Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (accelerator pedal, throttle, sudden acceleration, cruise control).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 1999 Mercury Villager owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
Tl contact owns a 1999 Mercury Villager. While the contact was pulling into a parking space the vehicle suddenly surged forward without warning causing the contact to crash into a pole. The contact previously noticed that the vehicle would surge forward whenever it came to a stop. The vehicle has not been diagnosed by the dealership. There were no prior warnings. The VIN was not available. The current and failure mileages were 140,000.
When stopped at light, upon accelerating when the light turns green, the accelerator is hard to press. It does not depress. You have to either press too hard or pump a few times for it to get going. This is very dangerous when you are taking a left turn on a solid green light without a green arrow. You May stall and then lunge forward into an oncoming car
Without warning accelerator pedal got stuck the floor while driving 45-MPH, causing the consumer to lose control of the vehicle and hit an embankment. Upon impact, both frontal airbag did not deploy. Driver sustained injuries and was taken to the hospital.
Without warning accelerator pedal stuck to the floor while driving 45 MPH, causing the consumer to lose control of the vehicle and hit an embankment. Upon impact, both frontal airbag did not deploy. Driver sustained injuries and was taken to the hospital.
The accelerator on my 1999 Mercury Villager sticks in the "up" position. This has caused several near accidents when I've had to stomp the accelerator to unstick it. This is a problem when stopped in traffic because it could cause you to Ram into the car in front of you. Also, I have found myself "stuck" in the middle of intersections. The problem first occurred about two years ago and was "fixed" by the dealer. The problem has now become much worse and I was told that the throttle body will have to be replaced at a cost of $420.00. I saw from the customer complaints on this website that this is a common complaint from Mercury Villager owners & Nissan quest owners (the same van as a Villager). I have asked people at random that I've seen driving villiagers and many of them say they have the same problem. …
Accelerator sticks. This is the 2nd time we have encountered this problem. The first time was within the 36K warranty and had it covered. Cannot remember if they replaced throttle body or just cleaned. It occurred again .. This time @ 80K. I had them replace the throttle body (dealer recommendation for $459.82). I have owned a total of 4 villagers and this is the first time I have ever encountered anything like this. It is a hazard because you have to tap the pedal hard to get it to go. When tapping hard there is the possibility of hitting another car. As far as I am concerned this is a danger. I notice that many people have complained about this same issue. I cannot understand why Ford motor is not coming up with a solution or covering the cost on this issue?
The accelerator of my Mercury Villager sticks. This problem occurred previously and the dealer first cleaned the throttle body and then in January 2003 replaced the throttle body at a cost of about $400.00. Less than a year later the problem has occurred again. The accelator always sticks. I will now have to pay again to have a new throttle body installed. I noticed on this web site that this is a very common complaint for 1999 Mercury villagers and it's twin the Nissan quest, along with 1999 Mercury mountaineers, & Mercury cougars. I can't understand why Ford isn't being required to do something about such a dangerous condition. I've had many near accidents.
We own a '1999 Mercury Villager van. The brakes have had extensive repairs twice ,and now must be replaced again after only 13,000 miles. Secondly, the accelerator sticks. It has been repaired once and requires repair again. (first time under warranty. This time at a cost of approx. $460.) the repairmen at the dealership claim the device used to prevent sludge from accumulating on the accelerator line tends to warp due to heat exposure allowing sludge to accumulate on the line and causing the accelerator to stick. It was first repaired at 35,000 miles and now requires a second repair at 73,000 miles.
Gas pedal sticks. You have to actually stomp on the accelerator to get it to move. Has done this since I have owned the vehicle. Dealer has cleaned throttle cable 3 times. Indicates it needs new throttle assembly. Techs were advised (per my dealer) from Ford to only clean throttle assembly when consumer complained. Now after many miles and no warranty they suggest changing the complete assembly at my cost. I understand that ohio residents have a class action suit for this. How do all other owners of these vehicles from other states particpate in making the manufacturer responsible for this defect?
Purchased vehicle one week ago, since then whenever I am going from park to drive the vehicle accelerates on its own revving the engine at 5,000 rpms making it very hard to stop vehicle while applying the brakes. You have to shut vehicle off and then put it in park, then try it again. Sometimes it works and other times its worse!!! This vehicle is very unsafe and should be taken off the streets, or fixed properly by the manufacturer!!! I am very scared to drive this vehicle with my kids in it, for we might have an accident. This has happened everyday since we purchased this vehicle!!!!
Acceleration complaints in other Villager years
Frequently asked questions
How common are acceleration problems on the 1999 Mercury Villager?
NHTSA has 87 complaints about the speed control & acceleration of the 1999 Mercury Villager, 47% of the model year's 185 complaints. The component named most often is accelerator pedal (55 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1999 Mercury Villager acceleration problems?
No. NHTSA lists no speed control & acceleration recall for the 1999 Mercury Villager, though it has 4 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 1999 Mercury Villager acceleration problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 53,000 miles, and 10% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 4 crashes, 0 fires and 3 injuries to speed control & acceleration problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
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.