22 of the 326 complaints about the 1997 Mercury Sable are about the seat belts — 7% of everything reported for this model year. Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before 70,000 miles.
22
Complaints
1
Crashes
0
Fires
1
Injuries
Filed with NHTSA, in their own words.
SEAT BELTS
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 MERCURY SABLE. WHILE THE CONTACT'S SON WAS DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BELT LOOSENED WITHOUT WARNING. THE MANUFACTURER WILL BE NOTIFIED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 55,000.
NHTSA complaint #10236816 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SEAT BELTS
I SHOULD HAVE LEARNED THAT SABLE WAS A BAD CAR AFTER THE ENGINE OF MY MOTHER'S '87 SABLE EXPLODED, CAUGHT FIRE AND BUSTED THROUGH THE FLOOR OF THE CAR BESIDE THE GAS PEDAL AND BRAKE (1993). LUCKILY SHE WAS NOT IN THE CAR. THE ENGINE HAD BEEN OFF AND SITTING IN PARK FOR FIVE MINUTES WHEN THIS HAPPENED. I BOUGHT MY 97 SABLE IN 2001. I HAVE NEVER HAD A CAR WITH SO MANY CONSTANT PROBLEMS. I SPEND ABOUT $1200 A YEAR FIXING IT CONTINUALLY. I'M CURRENTLY HAVING ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS WITH THE RADIO GOING OUT WHILE IN REVERSE OR WHEN I PRESS THE BRAKE. THE WINDOW ON THE PASSENGER SIDE WON'T MOVE UP OR DOWN UNLESS THE DRIVER AND THE PASSENGER PRESS THE BUTTONS AT THE SAME TIME. THE INTERIOR LIGHT STAYS ON, SO WE HAVE TO UNPLUG THE FUSE TO GET IT TO GO OFF. THE SEAT BELT SAFETY LIGHT AND THE WINDOW BUTTON LIGHTS KEEP CLICKING ON AND OFF. ONCE AGAIN, THE STEERING WHEEL IS HARD TO TURN EVEN THOUGH THE POWER STEERING FLUID IS AT THE RIGHT LEVEL. I HAVE TO GET THE WHEELS ALIGNED SEVERAL TIMES A YEAR. THE CAR ALWAYS MAKES A HUMMING NOISE AND DOES NOT BLOCK OUT THE SOUND OF WIND. THE SHOULDER STRAPS OF SEAT BELTS ALWAY LOCK INTO PLACE TOO TIGHT. NAME THE PROBLEM... I'VE PROBABLY BEEN THROUGH IT. I WILL NEVER BUY ANOTHER FORD/ MERCURY AGAIN EVEN IF IT IS THE #1 SELLING CAR.
NHTSA complaint #10070190 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SEAT BELTS:FRONT
WHILE MAKING A TURN ANOTHER VEHICLE IMPACTED THE RIGHT SIDE OF CONSUMER'S VEHICLE AT UNKNOWN SPEED. UPON IMPACT, AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY, AND DRIVER'S SEAT BELT WAS CUT IN HALF. DRIVER WAS PROJECTED INSIDE THE VEHICLE AND SUSTAINED INJURIES.
NHTSA complaint #10063407 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:RETRACTOR
THE PASSENGER SIDE SEAT BELT RETRACTOR WOULD NOT RETRACT. *NLM
NHTSA complaint #10012009 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SEAT BELTS:REAR/OTHER
THE REAR SAFETY BELTS DID NOT RETRACT FROM THE HOUSING.*JB
NHTSA complaint #10009338 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:RETRACTOR
WHILE ATTEMPTING TO INSTALL A CHILDS SEAT, THE SEAT BELT WOULD NOT RETRACT. IT STAYS IN THE FULLY EXTENDED POSITION.
NHTSA complaint #765777 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:ANCHORAGE
PASSENGER'S SIDE FRONT AND REAR SEAT BELT WILL NOT RETRACT OR EXTEND, IT WILL STICK IN EITHER THE RETRACTING POISTION OR EXTENDED POSITION.*AK CONSUMER STATES SEAT BELT FAILURE STILL PERSISTS AND HAS BEEN ONGOING SINCE DATE OF PURCHASE, CONSUMER STATES THE SEATBELTS WILL LOCK UP AND NOT RELEASE, CONSUMER ALSO COMPLAINED OF THE BRAKES SQUEAKING, HOWEVER DEALER COULD FIND NO PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #8014652 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:ANCHORAGE
CONSUMER STATES THE REAR PASSENGER SHOULDER SEAT BELT LOCKED UP, AFTER REMOVING THE BACK OF THE REAR SEAT TO EXAMINE THE SEAT BELT RETRACTOR, CONSUMER NOTICED A TENSION SPRING, WHICH HAD ENGAGED THE BELT IN A LOCK POSITION.
NHTSA complaint #566148 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SEAT BELTS
FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BELT WILL NOT STAY FASTENED. CAUSE IS UNKNOWN. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORRMATION.
NHTSA complaint #8009101 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY
DRIVER'S SEAT BELT COMES UNDONE, EVEN AFTER MANUALLY TUGGING ON SAME TO SEE IF SECURED. I AM MOSTLY ALONE IN THE CAR AND DON'T KNOW IF THE OTHER BELTS DO THE SAME. THIS HAS OCCURRED SINCE I BOUGHT THE CAR. THE BELT CAN COME UNDONE WHEN I TUG ON IT, OR LATER. IT CAN COME UNDONE WHILE PARKED OR MOVING AT NO PARTICULAR SPEED. I WOULD SAY IN RETROSPECT, I USUALLY NOTICE IT NOT TOO FAR FROM MY HOUSE AND I LIVE IN THE CITY, SO PERHAPS IT HAPPENS AT 0 TO LOW SPEEDS. I NOTICE ON THOSE OCCASSIONS THAT THE SEATBELT DOES NOT CLICK WHEN FASTENED. SOMETIMES YOU CANNOT FORCE IT TO CLICK SHUT.
NHTSA complaint #759028 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SEAT BELTS
THE SEAT BELT ALWAYS LOCKS UP ON THE PASSENGER SIDE FRONT. IT'S A SAFETY ISSUE BECAUSE THE BELT ALWAYS JAMS AND MERCURY DEALERSHIP WON'T DO A THING SINCE ITS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY UNLESS YOU GOT $200.00. I HEARD FORD HAD SIMILAR PROBLEMS ON THEIR OTHER FORD/MERCURY PRODUCTS, WHICH MY CAR ISN'T UNDER RECALL. ON THE ENGINE LIGHT MATTER. IF YOU FORGET TO PUT ON THE GAS CAP OR RADITIOR CAP ON OR SOMETHING VERY MINOR. THE ENGINE LIGHT WILL COME ON. I NOTICED THIS WILL HAPPEN ALSO WITH MY DAD'S TAURUS ALSO. I HAVE HEARD THIS HAPPENS TO ALL 1995 OR NEWER CARS. THING IS MOST PEOPLE SEE THE ENGINE LIGHT ON AND GO RIGHT TO THE MECHANIC WHICH CAN BE COSTLY IN REPAIRS IF REALLY THE REPAIR IS NOT NECESSARY BECAUSE ITS SOMETHING MINOR LIKE A GAS CAP NOT TIGHTENED. MAYBE THE AUTO COMPANY'S FOUND A NEW WAY TO RIP US OFF? WHAT DO U THINK?
NHTSA complaint #754891 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:ANCHORAGE
BOTH RIGHT REAR SEAT BELTS DO NOT RETRACT AND MAKING THEM UNUSEABLE, DEALER HAS INFORMED CONSUMER THAT IT WILL TAKE 7-10 DAYS TO REPAIR PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #785457 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:RETRACTOR
FRONT PASSENGER SIDE AND REAR PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAGS DO NOT RETRACT PROPERLY, CAUSING SEAT BELTS TO GRAB OR TO BE TOO LOOSE. RETRACTORS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED.
NHTSA complaint #882320 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:ANCHORAGE
OTHER FAILURE DATES: 11/99 & 1/00. NO SAFETY DEFECT LISTED.
NHTSA complaint #741387 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY
SEATBELT DOESNT ALWAYS LATCH, SOMETIMES PULLS OUT.
NHTSA complaint #740974 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:RETRACTOR
DRIVER'S SIDE REAR PASSENGER SEAT BELT DOES NOT RETRACT. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED.
NHTSA complaint #874317 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:RETRACTOR
DASH SEATBELT INDICATOR LIGHT ONLY GOES OUT AFTER A PERIOD OF TIME AND THE SAFTEY BELT DOES NOT LOCK TIGHTLY AT ALL TIMES.
NHTSA complaint #735590 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SEAT BELTS
ON MY 1997 MERCURY SABLE THE PASSENGER SEAT BELT CONSTANTLY JAMS AND TAKES FOREVER TO DISENGAGE. I AM GUESSING THE JAM IS SOMEWHERE BETWEEN THE INTERIOR AND EXTERIOR OF THE PLASTIC OF THE CAR. WHERE THE SEAT BELT LOCKS THE BELT IN PLACE NEAR THE DOOR. ANY QUESTIONS PLEASE CALL ME.
NHTSA complaint #724638 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:RETRACTOR
THE REAR PASSENGER SEAT SEATS THREE--THERE ARE TWO SEATBELTS WITH SHOULDER RESTRAINTS ON EACH SIDE AND A LAP RESTRAINT IN THE MIDDLE. THE BUCKLE ON THE LAP RESTRAINT CAME OFF WHEN A 7-YEAR OLD GIRL WAS ATTEMPTING TO BUCKLE UP. THE OTHER TWO SEATBELTS WILL NOT RETRACT-THEY ARE USELESS.
NHTSA complaint #722034 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY
THE REAR PASSENGER SEAT SEATS THREE--THERE ARE TWO SEATBELTS WITH SHOULDER RESTRAINTS ON EACH SIDE AND A LAP RESTRAINT IN THE MIDDLE. THE BUCKLE ON THE LAP RESTRAINT CAME OFF WHEN A 7-YEAR OLD GIRL WAS ATTEMPTING TO BUCKLE UP. THE OTHER TWO SEATBELTS WILL NOT RETRACT-THEY ARE USELESS.
NHTSA complaint #722034 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY
THE METAL PART OF THE SEATBELT WILL NOT LOCK INTO THE CORRESPONDING LOCK
NHTSA complaint #709333 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY
THE METAL MALE BUCKLE CAME APART IN TWO PIECES. NO WARNING OR EVIDENCE OF BREAKAGE, NOT THE RECEPTICLE. SCHEDULED FOR DEALER INSPECTION . PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION.
NHTSA complaint #832400 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.