Door Lock & Latch complaints by model year
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (door latches, locks, hood and tailgate latches).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
Interior dash lights went out.interior rear passenger lights went out.ball joints need to be replaced.knock sensor needs to be replaced.power windows and locks don't work.dealer told me the knock sensors cost $1500.00 to fix and rear interior lights $250 and ball joints $225.interior dash lights just went out.
If there is anything just even slightly hanging over the back hatch when it is closed it will not release (open). A recent incident occurred when I had a piece of cardboard from a clothes hanger hanging over the edge of where the back hatch closes. It would not reopen. I took it to the dealer and they couldn't get it open. I finally pulled the cardboard out, piece by piece, and then the hatch would open. It has done this with clothing -- shirt sleeve, blanket, pencil, etc. If something is on the edge of the door hatch floor, and gets stuck in the hatch, the hatch will not open. From a safety aspect, if a child or someone else's finger got slammed shut into the hatch, you would not be able to open the hatch to get the finger out!!!! It does not have to be something thick, nor does it have to be by the latch -- in fact it is never by the latch because the latch is on the sides. …
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. …
The child safety lock on the sliding side door of vehicle was inoperable . The consumer felt that the children could open the door while the vehicle was in motion. The dealer has been informed of the problem.
The saftey issue with my Mercury Villager started on 2/18/99. The door locks will lock by themselves on many occasions. The doors will lock when the keys are in the ignition and a door is shut, when the keys are out of the ignition, when driving over any bumps in the road. As of today, my vehicle has been in for service for the door locks 5 times. A couple of weeks ago my 3 year old was locked in the car in his carseat with the keys in the ignition. I live in key west florida and it is beginning to get very hot here. I am seriously concered with the problem and it has become a huge safety concern. I am tired to taking the vehicle in for servicing and a month or two later it is back in with the same problem. I have phoned Ford customer service. They had the service manger from our one local dealership call me. …
Multiple self activation of auto lock mechanism. The car will "lock itself" without a button being pushed, or use of remote key access. This has happened in the garage with the engine on. It has happened at a gas station where the key is left in the ignition. It has happened with children in a hot car, who must wait for aaa to arrive. This condition presents a serious threat to small children and situations where the car can not be moved when necessary.
I had a low impact accident where the front of my vehicle hit the back of another vehicle. (forgot to put car in park and was about 4 feet from back of another car on slight grade, well you know the rest). After the accident the sliding door began to "pop" enough for the ajar door light to come on but not enough for the door to actually open. I have checked with the people that gave estimates on repairs and was informed by every one that it was not a result of the accident. What I can not understand is why it started only after the accident. I have been informed that the locks May need to be replaced because of ware.
While I am driving the sliding door will pop. Currently it does not completely open, but is does become unsecured. The interior lights come on and when driving at night inhibits my vision and makes driving unsafe. My children are also the passengers near the door at this time and I am afraid that the door will fly open and cause harm even though they are in safety belts. I have had a mechanic look at the latch and he sees nothing that should be causing this to malfunction.
Frequently asked questions
Which Mercury Villager years have door lock & latch problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 1996 (28), 1997 (17), 1995 (8) and 1998 (7) model years. Door Lock & Latch complaints make up 15% of all complaints for the 1996.
Is there a recall for Mercury Villager door lock & latch problems?
No. NHTSA lists no locks & latches 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 door lock & latch problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 63,000 miles; 44% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the doors › latch (59 mentions), followed by the hatchback/liftgate › lock (3).
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.