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1996 Mercury Villager problems

The most common problem on the 1996 Mercury Villager is engine and cooling, typically around 81,600 miles. It has 9.3 times the complaints of a typical Villager model year.

Typical year9.3x the typical complaints
Owner complaints
187
Recalls
2
Service bulletins
137
Worst area
Engine
Fuel economy
18mpg

The worst 1996 Mercury Villager problems

Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.

Problems by type

Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.

Specific symptoms reported on the 1996 Mercury Villager

Door locks 18Fuel smell 17Stalling 8Fuel pump 7Wipers 7Airbag light 6Brake failure 5Fire or smoke 5

Recalls 2

Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assemblyReported January 2, 2001 · 394,000 vehicles affected
What is wrong
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.
Risk
Fuel leakage in the presence of an ignition source can result in a fire.
Remedy
Dealers will replace the vent hose.

Recall number 00V419002 · Recall details

Visibility: power window devices and controlsReported March 23, 1998 · 57,400 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Vehicle description: mini vans. These vehicles were produced with power windows that can be closed after the ignition key is turned to the "off" position and the right front (passenger) door is opened. This does not meet the requirements of fmvss 118, "power-operated window systems."
Risk
There is the potential for unsupervised children to operate the power windows, increasing the risk of personal injury to the child.
Remedy
Owners will be provided with a label reminding owners not to leave children unattended because the power windows can operate for 15 minutes after the vehicle ignition has been turned off unless the driver's door is opened. Also included are instructions describing how and where this label is to be installed. If an owner prefers, their dealer can install this label for them.

Recall number 98V012001 · Recall details

See all 2 recalls for the 1996 Mercury Villager

Defect investigations

Fuel tank vent hose leakageOpened May 22, 2000, closed January 4, 2001

Periodic exposure to liquid gasoline may result in extraction of antidegradants from the subject fuel tank vent hose.hoses which have suffered loss of antidegradants can develop cracks in areas of high strain.fuel may spray or drip from cracked vent hoses following tank fill.starting at job#1 1998 my (california emissions vehicles) and job#1 1999 my (federal emissions vehicles), the subject vent hose composition changed from nitrile rubber hoses with chloroprene rubber covers (nbr/cr) to fluorocarbon rubber hoses with an outer layer blend of nbr/pvc.the changes were made to improve hydracarbon resistance for complaince with new evaporative emissions regulations.the modified hoses are also significantly more resistant to degradation and cracking.in a letter dated january 2, 2001, ford notified the federal safety agency that it will conduct a safety recall campaign to replace the subject vent hose in affacted vehicles.ford will begin notifying customers of the affected vehicles on or about the week of february 12, 2001 to return their vehicles to dealers for replacement of the fuel tank vent hose with the latest design lever part.

EA00014

Unexpected opening on sliding doorOpened May 12, 2000, closed April 1, 2002

There is no summary currently available

SQ00008

Fuel rail hose fitting leakageOpened June 29, 1999, closed April 18, 2001

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 the federal safety agency 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.

EA99015

Battery explosionsOpened May 30, 1996, closed May 29, 1997

A safety-related defect trend has not been identified at this time and further use of agency resources does not appear to be warranted.the closing of this investigation does not constitute a finding by the federal safety agency that no safety-related defect exists.the agency reserves the right to take further action if warranted by the circumstances.an engineering analysis closing report is included in the public file.

EA96005

Technical service bulletins for the 1996 Mercury Villager 137

Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.

See all 137 bulletins for the 1996 Mercury Villager

1996 Mercury Villager fuel economy

Official EPA estimates in miles per gallon (MPGe for electric). Ranges cover trims that share the same engine.

EngineDriveCityHighwayCombined
3.0L 6‑cylFWD162118

What 1996 Mercury Villager owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed Jul 6, 2017 · Electrical · 162,000 miles · NM

The car continually locks itself (power locks). If I'm outside the car I have to repeatedly try to unlock it while at the same time it relocks itself. After numerous attempts it will stop and let me in. Same is true if I'm in the car except now I can't get out. It's usually much worse during the day than at night. Doesn't matter if you're in the car, trying to get in or nearby (I don't have a remote nor is it an option). The car can be sitting idle for hours and then all of a sudden starts locking and unlocking itself in rapid succession. Rarely if ever does it end up unlocked. Will occasionally go through the same procedure while driving. It doesn't effect anything but all the door locks (at least that I have been able to ascertain). If it matters I could send a video of this problem. The question below of when does this happen is moot. It happens every day at anytime. I've tried numerous workarounds with little success because the car seems to adapt and then becomes more difficult. ( believe me, I know what this sounds like.)

Filed Jan 28, 2012 · Airbags · 215,834 miles · WA

While turning from street into a short steep driveway approach, front lower bumper facia drug very slightly on the steep approach ramp setting off the airbags, which broke the windshield, cracked the dash, snapped all four back side window latches, and caused back neck and shoulder injuries to the driver.

Filed Oct 29, 2006 · Locks · 128,300 miles · OH

While I am driving the sliding door will pop. Currently it does not completely open, but is does become unsecured. The interior lights come on and when driving at night inhibits my vision and makes driving unsafe. My children are also the passengers near the door at this time and I am afraid that the door will fly open and cause harm even though they are in safety belts. I have had a mechanic look at the latch and he sees nothing that should be causing this to malfunction.

Filed Aug 12, 2005 · 99,472 miles · CA · fire

Dt: consumer stated: it was night, cold outside, and while driving smelled burning rubber. Pulled over, turned off the vehicle, opened hood bedore hood was completed opened, consumer could see flames burning and the air conditioner compressor pulley was so hot that it was glowing red. The belt attached to the compressor was burning. *ak the vehicle caught on fire damaging the compressor and belt(s) and likely other A/C components. *nm consumer was able to put out fire. The A/C comressor failed causing the fire.

Filed Jun 21, 2005 · 46,030 miles · SC

Doors locks did not operate properly. Doors would lock without warning. When consumer stepped out of vehicle doors would lock on their own, even with the key still in the ignition switch.

Filed Nov 29, 2004 · Engine · 82,177 miles · PA

While driving any speed consumer heard a ticking noise coming from the engine. Dealership did not resolve the problem.

Filed Oct 15, 2004 · Locks · PA · crash

I had a low impact accident where the front of my vehicle hit the back of another vehicle. (forgot to put car in park and was about 4 feet from back of another car on slight grade, well you know the rest).*ak after the accident the sliding door began to "pop" enough for the ajar door light to come on but not enough for the door to actually open. I have checked with the people that gave estimates on repairs and was informed by every one that it was not a result of the accident. What I can not understand is why it started only after the accident. I have been informed that the locks may need to be replaced because of ware.

Filed Apr 17, 2004 · Electrical, Lights · WA

I purchased a used van, there seem to be several recalls either not idenitfied or not know about, either way they were not fixed. I have been unable to fine a dealer whom will acknowledge the recalls and repair them.

Filed Jan 15, 2004 · Engine · 81,600 miles · TX

I noticed there was an exhaust smell seeping into the van, I did some research on the internet and found that it was a common problem with quest's and villager's snapped exhaust manifold studs. I checked under the hood and sure enough there were 2 studs broken and missing. I called several dealers and got quotes and found a nissan dealer to do it for $800 they seem to have more experince doing it since it also is a problem with pathfinders and maximas. I called ford and they flat out refused to help out at all!

Filed Dec 13, 2003 · Locks · SC

Lock mechanism//locks would lock and unlock automatically. I had no control of the locks. Sometimes found myself stuck in the car until the locks decided to stop locking and unlocking on their own. I believe I paid about $500.00 for repairs to this system just for the whole system to fail again almost two years later. My locks no longer work. I have video of the locks working on their own. As for incident date-too many to count.

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Questions about the 1996 Mercury Villager

Is the 1996 Mercury Villager reliable?

Owners have filed 187 complaints about the 1996 Mercury Villager, 9.3 times a typical Villager model year.

What is the most common problem with the 1996 Mercury Villager?

Engine and cooling, with 37 complaints, typically around 81,600 miles. Next is locks (28).

How many recalls does the 1996 Mercury Villager have?

2 recalls, covering fuel system, gasoline and visibility.

What year does the Mercury Villager have bad engine?

The Mercury Villager model years with the most engine complaints are 1993 (142 complaints), 1995 (95 complaints) and 1994 (90 complaints).

What gas mileage does the 1996 Mercury Villager get?

Official estimates for the 1996 Mercury Villager range from 18 mpg combined. The most efficient version (3.0L 6-cyl, FWD) gets 16 city and 21 highway.

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