69 of the
391 complaints about the 1996 Mercury Sable are about the
engine — 18% of everything
reported for this model year.
Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before
81,750 miles.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 MERCURY SABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED AND THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE UNKNOWN REPAIRS WERE PERFORMED. THE FAILURE RECURRED HOWEVER AND THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR THE SAME FAILURE ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 6,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 49,000.
NHTSA complaint #10501255 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 137,000 milesFarmington, MNCrash1 injured
ENGINE
RELEVANT INFORMATION---ENGINE WAS REPAIRED ON SEPT. 9/10, 2012 SAME MORNING AS THE ACCIDENT--CAR WAS DRIVEN TO BANK BUT AS I WAS LEAVING I COULD NOT PUT CAR INTO REVERSE. A GENTLEMAN PASSERBY WAS ABLE TO PUT IT INTO REVERSE WITH EFFORT AND A LOUD NOISE IN THE GEARS. I PROCEEDED TO MY EXERCISE CLASS WHICH LASTED ONE HOUR. HAD NO TROUBLE WITH REVERSE GEAR THIS TIME. ABOUT 1/2 HOUR LATER I WAS TURNING INTO A PARKING LOT AND IN A MATTER OF MINUTES THE ENGINE STARTED REVVING UP AND SHOT FORWARD ON ITS OWN, WENT OVER A CURB & SIDEWALK AND CRASHED INTO A BRICK WALL AT HIGH SPEED. THE AIR BAGS WENT OFF AND WITH EFFORT I WAS ABLE TO OPEN THE FRONT DOOR. I HAD MINOR INJURIES--NOSE, CUT ON ELBOW, BANGED UP KNEES. THE ENGINE OF THE CAR KEPT ROARING FOR POSSIBLY 15 MINUTES UNTIL SOMEONE CUT THE CABLE TO THE BATTERY. THE POLICE REPORTED THAT I HAD STEPPED ON THE GAS INSTEAD OF THE BRAKE WHICH WAS TOTALLY FALSE. I REMEMBER DISTINCTLY THINKING--THERE'S SOMETHING TERRIBLE WRONG WITH MY CAR. THE INSURANCE COMPANY WAS NOT INTERESTED IN PURSUING THE CAUSE WHICH MAY HAVE BEEN RELATED TO THE REPAIR DONE ON THE ENGINE. THEY CALLED THE CAR A TOTAL LOSS.
NHTSA complaint #10480074 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 135,000 milesLake Orion, MI
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE STEERING WHEEL WAS DIFFICULT TO TURN. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP WHO DETERMINED THE ENGINE MOUNT AND CARRIAGE FRAME RUSTED WHICH CAUSED THE ENGINE TO SLIP FROM THE MOUNT. THE VEHICLE WAS EXPOSED TO EXTREME WINTER WEATHER AND ROAD SALTS. THE REPAIR SHOP CONCLUDED THAT A PIECE OF STEEL NEEDED TO BE ADDED TO EACH SIDE OF THE ENGINE MOUNT TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT ALERTED.
NHTSA complaint #10160024 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Kenova, WV
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
WHILE DRIVING ENGINE COLLAPSED DUE TO RUSTING. THIS CAUSED THE FRAME TO BREAK. ALSO, WHEN THE ENGINE COLLAPSED THE BALL JOINTS BROKE, CAUSING THE TIRES TO DISENGAGE FROM THE VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #10073691 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 67,000 milesWinona, MN
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
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.
Gibraltar, MIFire
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
THE CONSUMER EXPERIENCED ENGINE TROUBLE. THE CONSUMER THEN OPENED THE HOOD AND SAW FLAMES. *PH THE CONSUMER FIRST NOTICED THERE WAS A PROBLEM WHEN THE VEHICLE SPUTTERED. UPON STOPPING HE NOTICED SMOKE COMING OUT OF THE FRONT END. THE CONSUMER PUT THE FLAMES OUT WITH A SODA.
NHTSA complaint #10058074 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 39,000 milesSarsoda, FL
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
VEHICLE STALLED REPEATEDLY. THE IGNITION MODULE WAS REPLACED, HOWEVER THE PROBLEM RECURRED.
NHTSA complaint #10009682 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 96,500 milesCleveland, OH
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
THE WATER PUMP FAILED ON A 1996 MERCURY SABLE BECAUSE SAND FROM THE ENGINE CASTING GOT INTO THE WATER PUMP
NHTSA complaint #10005561 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Jacksonville, FL
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
CONSUMER STATES THAT WHILE DRIVING AND WITHOUT WARNING THE ENGINE OVERHEATED AND BLEW AND THE VEHICLE STARTED TO SMOKE UNDER THE HOOD CAUSING THE CONSUMER TO PULL OVER. DEALER NOTIFIED TS
NHTSA complaint #8021932 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Sunnyvale, CA
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
CONSUMER RECENTLY HAD TAKEN HER VEHICLE FOR ROUTINE MAINTENANCE, AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD A LEAKING HEAD GASKET. *SCC
NHTSA complaint #567232 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Creston, ID
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
THE VEHICLE WILL SHUT DOWN WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING. AND THE SLIDDING DOOR WILL UNEXPECTLY OPEN WHILE TRAVELING.
NHTSA complaint #8009069 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Rowlett, TX
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE:BELTS AND ASSOCIATED PULLEYS
VEHICLE STALLS EVERY TIME IN RAINY WEATHER, VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO DEALER ON 5 OCCASIONS, DEALER REPLACED SERPENTINE BELT AND INFORMED CONSUMER THAT THE MANUFACTURER WAS DESIGNING A GUARD TO PREVENT WATER FROM ENTERING THE VEHICLE, HOWEVER, MANUFACTURER WAS NOT AWARE OF NEW GUARD.
NHTSA complaint #8005675 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Anderson, CA
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM
COOLANT TURNED TO ACID AND CAUSE CORRUSION TO HEATER PLUG AND WATER PUMP.DEALERSHIP IS AWARE OF PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #8005265 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Cathedral City, CA
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
CAR STALLED, THOUGHT IT TO BE ALTENATOR, TOWED TO MY MECHANIC, FOUND THAT THE OIL PUMP GREAR WAS STRIPPED, AND ENGINE FROZE UP, DUE TO LACK OF LUBRICANT. HD TO REPLACE WITH REMANUFACTURED ENGINE, CAR HAS BEEN SERVICED AS REQUIRED FROM THE DAY IT WAS PURCHASED NEW, WITH ALL SERVICE RECORDS RETAINED. COST $4400.00 TO REPLACE. FEEL IT IS THE RESPONSIBILITY OF FORD MOTOR COMPANY TO PAY FOR THE REPLACEMENT. WAS OUT OF WARRENTY, BUT ENGINE STILL ONLY HAD 31613 MILES ON IT.
NHTSA complaint #755572 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Rescue, CA
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM
COOLANT INSIDE VEHICLE HAS DETERIORATED, CAUSING ENGINE TO RUST. PLEASE ADD ADDITIONAL INFORMATION.
NHTSA complaint #896468 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Ventura, CA
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
I WAS TRAVELING HOME FROM MY FIRST LONG DISTANCE TRIP FROM NAPA, CA. TO VENTURA, CA. WHEN WITHOUT ANY WARNING THE CARS TEMPERATURE GAUGE WENT STRAIGHT TO HOT, THE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND THE CAR LOST TOTAL POWER, RESULT? TWO BLOWN HEAD GASKETS, NUMEROUS COOLING PARTS REPLACED. WHEN FORD WAS CONTACTED ABOUT REIMBURSEMENT FOR A KNOWN DEFECT (HEAD GASKETS) THEY SAID THE GOODWILL POLICY DOESN'T COUNT IN MY CASE BECAUSE I TOOK IT TO A REPAIRSHOP OTHER THAN FORD. SO HERE I AM OUT $2,724.62 REPAIR COSTS $400. TOWING COST AND ANOTHER $250. IN RENTAL COST. I BELIEVE THAT I SHOULD BE REIMBURSED MY COSTS EVEN THOUGH I DIDN'T HAVE THE CAR REPAIRED BY FORD, BECAUSE I DIDN'T KNOW ABOUT THE EXTENDED "GOODWILL" WARRANTY UNTIL AFTER THE FACT. SO HERE IS ANOTHER SOB STORY ABOUT DEFECTIVE HEAD GASKETS NOT BEING FIXED. FORD KNOWS ABOUT THIS SERIOUS PROBLEM AND REFUSES TO FIX IT.
NHTSA complaint #748760 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Ventura, CA
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
I WAS TRAVELING HOME FROM MY FIRST LONG DISTANCE TRIP FROM NAPA, CA. TO VENTURA, CA. WHEN WITHOUT ANY WARNING THE CARS TEMPERATURE GAUGE WENT STRAIGHT TO HOT, THE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND THE CAR LOST TOTAL POWER, RESULT? TWO BLOWN HEAD GASKETS, NUMEROUS COOLING PARTS REPLACED. WHEN FORD WAS CONTACTED ABOUT REIMBURSEMENT FOR A KNOWN DEFECT (HEAD GASKETS) THEY SAID THE GOODWILL POLICY DOESN'T COUNT IN MY CASE BECAUSE I TOOK IT TO A REPAIRSHOP OTHER THAN FORD. SO HERE I AM OUT $2,724.62 REPAIR COSTS $400. TOWING COST AND ANOTHER $250. IN RENTAL COST. I BELIEVE THAT I SHOULD BE REIMBURSED MY COSTS EVEN THOUGH I DIDN'T HAVE THE CAR REPAIRED BY FORD, BECAUSE I DIDN'T KNOW ABOUT THE EXTENDED "GOODWILL" WARRANTY UNTIL AFTER THE FACT. SO HERE IS ANOTHER SOB STORY ABOUT DEFECTIVE HEAD GASKETS NOT BEING FIXED. FORD KNOWS ABOUT THIS SERIOUS PROBLEM AND REFUSES TO FIX IT.
NHTSA complaint #748760 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Ventura, CA
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
I WAS TRAVELING HOME FROM MY FIRST LONG DISTANCE TRIP FROM NAPA, CA. TO VENTURA, CA. WHEN WITHOUT ANY WARNING THE CARS TEMPERATURE GAUGE WENT STRAIGHT TO HOT, THE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND THE CAR LOST TOTAL POWER, RESULT? TWO BLOWN HEAD GASKETS, NUMEROUS COOLING PARTS REPLACED. WHEN FORD WAS CONTACTED ABOUT REIMBURSEMENT FOR A KNOWN DEFECT (HEAD GASKETS) THEY SAID THE GOODWILL POLICY DOESN'T COUNT IN MY CASE BECAUSE I TOOK IT TO A REPAIRSHOP OTHER THAN FORD. SO HERE I AM OUT $2,724.62 REPAIR COSTS $400. TOWING COST AND ANOTHER $250. IN RENTAL COST. I BELIEVE THAT I SHOULD BE REIMBURSED MY COSTS EVEN THOUGH I DIDN'T HAVE THE CAR REPAIRED BY FORD, BECAUSE I DIDN'T KNOW ABOUT THE EXTENDED "GOODWILL" WARRANTY UNTIL AFTER THE FACT. SO HERE IS ANOTHER SOB STORY ABOUT DEFECTIVE HEAD GASKETS NOT BEING FIXED. FORD KNOWS ABOUT THIS SERIOUS PROBLEM AND REFUSES TO FIX IT.
NHTSA complaint #748760 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Detroit, MIFire
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
THE VEHICLES ENGINE COMPARTMENT CAUGHT FIRE, THE CONSUMER STATED HE RECENTLY HAD THE TRANSMISSION AND THAT MAY HAVE BEEN THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM (OHIO TRAFFIC CRASH REPORT). NLM
NHTSA complaint #561537 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Dothan, AL
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM
VEHICLE STARTED OVERHEATING. COOLING SYSTEM BROKE DOWN TO SOON AND CAUSED EROSION. FORD DEVELOPED A REPAIR KIT FOR COOLING SYSTEM. CONTACTED DEALER, AND DEALER PAID HALF OF THE COST.
NHTSA complaint #890988 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Plainville, MI
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
CONSUMER IS HAVING SOME PROBLEMS WITH ENGINE, ENGINE OVERHEATS AND AT TIMES STALLS.*AK RADIATOR HAS BEEN REPLACED TWO TIMES, HEADGASKETS WERE REPLACED AND FINALLY ENGINE WAS REPLACED. SHOCKS WERE REPLACED. *SLC
NHTSA complaint #890304 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Carnarnon, IA
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
FRONT FROST PLUG BROKE AND COOLANT LEAKED. CONSUMER HAD ENGINE REPLACED . FORD HAD A TSB / VOLUNTARY RECALL ON VEHICLE FOR THAT PROBLEM. CONTACTED DEALER.
NHTSA complaint #889304 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Louisville, KY
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM
COOLANT TURNED TO A RUSTY SLUGGY MIXTURE. FREEZE OUT PLUGS HAD TO BE REPLACED AND SYSTEM FLUSHED. NEW COOLANT WAS ADDED AND IT IS ALREADY TURNING BROWN AGAIN. FORD DID DO THE WORK FOR FREE, BUT TOLD ME I WAS ON MY OWN IF IT OCCURED AGAIN. HAVE LEARNED THROUGH VARIOUS PEOPLE THAT THE SAME THING IS HAPPENING TO THEIR SABLE AND TAURUS CARS. TRANSMISSION HAS ALSO HAD TO REPAIRED AT A COST TO ME OF $1750.00. WHEN YOU COME TO A STOP THE CAR WILL THEN NOT GO FORWARD. YOU HAVE TO PRESS IN ON THE GAS AND MAKE IT LUNGE FORWARD, SOMETIMES CAUSING THE TIRES TO "BURN RUBBER" ! WE BROUGHT THIS PROBLEM TO THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT THREE YEARS AGO AND EACH TIME WE TOOK THE CAR IN THE SERVICE STAFF INFORMED US THAT THERE WAS NO PROBLEM. ON LAST VISIT IS WHEN THE COOLANT PROBLEM WAS DISCOVERD. WAS TOLD THAT OUR CAR HAD "CANCER" AND SHOULD GET RID OF IT, BUT NOT AT THEIR DEALERSHIP. THE PROBLEM WITH THE TRANSMISSION WAS A FORWARD ENGAGEMENT PISTON. THE COMPANY THAT MADE THE REPAIR HAD THREE OTHER SABLES IN THE SHOP WITH THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM - EACH WITH NO SUPPORT FROM FORD. EACH WERE PAYING $1750.00. HELP!!!
NHTSA complaint #745185 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Cincinnati, OH
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL:CRANKCASE (PCV)
WHEN VEHICLE SHIFTS GEARS RPMS STAY AT 1800-2000, WILL NOT GO DOWN, CONSUMER HAS TO SHUT OFF ENGINE AND RESTART. TO DEALER WHO REPLACED AIR BYPASS VALVE, THEN THROTTLE POSITIONER, COERRECTED PROBLEM FOR A SHORT TIME ONLY.*AK AIR BYPASS VALVE AND THROTTLE POSITIONER SENSOR WERE REPLACED ON WARRANTY.
NHTSA complaint #886597 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Baltimore, MD
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
WHEN DRIVING AT ANY SPEED AND WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING VEHICLE CUTS OFF, CAUSING LOSS OF ALL POWER. ALSO, WHEN MAKING A LEFT OR RIGHT HAND TURN THERE IS A KNOCKING NOISE COMING FROM FRONT END. CONSUMER HAS CONTACTED DEALER. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS.
NHTSA complaint #882435 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Randalls Town, MD
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE:BELTS AND ASSOCIATED PULLEYS
HIGH IDLE WHEN MOVING FROM PARK TO DRIVE, CAUSING VEHICLE TO LURCH FORWARD, AND IT WILL ALSO TRAVEL COUPLE FEET IF FOOT IS NOT ON BRAKES HARD. MANUFACTURER ISSUED A TSB, BUT IT DOES NOT CORRECT DEFECT. *AK CONSUMER STATES THAT THIS FAILURE CAUSED THE LIQUID FILLED MOUNTS TO FAIL WHICH ALSO CAUSED EXHAUST LEAK AT MANIFOLD, THE TSB NUMBER IS 97-7-1, WHICH STATES THE PCM NEEDED REPLACED DUE TO AN INCORRECT SOFTWARE IDENTIFICATION BLOCK. DRIVE AND SERPENTINE BELTS FAILED. *SLC
NHTSA complaint #882211 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Farmington Hills, MI
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH VEHICLE SHUDDERED, THEN STOPPED, ENGINE STILL RUNNING. ALSO, TRANSMISSION HAD FAILED.
NHTSA complaint #881693 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TWO Harbors, MN
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
VEHICLE EXPERIENCING PROBLEMS WITH THE HEATING/COOLING SYSTEM, CONSUMER NOTICED BROWN CORROSION IN THE RADIATOR AND RESERVOIR, THE RADIATOR CAP WAS REPLACED AND A SUPER FLUSH WAS DONE TO STOP THE PROBLEM, AFTER THE FLUSH THE HEAT STILL DIDN'T WORK AS IT SHOULD, AT THE END OF NOVEMBER, THE CONSUMER HAD TO REPLACE THE RADIATOR BECAUSE OF THE CORROSION, NOW THERE ARE SIGNS OF ANTI-FREEZE IN THE TAILPIPE, WHICH COULD BE A SIGN THAT THE CORROSION COULD BE GETTING INTO THE ENGINE AND POSSIBLY WARPING THE HEADS. *SLC
NHTSA complaint #559140 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TWO Harbors, MN
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
VEHICLE EXPERIENCING PROBLEMS WITH THE HEATING/COOLING SYSTEM, CONSUMER NOTICED BROWN CORROSION IN THE RADIATOR AND RESERVOIR, THE RADIATOR CAP WAS REPLACED AND A SUPER FLUSH WAS DONE TO STOP THE PROBLEM, AFTER THE FLUSH THE HEAT STILL DIDN'T WORK AS IT SHOULD, AT THE END OF NOVEMBER, THE CONSUMER HAD TO REPLACE THE RADIATOR BECAUSE OF THE CORROSION, NOW THERE ARE SIGNS OF ANTI-FREEZE IN THE TAILPIPE, WHICH COULD BE A SIGN THAT THE CORROSION COULD BE GETTING INTO THE ENGINE AND POSSIBLY WARPING THE HEADS. *SLC
NHTSA complaint #559140 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Eugene, OR
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #739588 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.