1994 Mercury Villager problems
Owners have filed 323 complaints about the 1994 Mercury Villager with NHTSA. Engine and engine cooling accounts for 31% of them — the clear leader, ahead of fuel system, gasoline at 16.1%.
Complaints323
Crashes15
Fires6
Injuries5
Deaths0
What owners report breaking
Engine and engine cooling 31.0% · 100
Fuel system, gasoline 16.1% · 52
Exterior lighting 10.2% · 33
Service brakes, hydraulic 7.7% · 25
Visibility 5.3% · 17
Seat belts 4.6% · 15
Equipment 4.0% · 13
Electrical system 3.4% · 11
Severity
Of those complaints, 15 describe a crash, 6 describe a fire and 5 report an injury.
Reading the numbers
Across the 7 model years of the Mercury Villager in this data, 1994 ranks 3rd by complaint volume — 1993 draws the most.
Filings have fallen off, 5 in the last three years against 8 in the three before. That is normal as a generation leaves the road.
The median odometer reading at the time of complaint was 92,000 miles.
In owners' own words
Crankshaft failed under normal driving conditions. Dealer repair cost was going to be $4200, although the vehicle was only 3 months out of warranty with less than 25000 miles, and was well maintained, and even though this problem was well known with this engine. Note that this happened 8 years ago, but I have always wanted to formally document the problem, and just found the nhtsa complaint site. Engine and engine cooling · reported at 22,000 miles
In middle of traffic vehicle died. Consumer had vehicle towed to the dealer, mechanic stated that crankshaft was broken. Please provide any further information. *Ak injectors and fuel pump running all the time, the spark leading up all the time , timing belt appear broke, distributors not moving, timing belt failed, the dealer replaced the timing belt and found crankshaft broken. Nlm Engine and engine cooling
The engine noise I reported to the dealer was found to be a leak at the exhaust manifold due to one or more studs breaking off in the engine block. The dealer's service rep. Told me this is a common problem with the Villager, which I have since confirmed at your web site. This is a safety defect, which the service rep. Told me could cause exhaust fumes to enter the vehicle. Engine and engine cooling
Verbatim from NHTSA filings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.
Safety recalls
Checking NHTSA for open recalls…
Other Mercury Villager years
1993 516 complaints · 29.5% engine and engine cooling 1995 477 complaints · 21.2% engine and engine cooling 1996 253 complaints · 16.2% engine and engine cooling 1997 152 complaints · 17.8% fuel system, gasoline 1998 100 complaints · 14.0% vehicle speed control 1999 252 complaints · 36.5% vehicle speed control