RoadVitals

1995 Mercury Sable Engine Problems

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

Data refreshed

Engine 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.
133
Latest Jun 24, 2013
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.
38%
of 350 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.
10
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
2

What this page shows

Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 1995 Mercury Sable submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 133 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 engine

The 25 most recent of 133, in the owner's own words

Engine
Filed Jun 24, 2013

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1995 MERCURY SABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR A DIAGNOSTIC TEST. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 160,000. *TR

NHTSA ID
10521395
Incident
Jun 18, 2013
Mileage
160,000 mi
Engine
Filed Apr 27, 2010

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1995 MERCURY SABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE WOULD SPORADICALLY STALL WHEN DRIVING IN WARM TO HOT TEMPERATURES. THE CONTACT STATED THE ENGINE WOULD HAVE TO BE SHUT OFF AND COOLED OFF BEFORE BEING ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR FURTHER INSPECTION OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 84,000.

NHTSA ID
10327731
Incident
Jul 1, 2006
Mileage
50,000 mi
Driver assistanceEngineFuel system+2 more
Filed Mar 8, 2010

I BOUGHT A 1995 MERCURY SABLE. THE PERSON I BOUGHT IT FROM SAID IT HAD ALL NEW BRAKES, SPRINGS, FILTERS, SENSORS, RADIATOR, ETC. WHEN I TOOK IT TO MY MECHANIC LAST WEEK (FRIDAY), HE SAID THERE IS A NUMBER OF ILLEGAL THINGS ON IT AND IT NEEDS 1500$ WORTH OF WORK TO MAKE IT SAFE. HE SAID IT WAS A LEMON AND I SHOULD CONTACT THE PERSON THAT SOLD IT TO ME, SO I DID, I BROUGHT HIM TO THE MECHANIC SO HE COULD HEAR EVERYTHING ILLEGAL AND UNSAFE AND BROKEN ABOUT IT. HE STATED IN FRONT OF THE MECHANICS THAT HE WOULD BE REFUNDING MY MONEY ON MONDAY (TODAY). WHEN I CALLED TODAY THEY TOLD ME TO BAD I'M NOT GETTING MY MONEY BACK. WE BOUGHT IT AS IS AND OH WELL. I HAVE A DETAILED LIST OF PROBLEMS WITH THIS CAR FROM MY MECHANIC. *TR

NHTSA ID
10317799
Incident
Mar 5, 2010
Mileage
131,000 mi
Engine
Filed Sep 11, 2008

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1995 MERCURY SABLE. WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED, THE RADIATOR FAN SHUTS OFF AND DOES NOT COME BACK ON. AS A RESULT, THE TEMPERATURE IN THE VEHICLE INCREASES. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED AND GAVE THE CONTACT THE RUNAROUND. THE CONTACT REFERENCED THREE NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBERS 01I011000, 01V390000, AND 97V019000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:FAN). THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE SAFETY IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN EXPIRED. SHE STATED THAT SHE NEVER RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000.

NHTSA ID
10241860
Incident
Aug 21, 2008
Mileage
60,000 mi
Engine
Filed Mar 4, 2008

CONSUMER REQUESTING REIMBURSEMENT FOR REPAIRS ON A 1995 MERCURY SABLE. CONSUMER REPAIRED THE VEHICLE FOR RECALL PROBLEMS BEFORE A RECALL WAS RECEIVED AND WOULD LIKE REIMBURSEMENT FOR THE COST. *KB THE HEAD GASKETS, TIMING COVER GASKETS AND OIL PAN WERE REPLACED DUE TO THE VEHICLE OVERHEATING. *JB

NHTSA ID
10220586
Incident
Jan 1, 1901
BrakesEngine
Filed Jul 31, 2006

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE SLOWS DOWN AND WILL NOT ACCELERATE UNTIL THE VEHICLE STALLS TO A STOP. THE VEHICLE RUNS FINE AFTER IT IS RESTARTED. THE DEALERSHIP AND TWO INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOPS COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. THERE WAS NOTHING ILLUMINATED ON THE DASH PRIOR TO EACH INCIDENT. UPDATED 10/4/2006 -THE CONSUMER NOTICED THAT TEH ABS LIGHT HAS ILLUMINATED TWICE, ONCE WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS RUNNING AND ONCE WHILE IT WAS NOT. *NM

NHTSA ID
10164012
Incident
Jul 31, 2006
Mileage
74,560 mi
Engine
Filed May 26, 2006
Fire reported

COMMENTS: I HAVE A 1995 MERCURY SABLE WITH 52,000 MILES ON IT. SOME YEARS AGO, FORD ISSUED A LETTER SAYING IT WOULD MAKE REPAIRS IF THE HEAD GASKET PREMATURELY BLEW ON THIS CAR AT UNDER 60,000 MILES OR WITHIN 5 YEARS. ABOUT TWO WEEKS AGO, WITH NO WARNING, MY SABLE BLEW ITS HEAD GASKET IN MY GARAGE, AFTER I HAD TURNED OFF THE CAR AND GOTTEN OUT OF IT. IT WAS JUST A MIRACLE THAT I WAS STILL IN THE GARAGE WITH MY HUSBAND WHEN IT HAPPENED. NORMALLY, I WOULD HAVE GONE IN THE HOUSE AND SHUT THE DOOR. AT ANY RATE, I TURNED AROUND AND SMOKE WAS BILLOWING FROM THE REAR OF THE CAR. MY HUSBAND JUMPED IN THE CAR (I WOULDN'T HAVE DONE THAT) AND BACKED IT INTO OUR COURT. I RAN FOR THE PHONE AND CALLED 911. MY POINT IS, THAT EXCEPT FOR THE FLUKE OF MY BEING IN THE GARAGE AT THE TIME, MY HOUSE COULD HAVE GONE UP IN SMOKE! WHEN I CALLED THE LOCAL FORD DEALER, THEY REFERRED ME TO FORD CUSTOMER SERVICE. JOSH AT CUSTOMER SERVICE TOLD ME THAT THE "CUSTOMER SATISFACTION PROGRAM" ON THIS CAR HAD EXPIRED AND THAT THERE ARE NO AVAILABLE COVERAGES. HE FURTHER STATED THAT I HAD NO RECOURSE TO ANYONE ELSE IN THE COMPANY BECAUSE FORD HAD "EMPOWERED" THE CUSTOMER SERVICE PROGRAM TO ANSWER ALL QUESTIONS OF THIS TYPE. I THINK THAT IF MY HOUSE HAD BURNED DOWN, FORD CERTAINLY WOULD HAVE HAD SOME LIABILITY. THE COST TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE IS $2,000, NEARLY AS MUCH AS IT'S WORTH. IS THERE ANYTHING YOU CAN DO TO HELP ME WITH THIS PROBLEM? *NM

NHTSA ID
10158373
Incident
May 1, 2006
Mileage
52,000 mi
Engine
Filed May 14, 2006

I JUST BOUGHT THE CAR UAED DROVE OFF THE HIGHWAY AND MY CAR STARTED SMOKING FROM THE HOOD, I ALSO GETTING A KNOCKING SOUND IN THE ENGINE DEPARTMENT, THE CAR HAS NO SAFETY FUTURE IN IT ,IF I WAS IN THE HIGHWAY DRIVING AND THIS CAR STARTED TO STOP, I WILL BE IN SERIOUS ACCIDENT, FORD NEED TO RECALL THE ENGINE AND REPLACE IT WITH ONE HIGH PERFORMANCE ONE, THAT LAST. *NM

NHTSA ID
10157522
Incident
May 4, 2006
Mileage
10 mi
Engine
Filed Oct 27, 2005

MOTOR REPLACED ON MY CAR , A 95 MERCURY SABLE, REPLACED AT 85,000 MILES AND JUST BLEW AGAIN I NOW HAVE 123,00 ON THE CAR AND JUST WANT TO EXPRESS MY GRATITUDE FOR YOU CHANGING MY MIND ON FUTURE PURCHASES OF FORD PRODUCTS. I WORK FOR A TEER 2 SUPPLIER OF COLOR CONC. TO GM AND HAVE ALWAYS PURCHASED FORD IN SPITE OF THE SAVINGS I RECEIVE THROUGH WORK. CAN YOU HELP ME OR NOT WITH MY EXPENSES FOR REPAIR OF ANOTHER MOTOR? *NM

NHTSA ID
10140935
Incident
Oct 24, 2005
Mileage
12,300 mi
Engine
Filed Apr 22, 2005
Fire reported

THE VEHICLE STARTED TO SMOKE. THE CONSUMER PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, TO FIND THE FIRE HAD COMPLETELY GONE OUT. **JB

NHTSA ID
10119048
Incident
Apr 15, 2005
Mileage
85,682 mi
Engine
Filed Dec 16, 2004

RECALL CAMPAIGN; 97V019000 CONSUMER RECEIVED RECALL NOTICE IN REFERENCE TO CIRCUIT BREAKER. AFTER THE RECALL REPAIRS, THE CONSUMER DISCOVERED THE SIGNALS WERE NOT WORKING. *BF THE CONSUMER HAD TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR RECALL REPAIRS. AFTER PICKING UP THE VEHICLE, THE CONSUMER DISCOVERED THAT THE DIRECTIONAL SIGNALS WERE NOT WORKING AND THE ENGINE STALLED OUT AT LOW SPEEDS AND AT STOP LIGHTS, CUTTING OUT THE POWER BRAKES AND THE POWER STEERING. *SC THE DEALER CLAIMED THE PROBLEMS WERE UNRELATED WITH THE RECALL. *JB

NHTSA ID
10108844
Incident
Dec 1, 2004
Engine
Filed Oct 27, 2004

SEVERAL UNEXPECTED EXPERIENCES WITH COOLING SYSTEM FAILURE. *BF RECALL NUMBERS; 97V019000, 01V390000, & 01I011000. *SC

NHTSA ID
10099110
Incident
Aug 1, 2004
Mileage
69,545 mi
Engine
Filed Aug 11, 2004

CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR ROUTINE MAINTENANCE, AND MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE MOTOR MOUNTS NEED TO BE REPLACED DUE TO CORROSION. *AK

NHTSA ID
10087744
Incident
Aug 11, 2004
Engine
Filed Mar 8, 2004
Fire reported

WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH THE FAN MOTOR CAUGHT ON FIRE. THE CONSUMER MANAGED TO PULL OVER AND HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED. THE DEALERSHIP HAS BEEN NOTIFIED BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. *NM *MR

NHTSA ID
10055259
Incident
Jan 7, 2004
Mileage
102,000 mi
Engine
Filed Jan 5, 2004

CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR ROUTINE MAINTENANCE, AND MECHANIC NOTICED THAT THE MOTOR MOUNTS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED DUE TO CORROSION. *AK

NHTSA ID
10053384
Incident
Jan 5, 2004
Engine
Filed Jan 2, 2004

DRIVER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR ROUTINE MAINTENANCE, AND MECHANIC NOTICED THAT THE MOTOR MOUNTS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED DUE TO CORROSION. *AK

NHTSA ID
10052296
Incident
Jan 2, 2004
Engine
Filed Jan 2, 2004

CONSUMER STATED THAT VEHICLE WAS LEAKING COOLANT INTO ENGINE WHICH CAUSED IT TO SMOKE . CONSUMER HAD THIS VEHICLE CHECKED OUT AND HE WAS TOLD THAT IT WAS LEAKING COOLANT. HE CALLED THE MANUFACTURER AND WAS TOLD THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL. *AK

NHTSA ID
10052285
Incident
Jan 2, 2004
Heating & air conditioningElectricalEngine+1 more
Filed Sep 17, 2003

CAR STALLS IN WARM WEATHER. ON ONE OF MANY STALLED OCCASIONS I WAS STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT AND WHEN IT TURNED GREEN THE CAR LUNGED AS IF IT WERE MOVING BUT STALLED AND A MAN IN A TRUCK BEHIND ME SLAMMED ON HIS BRAKES BUT A WOMAN BEHIND HIM SLAMMED INTO HIS TRUCK. THEY HAD AN ACCIDENT BECAUSE MY CAR STALLED AND STOPPED SHORT. ALSO, RIGHT REAR WINDOW WONT GO DOWN SOMETIMES. THE A/C STINKS AND THE HEATER SMELLS LIKE SUPER HOT DRIED BURNT CARPETING. THERE'S A GAS SMELLS SO HEAVY AT TIMES IN THE BACK SEAT I'M SCARED FOR MY CHILDREN TO BE BACK THERE. THE DASH LIGHTS GET SO HOT I'M AFRAID IT'S GOING TO MELT SOMETHING OR START A FIRE. THE CAR IS HAD TO START ON CERTAIN DAYS. OTHER DAYS IT STARTS RIGHT UP. SOMETIMES THE CAR STARTS AND RUNS GREAT. OTHER DAYS IT STARTS BUT YOU CAN FEEL SOMETHING ISN'T RIGHT AND THE CAR WILL FEEL LIKE IT'S ON THE VERGE OF STALLING BUT THEN YOU CAN HEAR IT START BACK UP AGAIN. ALMOST LIKE THE IGNITION IS TURNING ON AND OFF. I HAVE A LIST OF ALL THE REPAIRS DONE TO MY CAR JUST AFTER I PURCHASED IT AND THERE IS SOME MAJOR BILLS IN THIS PILE! READING THAT OTHER PEOPLE ARE HAVING THE SAME EXACT PROBLEMS WITH THEIR SABLES IS PROOF THAT FORD PUT OUT AN UNSAFE CAR! I HAVEN'T GOT THE MONEY TO BUY ANOTHER CAR. I CAN HARDLY AFFORD TO FIX THE ONE I HAVE BUT IT'S ALL I GOT. SHAME ON FORD! I WON'T BE BUYING ANOTHER FORD IN THE FUTURE UNLESS THEY RESOLVE THIS MESS! *JB

NHTSA ID
10039081
Incident
Sep 17, 2003
Mileage
56 mi
Heating & air conditioningElectricalEngine+1 more
Filed Jul 10, 2003

1995 MERCURY SABLE HAS EXPERIENCED SEVERAL PROBLEMS. *MR THE ENGINE WOULD IDLE, RUN ROUGH, STALL, AND RESTART IMMEDIATELY, THE A/C HAD BLOWN WARM AIR, THE REMOTE FUEL DOOR LATCH HAD BROKEN, THE ENGINE MADE A LOUD SQUEALING SOUND WHILE BEING DRIVEN, AND THERE WAS A COOLANT LEAK. THE HEADGASKET , TIMING COVER, OIL PAN, BROKEN FUEL DOOR SPRING, AND STARTER CIRCUIT WIRING ASSEMBLY HAVE ALL BEEN REPLACED. RECALL #97V019000 *SCC

NHTSA ID
10033848
Incident
Nov 22, 2002
Engine
Filed Mar 27, 2003

THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. *JB

NHTSA ID
10014601
Incident
Jan 28, 2003
Engine
Filed Mar 27, 2003

THE ENGINE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. *JB

NHTSA ID
10014598
Incident
Jan 28, 2002
BrakesEngineSuspension
Filed Mar 15, 2003

I HAVE A 1995 MERCURY SABLE THAT HAS A BAD HEAD GASKET. I WAS TOLD BY MY MECHANIC THAT THERE WAS A RECALL BY FORD, BUT AFTER CALLING AND LEAVING MESSAGES, I AM UNABLE TO CONFIRM THIS. PLEASE ADVISE. THANK YOU! I AM ALSO LISTING NUMEROUS PROBLEMS THAT HAVE OCCURRED WITH THE SUSPENSION AND BRAKES IN THE LAST YEAR.

NHTSA ID
10010509
Incident
Dec 16, 2002
Mileage
65,000 mi
Engine
Filed Feb 21, 2003

MY COMPLAINT RELATES TO FORD AND ITS HANDLING OF THE PROBLEMS ASSOCIATED WITH THE 3.8 ENGINE. WHEN NOTIFIED OF THE RECALL BECAUSE OF THE GASKET PROBLEM I TOOK MY 1995 SABLE TO A FORD DEALER FOR CORRECTION. THE CAR IS NOT USED TOO MUCH, AND CONSEQUENTLY THE TIME EXTENSION(TO 7 YEARS) RAN OUT, BUT WITH ONLY 28,000 MILES ON THE NEW GASKETS (72,000 MILES TOTAL ON THE VEHICLE), THEY FAILED LAST MONTH. FORD HAS NO INTEREST IN PROVIDING ANY RELIEF. MILEAGE TO THEM IS IRRELEVANT, ONLY THE TIME. PRETTY LOUSY APPROACH TO FIXING AN ENGINEERING DESIGN FLAW. PURCHASES OF FORD PRODUCTS ARE A THING OF THE PAST. JUST HAD TO ENTER A FORMAL COMPLAINT AND GET IT OFF MY CHEST. IF YOU CAN USE ME AS ANY KIND OF A WITNESS AGAINST THEM GIVE A CALL. *AK

NHTSA ID
10007926
Incident
Jan 6, 2003
Mileage
72,230 mi
Engine
Filed Feb 12, 2003
Fire reported

DRIVER WAS DRIVING CAR ON STATE ROAD 84. CAR WAS STALLING. DRIVER PULLS OVER TO SIDE OF ROAD, OPENS HOOD ENGINE COMPARTMENT ENGULFED IN FLAMES AS STATED IN FIRE MARSHALL'S REPORT. FIRE MARSHALL STATES THE FIRE STARTED IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. CAR WAS TOTALLED.

NHTSA ID
10005771
Incident
Dec 27, 2002
Mileage
80,000 mi
Engine
Filed Feb 11, 2003

ENGINE MOTOR MOUNTS WERE DEFECTIVE. *AK *JB

NHTSA ID
10005912

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 .