There is a very bad fuel smell inside the van!
Mercury Villager fuel smell problems
139 of the 1,723 owner complaints about the Mercury Villager describe gas smell in the cabin, most of them for the 1995 model year.
- owner complaints
- 139
- worst model year
- 1995
- typical repair cost reported
- $1,000
- typical mileage
- 114,000
Is there a fix? There are 4 recalls for this area of the car. See below
By model year
Often reported together
Fuel leak 12Fuel pump 5Wipers 2Grinding brakes 2Seat belt 1Fire or smoke 1
What owners say
Tl* the contact owns a 1998 mercury villager. The contact stated that the vehicle emitted a strong fuel odor in the cabin. The odor was primarily observed near the front end of the vehicle at all times. When the heat in the vehicle was activated, the odor intensified. The contact stated that a certified mechanic concluded that the failure of the vehicle directly related to the federal safety agency campaign number: 00v419002 (fuel system, gasoline). The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and informed the contact that the VIN was not included in the recall. The approximate failure mileage was 202,000.
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 the federal safety agency 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.
The smell of fuel is so strong inside the van that it makes you dizzy and sick.
Tl* the contact owns a 1994 mercury villager. The contact stated that the exhaust manifold bolts fractured, causing a leak of exhaust fumes inside the vehicle. The vehicle was not taken to have the failure diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was 170,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 1997 mercury villager. The contact stated that the engine was started in cold weather, the vehicle would exhibit an abnormally strong gasoline odor. The vehicle was taken to a mechanic who advised that there were no visible fuel leakages but the canister and the connected hoses were faulty. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and advised that there were no recalls for the problem. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 155,000.
Tl*the contact owns a 1998 mercury villager which was purchased in 2007. She stated that the fuel filler hose had several cracks in it. The cracks in the hose caused major gasoline fumes to enter the interior of the vehicle. Although there was a recall for the failure, the federal safety agency campaign id number, 00v419002, fuel system, gasoline storage tank assembly her VIN was not included. On a separate occasion, the vehicle would not accelerate. The vehicle was towed to her home where an independent mechanic stated that the sub-frame on the vehicle was cracked. No repairs had been made to date. The failure and current mileages were under 189,732.
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 the federal safety agency 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.
Dt*: the contact stated the smell of gas was noticed in the cab of the vehicle. An independent repair shop determined the fuel tank vent hose was faulty. There is a the federal safety agency recall, # 00v419002, regarding the fuel system; storage; tank assembly. The VIN was not included in the recall.
Dt*: the contact stated the smell of gasoline is often present inside the vehicle. There is a the federal safety agency 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.
Related recalls
Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly
- 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
Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly: mounting
- What is wrong
- Vehicle description: mini vans. The fuel tank retention strap (two straps per vehicle) can break at the spot welds causing an underbody rattle.
- Risk
- There is also a potential for fuel tank separation or fuel leak, increasing the risk of a fire.
- Remedy
- Dealers will replace the fuel tank retention straps.
Recall number 99V205001 · Recall details
Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly: mounting
- What is wrong
- 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.
- Risk
- 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.
Recall number 96V203000 · Recall details
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
- What is wrong
- Fuel filler hoses may have been cut prior to installation by a utility knife used to open the shipping box.
- Risk
- Fuel leakage can result if the cut extended through thethickness of the hose wall. Leaking fuel can result in a fire if exposedto a source of ignition.
- Remedy
- Replace the fuel filler hose.
Recall number 92V172001 · Recall details
Questions about the Mercury Villager fuel smell
Which Mercury Villager years have gas smell in the cabin problems?
The model years with the most reports are 1995 (51 complaints), 1994 (35 complaints) and 1993 (26 complaints).
How much does it cost to fix gas smell in the cabin on the Mercury Villager?
Owners who mentioned a price put the repair at about $1,000 (median of 6 complaints that include a dollar amount). Costs vary with mileage, warranty and where the work is done.
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