IllustrationWHILE IN PARK ENGINE WOULD IDLE AT A VERY HIGH SPEED. ALSO, WHILE DRIVING AT ANY GIVEN SPEED VEHICLE WILL ACCELERATE ON ITS OWN, AND IT IS VERY DIFFICULT TO STOP VEHICLE. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION/ATTACHMENTS. *CONSUMER HAS NOT TAKEN VEHICLE TO DEALERSHIP.*AK
1996 Mercury Sable
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
Similar to other model years
Owner complaints for the 1996 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: 27 of 304 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.
- Power Train. Review the 69 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 60 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Steering. Review the 36 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
20 crash reports9 fire reports17 injury reports
What owners actually said
304 reportsTWO BOXES (ABOUT 30-40 LBS EACH) IN TRUNK SLID FORWARD UPON HARD, EMERGENCY BRAKING FROM ABOUT 25 MPH. BOXES SLAMMED INTO RIGHT REAR FOLD DOWN SEAT BACK, CAUSING SEAT BACK TO OPEN. BOXES ENTERED INTO RIGHT REAR SEATING AREA. TODDLER IN CHILD SEAT ON LEFT REAR SIDE. NO INJURIES.
WHEN VEHICLE SHIFTS GEARS RPMS STAY AT 1800-2000, WILL NOT GO DOWN, CONSUMER HAS TO SHUT OFF ENGINE AND RESTART. TO DEALER WHO REPLACED AIR BYPASS VALVE, THEN THROTTLE POSITIONER, COERRECTED PROBLEM FOR A SHORT TIME ONLY.*AK AIR BYPASS VALVE AND THROTTLE POSITIONER SENSOR WERE REPLACED ON WARRANTY. *YH
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
THERE WAS A NOISE SIMILAR TO THAT OF A SEPARATING BELT IN THE TIRE COMING FROM THE LEFT FRONT WHEEL. THE WHEEL WAS REMOVED FOR INSPECTION. WE DISCOVERED THAT THE CHROME WAS PEELING FROM THE BACK OF THE WHEEL AND WAS RUBBING AGAINST THE CALIPER WHEN THE WHEEL ROTATED. UPON REMOVING THE LOOSE CHROME, THE BACK OF THE ALUMINUM WH…
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THERE WAS A NOISE SIMILAR TO THAT OF A SEPARATING BELT IN THE TIRE COMING FROM THE LEFT FRONT WHEEL. THE WHEEL WAS REMOVED FOR INSPECTION. WE DISCOVERED THAT THE CHROME WAS PEELING FROM THE BACK OF THE WHEEL AND WAS RUBBING AGAINST THE CALIPER WHEN THE WHEEL ROTATED. UPON REMOVING THE LOOSE CHROME, THE BACK OF THE ALUMINUM WHEEL WAS EXPOSED. THERE WAS CONSIDERABLE CORROSION ON THE BACK SIDE OF THE ALUMINUM SPOKES. THIS CAR HAS HAD VERY LIMITED EXPOSURE TO SALT/WINTER CONDITIONS AND THIS WHEEL IS BADLY CORRODED. BY THE TIME THIS CAR ACCUMULATES 80K-100K MILES THE WHEEL SPOKES WILL HAVE FAILED. I PLAN TO CONTACT THE DEALER AND INFORM THEM OF THIS SITUATION. *AK
HEATER CORE FAILED TWICE. NEVER NOTIFIED OF RECALL. SPENT OVER $1000.00 TO REPLACE. NO CONCERN FROM ANY DEALER.*AK
WHEN VEHICLE CAME TO REST IN A DITCH DRIVER NOTICED THAT REAR CENTER SEAT BELT DID NOT RESTRAIN CSS PROPERLY, IT SLID DOWN BETWEEN FRONT AND REAR SEATS. *AK
NEITHER ARIBAG DEPLOYED WHEN VEHICLE STRUCK A DITCH AT 50 MPH, 3 OCCUPANTS, NO INJURIES. *AK
WHILE TRAVELING 50MPH DRIVER APPLIED BRAKES, BUT PEDAL WENT TO FLOOR AND VEHICLE DID NOT SLOW DOWN OR STOP, EVENTUALLY COMING TO REST IN A DITCH. *AK CONSUMER STATES 3 PEOPLE WERE INJURED IN ACCIDENT. *SLC
WHEN DRIVING AT ANY SPEED AND WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING VEHICLE CUTS OFF, CAUSING LOSS OF ALL POWER. ALSO, WHEN MAKING A LEFT OR RIGHT HAND TURN THERE IS A KNOCKING NOISE COMING FROM FRONT END. CONSUMER HAS CONTACTED DEALER. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS.*AK
Official recalls
598V067000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:storage:tank Assembly
Mar 25, 1998
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.
96V176000 · Power Train:automatic Transmission
Sep 18, 1996
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.
96V166000 · Power Train:automatic Transmission:gear Position Indication (prndl)
Sep 5, 1996
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.
96V086000 · Power Train:automatic Transmission
May 14, 1996
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.
96V016000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:brake Fluid Low Warning: Lamp
Jan 25, 1996
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
0No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.