RoadVitals

1993 Mercury Sable Transmission Problems

Owner-reported complaints naming the transmission system, filed with NHTSA

Data refreshed

Transmission reportsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
41
Latest Jan 19, 2008
Share of all reportsThis category as a share of every owner report on file for this model year. One report can name more than one component, so the categories overlap.
6%
of 673 total
Crash or fire reportedReports in this category whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. The reporter's own answer on the NHTSA form, not a verified finding.
0
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
0

What this page shows

Reports naming the automatic or manual transmission, including shifting behaviour, shudder, slipping and transmission control modules. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 1993 Mercury Sable submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 41 reports on file name it.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

Owner reports naming transmission

The 25 most recent of 41, in the owner's own words

Transmission
Filed Jan 19, 2008

IN EARLY JANUARY 2008, MY MERCURY SABLE 3.0 WAGON, BEGAN TO HAVE TRANSMISSION (AX4S) PROBLEMS OF ERADICT UPSHIFTING AND DOWNSHIFTING WHEN ACCELERATING FROM A STOP AND CLIMBING A HILL. IN ADDITION WHEN I CHECKED THE FLUID LEVEL WHEN THE MOTOR IS HOT IT APPEARS LOW IN ATF FLUID, BUT WHEN THE MOTOR HAS COOLED THE TRANSMISSION FLUID STICK INDICATES THE TRANSMISSION FULL AT THE RIGHT LEVEL. I HAVE BECOME AWARE THAT THE AX4S HAS A HISTORY OF "INADEQUATE INTERNAL LUBRICATION OF CRITICAL PARTS AND A WEAK FORWARD CLUTCH PISTON THAT CRACKS AND LEAKS PRESSURE" THAT LEADS TO COMPLETE FAILURE OF THE TRANSMISSION. MY CAR IS NO LONGER OPERATIONAL DUE TO TRANSMISSION FAILURE. THE ESTIMATED COST ON AVERAGE FROM TRANSMISSION REPAIR SHOPS IN MY AREA IS 2200.00. I WOULD LIKE TO KEEP THE CAR AND REALIZE NOW THAT THIS PARTICULAR TRANSMISSION HAS NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS OF FAILURE AND FORD IS AWARE OF THE FACTORY DEFECTS BUILT INTO THE TRANSMISSION. I WOULD LIKE FORD TO REPAIR MY TRANSMISSION AT THERE EXPENSE SINCE THEY HAVE BEEN AWARE OF THESE PROBLEM FOR YEARS YET CONTINUED TO MANUFACTURE AND INSTALL THIS TRANSMISSION INTO THERE VEHICLES BEING SOLD TO THE PUBLIC. *TR

NHTSA ID
10215438
Incident
Jan 5, 2008
Mileage
181,978 mi
Transmission
Filed Apr 29, 2004

WHILE DRIVING AT 5 MPH AND WITHOUT ANY WARNING THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FAILED. TOWED VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND THE TECHNICIAN DETERMINED THE VEHICLE NEEDED A NEW TRANSMISSION. *AK *JB

NHTSA ID
10059796
Incident
Jan 1, 2004
Mileage
84,572 mi
EngineTransmission
Filed Feb 28, 2002

ANTIFREEZE LEAK DUE TO BLOWN HEAD GASKET. *AK THERE WAS A RECALL ON BLOWER HEAD GASKET AT ONE TIME, BUT THE DEALER POINTED OUT THAT THE RECALL TIME WAS OVER. THE CONSUMER REPLACED A MOTION SENSOR ON THE TRANSMISSION WHICH WAS ALSO WAS ON RECALL A LONG TIME AGO. *YH

NHTSA ID
8004731
Incident
Dec 21, 2001
EngineExterior lightingSteering+2 more
Filed Jul 12, 2001

WHENEVER VEHICLE WAS IN OVERDRIVE, IT WOULD JERK AND THEN STALL OUT WHEN TURNING CORNERS. THIS CAUSED POWER STEERING TO LOCK UP. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALERSHIP, AND WAS INFORMED NOTHING COULD BE DONE ABOUT IT. VEHICLE WAS NOT RECALLED.*AK CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THAT HIS VEHICLES VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN RECALL, SO CONSUMER HAD THE HEAD GASKET AND THERMOSTAT REPLACED AND PAID FOR REPAIRS. TRANSMISSION IS NOW GOING OUT. RIGHT OUTER TIE ROD END REPLACED, WAS CAUSING A SQUEAKING NOISE WHEN TURNING STEERING WHEEL. WINDSHIELD WASHER PUMP FAILED AND CAUSED A LEAK. HEADLIGHT SWITCH FAILED. *SLC

NHTSA ID
892615
Body & structureElectricalEngine+2 more
Filed Jun 11, 2001

ENGINE AND RADIATOR REPLACED, VEHICLE ALSO EXPERIENCED OIL LEAK. *SLC

NHTSA ID
561532
EngineTransmission
Filed Jun 6, 2001

NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK

NHTSA ID
746514
Incident
Jan 12, 2001
EngineTransmission
Filed May 30, 2001

AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION IS JUMPING AND HAS DIFFICULTY SHIFTING INTO HIGHER GEARS. CONSUMER WAS ORIGINALLY INFORMED THAT THIS DEFECT WAS DUE TO BROKEN MOTOR MOUNTS. CONSUMER HAD MOTOR MOUNTS REPLACED. HOWEVER, TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS HAVE REMAINED.*AK CONSUMER WAS ADVISED THAT PROBLEM WAS A SPEED SENSOR, IT WAS REPAIRED .*JB

NHTSA ID
889369
Incident
May 1, 2000
Heating & air conditioningDriver assistanceEngine+2 more
Filed May 15, 2001

THE TRANSMISSION IS JUST ONE OF THE PROBLEMS WE HAVE HAD WITH THIS CAR.THE AIR CONDITIONING NEVER WORKED VERY WELL. DECEMBER 1998 THE AIR CONDITIONING QUIT WORKING COMPLETELY. THE CRUISE CONTROL QUIT WORKING IN 1996. ONE OF THE POWER WINDOWS QUIT WORKING IN 1997. THE HEADLINER NEAR THE BACK WINDSHIELD STARTED HANGING DOWN IN 1998. OUR LATEST PROBLEM IS A BLOWN HEAD GASKET. WE HAD THE TRANSMISSION REPAIRED 11/1/98 AT A COST TO US OF $1,788.00. PLUS IT COST US OVER $100.00 TO HAVE THE CAR TOWED. THE FORD COMPANY HASN'T DONE ANYTHING TO HELP US.

NHTSA ID
745389
Incident
Jun 5, 1997
EngineTransmission
Filed Apr 18, 2001

VEHICLE OVERHEATED AND HAD TO BE TOWED TO DEALER. ANTI-FREEZE HAD BACKED UP AND LEAKED OUT. DEALER ACKNOWLEDGED THEY HAVE HAD SOME COMPLAINTS, BUT NO RECALL WAS ISSUED. SENSOR ASSEMBLY, TRANSMISSION PAN GASKET, CYLINDER HEAD GASKET AND THERMOSTAT HAD TO BE REPLACED. CONSUMER WAS RESPONDSIBLE FOR $1700. *AK

NHTSA ID
886170
Incident
Apr 16, 2001
ElectricalEngineTransmission
Filed Mar 19, 2001

THE STARTERS MADE FOR THIS CAR ARE NOT THE RIGHT KIND I AM ALWYS REPLACING IT, HEADGASKETS BLEW OUT AT 80000 MILES THE TRANSMISSION WENT OUT AT 103265 THIS CAR IS POORLY BUILT.*AK

NHTSA ID
742660
Incident
Mar 14, 2001
EngineTransmission
Filed Aug 3, 2000

ENGINE HAS BLOWN HEAD GASKETS. THIS HAPPENED TWO HUNDRED MILES AFTER TRANSMISSION REPAIRS. THIS WAS NOTICED BY THE DEALERSHIP WHEN VEHICLE WAS BROUGHT IN FOR RECALL CAMPAIGN. MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED ABOUT THIS PROBLEM. *AK *ML

NHTSA ID
866716
Incident
Jul 22, 2000
EngineTransmission
Filed Apr 26, 2000

THE PROBLEMS WITH THE HEAD GASKETS AND TRANSMISSIONS IN THE SABLE/TAURUS IS LEGENDARY IN THE INDUSTRY. WHY CAN'T SOMETHING BE DONE?>AK

NHTSA ID
721952
Incident
Sep 10, 1998
SteeringTransmissionVisibility
Filed Feb 3, 2000

WHILE DRIVING POWER STEERING GOES OUT. CONSUMER WAS MAKING A LEFT AND HEARD A POPPING SOUND. ALSO, TRANSMISSION JERKS & SHAKES. POWER WINDOWS WON'T WORK WHEN IN REVERSE. CONSUMER HAS HAD CAR FOR 4 DAYS. THERE IS A EXTENDED WARRANTY, CONSUMER WILL TAKE BACK VEHICLE TO DEALER TO HAVE CHECKED OUT. *AK

NHTSA ID
856115
Incident
Feb 1, 2000
Transmission
Filed Jan 28, 2000

WHEN TRAVELING TRANSMISSION WOULD NOT ENGAGE INTO GEAR WHEN ATTEMPTING TO ACCELERATE, CAUSING A SLOW START CONDITION. CONSUMER HAS YET TO CONTACT THE DEALER. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *AK

NHTSA ID
855728
EngineTransmission
Filed Nov 15, 1999

LEFT AND RIGHT MOTOR MOUNTS AND TRANSMISSION MOUNT BROKE. THIS REPRESENTS THE THIRD TIME THE MOTOR MOUNTS HAVE FAILED. ALL THREE REPAIRS USED ORIGINAL FORD REPLACEMENT PARTS. ALL REPAIRS WERE DONE BY INDEPENDENT SHOPS.

NHTSA ID
714779
Incident
Jan 6, 1999
EngineTransmission
Filed Oct 30, 1999

COOLANT DETECTED IN EXHAUST AT 70000 MILES FAILURE AT 115000. TRANSMISSION FAILURE AT 65000 MILES BROKEN CLUTCH CYLINDER

NHTSA ID
714118
Incident
Oct 30, 1998
Transmission
Filed Sep 22, 1999

MANY PARTS HAVE BEEN REPLACED ON MY CAR AND AFTER LOOKING AT THIS WEBISTE, THEY HAVE ALL BEEN REPORTED BEFORE. I AM CURRENTLY UNABLE TO DRIVE THE CAR B/C IT NEEDS A MOTOR. I AM CURRENTLY PAYING A CAR NOTE ON IT AND PAYING FOR CAR REPAIRS AND CANT DRIVE

NHTSA ID
711816
Incident
Jul 5, 1999
Transmission
Filed Sep 22, 1999

NO SUMMARY

NHTSA ID
711815
Incident
Jul 5, 1999
Transmission
Filed Sep 7, 1999

I FILED REPORT DUE TO INFO FOUND ON WEBSITEMEMBERS.AOL.COM/MKBRADLEY/INDEX.HTML; APPARENTLY THERE ARE A NUMBER OF ISSUES WITH TAURUS/SABLE TRANSMISSIONS, ENGINES, AND HEADGASKETS; FORD SHOULD BE PRESSURED FOR A RECALL; FEEL FREE TO EMAIL ME WITH ANY FEEDBACK OR ADDITIONAL INFO AT [email protected]

NHTSA ID
711027
Incident
Sep 1, 1999
EngineTransmission
Filed Sep 2, 1999

WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE JUMPED OUT OF GEAR. MECHANIC REPLACED MOTOR MOUNTS, BUT PROBLEM GOT WORSE. SAME DAY TOOK VEHICLE TO TRANSMISSION SHOP AND HAD TRANSMISSION REPLACED. LATER RECEIVED RECALL NOTICE REGARDING THE SUB-FRAME REAR PLATE NUT, WHICH CAN RUIN THE TRANSMISSION OR MOTOR IF LOOSE OR DEFECTIVE. RECALL REPAIR COMPLETED, BUT OWNER WANTS REIMBURSEMENT FOR PREVIOUS REPAIRS.

NHTSA ID
844169
Incident
Jul 7, 1999
Powertrain (other)Transmission
Filed Aug 25, 1999

WAS AT STOP SIGN, STARTED TO TAKE OFF, AND VEHICLE FAILED TO MOVE. SHIFTED FROM DRIVE TO REVERSE & THEN BACK & NOTHING HAPPENED. VEHICLE TOWED TO MECHANIC & WAS INFORMED THE PLANETARY GEAR/ FRONT AND REAR, PUMP ASSEMBLY NEEDED REPLACING. HAD TO REPLACE THE SUNSHELF OF THE TRANSMISSION. *AK

NHTSA ID
845803
Incident
Jul 11, 1999
Transmission
Filed Jul 27, 1999

THE WIRING PROBLEM IS THAT THE COMPUTER CHIP CONTROLLING THE TRANSMISSION BURNT OUT, WHICH RESULTED IN AN EVENTUAL BURN OUT OF THE TRANSMISSION. THERE WAS NO WARNING PRIOR TO THE TRANSMISSION FAILING, BECAUSE THE COMPUTER CHIP WAS MALFUNCTIONING.

NHTSA ID
709245
Incident
Jul 26, 1999
EngineTransmission
Filed Jul 26, 1999

LOWER ENGINE MOTOR MOUNT CRACKED CAUSING TRANSMISSION TO SURGE WHEN SHIFTING GEARS WHICH COULD RESULT IN AN ACCIDENT. *YC

NHTSA ID
547484
Incident
May 1, 1999
Transmission
Filed Mar 30, 1999

CAUSE OF TRANSMISSION FAILURE WAS DUE TO TRANSMISSION FLUID BOILING. *AK

NHTSA ID
705088
Incident
Mar 19, 1999
Transmission
Filed Mar 11, 1999

TRANSMISSION FAILED SUDDENLY WITH NO WARNING

NHTSA ID
704280
Incident
Mar 3, 1999

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.

Other components reported on this vehicle

Categories with enough reports to have a page of their own

Elsewhere on this vehicle

Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .