VehicleVerdict

1999 Mercury Villager problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 252 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 1.7 times the median Villager year — the 1999 model ranks #5 of 11 Villager years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list. Complainants reported 12 injuries in total across these filings.

Speed Control leads the complaint categories with 92 reports (37% of the total).

252

NHTSA complaints

4

Recalls

1

Investigations

15

Crash-involved

3

Fires reported

12

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 1999 compare to other Villager years?

Villager NHTSA complaints by model year, 1999 highlighted516 complaints1992: 1 complaints1993: 516 complaints1994: 323 complaints1995: 477 complaints1996: 253 complaints1997: 152 complaints1998: 100 complaints1999: 252 complaints2000: 90 complaints2001: 21 complaints2002: 20 complaints
Villager NHTSA complaints by model year, 1999 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Villager years to avoid →

What are the most common 1999 Mercury Villager problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Speed Control9237%
Lighting208%
Fuel System146%
Transmission135%
Brakes135%
Body & Structure114%
Electrical System114%
Steering114%
Engine104%
Suspension104%
Tires & Wheels104%
Seat Belts73%
Seats73%
Visibility & Wipers73%
Other62%
Airbags42%
Latches & Locks42%
Climate Control (A/C & Heat)10%
Child Seat10%

Does the 1999 Mercury Villager have recalls?

4 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

00V292001SteeringOctober 10, 2000 · 67,200 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

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

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.

99V347001LightingDecember 10, 1999 · 41,891 units

Defect

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

Consequence

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

Remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE TAIL LAMP SOCKETS.

99V205001Fuel SystemAugust 3, 1999 · 2,785 units

Defect

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

Consequence

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

Remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FUEL TANK RETENTION STRAPS.

99V056001SeatsMarch 30, 1999 · 2,012 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

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

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.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“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. *AK”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Speed Control · September 7, 2003 · crash

“TURN SIGNALS ARE INOPERABLE, WHEN APPLYING THE SIGNALS, THEY ARE NOT VISIBLE FROM THE OUTSIDE OF VEHICLE, WHICH COULD BECOME DANGEROUS WHEN MAKING RIGHT OR LEFT TURNS . DEALER REPLACED THE SWITCH AND THE SOCKET WHICH DID NOT CORRECT THE PROBLEM. PROBLEMS HAVE FINALLY BEEN SOLVED AFTER 3 MORE TRIPS…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Lighting

“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.…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Fuel System · February 15, 2005

“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.*AK DEALER STATED EVERYTHING WAS FUNCTIONING AS NORMAL. *SLC ”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · June 10, 2001 · crash

“VEHICLE LOST POWER RESULTING IN LOSS OF CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE CAUSING AN ACCIDENT. *MR THIS OCCURRED AS THE CONSUMER WAS ATTEMPTING TO BRAKE. THE CONSUMER WAS UNAWARE OF WHAT CAUSED THE PROBLEM. *SC THE TROOPER CAME TO THE CONCLUSION THE CONSUMERS VEHICLE HAD DEFECTIVE DUE TO THE FLUID TRAIL, SKID…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · February 15, 2004 · crash

1999 Mercury Villager — common questions

Is the 1999 Mercury Villager reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 252 complaints put the 1999 model at #5 of 11 Villager years. It is one of the Villager years to avoid.

What are the most common 1999 Villager problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are speed control (92 complaints), lighting (20 complaints), fuel system (14 complaints).

Does the 1999 Mercury Villager have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns affecting the 1999 Mercury Villager. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 1999 Mercury Villager under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened one investigation into this model year; all are now closed.

Which Mercury Villager years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Villager years to avoid are 1993, 1995, 1994, 1996, 1999. The cleanest record among Villager years belongs to 1992.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.