IllustrationTEMPERATURE GOES UP AND ENGINE CHECK LIGHT COMES ON. CONSUMER IT NOT ABLE TO DRIVE CAR. CONSUMER FEELS CAR MAY BURN UP. *AK
1995 Mercury Sable
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
Similar to other model years
Owner complaints for the 1995 Mercury Sable do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 201.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Sable years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
Limited mileage data: 38 of 350 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
- Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 132 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Power Train. Review the 93 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Electrical System. Review the 32 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
11 crash reports13 fire reports10 injury reports
Engine And Engine Cooling complaints
132 reportsTIMING CHAIN FRONT COVER GASKET AND TRANSMISSION PAN SIDE COVER GASKET HAVE BOTH FAILED PREMATURELY. *ET
FAULTY CYLINDER HEAD GASKET RESULTED IN OVERHEATING AND DAMAGE TO OTHER ENDINE COMPONENTS (WATER PUMP, RADIATOR). *MJS
CYLINDER HEAD GASKET LEAKS DUE TO FAULTY MACHINING OF CYLINDER HEAD. RESULTS IN OVERHEATING, ENGINE FAILURE OR FIRE. I HAD THE WATER PUMP AND RADIATOR REPLACED BEFORE A GOODYEAR TIRE CENTER IN CINCINNATI KNEW EXACTLY WHAT CAUSED THE OVERHEATING CONDITION. THEY STATED THAT THEY HAVE BEEN REPAIRING 3.8L FORD TAURUS AND SABLE OV…
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CYLINDER HEAD GASKET LEAKS DUE TO FAULTY MACHINING OF CYLINDER HEAD. RESULTS IN OVERHEATING, ENGINE FAILURE OR FIRE. I HAD THE WATER PUMP AND RADIATOR REPLACED BEFORE A GOODYEAR TIRE CENTER IN CINCINNATI KNEW EXACTLY WHAT CAUSED THE OVERHEATING CONDITION. THEY STATED THAT THEY HAVE BEEN REPAIRING 3.8L FORD TAURUS AND SABLE OVERHEAT CONDITIONS FOR 1994/95 MODELS. THEY FIX AT LEAST ONE A WEEK AND HAVE BEEN DOING THIS FOR AWHILE. THEY STATE THAT THE CYLINDER HEADS ARE NOT PROPERLY MACHINED WHICH CAUSES THE HEAD GASKET FAILURE. MY TOTAL BILL WAS $1,178.41. FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT GOODYEAR TIRE CENTER, 6289 GLENWAY AVE., CINCINNATI, OH 45211, (513) 661-1510. I FEEL THIS SHOULD HAVE BEEN A DIRECT RECALL DUE TO THE NUMBER OF FAULTY MACHINED CYLINDER HEADS. THANK-YOU FOR YOUR HELP IN RESOLVING THIS ISSUE. *AK
ENGINE HEAD GASKETS HAS BLOWN OUT, RESULTING IN A DEFECTIVE RADIATOR AND TIMING CAP. DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. *AK
I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW IF THERE HAVE BEEN ANY RECALLS WITHIN THE LAST 2 YRS ON THE COOLING SYSTEM OF THE 1995 MERCURY SABLE. WE WERE TOLD THAT A RECALL HAD BEEN ISSUED FOR A HEAD GASKET PROBLEM HOWEVER, WE NEVER RECEIVED AND BULLETINS. WE HAVE THE HEAD GASKET, WATER PUMP, PLATE ABOVE WATER PUMP GO OUT AT THE SAME TIME. THIS VEHICL…
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I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW IF THERE HAVE BEEN ANY RECALLS WITHIN THE LAST 2 YRS ON THE COOLING SYSTEM OF THE 1995 MERCURY SABLE. WE WERE TOLD THAT A RECALL HAD BEEN ISSUED FOR A HEAD GASKET PROBLEM HOWEVER, WE NEVER RECEIVED AND BULLETINS. WE HAVE THE HEAD GASKET, WATER PUMP, PLATE ABOVE WATER PUMP GO OUT AT THE SAME TIME. THIS VEHICLE HAS ONLY 73,000 MILES .WE NEED SOME HELP. *AK
ELECTRIC MOTOR FAN FAILED. YH
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK
WE PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE AS A USED CAR. AT THE TIME OF PURCHASE THE DEALERSHIP DID NOT INFORM US OF THE POTENTIAL PROBLEM WITH A HEAD GASKET. I LEARNED OF THIS PROBLEM AFTER THE FACT. WHEN THE CAR WAS DIAGNOSED WITH THIS PROBLEM BY OUR MECHANIC, I CONTACTED THE DEALERSHIP AND THE SALESMAN IMMEDIATELY STATED THAT FORD HAD MAD…
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
SPEEDOMETER FAILED TO OPERATE AFTER REPAIRS WERE DONE IN AUG 1997 WITH 20,000 MILE OF WEAR. DEALER NOTIFIED, AND INFORMED CONSUMER REPAIRS WOULD BE AT CONSUMER'S EXPENSE. ALSO VEHICLE STALLED AND DIED WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY. IN ADDITION, DEALER REPLACED TRANSMISSION/ THERMOSTAT/MULTI-FUNCTION SWITCH/ MAP SENSOR/SPEED CON…
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SPEEDOMETER FAILED TO OPERATE AFTER REPAIRS WERE DONE IN AUG 1997 WITH 20,000 MILE OF WEAR. DEALER NOTIFIED, AND INFORMED CONSUMER REPAIRS WOULD BE AT CONSUMER'S EXPENSE. ALSO VEHICLE STALLED AND DIED WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY. IN ADDITION, DEALER REPLACED TRANSMISSION/ THERMOSTAT/MULTI-FUNCTION SWITCH/ MAP SENSOR/SPEED CONTROL SENSOR, AND REAR SUB-FRAME MOUNTS. *AK
Official recalls
501V390000 · Engine And Engine Cooling:cooling System:fan
Dec 21, 2001
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: TAURUS/SABLE VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 3.0L AND 3.8L ENGINES AND MUSTANG VEHICLES WITH 3.8L AND 5.0L ENGINES. IT IS POSSIBLE FOR THE ENGINE COOLING FAN BEARING TO SEIZE.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: SHOULD THIS OCCUR, EXCESSIVE HEAT COULD BE GENERATED WHICH COULD MELT THE FAN MOTOR ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR. COMPONENTS INSIDE THE COOLING FAN MOTOR COULD IGNITE POTENTIALLY RESULTING IN AN UNDERHOOD FIRE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE ENGINE COOLING FAN ASSEMBLY AND INSTALL A CIRCUIT BREAKER. IF THE COOLING FAN IS INOPERATIVE, THE FAN AND MOTOR ASSEMBLY WILL BE REPLACED. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN DECEMBER 28, 2001. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT FORD AT 1-866-436-7332.
98V323000 · Structure:frame And Members
Dec 16, 1998
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES ORIGINALLY SOLD OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, IOWA, KANSAS, KENTUCKY, MAINE, MARYLAND, MASSACHUSETTS, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA, MISSOURI, NEBRASKA, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW JERSEY, NEW YORK, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, RHODE ISLAND, VERMONT, VIRGINIA, WEST VIRGNIA, AND WISCONSIN. THE REAR LOWER SUBFRAME MOUNT PLATE NUT CAN EXPERIENCE STRESS CORROSION CRACKING IF SUBJECTED TO LONG TERM EXPOSURE TO ROAD SALTS. THIS CAN RESULT IN FRACTURE AND LOSS OF THE STRUCTURAL INTEGRITY OF THE SUBFRAME MOUNT ATTACHMENT. DETACHMENT OF THE BODY MOUNTS AT THE REAR CORNERS OF THE SUBFRAME, WHICH SUPPORTS THE ENGINE AND TRANSMISSION, ALLOWS THE REAR CORNERS OF THE SUBFRAME TO DROP.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IF BOTH REAR CORNERS DROP, STEERING WOULD BECOME SUDDENLY VERY DIFFICULT, AFFECTING VEHICLE CONTROL AND INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL SUBFRAME REAR MOUNT BOLTS, REINFORCEMENT PLATES, AND PLATE NUTS.
97V025000 · Vehicle Speed Control
Feb 26, 1997
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 3.8L ENGINES AND ORIGINALLY SOLD OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE FOLLOWING STATES: ALASKA, COLORADO, IOWA, IDAHO, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, KANSAS, MASSACHUSETTS, MAINE, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA, MISSOURI, MONTANA, NORTH DAKOTA, NEBRASKA, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW YORK, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, SOUTH DAKOTA, VERMONT, WISCONSIN, AND WYOMING. WATER CAN ACCUMULATE WITHIN THE SPEED CONTROL CABLE CONDUIT. IF ENOUGH WATER ACCUMULATES, IT COULD FREEZE WITHIN A LOW AREA OF THE CABLE ROUTING WHEN EXPOSED TO A LONG TERM COLD SOAK AT TEMPERATURES AT LEAST SEVERAL DEGREES BELOW FREEZING.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: DRIVER CONTROL OF VEHICLE SPEED USING THE SPEED CONTROL SYSTEM OR THE ACCELERATOR CONTROL SYSTEM WOULD BE DIMINISHED INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL ADD A BOOT TO THE SPEED CONTROL CABLE.
97V019000 · Engine And Engine Cooling:cooling System:fan
Feb 25, 1997
THESE VEHICLES ARE ORIGINALLY SOLD OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE FOLLOWING STATES: ALASKA, IOWA, MINNESOTA, NEBRASKA, NORTH DAKOTA, AND SOUTH DAKOTA. THE VEHICLES INVOLVED ARE 1992-1994 TEMPO/TOPAZ VEHICLES WITH 3.0L ENGINES; 1994 TEMPO/TOPAZ WITH 2.3L ENGINES; 1992-1995 TAURUS/SABLE WITH 3.8L ENGINES; 1994-1995 TAURUS/SABLE WITH 3.0L ENGINES AND 1992-1994 LINCOLN CONTINENTAL VEHICLES WITH 3.8L ENGINES. DURING HIGH WINDS, HEAVY, BLOWING AND DRIFTING SNOW, AND LOW TEMPERATURES, THE ENGINE COOLING FAN CAN BECOME BLOCKED OR FROZEN WITH SNOW. THE FAN MOTOR MAY NOT ROTATE AND COULD OVERHEAT.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THIS CONDITION CAN CAUSE SMOKE OR FLAMES FROM THE FAN AND/OR SHROUD, THE FAN ELECTRICAL WIRING, OR THE FAN MOTOR RESULTING IN A VEHICLE FIRE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL AN ELECTRICAL JUMPER HARNESS CONTAINING AN AUTOMATIC RESETTING CIRCUIT BREAKER TO PROTECT THE FAN MOTOR LOW SPEED CIRCUITRY FROM OVERHEATING.
94V198000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:pedals And Linkages
Oct 11, 1994
THE RETAINER CLIP WHICH HOLDS THE MASTER CYLINDER PUSH ROD TO THE BRAKE PEDAL ARM IS MISSING OR NOT COMPLETELY INSTALLED. THE PUSH ROD CAN SEPARATE FROM THE BRAKE PEDAL ARM.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THIS CAN RESULT IN LOSS OF BRAKING ABILITY AND AN ACCIDENT.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND, IF NECESSARY, INSTALL THE RETAINER CLIP.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
4RQ99017 · Front Suspension Spring
Opened Aug 9, 1999 · Closed Feb 16, 2000
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Suspension
There is no summary currently available
EA96024 · Engine Cooling Fan Fires
Opened Sep 30, 1996 · Closed Apr 15, 1997
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Engine And Engine Cooling
There is no summary currently available
EA96019 · Headlight Failure
Opened Jul 31, 1996 · Closed Jan 26, 1998
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Exterior Lighting
EXCESSIVE HEAT IN AN IMPROPERLY MANUFACTURED CIRCUIT BREAKER WITHIN THE HEADLIGHT SWITCH CAUSED THAT CIRCUIT BREAKER TO OPEN FOR TIME PERIODS OF VARYING LENGTH TO COOL OFF.OPENING OF THE CIRCUIT BREAKER IN THIS MANNER INTERRUPTS ELECTRIC CURRENT FLOW TO THE HEADLIGHTS, SHUTTING THEM OFF.HEADLIGHT OUTAGES HAVE RANGER FROM BRIEF FLICKERS (LESS THAN ONE SECOND) TO GREATER THAN 20 SECONDS.OVER TIME, THE OUTAGES GROW IN LENGTH AND DURATION BECAUSE OF HEAT-INDUCED DETERIORATION OF THE SWITCH AND ASSOCIATED WIRING.RECALL 98V-009 WILL APPLY TO APPROXIMATELY 506,000 TAURUS, SABLE, MARK VIII, AND CONTINENTAL VEHICLES PRODUCED FROM 1-DEC.-92 THROUGH 30-SEP-93 AT THE ATLANTA, CHICAGO,AND WIXOM ASSEMBLY PLANTS.87% OF MY 1992-1995 TAURUS/SABLE AND 97% OF MY 1993-1995 MARK VIII WARRANTY REPAIRS (HEADLIGHT SWITCH REPLACEMENT) INVOLVED VEHICLES BUILT DURING THE DEC. 92 - OCT. 93 BUILD RANGE.
PE96033 · Engine Cooling Fan Fires
Opened May 2, 1996 · Closed Sep 30, 1996
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Engine And Engine Cooling
IN DECEMBER 1995, FORD RECALLED 119,313 VEHICLES IN CANADA TO REMEDY THE SUBJECT CONDITION IN CERTAIN 1992-95 TAURUS, SABLE, TEMPO, TOPAZ AND CONTINENTAL VEHICLES.FORD IS AWARE OF SIMILAR INCIDENTS OCCURRING IN NORTHERN REGIONS OF THE UNITED STATES, BUT MAINTAINS THAT THE FREQUENCIES DO NOT WARRANT A FINDING OF AN UNREASONABLE RISK TO MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY.