NHTSA — Latches/Locks/Linkages: Doors: Latch Problems

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CarComplaints.com Notes: You're not going to win any style points rolling down the street in your Villager, but you're also not going to need many trips to the mechanic outside normal maintenance.

8.4

pretty bad
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
3,824 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

1997 Mercury Villager accessories - exterior problems

accessories - exterior problem

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1997 Mercury Villager Owner Comments

problem #17

Apr 122004

Villager

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

While opening and locking doors the remote control was inoperable. Consumer had to open the doors and lock the doors manually. Consumer drove the vehicle to the dealer for inspection, and mechanic informed the driver there was not a recall for this vehicle. Consumer told the mechanic that the locks had been replaced numerous times, but problem still exists.

- Methuen, MA, USA

problem #16

Feb 252004

(reported on)

Villager

  • 20,000 miles
Consumer complained about automatic door lock problem. The doors locked without notice. Currently, hatchback will not open. Also, driver's side seat belt did not retract.

- Sonoma, CA, USA

problem #15

Apr 042001

Villager 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 45,000 miles
Door locks engage intermittently by themselves. This occurs both when the vehicle is running and off, and when the vehicle is moving or parked.

- Manteca, CA, USA

problem #14

Jul 112002

(reported on)

Villager

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

While trying to exit vehicle door locks will not unlock. Consumer states doors will become inoperable.

- Clinton, TN, USA

problem #13

Dec 112001

(reported on)

Villager

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
After leaving the vehicle after use and locked or unlocked, it would be unlocked or locked when returned.

- Park Rapids , MN, USA

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problem #12

Oct 012001

(reported on)

Villager

  • miles
Doors lock by themselves whether consumer is in vehicle or not. It seems to be worse in hot weather. Contacted dealer, and dealer had tried twice, but has not fixed problem.

- San Diego, CA, USA

problem #11

Sep 172001

(reported on)

Villager

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Our doors lock by themselves intermittently. Mostly happens when vehicle is shut off and doors are unlocked, as the passenger side door is opened the doors (all) lock again. It has happened a few times when the doors are shut, the vehicle will lock by itself. It once did it with a child inside and we had to get the other set of keys to unlock it. This could have been more of a problem if the other keys were not in close poroximity.

- San Diego, CA, USA

problem #10

Mar 151999

Villager

  • miles
There has been an ongoing problem with lock immediately relocking after unlocking is attempted. This has been into the dealership on 8 separate service attempts, include an additional problem that was developed with grinding locks. This is a major safety issue, and the dealer and manufacturer do not feel that this is a major safety/ security issue.

- Columbus, OH, USA

problem #9

Feb 181999

Villager

  • miles
The saftey issue with my Mercury Villager started on 2/18/99. The door locks will lock by themselves on many occasions. The doors will lock when the keys are in the ignition and a door is shut, when the keys are out of the ignition, when driving over any bumps in the road. As of today, my vehicle has been in for service for the door locks 5 times. A couple of weeks ago my 3 year old was locked in the car in his carseat with the keys in the ignition. I live in key West Florida and it is beginning to get very hot here. I am seriously concered with the problem and it has become a huge safety concern. I am tired to taking the vehicle in for servicing and a month or two later it is back in with the same problem. I have phoned Ford customer service. They had the service manger from our one local dealership call me. (his phone call took 2 weeks to get) we eventually set up another appointment for the van. (after I had to wait another week while he was on vacation when I originally called him back.) I have esp coverage on my van which is paying for part of the rental fee for the van I rented while mine is in the 5th time trying to be repaired. I am not sure where to turn at this point with these safety issues!!! I am becoming very disgusted with the entire process. I am utimately afraid of my toddler being locked in a car in key West when it is 90 degrees. Please respond. Following are the dates the vehical was in for servicing for the locks: 2/18/99: 8/25/00: 10/02/00: 1/30/01: 2/28/01 : and : 5/8/01.

- Key West, FL, USA

problem #8

May 152001

(reported on)

Villager

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
When attempting to exit out of driver's side door, driver's side door fails to open from inside, preventing occupants from exiting vehicle. Also, sliding door fails to open from inside, preventing occupants from exiting vehicle. Consumer has contacted dealer. Consumer states passenger side door at times does not open, passenger side door has to be double clicked to open and close.

- Jupiter, FL, USA

problem #7

Mar 122001

(reported on)

Villager

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

While traveling doors lock and unlock out of control. Also while vehicle is turned off. Power lock system is defective while vehicle is running or shut down, consumer states locks are inoperable, dealer refuses to replace system and they have not been able to repair it. Consumer states vehicle had engine problems two days after purchase.

- Dalzell, SC, USA

problem #6

Oct 032000

(reported on)

Villager

  • miles
When closing sliding doors and using remote or manually locks, doors locking mechanism is not catching, preventing doors from locking. Consumer has contacted the dealer, dealer has ordered parts.

- San Antonio, TX, USA

problem #5

Mar 192000

Villager

  • miles
Latch on passenger side sliding will not secure. It comes partially open at slow speeds and variations in the road. This occurs even if the door is securely shut and locked.

- West Columbia, SC, USA

problem #4

Mar 212000

(reported on)

Villager

  • miles
Sliding door does not latch completly when closed. Door also opens partialy while driving and door ajar light comes on.

- Salina, KS, USA

problem #3

Nov 011999

Villager

  • miles
Side door latching system releases during travel.

- Thomasville, NC, USA

problem #2

Sep 051999

(reported on)

Villager

  • miles
Multiple self activation of auto lock mechanism. The car will "lock itself" without a button being pushed, or use of remote key access. This has happened in the garage with the engine on. It has happened at a gas station where the key is left in the ignition. It has happened with children in a hot car, who must wait for aaa to arrive. This condition presents a serious threat to small children and situations where the car can not be moved when necessary.

- Jenks, OK, USA

problem #1

Jun 261998

(reported on)

Villager

  • miles
Passenger's side door locks. Will not unlock in manual mode or automatic mode. Problem is intermittent. Delaers cannot correct problem.

- Sun City Center, FL, USA

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