1997 Mercury Sable Visibility Problems

WE OWN A 1997 MERCURY SABLE. IN JUNE OF 2004 OUR HEATER CORE WENT OUT AND, AS THE CAR WAS UNDER WARRANTY, WAS REPLACED BY A LOCAL CAR DEALERSHIP, HENRY DAY FORD. THE MILEAGE OF THE CAR WAS THEN 60,468. SINCE THEN, WE HAVE HAD TO HAVE THE HEATER CORE REPLACED AN ADDITIONAL 4 TIMES, THE LAST TIME WAS MAY 11, 2005 (MILEAGE 64,995). ON JUNE 7, 2005, ONCE AGAIN, THE HEATER CORE SEEMED TO GO OUT. WE TOOK IT TO HENRY DAY AND THEY INFORMED US THAT THE HEAD GASKET WAS WARPED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. EACH TIME THIS HAS OCCURRED, A STEAM HAS FILLED THE INTERIOR OF THE VEHICLE AND CLOUDED THE WINDOWS, MAKING IT IMPOSSIBLE TO SEE WHERE I AM GOING. IT IS A VERY MALODOROUS STEAM, FULL OF ANTIFREEZE. MY CONCERN IS THAT THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD. I HAVE SPOKEN TO SEVERAL OWNERS OF FORD TAURUS AND MERCURY SABLE VEHICLES, AND MOST SEEM TO HAVE HAD A SIMILAR PROBLEM WITH MULTIPLE HEATER CORE PROBLEMS. THIS WOULD APPEAR TO BE A FLAW IN THE VEHICLE. I AM CONCERNED THAT IT WILL CAUSE AN ACCIDENT FOR ME, AND I WONDER HOW MANY ACCIDENTS HAVE OCCURRED BECAUSE OF THIS PROBLEM. I AM ALSO CONCERNED ABOUT MY HEALTH AND THE HEALTH OF MY SPOUSE (WHO HAS HEART PROBLEMS). WE HAVE BEEN NAUSEATED AND HAVE HAD CONGESTION AND EVEN SOME MEMORY PROBLEMS THAT SEEM TO OCCUR AFTER INHALING THE STEAM. WE WOULD LIKE INFORMATION ON THE EFFECTS OF INHALING THIS MIXTURE OF WATER AND ANTIFREEZE.

NHTSA ID

10125110

Incident

Jun 7, 2005

Mileage

65,200 mi

I OWN A 1997 MERCURY SABLE. THE FRONT DRIVERS SIDE WINDSHEILD WIPER IS DEFECTIVE, WE HAVE REPLACED IT SEVERAL TIMES AND IT CONTINUES TO BE A DANGEROUS PROBLEM. EACH TIME IT HAS OF COURSE BEEN RAINING HEAVILY IN HEAVY TRAFFIC WHEN IT JUST STOPS WORKING. WE HAVE SOMEHOW MANAGED AT THIS POINT TO HAVE NO ACCIDENTS BUT AS I SAID IT CONTINUES TO DO THIS EVEN AFTER HAVING IT REPLACED.

NHTSA ID

10081307

Incident

Jul 17, 2004

CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER FOR RECALL REPAIRS ON COOLING SYSTEM IN FEBRUARY, 2000. 17,000 MILES LATER WHILE DRIVING, CONSUMER TURNED ON THE DEFROSTER AND A GREEN FILM COVERED THE INSIDE OF FRONT WINDSHIELD, MAKING IT IMPOSSIBLE TO SEE. CONSUMER HAD TO ROLL WINDOWS DOWN TO SEE. DEALER REPLACED HEATER CORE. *AK *MR

NHTSA ID

10055522

Incident

Jan 1, 2004

Mileage

52,200 mi

I SHOULD HAVE LEARNED THAT SABLE WAS A BAD CAR AFTER THE ENGINE OF MY MOTHER'S '87 SABLE EXPLODED, CAUGHT FIRE AND BUSTED THROUGH THE FLOOR OF THE CAR BESIDE THE GAS PEDAL AND BRAKE (1993). LUCKILY SHE WAS NOT IN THE CAR. THE ENGINE HAD BEEN OFF AND SITTING IN PARK FOR FIVE MINUTES WHEN THIS HAPPENED. I BOUGHT MY 97 SABLE IN 2001. I HAVE NEVER HAD A CAR WITH SO MANY CONSTANT PROBLEMS. I SPEND ABOUT $1200 A YEAR FIXING IT CONTINUALLY. I'M CURRENTLY HAVING ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS WITH THE RADIO GOING OUT WHILE IN REVERSE OR WHEN I PRESS THE BRAKE. THE WINDOW ON THE PASSENGER SIDE WON'T MOVE UP OR DOWN UNLESS THE DRIVER AND THE PASSENGER PRESS THE BUTTONS AT THE SAME TIME. THE INTERIOR LIGHT STAYS ON, SO WE HAVE TO UNPLUG THE FUSE TO GET IT TO GO OFF. THE SEAT BELT SAFETY LIGHT AND THE WINDOW BUTTON LIGHTS KEEP CLICKING ON AND OFF. ONCE AGAIN, THE STEERING WHEEL IS HARD TO TURN EVEN THOUGH THE POWER STEERING FLUID IS AT THE RIGHT LEVEL. I HAVE TO GET THE WHEELS ALIGNED SEVERAL TIMES A YEAR. THE CAR ALWAYS MAKES A HUMMING NOISE AND DOES NOT BLOCK OUT THE SOUND OF WIND. THE SHOULDER STRAPS OF SEAT BELTS ALWAY LOCK INTO PLACE TOO TIGHT. NAME THE PROBLEM... I'VE PROBABLY BEEN THROUGH IT. I WILL NEVER BUY ANOTHER FORD/ MERCURY AGAIN EVEN IF IT IS THE #1 SELLING CAR.

NHTSA ID

10070190

Incident

Apr 15, 2003

Mileage

70,000 mi

AT ABOUT 100,000 EASY HIGHWAY MILES, WE HAD TO REPLACE THE TORQUE CONVERTER, THEN THE ENTIRE TRANSMISSION, PLUS FOR THE LAST TWO YEARS MINOR ENGINE REPAIRS TO THE TUNE OF ABOUT $350 EVERY OTHER MONTH, THE WINDOW WON'T GO DOWN ANYMORE, AND NOW--4 MONTHS AFTER THE TRANSMISSION REPLACEMENT--WE HAVE LOST OVERDRIVE AND THE ENGINE LIGHT IS ON, AGAIN! WE HAVE NEVER HAD A CAR WITH THIS MANY PROBLEMS, AND WILL NEVER BUY A FORD/MERCURY ANYTHING AGAIN. OUR SUBURBAN WAS MORE RELIABLE. *NLM

NHTSA ID

10016444

Incident

Apr 22, 2003

Mileage

100,000 mi

I PURCHASED A 1997 MERCURY SABLE IN JULY 1977 FROM DON JACKSON SPARTAN LINCOLN MERCURY DEALER. I HAVE HAD CONTINUOUS TROUBLE WITH THE TRANSMISSION, THE BRAKES, THE "PLASTIC" BUCKET HOLDING RESERVE ANTIFREEZE (CRACKED AND LEAKED ANTIFREEZE) AND NOW THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS WORK WHEN THEY WANT TO WORK (INTERMITTENTLY AND STEADILY). WHEN I CONTACTED DON JACKSON LINCOLN-MERCURY AT THOSE TIMES WHEN THE PARTS ACTED UP TO ASK THEM IF THERE HAD BEEN ANY RECALLS OR PROBLEMS (AND I CITED EACH AREA EACH TIME I CALLED), I WAS TOLD THERE WERE NO PROBLEMS REPORTED IN ANY OF THESE AREAS WITH THE 97 SABLE. I FOUND THERE ON THE INTERNET THAT THERE ARE MANY. I HAVE PAID $2000 FOR THE TRANSMISSION REPAIR, $550 FOR BRAKES, $80 FOR THE ANTIFREEZE BUCKET, AND WENT TO PURCHASE A WIPER MOTOR ($85) WHEN I WAS TOLD BY THE AUTO STORE CLERK TO CHECK THE INTERNET, WHICH I AM NOW DOING. I FIND THAT JACKSON SPARTAN L/M DEALER HAS NOT BEEN HONEST WITH ME AND I WAS NOT NOTIFIED BY DON JACKSON SPARTAN L/M OF THESE FALLACIES. WHAT CAN I DO?

NHTSA ID

10003211

Incident

Aug 15, 2001

Mileage

34 mi

HEATER CORE FOR THE VENTILATION SYSTEM HAS FAILED FOUR TIMES SINCE DECEMBER OF 1999. DEALERSHIP DIAGNOSED PROBLEM, AND AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC HAS BEEN PERFORMING THE REPAIRS. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION / DOCUMENTATION.*AK

NHTSA ID

8002243

Incident

Dec 1, 1999

AT TIMES, POWER WINDOW IS INOPERABLE, CONSUMER STATES A HIT TO THE CENTER OF THE DOOR PANEL CAUSES IT TO WORK. *SLC

NHTSA ID

785302

Incident

Jun 1, 1999

INTERIOR LIGHTS STAY ON-SHOWS THAT DOORS ARE NOT SHUT WHEN THEY ARE-ALSO WIPER MOTOR FAILED. *AK

NHTSA ID

740210

Incident

Dec 10, 2000

WHEN ENGINE WARM, IF HEATER/AIR CONDITIONER/DEFROSTER TURNED ON AND AIMED AT WINDSHIELD CAUSES WARM, HUMID AIR TO CONDENSE ON GLASS PREVENTING FORWARD VISIBILITY AT ANY SPEED. NOTIFIED DEALER AFTER INITIAL OCCURRENCE...EXCHANGED POLLEN FILTER. NO CHANGE. *AK

NHTSA ID

737067

Incident

Nov 29, 2000

THE FAILURE OF THE WINDOW MOTOR WAS NOT TO DO WITH A FUSE OR WINDOW IN LOCKED POSITION AND REMEDIED ITSELF A FEW DAYS AFTER PROBLEM. NO MECHANICAL REPLACEMENT WAS NEEDED AND THERE HAVE BEEN NO FURTHER PROBLEMS WITH THE PASSENGER WINDOW. THE DRIVER WINDOW IS NOT FUNCTIONING AND IN THE DOWN POSITION. AFTER EXHAUSTING ALL OTHER OPTIONS THE DIAGNOSIS IS THE MOTOR AS BEING THE CULPRIT.

NHTSA ID

726384

Incident

Jul 31, 2000

WINDSHIELD WIPER SWITCH WASN'T WORKING PROPERLY. FUSE WAS CHECKED. AFTER CHECKING FUSE BOX EVERYTHING SEEMED TO WORK FINE. SUBSEQUENTLY, SAMETHING HAPPENED AGAIN. CONSUMER WAS CONTACTING DEALER. *AK

NHTSA ID

858740

Incident

Mar 16, 2000

REAR VIEW MIRROR INOPERATIVE. YH

NHTSA ID

607130

DRIVER SIDE WINDOW FAILED TO GO UP OR DOWN. *YC

NHTSA ID

606681

WINDOWS DO NOT WORK. NLM

NHTSA ID

606125

Incident

Mar 1, 1998

THE REAR WINDSHIELD SUDDENLY SHATERRED WHILE DRIVING ON A FREEWAY! THERE WAS NOTHING THAT HIT THE CAR. THE MANUFACTURER REFUSED TO TAKE CARE OF THIS PROBLEM AS THE CAR WAS OUT OF THE WARRANTY (MILEAGE). THE SECOND PROBLEM REGARDING THE RADIATOR CLAMP OCCURRED WITHIN 12 HOURS OF MY PURCHASING THE CAR. SUDDENLY FUMES CAME OUT OF THE ENGINE WITH THE 'LOW COOLENT' SIGN. HAD TO TOE THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP WHO FIXED IT BY PUTTING A NEW CLAMP ON THE HOSE. THE THIRD COMPLAINT WAS NOTICED WITHIN 2-3 MONTHS OF BUYING THE CAR. THE DEALERSHIP FIXED THE PROBLEM BY CHANGING THE MALFUNCTIONING SWITCH. NEVER RECEIVED ANY APOLOGIES FROM THE COMPANY FOR THE MANUFACTURING DEFECTS. I DON'T KNOW WHAT IS MORE TO COME....

NHTSA ID

702327

Incident

Jan 21, 1997

CONSUMER WAS WARMING VEHICLE UP AND GOT OUT, WENT INSIDE AND THE HOUSE AND THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE. FIRE DEPARTMENT CAME AND THEY NOTICED THAT FIRE STARTED FROM THE RIGHT HAND SIDE OF VENT AND IGINITION. VEHICLE BURNED DOWN COMPLETELY. *AK *ML

NHTSA ID

833133

Incident

Jan 4, 1999

THE CONSUMER HAS BEEN EXPERIENCING PROBLEMS WITH HEATER CORE. THE CONSUMER HAS REPLACED HEATER CORE THREE TIMES. THE HEATER CORE LEAKS WATER IN THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER HAS YET TO BE CONTACTED. *AK

NHTSA ID

832277

Incident

Dec 10, 1998

AT 55,000 MILES THE HEATER CORE HAS PREMATURELY MALFUNCTIONED AND IS LEAKING. WAS REPLACED AND THE REPLACEMENT ALSO LEAKS. CAUSE UNKNOWN. *ML

NHTSA ID

831908

Incident

Dec 7, 1998

WHEN DRIVING AND PUTTING ON THE HEATER OR DEFROSTER, THERE IS HOT HEAT BLOWING OUT AND FOGS UP THE WINDSHIELD, MAKING IT VERY HARD TO SEE. ALSO, WHEN USING THE TURN SIGNALS, THEY DON'T WORK. *AK

NHTSA ID

830533

Incident

Jul 12, 1998

WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY ABOUT 65 MPH ON AN OPEN FIELD THE SUN ROOF FELL IN THE VEHICLE OVER THE DRIVER & PASSENGER. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO DEALER & RAPAIRED, DEALER SAID: THE CAUSE OF BREAKING WAS A ROCK ON THE ROAD. *AK

NHTSA ID

813664

Incident

Jun 24, 1997

VIBRATION AT SPEEDS ABOVE 65MPH.

NHTSA ID

511375

Incident

Nov 13, 1996