1997 Mercury VILLAGER: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
96 owner complaints analyzed
3 distinct recall campaigns
106,108 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1997 model year. Data snapshot: . 19 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Latches/Locks/Linkages:Doors:Latch is the most frequently named component, appearing in 14 of 96 complaints (14.6%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel system concerns | 11 | 11.5% |
| Braking behavior | 7 | 7.3% |
| Transmission and shifting | 4 | 4.2% |
| Engine operation | 1 | 1.0% |
| Steering behavior | 1 | 1.0% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Latches/Locks/Linkages:Doors:Latch | 14 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Tank Assembly | 12 |
| Structure:Body:Door | 10 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 5 |
| Vehicle Speed Control:Accelerator Pedal | 5 |
| Air Bags | 4 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline | 4 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Emission Control | 4 |
Latches/Locks/Linkages:Doors:Latch: 14; Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Tank Assembly: 12; Structure:Body:Door: 10; Fuel System, Gasoline: 5; Vehicle Speed Control:Accelerator Pedal: 5; Air Bags: 4; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline: 4; Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Emission Control: 4
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 1 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 3 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 3 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 1 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 8 |
| 150,000 and above | 3 |
Under 25,000: 1; 25,000 to 49,999: 3; 50,000 to 74,999: 3; 75,000 to 99,999: 1; 100,000 to 149,999: 8; 150,000 and above: 3
100,000 to 149,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (8). 77 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2000 | 14 |
| 2001 | 43 |
| 2002 | 12 |
| 2003 | 8 |
| 2004 | 8 |
| 2005 | 2 |
| 2006 | 1 |
| 2007 | 2 |
| 2008 | 1 |
| 2010 | 1 |
| 2011 | 2 |
| 2013 | 1 |
| 2015 | 1 |
2000: 14; 2001: 43; 2002: 12; 2003: 8; 2004: 8; 2005: 2; 2006: 1; 2007: 2; 2008: 1; 2010: 1; 2011: 2; 2013: 1; 2015: 1
Pattern summary
Latches/Locks/Linkages:Doors:Latch leads the component reports. Fuel system concerns appears in 11 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 7 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 4 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10023958 · 2003-06-28 (June 28, 2003)
I AM REPLACING MY IGNITION SWITCH FOR THE SECOND TIME IN THE LAST 3 MONTHS. *NLM
Owner-reported narrative. 114,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10023958 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10026111 · 2003-07-15 (July 15, 2003)
ACCELERATOR PEDAL STICKS WHEN ACCELERATING FROM A STOP, THEN, WHEN IT IS FREED, THE VAN ACCELERATES RAPIDLY CAUSING THE VAN TO LURCH FORWARD. THIS IS DANGEROUS FOR TWO REASONS. ONE, WHEN MANEUVERING IN TIGHT PARKING LIKE SITUATIONS, THE VAN WILL LURCH FORWARD UNEXPECTEDLY, AND TWO, WHEN PULLING OUT INTO TRAFFIC THERE IS A HESITATION THAT COULD CAUSE AND ACCIDENT IF THE RESPONSE TIME BETWEEN PUSHING THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL AND THE TIME THE VAN ACTUALLY STARTS MOVING.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. 50,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10026111 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10031650 · 2003-11-05 (November 5, 2003)
THERE WERE PROBLEMS WITH THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD BOLTS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED AT THE TIME OF THIS CALL. *AK *SCC *JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10031650 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10038093 · 2003-09-03 (September 3, 2003)
VEHICLE IS ABLE TO SHIFT GEARS EVEN THOUGH KEY HAS BEEN REMOVED. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10038093 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10039092 · 2003-09-18 (September 18, 2003)
DEFECTIVE ABS IN 1997 MERCURY VILLAGER. WHILE SITTING STILL THE BRAKE PEDAL WILL RELEASE CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO LUNGE FORWARD POSSIBLY STRIKING SOMEONE OR SOMETHING. I HAVE RESEARCHED THIS PROBLEM ONLINE AND FOUND SEVERAL SIMILAR STATEMENTS FROM OWNERS OF THE SAME VEHICLE. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 110,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10039092 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10045210 · 2003-10-31 (October 31, 2003)
DOOR LOCKS ENGAGE INTERMITTENTLY BY THEMSELVES. THIS OCCURS BOTH WHEN THE VEHICLE IS RUNNING AND OFF, AND WHEN THE VEHICLE IS MOVING OR PARKED. *LA
Owner-reported narrative. 45,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10045210 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10045866 · 2003-11-10 (November 10, 2003)
WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY, DRIVER SIDE FRONT WINDOW 'POPPED', SHATTERED, THEN FLEW INWARD ON ME. POLICE INSPECTION OF VEHICLE DID NOT FIND ANY SLUGS, WAS NOT DRIVING UNDER A BRIDGE, NOR NO CARS NEXT TO ME.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. 108,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10045866 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10046523 · 2003-12-02 (December 2, 2003)
THERE WAS A FILLER PIPE/VENT HOSE FAILURE WHICH WAS RECALLED AND REPAIRED IN MARCH 2001. IT FAILED A SECOND TIME IN THE SAME LOCATION. *AK RECALL#00V419002 *SCC *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 144,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10046523 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
3 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
00V419002 · Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Tank Assembly
Reported: 2001-01-02 (January 2, 2001)
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MINIVANS. THE FUEL TANK VENT HOSE ALLOWS AIR TO VENT FROM THE FUEL TANK DURING REFUELING. CRACKS HAVE DEVELOPED IN THE VENT HOSE. IF (1) THE FUEL TANK IS OVERFILLED, NOT ALLOWING EXCESS FUEL IN THE VENT HOSE TO FLOW BACK INTO THE TANK, (2) THE VEHICLE IS DRIVEN ONLY A SHORT DISTANCE AFTER REFUELING AND, (3) THERE IS SUBSEQUENTLY SIGNIFICANT HEATING OF THE FUEL TANK, THE FUEL IN THE TANK CAN EXPAND INTO THE VENT HOSE AND LEAK FUEL.
Consequence: FUEL LEAKAGE IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE CAN RESULT IN A FIRE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE VENT HOSE.
NHTSA campaign record ↗96V203000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Tank Assembly:Mounting
Reported: 1996-10-17 (October 17, 1996)
THE FOUR RUBBER FUEL LINE CONNECTOR HOSES THAT ARE SUPPLIED TO FORD WITH THE FUEL TANK ASSEMBLY WERE IMPROPERLY MANUFACTURED. THESE HOSES CAN DEVELOP CRACKS OR SPLITS RESULTING IN FUEL LEAKAGE.
Consequence: FUEL LEAKAGE IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE CAN RESULT IN A FIRE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE FUEL TANK ASSEMBLY FOR THE SUSPECT DATE CODES AND REPLACE THE FOUR RUBBER FUEL CONNECTOR HOSES IF NECESSARY.
NHTSA campaign record ↗97V184001 · Electrical System:12v/24v/48v Battery
Reported: 1997-10-29 (October 29, 1997)
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER MINI VANS EQUIPPED WITH AUTOMOTIVE BATTERIES SUPPLIED BY GNB TECHNOLOGIES. THESE BATTERIES HAVE A DEFECTIVE NEGATIVE POST THAT CAN CAUSE ACID LEAKAGE AND RELATED CORROSION DAMAGE.
Consequence: THIS CONDITION CAN CAUSE A CATASTROPHIC FAILURE OF THE BATTERY WHICH COULD LEAD TO AN ENGINE FIRE OR BATTERY EXPLOSION.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THESE BATTERIES. UNTIL A NEW BATTERY IS OBTAINED, OWNERS SHOULD NOT ATTEMPT TO "JUMP START" THESE BATTERIES.
NHTSA campaign record ↗