341 of the 7,190 complaints filed about the Mercury Sable are about the body and structure — 5% of everything owners reported. The worst model year for it is 1993.
341
Complaints
5%
Share of all complaints
10
Crashes
4
Fires
STRUCTURE:BODY
Car wheels rusted out
NHTSA complaint #11666648 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STRUCTURE:BODY
THE CARS UNDERBODY HAS FULLY RUSTED EVERY SINCE I BOUGHT IT BACK IN 2015 MY FLOOR PANELS ARE COMPLETELY RUSTED. THE CARS SIDE SKIRTS CAME OFF THE CAR ON BOTH SIDES BECAUSE I HIT A POTHOLE IN THE STREET, UNDER THAT IS FULL OF RUST. THE CAR WAS DRIVEN TO AND FROM WORK. I FEEL LIKE THIS IS POSING A THREAT TO ME AS WELL AS OTHER DRIVERS. ANYTHING CAN COME A LOOSE AND I CAN CRASH AND WHO KNOWS WHAT ELSE CAN HAPPEN.
NHTSA complaint #11222297 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STRUCTURE:BODY
1. THE HOOD CLOSES APPARENTLY FINE, IT DOES NOT OPEN IF I TRY TO, HOWEVER KEEPS OPENING EVERY 20 MINUTES AFTER DRIVING. I COULD NOT FIND THE CAUSE. 2. VERY STRONG SMELL OF GAS KEEPS OCURRING, NO SIGNS OR DROPS OR VIISUAL LEAK PUDDLE.
NHTSA complaint #11047279 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STRUCTURE:BODY
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 MERCURY SABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, IT CAUGHT ON FIRE IN THE DASHBOARD AREA WITHOUT WARNING. THE FIRE WAS EXTINGUISHED BY NEIGHBORS. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY, THERE WAS NO POLICE REPORT FILED, AND THERE WERE NO INJURIES DUE TO THE FIRE. THE LOCAL DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 100,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
NHTSA complaint #11046636 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STRUCTURE:BODY
REAR SUBFRAME CONNECTION PASSENGER SIDE RUSTED THROUGH DUE TO FACTORY PUT AIR CONDITIONER CONDENSATE LINE SO THAT IT CONSTANTLY DUMPS CONDENSATE ON THIS AREA INSTEAD OF DRAINING CONDENSATE BEYOND AND TO THE GROUND. THE RESULT IS A RUSTED OUT SEVERED CONNECTION THEREBY CAUSING THE ENGINE AND TRANSMISSION TO BE HELD BY ONLY THREE OF THE FOUR CONNECTIONS NEEDED TO SAFELY HOLD ENGINE AND TRANSMISSION AS DESIGNED FROM THE FACTORY.
NHTSA complaint #10940302 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STRUCTURE:BODY
THE VEHICLES STOCK JACKING LOCATIONS ARE NO LONGER CONSIDERED AS SAFE. THEY HAVE DETERIORATED DUE TO CORROSION AND RUSTING AWAY. SHOULD SOMEONE DECIDE TO TRUST ANY ONE OF THE AFFECTED JACKING LOCATIONS, THE STRUCTURAL INTEGRITY OF THE FRAME MAY CRUMPLE AND BREAK CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO DROP ONTO ANYONE PERFORMING WORK UNDERNEATH, WHICH MAY RESULT IN SEVERE INJURY, OR EVEN DEATH.
NHTSA complaint #10836738 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STRUCTURE:BODY
PASSENGER FLOOR RUSTED OUT COMPLETELY IN TWO SPOTS ON THE FRONT RIGHT OF FLOOR. TWO MAJOR HOLES. THE REMAINDER OF THE FLOOR IS SHOWING SIGNS THAT IT TOO IS DETERIORATING. THIS IS A SAFETY CONCERN AS THE STRUCTURAL INTEGRITY OF THE FLOOR HAS BEEN COMPROMISED AND CAN ALLOW SOMEONE TO FALL THROUGH SHOULD EXCESS WEIGHT BE PLACED IN ANY OF THESE WEAK PLACES AND OR HOLES.
NHTSA complaint #10836733 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STRUCTURE:BODY
THE TRUNK DOOR HYDRAULICS FAILED. THIS OCCURRED 1 WEEK AFTER THE CAR WAS A YEAR OLD IN 2010. WHEN OPENING TRUNK IT COMES DOWN ON YOUR HEAD. MANUFACTURER WOULD NOT REPLACE NOR WOULD DEALER THE HYDRAULIC LIFTS ON THE TRUNK.
NHTSA complaint #10812019 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STRUCTURE:BODY
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1995 MERCURY SABLE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE TRANSMISSION JERKED SEVERELY WITH EXTREME HESITATION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING WHO STATED THAT THE REAR SUBFRAME WAS COMPLETELY CORRODED, WHICH CAUSED DAMAGE TO THE TRANSMISSION. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 93V106000 (STRUCTURE). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS INVALID. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 103,219.
NHTSA complaint #10780043 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STRUCTURE:BODY
THE ENGINE CRADLE/FRAME SUPPORTING THE ENGINE & TRANSMISSION AND SUSPENSION AND STEERING ASSEMBLIES FAILED DUE TO EXCESSIVE CORROSION CAUSING THE REAR MOUNT AT THE BODY CONNECTION ON BOTH SIDES TO SEPARATE AND DROP ABOUT 3" CAUSING A LOSS OF STEERING. THE DROP OF THE CRADLE AND ENGINE AND TRANSMISSION PULLED DOWN ON THE STEERING SHAFT UNIVERSAL JOINT UNDER THE DASH CAUSING THE STEERING TO BIND UP AND ALSO CAUSING THE ENTIRE STEERING AND SUSPENSION GEOMETRY TO FAIL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT GARAGED, WAS PURCHASED NEW BY ME, WAS NOT IN INVOLVED IN ANY FLOOD DAMAGE, WAS NOT IN CLOSE PROXIMITY TO SALT WATER AND THE UNDERCARRIAGE WAS SPRAYED EACH TIME I FREQUENTLY WASHED THE VECHICLE. THE ENGINE CRADLE IN ADDITION TO THE REAR MOUNT FAILURE HAS EXTENSIVE RUST AND CORROSION THRUOUT THE STRUCTURE. AS SOMEONE WHO PAYS ATTENTION TO MY VEHICLE I BEGAN TO NOTICE RUST/CORROSION ON THE ENGINE CRADLE ABOUT 5 YEARS AFTER PURCHASING THE VEHICLE AND HAVE SEARCHED THE INTERNET FOR SIMILAR COMPLAINTS WITHOUT FINDING ANY. I'M WIRTTING THIS AFTER FINALLY SEEING A COMPLAINT ON A 2001 FORD TAURUS CRADLE/FRAME FAILURE AND THINK THIS DANGEROUS CONDITION SHOULD BE MADE PUBLIC. THANKFULLY I WAS GOING AT A SLOW SPEED AND WAS ABLE TO VEER THE VEHICLE TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. HAD I BEEN TRAVELING AT HIGHWAY SPEED THE EVENT WOULD HAVE BEEN CATASTROPHIC NOT ONLY TO ME BUT OTHERS ON THE ROAD ALSO. LOVED MY VEHICLE IT RUNS GREAT AND WAS LOOKING FOWARD TO MORE MILES WITH IT, UNFORTUNATELY THE REPAIR WOULD BE A MAJOR UNDERTAKING AND EXPENSE AND MY SABLE IS TO HEAD TO THE JUNK YARD ON A FLATBED.
NHTSA complaint #10761626 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STRUCTURE:BODY
CAR WAS COMPLETELY STOPPED. WHEN ENGAGED INTO REVERSE, CAR MADE LOUD NOISE, TIRES SQUEALED, ENGINE RACED AND CRASHED INTO PARKED CAR BEHIND IT AT HIGH RATE OF SPEED. PARKED VEHICLE THAT WAS STRUCK THEN STRUCK CAR NEXT TO IT SINCE IMPACT WAS SO GREAT. CAR WAS UNCONTROLLABLE, COULD NOT BE STOPPED VIA BRAKES.
NHTSA complaint #10724265 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STRUCTURE:BODY
THE FRONT DRIVER DOOR WILL NOT SHUT IN COLD TEMPERATURES. AS I WAS TRYING TO LEAVE FOR WORK THE DOOR WOULD NOT LATCH SHUT. ENDED UP HOLDING THE DOOR SHUT WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD. I WENT AND BOUGHT A RATCHET STRAP TO SECURE THE DOOR IN PLACE AS IT IS OFTEN COLD IN WISCONSIN.
NHTSA complaint #10717779 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STRUCTURE:BODY
FLOORBOARDS RUSTED THROUGH, I WAS GETTING SPLASHED WHILE DRIVING THROUGH AN UNAVOIDABLE PUDDLE IN THE ROAD. LOOKS TO BE FOUR SEPARATE SPOTS, ALL FOUR SEATING AREAS AFFECTED.
NHTSA complaint #10712105 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STRUCTURE:BODY
THE FLOOR BOARDS ON MY VEHICLE ARE RUSTED THROUGH.
NHTSA complaint #10704934 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 MERCURY SABLE. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR ROUTINE MAINTENANCE AND THE MECHANIC DISCOVERED THAT THE ENGINE CRADLE AND THE SUBFRAME WERE SEVERELY RUSTED AND CORRODED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 95,000.
NHTSA complaint #10625987 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STRUCTURE
THE DRIVERS SIDE HEATED SEAT DIED SHORTLY AFTER I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE. THIS WAS ONE OF THE SELLING POINTS FOR ME, I HAD IT REPLACED AND THE REPLACEMENT DIDN'T MAKE IT THROUGH THE WINTER OF THAT YEAR. I DIDN'T REALIZE THIS WAS A PROBLEM COMMON WITH THE SABLE. I CANNOT AFFORD TO HAVE IT REPLACED AGAIN. IS THIS A FIRE HAZARD. I AM ALSO HAVING A TERRIBLE PEELING AND CHIPPING PROBLEM WITH THE PAINT.
NHTSA complaint #10615246 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STRUCTURE
AFTER RAINS THE CAR GOT A WET FLOOR ON THE PASSENGER SIDE ,NO WET SPOTS ON ROOF OR WINDOWS. IT WAS LEAKING WATER FROM THE DASH BOARD COMPARTMENT BOTTOM.WHILE DRIVING ,THE HEATER WAS ON AND IT STARTED SMOKING FROM UNDER THE DASHBOARD COMPARTMENT BY PASSENGER SIDE I TURNED EVERYTHING OFF . I TOOK IT FOR REPAIR AND NOW, ON MAY IT RAINED HEAVY AGAIN AND IT HAS A PUDDLE IN THE PASSENGER SIDE AGAIN ,SAME SITUATION AS BEFORE, WATER CAME FROM INSIDE.IS THIS A SAFETY HAZARD? I BOUGHT THIS CAR ON NOVEMBER 2013 ,AND I KNEW TOO LATE ABOUT THE HEATING SYSTEM RECALL ,I DON'T KNOW IF IT WAS EVER REPAIRED ON THAT RECALL.FORD DEALER IN COLORADO SAYS THERE IS NO WAY TO CHECK IT.ACCORDING TO SOME WEBSITES IT NEEDS SOMETHING TO HAVE A PROTECTION UNDER THE WIPERS VENTS(COWL) AND IT IS A FACTORY MISTAKE. I HAVE HAD THE HEATING SYSTEM REPAIRED 2 TIMES,TOO EXPENSIVE FOR ME.I AM UNDER EMPLOYED. I WANT TO KNOW IF THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD. IT IS THE ONLY WAY I COULD MAKE FORD TO FIX THIS RECALLED IF THE CAR WAS NEVER FIXED FOR THIS BEFORE.THANKS FOR YOUR HELP.
NHTSA complaint #10587324 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STRUCTURE:BODY
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 MERCURY SABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE WOULD HEAR A RATTLING NOISE FROM UNDER THE HOOD AND ASSUMED THAT THE MOTOR MOUNTS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT REPAIRED THE VEHICLE BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE CONTACT INSPECTED UNDER THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED THAT THE FRAME WAS RUSTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND STATED THAT THE FRAME NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 85,500.
NHTSA complaint #10489301 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 MERCURY SABLE WAGON. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE SUB FRAME HAD RUSTED THROUGH. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR A ROUTINE SERVICE WHO STATED THAT THE VEHICLE COULD NOT BE DRIVEN DUE TO THE CORROSION. ALSO, THE DEALER ADVISED THE CONTACT TO PURCHASE A USED SUB FRAME FOR THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE WHO DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE AND STATED THAT THEY WERE NO LONGER MANUFACTURING NEW SUB FRAMES FOR THAT SPECIFIC YEAR MODEL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 106,000. UPDATED 12/28/12 *CN UPDATED 1/15/2013
NHTSA complaint #10484108 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STRUCTURE:BODY
1-SPRING -WIFE WAS DRIVING LOCALLY, HEARD LOUD NOISE LIKE HITTING SOMETHING; PULLED INTO FRIEND'S DRIVEWAY; WALKED BACK INTO ROADWAY AND FOUND SPRING; TOWED TO FORD, BOTHSPRINGS REPLACED UNDER RECALL 04M04 2-FILL PIPE - 11/12/2010- AT ROUTINE SERVICE DEALER SAID RUSTED (90672MI) PARTS HAD TO BE REPLACED - $428. 3-SUBFRAME -07/19/2012- ROUTINE SERVICE (106097MI) DEALER SAID CAR NOT ROAD WORTHY; LEFT FRONT SUBFRAME RUSTED THRU, L FRT CONTROL ARM ASSEMBLY ABOUT TO BREAK AWAY FROM SUBFRAME - ASTONISHING!!! - HAD JUST COMPLETED 300MI TRIP , WAS ABOUT TO LEAVE ON 700MI TRIP - WOULD PROBABLY HAVE BEEN KILLED ALONG WITH DRIVERS OF NEARBY VEHICLES ON INTERSTATE; HAVE PHOTOS; FORD SUBFRAME NO LONGER AVAILABLE, NEVER ANY AFTER MKT MFG; WOULD BE CRAZY TO TRUST USED PART! CAN'T BELIEVE HOW CLOSE I CAME TO MAJOR ACCIDENT/DEATH - [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
NHTSA complaint #10469150 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.