Brake complaints by model year
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (service brakes, ABS, rotors and pads, parking brake).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
When brakes are applied brake pedal would go to floor momentarily and pop back up. Also loss of brake fluid is occurring. Dealer notified, and is unable to locate the problem. When the brake pedal goes to the floor, there will be no brake, but in a matter of seconds the pedal pops up and the vehicle goes on ABS mode.
On June 8, 2002 I was driving down a major hwy in louisiana. I was driving 70 miles per hour which was the posted speed limit. A car clipped my front end and caused me to go off the highway into the grass. I don't know if my brakes were a problem because they are anti-lock so I'm not sure if this was suppose to happen along with the airbags but when I applied the brakes the van would not stop. I ended up back on the freeway across traffic still going in the same direction, and hit a metal guardrail head on that was located beside the concrete wall that holds up the bridge. The van then bounced off the wall, hit it again then turned around. This is all that I can remember. When my van hit the guard rail my head hit the steering wheel. The airbags on either side did not deploy. My husband hit the dashboard on the passenger side. …
Total brake fade, not pedal, brakes just wouldn't hold. Had normal pedal. According to an accident investigator I am talking to, he has at least one other case similar. This involved a 2001 Nissan SUV. In that case it was found that the right front wheel sensor was not sending the proper signal for a failure(which would have disabled ABS) but not proper signal for ABS to work.
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.
Ltr fm salette silvana selvaggi(ny) involved in accident traveling I-95 in connecticut in vehicle a 1999 Mercury village experienced loss of stopping power and control question if vehicle is defective reply to the rockland district ofc west nyack, ny. While trying to brake there was a total loss of stopping power and loss of control resulting in a crash in the passenger side. Luckily there were no injuries but the consumer believes a vehicle malfunction caused the problem. The insurance company came to the conclusion that he consumer was 100% at fault.
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.
Driver reports he must have had his foot on the brake and accelerator at the same time (semi-panic brake application). Police report states "tire marks" on the (dry) pavement. One does not produce "tire marks" on dry pavement (no turning involved) without brake application. Driver had episode of microsleep: when alerted by the event taking place, he could not get the vehicle stopped in time to prevent hitting and fatally injuring a pedestrian. Upon examination of accident vehicle, inspector discovered unusual arched accelerator pedal design wherein the brake pedal was located only 1 5/8 inch from the arched accelerator pedal allowing brake application and acceleration concurrently if certain conditions prevail. Examination demonstrated that when the brake pedal was depressed, the pedal went substantially below the accelerator pedal. …
Frequently asked questions
Which Mercury Villager years have brake problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 1995 (44), 1999 (13), 1996 (12), 1997 (11) and 1998 (10) model years. Brake complaints make up 12% of all complaints for the 1995.
Is there a recall for Mercury Villager brake problems?
No. NHTSA lists no brakes recall for any Mercury Villager model year. A widespread problem may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin, so ask a dealer.
At what mileage do Mercury Villager brake problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 67,000 miles; 58% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip (44 mentions), followed by the foundation components (16).
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.