RoadVitals

1996 Mercury Sable

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints 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.
304
Latest Oct 19, 2017
Safety recallsA safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
5
Latest Mar 25, 1998
InvestigationsNHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
0
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.
29
23 injuries, 0 deaths reported

Overview

Our database contains 304 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1996 Mercury Sable, most frequently naming the transmission, engine and steering categories. 5 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; and 261 manufacturer communications are on file.

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

What owners report

Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Safety recalls

5 campaigns cover this model year

View all 5

Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.

Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov
98V067000

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY

Mar 25, 1998
400 units potentially affected
The defect: 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.
The risk: 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.
The remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL THE CORRECT FUEL TANK.
FORD MOTOR COMPANYView on NHTSA.gov
96V176000

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

Sep 18, 1996
340,000 units potentially affected
The defect: 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.
The risk: THIS CONDITION COULD RESULT IN THE VEHICLE ROLLING AS IF IN NEUTRAL WITH THE SHIFT LEVER IN THE PARK POSITION.
The 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.
FORD MOTOR COMPANYView on NHTSA.gov
96V166000

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:GEAR POSITION INDICATION (PRNDL)

Sep 5, 1996
40,000 units potentially affected
The defect: 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.
The risk: UNINTENDED AND UNEXPECTED VEHICLE MOVEMENT CAN RESULT IN PERSONAL INJURY AND PROPERTY DAMAGE.
The remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND, IF NECESSARY, REPLACE THE PARK PAWL ABUTMENT BRACKET.
FORD MOTOR COMPANYView on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words

View all 304
Powertrain (other)
Filed Oct 19, 2017

JUST BOUGHT A MERCURY SABLE 1996. AFTER DRIVING THIS VEHICAL FOR ABOUT 10 MILES, THE TRANSMISSION BEGAN TO SLIP BADLY. IT BEGAN WITH HAVING TROUBLE ACCELERATING FROM A COMPLETE STOP. LUCKILY I WAS DRIVING IN A RURAL AREA WITH FEW STOPS AND LITTLE TRAFFIC. BY THE TIME I STOPPED AT THE 3 STOP SIGN. THE TRANSMISSION WOULD NO LONGER ENGAGE INTO 1ST OR 2ND GEAR. NEVER GOT INTO 4TH GEAR. BUT HAD TO GET PUSH THE VEHICAL FROM THE LAST STOP SIGN UNTIL I REACHED A SMALL HILL THAT ALLOWED ME TO REACH THE SPEED SO THAT 3RD WAS ABLE TO ENGAGE AND WAS ABLE TO MAKE IT TO MY HOUSE. THE CAR HASN'T MOVED SINCE THEN. WASTE OF $1,000!! TRANSMISSION IS FINISHED.

NHTSA ID
11034494
Incident
Oct 14, 2017
Mileage
300,000 mi
SteeringSuspension
Filed Mar 25, 2016

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 MERCURY SABLE. WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, A SQUEAKING NOISE WAS HEARD UNDER THE VEHICLE, ESPECIALLY WHEN SLOWING DOWN, MAKING TURNS, AND REVERSING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE CRADLE AND SUBFRAME BUSHING WERE CORRODED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. IN ADDITION, WHILE DRIVING AT CERTAIN SPEEDS AND MAKING RIGHT OR LEFT TURNS, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000.

NHTSA ID
10851657
Incident
Jan 5, 2015
Mileage
80,000 mi
Body & structure
Filed Aug 18, 2014

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 MERCURY SABLE. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR ROUTINE MAINTENANCE AND THE MECHANIC DISCOVERED THAT THE ENGINE CRADLE AND THE SUBFRAME WERE SEVERELY RUSTED AND CORRODED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 95,000.

NHTSA ID
10625987
Incident
Aug 16, 2014
Mileage
95,000 mi
Driver assistanceEngine
Filed Mar 4, 2013

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 MERCURY SABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED AND THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE UNKNOWN REPAIRS WERE PERFORMED. THE FAILURE RECURRED HOWEVER AND THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR THE SAME FAILURE ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 6,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 49,000. *TR

NHTSA ID
10501255
Incident
Mar 12, 1997
Mileage
6,000 mi
Driver assistanceEngine
Filed Oct 14, 2012
Crash reported1 injury reported

RELEVANT INFORMATION---ENGINE WAS REPAIRED ON SEPT. 9/10, 2012 SAME MORNING AS THE ACCIDENT--CAR WAS DRIVEN TO BANK BUT AS I WAS LEAVING I COULD NOT PUT CAR INTO REVERSE. A GENTLEMAN PASSERBY WAS ABLE TO PUT IT INTO REVERSE WITH EFFORT AND A LOUD NOISE IN THE GEARS. I PROCEEDED TO MY EXERCISE CLASS WHICH LASTED ONE HOUR. HAD NO TROUBLE WITH REVERSE GEAR THIS TIME. ABOUT 1/2 HOUR LATER I WAS TURNING INTO A PARKING LOT AND IN A MATTER OF MINUTES THE ENGINE STARTED REVVING UP AND SHOT FORWARD ON ITS OWN, WENT OVER A CURB & SIDEWALK AND CRASHED INTO A BRICK WALL AT HIGH SPEED. THE AIR BAGS WENT OFF AND WITH EFFORT I WAS ABLE TO OPEN THE FRONT DOOR. I HAD MINOR INJURIES--NOSE, CUT ON ELBOW, BANGED UP KNEES. THE ENGINE OF THE CAR KEPT ROARING FOR POSSIBLY 15 MINUTES UNTIL SOMEONE CUT THE CABLE TO THE BATTERY. THE POLICE REPORTED THAT I HAD STEPPED ON THE GAS INSTEAD OF THE BRAKE WHICH WAS TOTALLY FALSE. I REMEMBER DISTINCTLY THINKING--THERE'S SOMETHING TERRIBLE WRONG WITH MY CAR. THE INSURANCE COMPANY WAS NOT INTERESTED IN PURSUING THE CAUSE WHICH MAY HAVE BEEN RELATED TO THE REPAIR DONE ON THE ENGINE. THEY CALLED THE CAR A TOTAL LOSS. *TR

NHTSA ID
10480074
Incident
Oct 2, 2012
Mileage
137,000 mi
Body & structure
Filed Aug 26, 2011

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 MERCURY SABLE. WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH THE CONTACT HEARD A POPPING SOUND COMING FROM THE UNDER THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC. THE MECHANIC STATED THE REAR LOWER SUBFRAME WAS FRACTURED DUE TO CORROSION AND COULD DETACH FROM THE VEHICLE. THERE WAS A RECALL UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 98V323000 (STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS) THAT MAY BE RELATED TO THE FAILURE BUT DID NOT INCLUDE 1996 MODELS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 93,000.

NHTSA ID
10421581
Incident
Aug 19, 2011
Mileage
93,000 mi
AirbagsSeat belts
Filed Feb 17, 2011
Crash reported1 injury reported

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 MERCURY SABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE SITTING ON THE PASSENGER SEAT, HE WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT. HE MENTIONED THAT ALTHOUGH HE WAS PROPERLY WEARING HIS SEAT BELT AND THE AIRBAG DEPLOYED, IT FAILED TO PROTECT HIM. HE MENTIONED THAT HIS HEAD AND RIGHT HAND HIT INTO THE WINDSHIELD AND SHATTERED IT. HE ALSO SUFFERED A CONCUSSION AND INJURIES TO HIS KNEES. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 166,000. UPDATED 06/01/11*LJ UPDATED 06/13/11

NHTSA ID
10383088
Incident
Feb 15, 2011
Mileage
166,000 mi
ElectricalTransmission
Filed Sep 15, 2009
Fire reported

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 MERCURY SABLE WAGON. THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN PARKED ON SEPT 10,09 AT 3:30, THE NEXT DAY, AT 6:30 PM THE VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS ENGULFED IN FLAMES. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT EXTINGUISHED THE FIRED AND STATED THAT IT WAS AS ELECTRICAL FIRE. A FIRE REPORT IS AVAILABLE IF NEEDED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE INSURANCE HAS NOT ADVISED THE CONTACT IF THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED OR NOT. AN INSURANCE ADJUSTER WILL PROVIDE THE FINDINGS AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 140,000. UPDATED 10/20/09 *CN THE CONSUMER STATED THE TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED TWICE. UPDATED 10/23/09.*JB

NHTSA ID
10283986
Incident
Sep 11, 2009
Mileage
140,000 mi

Manufacturer communications

A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.

18614

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

SURGE, IDLE ROLL, ROUGH IDLE ONLY WHEN THE ENGINE COOLING FANS ARE OPERATING. *TT

17358

POWER TRAIN

GROAN/BUZZ/VIBRATION WHEN THE GEAR SELECTOR IS IN PARK WITH THE VEHICLE PARKED ON AN INCLINE. *TT THIS BULLETIN UPDATES PREVIOUS BULLETIN 17358, DATED 11/01/2003 TO INCLUDE 2005 MODELS. *TT

03181

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

REMOTE KEYLESS ENTRY (RKE) - SERVICE TIPS. *TT

03148

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:COOLING UNIT AND LINES

NEW TRANSMISSION COOLER FLUSHER - SERVICE TIPS. 2003 ESCORT AND SUPER DUTY F SERIES INCLUDED. *TT

03123

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:TORQUE CONVERTER

TORQUE CONVERTER CLUTCH NOT ENGAGING WHEN COMMANDED AND/OR DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODES P0741 OR P1744 STORED IN MEMORY. MODELS FROM 1996 TO 2003. *TT

02236

VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM:WINDSHIELD:ELECTRICAL HEATING ELEMENT

ERRATIC OPERATION OF THE COOL/WARM FUNCTION OF THE TEMPERATURE CONTROL SYSTEM - REPAIR PROCEDURE FOR STRATIFICATION (SECONDARY) TEMPERATURE BLEND DOOR. *TT

Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

Mercury Sable by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2009200036.1
2008611151.3
2006100—
2005831243.2
2004522249.3
20032014456.7
20024404461.7
20014309864.1
20004647963.2
19992585259.5
19981902053.3
19972283050.3
1996Viewing3045053.4
19953506460.0
19943875459.2
199367381160.0
199236451159.7
199122151163.3
199016671167.2
198923881673.1
198812662069.0
19877692266.6
19864692067.1
1985001—
1984100—
1982000—
1981000—

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. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.