NHTSA vehicle safety data

1999 Mercury Villager Recalls & Complaints

The 1999 Mercury Villager has 4 NHTSA recall campaigns and 185 owner complaints on file as of November 3, 2026. Recall repairs are usually free at an authorized Mercury dealer.

NHTSA recall and complaint data for the 1999 Mercury Villager. Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.

Pre-purchase inspection checklist → Reliability & 5-year cost forecast →

1999 Mercury Villager owner complaints

Owners have filed 185 complaints with NHTSA about the 1999 Mercury Villager, describing incidents dated April 1, 1999 to August 1, 2013.

Most-cited components

Vehicle Speed Control 83 complaints
Exterior Lighting 14 complaints
Fuel/Propulsion System 14 complaints
Service Brakes 12 complaints
Power Train 11 complaints
Structure 11 complaints

Of the 185 complaints on file, 11 report a crash and 3 a fire; across all 185 complaints, owners report 8 injuries (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).

Newest complaints

ODI #10680956 · Filed February 3, 2015
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…
ODI #10535836 · Filed August 17, 2013
TRIED TO SLIGHTLY DEPRESS THE ACCELERATOR TO MOVE UP IN TRAFFIC BUT ACCELERATOR WAS STUCK AND HAD TO APPLY MORE FORCE TO DEPRESS ACCELERATOR CAUSING VEHICLE TO LUNGE FORWARD NEARLY CAUSING A COLLISION WITH THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF US. REAR PASSENGER SIDE SEAT BELT WILL NOT EXTEND TO ALLOW IT TO BE…
ODI #10392871 · Filed March 25, 2011
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 MERCURY VILLAGER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VENTILATION BLOWER WOULD NOT EMIT AIR OR HEAT WHEN THE AIR CONDITIONER OR HEATER WAS ACTIVATED. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY THE OWNER AND HE NOTICED THAT THE POWER RESISTOR HAD OVERHEATED AND BURNED AND WOULD NEED REPLACING…

Read all 185 complaints

NHTSA defect investigations

NHTSA's investigations file lists the 1999 Mercury Villager in 1 investigation. A listed model year means only that an investigation names it; it says nothing about any particular vehicle. An open investigation is not a finding that a safety defect exists, and NHTSA can close one without a recall.

Preliminary Evaluation PE04-020: FAILING HEADLIGHTS
Closed June 24, 2004

Open and recently closed NHTSA defect investigations

FORD/STEERING GEAR

NHTSA #00V292001 · Steering — Rack and Pinion · NHTSA notice

Reported October 10, 2000 · FORD MOTOR COMPANY

Potentially affected: 67,200 vehicles

Manufacturer campaign 00S33 · Owners notified November 28, 2000 · Vehicles built September 18, 1998 – March 6, 2000 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MINI VANS. ONE OR MORE OF THE FIVE BOLTS THAT MOUNT THE RACK AND PINION STEERING GEAR TO THE VEHICLE MAY HAVE BEEN INCORRECTLY TIGHTENED.

Safety consequence

THERE COULD BE A LOOSENESS IN THE STEERING, WHICH MAY BE ACCOMPANIED BY NOISE OR VIBRATION.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE VEHICLES AND, IF THE BOLTS ARE MISSING, WILL REPLACE THE STEERING GEAR MOUNTING BOLTS. ALL BOLTS WILL BE TIGHTENED TO THE SPECIFIED TORQUE. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN NOVEMBER 28, 2000. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-392-3673.

Notes

ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).

FORD/TAIL LAMP SOCKETS

NHTSA #99V347001 · Exterior Lighting — Tail Lights · NHTSA notice

Reported December 10, 1999 · FORD MOTOR COMPANY

Potentially affected: 41,891 vehicles

Manufacturer campaign 99S36 · Owners notified January 19, 2000 · Vehicles built March 18, 1998 – June 15, 1999 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MINIVANS. THE TAIL LIGHT SOCKET MAY HAVE BEEN IMPROPERLY MOLDED, RESULTING IN THE LOCKING TAB HAVING INSUFFICIENT FORCE TO RETAIN THE BULB.

Safety consequence

IF THE BULB FALLS OUT OF THE SOCKET, THE BRAKE OR TAIL LAMP FUNCTION CANNOT OCCUR.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE TAIL LAMP SOCKETS.

Notes

FORD RECALL NO. 99S36.OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN JANUARY 19, 2000.OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-392-3673.ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).

FORD/FUEL TANK STRAPS

NHTSA #99V205001 · Fuel System, Gasoline — Storage — Tank Assembly — Mounting · NHTSA notice

Reported August 3, 1999 · FORD MOTOR COMPANY

Potentially affected: 2,785 vehicles

Manufacturer campaign 99S21 · Owners notified August 10, 1999 · Vehicles built June 18, 1999 – July 22, 1999 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MINI VANS. THE FUEL TANK RETENTION STRAP (TWO STRAPS PER VEHICLE) CAN BREAK AT THE SPOT WELDS CAUSING AN UNDERBODY RATTLE.

Safety consequence

THERE IS ALSO A POTENTIAL FOR FUEL TANK SEPARATION OR FUEL LEAK, INCREASING THE RISK OF A FIRE.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FUEL TANK RETENTION STRAPS.

Notes

OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN AUGUST 10, 1999. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-392-3673. ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).

FORD/SEAT LUBRICATION

NHTSA #99V056001 · Seats · NHTSA notice

Reported March 30, 1999 · FORD MOTOR COMPANY

Potentially affected: 2,012 vehicles

Manufacturer campaign 99S08 · Owners notified May 17, 1999 · Vehicles built December 21, 1998 – January 25, 1999 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MINI VANS. THE AFFECTED VEHICLES MAY HAVE A SECOND ROW RIGHT HAND SIDE CAPTAIN CHAIR THAT HAS INADEQUATE LUBRICATION OF THE EASY ENTRY AND EXIT LATCH SYSTEM. IN SOME CASES, THE ACTUATOR SPRING IN THE LATCH COULD DEFORM AFTER REPEATED USE, CAUSING THE LATCH TO REMAIN IN THE UNLATCHED POSITION. IF THIS OCCURS, THE SEAT WILL SLIDE FREELY ON THE SEAT TRACK AND THE SPRINGS ON THE TRACK WILL MOVE THE SEAT TO THE EASY ENTRY POSITION TOWARD THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE.

Safety consequence

AN UNLATCHED SEAT TRACK COULD RESULT IN AN INCREASED RISK OF INJURY IN THE EVENT OF A VEHICLE CRASH.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE SEAT TRACK FOR THE SECOND ROW RIGHT HAND SIDE CAPTAIN'S CHAIR, WHICH INCLUDES THE EASY ENTRY AND EXIT LATCH MECHANISM.

Notes

OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN MAY 17, 1999. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-392-3673.ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).

try.vin has no NCAP crash-test rating on file for the 1999 Mercury Villager. NHTSA rates some vehicles by body style — pickups by cab, vans by roof height — so check nhtsa.gov/ratings.

185 owner complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 1999 Mercury Villager.

Vehicle Speed Control; Fuel/Propulsion System

ODI #10680956

Incident: February 15, 2005 · Filed: February 3, 2015

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 *TR

Seat Belts; Vehicle Speed Control; Engine

ODI #10535836

Incident: August 1, 2013 · Filed: August 17, 2013

TRIED TO SLIGHTLY DEPRESS THE ACCELERATOR TO MOVE UP IN TRAFFIC BUT ACCELERATOR WAS STUCK AND HAD TO APPLY MORE FORCE TO DEPRESS ACCELERATOR CAUSING VEHICLE TO LUNGE FORWARD NEARLY CAUSING A COLLISION WITH THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF US. REAR PASSENGER SIDE SEAT BELT WILL NOT EXTEND TO ALLOW IT TO BE PUT ON. *TR

Equipment

ODI #10392871

Fire

Incident: March 25, 2009 · Filed: March 25, 2011

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 MERCURY VILLAGER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VENTILATION BLOWER WOULD NOT EMIT AIR OR HEAT WHEN THE AIR CONDITIONER OR HEATER WAS ACTIVATED. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY THE OWNER AND HE NOTICED THAT THE POWER RESISTOR HAD OVERHEATED AND BURNED AND WOULD NEED REPLACING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND THEY OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN AND THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

Vehicle Speed Control

ODI #10315176

Crash

Incident: January 22, 2009 · Filed: March 1, 2010

TL*THE 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.

Vehicle Speed Control

ODI #10312957

Incident: February 22, 2010 · Filed: February 23, 2010

I HAVE A 1999 MERCURY VILLAGER, PERIODICALLY THE GAS PEDAL WILL BE VERY HARD TO PUSH. IT ACTUALLY GOT STUCK ACCELERATING ONCE. I HAVE RESEARCHED THIS ONLINE AND HAVE FOUND MANY MANY COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS SITUATION. I HAVE FOUND THAT MERCURY HAS RECALLED THE MOUNTAINEER (CAMPAIGN # 00V422000) FOR THIS "EXACT" ISSUE BUT HAS TAKEN NO ACTION WITH THE VILLAGER. I HAVE REPLACED THE WHOLE THROTTLE BODY ONCE, SOON AFTER I PURCHASED THE VAN, BUT AFTER THE WARRANTY HAD EXPIRED. AS I RECALL IT WAS AT A $600 EXPENSE TO ME. I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW WHAT IS BEING DONE ABOUT THIS ISSUE. THANK YOU. *TR

Fuel System, Other; Exterior Lighting

ODI #10293666

Incident: August 9, 2003 · Filed: November 26, 2009

1999 MERCURY VILLAGER MINI VAN PROBLEM HEADLIGHTS KEEP BLOWING OUT, CANNOT USE HIGH BEAMS WITHOUT HEARING SOME CRACKLING ON HIGHBEAM SWITCH WHEN PUTTING ON HIGH BEAMS. I JUST REPLACE THE BULB AND NOT USE HIGHBEAMS. ALSO GAS PEDAL STICKS MOST OF THE TIME WHEN YOU EXCEL ESPECIALLY WHEN IT IS DAMP OUT, I STEP ON THE PEDAL AND IT JERKS FORWARD BECAUSE IT'S STUCK WHEN I FEEL IT IS STUCK WHEN EXCELLING FROM STOP I USUALLY STEP ON THE BRAKE THEN THE GAS AND LET OFF THE BRAKE SLOWLY. I HAVE BEEN LUCKY THERE HASN'T BEEN AN ACCIDENT YET. *TR

Fuel System, Gasoline; Vehicle Speed Control

ODI #10292916

Incident: January 5, 2009 · Filed: November 19, 2009

THE 1999 THROUGH 2000 MERCURY VILLAGER VANS HAVE A DEFECTIVE THROTTLE BODY ASSEMBLY. MY GAS PETAL STARTED STICKING ON MY VILLAGER VAN LATE LAST YEAR. I FINALLY HAD THE THROTTLE BODY ASSEMBLY CLEANED AND THROTTLE CONTROL SENSOR REPLACED IN JANUARY, AFTER SEVERAL FAILED ATTEMPTS BY THE MERCURY DEALERSHIP TO RECTIFY THIS PROBLEM. I HAD ANOTHER MECHANIC REPLACE THE FAILED THROTTLE BODY CONTROL SENSOR (IN MAY)AFTER ONLY 4 MONTHS (PART WAS GUARANTEED FOR 12 MONTHS) AND THE THROTTLE BODY WAS OK FOR A SHORT PERIOD OF TIME AND NOW IT'S STICKING AND THE GAS PETAL IS HARD TO DEPRESS. IT IS A MAJOR ACCIDENT HAZARD BECAUSE YOU NEED TO KNOW THAT YOU CAN PULL OUT SAFELY FROM AN INTERSECTION OR ACCELERATE WHEN ENTERING A RAMP ON THE INTERSTATE. WITH THIS PROBLEM YOU HAVE TO PRESS THE GAS PETAL HARDER THAN NORMAL AND THEN YOU FEEL LIKE YOU ARE GETTING WHIPLASH BECAUSE THE PETAL WILL UNSTICK AND YOU SHOOT FORWARD. OUR CAR HAD A CHECK ENGINE LIGHT THAT CAME ON AND IT WAS ALSO ASSOCIATED WITH THIS PROBLEM. FROM THE CONTENTS OF THIS ARTICLE, I BELIEVE THAT MERCURY AND NISSAN ARE COMPLETELY AWARE THIS DANGER. HTTP://WWW.ENQUIRER.COM/EDITIONS/2004/08/20/BIZ_VILLAGERSUIT20.HTML PLEASE INVESTIGATE THIS ISSUE AND FORCE MERCURY & NISSAN TO RECALL ALL OF THESE VEHICLES AND AGREE TO REPLACE THE THROTTLE BODY ASSEMBLY FREE OF CHARGE. WHEN YOU HAVE TAKEN CARE OF YOUR VEHICLE MAINTENANCE WISE AND THE MANUFACTURER KNOWS THERE IS A SAFETY PROBLEM AND DOES NOTHING, THEN THEY SHOULD BEAR THE BRUNT OF THEIR FAULTY DESIGN AND BE LIABLE FOR ANY INJURIES OR DEATHS ASSOCIATED WITH THIS ISSUE. MORE LINKS BELOW HTTP://WWW.ALLWORLDAUTO.COM/COMMENTS/MERCURY_VILLAGER_COMMENTS_AND_COMPLAINTS_101-573-1.HTML. *TR

Fuel System, Gasoline

ODI #10265730

Incident: April 13, 2009 · Filed: April 17, 2009

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 MERCURY VILLAGER. WHEN COMING TO A COMPLETE STOP AT AN INTERSECTION, THE CONTACT NOTICED A STRONG GASOLINE ODOR COMING FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP AND A TECHNICIAN DETERMINED THAT THE FUEL RETENTION STRAPS FAILED, WHICH CAUSED THE SPOT WELLS TO SEPARATE. THE REPAIR WOULD COST $800. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 99V205001 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY:MOUNTING); THEREFORE, NO COMPENSATION WOULD BE PROVIDED. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 167,000.

Fuel System, Gasoline; Vehicle Speed Control

ODI #10260066

Incident: February 25, 2009 · Filed: February 26, 2009

1999 MERCURY VILLAGER ESTATE MINI-VAN. PURCHASED NEW IN 1999. OWNED BRIEFLY WHEN GAS PEDAL STUCK, BUT IF KICKED DOWN ON RELEASED. OF COURSE, THE VEHICLE WOULD JUMP FORWARD FROM THE HARD KICK ON THE ACCELERATOR. THE PROBLEM WAS CORRECTED BY REPLACING THE THROTTLE BODY...ONLY FOR A SHORT TIME THOUGH. WHEN IT HAPPENED AGAIN AFTER THE MANUFACTURER'S WARRANTY PERIOD A QUICK 20 MINUTE CLEANING OF THE INSIDE OF THE THROTTLE BODY FIXED THE PROBLEM...AGAIN FOR A WHILE. THIS STICKING OR THE THROTTLE MOST OFTEN CAUSES A DELAY IN THE FORWARD MOTION OF THE VEHICLE; HOWEVER, IT HAS ALSO OCCURRED WHEN I WAS TRYING TO STOP AND IN ORDER NOT TO RUN INTO ANOTHER STOPPED VEHICLE THE IGNITION HAD TO BE TURNED OFF OR PLACED IN NEUTRAL. I THOUGHT OF REPORTING THIS WHEN I SAW ON A MERCURY BLOG PAGE THAT MANY OTHERS HAVE EXPERIENCED THIS SAME PROBLEM. *TR

Fuel System, Other

ODI #10255560

Incident: January 19, 2009 · Filed: January 19, 2009

NO INCIDENTS AS OF YET. BOUGHT A 1999 MERCURY VILLAGER ESTATE, THE THROTTLE BODY WILL NOT LET THE VAN IDLE AT NORMAL SPEEDS. YOU CAN NOT STOP, VAN GOES AUTOMATICALLY, RPM AT 3000, ALL THE TIME. YOU TAKE YOUR FOOT OFF THE GAS , IT WILL GO 35MPH ALL DAY LONG, YOU TRY TO STOP THAT. WHEN YOU COME TO A STOP LIGHT, VERY HARD TO STOP, AND HARD TO KEEP IT STOPPED. I SEARCHED THE WEB, AND THERE 100'S & 100'S OF COMPLAINTS OF THIS PROBLEM, WITH NO RECALLS, , HOW CAN THIS HAPPEN. FOR ALL YEARS OF THAT VAN,1997,1998,1999,2001,2002. THIS A CRASH WAITING TO HAPPEN. SEARCH THE WEB FOR INFO, YOU WILL SEE. THIS A VERY BAD THING, PEOPLE MUCH HAVE GOTTEN INTO CRASHES..... *TR

Other Mercury Villager model years

Check your 1999 Mercury Villager VIN

Not every recall applies to every VIN in a given year. Enter the 17-character VIN from your Mercury Villager at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether your specific vehicle has an unrepaired recall.

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