1998 Mercury Villager Problems & Complaints

Most common 1998 Mercury Villager problems

• Speed control & acceleration~145,000 miles
  1417%
• Body & structure~190,000 miles
  1214%
• Brakes~60,000 miles
  1012%
• Suspension~84,000 miles
  911%
• Transmission & drivetrain~99,000 miles
  810%
• Fuel & propulsion system~190,000 miles
  810%
• Wheels & tires
  78%
• Locks & latches~24,000 miles
  78%
• Windows, wipers & sunroof~20,000 miles
  67%
• Other / not specified
  34%
• Air bags
  34%
• Steering~82,000 miles
  22%
• Engine & cooling~180,000 miles
  22%
• Seats
  22%
• Seat belts
  11%
• A/C & heater
  11%
• Equipment & accessories
  11%
• Lights~116,000 miles
  11%

Share of the 83 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.

Mercury Villager complaints by model year

Best Villager years: 2002, 2001, 2000. Years to avoid: 1995, 1996, 1999, 1997. Compare all years →

1998 Mercury Villager recalls (2)

NHTSA defect investigations

Federal safety investigators have looked into a possible defect involving the 1998 Mercury Villager:

What 1998 Mercury Villager owners say

Speed control & acceleration

The vehicle automatic door locks automatically lock the doors this has happened innumerable occasions. This began shortly after purchase of the vehicle in 1998, and continues today. The doors ar not to lock if the keys are in the ignition, and they do. This has occurred while driving the vehicle, while it is parked, when entering, and exiting the vehicle. The interior doors do not override the locks, and in an emergency, one would be unable to exit the vehicle if they were to lock. Usually this occurs most often when the doors are being closed; and if the battery is unhooked, and reconnected, it May remedy the situation for several days. The rear automatic windows go out when you press the buttons to make them go in, and the rear wiper stays down as if the window is unlocked. That can be remedied by unlocking the window, and relatching it, it usually stays up for 2-3 days. …

1998 Mercury Villager purchased used in 2003. Idle throttle body failed in 2006, Mercury dealer took two weeks to find the part and replaced at my expense. Idle throttle body failed again in early 2007. Dealer took two weeks again to find part and did not charge me but I had to rent a car at my expense. Today 9/30/07 the same symptom of the car accelerating to 1500 RPM intermittently while sitting stopped at a light has begun again instead of constant 800 RPM when this part is working correctly. I will have to wait on the dealer to find a part and repair it again at my inconvenience and expense. Have other owners of this vehicle engine experienced the same repeated safety and waste of fuel issue?

Body & structure

Tl 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, NHTSA 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.

I have had numerous problems with the locking system on this vehicle. The door locks will lock on their own at inopportune times. They will lock when doors are shut, or when driving over a bump in the road. At times, they will immediately lock back when attempting to unlock the vehicle, making it difficult to enter or exit the vehicle. I have been told by a service manager that they have had bulletins out on this problem. The dealership where I bought the vehicle has made five attempts to fix the problem to no avail. The last time it was in the shop, they replaced the actuator, and the sec timer. However the locking system is still not working. I was told that Ford knows that there is a problem, but they have no fix for it at this time.

Brakes

Consumer applied brakes to come to a stop at intersection, pedal felt hard, and vehicle went through intersection. Dealer stated both rear calipers were frozen, and one front rotor was rusted. All parts were replaced. On July 26, 2002 consumer applied brakes at 10 MPH, pedal felt hard, no braking action. Vehicle at dealer at this time. The booster was replaced, however it is uncertain as to if this will remedy the problem.

When the consumer applied the brakes, they locked up and caused extended stopping distance. Both front brakes locked up within less than a month apart. There was a problem with both rear brakes and the left front caliper locked up.

1998 Mercury Villager engines & fuel economy

EPA ratings. Class: Minivan.