Transmission complaints by model year
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (automatic and manual transmissions, CVT, axles, driveshaft, 4WD/AWD).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
Vehicle was being drive when automatic transmission failed and reverted back to first gear. After stopping, turning off engine, and restarting, vehicle would not come out of first gear when being driven. Vehicle was subsequently towed to dealership , carman Ford in new castle de), but was unable to diagnose problem. Dealership reported that they could not duplicate. Vehicle was picked up by owner and began to drive it home when problem re-occurred. Vehicle is now at cottman transmission in west chester pa who diagnose metal shavings in the transmission well (minute fragments) that May or May not be causing the problem.
While vehicle was parked and keys were in a locked position consumer's child was able to switch gear shift from park to drive without brake pedal being applied. Dealer has not been contatced. Dealer stated everything was functioning as normal.
1998 Villager-4 rapid acceleration situations-starting to brake the engine starts revving up to the point you cannot hold the car with the brake, only by shifting to neutral. Sept.2005,10/2006, 8/2010 & 12/09/10. Caused accident on 12/09 and totaled vehicle. Fortunate no injuries but a very shook up driver trying to get it stopped. It dragged her across the intersection up onto a sidewalk and took her several feet down the sidewalk barely missing houses & trees. All the time she was pushing on the brake & the engine was racing & the tires were digging up the dirt dragging the vehicle. Ran over a two foot stump & the van finally came to a stop. The driver was very shook and this all happened through no fault of hers. This problem was reported to NHTSA when the 9/2005 incident happened. There have been at least 4 or 5 other reports of the same problem with the 98 Villager. …
Dt: contact put the vehicle in park and exited the vehicle and it rolled backwards. The door pulled the contact under the vehicle, and both sets of tires ran her over. She sustained a broken pelvic bone, a broken hip, a broken femur, a broken knee, a broken ankle, and a broken back from l1-5. As a result, she spent the summer in a nursing home. The vehicle has not been to a mechanic for this problem.
Rear windshield wiper activated during a rain storm, swiped one way across the window and stopped. When finally was able to get it to move, and it dropped 6 inches below its actual resting spot. Also, difficulty getting shifter out of park, whether vehicle is parked on flat surface or slight incline. Finally, replaced air conditioner motor.
I purchased a used van, there seem to be several recalls either not idenitfied or not know about, either way they were not fixed. I have been unable to fine a dealer whom will acknowledge the recalls and repair them.
The paint is cracked on the hood, unknown what month, about 1997. We never had it fixed. Drivers door seatbelt stays in the running position, it won't move forward, but it makes a loud motor noise, unknown what month, since about 1999. We never had it fixed. The seat belt on the right next to the middle seat fell off. We told the dealer. They ordered one. We went back about a month later they said it was too late to fix it. The transmission went out in about May of 1998, at about 120,000 miles. We had it rebuilt. It went out again about a yr later. We can't afford to have it rebuilt again right now. So it sits. In jul or aug of 1998, the motor went out. We were driving down the highway, and it started knocking, then quit. Also on christmas eve of 1997, we were going down the road and the thing sounded like all the rods were knocking. The temp gauge said it was over heating. …
While driving at 30 MPH heard engine rattling noise. Engine quit running and failed to restart. Towed to mechanic who determined crankshaft was broken. Mechanic said he has had 3 other broken crankshafts on same model vehicle with front wheel drive, transversely mounted engine, but no such problems seen when same engine is mounted with driveshaft to rear wheels.
Frequently asked questions
Which Mercury Villager years have transmission problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 1995 (20), 1999 (11), 1996 (8), 1998 (8) and 1997 (5) model years. Transmission complaints make up 5% of all complaints for the 1995.
Is there a recall for Mercury Villager transmission problems?
No. NHTSA lists no transmission & drivetrain 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 transmission problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 92,000 miles; 30% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the automatic transmission (36 mentions), followed by the driveline › constant velocity joint (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.