1999 Mercury Sable Owner Complaints

I BOUGHT A USED 1999 MERCURY SABLE GS WITH THE U TYPE 3.0L V6 ENGINE 2 MONTHS AGO. JUST RECENTLY I NOTICED THE CAR WANTING TO LUNGE FORWARD WHILE HOLDING THE BRAKE AT STOPS. THEN A FEW DAYS LATER WHENEVER I START THE CAR IT LUNGES FORWARD. NOTHING DRAMATIC BUT DEFINITELY NOTICEABLE. I STARTED LOOKING ONLINE TO SEE ABOUT A RECALL AND 1 WAS PRESENT A LONG TIME AGO. IS IT TO LATE TO GET MY CAR CHECKED OR HOW TO SEE IF IT WAS EVER SERVICED OR CALLED FOR THE RECALL.

NHTSA ID

11383277

Incident

Nov 30, 2020

Mileage

152,000 mi

WHILE DRIVING THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME LOOSE AND MADE IT VERY HARD TO STEER ALMOST CAUSING ME TO HAVE A ACCIDENT AFTER COMING TO A STOP THE STEERING WHEEL WAS OFF CENTER AND VERY HARD TO TURN HAD TO GET CAR TOWED.I FIND THIS TO BE A COMPLETE RIP OFF BECAUSE I SEE NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS OF STEERING PROBLEMS OF THE SAME MATTER

NHTSA ID

11289660

Incident

Dec 16, 2019

Mileage

149,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 MERCURY SABLE WAGON. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME LOOSE AND WAS UNABLE TO CONTROL THE VEHICLE. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO DEPRESS THE BRAKE PEDAL TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE AND THEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT THE RACK AND PINION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 149,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ID

11289653

Incident

Dec 16, 2019

Mileage

149,000 mi

REAR SUBFRAME CONNECTION PASSENGER SIDE RUSTED THROUGH DUE TO FACTORY PUT AIR CONDITIONER CONDENSATE LINE SO THAT IT CONSTANTLY DUMPS CONDENSATE ON THIS AREA INSTEAD OF DRAINING CONDENSATE BEYOND AND TO THE GROUND. THE RESULT IS A RUSTED OUT SEVERED CONNECTION THEREBY CAUSING THE ENGINE AND TRANSMISSION TO BE HELD BY ONLY THREE OF THE FOUR CONNECTIONS NEEDED TO SAFELY HOLD ENGINE AND TRANSMISSION AS DESIGNED FROM THE FACTORY.

NHTSA ID

10940302

Incident

Aug 3, 2016

Mileage

115,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 MERCURY SABLE. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE BRAKES HESITATED TO STOP THE VEHICLE. IN ADDITION, THE VEHICLE INDEPENDENTLY ACCELERATED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 155,000.

NHTSA ID

10881775

Incident

Jun 20, 2016

Mileage

155,000 mi

THE STEERING IS HORIBLE, ABOUT 3YEARS AGO CHANGED RACK APPION STEERING, AND JUST A WEEK AGO, PUT NEW STEERING PUMP ON, STILL.

NHTSA ID

10836880

Incident

Dec 28, 2015

EVEN AFTER REPLACING THE SECOND POWER STEERING PUMP , IT IS HORRIBLE TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL MOST OF THE TIME. ALSO, IT IS NOISY WHILE I'M DRIVING IT. IT HAD A NEW RACK AND PINION ON IT WHEN I BOUGHT IT . PARKING IN A PARKING LOT IS AWFUL AS IT IS ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO MANEUVER AROUND OTHER CARS. TURNING CORNERS ,SOMETIMES IT'S OKAY AND OTHER TIMES REALLY HARD. NOT SURE IF THIS COMPLAINT BELONGS HERE, BUT HEATER DOESN'T WORK ,EITHER. FEELS LIKE A/C IS ON . HAD A FRIEND CHECK IT AND HE IS HAVING A HARD TIME FIGURING IT OUT. DON'T KNOW HOW TO ANSWER "DATE HAPPENED" AS IT HAS BEEN DOING THIS SINCE I BOUGHT IT IN AUGUST.

NHTSA ID

10806809

Incident

Aug 1, 2015

AFTER RAINS THE CAR GOT A WET FLOOR ON THE PASSENGER SIDE ,NO WET SPOTS ON ROOF OR WINDOWS. IT WAS LEAKING WATER FROM THE DASH BOARD COMPARTMENT BOTTOM.WHILE DRIVING ,THE HEATER WAS ON AND IT STARTED SMOKING FROM UNDER THE DASHBOARD COMPARTMENT BY PASSENGER SIDE I TURNED EVERYTHING OFF . I TOOK IT FOR REPAIR AND NOW, ON MAY IT RAINED HEAVY AGAIN AND IT HAS A PUDDLE IN THE PASSENGER SIDE AGAIN ,SAME SITUATION AS BEFORE, WATER CAME FROM INSIDE.IS THIS A SAFETY HAZARD? I BOUGHT THIS CAR ON NOVEMBER 2013 ,AND I KNEW TOO LATE ABOUT THE HEATING SYSTEM RECALL ,I DON'T KNOW IF IT WAS EVER REPAIRED ON THAT RECALL.FORD DEALER IN COLORADO SAYS THERE IS NO WAY TO CHECK IT.ACCORDING TO SOME WEBSITES IT NEEDS SOMETHING TO HAVE A PROTECTION UNDER THE WIPERS VENTS(COWL) AND IT IS A FACTORY MISTAKE. I HAVE HAD THE HEATING SYSTEM REPAIRED 2 TIMES,TOO EXPENSIVE FOR ME.I AM UNDER EMPLOYED. I WANT TO KNOW IF THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD. IT IS THE ONLY WAY I COULD MAKE FORD TO FIX THIS RECALLED IF THE CAR WAS NEVER FIXED FOR THIS BEFORE.THANKS FOR YOUR HELP. *TR

NHTSA ID

10587324

Incident

Dec 9, 2013

Mileage

65,988 mi

VEHICLE SPRING FRACTURED BREAKING THE BOTTOM PART OFF THE COIL SPRING ON THE FRONT LEFT DRIVERS SIDE OF THE CAR.THE LEFT FRONT IS NOW LOWER AND TIRES SHOW WEAR. I HAVE STOPPED DRIVING AS A RESULT. *TR

NHTSA ID

10510308

Incident

Apr 10, 2013

Mileage

41,100 mi

1999 MERCURY SABLE. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO TOTAL BRAKE SYSTEM FAILURE IN VEHICLE. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED THE BRAKE LINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED.

NHTSA ID

10487041

Incident

Dec 3, 2012

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 MERCURY SABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PASSENGER SEAT BELT DOES NOT RETRACT OR PROPERLY SECURE THE PASSENGER. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN (NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 99V250000 SEAT BELTS: FRONT: ANCHORAGE); THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 125,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ID

10473148

Incident

Jul 1, 2012

Mileage

125,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS 1999 MERCURY SABLE WAGON. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKE WAS DEPRESSED WHEN THE VEHICLE UNEXPECTEDLY ACCELERATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO HAVE THE FAILURE DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 109,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

NHTSA ID

10427716

Incident

Sep 26, 2010

Mileage

109,000 mi

MY 99 SABLE GS HAS A RECALL ON THE FRONT COIL SPRINGS AND FORD WILL NOT REPLACE THEM BECAUSE IT HAS EXCEEDED THE TIME FRAME. WHICH IS RIDICULOUS! I NEVER EVEN RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE ON THE CAR WE FOUND THE RECALL ONLINE. ALSO THE REAR COIL SPRINGS ARE BROKEN AND THE TIRES ARE MESSED UP AND FORD WON'T RECALL THEM IF SALT IS GOING TO GET IN THE FRONT COIL SPRINGS AND MAKE THEM CRACK THEN WHAT MAKES YOU THINK THAT IT WON'T GET IN THE REAR? WE HAVE SMALL CHILDREN AND ARE WORRIED ABOUT THEIR SAFETY. WE WILL BE GETTING A LAWYER AND FILE A COMPLAINT THROUGH HIM BECAUSE THIS CAR IS NOT SAFE FOR ANYONE TO BE IN LET ALONE CHILDREN. I THINK THEY SHOULD WORRY ABOUT SAFETY AND NOT MASS PRODUCTION. *TR

NHTSA ID

10409255

Incident

Mar 1, 2011

Mileage

161,504 mi

SUB FRAME RUSTED THROUGH AROUND FRONT LOWER CONTROL ARM BOLTS CAUSING EXCESSIVE PLAY IN STEERING AND POSSIBLE SEPARATION OF CONTROL ARM FROM SUB FRAME. FRONT MOUNT BOLT IS RECESSED 1/2 INCH IN TO THE SUB FRAME WHERE WATER/SALT CAN COLLECT AND HAS NO WHERE TO DRAIN. *TR

NHTSA ID

10397231

Incident

Apr 15, 2011

Mileage

151,000 mi

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 MERCURY SABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT EXCESSIVE RUST CAUSED THE STEERING COLUMN TO SNAP WHILE HE WAS DRIVING 45 MPH. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT THE FRAME HAD NOT BEEN COATED CORRECTLY AT PRODUCTION. THE MECHANIC REPAIRED THE FRAME AND STEERING COLUMN. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER WHO OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 15,700. UPDATED 2/22/11 *CN UPDATED 12/06/2011 *LN

NHTSA ID

10374107

Incident

Nov 18, 2010

Mileage

15,700 mi

SUBFRAME OF VEHICLE IS SEVERELY RUSTED TO THE POINT WHERE IT IS STRUCTURALLY UNSOUND. MOST OF THE BODY ROT IS COVERED BY THE PLASTIC MOLDING UNDER THE DOORS, AND IS NOT VISIBLE UNTIL THE MOLDING IS REMOVED. IT SEEMS THAT WATER AND ROAD SALT MUST GET TRAPPED BETWEEN THE MOLDING AND METAL LEADING TO THE EXTENSIVE RUST. THE FRAME BREAKING WHILE DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS WOULD LEAD TO A CATASTROPHIC FAILURE WHICH COULD CAUSE A POTENTIALLY FATAL ACCIDENT. *TR

NHTSA ID

10373703

Incident

Jan 1, 2011

Mileage

140,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 MERCURY SABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE ATTEMPTING TO OPERATE THE VEHICLE SHE NOTICED THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE SEAT BELT WAS STUCK IN THE ANCHORAGE AND WOULD NOT PULL OUT OR RETRACT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL ASSOCIATED WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 99V250000 (SEAT BELTS: FRONT: ANCHORAGE). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT SERVICED FOR THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 98,000. UPDATED 10/27/10. *LJ

NHTSA ID

10336640

Incident

Jun 6, 2010

Mileage

98,000 mi

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 MERCURY SABLE LS. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH THE VEHICLE DRIFTED OFF OF THE ROAD AND INTO A WOODED AREA. HE SUSTAINED MINOR INJURIES. UPON FURTHER INSPECTION HE NOTICED THAT THE CORROSION ON THE CHROME PLATED WHEEL CAUSED THE PASSENGER FRONT TIRE TO LOSE PRESSURE. ALL FOUR WHEELS WERE REPLACED WITH ALLOYED WHEELS. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 122,000. UPDATED 04/01/10 *BF THE TIRE LOST AIR PRESSURE AS A RESULT OF CHROMING OF THE TIRE SEALING AREA. UPDATED 07/19/*JB

NHTSA ID

10286012

Incident

Aug 8, 2009

Mileage

122,000 mi

COMPLETE BRAKE FAILURE. PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR AND CAR WOULD NOT STOP. I USED THE EMERGENCY BRAKE TO SAFELY STOP THE VEHICLE. THIS HAPPENED ONCE BEFORE ABOUT THREE YEARS AGO AND A REPAIR CENTER WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE. BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *TR

NHTSA ID

10276161

Incident

Jul 8, 2009

Mileage

97,000 mi

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 MERCURY SABLE. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE CONSUMER DROVE OVER A SMALL PUDDLE OF WATER, WHICH CAUSED THE POWER STEERING TO LOCK UP. A FEW SECONDS LATER, THE POWER STEERING RETURNED. THE CONTACT BELIEVES THAT THE STEERING FAILS WHENEVER THE SERPENTINE BELT GETS WET. THE BELT MUST DRY OFF BEFORE HE CAN GAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED. THE FAILURE HAS OCCURRED BETWEEN FIVE AND SIX TIMES. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 140,000. UPDATED 07/17/09. *LJ UPDATED 07/20/09.*JB

NHTSA ID

10269527

Incident

Nov 18, 1999

Mileage

140,000 mi

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 MERCURY SABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY REPAIRED ACCORDING TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 04V332000 (SUSPENSION:FRONT:SPRINGS:COIL SPRINGS). CURRENTLY, THE REAR SPRINGS FAILED AND THE DEALER STATED THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO ANOTHER DEALER BECAUSE FORD GAVE THEM PERMISSION TO REPLACE THE REAR SPRINGS. AS OF DECEMBER 2008, THE DEALER NO LONGER REPAIRS THE REAR SPRINGS AND THE CONTACT WOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR PAYING FOR THE REPAIRS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 91,000. UPDATED 05/06/09 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED TO DISREGARD THE COMPLAINT. THE PROBLEM WAS NOT THE SPRINGS. UPDATED 05/08/09.*JB

NHTSA ID

10265109

Incident

Mar 30, 2009

Mileage

91,000 mi

IN MY 1999 MERCURY SABLE VEHICLE THE SEAT BELTS ARE NOT WORKING RIGHT. KEEPS ON COMING ATTACHED FROM THE MECHANISM THAT HOLD THE BELT ACROSS YOUR BODY. PLEASE HELP ME . *TR

NHTSA ID

10262017

Incident

Jan 28, 2009

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 MERCURY SABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ROCKER PANELS WERE RUSTED AND ROTTED BEYOND REPAIR. THE ONLY THING HOLDING THE VEHICLE TOGETHER WAS THE ROOF OF THE VEHICLE. SHE NOTICED THE ISSUE AFTER THE VEHICLE FAILED INSPECTION. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT NOTHING COULD BE DONE BECAUSE THE CONTACT DID NOT PURCHASE AN EXTENDED SERVICE PLAN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 135,030.

NHTSA ID

10254225

Incident

Dec 30, 2008

Mileage

135,030 mi

THE BRAKES ON THE 1999 MERCURY SABLE THAT I PURCHASED 4 YEARS AGO HAVE BEEN REPAIRED AND/OR REPLACED 4 TIMES! NOW THEY ARE GOING OUT AGAIN. I HAVE HAD THE ROTORS TURNED, AND EVERY OTHER THING THAT HAS BEEN SUGGESTED. WHEN I ASKED THE LAST MECHANIC WHY MY BRAKES KEEP GOING OUT, HE STATED THAT THIS SIZE OF FORD WAS NOT SUPPLIED WITH AN APPROPRIATE BRAKE FOR THE SIZE OF CAR. I ASKED WHAT COULD BE DONE TO REMEDY THE SITUATION, AND WAS INFORMED THAT I WOULD HAVE TO KEEP REPLACING THE BRAKES. I THINK THIS IS A HORRIBLE ANSWER. I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW WHAT FORD WILL DO FOR ME. I LIVE IN OREGON AND AM SURROUNDED BY MOUNTAINS, BUT I DON'T DARE GO OVER ANY OF THE MOUNTAIN RANGES BECAUSE GOING DOWNHILL AND APPLYING THE BRAKES MAKES THE ENTIRE CAR SHIMMY AND IT FEELS LIKE I WILL LOSE CONTROL OF THE CAR AND THAT IT WON'T STOP. I HAVE TO MAKE WEEKLY TRIPS OVER THE MOUNTAINS, SO I ALWAYS RENT A CAR. THIS IS GETTING TO BE TOO EXPENSIVE. I OWN MY CAR FREE AND CLEAR AND WOULD LIKE THE BRAKES TO STAY FIXED ONCE I GET THEM FIXED BEFORE THERE IS AN ACCIDENT. *TR

NHTSA ID

10247385

Incident

Nov 10, 2003

Mileage

50,000 mi

I HAVE A 1999 MERCURY SABLE. IN JANUARY 11, 2008, I HAVE REPLACED THE WINDSHIELD WASHER PUMP. ON JULY 15, 2008, THE PUMP STOPPED AGAIN. I HAVE NOTICED THAT SOME OF THE 2000 MERCURY SABLES ARE ON RECALL FOR THE SAME PROBLEM. MIGHT THE 1999 MERCURY SABLE BE LOOKED AT IN THIS LIGHT TO ASCERTAIN IF THIS IS A RECURRING PROBLEM? *TR

NHTSA ID

10236516

Incident

Jul 15, 2008

Mileage

104,000 mi