1996 Mercury Villager Latches/locks/linkages:doors:latch Problems
NHTSA component category: LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH · data through 07/14/2026
Source: U.S. NHTSA complaint data. Complaints are unverified reports from vehicle owners — a complaint is not a confirmed defect.
How latches/locks/linkages:doors:latch ranks on this vehicle
Share of the 188 complaints citing each category; one complaint can cite several. Full breakdown on the 1996 Mercury Villager overview page.
What owners report
“CONSUMER CAN LOCK ALL DOORS AND SLIDING DOOR WILL FLY OPEN. IT DOESN'T MATTER WHAT SURFACE RIDING ON, IT POPS OPEN. SLIDING DOOR HAS BEEN…”NHTSA complaint 885564 — filed 04/10/2001
“REAR PASSENGER SLIDING DOOR COMES OPEN WHILE DRIVING REGARDLESS OF SPEED. DOOR APPEARS TO BE SHUT AND LOCKED, BUT WHEN DRIVING LATCH SYSTEM FAILS. DEALER…”NHTSA complaint 881526 — filed 02/27/2001
“SLIDING DOOR WILL BEGIN TO OPEN EVEN IF LOCKED, LIGHT COMES ON, DOOR OPENED.”NHTSA complaint 880807 — filed 02/20/2001
Excerpts are shortened and scrubbed of personal details; they are individual, unverified reports.
Latches/locks/linkages:doors:latch complaints by year filed
Frequently asked questions
Does the 1996 Mercury Villager have latches/locks/linkages:doors:latch problems?
Latches/locks/linkages:doors:latch is the most-reported problem area on the 1996 Mercury Villager: 27 of 188 complaints on file (14.4%). Complaints are unverified owner reports, not confirmed defects.
How many complaints does the 1996 Mercury Villager have in total?
188 complaints were on file with NHTSA as of 07/14/2026. Across all categories, 11 involved a crash, 7 involved a fire, 6 reported injuries, and none reported deaths.
What does NHTSA's latches/locks/linkages:doors:latch category include?
NHTSA assigns each complaint to standard component categories; this page reports the LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH category exactly as NHTSA defines and records it.
