1996 Mercury Sable Transmission Problems

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

(1) CAR SHIFTS HARD DURING ACCELERATION AND DECELERATION. SPEEDOMETER DOES NOT WORK OR BOUNCES UP, THEN DOWN. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON. (2) WHILE DRIVING AT NORMAL ROAD SPEEDS THE TRANSMISSION WILL SWITCH TO LOW GEAR CAUSING SUDDEN THROW OF DRIVER INSIDE CAR AND AT TIMES WHEN TRYING TO ACCELERATE THERE IS A LONG DELAY IN POWER TO ENGINE THEN SUDDEN ACCELERATION. (3) REPLACED CAM SENSOR AND OTHER SENSOR THREE TIMES AND ALWAYS FAILS AGAIN.*JB

NHTSA ID

10138467

Incident

Oct 2, 2005

RECALL CAMPAIGN 96V176000 WAS ISSUED. WHEN ENGAGING THE VEHICLE INTO PARK IT BEGAN TO ROLL. HOWEVER, THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO VIN. *AK THE VEHICLE DOES NOT ENAGE IN PARK AND WILL NOT PASS INSPECTION. *TC

NHTSA ID

10110816

Incident

Feb 4, 2005

Mileage

90,000 mi

POWER TRAIN SLIPPING AND FAILURE. TRANSMISSION WILL SLIP AFTER FIRST STOP. LET SET FOR A FEW MINUTES AND RESTART, WILL DRIVE UNTIL NEXT STOP.*AK

NHTSA ID

10068358

Incident

Apr 9, 2004

Mileage

138,000 mi

WHILE DRIVING ABOUT 55 MPH ON THE HIGHWAY AND WITHOUT WARNING THE OVERDRIVE LIGHT APPEARED ON THE DASHBOARD FOR TRANSMISSION. THE VEHICLE SHUT DOWN, AND WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR ANALYSIS. THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN AT DEALER MORE THAN ONCE. *AK

NHTSA ID

10042687

Incident

Oct 27, 2003

THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED AND WITH NO WARNING ROLLED FORWARD. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED. *AK THE VEHICLE WAS STOPPED AND THE GEAR SHIFT WAS IN PARK. THE CONSUMER EXITED THE VEHICLE, AND WHEN HE RETURNED TO THE VEHICLE, IT STARTED TO ROLL DOWN THE SLOPE OF THE ROADWAY. THE CONSUMER RAN AFTER THE VEHICLE AND WAS ABLE TO GET IT UNDER CONTROL. *SCC *JB

NHTSA ID

10031327

Incident

Jun 12, 2003

Mileage

65,001 mi

PROBLEM STARTED WHEN SHIFTING FROM PARK TO DRIVE, CAR WOULD LURCH FORWARD UNLESS YOU HAD BRAKE PEDAL PUSHED DOWN AS HARD AS YOU COULD. THEN WHILE LEAVING A STOP LIGHT CAR WOULD HESITATE THEN PICK UP SPEED VERY SLOWLY, FINALLY THE CAR WILL NOT GO INTO REVERSE. TRANSMISSION SHOP SAID THAT TRANSMISSION HAD TO BE REPLACED. $1800.00 !! *JB

NHTSA ID

10028593

Incident

Jul 9, 2003

Mileage

96,512 mi

I HAVE A MERCURY SABLE 1996, MANUFACTURED IN 9/95. VIN NUMBER [XXX]. MY CAR HAS 58,000 MILES AND THE TRANSMISSION IS ALMOST GONE. I WAS INFORMED THAT THERE IS A RECALL ON THE TRANSMISSIONS FOR THIS CAR AND I AM LOOKING FOR THE NECESSARY INFORMATION TO TAKE WITH ME TO DEALER FOR REPLACEMENT. I HAVE ALSO NOTICED THAT MY CAR JERKS FORWARD WHEN AM TAKING OFF FROM A STOPPED POSITION. I HAVE DONE ALL THAT I CAN TO TAKE CARE OF THIS CAR BUT NOTHING I DO HAS WORKED. THERE ARE SO MANY COMPLAINTS AND RECALLS ON THIS CAR AND I REALLY NEED HELP WITH MY RESEARCH TO PRESENT TO THE DEALER WHEN I TAKE THIS CAR IN FOR REPAIRS AGAIN. A WEBSITE IF THERE IS ONE TO HELP FIND MY VIN #. ANY RECALL INFORMATION. HELP! *NLM INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

NHTSA ID

10020530

Incident

Oct 24, 2002

Mileage

58,890 mi

CAR IS A 1996 MERCURY SABLE, VIN [XXX], WITH A DEFECTIVE TRANSMISSION. CAR WOULD LUNGE AND JERK AS CAR WOULD SLOW AND THEN RE-ACCELERATE (SUCH AS GOING INTO AND OUT OF A CURVE IN TOWN, OR APPROACHING A RED LIGHT THAT CHANGED TO GREEN BEFORE THE CAR COMPLETELY STOPPED.) CAR WAS FIRST WORKED ON 9/9/1999, AT WHICH TIME THE CAR HAD 28,156 MILES ON IT. THE DEALER REPLACED A SENSOR UNDER WARRANTY. THE SYMPTOMS AGAIN STARTED OCCURRING ABOUT A YEAR LATER. WHEN SERVICED ON 5/15/2001, THE DEALER COULD NOT FIND THE SOURCE OF THE PROBLEM. FINALLY, THE TRANSMISSION FAILED IN APRIL 2002. THE TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED 4/24/2002 WITH LESS THAN 47,000 MILES ON THE CAR. THE CAR HAD AN EXTENDED WARRANTY FROM FORD. AT THE TIME OF THE FAILURE, THE WARRANTY HAD EXPIRED FOR TIME (GREATER THAN 5 YEARS) BUT NOT MILEAGE. HOWEVER, THE CAR WAS COVERED BY THE WARRANTY (TIME AND MILEAGE) DURING BOTH THE SEPTEMBER 1999 AND MAY 2001 SERVICES. HAD THE FAULT BEEN PROPERLY DIAGNOSED AT EITHER TIME WHILE STILL UNDER WARRANTY, MY CONTENTION IS THAT THE TRANSMISSION WOULD NOT HAVE FAILED. I CURRENTLY HAVE THE TRANSMISSION. THE GEARING SYSTEM HAS NOTCHES IN THE TEETH. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

NHTSA ID

10007614

Incident

Apr 24, 2002

Mileage

46,650 mi

WHILE DRIVING, THE TRANSMISSION SLIPS AND WOULD NOT SHIFT INTO OTHER GEARS. CAUSE UNKNOWN. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS.*JB

NHTSA ID

8010379

AFTER PUTTING VEHICLE IN PARK IT ROLLED FORWARD. HAD TO APPLY BRAKES FOR VEHICLE TO STOP. VEHICHLE WAS NOT ON A HILL.*AK

NHTSA ID

8008534

Incident

Apr 23, 2002

TRANSMISSION HAS NOT WORKED PROPERLY SINCE CONSUMER PURCHASED AUTOMOBILE. HE HAD TAKEN AUTOMOBILE BACK TO THE DEALER FOR TRANSMISSION REPAIRS FIVE TIMES.*AK TRANSMISSION SHIFTS IMPROPERLY AND BANGS IN TO GEAR IN CERTAIN DOWN SHIFT CIRCUMSTANCE. THE TRANSMISSION DEALER REPLACED A SWITCH AND ADJUSTED TWO BANDS. *YH

NHTSA ID

8007041

Incident

Jun 15, 2001

WHEN REVERSE IS ENGAGED IT TAKES SEVERAL MINUTES BEFORE IT WILL ENGAGE. MOST TRANSMISSIONS WHEN PUT IN GEAR WORK IMEDIATELY. I HAVE ALWAYS HAD A PROBLEM WITH THIS CAR. I HAVE PAID EVERY TIME TO HAVE THIS PROBLEM FIXED AND IT CONSTANTLY REVERTS TO THE SAME PROBLEM. *AK

NHTSA ID

760034

THE VEHICLES ENGINE COMPARTMENT CAUGHT FIRE, THE CONSUMER STATED HE RECENTLY HAD THE TRANSMISSION AND THAT MAY HAVE BEEN THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM (OHIO TRAFFIC CRASH REPORT). NLM

NHTSA ID

561537

Incident

Apr 12, 2001

COOLANT TURNED TO A RUSTY SLUGGY MIXTURE. FREEZE OUT PLUGS HAD TO BE REPLACED AND SYSTEM FLUSHED. NEW COOLANT WAS ADDED AND IT IS ALREADY TURNING BROWN AGAIN. FORD DID DO THE WORK FOR FREE, BUT TOLD ME I WAS ON MY OWN IF IT OCCURED AGAIN. HAVE LEARNED THROUGH VARIOUS PEOPLE THAT THE SAME THING IS HAPPENING TO THEIR SABLE AND TAURUS CARS. TRANSMISSION HAS ALSO HAD TO REPAIRED AT A COST TO ME OF $1750.00. WHEN YOU COME TO A STOP THE CAR WILL THEN NOT GO FORWARD. YOU HAVE TO PRESS IN ON THE GAS AND MAKE IT LUNGE FORWARD, SOMETIMES CAUSING THE TIRES TO "BURN RUBBER" ! WE BROUGHT THIS PROBLEM TO THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT THREE YEARS AGO AND EACH TIME WE TOOK THE CAR IN THE SERVICE STAFF INFORMED US THAT THERE WAS NO PROBLEM. ON LAST VISIT IS WHEN THE COOLANT PROBLEM WAS DISCOVERD. WAS TOLD THAT OUR CAR HAD "CANCER" AND SHOULD GET RID OF IT, BUT NOT AT THEIR DEALERSHIP. THE PROBLEM WITH THE TRANSMISSION WAS A FORWARD ENGAGEMENT PISTON. THE COMPANY THAT MADE THE REPAIR HAD THREE OTHER SABLES IN THE SHOP WITH THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM - EACH WITH NO SUPPORT FROM FORD. EACH WERE PAYING $1750.00. HELP!!!*AK

NHTSA ID

745185

Incident

Apr 6, 2001

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

NHTSA ID

744401

Incident

Dec 31, 1999

HIGH IDLE WHEN MOVING FROM PARK TO DRIVE, CAUSING VEHICLE TO LURCH FORWARD, AND IT WILL ALSO TRAVEL COUPLE FEET IF FOOT IS NOT ON BRAKES HARD. MANUFACTURER ISSUED A TSB, BUT IT DOES NOT CORRECT DEFECT. *AK CONSUMER STATES THAT THIS FAILURE CAUSED THE LIQUID FILLED MOUNTS TO FAIL WHICH ALSO CAUSED EXHAUST LEAK AT MANIFOLD, THE TSB NUMBER IS 97-7-1, WHICH STATES THE PCM NEEDED REPLACED DUE TO AN INCORRECT SOFTWARE IDENTIFICATION BLOCK. DRIVE AND SERPENTINE BELTS FAILED. *SLC

NHTSA ID

882211

Incident

Mar 27, 1997

WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH VEHICLE SHUDDERED, THEN STOPPED, ENGINE STILL RUNNING. ALSO, TRANSMISSION HAD FAILED. *AK

NHTSA ID

881693

Incident

Feb 26, 2001

THE TRANSMISSION GAVE OUT, ORIGINAL TRANSMISSION REPLACED AT 50,000 MILES. *CJ

NHTSA ID

557467

WHILE DRIVING TRANSMISSION SLIPS OUT OF GEAR AND GOES INTO NEUTRAL. THIS PROBLEM BECOMES MORE PRONOUNCED WHEN MAKING A TURN OR SLOWING DOWN. *AK

NHTSA ID

872040

Incident

Oct 1, 2000

VEHICLE NEUTRALS OUT AT A STOP/ A TSB HAS BEEN ISSUED.*AK

NHTSA ID

870665

CRACKED TRANMISSION CASE, PIN CAME OUT OF GEAR. *AK

NHTSA ID

731460

Incident

Sep 5, 2000

WHEN PULLING ONTO A RAMP TRANSMISSION DOES NOT PICK UP WHEN ACCELERATOR IS APPLIED. THIS IS AN INTERMITTENT PROBLEM. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. *AK

NHTSA ID

866489

A CLUTCH PLATE WITHIN TRANSMISSION BROKE IN 3 PLACES. TRANSMISSION NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. BUT, MANUFACTURER IS NOT PROVIDING OR SELLING NEW TRANSMISSION BECAUSE IT KEEPS FAILING. *AK

NHTSA ID

865822

DEALERSHIP REPLACED THE DEFECTIVE RACK AND PINION ASSEMBLY WITH ANOTHER DEFECTIVE UNIT RESULTING IN VEHICLE FIRE DUE TO LEAKAGE OF FLUID. *MJS

NHTSA ID

552682

Incident

Jun 25, 1999