A BOLT HOLDING THE RIGHT FRONT SUBFRAME CAME RIPPED AWAY FROM ITS BRACKET. IT CAUSED THE ENGINE TO PULL TO THE RIGHT AND RIPPED A VACCUM LINE FROM THE BRAKE DISTRIBUTION ASSEMBLY LOCATED ON THE FIREWALL. I LOST THE POWER ASSIST FOR THE BRAKES AND FORTUNATELY IT HAPPENED AT A SLOW SPEED. IT COST ME APPROXIMATELY $315.00 TO HAVE …
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A BOLT HOLDING THE RIGHT FRONT SUBFRAME CAME RIPPED AWAY FROM ITS BRACKET. IT CAUSED THE ENGINE TO PULL TO THE RIGHT AND RIPPED A VACCUM LINE FROM THE BRAKE DISTRIBUTION ASSEMBLY LOCATED ON THE FIREWALL. I LOST THE POWER ASSIST FOR THE BRAKES AND FORTUNATELY IT HAPPENED AT A SLOW SPEED. IT COST ME APPROXIMATELY $315.00 TO HAVE THE PROBLEM FIXED.*AK
NHTSA ODI #758007
Mileage unknown · Nov 29, 2001
Electrical SystemStructure
THIS PROBLEM HAS HAPPENED OVER AND OVER AGAIN. THEY FIX IT AND IT STILL KEEPS ON BREAKING DOWN. DRIVER DOOR WON'T LOCK, ROOF LIGHT STAYS ON, PANEL LIGHT INDICATING ALL DOORS ARE OPEN STAYS LIT. THEN IT GOES OFF AND THEN ON. ITS A CONTINOUS THING THAT HAPPENS. YESTERDAY. 11-28-01 IT WOULD NOT START. I BOUGHT A NEW BATTERY AND SO…
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THIS PROBLEM HAS HAPPENED OVER AND OVER AGAIN. THEY FIX IT AND IT STILL KEEPS ON BREAKING DOWN. DRIVER DOOR WON'T LOCK, ROOF LIGHT STAYS ON, PANEL LIGHT INDICATING ALL DOORS ARE OPEN STAYS LIT. THEN IT GOES OFF AND THEN ON. ITS A CONTINOUS THING THAT HAPPENS. YESTERDAY. 11-28-01 IT WOULD NOT START. I BOUGHT A NEW BATTERY AND SOMETIMES IT STARTS AND SOMETIMES IT DOESN'T. DO I QUALIFY TO GET A LOANER VEHICLE UNTIL THEY FIND OUT WHAT IS WRONG WITH IT. THEY DON'T SEEM TO HAVE ANY ANSWERS YET. MY VEHICLE IS PAID OFF SINCE OF LAST MONTH. ERLINDA L. PICAZO
NHTSA ODI #755071
Mileage unknown · Apr 23, 2001
Electrical SystemFuel System, GasolinePower Train
I HAVE A NUMBER OF WORRIES WITH MY VEHICLE. THE FOLLOWING ARE: WHEN PLAYING THE RADIO/TAPE DECK, YOU HEAR A LOUD BUZZING NOISE COMING THROUGH THE SPEAKERS EVEN IF THE RADIO IS TURNED DOWN; WHEN STEERING FROM LEFT TO RIGHT YOU'LL HEAR A CRANKING NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT END OF CAR; CAR DOES NOT ABSORB BUMPS AT ALL, IT ROCKS, …
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I HAVE A NUMBER OF WORRIES WITH MY VEHICLE. THE FOLLOWING ARE: WHEN PLAYING THE RADIO/TAPE DECK, YOU HEAR A LOUD BUZZING NOISE COMING THROUGH THE SPEAKERS EVEN IF THE RADIO IS TURNED DOWN; WHEN STEERING FROM LEFT TO RIGHT YOU'LL HEAR A CRANKING NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT END OF CAR; CAR DOES NOT ABSORB BUMPS AT ALL, IT ROCKS, MAKES KNOCKING NOISE COMING FROM SOMEWHERE NEAR WHEELS; WHEN DRIVING ON HIGHWAY AT A SPEED OF ABOUT 50-70 MPH, CAR WILL SWAY, LIKE A WIND IS BLOWING IT AWAY; FEUL SENSOR WILL FLOAT, YOU CAN NOT COUNT ON IT TO TELL YOU HOW MUCH GAS YOU HAVE; TRUNK HOOD FLIPS UP IN THE AIR SO FAST AND HARD, I HAVE STUNTED MY FINGERS BEFORE ON IT; THE DOORS ON THE CAR HAVE A SHARP EDGE TO IT, IF YOU DON'T STAND BACK WHEN OPENING THE DOOR, IT CAN GASH YOUR LEG; WIND SHIELD ARE A BLIND SPOT, TO LONG, WIPERS ARE SO STRONG THEY VIBRATE THE CAR, UNUSUALLY STRONG; BACK WINDOW ON LEFT SIDE (PASSENGER) WILL NOT ROLL UP, OR ROLL DOWN SOMETIMES; ASSEMBLY OF LIGHT MOLDINGS/FIXTURES IN BACK OF CAR ARE OFF(NOT EVENLY LINED UP), SO IS THE LEVELING OF TRUNK LID; CAR JUMPS WHEN STARTING IT UP, LIKE IT'S READY TO PULL OFF, EVEN WHEN YOUR FOOT IS ON THE BRAKE; WHEN MOVING THE GEARS THE CAR MAKES A KNOCKING NOISE, AND JUMPS ALSO; BRAKE LIGHT COMES ON AND GOES OFF AT TIMES; CAR LOSES POWER AT TIMES, EVEN AFTER THE TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED IN FEBRUARY, 2001; KEYLESS ALARM SYSTEM IS SENSITIVE, SOMETIMES A INCONVIENCE, IF YOU PICK KEYS UP AND TOUCH THE PANIC, OR TRUNK RELEASE BUTTON IT CAN BE SET OFF IN THE HOUSE, BEHIND A BRICK WALL.*AK
NHTSA ODI #744401
Mileage unknown · Jan 31, 2001
StructureInjury
DESIGN OF DOOR HAS A SHARP POINT WHICH GASHED CONSUMER'S LEG. CONSUMER IS RESEARCHING FOR OTHER INCIDENTS TO BRING FORWARD TO MANUFACTURER. *AK
NHTSA ODI #879481
Mileage unknown · Jan 24, 2001
Engine And Engine CoolingStructure
THE PASSENGER DOOR COULD NOT BE OPENED FROM THE OUTSIDE. *SLC
NHTSA ODI #559140
Mileage unknown · Nov 8, 2000
Structure
THE CURVED METAL EXTENSION AT THE OUTER END OF THE BOTTOM OF THE FRONT DOORS PROTRUDES TOO FAR OUT AND MAKES CLOSING THE DOORS VERY DANGEROUS WHEN IT COMES TO HAVING YOUR BODY AND LEG CLEAR OF THIS PROTRUSION. MY WIFE'S LEG WAS SERIOUSLY GAUGED LAST NIGHT BY THIS PROTRUSION. THE COMBINATION OF THIS CURVED HEAVY METAL PROTRUDED E…
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THE CURVED METAL EXTENSION AT THE OUTER END OF THE BOTTOM OF THE FRONT DOORS PROTRUDES TOO FAR OUT AND MAKES CLOSING THE DOORS VERY DANGEROUS WHEN IT COMES TO HAVING YOUR BODY AND LEG CLEAR OF THIS PROTRUSION. MY WIFE'S LEG WAS SERIOUSLY GAUGED LAST NIGHT BY THIS PROTRUSION. THE COMBINATION OF THIS CURVED HEAVY METAL PROTRUDED EDGE ON THE MERCURY SABLE WAGON IS MADE MORE DANGEROUS AS FAR AS PASSENGER SAFETY GOES AS THIS CAR IS ALSO LOW TO THE GROUND. I THINK OTHERS SHOULD BE MADE AWARE OF THE FLAW IN DESIGN OF THESE PASSENGER DOORS.*AK
NHTSA ODI #736013
Mileage unknown · Sep 22, 1999
Structure
THIS DID NOT SHOW UP UNTIL AROUND THE SUMMER OF '97,WHEN I BOUGHT THE CAR. THIS IS BECAUSE,IT ONLY HAPPENS WHEN THE CAR HAS SAT IN SUN FOR AWHILE. THEN ON THE ROAD AT AROUND 60MPR YOU GET THIS HIGH WHISTLE,WHICH SEEMS TO COME FROM SOMEWHERE ON THE PASSENGER SIDE OUTSIDE AROUND THE ENGINE AREA. THE NOISE VARIES DEPENDING ON THE S…
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THIS DID NOT SHOW UP UNTIL AROUND THE SUMMER OF '97,WHEN I BOUGHT THE CAR. THIS IS BECAUSE,IT ONLY HAPPENS WHEN THE CAR HAS SAT IN SUN FOR AWHILE. THEN ON THE ROAD AT AROUND 60MPR YOU GET THIS HIGH WHISTLE,WHICH SEEMS TO COME FROM SOMEWHERE ON THE PASSENGER SIDE OUTSIDE AROUND THE ENGINE AREA. THE NOISE VARIES DEPENDING ON THE SPEED(SEEMS TO STOP UNDER 55) AND VARIATIONS IN THE ROADWAY. MY OWN GUESS IS THAT SOMETHING EXPANDS IN THE HEAT OF THE SUN AND WHEN AIR AT A CERTAIN SPEED COMES IN CONTACT IT EITHER VIBRATES OR IT'S THE AIR GOING THROUGH IT. THE DEALER HAS LOOKED,GUESSED IT WAS A MISSING SCREW JUST BELOW THE WINDSHELD(WRONG!) AND GAVE UP.THIS MAY NOT SOUND LIKE A SAFETY HAZZARD BUT IT IS VERY DISTRACTING AFTER SEVERAL MILES.AND LIKE I SAID IT ONLY SEEMS TO HAPPEN IN THE HOT SUN. WOULD APPRECIATE ANY HELP YOU HAVE TO OFFER. IT'S DRIVING MY WIFE CRAZY. THANK YOU
NHTSA ODI #711805
Mileage unknown · Jul 9, 1999
Structure
I AM VERY CONCERNED ABOUT THE FAILURE OF THE REAR SUBMOUNTS IN MY CAR. I PURCHASED A PREMIUM EXTENDED SERVICE PLAN WITH THE CAR AND I AM TOLD THESE COMPONENTS ARE NOT COVERED BECAUSE THEY ARE PART OF THE " STRUCTURE " OF THE CAR AND ARE A SAFETY HAZARD SHOULD THEY FAIL. IN FACT THE COMPONENTS DO NOT EVEN APPEAR ON THE MAINTENANC…
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I AM VERY CONCERNED ABOUT THE FAILURE OF THE REAR SUBMOUNTS IN MY CAR. I PURCHASED A PREMIUM EXTENDED SERVICE PLAN WITH THE CAR AND I AM TOLD THESE COMPONENTS ARE NOT COVERED BECAUSE THEY ARE PART OF THE " STRUCTURE " OF THE CAR AND ARE A SAFETY HAZARD SHOULD THEY FAIL. IN FACT THE COMPONENTS DO NOT EVEN APPEAR ON THE MAINTENANCE SCHEDULE FOR MY CAR!
NHTSA ODI #708422
Mileage unknown · Mar 25, 1999
Structure
THIS POROBLEM AFFECTS ALL 1996 THROUGH1999 MERCURY SABLES &FORD TAURUSES. IT IS NOT ADVERTISED NOR LISTED IN EQUIPMENT SPECIFICATIONS ON THE MSRP. THE TRUNK LID IS NOT MANUFACTURED WITH GALVANIZED STEEL . IT WAS MANUFACTURED WITH EITHER PLASTIC OR ALUMINUM. THE ONLY WAY I FOUND OUT ABOUT THI S WAS WHEN I ATTEMPTED TO PUT …
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THIS POROBLEM AFFECTS ALL 1996 THROUGH1999 MERCURY SABLES &FORD TAURUSES. IT IS NOT ADVERTISED NOR LISTED IN EQUIPMENT SPECIFICATIONS ON THE MSRP. THE TRUNK LID IS NOT MANUFACTURED WITH GALVANIZED STEEL . IT WAS MANUFACTURED WITH EITHER PLASTIC OR ALUMINUM. THE ONLY WAY I FOUND OUT ABOUT THI S WAS WHEN I ATTEMPTED TO PUT MY MAGNETIC C.B. ANTENNA ON THE TRUNK. THE ANTENNA WOULDN'T ATTACH TO THE TRUNK. I TRIED THE MAGNET ON ALL SABLE AND TAURUSES FROM '96 THROUGH 99,AND THE SAME THING HAPPENED. I TRIED THE MAGNET ON CONTOURS,MYSTIQUES,ESCORTS,FORD CROWN VIC'S,GRAND MARQUI'S,LINCOLNS AND THE MAGNETIC ANTENNA WORKED. I SERIOUSLY THINK THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD DO SOMETHING ABOUT THIS PROBLEM. I BELIEVE IF THESE AUTOMOBILES ARE INVOLVED IN A REAR END COLLISION IT WOULD CAUSE GREATER INJURIES THAN IF THE VEHICLE WAS MANUFACTURED WITH STEEL. I WILL APPRECITE HEARING FROM YOU AGENCY SINCE THE PERSON I SPOKE WITH ON THE PHONE SAID I SHOULD CONTACT YOU. THANK YOU VERY MUCH, JAMES H. LANE. *AK
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES PREVIOUSLY SERVICED UNDER FORD SERVICE BULLETIN 97-17-9 FROM AUGUST 1997 THROUGH DECEMBER 1997. THESE VEHICLES WERE INADVERTENLY EQUIPPED WITH AN 18-GALLON FUEL TANK RATHER THAN THE 16-GALLON AS SPECIFIED. THE 18-GALLON TANK HAS A SECOND VALVE LOCATION WHERE A SHIPPING PLUG SHOULD BE INSTALLED.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IF THIS SHIPPING PLUG IS DISPLACED, FUEL LEAKAGE CAN RESULT. FUEL LEAKAGE IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE COULD POTENTIALLY RESULT IN A FIRE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL THE CORRECT FUEL TANK.
THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION PARK PAWL SHAFT MAY NOT BE FREE TO ROTATE AS INTENDED. IF THE PARK PAWL SHAFT DOES NOT ROTATE, IT WOULD PREVENT THE PARK PAWL FROM ENGAGING THE PARK GEAR WHEN THE SHIFT LEVER IS IN THE PARK POSITION.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THIS CONDITION COULD RESULT IN THE VEHICLE ROLLING AS IF IN NEUTRAL WITH THE SHIFT LEVER IN THE PARK POSITION.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE PARK PAWL SHAFT ROTATION AND THOSE SHAFTS WITH RESTRICTED ROTATION WILL BE REPLACED WITH A SHORTER SHAFT THAT WILL NOT RESTRICT ROTATION.
THE PARK PAWL ABUTMENT BRACKET HAS A SHARP EDGE WHICH CAN CAUSE THE PARKING PAWL TO HANG UP AND NOT ENGAGE THE PARK GEAR. THIS WOULD ALLOW THE VEHICLE TO MOVE EVEN THOUGH THE GEAR SHIFT INDICATOR SHOWS THAT THE VEHICLE IS IN PARK.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: UNINTENDED AND UNEXPECTED VEHICLE MOVEMENT CAN RESULT IN PERSONAL INJURY AND PROPERTY DAMAGE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND, IF NECESSARY, REPLACE THE PARK PAWL ABUTMENT BRACKET.
THE PARK PAWL SHAFT WAS IMPROPERLY POSITIONED WHEN THE ROLL PIN THAT RETAINS IT WAS INSTALLED DURING TRANSMISSION ASSEMBLY. IF THE SHAFT WAS NOT PROPERLY POSITIONED, THE ROLL PIN MAY NOT HAVE LINED UP WITH THE GROOVE IN THE SHAFT AND HAVE BEEN CRUSHED AT ASSEMBLY. ALSO, A BURR COULD HAVE BEEN RAISED ON THE SHAFT.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THIS COULD RESULT IN THE PARK PAWL OCCASIONALLY NOT ENGAGING WHEN THE TRANSMISSION SELECTOR LEVER IS PLACED IN THE PARK POSITION. THIS COULD RESULT IN THE VEHICLE ROLLING AS IF IN NEUTRAL IF THE VEHICLE OPERATOR DOES NOT APPLY THE PARKING BRAKE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE PARK PAWL SHAFT ROLL PIN. IF THE ROLL PIN IS DAMAGED, BOTH THE ROLL PIN AND THE PARK PAWL SHAFT WILL BE REPLACED. IN ADDITION, OWNERS WILL BE REMINDED TO FULLY APPLY THE PARKING BRAKE, IN ADDITION TO PLACING THE TRANSMISSION IN PARK.
THE BRAKE SYSTEM FLUID LEVEL INDICATOR LAMP SWITCH CAN MALFUNCTION. THIS DOES NOT COMPLY WITH FMVSS NO. 105, "HYDRAULIC BRAKE SYSTEMS."
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: CONSEQUENCE OF NON-COMPLIANCE: IF THE SWITCH MALFUNTIONS, THE BRAKE SYSTEM WARNING LAMP WILL EITHER REMAIN ILLUMINATED CONTINUOUSLY OR FAIL TO LIGHT AS INTENDED WHEN THE FLUID LEVEL FALLS TO A CERTAIN LEVEL. IN EITHER CASE, THE VEHICLE OPERATOR WOULD NOT BE WARNED OF A LOW BRAKE FLUID LEVEL CONDITION.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE BRAKE SYSTEM FLUID LEVEL INDICATOR LAMP SWITCHES.
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
0
No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.
1996 Mercury Sable Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year