SIX TIMES THE LIGHTS CONTINUED FAILING. THE FUSES WERE INSPECTED, BUT WERE NOT THE REASON FOR THE FAILURES. THERE IS A NHTSA RECALL, # 96V253003, REGARDING THE TAIL LIGHTS. THE VEHICLE HAD THE SAME PROBLEMS AS INDICATED IN THE RECALL; HOWEVER IT IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO THE VIN. UPDATE 3/9/2006 - *NM
Mileage: 144,110
EXHAUST MANIFOLD STUDS BROKEN. I FOUND IT WHEN I WANTED TO REPLACE THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD GASKET. IN CANADA, THEY HAVE WORKED AOUT A FIX FOR THE STUDS BROKING WITH FORD WHY CAN'T WE THIS FIXED FOR FREE. *NM
Mileage: 141,000
STRONG SMELL OF GASOLINE IN PASSENGER COMPARTMENT. PROBLEM COMES AND GOES. MECHANICS DO NOT KNOW WHY. I CALLED THE DEALER BUT THEY (3037611560) STATED THAT MY VEHICLE'S VIN NUMBER WASN'T AMONG THOSE RECALLED FOR THE SAME PROBLEM. *JB
WHILE PULLING IN TO OUR GARAGE, MY FOOT WAS NOT ON THE GAS PEDAL, AND THE VAN ACCELERATED. I PUSHED THE BRAKE BUT THE VAN DID NOT STOP. THE VAN CRASHED IN TO THE BACK OF OUR GARAGE, MOVING THE HOUSE OFF OF THE CEMENT BLOCK. VAN IS CURRENTLY AT THE DEALERSHIP AND I WAS TOLD THAT "IT WILL GO TO SERVICE ON MONDAY FOR DIAGNOSTICS". I AM SCARED TO DRIVE THIS VEHICLE AGAIN. I HAVE TWO SMALL CHILDREN AND IF THIS HAD HAPPENED ANYWHERE ELSE, THE ACCIDENT COULD HAVE BEEN MORE SEVERE/FATAL. I AM COMPLETING THIS REPORT IN HOPES THAT SOMEONE CAN LOOK IN TO THIS PROBLEM (I'VE READ OTHER CASES WITH THIS SAME PROBLEM) BECAUSE I AM SCARED TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE ANY LONGER. I'M HOPING THAT SOMEONE CAN HELP BEFORE SOMETHING WORSE HAPPENS. *NM
Mileage: 60,000
IN VERY HIGH TEMPERATURES, MY VAN STALLS AND EVENTUALLY SPLATTERS AND QUITS. THIS HAS HAPPENED ON THREE OCASSIONS WITH MY WIFE AND ONCE WITH ME AND BECAUSE IT STALLS, THE STEERING GETS REALLY HARD AND ALMOST CAUSED ME TO RUN INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE AT A STOP LIGHT.
Mileage: 113,989
DT: THE CONTACT STATED ON 9-8-05 HAD THE CRUISE CONTROL ON AT APPROXIMATELY 62 MPH AND SUDDENLY THE CAR STARTED COASTING. IT SLOWED DOWN. HE PULLED OVER AND STOPPED THE CAR. HE OPENED THE HOOD, AND THERE WAS A BIG FIRE ON THE DISTRIBUTOR AND IGNITION AREAS. ALL OF THE SIX WIRES MELTED. THE CONTACT HAD IT TOWED TO A WORKSHOP, AND THEY SAID HE SHOULD CALL THE FORD CUSTOMER SERVICE. THE CONTACT CALLED FORD, AND FORD SAID SOMEONE WOULD GET IN TOUCH WITH HIM. THE MECHANIC AT THE WORKSHOP TOLD FORD THAT IT SEEMED TO BE AN ELECTRICAL FIRE DUE TO THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM WIRING MALFUNCTIONING. *AK THE CONSUMER CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER. THEY OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE BECAUSE THERE WERE NO RECALLS UNDER THE VEHICLE'S VIN/. *NM
Mileage: 153,000
DT: CALLER SAID THERE IS A RECALL ON HER YEAR, MAKE, AND MODEL BUT NOT ON HER VEHICLE. THE RECALL #00V419002, FUEL TANK VENT HOSE LEAKAGE. DEALER HAS NOT BEEN CONTACTED YET. MANUFACTURER SAID HER VEHICLE IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. CALLER HAS BEEN HAVING THIS PROBLEM FOR ABOUT A YEAR. SHE SAID IT IS GETTING WORSE. CALLER WAS NEVER CONTACTED ABOUT RECALL.*AK *JB
Mileage: 96,000
VEHICLE GEAR SHIFT APPEARS TO GO INTO PARK, HOWEVER THE TRANSMISSION IS NOT REALLY IN PARK, THUS CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO ROLL, POSSIBLY WHEN NO ONE IS INSIDE THE VEHICLE. IN ADDITION, THIS CONDITION CAN CAUSE THE DRIVER TO BE STRANDED BECAUSE THE CAR WILL NOT RESTART DUE TO IT NOT BEING ENGAGED IN THE PARK POSITION.*AK
Mileage: 75,246
VEHICLE GEAR SHIFT APPEARS TO GO INTO PARK, HOWEVER THE TRANSMISSION IS NOT REALLY IN PARK, THUS CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO ROLL, POSSIBLY WHEN NO ONE IS INSIDE THE VEHICLE. IN ADDITION, THIS CONDITION CAN CAUSE THE DRIVER TO BE STRANDED BECAUSE THE CAR WILL NOT RESTART DUE TO IT NOT BEING ENGAGED IN THE PARK POSITION.*AK
Mileage: 75,246
DRIVER'S AUTOMATIC SEAT BELT FAILED TO FUNCTION AS IT WAS DESIGNED. SEAT BELT HAD TO BE MANUALLY PLACED IN THE RELEASE AND RETRACT POSITION. THE SEAT BELT MOTOR MADE A GRINDING NOISE WHEN THIS OCCURRED. *AK
Mileage: 168,000
Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.
Read our methodology — how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.