1999 Mercury Villager: problems, recalls and reliability
4 recalls and 185 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is vehicle speed control (43% of complaints); the 1998 and 2000 and 2001 model years look more trouble-free.
Data updated weekly · latest recall Oct 2000
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 185 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“Tried to slightly depress the accelerator to move up in traffic but accelerator was stuck and had to apply more force to depress accelerator causing vehicle to lunge forward nearly causing a collision with the vehicle in front of us. Rear passenger side seat belt will not extend to allow it to be put on. *tr”Owner report · Vehicle Speed Control · Aug 2013
“I have a 1999 mercury villager, periodically the gas pedal will be very hard to push. It actually got stuck accelerating once. I have researched this online and have found many many complaints about this situation. I have found that mercury has recalled the mountaineer (campaign # 00v422000) for this "exact" issue but has taken no action with the villager. I have replaced the whole throttle body once, soon after I purchased the van, but after the warranty had expired. As I recall it was at a $600 expense to me. I would like to know what is being done about this issue. Thank you. *tr”Owner report · Vehicle Speed Control · Feb 2010
“Tl*the contact owns a 1999 mercury villager. When coming to a complete stop at an intersection, the contact noticed a strong gasoline odor coming from the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to a local repair shop and a technician determined that the fuel retention straps failed, which caused the spot wells to separate. The repair would cost $800. The manufacturer stated that the VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign id number 99v205001 (fuel system, gasoline:storage:tank assembly:mounting); therefore, no compensation would be provided. The vehicle has not been repaired. The failure mileage was 167,000.”Owner report · Fuel System, Gasoline · Apr 2009
Show 7 more owner reports
“Tl* the contact owns a 1999 mercury villager. The contact stated that the ventilation blower would not emit air or heat when the air conditioner or heater was activated. The vehicle was inspected by the owner and he noticed that the power resistor had overheated and burned and would need replacing. The manufacturer was contacted and they offered no assistance. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was unknown and the VIN was not available.”Owner report · Equipment · Mar 2009
“Tl*the contact owns a 1999 mercury villager. While the contact was pulling into a parking space the vehicle suddenly surged forward without warning causing the contact to crash into a pole. The contact previously noticed that the vehicle would surge forward whenever it came to a stop. The vehicle has not been diagnosed by the dealership. There were no prior warnings. The VIN was not available. The current and failure mileages were 140,000.”Owner report · Vehicle Speed Control · Jan 2009
“No incidents as of yet. Bought a 1999 mercury villager estate, the throttle body will not let the van idle at normal speeds. You can not stop, van goes automatically, rpm at 3000, all the time. You take your foot off the gas , it will go 35mph all day long, you try to stop that. When you come to a stop light, very hard to stop, and hard to keep it stopped. I searched the web, and there 100's & 100's of complaints of this problem, with no recalls, , how can this happen. For all years of that van,1997,1998,1999,2001,2002. This a crash waiting to happen. Search the web for info, you will see. This a very bad thing, people much have gotten into crashes..... *tr”Owner report · Fuel System, Other · Jan 2009
“Purchased vehicle one week ago, since then whenever I am going from park to drive the vehicle accelerates on its own revving the engine at 5,000 rpms making it very hard to stop vehicle while applying the brakes. You have to shut vehicle off and then put it in park, then try it again. Sometimes it works and other times its worse!!! This vehicle is very unsafe and should be taken off the streets, or fixed properly by the manufacturer!!! I am very scared to drive this vehicle with my kids in it, for we might have an accident. This has happened everyday since we purchased this vehicle!!!! *tr”Owner report · Vehicle Speed Control · Feb 2008
“1999 mercury villager engine caught fire after stopping. Consumer states that the engine caught fire after stopping at the gas pump. The fire was extinguished. *kb (ohio traffic crash report # 10-0074-90) *jb”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · Feb 2008
“Vehicle was being drive when automatic transmission failed and reverted back to first gear. After stopping, turning off engine, and restarting, vehicle would not come out of first gear when being driven. Vehicle was subsequently towed to dealership , carman ford in new castle de), but was unable to diagnose problem. Dealership reported that they could not duplicate. Vehicle was picked up by owner and began to drive it home when problem re-occurred. Vehicle is now at cottman transmission in west chester pa who diagnose metal shavings in the transmission well (minute fragments) that may or may not be causing the problem.*ak”Owner report · Power Train · Jun 2007
“Gas pedal getting stuck. Almost hitting a pedestrian. Took it to dealer. Dealer mechanic cleans the throttle body it works for few days but the problem keeps recurring. *jb”Owner report · Vehicle Speed Control · Feb 2007
When filing, owners marked a crash in 11 of these complaints and injuries in 8 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 4 campaigns
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MINI VANS. ONE OR MORE OF THE FIVE BOLTS THAT MOUNT THE RACK AND PINION STEERING GEAR TO THE VEHICLE MAY HAVE BEEN INCORRECTLY TIGHTENED.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE VEHICLES AND, IF THE BOLTS ARE MISSING, WILL REPLACE THE STEERING GEAR MOUNTING BOLTS. ALL BOLTS WILL BE TIGHTENED TO THE SPECIFIED TORQUE. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN NOVEMBER 28, 2000. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-392-3673.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MINI VANS. THE AFFECTED VEHICLES MAY HAVE A SECOND ROW RIGHT HAND SIDE CAPTAIN CHAIR THAT HAS INADEQUATE LUBRICATION OF THE EASY ENTRY AND EXIT LATCH SYSTEM. IN SOME CASES, THE ACTUATOR SPRING IN THE LATCH COULD DEFORM AFTER REPEATED USE, CAUSING THE LATCH TO REMAIN IN THE UNLATCHED POSITION. IF THIS OCCURS, THE SEAT WILL SLIDE FREELY ON THE SEAT TRACK AND THE SPRINGS ON THE TRACK WILL MOVE THE SEAT TO THE EASY ENTRY POSITION TOWARD THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE SEAT TRACK FOR THE SECOND ROW RIGHT HAND SIDE CAPTAIN'S CHAIR, WHICH INCLUDES THE EASY ENTRY AND EXIT LATCH MECHANISM.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MINIVANS. THE TAIL LIGHT SOCKET MAY HAVE BEEN IMPROPERLY MOLDED, RESULTING IN THE LOCKING TAB HAVING INSUFFICIENT FORCE TO RETAIN THE BULB.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE TAIL LAMP SOCKETS.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MINI VANS. THE FUEL TANK RETENTION STRAP (TWO STRAPS PER VEHICLE) CAN BREAK AT THE SPOT WELDS CAUSING AN UNDERBODY RATTLE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FUEL TANK RETENTION STRAPS.
Specifications
Factory options offered for the 1999 model year, decoded from the NHTSA vPIC database. Individual vehicles have one of each.
How other years compare
Check your exact Villager by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 1999 Mercury Villager reliable?
NHTSA has 185 owner complaints and 4 recall campaigns on record for the 1999 Mercury Villager. The most complained-about area is vehicle speed control (43% of complaints).
At what mileage do 1999 Mercury Villager problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 51,500 miles or less.
Does the 1999 Mercury Villager have open recalls?
4 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning steering:rack and pinion. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.