RoadVitals

1994 Mercury Sable Owner Complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers, shown in full

Data refreshed

Complaints on fileComplaints 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.
387
Latest Aug 18, 2016
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
26
Filed in the last 12 monthsReports filed with NHTSA in the trailing 365 days. Recent volume reflects attention and vehicle age as much as anything else.
0
Reports on file since Jan 2, 1995

What this page shows

Our database holds 387 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1994 Mercury Sable. Each one is a report filed by an owner or driver and published by NHTSA without most of them being verified. A complaint is not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. Narratives are shown exactly as filed.

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

Complaints, most recent first

Showing 1–25 of 387 · page 1 of 16

Engine
Filed Aug 18, 2016

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1994 MERCURY SABLE. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS OR IDLING, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO RESTART AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS. THE FAILURE OCCURRED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, BUT THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 96,000.

NHTSA ID
10896925
Incident
Jul 18, 2016
Mileage
96,000 mi
Filed Jun 11, 2013

NEED PROOF OF TOTAL RECALL OF THIS VEHICLE BY FORD MOTOR COMPANY. I HAVE A LIST OF COMPLAINTS, I NEED PROOF OF THE TOTAL RECALL OF THIS VEHICLE. VIN # [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

NHTSA ID
10519321
Incident
Jul 15, 1999
Mileage
98,000 mi
Body & structure
Filed Apr 19, 2011

MANUFACTURER WILL NOT HONOR RECALL: SEVERE CORROSION OF THE REAR LOWER RETAINING PLATES FOR THE SUBFRAME ASSEMBLY SUPPORTING THE ENGINE AND TRANSMISSION. RISK IS DETACHMENT OF BODY MOUNTS AT THE REAR CORNERS OF THE SUBFRAME. EXISTING RECALL 98V-323 ADDRESSED THIS PROBLEM IN CERTAIN VEHICLES. MY VEHICLE WAS OF THE YEAR, MAKE, AND MODEL COVERED BY THE RECALL, AND HAS THIS PROBLEM, BUT FORD IS CLAIMING THAT MY VIN# DOES NOT MAKE ME ELIGIBLE FOR THE RECALL. *TR

NHTSA ID
10396805
Incident
Apr 19, 2011
Mileage
210,000 mi
Suspension
Filed Feb 7, 2011

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1994 MERCURY SABLE. THE CONTACT DROVE OVER A POTHOLE AND THE FRONT STRUT BROKE ON BOTH SIDES. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT THERE WAS A RELATED RECALL 94E036000 (SUSPENSION: FRONT: SHOCK ABSORBER). THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 139,500. UPDATED 07/08/11*LJ THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A REPAIR SHOP WHERE THE FRONT STRUT HAD BROKEN IN HALF. THE REMAINING STRUTS CONTAINED STRESS CRACKS. UPDATED 07/20/11

NHTSA ID
10380946
Incident
Jan 28, 2011
Mileage
139,500 mi
Tires & wheels
Filed Jan 7, 2009

TRAVELED APPROXIMATELY 120 MILES FROM HOME. UPON ARRIVING AT THE DESTINATION, I NOTICED THE RIGHT REAR TIRE WAS EXTREMELY LOW WITH AS ESTIMATED 10 P.S.I. AIR PRESSURE REMAINING. KNOWING THAT I HAD TWO PREVIOUS TIRE BLOWOUTS ON THIS VEHICLE DUE TO CRACKED VALVE STEMS AND OCCURRING WITHIN THE PREVIOUS 4 MONTHS, I MOVED THE VALVE STEM SLIGHTLY BACK AND FORTH AND NOTICED AIR ESCAPING FROM THE AREA WHERE THE STEM SEATS AGAINST THE ALUMINUM WHEEL. I PUT SOME SOAP BUBBLES AROUND THE STEM AND CONFIRMED THAT AIR WAS ESCAPING FROM A CRACK IN THE VALVE STEM. REFERENCE ODI #'S 10254187 AND 10254189 AS A REFERENCE ON THE PREVIOUS TWO VALVE STEM ISSUES ON SAME VEHICLE. SPARE INSTALLED. VISITED THE TIRE DEALERSHIP WHERE THE FOUR NEW REPLACEMENT TIRES WERE INSTALLED 2 YEARS, 8 MONTHS AND 26,068 MILES PRIOR. NO PUNCTURES, TEARS OR CUTS WERE FOUND ANYWHERE ON THE TIRE TREAD OR SIDEWALL. THE ONLY KNOWN CAUSE OF THE LOW TIRE WAS A CRACKED VALVE STEM IN THE AREA WHERE THE STEM SEATS AGAINST THE ALUMINUM WHEEL ALLOWING AIR TO EXHAUST QUICKLY FROM THE TIRE ONCE THE CRACK PROPAGATED TO INSIDE. A NEW VALVE STEM WAS INSTALLED. THE LEFT REAR TIRE VALVE STEM WAS ALSO REPLACED AT THIS TIME TO AVOID A FUTURE PROBLEM. CRACKED VALVE STEM INFORMATION; TR 413, EHA GERMANY. *TR

NHTSA ID
10254191
Incident
Mar 26, 2007
Mileage
104,672 mi
Tires & wheels
Filed Jan 7, 2009

TRAVELING AT APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH WHEN RIGHT FRONT TIRE NEAR INSTANTLY DEFLATED CAUSING TOTAL TIRE FAILURE BEFORE THE VEHICLE COULD BE PULLED TO SIDE OF ROAD. TIRE SIDEWALL WAS TOTALLY DESTROYED. SPARE INSTALLED. VISITED THE TIRE DEALERSHIP WHERE THE FOUR NEW REPLACEMENT TIRES WERE INSTALLED 2 YEARS, 5 MONTHS AND 23,911 MILES PRIOR. NO PUNCTURES, TEARS OR CUTS WERE FOUND ANYWHERE ON THE TIRE TREAD OR SIDEWALL. THE ONLY KNOWN CAUSE OF THE TIRE FAILURE WAS A CRACKED (CUT) VALVE STEM (AS DOCUMENTED BY DEALERSHIP) IN THE AREA WHERE THE STEM SEATS AGAINST THE ALUMINUM WHEEL ALLOWING AIR TO EXHAUST QUICKLY FROM THE TIRE ONCE THE CRACK PROPAGATED TO INSIDE. A NEW TIRE WAS INSTALLED ALONG WITH A NEW VALVE STEM. CRACKED VALVE STEM INFORMATION; TR 413, EHA GERMANY. THIS WAS THE SECOND TIME (WITHIN 900 MILES) THAT A TIRE BLOWOUT OCCURRED DUE TO WHAT APPEARS TO BE A BAD VALVE STEM. CRACKED VALVE STEM WAS SAVED FOR REFERENCE. *TR

NHTSA ID
10254189
Incident
Jan 8, 2007
Mileage
102,515 mi
Tires & wheels
Filed Jan 7, 2009

TRAVELING AT APPROXIMATELY 65MPH WHEN LEFT FRONT TIRE NEAR INSTANTLY DEFLATED CAUSING TOTAL TIRE FAILURE BEFORE THE VEHICLE COULD BE PULLED TO SIDE OF ROAD. TIRE SIDEWALL WAS TOTALLY DESTROYED. SPARE INSTALLED. VISITED THE TIRE DEALERSHIP WHERE THE FOUR NEW REPLACEMENT TIRES WERE INSTALLED 2 YEARS, 4 MONTHS AND 23,032 MILES PRIOR. NO PUNCTURES, TEARS OR CUTS WERE FOUND ANYWHERE ON THE TIRE TREAD OR SIDEWALL. THE ONLY KNOWN CAUSE OF THE TIRE FAILURE WAS A CRACKED VALVE STEM IN THE AREA WHERE THE STEM SEATS AGAINST THE ALUMINUM WHEEL ALLOWING AIR TO EXHAUST QUICKLY FROM THE TIRE ONCE THE CRACK PROPAGATED TO INSIDE. A NEW TIRE WAS INSTALLED ALONG WITH A NEW VALVE STEM. CRACKED VALVE STEM INFORMATION; TR 413, EHA GERMANY. *TR

NHTSA ID
10254187
Incident
Nov 30, 2006
Mileage
101,636 mi
Exterior lighting
Filed Apr 30, 2008
Fire reported

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1994 MERCURY SABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HER HEADLIGHTS WOULD FAIL INTERMITTENTLY AND THEN ILLUMINATE AGAIN. SHE NOTICED THAT THE FAILURE OCCURRED IN BRIEF INTERVALS AND SHE SMELLED A BURNING ODOR. THE DEALER INSTALLED A NEW HEADLIGHT SWITCH AND, CONSEQUENTLY, THE DASHBOARD SWITCH MELTED. THE DEALER STATED THAT NOTHING COULD BE DONE. FORD STATED THAT HER VIN WAS EXCLUDED FROM NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 98V009000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS:SWITCH). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 98,000.

NHTSA ID
10226310
Incident
Jan 19, 2008
Mileage
98,000 mi
Transmission
Filed Mar 19, 2007

TL* - THE CONTACT HAS A 1994 MERCURY SABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE PURCHASED A VEHICLE ON THE AFTERNOON OF 03/16/2007, AND THE FOLLOWING MORNING 03/17/2007 THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT WORK, AND TRANSMISSION FLUID WAS POURING OUT OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE COULD POUR IT IN THE TOP AND WATCH IT COME OUT OF THE BOTTOM. THE CONTACT WAS TOLD BY THE DEALER THAT THEY WOULD COME AND GET THE VEHICLE REPAIR IT AND CHARGE HIM FOR IT. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGE WERE BOTH 131,368 MILES.

NHTSA ID
10185526
Incident
Mar 16, 2007
Mileage
131,368 mi
Electrical
Filed May 12, 2006

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS THE ENGINE STALLS WITHOUT WARNING. THIS OCCURS MORE OFTEN IN WARMER WEATHER. THE VEHICLE RESTARTS ONLY AFTER COOLING OFF FOR AT LEAST 30 MINUTES. IT HAS BEEN INSPECTED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS; HOWEVER THE PROBLEM COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED. AFTER RESEARCHING THE PROBLEMS WITH THIS VEHICLE THE CONTACT BELIEVES THE PFI IGNITION MODULE IS OVER HEATING, CAUSING THE STALLING.

NHTSA ID
10157438
Incident
May 12, 2006
Mileage
132,000 mi
Body & structure
Filed May 11, 2005

ON MAY 10, 2005, I WAS DRIVING TO AN APPT. AFTER I GOT OFF THE HIGHWAY, I WAS DRIVING DOWN TARKILN HILL ROAD AND MY CAR STARTED TO MAKE A LOUD CLUNKING SOUND AND THE STEERING WAS OFF. I APPLIED MY BRAKE AT THE RED LIGHT AND MY BRAKE PEDAL WENT DOWN TO THE FLOOR. I WAS ABLE TO STOP THE CAR. I WENT TO THE APPT. WHICH WAS TWO BLOCKS AWAY VERY SLOWLY. WHEN I GOT OUT OF THE APPT. TO COME HOME, THE CAR STARTED AND THE NOISE WAS GONE. I DROVE SLOWLY HOME AND WHEN I GOT HOME, I LOOKED ON THE INTERNET TO SEE IF ANYONE HAD THIS PROBLEM. I CAME ACROSS A COMPLAINT PAGE WHERE SOMEONE IS COMPLAINING OF THE SAME ISSUE AND STATED THAT HIS STEERING WENT. HE SAID IT WAS DUE TO A SAFETY RECALL. I LOOKED UP THE RECALL AND CAME ACROSS A PAGE THAT HAD THE RECALLS FOR MY VEHICLE WHICH IS A 1994 MERCURY SABLE. THE CAMPAIGN ID # IS 98V323000. IT GOES ON TO SAY: SUMMARY: 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. IF BOTH REAR CORNERS DROP, STEERING WOULD BECOME SUDDENLY VERY DIFFICULT, AFFECTING VEHICLE CONTROL AND INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH. I CONTACTED THE DEALER ON CHURCH STREET IN NEW BEDFORD, SENTURY LINCOLN/MERCURY. THEY TOLD ME TO BRING THE CAR IN. WHEN I GOT THERE, THEY TOLD ME THERE WOULD BE A $75.00 CHARGE TO SEE IF THAT IS THE PROBLEM, AND IF IT IS, I WOULD HAVE TO PAY, BECAUSE THE RECALL WAS NOT ON THEIR COMPUTER. I CALLED THE FORD COMPANY'S 800 NUMBER AND WAS TOLD THE SAME THING. I THEN CALLED A MERCURY NUMBER, THAT I GOT OFF THE INTERNET AND WAS TOLD BY THAT GENTLEMAN THAT THE ID # OF THE RECALL IS FROM A VENDOR AND THE FORD COMPANY HAS A RIGHT TO NOT CONSIDER IT A RECALL AND IF THEY DO NOT SUPPORT IT, WHICH THEY DO NOT, I WOULD HAVE TO FILE A COMPLAINT WITH YOU, WHICH IS WHAT I AM DOING.

NHTSA ID
10120713
Incident
May 10, 2005
Mileage
31,900 mi
Exterior lighting
Filed May 3, 2005

MY HEADLIGHT SWITCH WENT OUT AND I REPLACED IT. I WAS WONDERING IF I COULD GET COMPANSATION FOR BUYING IT MYSELF, AS IT APPEARS TO BE A RECALL. ALSO THERE SEEMS TO BE A PROBLEM WITH MY HOME COMPUTER AND I AM NOT ABLE TO VIEW ANY DETAILED INFORMATION ABOUT MY VEHICLE. IF SOMEONE COULD E-MAIL ME, I WOULD GREATLY APPRECIATE THE INFORMATION THAT I NEED TO KNOW ABOUT MY CAR, OR ANYTHING THAT I QUALIFY FOR. I DON'T KNOW ANY OF MY VEHICLES PAST HISTORY, SO IT WOULD ALSO BE APPRECIATED IF I COULD RECIEVE IT.

NHTSA ID
10119571
Incident
Feb 3, 2005
Mileage
157,000 mi
SuspensionTransmission
Filed May 3, 2005

CONTACT STATED: WHEN SHIFTING FROM REVERSE TO DRIVE ENGINE MAKES A LOUD NOISE. ALSO, THE FRONT SUSPENSION SPRINGS BROKE WHILE DRIVING.*AK

NHTSA ID
10119465
Incident
Mar 4, 2005
Mileage
195,000 mi
Visibility
Filed Oct 3, 2004
1 injury reported

MY WIFE'S FINGER WAS COUGHT IN THE ELECTRIC WINODW WHEN SHE INADVERTANTLY PRESSED THE "UP" BUTTON!*AK

NHTSA ID
10093539
Incident
Aug 17, 2004
Mileage
85,000 mi
Brakes
Filed Oct 3, 2004

THE LEFT REAR BRAKE LINE BECAME CLOGGED WITH COROSION DEBRIS AND THE BRAKE LOCKED.*AK

NHTSA ID
10093538
Incident
Jul 17, 2004
Mileage
84,600 mi
Brakes
Filed Oct 3, 2004

REAR STEEL BRAKE PIPE FAILED DUE TO CORROSION.*AK

NHTSA ID
10093536
Incident
Aug 15, 2004
Mileage
85,000 mi
Visibility
Filed Aug 31, 2004

MULTI FUNCTION SWITCH IS DEFECTIVE. WHEN USING THE RIGHT TURN SIGNAL IT MAKES THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS TURN OFF, AND THE WINDSHIELD WIPER FLUID WILL NOT COME OUT. *AK

NHTSA ID
10090105
Incident
Aug 31, 2004
Mileage
94,000 mi
Suspension
Filed May 21, 2004

WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED STEERING WHEEL FEELS LOOSE, AND MAKES A LOUD NOISE. DEALER NOTIFIED. INDEPENDENT SHOP INDICATED THE SWAY BAR FAILED. *AK

NHTSA ID
10074047
Suspension
Filed Mar 23, 2004

I HAVE A 1994' SABLE IN WHICH THE FRONT LEFT COIL SPRING IS JUST ABOUT TO BREAK DUE TO FRACTURES IN METAL. MY 93' SABLE IN WHICH HAVE SOLD, HAD SAME PROBLEM.WHEN IT BROKE I WAS TURNING AT THE TIME.LUCKLY I DID NOT WRECK BUT HAD NO CONTROL OF CAR SINCE THE SPRING RUPTURED MY TIRE,AND FRAME OF CAR WAS SCRAPING THE BLACKTOP. *AK

NHTSA ID
10063673
Incident
Mar 14, 2004
Mileage
90,000 mi
Exterior lighting
Filed Mar 5, 2004

LOSS OF HEADLIGHTS DURING VEHICLE OPERATION. HEADLIGHTS GO OUT WHILE DRIVING.THERE WAS RECALL OF THIS PROBLEM IN 1998 AND I WAS NEVER NOTIFIED. RECALL ID NUMBER 98VOO9000I. I BOUGHT AUTO FROM DEALER BEFORE RECALL. THE ABOVE CONDITION HAPPENS ALL THE TIME. UNABLE TO DRIVE AT NIGHT. *AK

NHTSA ID
10060540
Incident
Aug 7, 2003
Transmission
Filed Jan 23, 2004

PURCHASED 1994 MERCURY SABLE 60,000 ORIGINAL MILES, THE VEHICLE WOULD BE OK COLD WITHIN 5 MILES OF DRIVING THE CAR WOULD SLIP OUT OF GEAR AT STOPS OR IF YOU COASTED, CAN'T PUT IN REVERSE AT AFTER WARM. CONSULTED THE INTERNET AND FOUND HORROR STORIES OF OTHER OWNERS. THE DEALERSHIP SAYS THEY NO NOTHING OF THESE PROBLEMS. *LA

NHTSA ID
10054740
Incident
Jan 23, 2003
Mileage
62,472 mi
Body & structureBrakesEngine+4 more
Filed Jan 15, 2004

THE KEY INSERT DOES NOT ALIGN, HAVE HAD 2 TRANSMISSIONS IN 5 YEARS. (I KNOW TO CHECK MY FLUIDS) NEW ENGINE, & THE PAINT IS AWFUL. ENGINE, MOTOR, GAS, GASPS AND JERKS WITH ME. HAVE HAD MOTOR MOUNTS REPLACED, NOTHING HELPS. HEATER COIL(?) WENT OUT, I HAVE NO HEAT NOW. WE HAD TO BYPASS. THE REST I HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO AFFORD TO REPAIR. I HATE THIS CAR. I AM WORRIED EVERYTIME I GET IN IT THAT MY MOTHER AND I ARE NOT GOING TO GET HOME. I HAVE HAD THE CAR TOWED SO MANY TIMES, THE MAN WHO DOES THE TOWING KNOWS ME AND MY CAR ON SIGHT. I WILL NOT GO MORE THAN 30 MILES FROMT HE HOUSE. MY MECHANIC EVEN HATES THE CAR. I CALL HIM AN ANGEL, BECAUSE HE HAS KEPT IT RUNNING.

NHTSA ID
10070159
Incident
Sep 15, 2003
Body & structureEngineFuel system+1 more
Filed Jan 15, 2004

HATCH GLASS CAME LOOSE STARTED LEAKING(56000) FUEL PUMP STARTED ACTING UP GET HOT AND HANG UP(75000) NO RECALL. STATE FARM SHOWED THEY PAID FOR TOWING ON MANY, FORD PRODUCTS THAT USED THE SAME PUMP STILL NO RECALL. TRANSMISSION SHIFTS DOWN, OR SHIFTS OUT OF GEAR WHILE DRIVING SMITH FORD CONWAY WAS SUPPOSED TO CHECK THE HEADS FOR LEAKS SIX MONTHS LATER THE HEAD GASKET BLEW,AND THE AIR WENT OUT AT THIS TIME I WAS TOLD THE THE DATE THIS CAR WAS ORIGINALLY PUT IN SEVICE MADE IT OUT OF WARRANTY. THIS CAR IS SITTING IN MY GARAGE WITH MOTOR OUT OF IT BECAUSE FORD DIDN'T DO ITS JOB. PAINT PEELED OFF THE INSIDE OF THE DOOR POST.

NHTSA ID
10070028
Incident
Sep 15, 1999
Mileage
85,000 mi
Powertrain (other)Visibility
Filed Jan 15, 2004

I HAVE HAD CONSTANT OVERHEATING PROBLEMS WITH THS CAR. THE PROBLEMS RANGE FROM CRACKED FLUSH/FILL VALVES, TO HOSES,TO WATER PUMP FAILURE. 03/30/2002 TRANSMISSION STARTED SLIPPING. A MECHANIC AT A LOCAL SHOP RECOMMENDED ADDING FLUID. THE PROBLEM CONTINUED AND EACH TIME THE MECHANIC RECOMMENDED ADDING FLUID. NO LEAK WAS DETERMINED. PROBLEM CONTINUED UNTIL THE TRANSMISSION WENT OUT IN 07/2003.

NHTSA ID
10069437
Incident
Apr 15, 2003
Mileage
133,295 mi
Engine
Filed Jan 15, 2004

HEAD GASKETS BROKE, POSSIBLY CAUSED CRACKED CYLINDER HEADS/FURTHER ENGINE DAMAGE

NHTSA ID
10069376
Incident
Feb 15, 2003
Mileage
62,000 mi

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.

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