Mercury Villager strange issue with reverse gear
 

I have a 1999 Mercury Villager. No other issues with the transmission. Shifts and drives great. But, for the past couple of years the reverse gear is acting up. The van always goes into reverse the first time. If I switch to drive and then back to reverse it is very slow going into gear. If I let it sit for a minute in park it will always go right into reverse gear normally.

It’s one of those bugs I can deal with but my daughter will be driving it for a while. Might be tough to deal with for a new driver.

Any ideas? Easy fix, like a cable of something or is this an indication of something major?

Thanks
BIH

id check the shift linkage setup on it sounds like could be out of adjustment if u can even adjust it on this vehicle or may need replacing i wouldnt think anything very serious