I WAS DRIVING CAR FOR EST. 60 MILES AT HIGHWAY SPEED THEN FOR ABOUT ANOTHER 10 MILES AT 30-40 MPH. I CAME TO A TRAFFIC LIGHT WHERE THE CAR STARTED TO SHAKE FOR A MOMENT THEN STOPPED. I DROVE TO THE NEXT STOP SIGN WHERE THE CAR STARTED TO SHAKE AGAIN. WHEN I TRIED TO DRIVE OUT OF THE INTERSECTION THE CAR WOULD NOT MOVE. THE CAR W…
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I WAS DRIVING CAR FOR EST. 60 MILES AT HIGHWAY SPEED THEN FOR ABOUT ANOTHER 10 MILES AT 30-40 MPH. I CAME TO A TRAFFIC LIGHT WHERE THE CAR STARTED TO SHAKE FOR A MOMENT THEN STOPPED. I DROVE TO THE NEXT STOP SIGN WHERE THE CAR STARTED TO SHAKE AGAIN. WHEN I TRIED TO DRIVE OUT OF THE INTERSECTION THE CAR WOULD NOT MOVE. THE CAR WAS TOWED TO A GARAGE WHERE IT WAS DETERMINED THE TRANSMISSION HAD FAILED.*AK
NHTSA ODI #760554
Mileage unknown · Mar 25, 2002
Power Train
WHILE TRAVELING HEARD A LOUD GRINDING NOISE COMING FROM FRONT END OF VEHICLE. SOON AFTERWARDS VEHICLE DECELERATED. VEHICLE HAS BEEN SERVICED, TECHNICIAN NOTICED TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK
NHTSA ODI #8006299
Mileage unknown · Mar 24, 2002
Power Train
FRONT PISTON IN TRANSMISSION CRACKED. THIS CAUSED THE TRANSMISSION TO LOSE PRESSURE AT SLOW SPEEDS AS IF IT WENT INTO NUETRAL. THIS WAS PARTICULARLY DANGEROUS WHEN STOPPED TO TURN LEFT. WHILE WAITING FOR ONCOMING TRAFFIC TO PASS THE TRANS WOULD LOSE PRESSURE RESULTING IN THE NUETRAL CONDITION. WHEN THE TRAFFIC PASSED AND THE…
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FRONT PISTON IN TRANSMISSION CRACKED. THIS CAUSED THE TRANSMISSION TO LOSE PRESSURE AT SLOW SPEEDS AS IF IT WENT INTO NUETRAL. THIS WAS PARTICULARLY DANGEROUS WHEN STOPPED TO TURN LEFT. WHILE WAITING FOR ONCOMING TRAFFIC TO PASS THE TRANS WOULD LOSE PRESSURE RESULTING IN THE NUETRAL CONDITION. WHEN THE TRAFFIC PASSED AND THERE WAS AN OPPORTUNITY TO TURN I WOULD STEP ON THE GAS BUT THE CAR WOULD NOT MOVE. THEN AFTER A COUPLE OF SECONDS, AND SINCE THE ENGINE SPEED HAD NOW INCREASED, THE TRANS PRESSURE WOULD INCREASE AND THE CAR WOULD SUDDENLY GO INTO GEAR AND LURCH INTO THE LEFT TURN. HOWEVER A FEW SECONDS OF TURNING OPPORTUNITY HAD NOW BEEN LOST AND THE ONCOMING TRAFFIC WAS A LITTLE CLOSER THAN I AM COMFORTABLE WITH. I WOULD NOT LET MY FAMILY DRIVE THE CAR UNTIL IT WAS FIXED. I TOOK IT TO THE FORD DEALER AND HE IMMEDIATLY KNEW THE CAUSE, WHICH INDICATES THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM. IN FACT HE HAD ANOTHER CUSTOMER WITH THE SAME PROBLEM, SAME KIND OF CAR, SAME TIME. IT COST ME $1,400 TO GET THE TRANS REBUILT. THE DEFECTIVE PART IS AND ALUMINUM RING THAT IS FORMED FROM SHEET METAL. DURING THE FORMING PROCESS THE METAL WAS STRETCHED TOO THIN. THIS WAS EVIDENT BY THE STRESS MARK OR SMILE ON THE DEFECTIVE PART. THE REPEATED APPLICATION OF PRESSURE EVENTUALLY RESULTED IN THE CRACK WHICH LET THE HYDRAULIC PRESSURE TO LEAK PAST THE PISTON. AGAIN THIS VERY DANGEROUS.*AK
NHTSA ODI #759735
Mileage unknown · Jan 7, 2002
Power TrainVehicle Speed Control
TRANSMISSION DISENGAGES AT STOP; LUNGES INTO GEAR AT 1/3 THROTTLE, LIKE POPPING A CLUTCH. *AK
NHTSA ODI #756492
Mileage unknown · Dec 26, 2001
Power Train
WHEN APPROACHING A STOP SIGN OR LIGHT VEHICLE WILL STALL WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING. IN ORDER TO DRIVE FORWARD CONSUMER WOULD HAVE TO MOVE GEAR SHIFT TO REVERSE AND DRIVE. DEALERSHIP WAS AWARE OF PROBLEM. MECHANIC AT DEALERSHIP TOLD CONSUMER THAT SHE NEEDESD A TRANSMISSION REPLACEMENT.*AK
NHTSA ODI #8001094
Mileage unknown · Nov 8, 2001
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train
THE HEAD GASKETS ON MY CAR WHICH IS A 94 MERCURY SABLE W/ A 3.8 LITER V6 ENGINE. THE HEAD GASKET HAS FAILED ON MY CAR AND I WAS NOT INFORMED OF A EXTENDED WARRANTY NOT EVEN WHEN I CALLED MY DEALER AND ASKED FOR A QUOTE ON THE 94 SABLE WHICH I WAS QUOTED1350.00 , IF THE ENGINE IS GONE TO THEN 3000.00. I FEEL IT IS UNFAIR I AM BEI…
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THE HEAD GASKETS ON MY CAR WHICH IS A 94 MERCURY SABLE W/ A 3.8 LITER V6 ENGINE. THE HEAD GASKET HAS FAILED ON MY CAR AND I WAS NOT INFORMED OF A EXTENDED WARRANTY NOT EVEN WHEN I CALLED MY DEALER AND ASKED FOR A QUOTE ON THE 94 SABLE WHICH I WAS QUOTED1350.00 , IF THE ENGINE IS GONE TO THEN 3000.00. I FEEL IT IS UNFAIR I AM BEING PENALIZED FOR A FAULTY PART I HAD NO KNOWLEDGE OF AND ONLY 300 MILES AFTER THE EXTENDED WARRANTY, THE COPY OF THE WARRANTY STATES TO HAVE THE HEAD GASKET CHANGED EVEN IF THERE IS NO PROBLEMS.*AK
NHTSA ODI #754269
Mileage unknown · May 14, 2001
Power Train
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK
NHTSA ODI #745331
Mileage unknown · Apr 17, 2001
Power Train
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION WILL SLIP OUT OF GEAR,/OWN SHIFT AT HIGH SPEEDS WHEN DRIVING AT OR ABOVE 65 MPH. DEALERSHIP REPLACED VSS SENSOR WHEN THIS HAPPENED FIRST TIME. WHEN CONSUMER STARTS OUT, VEHICLE WILL AUTOMATICALLY DOWN SHIFT INTO NEXT LOWEST GEAR, REGARDLESS OF SPEED. DEALERSHIP INFORMED CONSUMER THAT IT WAS AN INT…
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AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION WILL SLIP OUT OF GEAR,/OWN SHIFT AT HIGH SPEEDS WHEN DRIVING AT OR ABOVE 65 MPH. DEALERSHIP REPLACED VSS SENSOR WHEN THIS HAPPENED FIRST TIME. WHEN CONSUMER STARTS OUT, VEHICLE WILL AUTOMATICALLY DOWN SHIFT INTO NEXT LOWEST GEAR, REGARDLESS OF SPEED. DEALERSHIP INFORMED CONSUMER THAT IT WAS AN INTERNAL PROBLEM WITH FORWARD CLUTCH PISTON. A TRANSMISSION SPECIALIST STATED THAT EXTREME TEMPERATURES WILL CAUSE STEEL PISTON TO CRACK CAUSING THIS DEFECT. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION/ATTACHMENTS.*AK
NHTSA ODI #886127
Mileage unknown · Feb 24, 2001
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingPower Train
REAR BRAKES WERE REPLACED DUE TO MAKING NOISE. *SLC
NHTSA ODI #785317
Mileage unknown · Feb 23, 2001
Power Train
THE TRANSMISSION MALFUNCTIONED TEMPORARILY WHILE DRIVING. *YH
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES ORIGINALLY SOLD OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, IOWA, KANSAS, KENTUCKY, MAINE, MARYLAND, MASSACHUSETTS, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA, MISSOURI, NEBRASKA, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW JERSEY, NEW YORK, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, RHODE ISLAND, VERMONT, VIRGINIA, WEST VIRGNIA, AND WISCONSIN. THE REAR LOWER SUBFRAME MOUNT PLATE NUT CAN EXPERIENCE STRESS CORROSION CRACKING IF SUBJECTED TO LONG TERM EXPOSURE TO ROAD SALTS. THIS CAN RESULT IN FRACTURE AND LOSS OF THE STRUCTURAL INTEGRITY OF THE SUBFRAME MOUNT ATTACHMENT. DETACHMENT OF THE BODY MOUNTS AT THE REAR CORNERS OF THE SUBFRAME, WHICH SUPPORTS THE ENGINE AND TRANSMISSION, ALLOWS THE REAR CORNERS OF THE SUBFRAME TO DROP.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IF BOTH REAR CORNERS DROP, STEERING WOULD BECOME SUDDENLY VERY DIFFICULT, AFFECTING VEHICLE CONTROL AND INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL SUBFRAME REAR MOUNT BOLTS, REINFORCEMENT PLATES, AND PLATE NUTS.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE HEADLIGHTS CAN FLASH INTERMITTENTLY AS A RESULT OF THE CIRCUIT BREAKER OPENING. THE VEHICLE'S HEADLIGHTS CAN GO OUT FOR BRIEF INTERVALS.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: LOSS OF HEADLIGHTS DURING VEHICLE OPERATION CAN AFFECT A DRIVER'S ABILITY TO NAVIGATE THE ROADWAY AND REDUCE THE VISIBILITY OF THE VEHICLE, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A HEADLIGHT SWITCH THAT INCORPORATES A CRICUIT BREAKER OF REVISED DESIGN AND INSTALLATION OF A WIRING HARNESS CONNECTOR AND WIRING, IF NEEDED.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 3.8L ENGINES AND ORIGINALLY SOLD OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE FOLLOWING STATES: ALASKA, COLORADO, IOWA, IDAHO, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, KANSAS, MASSACHUSETTS, MAINE, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA, MISSOURI, MONTANA, NORTH DAKOTA, NEBRASKA, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW YORK, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, SOUTH DAKOTA, VERMONT, WISCONSIN, AND WYOMING. WATER CAN ACCUMULATE WITHIN THE SPEED CONTROL CABLE CONDUIT. IF ENOUGH WATER ACCUMULATES, IT COULD FREEZE WITHIN A LOW AREA OF THE CABLE ROUTING WHEN EXPOSED TO A LONG TERM COLD SOAK AT TEMPERATURES AT LEAST SEVERAL DEGREES BELOW FREEZING.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: DRIVER CONTROL OF VEHICLE SPEED USING THE SPEED CONTROL SYSTEM OR THE ACCELERATOR CONTROL SYSTEM WOULD BE DIMINISHED INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL ADD A BOOT TO THE SPEED CONTROL CABLE.
THESE VEHICLES ARE ORIGINALLY SOLD OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE FOLLOWING STATES: ALASKA, IOWA, MINNESOTA, NEBRASKA, NORTH DAKOTA, AND SOUTH DAKOTA. THE VEHICLES INVOLVED ARE 1992-1994 TEMPO/TOPAZ VEHICLES WITH 3.0L ENGINES; 1994 TEMPO/TOPAZ WITH 2.3L ENGINES; 1992-1995 TAURUS/SABLE WITH 3.8L ENGINES; 1994-1995 TAURUS/SABLE WITH 3.0L ENGINES AND 1992-1994 LINCOLN CONTINENTAL VEHICLES WITH 3.8L ENGINES. DURING HIGH WINDS, HEAVY, BLOWING AND DRIFTING SNOW, AND LOW TEMPERATURES, THE ENGINE COOLING FAN CAN BECOME BLOCKED OR FROZEN WITH SNOW. THE FAN MOTOR MAY NOT ROTATE AND COULD OVERHEAT.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THIS CONDITION CAN CAUSE SMOKE OR FLAMES FROM THE FAN AND/OR SHROUD, THE FAN ELECTRICAL WIRING, OR THE FAN MOTOR RESULTING IN A VEHICLE FIRE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL AN ELECTRICAL JUMPER HARNESS CONTAINING AN AUTOMATIC RESETTING CIRCUIT BREAKER TO PROTECT THE FAN MOTOR LOW SPEED CIRCUITRY FROM OVERHEATING.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
4
RQ99017 · Front Suspension Spring
Opened Aug 9, 1999 · Closed Feb 16, 2000
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Suspension
There is no summary currently available
EA96024 · Engine Cooling Fan Fires
Opened Sep 30, 1996 · Closed Apr 15, 1997
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Engine And Engine Cooling
There is no summary currently available
EA96019 · Headlight Failure
Opened Jul 31, 1996 · Closed Jan 26, 1998
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Exterior Lighting
EXCESSIVE HEAT IN AN IMPROPERLY MANUFACTURED CIRCUIT BREAKER WITHIN THE HEADLIGHT SWITCH CAUSED THAT CIRCUIT BREAKER TO OPEN FOR TIME PERIODS OF VARYING LENGTH TO COOL OFF.OPENING OF THE CIRCUIT BREAKER IN THIS MANNER INTERRUPTS ELECTRIC CURRENT FLOW TO THE HEADLIGHTS, SHUTTING THEM OFF.HEADLIGHT OUTAGES HAVE RANGER FROM BRIEF FLICKERS (LESS THAN ONE SECOND) TO GREATER THAN 20 SECONDS.OVER TIME, THE OUTAGES GROW IN LENGTH AND DURATION BECAUSE OF HEAT-INDUCED DETERIORATION OF THE SWITCH AND ASSOCIATED WIRING.RECALL 98V-009 WILL APPLY TO APPROXIMATELY 506,000 TAURUS, SABLE, MARK VIII, AND CONTINENTAL VEHICLES PRODUCED FROM 1-DEC.-92 THROUGH 30-SEP-93 AT THE ATLANTA, CHICAGO,AND WIXOM ASSEMBLY PLANTS.87% OF MY 1992-1995 TAURUS/SABLE AND 97% OF MY 1993-1995 MARK VIII WARRANTY REPAIRS (HEADLIGHT SWITCH REPLACEMENT) INVOLVED VEHICLES BUILT DURING THE DEC. 92 - OCT. 93 BUILD RANGE.
PE96033 · Engine Cooling Fan Fires
Opened May 2, 1996 · Closed Sep 30, 1996
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Engine And Engine Cooling
IN DECEMBER 1995, FORD RECALLED 119,313 VEHICLES IN CANADA TO REMEDY THE SUBJECT CONDITION IN CERTAIN 1992-95 TAURUS, SABLE, TEMPO, TOPAZ AND CONTINENTAL VEHICLES.FORD IS AWARE OF SIMILAR INCIDENTS OCCURRING IN NORTHERN REGIONS OF THE UNITED STATES, BUT MAINTAINS THAT THE FREQUENCIES DO NOT WARRANT A FINDING OF AN UNREASONABLE RISK TO MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY.
1994 Mercury Sable Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year
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