Reliability, what owners report, and what it costs to keep.
AVOIR's read: the numbers are mixed and the complaint record is worth reading before you commit.
Owners have filed 216 complaints with NHTSA about the 1999 Mercury Villager, and it carries 4 recalls. These are owner allegations rather than confirmed defects, but the pattern of what people complain about is the most useful signal a used buyer has.
| Area | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Vehicle speed control | 80 | 37% |
| Exterior lighting | 14 | 6% |
| Power train | 11 | 5% |
| Steering | 10 | 5% |
| Suspension | 10 | 5% |
| Service brakes | 7 | 3% |
| Tires | 7 | 3% |
| Fuel system | 6 | 3% |
| Engine and engine cooling | 6 | 3% |
| Seats | 6 | 3% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
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 DANGEROU
NHTSA complaint: Vehicle speed control
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
NHTSA complaint: Seat belts
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 NOTI
NHTSA complaint: Equipment
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
NHTSA complaint: Vehicle speed control
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 HA
NHTSA complaint: Vehicle speed control
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
NHTSA complaint: Fuel system
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 CONTRO
NHTSA complaint: Fuel system
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 TEC
NHTSA complaint: Fuel system
NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns for the 1999 Mercury Villager. Recalls are free to have fixed at a franchised dealer regardless of who owns the car now, but only if they were never done, so check the VIN of the specific car rather than trusting the model.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MINIVANS. THE TAIL LIGHT SOCKET MAY HAVE BEEN IMPROPERLY MOLDED, RESULTING IN THE LOCKING TAB HAVING INSUFFICIENT FORCE TO RETAIN THE BULB.
Risk: IF THE BULB FALLS OUT OF THE SOCKET, THE BRAKE OR TAIL LAMP FUNCTION CANNOT OCCUR.
Fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE TAIL LAMP SOCKETS.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MINI VANS. THE FUEL TANK RETENTION STRAP (TWO STRAPS PER VEHICLE) CAN BREAK AT THE SPOT WELDS CAUSING AN UNDERBODY RATTLE.
Risk: THERE IS ALSO A POTENTIAL FOR FUEL TANK SEPARATION OR FUEL LEAK, INCREASING THE RISK OF A FIRE.
Fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FUEL TANK RETENTION STRAPS.
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.
Risk: THERE COULD BE A LOOSENESS IN THE STEERING, WHICH MAY BE ACCOMPANIED BY NOISE OR VIBRATION.
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
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 UN
Risk: AN UNLATCHED SEAT TRACK COULD RESULT IN AN INCREASED RISK OF INJURY IN THE EVENT OF A VEHICLE CRASH.
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.
| Reliability raw | 79 | good |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 77 | good |
| Maintenance | 77 | good |
| Depreciation | 65 | good |
| Performance | 56 | average |
| Efficiency | 35 | below average |
Percentile ranks against other minivans & vans in the catalog.
What stands behind each score for this car:
Owners have filed 216 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and vehicle speed control is the most reported area with 80 of them (37%). There are 4 recalls on record. Check any specific car against its VIN before buying.
AVOIR scores its reliability 79/100 (good) from NHTSA recall campaigns and complaint density. That figure is a raw complaint count, not yet adjusted for sales volume, so a high-volume model scores worse than it deserves.
AVOIR scores its longevity 77/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 1999 car has no 200,000-mile population to observe yet, so treat it as a prior rather than evidence.
AVOIR's read: be careful, because the numbers are mixed and the complaint record is worth reading before you commit. Its overall ownership score is 69/100. Condition, mileage and service history still matter more than any score, so get a pre-purchase inspection on the specific car.
Sources: NHTSA recalls and complaints, EPA fuel economy, IIHS awards, and live market listings. A score describes a model-year, not the individual car in front of you. Get a pre-purchase inspection.