1996 Mercury Villager Problems, Complaints & Recalls
- Compared with other Villager years
- Far more complaints than other years 2nd of 8 for complaints
- Safety recalls
- 2 recalls: check your VIN
- NHTSA crash rating
- Not rated
Owners have filed 188 complaints with NHTSA about the 1996 Mercury Villager. That ranks 2nd out of 8 Villager model years for complaints. The most reported problem area is engine and engine cooling (36 complaints, 19%), typically at around 81,600 miles. Complaints mention 11 crashes, 7 fires, 6 injuries. There are 2 safety recalls covering this model year. NHTSA has opened 4 defect investigations involving it.
- 188owner complaints
- 2safety recalls
- 4NHTSA investigations
- 11complaints mentioning a crash
Complaints are unverified owner reports and are not adjusted for sales volume.
Most common 1996 Mercury Villager problems
Complaints grouped by the part of the car owners reported, with the median mileage when the problem happened.
| Problem area | Complaints | Share | Median miles | Owners mention most | Typical repair cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine and Engine Cooling | 36 | 19% | 81,600 | — | — |
| Latches/locks/linkages | 28 | 15% | 126,650 | — | — |
| Structure | 25 | 13% | — | — | — |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 24 | 13% | 76,000 | — | — |
| Visibility | 21 | 11% | 72,000 | — | — |
| Air Bags | 14 | 7% | 160,917 | — | — |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 12 | 6% | — | — | — |
| Seat Belts | 10 | 5% | — | — | — |
| Steering | 9 | 5% | — | — | — |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 9 | 5% | — | — | — |
| Equipment | 8 | 4% | 99,472 | — | — |
| Power Train | 8 | 4% | — | — | — |
| Unknown or Other | 7 | 4% | 46,030 | — | — |
| Electrical System | 5 | 3% | 162,000 | — | — |
| Exterior Lighting | 4 | 2% | — | — | — |
| Suspension | 4 | 2% | — | — | — |
| Seats | 2 | 1% | — | — | — |
| Fuel System, Other | 1 | 1% | — | — | — |
| Interior Lighting | 1 | 1% | — | — | — |
| Service Brakes, Air | 1 | 1% | — | — | — |
| Tires | 1 | 1% | — | — | — |
One complaint can list several problem areas, so shares can add up to more than 100%.
Complaints by year received
1996 Mercury Villager recalls (2)
Tap a recall to see the problem, the risk and the fix.
Fuel system, gasoline:storage:tank assembly
Problem: 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.
Fix: Dealers will replace the vent hose.
Visibility:power window devices and controls
Problem: 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.
Fix: 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.
To see whether a specific car still has an open recall, enter its VIN on NHTSA's official recall lookup. You can also decode a VIN here.
NHTSA defect investigations
- Fuel tank vent hose leakage (EA00014) — opened May 22, 2000, closed Jan 4, 2001.
- Unexpected opening on sliding door (SQ00008) — opened May 12, 2000, closed Apr 1, 2002.
- Fuel rail hose fitting leakage (EA99015) — opened Jun 29, 1999, closed Apr 18, 2001.
- Battery explosions (EA96005) — opened May 30, 1996, closed May 29, 1997.
Recent owner reports
Short excerpts of the latest complaints filed with NHTSA, with personal details removed. Full reports can be searched on NHTSA.gov.
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…
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…
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…
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…
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.
Other Mercury Villager years
← 1995 Villager · 1997 Villager →
| Year | Complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 2002 Villager | 18 | 0 |
| 2001 Villager | 20 | 1 |
| 2000 Villager | 71 | 2 |
| 1999 Villager | 185 | 4 |
| 1998 Villager | 83 | 2 |
| 1997 Villager | 125 | 3 |
| 1996 | 188 | 2 |
| 1995 Villager | 367 | 3 |
See all Mercury Villager problems by year, every Mercury model, or the VIN decoder.
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Frequently asked questions
What are the most common problems with the 1996 Mercury Villager?
Owners most often report engine and engine cooling, latches/locks/linkages, structure problems. The top one, engine and engine cooling, accounts for 36 complaints.
Was there a recall on the 1996 Mercury Villager?
Yes, 2 safety recalls. Enter your VIN at NHTSA.gov to check whether the repairs were done on your car.
Was the 1996 Mercury Villager a good year?
Complaint data can't fully answer that, because counts aren't adjusted for sales. Compared with other Villager model years, the 1996 has far more complaints than most years. Always get a pre-purchase inspection and check the VIN for open recalls.