Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (fuel pump, injectors, fuel tank, hybrid and EV propulsion).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 1997 Mercury Villager owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
Tl contact owns a 1997 Mercury Villager. The contact smells gasoline after the vehicle has been driven or while it is idling. No fuel has been found on the ground after the vehicle was moved. NHTSA campaign id numbers 96V203000 (fuel system, gasoline:storage:tank assembly: mounting) and 00V419002 (fuel system, gasoline:storage: tank assembly) were referenced; however, the contact was informed that there was no longer a safety recall. The current mileage was 69,000 and failure mileage was 68,000.
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.
I had noticed that when I filled gas tank there was a strong odor of gasoline inside vehicle for several days. I had the vehicle checked by the shop that does my oil changes and they stated that it was the filler hose and it should be covered under a recall. The local dealership states that since the repair was made under the recall in 2002 that it was not covered again. Repair part was apparently defective. The repair cost will be $150.00.
Tl contact owns a 1997 Mercury Villager. The contact stated that every time he fills up his gas tank and parks the vehicle, fuel leaks out from underneath. He took the vehicle to the dealer and they replaced the vent hose for a service charge because it was not included in NHTSA campaign id number 00V419002 (fuel system, gasoline:storage:tank assembly). The current and failure mileages were 106,108. Recall# 00V419002 updated 11/26/07.
Filler pipe vent hose was recalled in March 2001 recall#00s59 and replaced. The same part failed in the exact same manner and was replaced November 2003. Ford says that the filler pipe vent hose is out of warranty and will not pay any replacement costs. Did the March 2001 recall adequately address this problem?
Since September 1997 consumer kept taking vehicle to dealer for hesitation, engine light coming on , stalling, bad gas milage and sputtering. Dealer kept telling consumer it was due to reformulated gasoline. To dealer at least 12 times. Currently, vehicle is out of warranty, and dealer finds all fuel injectors need to be replaced, at cost of $1700.
The consumer made an appointment at the local dealer to have recall 00v-419 work performed and also asked that they replace the air filter and change the transmission fluid, when the consumer returned to pick up the vehicle he was told that they had run out of parts for the recall and they charged an outrageous amount for the other items replaced/changed. Nlm
Might be worth looking into the fuel pump system on this vehicle. Original was replaced 4/2/2001 and replacement pump starting to fail late in November 2001. Dealer/Ford not working with customer since 3000 miles over warranty (even though we are within 12 mo. Period). Just seems weird that two fuel pumps would fail within that short a time frame.
Consumer was on a short road trip when vehicle started shaking and cut off. Vehicle restarted, and was taken to nearest mechanic. Fuel pump filter was dirty, and once it was cleaned vehicle operated normal. 3 hours later, vehicle died due to fuel pump failing. Independent mechanic replaced and repaired vehicle. Please provide more information.
After the recall was done on a fuel hose the vehicle has on an off smelle of very strong gas fumes inside the passenger compartment and outside the van as well, took the vehicle back to the dealer and the fuming problem seemed to be coming from a gap in the body seam area of the vehicle in which they sealed, possible of manufacturing defect.
Related recalls
Fuel system, gasoline › Storage › Tank assembly
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)…
Remedy: Dealers will replace the vent hose.
Fuel system, gasoline › Storage › Tank assembly › Mounting
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.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the fuel tank assembly for the suspect date codes and replace the four rubber fuel connector hoses if necessary.
Fuel System complaints in other Villager years
Frequently asked questions
How common are fuel system problems on the 1997 Mercury Villager?
NHTSA has 27 complaints about the fuel & propulsion system of the 1997 Mercury Villager, 22% of the model year's 125 complaints. The component named most often is storage › tank assembly (12 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1997 Mercury Villager fuel system problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 00V419002 (tank assembly, Jan 2, 2001); NHTSA recall 96V-203 (mounting, Oct 17, 1996). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 1997 Mercury Villager fuel system problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 145,000 miles.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.