1995 Mercury Villager Engine Problems

Which parts fail

• Engine
  31
• Engine › Gasoline
  20
• Exhaust system › Emission control
  14
• Exhaust system › Manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe
  12
• Exhaust system
  7
• Exhaust system › Emission control › Catalytic convertor
  5

Components named in complaints (engine, cooling system, oil leaks, timing chain, exhaust).

Mileage when the problem started

• Under 25k
  00%
• 25k–50k
  00%
• 50k–75k
  427%
• 75k–100k
  427%
• 100k–150k
  640%
• 150k+
  17%

Owner reports

Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 1995 Mercury Villager owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).

My 1995 Mercury Villager van that I purchased 02-08-2004 (used, as is) from ace auto sales in mobile al. Caught on fire on a long bridge going over water to take my friend to work it shut down on us while we were going at least 65mph the van started smoking we pulled over jumped out and it exploded 3 times fire was shooting from up under the hood my friend struggled to my baby out of the van by that time it exploded again, they had to duck down because moter oil was shooting out they could have been killed, they could have fell over the bridge!!!! …

I have a 1995 Mercury Villager. On 6/6/08 I heard a noise and saw and puff of smoke. I went to check it and saw nothing. I drove it home and the next morning the passenger seat and the passenger door were burned up. The entire inside was covered in smoke. The car would not start, and the mechanic said that it was would be too expensive to repair considering it's age and condition.

The paint is cracked on the hood, unknown what month, about 1997. We never had it fixed. Drivers door seatbelt stays in the running position, it won't move forward, but it makes a loud motor noise, unknown what month, since about 1999. We never had it fixed. The seat belt on the right next to the middle seat fell off. We told the dealer. They ordered one. We went back about a month later they said it was too late to fix it. The transmission went out in about May of 1998, at about 120,000 miles. We had it rebuilt. It went out again about a yr later. We can't afford to have it rebuilt again right now. So it sits. In jul or aug of 1998, the motor went out. We were driving down the highway, and it started knocking, then quit. Also on christmas eve of 1997, we were going down the road and the thing sounded like all the rods were knocking. The temp gauge said it was over heating. …

I was driving home from work one evening in the rain. The engine started sputtering and then stalled. I coasted to the side of the road since I didn't have any power for the steering or brakes. I noticed smoke coming from then engine compartment and thought I overheated the engine until I could smell the smoke entering the passenger compartment. I left the van and got about 50 yards before calling the police. By the time the emergency crews arrived, the engine compartment was engulfed in flames. The insurance company estimated the damage at $13000 but paid substantially less than that to write off the vehicle as a total loss. I am still without explanation about the cause of the fire. I have contacted Ford recently since I am concerned that this May be a safety issue for other Mercury Villager owners.

1) heater: almost caused elec. Fire, stopped working, now needs motor replaced; 2) ABS failed on snowy roads causing single-vehicle accident to front left of vehicle; 3) recall on fuel vent hose, will replace; 4) front rt. Lap belt will not pull out (stuck) needs repair/replaced; 5) oil filter's very very low location on undercarriage front, caused damage to filter, all oil spilled out while operating vehicle pulling out of driveway, ran over snow left by road commission plow, caused damage to rod bearings, and engine, vehicle currently out of commission awaiting repairs, $500 collission deductible.

The consumer began to hear exhaust noises and smelled exhaust gases in the passenger compartment. The mechanic advised the consumer that the exhaust manifold stud(s) were broken. The total bill would have been approximately $1,000. Through the internet, the consumer determined that this was a common problem with the vehicle. Ford informed the consumer that it wasn't their problem as the vehicle was out of warranty and was not a part of recall. The exhaust gases leaked at the engine.

While driving at 30 MPH heard engine rattling noise. Engine quit running and failed to restart. Towed to mechanic who determined crankshaft was broken. Mechanic said he has had 3 other broken crankshafts on same model vehicle with front wheel drive, transversely mounted engine, but no such problems seen when same engine is mounted with driveshaft to rear wheels.

Dt*: the contact stated the engine stalled and would not restart after reversing out of a driveway. The brake pedal was depressed and the vehicle was put in drive prior to the stalling. The vehicle was towed to an independent repair shop who determined the end of the crankshaft snapped off and the engine needed to be replaced. Updated 9/20/2006 -

I would appreciate being contacted by someone to discuss further. I have 9 other concerns, but my computer makes it difficult at times to complete certain sections. I would like to further discuss to see if in your professional opinion I have a valid case as far as a lemon car is concerned. No safety defect listed in summary.( dot number: )

While driving at 25 MPH speed, the engine went dead without warning. Towed the car to a service garage, south river automotive repair llc, 178 hillside ave., soth river, nj 08882. The mechanic found crankcase snapped off at the harmonic balancer. The mechanic stated that the only way this could happen is due to faulty and defective materials.

Engine complaints in other Villager years