MERCURY VILLAGER · model year

2002 MERCURY VILLAGER

20 NHTSA complaints, 2 crash reports for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

Not crash-tested

New Car Assessment Program

The 2002MERCURYVILLAGER carries 20 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 2 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injury, and 0 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 2002 VILLAGER is tires with 2 filings, followed by suspension (2) and air bags (2). 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 2002 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.

20
Complaints
2
Crashes
0
Fires
1
Injuries
0
Deaths

Total Complaints

20 filings

Crashes Reported

2 reports

Source

NHTSA ODI

Federal complaints database

Complaints vs. fleet median (215)

At or below the fleet median complaint volume.

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
TIRES2
SUSPENSION2
AIR BAGS2
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM2
STEERING: STEERING WHEEL/HANDLE BAR1
STEERING1
STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS1
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC1
STEERING:COLUMN1
EQUIPMENT1
UNKNOWN OR OTHER1
SUSPENSION:FRONT1
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE1
STRUCTURE1
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE1

Recent Complaints

20150819ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

I TOOK MY CAR TO ALLAN VIGIL FORD IN FAYETTVILLE GA FOR SERVICE AND I NOT HAPPY WITH THE REPAIRS . FIRST , THE ALARM IS GOING OFF ALONG WITH THE HORN AT RANDOM .SECOND ,THE DASHBOARD LIGHTS DO NOT WORK . I HAVE TO USE A FLASHLIGHT AT NIGHR TO SEE WHAT SPEED I AM GOING .THIRD , I AM DRIVING WITH NO HORN . AND FINALLY ,THE IGNITION KEY DOES NOT LOCK OR UNLOCK THE DRIVER DOOR. .

Mileage: 148,000

20140917ENGINE

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MERCURY VILLAGER. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH MAKING A TURN, THE ENGINE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE RESTARTED IMMEDIATELY. THE FAILURE RECURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 78,000.

Mileage: 78,000

20081128ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

ENGINE FAILURE DUE TO SUDDEN LOSS OF OIL. *TR

Mileage: 98,000

20071128STRUCTURE

MOTOR MOUNT MUST BE REPLACED DO TO FAILURE. ANY ACCELERATION OR SHIFTING CAUSES THE ENGINE TO SHAKE. THIS SHAKING CAUSES A STRONG VIBRATION THROUGHOUT THE VAN. I WAS QUOTED $200 TO REPLACE THE MOUNT. *TR

20061211SERVICE 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. *NM

Mileage: 65,000

20061205ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

WE PURCHASED A USED (28K MILES) 2002 MERCURY VILLAGER IN 8'06. AS I LATER FOUND OUT THIS IS A SISTER TO THE NISSAN QUEST. WITHIN 2 MONTHS IT STARTED TO HAVE PERIODIC STARTING PROBLEMS - MEANING ALL POWER SEEMED OK, BUT WHEN THE KEY WAS TURNED, ONLY A CLICKING SOUND WAS HEARD. WE DISCOVERED SOMETIMES THIS COULD BE CORRECTED BY OPENING & CLOSING THE DOORS, OR CYCLING THE LOCKS. AFTER SEARCHING THE WEB I FOUND OTHERS WITH WHAT APPEARED TO BE A SIMILAR PROBLEM AND WHAT OTHERS CLAIMED THE FIX WAS. IT SEEMS AN ANTI-THEFT IGNITION INHIBIT RELAY IS THE CULPRIT. IT SEEMS TO ME FAILURE OF THIS RELAY SHOULD BE BE IN A FAIL-SAFE FASHION. NONETHELESS, IS THERE A FACTORY TSB FOR THIS ISSUE FROM MERCURY OR NISSAN? IS THERE A PART AVAILABLE TO CORRECT THIS PROBLEM? ALREADY MY WIFE AND KIDS HAVE BEEN STRANDED DUE TO THIS PROBLEM AND I IMAGINE SOMEONE SOMEWHERE MAY HAVE AN ACTUAL EMERGENCY. *NM

Mileage: 28,500

20061101SUSPENSION:FRONT

FRONT SUSPENSION BALL JOINTS ARE PRONE TO EXCESSIVE WEAR AND FAILURE. JOINTS REPLACED AT 28,000 MILES ARE NOW FAILING AGAIN AT 68,000 MILES. THERE IS NO SERVICE REQUIRED ON THESE JOINTS. WEAR CAUSES EXCESSIVE TIRE LIFE LOSS, VIBRATION IN THE STEERING AND POTENTIAL LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL. *NM

Mileage: 68,000

20060918UNKNOWN OR OTHER

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION OFFICE OF DEFECTS INVESTIGATION (NVS-211) 400 7TH STREET, SW WASHINGTON, DC 20590 SEPTEMBER 1, 2006 I OWN A 2002 MERCURY VILLAGER ESTATE MINI VAN WITH 54,840 MILES AND THE PAINT IS PEELING AND IN SOME PLACES SHOWING CORROSION. I HAVE BEEN TOLD BY THE COURTESY FORD LINCOLN MERCURY DEALERSHIP THAT THERE IS NOTHING THEY CAN DO AND THE FORD CUSTOMER SERVICE AGENTS TELL ME THE SAME THING AND ONLY A DISTRICT REPRESENTATIVE CAN MAKE THE DETERMINATION. UNFORTUNATELY, NEITHER THE DEALERSHIP OR FORD CUSTOMER SEEN TO KNOW HOW TO LOCATE HIM. I CAN FURNISH PHOTOS OF THE VEHICLE HOOD WITH PAINT PEELING OFF AND THE BACK WHERE THERE IS RUST NEAR THE REAR WINDSHIELD WIPER. FORD AND THE DEALERSHIP ARE NOT RESPONDING TO MY ATTEMPTS TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM. THEY TELL ME THAT ONLY THE FIELD REPRESENTATIVE CAN MAKE THE DECISION, BUT

Mileage: 54,840

20060627CrashAIR BAGS

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH ON A NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS THE VEHICLE CRASH INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE EXITING A PARKING LOT. A POLICE REPORT WAS PROCESSED AT THE SCENE OF THE ACCIDENT. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS ALSO PRESENT BUT NO EVACUATION WAS REQUIRED FOR THE MINOR INJRIES INCURRED. THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY HOWEVER THE SEATBELTS DID RESTRAIN THE OCCUPANTS. THE VEHICLE WAS DETERMINED TO BE A TOTAL LOSS.

Mileage: 70,000

20060406EQUIPMENT

WHILE DRIVING FOR AN EXTENDED PERIOD OF TIME USING CRUISE CONTROL, THE SPEEDOMETER SUDDENLY FAILED AT AN APPROXIMATE ODOMETER READING OF 61,000 MILES. THE SPEEDOMETER HAD ALSO FAILED ON MY PREVIOUSLY OWNED '93 VILLAGER FOR SHORT PERIODS BUT THE CURRENT FAILURE ON MY '02 VILLAGER CONTINUED THROUGHOUT THE FOLLOWING 7 HOURS OF MY TRIP HOME. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE "SERVICE ENGINE SOON" INDICATOR LIT UP AND THE ENGINE NOW BRIEFLY LOSES POWER UPON STARTUP AND INITIAL ACCELERATION. I WILL CALL DEALERSHIP IN THE MORNING TO SEE IF THIS PROBLEM IS COVERED. I AM VERY UPSET THAT MY RELATIVELY YOUNG VAN HAS NOW LOST VALUE DUE TO UNCERTIFIED MILEAGE ON THE TITLE WHEN I WANT TO SELL IT. BECAUSE IT HAPPENED IN THE MIDST OF MY TRIP, I WAS DELAYED WHILE CHECKING THE SOURCE OF THE INDICATOR LIGHT AND HAD TO DRIVE HOME WITHOUT KNOWING MY TRUE SPEED. *JB

Mileage: 61,000

20050504CrashAIR BAGS

CONTACTS WIFE HIT A CAR AT ABOUT 45 MPH, THERE WERE NO AIRBAGS DEPLOYED, AND VERY LITTLE BRAKING BEFORE IMPACT. VEHICLE WAS HIT IN THE FRONT AND THE OCCUPANT WAS WEARING A SEAT BELT. THERE WERE PICTURES TAKEN, POLICE REPORT MADE, AND THERE WILL BE REPAIR INVOICES. *AK *SB *NM

Mileage: 37,000

20040811STEERING:COLUMN

WHILE DRIVING 55 TO 60 MPH STEERING WHEEL FEELS LOOSE, AND MAKES A LOUD NOISE. DEALERSHIP INSPECTED VEHICLE SEVERAL TIMES, BU TPROBLEM RECURRED. *AK

20031125SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

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

20031020TIRES

PROBLEMS WITH VIBRATION IN REAR AND RIGHT FRONT OF VEHICLE. *MR THERE WAS A VIBRATION IN THE REAR AND THE RIGHT FRONT. THE TIRES WERE REPLACED THREE TIMES. THE VIBRATION REMAINED WHICH ALSO CAUSED THE SEATS TO VIBRATE. *SCC *JB

20031020SUSPENSION

PROBLEMS WITH VIBRATION IN REAR AND RIGHT FRONT OF VEHICLE. *MR THERE WAS A VIBRATION IN THE REAR AND THE RIGHT FRONT. THE TIRES WERE REPLACED THREE TIMES. THE VIBRATION REMAINED WHICH ALSO CAUSED THE SEATS TO VIBRATE. *SCC *JB

20030410SUSPENSION

THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED A SEVER VIBRATION. *JB

20021227STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS

CONSUMER STATES WHEN REACH A SPEED OF 60MPH THE VEHICLE SHAKES VIOLENTLY. DEALER NOTIFIED REPAIRED PROBLEM REOCCURED. TS *DT

20021219STEERING

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.

20021219TIRES

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.

20021129STEERING: 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

Compare 2002MERCURYVILLAGER to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations

Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 2002 MERCURY VILLAGER have?
The 2002 MERCURY VILLAGER has 20 NHTSA complaints, 2 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
What are the most common problems with the 2002 MERCURY VILLAGER?
The most-complained component for the 2002 MERCURY VILLAGER is TIRES with 2 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include SUSPENSION and AIR BAGS.
Is the 2002 MERCURY VILLAGER safe to buy?
Review the complaint history, crash and fire reports, safety ratings, and recall status on this page to make an informed decision. No NHTSA crash test rating is available for this model year. Compare with other model years using the links above.
Where does this data come from?
All complaint, recall, and safety rating data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaints are filed by vehicle owners through NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation.

Vehicle Safety Guides

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.