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Latches, locks and linkagesPart report

1996 Mercury Villager Latches, locks and linkages Problems

Complaints
28about this part
Share
15%of 188 total for the year
Median mileage
126,650miles
Trend
StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.

NHTSA recorded 28 complaints about the latches, locks and linkages of the 1996 Mercury Villager, 15% of the 188 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 126,650 miles. 2 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.

Example complaints

Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.

“Lock mechanism//locks would lock and unlock automatically. I had no control of the locks. Sometimes found myself stuck in the car until the locks decided to stop locking and unlocking on their own. I believe I paid about $500.00 for repairs to this system just for the whole system to fail again almost two years later. My locks no longer work. I have video of the locks working on their own. As for incident date-too many to count.”

NHTSA complaint #10049689, filed 2003-12

“I purchased a used van, there seem to be several recalls either not idenitfied or not know about, either way they were not fixed. I have been unable to fine a dealer whom will acknowledge the recalls and repair them.”

NHTSA complaint #10066378, filed 2004-04

“I had a low impact accident where the front of my vehicle hit the back of another vehicle. (forgot to put car in park and was about 4 feet from back of another car on slight grade, well you know the rest). After the accident the sliding door began to pop enough for the ajar door light to come on but not enough for the door to actually open. I have checked with the people that gave estimates on repairs and was informed by every one that it was not a result of the accident. What I can not understand is why it started only after the accident. …”

NHTSA complaint #10095815, filed 2004-10

“When vehicle reaches speeds above 40 MPH or traveling around a corner passenger's side sliding door will open. Dealership has examined vehicle, and determined that locking mechanism needed to be replaced. Consumer states this is a safety issue and that the service to repair this defect should be free of charge, however dealership is charging a fee for repairs.”

NHTSA complaint #890674, filed 2001-06

“Vehicle door locks malfunctioned, causing all doors to lock unexpectedly. If occupant was out of vehicle / vehicle was running with children in it, consumer would not be able to get into vehicle. Dealer replaced door locks module twice. Problem reoccurring. Van has remote door lock/unlock feature-uses key tob.”

NHTSA complaint #842201, filed 1999-08

Latches, locks and linkages: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
200011%
199942%
199878%
19971714%
19962815%
199582%
199442%
199382%

Other parts of the 1996 Mercury Villager

Engine cooling
36 complaints
Fuel system
25 complaints
Body and structure
25 complaints
Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
21 complaints
Air bags
14 complaints
Brakes
12 complaints
Seat belts
10 complaints
Steering
9 complaints
Vehicle speed control
9 complaints
Equipment
8 complaints
Transmission and drivetrain
8 complaints
Other or unknown
7 complaints

← All problems reported for the 1996 Mercury Villager

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology