Engine
3.0L 6-cyl
How to read this file. Complaint records are unverified owner submissions to the federal safety agency. Counts are raw, not adjusted for sales volume or vehicle age. Recall campaigns apply to the model; only a VIN check shows whether this car is affected or repaired. Parts shown are named by an editorial note or listed as a search directory; none is a diagnosis. Full methodology.
Fault profile
Complaint-component records on this vehicle, grouped by family. A complaint naming two systems counts once in each.
Complaints are owner-reported and not verified by the agency.
When it fails
The timing of this vehicle's reported failures, from the complaint file itself. A cluster tells you what to expect and when; it is shaped by reporting behavior as well as by the vehicle.
Vehicle age when the failure occurred
Years between the model year and the owner's reported failure date. Based on 63 of 83 complaints with a usable failure date.
Known issues
The component families with the most complaint records against this vehicle. Counts, crash and fire figures belong to the whole family, not to any single named issue. Parts listed are related system parts, not a diagnosis.
Speed control
14 complaint records3 crash reports
"WHEN DEPRESSING GAS PEDAL TO GAIN SPEED PEDAL BECOMES STUCK AND WILL NOT DEPRESS TO FLOORBOARD. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK..."- one owner's federal complaint about this system; it may not describe the issue named above
Parts
No specific part is named for this issue. Browse speed control parts in the directory →
Body & structure
13 complaint records1 crash report
"DOORS LOCK AND UNLOCK ON THEIR OWN. IT HAPPENS INTERMITTENTLY; ALSO, WHEN PRESSING KEY PADS TO LOCK DOORS,AND SOMETIMES IT WILL NOT LOCK. PLEASE ADD VIN. *AK..."- one owner's federal complaint about this system; it may not describe the issue named above
Parts
No specific part is named for this issue. Browse body & structure parts in the directory →
Brakes
11 complaint records3 crash reports
"WHILE MAKING A SUDDEN STOP CONSUMER WOULD HAVE TO APPLY FORCE TO THE BRAKE PEDAL. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMAION. *AK..."- one owner's federal complaint about this system; it may not describe the issue named above
Parts
No specific part is named for this issue. Browse brakes parts in the directory →
Federal defect investigations
Formal investigations opened by the federal safety agency into this vehicle. An investigation is the step between a complaint pattern and a recall; not every one results in one.
| Investigation | Status | Component | Subject |
|---|---|---|---|
| EA00014 opened May 2000 | closed Jan 2001 | Vehicle Speed Control | FUEL TANK VENT HOSE LEAKAGE PERIODIC EXPOSURE TO LIQUID GASOLINE MAY RESULT IN EXTRACTION OF ANTIDEGRADANTS FROM THE SUBJECT FUEL TANK VENT HOSE.HOSES WHICH HAVE SUFFERED LOSS OF ANTIDEGRADANTS CAN DEVELOP CRACKS IN AREAS OF HIGH STRAIN.FUEL MAY SPRAY OR DRIP FROM CRACKED VENT HOSES... |
Recall campaigns
Safety-recall remedies are normally provided at no charge. Under US federal law the mandatory free remedy applies when the vehicle was no more than 15 years old at the time the defect was determined; manufacturers often cover older vehicles voluntarily. Canadian rules differ. Confirm eligibility with the manufacturer using the VIN. Each campaign number links to the federal record.
| Campaign | Component | Summary | Remedy |
|---|---|---|---|
| 00V419002 | Fuel System, Gasoline | 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. | Normally free |
| 97V184001 | Electrical System | 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. | Normally free |
Transport Canada recalls
Recalls issued under Canadian law for this model year, from Transport Canada's Vehicle Recalls Database. Matched by model name, so a Canadian-market variant may appear here that was sold under another name in the US. Units are Canadian vehicles affected.
| Recall | System | Units (CA) | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2001025 2001-02-09 | Fuel System | 39,378 | On certain vehicles, cracks could develop in the fuel 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,... |
| 1997190 1997-10-30 | Electrical | 355 | THESE VEHICLES MAY HAVE BEEN MANUFACTURED WITH DEFECTIVE BATTERIES. THE BATTERIES MAY HAVE NEGATIVE TERMINALS THAT COULD FRACTURE CAUSING ACID LEAKAGE AND RELATED CORROSION DAMAGE WHICH COULD LEAD TO AN ENGINE FIRE OR BATTERY EXPLOSION. |
Service bulletins and warranty extensions
Manufacturer communications to dealers on file with the federal agency: repair instructions, service campaigns, and warranty extensions. A warranty extension means the manufacturer may pay for a repair the recall table does not cover.
| Bulletin | Type | Component | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| 042107 Dec 2004 | Power Train | GENERAL (PCM) POWER TRAIN CONTROL MODULE PROGRAMMING PROCEDURES. *TT | |
| 04217 Nov 2004 | Power Train | GENERAL POWER TRAIN CONTROL MODULE (PCM) PROGRAMMING PROCEDURES. *TT | |
| 03148 Jul 2003 | Power Train | NEW TRANSMISSION COOLER FLUSHER - SERVICE TIPS. 2003 ESCORT AND SUPER DUTY F SERIES INCLUDED. *TT | |
| 02208 Oct 2002 | Equipment | CLIMATE CONTROL A/C SERVICE TECH TIPS. *EH | |
| 02176 Sep 2002 | Exterior Lighting | LAMP-BRAKE-INVADVERTENT DISABLING OF BRAKE SHIFT INTERLOCK. *MJ |
Show 55 more bulletins
| Bulletin | Type | Component | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0245 Mar 2002 | Electrical System | INFORMATION REGARDING DISCHARGED BATTERY CHARGING SERVICE TIPS AND GUIDELINES. *TT | |
| 0214 Jan 2002 | Engine And Engine Cooling | SOME ENGINE ASSEMBLIES WITH ALUMINUM CYLINDER HEADS REPAIRED IN-VEHILE HAVE BEEN FOUND TO LEAK COOLANT AND/OR OIL FROM THE CYLINDER HEAD GASKET AREA. *TT | |
| 01246 Dec 2001 | Engine And Engine Cooling | ENGINE OIL SYSTEM PRIMING PROCEDURES, SERVICE TIPS FOR REPORTS OF PREMATURE ENGINE FAILURE. *TT | |
| 01194 Oct 2001 | Electrical System | THIS ARITLCE IS TO PROVIDE INFORMATION ON REPLACEMENT OF OLD STYLE HOOD LAMP SWITCH TO THE RVISED MECHANICAL HOOD LAMP SWITCH. *TT | |
| 01181 Sep 2001 | Power Train | BRAKE SHIFT INTERLOCK.*JB | |
| 01156 Aug 2001 | Visibility | SOME VEHICLES MAY EXHIBIT HEATER CORE LEAKS. *SLC | |
| 01157 Aug 2001 | Unknown Or Other | INFORMATION REGARDING TRANSMISSION FLUID USAGE CHARTS. *SLC | |
| 14757 Mar 2001 | Power Train | INFORMATION ON SERVICING THE FORWARD CLUTCH. *TT | |
| 8316 Mar 2000 | Equipment | SOME VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH COMPACT DISC CHANGER MAY EXHIBIT A 6 DISC CD CHANGER THAT IS NOT EJECTING THE MAGAZINE OR IS NOT RESPONDING TO COMMAND FROM THE RADIO. | |
| 0015 Jan 2000 | Power Train | INFORMATION REGARDING THE NEW TRANSMISSION COOLER FLUSHER- SERVICE TIP. *MJS | |
| 13760 Jan 2000 | Power Train | INFORMATION REGARDING THE SERVICING OF THE FORWARD CLUTCH, WHICH HAS BEEN REPLACED BY THREE INDIVIDUAL PARTS. *MJS | |
| 99222 Oct 1999 | Electrical System | SUBJECT ON A WIRE HARNESS TERMINAL REPAIR KIT AVAILABLE FOR REPAIRING ELECTRICAL WIRING HARNESSES. *TT | |
| 13368 Oct 1999 | Vehicle Speed Control | ADDRESSING AN INTERMITTENT CONDITION WHERE THE SPEED CONTROL WILL NOT SET OR MAY DISENGAGE WHILE DRIVING. *TT | |
| 7264 Oct 1999 | Vehicle Speed Control | EXHIBITING AN INTERMITTENT CONDITION WHERE THE SPEED CONTROL WILL NOT SET OR MAY DISENGAGE WHILE DRIVING. *TT | |
| 99194 Sep 1999 | Service Brakes | INFORMATION FOR SERVICING AND DIAGNOSING BRAKE VIBRATION, BRAKE INSPECTION, AND BRAKE FRICTION MATERIAL REPLACEMENT. *TT | |
| 99195 Sep 1999 | Equipment | SERVICE INFORMATION FOR MUSTY AND MILDEW TYPE ODORS COMING FROM THE AIR CONDITIONING / HEATING SYSTEM. *TT | |
| 99196 Sep 1999 | Equipment | INFORMATION ON IDENTIFYING NON-APPROVED / ALTERNATE REFRIGERANTS WHICH COULD CAUSE SAFETY, AND PERFORMANCE CONCERNS IF INSTALLED IN FORD A/C SYSTEMS. *TT | |
| 6995 Sep 1999 | Air Bags | SUBJECT REGARDING A FLASHING AIR BAG WARNING LAMP INDICATING A FAULT IN THE SYSTEM. *TT | |
| 13179 Sep 1999 | Air Bags | INFORMATION REGARDING SRS SYSTEM DIAGNOSIS, AIR BAG WARNING INDICATION. *MJS | |
| 99139 Jun 1999 | Exterior Lighting | CONDITIONS WITH THE BRAKE LAMPS INADVERTENTLY DISABLING THE BRAKE SHIFT INTERLOCK. *TT | |
| 99129 Jun 1999 | Equipment | EXPERIENCING A WHINE / BUZZ TYPE NOISE IN THE SPEAKERS OF THE ENTERTAINMENT RADIO OR TWO-WAY RADIO ON VEHICLES WITH AN IN-TANK ELECTRIC FUEL PUMP. *TT | |
| 99111 Jun 1999 | Unknown Or Other | INFORMATION DESIGNED TO AID IN THE DIAGNOSIS, TESTING AND REPAIR OF NOISE, VIBRATION AND HARSHNESS (NVH) CONCERNS. *TT | |
| 991210 Jun 1999 | Unknown Or Other | FORD MOTOR COMPANY HAS RELEASED A PRIVATE LABELED MATERIAL TO BE USED FOR IRON PARTICLE / ACID RAIN SERVICE REPAIRS. *TT | |
| 99103 Jun 1999 | Engine And Engine Cooling | ON SOME VEHICLES THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LAMP MAY ILLUMINATE AND DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODES 32, 35, P0400, P0402, P1400, P1401, P1402 OR MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LAMP 0302, 0305, 0306, 0514, 1005 MAY BE STORED INDICATING A MALFUNCTION IN THE EXHAUST GAS RECIRCULATION (EGR) SYSTEM. | |
| 6390 Jun 1999 | Air Bags | SUBJECT REGARDING AIR BAG SYSTEM DIAGNOSIS. *TT | |
| 12806 Jun 1999 | Air Bags | SOME VEHICLES MAY EXHIBIT A FLASHING AIR BAG WARNING LAMP INDICATING A FAULT IN THE SYSTEM. *TT | |
| 99816 May 1999 | Engine And Engine Cooling | FORD MOTOR COMPANY NOW RECOMMENDS SAE 5W-30 VISCOSITY GRADE FOR SERVICING ANY FORD GASOLINE-POWERED VEHICLE REGARDLESS OF MODEL YEAR. *TT | |
| 99-8-15 May 1999 | Structure | SUBJECT REGARDING DOOR TRIM PANEL REPLACEMENT - SERVICE TIP. *TT | |
| 996018 May 1999 | Engine And Engine Cooling | BRIEF INFORMATION REGARDING EXHAUST GAS RECIRCULATION (EGR) SYSTEM DIAGNOSIS. *TT | |
| 12623 Mar 1999 | Engine And Engine Cooling | INFORMATION REGARDING EXHAUST GAS RECIRCULATION VALVE (EGR) SYSTEM DIAGNOSIS. *TT | |
| 98203 Jan 1999 | Structure | CONCERNS WITH THE POTENTIAL EFFECTS OF ADHESIVES USED FOR BODY PANEL REPAIRS. *TT | |
| 98259 Dec 1998 | Unknown Or Other | SOME VINYL COVERED ITEMS SUCH AS DASH PANELS, DOOR TRIM PANELS, CONSOLES, ETC., MAY EXHIBIT A SMALL DENT, SCUFF, ABRASION AND/ OR DISCOLORATION RESULTING FROM ASSEMBLY, TRANSIT, DEALER PREP AND/OR CUSTOMER USAGE. *YC | |
| 98236 Nov 1998 | Structure | INTERMITTENT SELF-ACTIVATION OF THE POWER DOOR LOCKS MAY OCCUR ON SOME VEHICLES. *YC | |
| 98225 Nov 1998 | Structure | INTERMITTENT SELF-ACTIVATION OF THE POWER DOOR LOCKS MAY OCCUR ON SOME VEHICLES. *YC | |
| 12081 Nov 1998 | Electrical System | SOME VEHICLES MAY DISPLAY DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODE (DTC) 34, OR PO325 (MIL DTC 0304) WHEN TESTING THE ELECTRONIC ENGINE CONTROL SYSTEM, INDICATING A FAULT WITH THE ENGINE KNOCK SENSOR CIRCUIT. *MJS | |
| 12121 Nov 1998 | Suspension | SOME VEHICLES MAY EXHIBIT A NOISE CONCERN (S) FROM THE REAR SUSPENSION WHEN DRIVING ON ROUGH ROADS OR DURING A LEFT TURN. *MJS | |
| 5051 Nov 1998 | Structure | REPEAT MESSAGE REGARDING POWER DOOR LOCKS SELF-LOCKING / ERRATIC OPERATION. *TT | |
| 985094 Nov 1998 | Unknown Or Other | SOME VEHICLES MAY DISPLAY DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODE 34, OR P0325 (MIL DTC 0304) WHEN TESTING THE ELECTRONIC ENGINE CONTROL SYSTEM. *TT | |
| 985142 Nov 1998 | Suspension | SOME VEHICLES MAY EXHIBIT A NOISE CONCERN(S) FROM THE REAR SUSPENSION WHEN DRIVING ON ROUGH ROADS OR DURING A LEFT TURN. *TT | |
| 98203 Oct 1998 | Structure | CONCERNS WITH ADHENSIVES NOT RECOMMENDED FOR BODY PANEL REPAIRS. *YC | |
| 982010 Oct 1998 | Engine And Engine Cooling | EXPERIENCING A " BUZZING " OR " RATTLING " NOISE FROM THE EXHAUST SYSTEM. *YC | |
| 982012 Oct 1998 | Structure | INTERMITTENT SELF-ACTIVATION OF THE POWER DOOR LOCKS MAY OCCUR ON SOME VEHICLES. *YC | |
| 982015 Oct 1998 | Exterior Lighting | SOME VEHICLES MAY EXHIBIT A MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LAMP (MIL) ON AND DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODE ( DTC ) 32. *YC | |
| 982016 Oct 1998 | Equipment | EXPERIENCING LOW OR NO A/C PERFORMANCE IN HIGH AMBIENT TEMPERATURES. *YC | |
| 98-4816 Sep 1998 | Engine And Engine Cooling | CONCERNS WITH EGR FLOW MALFUNCTION. *TT | |
| 98-4814 Sep 1998 | Structure | SOME 1996-1998 VILLAGERS EXHIBIT INTERMITTENT SELF-ACTIVATION OF POWER DOOR LOCKS. *AK | |
| 98-4815 Sep 1998 | Structure | SOME 1996-1998 VILLAGERS EXHIBIT INTERMITTENT SELF-ACTIVATION OF POWER DOOR LOCKS. *AK | |
| 98161 Aug 1998 | Power Train | WHINING NOISE FROM TRANSAXLE ON LIGHT ACCELERATION, TIP-IN ACCELERATION BETWEEN 40-64 KM/H (25-40 MPH) | |
| 98154 Aug 1998 | Service Brakes | REAR BRAKES ARE BINDING OR OVERHEATING AFTER HAVING BEEN SERVICED. YD | |
| 4661 Aug 1998 | Electrical System | SOME VEHICLES WITH ANALOG INSTRUMENT CLUSTERS MAY EXHIBIT A CONCERN OF A FLUCTUATING OR JUMPING TACHOMETER INDICATOR NEEDLE. *TT | |
| 11778 Aug 1998 | Power Train | SOME VEHICLES WITH ANALOG INSTRUMENT CLUSTERS MAY EXHIBIT A CONCERN OF A FLUCTUATING OR JUMPING TACHOMETER INDICATOR NEEDLE. *TT | |
| 9888 Apr 1998 | Power Train | INFORMATION ON A NEW TRANSMISSION FLUID USAGE CHART. *YC | |
| 9852 Apr 1998 | Tires | INFORMATION ON TIRE COMPANY TELEPHONE NUMBERS FOR CUSTOMER ASSISTANCE. *YC | |
| 9864 Mar 1998 | Engine And Engine Cooling | INFORMATION ON A BUZZING OR RATTLE NOISE FROM THE EXHAUST SYSTEM. *TT | |
| 98612 Mar 1998 | Fuel System | ISSUES CONCERNING THE FUEL GAUGE DROPPING QUICKLY FROM FULL TO 3/4 AND/OR THE FUEL GAUGE MAY READ 3/4 WHEN FULL. *YC |
Showing 60 of 73 distinct bulletins on file for this vehicle.
Before you buy this vehicle
A test-drive checklist generated from this vehicle's own complaint and recall record.
- Test the throttle response and the cruise control on an open road.A surge, a hang in engine speed after lifting off, or cruise that will not set or cancel cleanly are the speed-control complaints on this vehicle.
- Walk the body slowly in daylight.Panel gaps, rust at the rockers and wheel arches, and cracked trim are this vehicle's structure complaints. Open and close the liftgate or trunk and look at the latch area.
- Brake hard once from speed on an empty road.A pull to one side, a pulsing pedal, a pedal that sinks at a stop, or an ABS light that stays lit are the brake complaints on this vehicle presenting themselves.
- Run the VIN against open recalls before you negotiate.This vehicle has 2 recall campaigns on file. An open recall needs VIN-specific confirmation. Many are quick, no-charge fixes and worth negotiating over; an unresolved do-not-drive advisory, or a remedy the manufacturer has not yet made available, should stop the purchase until it is resolved.
- Ask for the service history in writing, then read it against this page.The complaint families above are where owners of this vehicle report trouble. Repairs in exactly those systems are evidence the car had the problem; no such repairs could mean it never developed it, or that it was never fixed. The test-drive items above are how you tell those apart.
Parts search directory
The generic parts list for this vehicle has its own page: a search launcher for every system, filtered by fuel type and era but not by engine, trim, or brake type. It is not a diagnosis and not a fitment guarantee.
Open the parts directory for this Mercury Villager →