Owner-reported complaints naming the body or structure system, filed with NHTSA
Data refreshed
Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 1996 Mercury Sable submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 30 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.
The 25 most recent of 30, in the owner's own words
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.
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.
THE SUB FRAME ON MY SON'S 96 MERCURY SABLE SUDDENLY BROKE LOOSE AND NEARLY CAUSED HIM A SERIOUS ACCIDENT. THE STEERINMG OF THE VEHICLE BECAME VERY ERATIC AND AS SUCH LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. LUCKILY NO ONE WAS HURT.THE AREA WHERE THE FRAME ATTACHES TO THE BODY HAD LITERALY RUSTED AWAY AND THE SUBFRAM HAD SHIFTED. I CHECKED THE COMPLAINT DATABASES AND FOUND FORD HAD A RECALL ON SABLES AND TAURUSES FOR SUBFRAME FAILURES FROM 89 TO THE 95 MODEL IN SALTBELT STATES. THE SAME TYPE OF FAILURES LISTED IN THE RECALL INFORMATIOIN ARE ALSO ENDEMIC TO THE 96 MODEL. OTHER THAN THE SUBFRAME FAILURE THE CAR WAS IN EXCELLENT SHAPE AND WELL MAINTAINED. THE MAJOR CONCERN I HAVE IS HOW MANY OTHER 96' SABLE AND TAURUSES ARE STILL ON THE ROADS IN THE SALTBELT STATES WITH THE POTENTIAL FOR A VERY SERIOUS AND LIFE THREATENING ACCIDENT TO OCCUR DUE TO THIS DEFECT. I SERIOUSLY BELIEVE THAT FORD OR SOME GOVERNMENTAL AGENCY SHOULD REQUIRE WARNINGS TO BE ISSUED TO OWNERS OF THESE CARS TO HAVE THEM INSPECTED BEFORE PEOPLE WHO ARE DRIVING THESE CARS FIND THEMSELVES IN A SERIOUS ACCIDENT.
TL* - THE CONTACT HAS A 1996 MERCURY SABLE WITH AN ODOMETER READING OF 60000 MILES; THE SUBFRAME WAS RUSTED. THE CONTACT HEARD A CRACKING NOISE WHEN MAKING LEFT TURN AT 5 MPH UNDER DRY CONDITIONS. WHEN THE CONTACT LOOKED UNDER THE CAR HE FOUND THAT THE SUBFRAME RUSTED OFF OF THE VEHICLE. THIS FAILURE IS ADDRESSED UNDER RECALL 98V323000 FRAME AND MEMBERS. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER, AND WAS TOLD THAT THE CAR WAS TOO OLD FOR THEM TO TAKE ANY ACTION. THE CONTACT SAID THAT HE WOULD HAVE PICTURES AND A REPAIR ORDER. *AK UPDATED 02/22/07. *JB
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE LEFT FRONT WHEEL STABILIZER ARM WOBBLED FROM SIDE TO SIDE. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP AND IT WAS DETERMINED, THE FRONT UNDERCARRIAGE AND ENGINE MOUNTS WERE RUSTED. THE VEHICLE WAS EXPOSED TO EXTREME WINTER WEATHER AND CORROSIVE ROAD SALTS. THE REPAIR SHOP CONCLUDED THAT DUE TO THE EXTENSIVE CORROSION, THE PROBLEM COULD NOT BE CORRECTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT ALERTED.
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE STEERING WHEEL WAS DIFFICULT TO TURN. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP WHO DETERMINED THE ENGINE MOUNT AND CARRIAGE FRAME RUSTED WHICH CAUSED THE ENGINE TO SLIP FROM THE MOUNT. THE VEHICLE WAS EXPOSED TO EXTREME WINTER WEATHER AND ROAD SALTS. THE REPAIR SHOP CONCLUDED THAT A PIECE OF STEEL NEEDED TO BE ADDED TO EACH SIDE OF THE ENGINE MOUNT TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT ALERTED.
DT:CONTACT STATES THE BODY OF THE CAR CORRODED FROM INSIDE OUT,WHERE THE FRAME BOLTS WERE LOCATED. CONTACT CALLED A FORD DEALER, WHO STATED THERE WAS NO A RECALL ON THIS VEHICLE. *AK *NM
WHILE DRIVING ENGINE COLLAPSED DUE TO RUSTING. THIS CAUSED THE FRAME TO BREAK. ALSO, WHEN THE ENGINE COLLAPSED THE BALL JOINTS BROKE, CAUSING THE TIRES TO DISENGAGE FROM THE VEHICLE. *AK
THE VEHICLE WILL SHUT DOWN WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING. AND THE SLIDDING DOOR WILL UNEXPECTLY OPEN WHILE TRAVELING.*JB
THE DOOR PANELS HAVE BEEN A PROBLEM ON THIS VEHICLE SINCE MY OWNERSHIP OF THE CAR. I KEEP TAKING IT BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP WHERE I HAVE MY CAR SERVICED AND THEY KEEP CHARGING ME FOR PUTTING THEM BACK TOGETHER. THE NEVER SEEM TO LAST LONGER THAN 6 MONTHS. *AK
A BOLT HOLDING THE RIGHT FRONT SUBFRAME CAME RIPPED AWAY FROM ITS BRACKET. IT CAUSED THE ENGINE TO PULL TO THE RIGHT AND RIPPED A VACCUM LINE FROM THE BRAKE DISTRIBUTION ASSEMBLY LOCATED ON THE FIREWALL. I LOST THE POWER ASSIST FOR THE BRAKES AND FORTUNATELY IT HAPPENED AT A SLOW SPEED. IT COST ME APPROXIMATELY $315.00 TO HAVE THE PROBLEM FIXED.*AK
THIS PROBLEM HAS HAPPENED OVER AND OVER AGAIN. THEY FIX IT AND IT STILL KEEPS ON BREAKING DOWN. DRIVER DOOR WON'T LOCK, ROOF LIGHT STAYS ON, PANEL LIGHT INDICATING ALL DOORS ARE OPEN STAYS LIT. THEN IT GOES OFF AND THEN ON. ITS A CONTINOUS THING THAT HAPPENS. YESTERDAY. 11-28-01 IT WOULD NOT START. I BOUGHT A NEW BATTERY AND SOMETIMES IT STARTS AND SOMETIMES IT DOESN'T. DO I QUALIFY TO GET A LOANER VEHICLE UNTIL THEY FIND OUT WHAT IS WRONG WITH IT. THEY DON'T SEEM TO HAVE ANY ANSWERS YET. MY VEHICLE IS PAID OFF SINCE OF LAST MONTH. ERLINDA L. PICAZO
I HAVE A NUMBER OF WORRIES WITH MY VEHICLE. THE FOLLOWING ARE: WHEN PLAYING THE RADIO/TAPE DECK, YOU HEAR A LOUD BUZZING NOISE COMING THROUGH THE SPEAKERS EVEN IF THE RADIO IS TURNED DOWN; WHEN STEERING FROM LEFT TO RIGHT YOU'LL HEAR A CRANKING NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT END OF CAR; CAR DOES NOT ABSORB BUMPS AT ALL, IT ROCKS, MAKES KNOCKING NOISE COMING FROM SOMEWHERE NEAR WHEELS; WHEN DRIVING ON HIGHWAY AT A SPEED OF ABOUT 50-70 MPH, CAR WILL SWAY, LIKE A WIND IS BLOWING IT AWAY; FEUL SENSOR WILL FLOAT, YOU CAN NOT COUNT ON IT TO TELL YOU HOW MUCH GAS YOU HAVE; TRUNK HOOD FLIPS UP IN THE AIR SO FAST AND HARD, I HAVE STUNTED MY FINGERS BEFORE ON IT; THE DOORS ON THE CAR HAVE A SHARP EDGE TO IT, IF YOU DON'T STAND BACK WHEN OPENING THE DOOR, IT CAN GASH YOUR LEG; WIND SHIELD ARE A BLIND SPOT, TO LONG, WIPERS ARE SO STRONG THEY VIBRATE THE CAR, UNUSUALLY STRONG; BACK WINDOW ON LEFT SIDE (PASSENGER) WILL NOT ROLL UP, OR ROLL DOWN SOMETIMES; ASSEMBLY OF LIGHT MOLDINGS/FIXTURES IN BACK OF CAR ARE OFF(NOT EVENLY LINED UP), SO IS THE LEVELING OF TRUNK LID; CAR JUMPS WHEN STARTING IT UP, LIKE IT'S READY TO PULL OFF, EVEN WHEN YOUR FOOT IS ON THE BRAKE; WHEN MOVING THE GEARS THE CAR MAKES A KNOCKING NOISE, AND JUMPS ALSO; BRAKE LIGHT COMES ON AND GOES OFF AT TIMES; CAR LOSES POWER AT TIMES, EVEN AFTER THE TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED IN FEBRUARY, 2001; KEYLESS ALARM SYSTEM IS SENSITIVE, SOMETIMES A INCONVIENCE, IF YOU PICK KEYS UP AND TOUCH THE PANIC, OR TRUNK RELEASE BUTTON IT CAN BE SET OFF IN THE HOUSE, BEHIND A BRICK WALL.*AK
DESIGN OF DOOR HAS A SHARP POINT WHICH GASHED CONSUMER'S LEG. CONSUMER IS RESEARCHING FOR OTHER INCIDENTS TO BRING FORWARD TO MANUFACTURER. *AK
THE PASSENGER DOOR COULD NOT BE OPENED FROM THE OUTSIDE. *SLC
THE CURVED METAL EXTENSION AT THE OUTER END OF THE BOTTOM OF THE FRONT DOORS PROTRUDES TOO FAR OUT AND MAKES CLOSING THE DOORS VERY DANGEROUS WHEN IT COMES TO HAVING YOUR BODY AND LEG CLEAR OF THIS PROTRUSION. MY WIFE'S LEG WAS SERIOUSLY GAUGED LAST NIGHT BY THIS PROTRUSION. THE COMBINATION OF THIS CURVED HEAVY METAL PROTRUDED EDGE ON THE MERCURY SABLE WAGON IS MADE MORE DANGEROUS AS FAR AS PASSENGER SAFETY GOES AS THIS CAR IS ALSO LOW TO THE GROUND. I THINK OTHERS SHOULD BE MADE AWARE OF THE FLAW IN DESIGN OF THESE PASSENGER DOORS.*AK
THIS DID NOT SHOW UP UNTIL AROUND THE SUMMER OF '97,WHEN I BOUGHT THE CAR. THIS IS BECAUSE,IT ONLY HAPPENS WHEN THE CAR HAS SAT IN SUN FOR AWHILE. THEN ON THE ROAD AT AROUND 60MPR YOU GET THIS HIGH WHISTLE,WHICH SEEMS TO COME FROM SOMEWHERE ON THE PASSENGER SIDE OUTSIDE AROUND THE ENGINE AREA. THE NOISE VARIES DEPENDING ON THE SPEED(SEEMS TO STOP UNDER 55) AND VARIATIONS IN THE ROADWAY. MY OWN GUESS IS THAT SOMETHING EXPANDS IN THE HEAT OF THE SUN AND WHEN AIR AT A CERTAIN SPEED COMES IN CONTACT IT EITHER VIBRATES OR IT'S THE AIR GOING THROUGH IT. THE DEALER HAS LOOKED,GUESSED IT WAS A MISSING SCREW JUST BELOW THE WINDSHELD(WRONG!) AND GAVE UP.THIS MAY NOT SOUND LIKE A SAFETY HAZZARD BUT IT IS VERY DISTRACTING AFTER SEVERAL MILES.AND LIKE I SAID IT ONLY SEEMS TO HAPPEN IN THE HOT SUN. WOULD APPRECIATE ANY HELP YOU HAVE TO OFFER. IT'S DRIVING MY WIFE CRAZY. THANK YOU
I AM VERY CONCERNED ABOUT THE FAILURE OF THE REAR SUBMOUNTS IN MY CAR. I PURCHASED A PREMIUM EXTENDED SERVICE PLAN WITH THE CAR AND I AM TOLD THESE COMPONENTS ARE NOT COVERED BECAUSE THEY ARE PART OF THE " STRUCTURE " OF THE CAR AND ARE A SAFETY HAZARD SHOULD THEY FAIL. IN FACT THE COMPONENTS DO NOT EVEN APPEAR ON THE MAINTENANCE SCHEDULE FOR MY CAR!
THIS POROBLEM AFFECTS ALL 1996 THROUGH1999 MERCURY SABLES &FORD TAURUSES. IT IS NOT ADVERTISED NOR LISTED IN EQUIPMENT SPECIFICATIONS ON THE MSRP. THE TRUNK LID IS NOT MANUFACTURED WITH GALVANIZED STEEL . IT WAS MANUFACTURED WITH EITHER PLASTIC OR ALUMINUM. THE ONLY WAY I FOUND OUT ABOUT THI S WAS WHEN I ATTEMPTED TO PUT MY MAGNETIC C.B. ANTENNA ON THE TRUNK. THE ANTENNA WOULDN'T ATTACH TO THE TRUNK. I TRIED THE MAGNET ON ALL SABLE AND TAURUSES FROM '96 THROUGH 99,AND THE SAME THING HAPPENED. I TRIED THE MAGNET ON CONTOURS,MYSTIQUES,ESCORTS,FORD CROWN VIC'S,GRAND MARQUI'S,LINCOLNS AND THE MAGNETIC ANTENNA WORKED. I SERIOUSLY THINK THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD DO SOMETHING ABOUT THIS PROBLEM. I BELIEVE IF THESE AUTOMOBILES ARE INVOLVED IN A REAR END COLLISION IT WOULD CAUSE GREATER INJURIES THAN IF THE VEHICLE WAS MANUFACTURED WITH STEEL. I WILL APPRECITE HEARING FROM YOU AGENCY SINCE THE PERSON I SPOKE WITH ON THE PHONE SAID I SHOULD CONTACT YOU. THANK YOU VERY MUCH, JAMES H. LANE. *AK
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR THIS VEHICLE. *AK
ANYTIME THE WEATHER GETS UNDER 32 DEGREES OUTSIDE DOOR HANDLES FREEZE UP. THE DEALER HAS TRIED TO CORRECT THIS PROBLEM FOUR TIMES. DOOR HANDLES CONTINUE TO FREEZE UP, REPLACEMENT OF THE INNER DOOR SWITCH MECHANISM NECESSARY TO COMPLETE REPAIR, DESIGN OF THE PLUNGER THAT IS METAL RESULTS IN FREEZING, REPLACEMENT OF THE PLUNGER WITH PLASTIC RECTIFIED SITUATION. *AK
WHEN IT RAINS THE OUTSIDE DOOR HANDLES FAIL. THIS ONLY HAPPENS WHEN IT RAINS. THIS PROBLEM DOESN'T ALLOW THE CONSUMER TO GET INTO THE VEHICLE WHEN IT RAINS. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. *AK
OUTSIDE DOOR HANDLES FAILED. ALSO, WINDOWS STEAM UP WHEN DEFROSTER IS FIRST STRATED, CANNOT SEE OUTSIDE OF WINDOW.
THE CUP HOLDER RELEASES CUP WHENEVER COMING TO A STOP. FORD CUSTOMER SERVICE LUCRETIA-- AND SUPERVISOR ESTER-- STATE THERE IS NOTHING THEY CAN DO UNDER FORD POLICY. CONSUMER LOOKED AT THE 97 AND 98 MERCURY SABLES, AND THE CONSOLE CUP HOLDERS ARE NEWLY DESIGNED SO THEY WOULD NOT HAVE THE PROBLEM. *AK
LEFT LATCH ON THE CONVERTIBLE TOP HAD SNAPPED LOOSE.
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.
Categories with enough reports to have a page of their own
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