At a glance

Reported mileage168,362 mi

LocationWa, USA

ColorSilver

Last listed price$400

Open recalls2

Vehicle identity & specifications

Make

Mercury

Model

villager

Year

1996

Trim

fwd gs

Body style

Minivan

Vehicle type

MULTIPURPOSE PASSENGER VEHICLE (MPV)

Engine

3.0L 6-cyl

Cylinders

6

Fuel type

Gasoline

Drivetrain

4x2

Doors

3

Assembly plant

AVON LAKE, OHIO, UNITED STATES (USA)

Manufacturer

FORD MOTOR COMPANY

Full vehicle history report

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What a full report checks for VIN 4M2DV11W3TDJ13492

⚠️ 2 open safety recalls — shown above, free 🔒 Title & brand records 🔒 Accident & damage history 🔒 Salvage, total-loss & theft 🔒 Odometer & owner count 🔒 Liens & market valuation

A full report searches national title databases (NMVTIS) and licensed history providers for this VIN and shows whatever records are on file — not every vehicle has every record type. The decode, safety recalls and owner complaints above are always free.

📜 Title status Clean, salvage, rebuilt, junk, flood or lemon

🏷️ Title brand history Every brand ever applied, by state

🧾 Number of owners How many registrations on record

🛞 Odometer readings Reported mileage over time

🔎 Rollback check Mileage inconsistency / tamper flags

💥 Accident & damage Reported collisions and damage events

🚧 Total-loss records Insurance total-loss declarations

♻️ Salvage & auction Salvage-yard and auction history

🚓 Theft records Reported / recovered theft events

🏦 Liens & impounds Outstanding liens or impound records

🏷️ Sale & listing history Past marketplace and dealer listings

💰 Market valuation Estimated value for this exact spec

Unlock full report — $14.99 → or get up to 20 reports a month for $19.99/mo → One-time purchase · permanent access · VIN 4M2DV11W3TDJ13492

Safety recalls 2

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY

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…

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE VENT HOSE.

NHTSA Campaign #00V419002 · 02/01/2001

VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MINI VANS. THESE VEHICLES WERE PRODUCED WITH POWER WINDOWS THAT CAN BE CLOSED AFTER THE IGNITION KEY IS TURNED TO THE "OFF" POSITION AND THE RIGHT FRONT (PASSENGER) DOOR IS OPENED. THIS DOES NOT MEET THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS 118, "POWER-OPERATED WINDOW SYSTEMS."

Remedy: OWNERS WILL BE PROVIDED WITH A LABEL REMINDING OWNERS NOT TO LEAVE CHILDREN UNATTENDED BECAUSE THE POWER WINDOWS CAN OPERATE FOR 15 MINUTES AFTER THE VEHICLE IGNITION HAS BEEN TURNED OFF UNLESS THE DRIVER'S DOOR IS OPENED. ALSO INCLUDED ARE INSTRUCTIONS DESCRIBING HOW AND WHERE THIS LABEL IS TO BE

NHTSA Campaign #98V012001 · 23/03/1998

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Common problems & what to inspect

Based on 224 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 1996 Mercury villager, here are the most-reported problem areas — and exactly what to check before you buy.

💥 1 involved a crash 🔥 1 involved a fire

Engine And Engine Cooling 5 reports

🔍 Check coolant level and color, look for leaks, and confirm the engine reaches normal temperature without overheating.

Latches/locks/linkages 4 reports

🔍 Have a trusted mechanic inspect this system as part of a pre-purchase inspection.

Electrical System 2 reports

🔍 Test every electrical feature: windows, locks, infotainment, charging and all lights. Watch for flickering, dead accessories or warning lights.

Air Bags 2 reports

🔍 Confirm the airbag light turns on then off at startup — if it stays lit there's a fault (costly, and a safety risk). Check for signs of prior deployment.

Equipment 1 report

🔍 Test all accessories — sunroof, climate, seats, electronics — for proper operation.

Power Train 1 report

🔍 Drive through every gear: watch for slipping, hard or delayed shifts, and shudder. Check for transmission/driveline leaks and noises.

Pre-purchase checklist

Match the VIN on the dash, door jamb and title — they must be identical.
Cold-start the engine; listen for knocks and check for blue or white exhaust smoke.
Test-drive through all gears at low and highway speed — no slipping, shudder or pulling.
Confirm every warning light clears at startup (none should stay on).
Check fluids — oil, coolant, transmission — for level, color and leaks.
Look underneath for rust, fresh undercoating or signs of collision repair.
Always get an independent pre-purchase inspection from a trusted mechanic.

Owner complaints 224

Complaints filed with NHTSA by owners of the 1996 Mercury villager.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

THE CAR CONTINUALLY LOCKS ITSELF (POWER LOCKS). IF I'M OUTSIDE THE CAR I HAVE TO REPEATEDLY TRY TO UNLOCK IT WHILE AT THE SAME TIME IT RELOCKS ITSELF. AFTER NUMEROUS ATTEMPTS IT WILL STOP AND LET ME IN. SAME IS TRUE IF I'M IN THE CAR EXCEPT NOW I CAN'T GET OUT. IT'S USUALLY MUCH WORSE DURING THE DAY THAN AT NIGHT. DOESN'T MATTER IF YOU'RE IN THE CAR, TRYING …

NHTSA ODI #11003535

AIR BAGS

WHILE TURNING FROM STREET INTO A SHORT STEEP DRIVEWAY APPROACH, FRONT LOWER BUMPER FACIA DRUG VERY SLIGHTLY ON THE STEEP APPROACH RAMP SETTING OFF THE AIRBAGS, WHICH BROKE THE WINDSHIELD, CRACKED THE DASH, SNAPPED ALL FOUR BACK SIDE WINDOW LATCHES, AND CAUSED BACK NECK AND SHOULDER INJURIES TO THE DRIVER. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10445687

LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES

WHILE I AM DRIVING THE SLIDING DOOR WILL POP. CURRENTLY IT DOES NOT COMPLETELY OPEN, BUT IS DOES BECOME UNSECURED. THE INTERIOR LIGHTS COME ON AND WHEN DRIVING AT NIGHT INHIBITS MY VISION AND MAKES DRIVING UNSAFE. MY CHILDREN ARE ALSO THE PASSENGERS NEAR THE DOOR AT THIS TIME AND I AM AFRAID THAT THE DOOR WILL FLY OPEN AND CAUSE HARM EVEN THOUGH THEY ARE IN …

NHTSA ODI #10172065

EQUIPMENT

DT: CONSUMER STATED: IT WAS NIGHT, COLD OUTSIDE, AND WHILE DRIVING SMELLED BURNING RUBBER. PULLED OVER, TURNED OFF THE VEHICLE, OPENED HOOD BEDORE HOOD WAS COMPLETED OPENED, CONSUMER COULD SEE FLAMES BURNING AND THE AIR CONDITIONER COMPRESSOR PULLEY WAS SO HOT THAT IT WAS GLOWING RED. THE BELT ATTACHED TO THE COMPRESSOR WAS BURNING. *AK THE VEHICLE C…

Fire · NHTSA ODI #10122154

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

DOORS LOCKS DID NOT OPERATE PROPERLY. DOORS WOULD LOCK WITHOUT WARNING. WHEN CONSUMER STEPPED OUT OF VEHICLE DOORS WOULD LOCK ON THEIR OWN, EVEN WITH THE KEY STILL IN THE IGNITION SWITCH.

NHTSA ODI #10126146

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

WHILE DRIVING ANY SPEED CONSUMER HEARD A TICKING NOISE COMING FROM THE ENGINE. DEALERSHIP DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10101740

LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES

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).*AK 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 CH…

Crash · NHTSA ODI #10095815

POWER TRAIN,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,SEAT BELTS,LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES,INTERIOR LIGHTING

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.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10066378

+ 216 more complaints on record.