1990 Mercury Sable Owner Complaints

MY WIFE OWNS A 1990 MERCURY SABLE. SHE AS WELL HAS COMPLAINED ABOUT A STICKY GAS PEDAL. I MYSELF HAVE DROVE THE CAR WHEN THE GAS PEDAL WAS STICKING AND THE CAR ACCELERATED. SOMETIMES WHEN WE HAVE PUT OUR FOOT ON THE GAS PEDAL THE CAR WILL NOT ACCELERATE UNTIL WE PUSH ALITTLE HARDER THEN THE CAR TAKES OFF SO QUICKLY IT COULD CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. THERE WAS SEVERAL OCCASIONS THEN THE CAR ACCELERATED WHILE DRIVING NORMALLY DOWN THE ROAD. I WAS ABLE TO PUT THE CAR IN NEUTRAL AND THEN BRAKE TO A SAFE STOP. WE FOUND THAT THE DRIVERS SIDE FLOOR MAT WAS PART OF THE PROBLEM GETTING UP UNDER THE GAS PEDAL. WE REMOVED THE FLOOR MAT BUT THE CAR STILL HAS A STICKY GAS PEDAL. WE TOOK THE CAR TO A CERTIFIED AUTO REPAIR SHOP TO COMPLAIN ABOUT THE GAS PEDAL, BUT THEY FOUND NOTHING WRONG. I'M TELLING YOU THIS DOESN'T HAPPEN EVERY TIME, BUT MORE OFTEN THEN NOT THE GAS PEDAL STICKS. ITS JUST A MATTER OF TIME BEFORE MY WIFE WOULD GET INTO AN ACCIDENT, UNLESS WE FIND A WAY TO FIX THIS. SHE HAS NOT DRIVEN THE CAR FOR OVER 6 MONTHS NOW BECAUSE SHE IS AFRAID OF IT. WE DON'T FEEL COMFORTABLE WITH TRYING TO SELL THE CAR AS IT COULD CAUSE SOMEONE ELSE AN INJURY. *TR

NHTSA ID

10310885

Incident

Jun 1, 2009

VEHICLE -- 1990 MERCURY SABLE STATION WAGON, 3.8 ENGINE EXPERIENCED LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL DUE TO FAILURE OF ENGINE/TRANSMISSION LOWER SUBFRAME MOUNT FAILING. SUBSEQUENT MOTION ALSO BREACHED BOTH REAR BRAKE LINES WITH MAJOR LOSS OF BRAKING POWER. WITH SIGNIFICANT EFFORT, I WAS ABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. *TR

NHTSA ID

10235195

Incident

Jul 1, 2008

CAR CRUISED JUST FINE 25 MILES TO TOWN, GOT ALL MY STUFF DONE IN TOWN, PULLED UP TO A STOP SIGN ON A HILL AND THE CAR WOULD NOT MOVE, ENGINE RAN JUST FINE, THE TRANSMISSION WOULD NOT SHIFT INTO GEAR, CAR ONLY HAS 110K ON IT, HAD TO ROLL BACK OFF THE ROAD AND STOP, PARK GEAR WORKED, AFTER AN HOUR CAR STILL WOULD NOT SHIFT INTO GEAR, 4 DAYS LATER I WENT OUT TO TRY IT AGAIN AND THE THING WENT INTO ALL GEARS AND TOOK OFF. *TR

NHTSA ID

10225219

Incident

Apr 18, 2008

Mileage

109,250 mi

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED UPON ENTERING A HIGHWAY AT 40 MPH, THE PASSENGER FRONT RIM FRACTURED CAUSING THE PARTIAL RIM AND TIRE TO SEPARATE FROM THE VEHICLE. IT WAS MANEUVERED OFF THE ROAD AND LATER TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE DEALER WAS ALERTED.

NHTSA ID

10175200

Incident

Dec 4, 2006

Mileage

60,000 mi

THE TRANSMISSION SLIPS BUCKING THE CAR OUT OF CONTROL WHEN IDLING ALONG WITH THE ALUMINUM PISTONS BEING DAMAGED. THE CAR JUMPS FORWARD WHICH CAUSES UNNECCESARY ACCIDENTS AND CAUSES THE CAR TO STALL ON BUSY STREETS. A NEW TRANSMISSION WAS NEEDED AND ALL NEW PISTONS DUE TO A BAD DESIGN. THERE IS A WEBSITE WWW.VISI.COM/~BRUNS/RESULTS2.HTML THAT CONTAINS ABOUT 50 COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE TRANSMISSION ON THIS CAR. FORD SHOULD TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THIS, IT WAS A BAD DESIGN AND THEY SHOULD TAKE THE HEAT FOR IT. THANK YOU.

NHTSA ID

10114650

Incident

Mar 10, 2005

Mileage

50,000 mi

WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED WITHOUT THE PEDAL BEING APPLIED. THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS IMMEDIATELY APPLIED IN AN ATTEMPT TO STOP THE ACCELERATION, BUT FAILED TO DO SO. THE VEHICLE HAD TO BE TURNED OFF AND THE KEYS REMOVED FROM THE IGNITION BEFORE THE VEHICLE STARTED DECELERATING. *NM WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED AND CHANGED FROM PARK TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE WENT OFF WITHOUT APPLYING THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. THE ENGINE MADE A LOUD NOISE. WHEN THE CONSUMER RELEASED THE BRAKE PEDAL THE VEHICLE WENT FASTER. *SC *JB

NHTSA ID

10082085

Incident

Jul 12, 2004

Mileage

99,000 mi

ENGINE PROBLEMS. *AK

NHTSA ID

10022034

Incident

Jun 2, 2003

CONSUMER CAN HEAR NOISE IN STEERING COLUMN WHICH CAN RESULT IN LOSS OF STEERING. CAUSE UNKNOWN. DEALER NOTIFIED.*AK

NHTSA ID

8014009

Incident

Jun 26, 2002

WHILE TRAVELING ON A SIDE STREET HEARD A NOISE COMING FROM DRIVER'S SIDE WHEEL. REAR COIL SPRING BROKE. DEALERSHIP WAS AWARE OF PROBLEM.*AK

NHTSA ID

8013933

Incident

Jul 7, 2002

HEARD A CLICKING NOISE IN FRONT OF VEHICLE. WHILE BACKING OUT OF DRIVEWAY INNER TIE ROD BROKE OFF. TIE ROD BALL WAS RUSTED IN THE SOCKET. CONTACTED DEALER, AND DEALER REPLACED TIRE ROD.*AK

NHTSA ID

8001362

Incident

May 25, 1997

FRONT LEFT COIL SPRING BROKE . VEHICLE NOT INCLUDED IN RECALL 98I002000. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *AK

NHTSA ID

897852

VEHICLE WAS AT AN INTERSECTION AT A LIGHT AND WAS ABOUT TO MOVE WHEN ANOTHER VEHICLE HIT CONSUMER'S VEHICLE. WHEN CONSUMER LIFTED FOOT FROM BRAKES VEHICLE STARTED TO DRIFT INTO ANOTHER LANE. STARTED TO TURN VEHICLE LEFT AND RIGHT, BUT STEERING WOULDN'T TURN. MECHANIC STATED THAT A SUBFRAME BROKE DEALERSHIP WAS AWARE OF PROBLEM.*AK

NHTSA ID

896423

Incident

Sep 7, 2001

WHENEVER TRAVELING AT VARIOUS SPEED VEHICLE WOULD STALL OUT. VEHICLE CAN BE RESTARTED . TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALERSHIP, AND MECHANIC COULD GIVE NO INDICATION OF THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM.*AK

NHTSA ID

894220

HEAD GASKET FAILURE, CAUSING LOW OIL PRESSURE AND CONNECTING ROD FAILURE. *AK

NHTSA ID

748186

Incident

Jun 30, 2001

TRANSMISSION OPERATES NORMALLY WHEN ENGINE IS COLD/COOL. HOWEVER, WHEN ENGINE WARMS UP, IT FAILS TO SHIFT GEARS (ALUMINUM - FORWARD CLUTCH PISTON). A TRANSMISSION SHOP INFORMED CONSUMER THAT THIS PISTON WILL CRACK. REPLACEMENT PART SENT OUT BY MANUFACTURER IS STEEL. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION/ATTACHMENTS.*AK

NHTSA ID

885432

Incident

Apr 1, 2001

FRONT SUBFRAME BOLTS BROKE DUE TO CORRISION . RECALL WAS ISSUED BUT ONLY FOR REAR.*AK THE BOLT WAS REPLACED AND THE CONSUMER WAS ASKING THE MANUFACTURER TO PAY FOR REPAIR SINCE THE DEFECT WAS ESSENTIALLY THE SAME AS THAT OF THE RECALL. *YH

NHTSA ID

885384

Incident

Apr 1, 2001

CONSUMER WAS FOLLOWING A RIGHT CURVE AT 40 MPH WHEN STEERING FROZE UP, HALFWAY AROUND, COULD NOT TURN OR MOVE STEERING. CONSUMER CONTINUED OFF ROAD, AND APPLIED BRAKES IN ORDER TO STOP VEHICLE. DEFECT WAS DUE TO FAULTY RACK AND PINION STEERING. ALSO, MIDAS TOLD HIM THAT THERE WAS A SPECIFIC PROBLEM WITH RACK AND PINION. CONSUMER WAS AWARE OF ANOTHER SABLE 1990 THAT WAS INVOLVED IN A CRASH DUE TO FAILURE OF RACK AND PINION, AND KILLED THE PASSENGER IN OTHER VEHICLE. CONSUMER WAS TOLD BY PROFESSIONAL MECHANIC THAT THIS MODEL AND YEAR OF VEHICLE SHOULD HAVE BEEN PUT ON RECALL FOR THIS DEFECT BECAUSE IT WAS A KNOWN DEFECT. *AK *SLC

NHTSA ID

881695

Incident

Feb 16, 2001

TIMING COVER AND HEAD GASKETS LEAKING - FORD SERVICE RECOMENDED NEW MOTOR. *AK

NHTSA ID

741711

Incident

Feb 27, 2001

WHILE DRIVING ABOUT 50 MPH FRONT TIRES WERE MAKING NOISE LIKE RUBBING WIRE TO METAL OF VEHICLE. THEN, CONSUMER STOPPED AND FOUND OUT THAT FRONT TIRES HAD A TREAD SEPARATION. VEHICLE HAD TO BE TOWED. CONSUMER HAD FILED A COMPLAINT BEFORE.*AK

NHTSA ID

880136

Incident

Feb 8, 1998

WHILE DRIVING ABOUT 65-70 MPH, ALL OF SUDDEN VEHICLE ACCELERATED. RPMS INCREASED BY 3000. IN ORDER TO STOP VEHICLE APPLIED AS MUCH PRESSURE AS POSSIBLE TO THE BRAKES, SHIFTED INTO NEUTRAL OR PARK, AND SHUT OFF IGNITION. THIS HAPPENED WITHOUT CRUISE CONTROL BEING ENGAGED. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK

NHTSA ID

873360

Incident

Oct 18, 2000

WHEN SLOWING DOWN FROM 50 MPH VEHICLE WILL VIBRATE, CONSUMER HAS BEEN BACK AND FORTH TO DEALER.*AK

NHTSA ID

871237

Incident

Sep 15, 2000

WHEN GOING DOWN A HILL IT VIBRATES WHEN GOING TO SPEED UP TO 50MPH.*AK

NHTSA ID

871035

Incident

Sep 19, 2000

PLEASE HELP ME I AM MENTALLY DISABLED WITH A FAMILY AND THIS IS WHAT IS HAPPENING TO ME -PLEASE HELP ME. THE FRAME ON MY CAR BROKE AND FELL DOWN WHILE MY WIFE WAS COMING HOME FROM WORK. THE DEALER VERIFIED THE RECALL AND GOT US A LOANER BUT SAID IT WOULD COST 25.00 A DAY ITS BEEN 10 DAYS AND MONDAY AUGUST 7TH I WAS TOLD THAT MY CAR WASN'T FIXABLE BECAUSE OF THE EXCESS CORROSION AND IT WAS FIFTY FIFTY THAT I WOULD HAVE NO CAR AND A RENTAL BILL PLEASE HELP ME IM AT THE POINT WHERE I JUST CAN'T STAND EVEN THINKING ABOUT IT. WE HAVE SAT BY THE PHONE FOUR NINE DAYS AND CALLED OURSELVES AFTER THAT LONG THEY SAY I MAY GET NOTHIN, NO CAR AND A RENTAL BILL PLEASE HELP. *AK

NHTSA ID

726964

Incident

Jul 27, 2000

THE DEALER WAS VERY HELPFUL. HOWEVER FORD CUSTOMER SERVICE/ZONE REP. WAS NOT EVEN INTERESTED IN THIS PROBLEM. IF I HAD NOT TAKEN THE TRIM OFF TO CLEAN, I WOULD HAVE NEVER SEEN THE FAILURE. THIS STRIKER IS NEEDED TO KEEP THE DOOR/TAILGATE CLOSED. CHILDEN CAN RIDE IN THE REAR FACING SEAT OF THIS VEHICLE. IF SOMETHING SHOULD HAPPEN TO CAUSE THIS TAILGATE TO OPEN SUDDENLY, THE FAILED METAL THAT HOLDS THE STRIKER IN PLACE WOIULD BE VIRTUALLY USELESS. THE TAILGATE WOULD LIKELY FLY OPEN. THE STRUCTURE OF THIS VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN COMPRIMISED, BY THE WAY. THERE HAS NOT BEEN AN ACCIDENT TO CAUSE THIS SORT OF FAILURE. FORD'S LACK OF INTEREST IS CERAINLY ALARMING FOR THIS SAFETY ISSUE. *AK

NHTSA ID

726423

Incident

May 1, 2000

THE CAR MADE A LURCHING MOTION-TWICE. WHEN THE CAR WAS PUT INTO NUTERAL AND COASTED TO A PARKING SPOT, IT WOULDN'T MOVE WHEN PUT IN GEAR. MY MECHANIC REPORTED THAT THE TRANSMISSION HAD FROZEN BETWEEN TWO GEARS.*AK

NHTSA ID

724973

Incident

Jun 30, 2000