1999 Mercury Villager: Recalls, Problems & MPG
Here are the deets on the 1999 Mercury Villager: 4 recalls, 185 owner complaints and up to 18 mpg combined.
Recalls
4 vehicle recalls from the manufacturer. Repairs are free. Check your VIN to see if one is still open on your car.
Seats Vehicle recall #99V056001 · 1999 · 2,012 vehicles
What's wrong: 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…
Why it matters: An unlatched seat track could result in an increased risk of injury in the event of a vehicle crash.
The fix: 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.
Fuel system Vehicle recall #99V205001 · 1999 · 2,785 vehicles
What's wrong: The fuel tank retention strap (two straps per vehicle) can break at the spot welds causing an underbody rattle.
Why it matters: There is also a potential for fuel tank separation or fuel leak, increasing the risk of a fire.
The fix: Dealers will replace the fuel tank retention straps.
Exterior lights Vehicle recall #99V347001 · 1999 · 41,891 vehicles
What's wrong: The tail light socket May have been improperly molded, resulting in the locking tab having insufficient force to retain the bulb.
Why it matters: If the bulb falls out of the socket, the brake or tail lamp function cannot occur.
The fix: Dealers will replace the tail lamp sockets.
Steering Vehicle recall #00V292001 · 2000 · 67,200 vehicles
What's wrong: One or more of the five bolts that mount the rack and pinion steering gear to the vehicle May have been incorrectly tightened.
Why it matters: There could be a looseness in the steering, which May be accompanied by noise or vibration.
The fix: 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.
Most-reported problems
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component. One complaint can list several components. 3 mention a fire, 8 injuries and 0 deaths were reported.
What owners describe
- Speed control / throttle (87): the most common themes are sudden acceleration (8).
- Exterior lights (17): no single recurring theme in the descriptions.
- Brakes (hydraulic) (12): the most common themes are noise or vibration (7), brake failure / soft pedal (2).
- Body & structure (11): the most common themes are door / lock issues (8), noise or vibration (3).
The 1999 Mercury Villager has 185 owner complaints, ranking #5 of 11 Villager model years for complaints (about average; the typical year has 157). Complaints peaked in 2001 (34 filed that year). The typical problem showed up when the car was about 3 years old, at a median of 51,500 miles. Neighboring years: 1998 (83 complaints, 2 recalls), 2000 (71 complaints, 2 recalls).
Engines & fuel economy (EPA)
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.3 L 6-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 15 | 22 | 18 | Regular |
Want the full repair deets? Get the factory manual.
Recall and complaint data tells you what goes wrong. A service manual tells you how to fix it: torque specs, wiring diagrams, fluid capacities and step-by-step procedures for the 1999 Mercury Villager.
Closest thing to the factory manual for most years. Pay once, keep it.
Most $25–$78, one-timePro-shop repair procedures, wiring diagrams and TSBs for your exact car.
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FAQ
Does the 1999 Mercury Villager have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 4 vehicle recalls for the 1999 Mercury Villager. Recall repairs are free at any dealer, no matter how old the car is. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What are the most common 1999 Mercury Villager problems?
Owners have filed 185 complaints with NHTSA. The most-reported areas are speed control / throttle (87), exterior lights (17), brakes (hydraulic) (12).
What gas mileage does the 1999 Mercury Villager get?
EPA ratings run up to 18 mpg combined (3.3 L, Automatic 4-spd), across 1 engine and transmission combos.
Where can I get a 1999 Mercury Villager repair manual?
eManualOnline sells downloadable manuals, Mitchell 1 DIY and ALLDATAdiy sell online access to factory repair data, and Haynes sells printed guides and online access. Pick a download if you want to keep it, or a subscription for wiring diagrams and TSBs.