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Owner report · 1997 model year

1997 Mercury Villager

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The Verdict

Worst problem area

Body, Seats & Latches

Body, Seats & Latches leads by volume: 37 of 125 complaints (30%) mention it.

Complaints filed fell from 188 in 1996 to 125 in 1997.

Data last changed . Sources: NHTSA complaints and recalls, EPA fuel economy data. Methodology

At a glance

NHTSA complaints
125
Recall campaigns
3
EPA fuel cost per year
$3,450
Combined MPG
18

Complaints by model year

  1. 3671995
  2. 1881996
  3. 1251997
  4. 831998
  5. 1851999

Where owners report problems

  1. Body, Seats & Latches37 (30%)
  2. Fuel System27 (22%)
  3. Airbags & Restraints17 (14%)
  4. Engine16 (13%)
  5. Brakes11 (9%)
  6. Driver Assistance & Speed Control9 (7%)
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Cost, Fuel Economy & Complaint History

Fuel cost, fuel economy, and complaint history by model-yearScroll sideways to see all 5 years. Fuel figures show the range across trims for years with more than one EPA-rated configuration.
Category19951996199719981999vs. 1997 Special Purpose Vehicles
Annual fuel cost ($)3,4503,4503,4503,4503,450
Combined MPG1818181818
City / Highway MPG15 / 2216 / 2116 / 2116 / 2215 / 22
CO₂ tailpipe (g/mi)494494494494494
Complaints filed36718812583185Not compared
Recalls issued32324Not compared
Crash-involved complaints261151111Not compared
Fire-involved complaints77103Not compared
Injuries reported236248Not compared
Deaths reported30100Not compared
Configurations compared22221

Not compared: this database has no vehicle sales or registration figures, so a raw count mostly reflects how many were sold, not how safe the vehicle is.

Common questions

How many recalls does the 1997 Mercury Villager have?

3 NHTSA recall campaigns as of Nov 7, 2026. Check your VIN with NHTSA to see whether one applies to your car.

What is the most common complaint about the 1997 Mercury Villager?

Body, Seats & Latches: 37 of 125 NHTSA complaints (30%) mention it.

What gas mileage does the 1997 Mercury Villager get?

EPA rates it 18 MPG combined across 2 configurations.

How much does it cost to fuel a 1997 Mercury Villager?

EPA estimates $3,450 a year in fuel costs, using EPA's assumptions.

Similar Vehicles

EPA-Rated Configurations (2)

Every EPA-rated configuration on this page, one row each.A number tagged (low) or (high) is this page’s own cost-table figure of that name, above.
ConfigurationTransmissionCylindersDisplacementDrivetrainFuel TypeVehicle ClassCityHighwayCombinedAnnual Fuel CostCO₂
Configuration 1Automatic 4-spd63.0LFront-Wheel DriveRegularSpecial Purpose Vehicles16 mpg21 mpg18 mpg$3,450494 g/mi
Configuration 2Automatic 4-spd63.0LFront-Wheel DriveRegularSpecial Purpose Vehicles16 mpg21 mpg18 mpg$3,450494 g/mi

Complaints by Category

Complaints by category, in the same fixed order on every page
CategoryComplaintsCrash-InvolvedFire-InvolvedInjuriesDeaths
Engine160000
Transmission & Drivetrain50000
Fuel System270000
Electrical30100
Brakes112001
Steering20000
Suspension, Wheels & Tires50000
Airbags & Restraints174020
Driver Assistance & Speed Control91001
Body, Seats & Latches370000
Visibility & Lighting51000
Other70000

A complaint that names more than one category is counted in each, so the rows can add up to more than the total number of complaints.

Recalls (3)

  • FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY

    Campaign 00V419002 · Jan 2, 2001

    Defect
    VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MINIVANS. THE FUEL TANK VENT HOSE ALLOWS AIR TO VENT FROM THE FUEL TANK DURING REFUELING. CRACKS HAVE DEVELOPED IN THE VENT HOSE. IF (1) THE FUEL TANK IS OVERFILLED, NOT ALLOWING EXCESS FUEL IN THE VENT HOSE TO FLOW BACK INTO THE TANK, (2) THE VEHICLE IS DRIVEN ONLY A SHORT DISTANCE AFTER REFUELING AND, (3) THERE IS SUBSEQUENTLY SIGNIFICANT HEATING OF THE FUEL TANK, THE FUEL IN THE TANK CAN EXPAND INTO THE VENT HOSE AND LEAK FUEL.
    Consequence
    FUEL LEAKAGE IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE CAN RESULT IN A FIRE.
    Remedy
    DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE VENT HOSE.

  • ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY

    Campaign 97V184001 · Oct 29, 1997

    Defect
    VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER MINI VANS EQUIPPED WITH AUTOMOTIVE BATTERIES SUPPLIED BY GNB TECHNOLOGIES. THESE BATTERIES HAVE A DEFECTIVE NEGATIVE POST THAT CAN CAUSE ACID LEAKAGE AND RELATED CORROSION DAMAGE.
    Consequence
    THIS CONDITION CAN CAUSE A CATASTROPHIC FAILURE OF THE BATTERY WHICH COULD LEAD TO AN ENGINE FIRE OR BATTERY EXPLOSION.
    Remedy
    DEALERS WILL REPLACE THESE BATTERIES. UNTIL A NEW BATTERY IS OBTAINED, OWNERS SHOULD NOT ATTEMPT TO "JUMP START" THESE BATTERIES.

  • FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY:MOUNTING

    Campaign 96V203000 · Oct 17, 1996

    Defect
    THE FOUR RUBBER FUEL LINE CONNECTOR HOSES THAT ARE SUPPLIED TO FORD WITH THE FUEL TANK ASSEMBLY WERE IMPROPERLY MANUFACTURED. THESE HOSES CAN DEVELOP CRACKS OR SPLITS RESULTING IN FUEL LEAKAGE.
    Consequence
    FUEL LEAKAGE IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE CAN RESULT IN A FIRE.
    Remedy
    DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE FUEL TANK ASSEMBLY FOR THE SUSPECT DATE CODES AND REPLACE THE FOUR RUBBER FUEL CONNECTOR HOSES IF NECESSARY.