20 of the 391 complaints about the 1996 Mercury Sable are about the braking system — 5% of everything reported for this model year. Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before 83,000 miles.
20
Complaints
4
Crashes
1
Fires
3
Injuries
Filed with NHTSA, in their own words.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
THE STEEL BRAKE LINES TO THE REAR BREAKS RUSTED AND MY BREAKS FAILED. I HAVE LOOKED AT THREE OTHER CARS OF THE SAME TYPE AND TEY HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM. THIS COULD KILL SOMEONE.
NHTSA complaint #10240269 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE BRAKE LINES FROM THE FRONT TO THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE RUSTED CAUSING BRAKE FLUID TO POUR FROM THE TUBES. AS A RESULT, THE BRAKES FAILED WITHOUT WARNING. THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR WHILE TRAVELING AT 25 MPH ON A DRY HIGHWAY. UPON INSPECTION OF THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT NOTICED PIT HOLES IN THE TUBES LOCATED IN THE FUEL LINES WHERE THE RUST APPEARED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALERSHIP TO HAVE THE BRAKES REPAIRED.
NHTSA complaint #10165394 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
CONSUMER COMPLAINED ABOUT A BRAKE PROBLEM. WHEN DRIVING THROUGH THE RAIN WARNING DASH LIGHTS COME ON, AND THE VEHICLE STALLED.
NHTSA complaint #10073977 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
I HAVE HAD THIS CAR FOR ONE YEAR AND ONE HALF. I BOUGHT IT FROM RAY HUDSON CHEVROLET IN LA CROSSE ,WIS. I HAD THE CAR TWO WEEKS AND THE TRANSMISSION HAD TO BE REPLACED. TWO WEEKS AFTER THE FRONT AND BACK BRAKES HAD TO BE REPLACED. THIS WAS AT THE DEALERS EXSPENSE. I HAD TO HAVE A WHEEL BEARING REPLACED AND NOW AFTER A YEAR AND 1/2 I HAVE TO REPLACE THE WHOLE MOTOR.
NHTSA complaint #10071066 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, AIR:SUPPLY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
THE OUTER DOOR HANDLES BECOME INOPERABLE WHEN THE VEHICLE IS LEFT IN THE RAIN. CONDITION VARIES FROM TOTALLY INOPERABLE TO DIFFICULT TO OPEN. THE VEHICLE OPENS EASILY FROM THE INSIDE. IT HAS ALSO HAPPENED ONCE ON THE FRONT LEFT DOOR. THE DEALER NEVER HEARD OF THAT HAPPENING BEFORE. IF YOU SLAM THE DOOR REAL HARD IT FIXES ITSELF. WHEN THE CONDITION GOES AWAY THE DOORS OPEN LIKE NEW AGAIN UNTIL ANOTHER RAIN.
NHTSA complaint #762013 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS
I HAVE A NUMBER OF WORRIES WITH MY VEHICLE. THE FOLLOWING ARE: WHEN PLAYING THE RADIO/TAPE DECK, YOU HEAR A LOUD BUZZING NOISE COMING THROUGH THE SPEAKERS EVEN IF THE RADIO IS TURNED DOWN; WHEN STEERING FROM LEFT TO RIGHT YOU'LL HEAR A CRANKING NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT END OF CAR; CAR DOES NOT ABSORB BUMPS AT ALL, IT ROCKS, MAKES KNOCKING NOISE COMING FROM SOMEWHERE NEAR WHEELS; WHEN DRIVING ON HIGHWAY AT A SPEED OF ABOUT 50-70 MPH, CAR WILL SWAY, LIKE A WIND IS BLOWING IT AWAY; FEUL SENSOR WILL FLOAT, YOU CAN NOT COUNT ON IT TO TELL YOU HOW MUCH GAS YOU HAVE; TRUNK HOOD FLIPS UP IN THE AIR SO FAST AND HARD, I HAVE STUNTED MY FINGERS BEFORE ON IT; THE DOORS ON THE CAR HAVE A SHARP EDGE TO IT, IF YOU DON'T STAND BACK WHEN OPENING THE DOOR, IT CAN GASH YOUR LEG; WIND SHIELD ARE A BLIND SPOT, TO LONG, WIPERS ARE SO STRONG THEY VIBRATE THE CAR, UNUSUALLY STRONG; BACK WINDOW ON LEFT SIDE (PASSENGER) WILL NOT ROLL UP, OR ROLL DOWN SOMETIMES; ASSEMBLY OF LIGHT MOLDINGS/FIXTURES IN BACK OF CAR ARE OFF(NOT EVENLY LINED UP), SO IS THE LEVELING OF TRUNK LID; CAR JUMPS WHEN STARTING IT UP, LIKE IT'S READY TO PULL OFF, EVEN WHEN YOUR FOOT IS ON THE BRAKE; WHEN MOVING THE GEARS THE CAR MAKES A KNOCKING NOISE, AND JUMPS ALSO; BRAKE LIGHT COMES ON AND GOES OFF AT TIMES; CAR LOSES POWER AT TIMES, EVEN AFTER THE TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED IN FEBRUARY, 2001; KEYLESS ALARM SYSTEM IS SENSITIVE, SOMETIMES A INCONVIENCE, IF YOU PICK KEYS UP AND TOUCH THE PANIC, OR TRUNK RELEASE BUTTON IT CAN BE SET OFF IN THE HOUSE, BEHIND A BRICK WALL.
NHTSA complaint #744401 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
WHILE TRAVELING 50MPH DRIVER APPLIED BRAKES, BUT PEDAL WENT TO FLOOR AND VEHICLE DID NOT SLOW DOWN OR STOP, EVENTUALLY COMING TO REST IN A DITCH. *AK CONSUMER STATES 3 PEOPLE WERE INJURED IN ACCIDENT. *SLC
NHTSA complaint #882576 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
BRAKES FAILED. HARD PRESSURE ON BRAKE PEDAL RESULTED IN NO BRAKING FROM A SPEED OF 25MPH. CAR WAS STOPPED WHEN IT HIT A HOUSE. DAMAGE APPEARS TOTAL. ABS BRAKES HAVE FAILED IN TWO EARLIER INCIDENTS: ONE REQUIRED ABOUT $800 OF REPAIRS AND SOME PROPERTY DAMAGE. CAR WAS PURCHASED FROM FORD MOTOR COMPANY AFTER THE FIRST OWNER RETURNED THE VEHICLE FOR BRAKE PROBLEMS FORD CERTIFIED THAT THE BRAKES HAD BEEN REPAIRED TO "NEW" CONDITION.
NHTSA complaint #734022 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
ABS SYSTEM FAILED CAUSING LIGHT TO ILLIMINATE 2 REPAIRS DUE TO FAULTY DIAGNOSIS ON 1ST VISIT. YH
NHTSA complaint #551038 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR
ROTORS OF THE CAR CONTINUE TO WARP AND I HAVE SPOKEN TO MANY REPAIR SHOPS AND THEY HAVE TOLD ME THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM. WITH THE ROTORS WARPING THIS COULD MAKE BRAKING SAFELY DIFFICULT OR IMPOSSIBLE.
NHTSA complaint #718005 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS
BRAKE SHIFT INTERLOCK PERMITTED SHIFT FROM PARK WITH ENGINE RUNNING WITHOUT FOOT PRESSURE ON BRAKE PEDAL
NHTSA complaint #714165 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:POWER ASSIST:VACUUM:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
BRAKE VACCUM LINE BROKE, RESULTING IN COLLISION. HOWEVER, THE AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY ON CONTACT.
NHTSA complaint #547171 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DIFFERENTIAL PROPORTIONAL VALVE
WHEN CAR IS PUT ON A STANDARD TIRE SHOP LIFT THE REAR HIGTH SENSING VALVE GOES PAST ITS LIMIT WHICH ALLOWS CONSTANT PRESSURE TO BE APPLIED TO REAR BRAKES, AND CAN LEAD TO BRAKE FAILURE IN LESS THAN 400 MILES.
NHTSA complaint #705922 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:BRAKE FLUID LOW WARNING: LAMP
BRAKE SYSTEM WARNING LAMP REMAINS ILLUMINATED CONTINUOUSLY. VEHICLE NOT INCLUDED IN RECALL 96V016000. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS.
NHTSA complaint #836081 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR
BRAKE ROTORS WARPED CAUSING VIBRATION.
NHTSA complaint #541056 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR
DRIVER NOTICED PULSATION/VIBRATION WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES AT HIGHWAY SPEED. DEALER INFORMED THE OWNER THAT THE FRONT ROTORS WERE SO BADLY WARPED THAT HAD TO BE REPLACED.
NHTSA complaint #540776 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
IN THE RAIN DRIVING 35 MPH THE VEHICLE'S DEFECTIVE ABS SYSTEM MALFUNCTIONED, CAUSING EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE WHICH ALMOST CAUSED AN ACCIDENT.
NHTSA complaint #819830 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
ABS BRAKES; WHEN APPLIED BRAKES LOST EFFECTIVENESS, PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR , VEHICLE WENT INTO OPEN THROTTLE POSITION, 12:00 O'CLOCK POSITION, SPEED 35MP LOST CONTROL, RESULTING IN AN ACCIDENT.
NHTSA complaint #805469 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE WHILE PARKED IN THE GARAGE. *AK CONSUMER STATES ABS LIGHT WAS COMING THE DAY VEHICLE WAS PURCHASD AND DEALER ADMTTED THAT IT WAS ON BUT DID NOT SAY ANYTHING, POSSIBLE CAUSE WAS FAN FROM ABS LIGHT.
NHTSA complaint #986637 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
DRIVING CAR TO GET BOYFRIEND, WEATHER RAINY, RD SLICK/WET, CADILLAC MAKING LEFT TURN, APPLIED BRAKES (ABS), CAR SKIDDED ON RD, LOST CONTROL OF CAR.
NHTSA complaint #986662 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.