1996 Mercury Sable

304 complaints on file, page 1 of 16.

1. Filed Oct 19, 2017Failure Oct 14, 2017300,000 milesMabelvale, ARPower train

   JUST BOUGHT A MERCURY SABLE 1996. AFTER DRIVING THIS VEHICAL FOR ABOUT 10 MILES, THE TRANSMISSION BEGAN TO SLIP BADLY. IT BEGAN WITH HAVING TROUBLE ACCELERATING FROM A COMPLETE STOP. LUCKILY I WAS DRIVING IN A RURAL AREA WITH FEW STOPS AND LITTLE TRAFFIC. BY THE TIME I STOPPED AT THE 3 STOP SIGN. THE TRANSMISSION WOULD NO LONGER ENGAGE INTO 1ST OR 2ND GEAR. NEVER GOT INTO 4TH GEAR. BUT HAD TO GET PUSH THE VEHICAL FROM THE LAST STOP SIGN UNTIL I REACHED A SMALL HILL THAT ALLOWED ME TO REACH THE SPEED SO THAT 3RD WAS ABLE TO ENGAGE AND WAS ABLE TO MAKE IT TO MY HOUSE. THE CAR HASN'T MOVED SINCE THEN. WASTE OF $1,000!! TRANSMISSION IS FINISHED.

   NHTSA complaint 11034494
2. Filed Mar 25, 2016Failure Jan 5, 201580,000 milesFrankfort, KYSteering, Suspension

   TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 MERCURY SABLE. WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, A SQUEAKING NOISE WAS HEARD UNDER THE VEHICLE, ESPECIALLY WHEN SLOWING DOWN, MAKING TURNS, AND REVERSING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE CRADLE AND SUBFRAME BUSHING WERE CORRODED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. IN ADDITION, WHILE DRIVING AT CERTAIN SPEEDS AND MAKING RIGHT OR LEFT TURNS, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000.

   NHTSA complaint 10851657
3. Filed Aug 18, 2014Failure Aug 16, 201495,000 milesElburn, ILFrame 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
4. Filed Mar 4, 2013Failure Mar 12, 19976,000 milesSilver Spring, MDEngine, Vehicle speed control

   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. *TR

   NHTSA complaint 10501255
5. Filed Oct 14, 2012Failure Oct 2, 2012137,000 milesFarmington, MNElectronic stability control (esc), EngineCrash1 injured

   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. *TR

   NHTSA complaint 10480074
6. Filed Aug 26, 2011Failure Aug 19, 201193,000 milesClarinda, IAFrame and members

   TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 MERCURY SABLE. WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH THE CONTACT HEARD A POPPING SOUND COMING FROM THE UNDER THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC. THE MECHANIC STATED THE REAR LOWER SUBFRAME WAS FRACTURED DUE TO CORROSION AND COULD DETACH FROM THE VEHICLE. THERE WAS A RECALL UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 98V323000 (STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS) THAT MAY BE RELATED TO THE FAILURE BUT DID NOT INCLUDE 1996 MODELS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 93,000.

   NHTSA complaint 10421581
7. Filed Feb 17, 2011Failure Feb 15, 2011166,000 milesAromas, CAAir bags, Seat beltsCrash1 injured

   TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 MERCURY SABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE SITTING ON THE PASSENGER SEAT, HE WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT. HE MENTIONED THAT ALTHOUGH HE WAS PROPERLY WEARING HIS SEAT BELT AND THE AIRBAG DEPLOYED, IT FAILED TO PROTECT HIM. HE MENTIONED THAT HIS HEAD AND RIGHT HAND HIT INTO THE WINDSHIELD AND SHATTERED IT. HE ALSO SUFFERED A CONCUSSION AND INJURIES TO HIS KNEES. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 166,000. UPDATED 06/01/11*LJ UPDATED 06/13/11

   NHTSA complaint 10383088
8. Filed Sep 15, 2009Failure Sep 11, 2009140,000 milesNorthfield, NJElectrical system, Automatic transmissionFire

   TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 MERCURY SABLE WAGON. THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN PARKED ON SEPT 10,09 AT 3:30, THE NEXT DAY, AT 6:30 PM THE VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS ENGULFED IN FLAMES. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT EXTINGUISHED THE FIRED AND STATED THAT IT WAS AS ELECTRICAL FIRE. A FIRE REPORT IS AVAILABLE IF NEEDED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE INSURANCE HAS NOT ADVISED THE CONTACT IF THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED OR NOT. AN INSURANCE ADJUSTER WILL PROVIDE THE FINDINGS AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 140,000. UPDATED 10/20/09 *CN THE CONSUMER STATED THE TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED TWICE. UPDATED 10/23/09.*JB

   NHTSA complaint 10283986
9. Filed Aug 29, 2008Failure Jun 6, 2007200,000 milesEnglewood, OHService 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. *TR

   NHTSA complaint 10240269
10. Filed Aug 18, 2007Failure Jun 4, 2007Andover, MNTread/belt

    TIRE TREAD ON GENERAL AMERI TECH TIRES SEPARATED. *JB

    NHTSA complaint 10200000
11. Filed Jan 19, 2007Failure Jan 15, 2007108,000 milesToledo, OHUnderbody shields

    THE SUB FRAME ON MY SON'S 96 MERCURY SABLE SUDDENLY BROKE LOOSE AND NEARLY CAUSED HIM A SERIOUS ACCIDENT. THE STEERINMG OF THE VEHICLE BECAME VERY ERATIC AND AS SUCH LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. LUCKILY NO ONE WAS HURT.THE AREA WHERE THE FRAME ATTACHES TO THE BODY HAD LITERALY RUSTED AWAY AND THE SUBFRAM HAD SHIFTED. I CHECKED THE COMPLAINT DATABASES AND FOUND FORD HAD A RECALL ON SABLES AND TAURUSES FOR SUBFRAME FAILURES FROM 89 TO THE 95 MODEL IN SALTBELT STATES. THE SAME TYPE OF FAILURES LISTED IN THE RECALL INFORMATIOIN ARE ALSO ENDEMIC TO THE 96 MODEL. OTHER THAN THE SUBFRAME FAILURE THE CAR WAS IN EXCELLENT SHAPE AND WELL MAINTAINED. THE MAJOR CONCERN I HAVE IS HOW MANY OTHER 96' SABLE AND TAURUSES ARE STILL ON THE ROADS IN THE SALTBELT STATES WITH THE POTENTIAL FOR A VERY SERIOUS AND LIFE THREATENING ACCIDENT TO OCCUR DUE TO THIS DEFECT. I SERIOUSLY BELIEVE THAT FORD OR SOME GOVERNMENTAL AGENCY SHOULD REQUIRE WARNINGS TO BE ISSUED TO OWNERS OF THESE CARS TO HAVE THEM INSPECTED BEFORE PEOPLE WHO ARE DRIVING THESE CARS FIND THEMSELVES IN A SERIOUS ACCIDENT.

    NHTSA complaint 10179115
12. Filed Jan 10, 2007Failure Jan 2, 200760,000 milesRomulus, MIFrame and members

    TL* - THE CONTACT HAS A 1996 MERCURY SABLE WITH AN ODOMETER READING OF 60000 MILES; THE SUBFRAME WAS RUSTED. THE CONTACT HEARD A CRACKING NOISE WHEN MAKING LEFT TURN AT 5 MPH UNDER DRY CONDITIONS. WHEN THE CONTACT LOOKED UNDER THE CAR HE FOUND THAT THE SUBFRAME RUSTED OFF OF THE VEHICLE. THIS FAILURE IS ADDRESSED UNDER RECALL 98V323000 FRAME AND MEMBERS. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER, AND WAS TOLD THAT THE CAR WAS TOO OLD FOR THEM TO TAKE ANY ACTION. THE CONTACT SAID THAT HE WOULD HAVE PICTURES AND A REPAIR ORDER. *AK UPDATED 02/22/07. *JB

    NHTSA complaint 10178352
13. Filed Aug 14, 2006Failure Aug 13, 200696,000 milesRandallstown, MDService brakes, 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
14. Filed Jun 16, 2006Failure Jun 16, 2006184,000 milesLake Orion, MIUnderbody shields, Stabilizer bar

    DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE LEFT FRONT WHEEL STABILIZER ARM WOBBLED FROM SIDE TO SIDE. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP AND IT WAS DETERMINED, THE FRONT UNDERCARRIAGE AND ENGINE MOUNTS WERE RUSTED. THE VEHICLE WAS EXPOSED TO EXTREME WINTER WEATHER AND CORROSIVE ROAD SALTS. THE REPAIR SHOP CONCLUDED THAT DUE TO THE EXTENSIVE CORROSION, THE PROBLEM COULD NOT BE CORRECTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT ALERTED.

    NHTSA complaint 10160028
15. Filed Jun 16, 2006Failure May 1, 2006135,000 milesLake Orion, MIEngine, Underbody shields

    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
16. Filed Jan 15, 2006Failure Dec 3, 2005140,000 milesLancaster, CATread/belt

    TIRE/TREAD SEPARATION. *JB

    NHTSA complaint 10147820
17. Filed Oct 4, 2005Failure Oct 2, 2005Elberton, GAAutomatic transmission

    (1) CAR SHIFTS HARD DURING ACCELERATION AND DECELERATION. SPEEDOMETER DOES NOT WORK OR BOUNCES UP, THEN DOWN. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON. (2) WHILE DRIVING AT NORMAL ROAD SPEEDS THE TRANSMISSION WILL SWITCH TO LOW GEAR CAUSING SUDDEN THROW OF DRIVER INSIDE CAR AND AT TIMES WHEN TRYING TO ACCELERATE THERE IS A LONG DELAY IN POWER TO ENGINE THEN SUDDEN ACCELERATION. (3) REPLACED CAM SENSOR AND OTHER SENSOR THREE TIMES AND ALWAYS FAILS AGAIN.*JB

    NHTSA complaint 10138467
18. Filed Sep 19, 2005Failure Jun 16, 2005Cheektowaga, NYStructure

    DT:CONTACT STATES THE BODY OF THE CAR CORRODED FROM INSIDE OUT,WHERE THE FRAME BOLTS WERE LOCATED. CONTACT CALLED A FORD DEALER, WHO STATED THERE WAS NO A RECALL ON THIS VEHICLE. *AK *NM

    NHTSA complaint 10126534
19. Filed Jul 13, 2005Failure Jul 5, 200593,350 milesReading, PAAccelerator pedalCrash

    OVER THE PAST SEVERAL MONTHS I HAVE BEEN NOTICING THAT MY ENGINE "REVS" AS I TRY TO STOP.THE PROBLEM IS INTERMITENT BUT SEEMS TO BE OCCURRING MORE OFTEN. I HAD THE DEALER CHECK IT OUT-THE 1ST TIME I BELIEVE THEY JUST DID A TEST DRIVE AND SAID THEY COULD FIND NOTHING WRONG. ABOUT 1 1/2 MONTHS LATER IT HAPPENED AGAIN AND I BUMPED INTO A SECURITY GATE AT WORK. AS I APPROACHED THE CLOSED GATE I HAD MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE AS I "EASED" UP TO THE CARD READER TO OPEN THE GATE, ALL OF A SUDDEN THE ENGINE STARTED TO REV AND CAR INCHED FORWARD AS I TRIED TO APPLY MORE BRAKE EFFORT. AFTER A FEW SECONDS THE IDLE RETURNED TO NORMAL. I TOOK THE CAR BACK TO THE DEALER 2 DAYS LATER AND PAID FOR A COMPUTER DIAGNOSTIC-AGAIN NOTHING WAS FOUND AND I WAS TOLD IT COULD BE ALMOST ANYTHING, AND THEY HAD NO SUGGESTIONS ON WHAT TO DO. THEY TOLD ME THEY COULD REPLACE "RANDOM" PARTS BUT IT WOULD COST ALOT OF MONEY TO DO SO. I AM NOT POSITIVE BUT THIS HAPPENED TO ME AT LEAST 4 TIMES. THE CAR REVS FOR A FEW SECONDS AS I BRAKE TO STOP AND THEN RETURNS TO NORMAL IDLE.

    NHTSA complaint 10128651
20. Filed Mar 2, 2005Failure Feb 4, 200590,000 milesPittsburgh, PAGear position indication (prndl)

    RECALL CAMPAIGN 96V176000 WAS ISSUED. WHEN ENGAGING THE VEHICLE INTO PARK IT BEGAN TO ROLL. HOWEVER, THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO VIN. *AK THE VEHICLE DOES NOT ENAGE IN PARK AND WILL NOT PASS INSPECTION. *TC

    NHTSA complaint 10110816