IllustrationI HAVE A 1995 MERCURY SABLE THAT HAS A BAD HEAD GASKET. I WAS TOLD BY MY MECHANIC THAT THERE WAS A RECALL BY FORD, BUT AFTER CALLING AND LEAVING MESSAGES, I AM UNABLE TO CONFIRM THIS. PLEASE ADVISE. THANK YOU! I AM ALSO LISTING NUMEROUS PROBLEMS THAT HAVE OCCURRED WITH THE SUSPENSION AND BRAKES IN THE LAST YEAR.
1995 Mercury Sable
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
Similar to other model years
Owner complaints for the 1995 Mercury Sable do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 201.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Sable years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
Limited mileage data: 38 of 350 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
- Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 132 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Power Train. Review the 93 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Electrical System. Review the 32 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
11 crash reports13 fire reports10 injury reports
Engine And Engine Cooling complaints
132 reportsMY COMPLAINT RELATES TO FORD AND ITS HANDLING OF THE PROBLEMS ASSOCIATED WITH THE 3.8 ENGINE. WHEN NOTIFIED OF THE RECALL BECAUSE OF THE GASKET PROBLEM I TOOK MY 1995 SABLE TO A FORD DEALER FOR CORRECTION. THE CAR IS NOT USED TOO MUCH, AND CONSEQUENTLY THE TIME EXTENSION(TO 7 YEARS) RAN OUT, BUT WITH ONLY 28,000 MILES ON THE NE…
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MY COMPLAINT RELATES TO FORD AND ITS HANDLING OF THE PROBLEMS ASSOCIATED WITH THE 3.8 ENGINE. WHEN NOTIFIED OF THE RECALL BECAUSE OF THE GASKET PROBLEM I TOOK MY 1995 SABLE TO A FORD DEALER FOR CORRECTION. THE CAR IS NOT USED TOO MUCH, AND CONSEQUENTLY THE TIME EXTENSION(TO 7 YEARS) RAN OUT, BUT WITH ONLY 28,000 MILES ON THE NEW GASKETS (72,000 MILES TOTAL ON THE VEHICLE), THEY FAILED LAST MONTH. FORD HAS NO INTEREST IN PROVIDING ANY RELIEF. MILEAGE TO THEM IS IRRELEVANT, ONLY THE TIME. PRETTY LOUSY APPROACH TO FIXING AN ENGINEERING DESIGN FLAW. PURCHASES OF FORD PRODUCTS ARE A THING OF THE PAST. JUST HAD TO ENTER A FORMAL COMPLAINT AND GET IT OFF MY CHEST. IF YOU CAN USE ME AS ANY KIND OF A WITNESS AGAINST THEM GIVE A CALL. *AK
DRIVER WAS DRIVING CAR ON STATE ROAD 84. CAR WAS STALLING. DRIVER PULLS OVER TO SIDE OF ROAD, OPENS HOOD ENGINE COMPARTMENT ENGULFED IN FLAMES AS STATED IN FIRE MARSHALL'S REPORT. FIRE MARSHALL STATES THE FIRE STARTED IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. CAR WAS TOTALLED.
ENGINE MOTOR MOUNTS WERE DEFECTIVE. *AK *JB
HEAD GASKET BLEW ON DEC. 25 2002
BLOWN HEAD GASKET ON ALL FORD 3800'S. TS
WHEN DRIVING CONSUMER NOTICED WHITE SMOKE COMING OUT OF TAIL PIPE. MECHANIC STATED THAT THE HEAD GASKETS WERE BLOWN. TS CONSUMER NEVER RECEIVED RECALL NOTIFICATION REGARDING HEAD GASKETS, THEREFORE DEALER WAS NOT WILLING TO DO ANYTHING. HEAD GASKETS HAD TO BE REPLACED THREE TIMES AT OWNERS EXPENSE. *TT
WHILE HAVING THE AIR CONDITIONING SERVICED THE ENGINE OVER HEATED DUE TO THE FAN NOT RESPONDING TO TEMPERATURE RAISING. A SERVICE CAMPAIGN WAS ISSUED BY THE MANUFACTURE BUT THE FAILURE OCCURED (2) WEEKS AFTER THE DEADLINE. THE MANUFACTURE IS NOT ASSISTING WITH THIS CAMPAIGN. NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER 01I011 ENGINE COOLING SYSTEM.…
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WHILE HAVING THE AIR CONDITIONING SERVICED THE ENGINE OVER HEATED DUE TO THE FAN NOT RESPONDING TO TEMPERATURE RAISING. A SERVICE CAMPAIGN WAS ISSUED BY THE MANUFACTURE BUT THE FAILURE OCCURED (2) WEEKS AFTER THE DEADLINE. THE MANUFACTURE IS NOT ASSISTING WITH THIS CAMPAIGN. NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER 01I011 ENGINE COOLING SYSTEM. PLEASE DESCRIBE DETAILS TS
CONSUMER STATES THAT WHILE DRIVING THE FAN ON THE VEHICLE STOPPED AND THE ENGINE OVERHEATED. THE CONSUMER COULD NOT DRIVE THE VEHICLE. CONTACTED DEALER AND THE DEALER IS NOT WILLING TO DO ANYTHING. THE CONSUMER STATED THAT THE DEALER REPLACED THE ENGINE COOLING FAN. BUT WAS ADVISED THAT THE FAN WILL NOT OPERATE DUE TO A BLOW…
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CONSUMER STATES THAT WHILE DRIVING THE FAN ON THE VEHICLE STOPPED AND THE ENGINE OVERHEATED. THE CONSUMER COULD NOT DRIVE THE VEHICLE. CONTACTED DEALER AND THE DEALER IS NOT WILLING TO DO ANYTHING. THE CONSUMER STATED THAT THE DEALER REPLACED THE ENGINE COOLING FAN. BUT WAS ADVISED THAT THE FAN WILL NOT OPERATE DUE TO A BLOWN OR SHORTED CONSTANT CONTROL RELAY MODULE. *SCC
VEHICLE OVERHEATED AND LEAKED COOLANT DUE TO A DEFECTIVE HEAD GASKET. CONSUMER STATED THAT MANUFACTURER HAD ISSUED A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN ON THE DEFECTIVE HEAD GASKET, AND ISSUED A WARRANTY. HEAD GASKET FAILED AFTER THE WARRANTY HAD EXPIRED. MANUFACTURER REFUSES TO REPLACE HEAD GASKET. *YH *JB SERVICE BULLETIN #98-…
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VEHICLE OVERHEATED AND LEAKED COOLANT DUE TO A DEFECTIVE HEAD GASKET. CONSUMER STATED THAT MANUFACTURER HAD ISSUED A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN ON THE DEFECTIVE HEAD GASKET, AND ISSUED A WARRANTY. HEAD GASKET FAILED AFTER THE WARRANTY HAD EXPIRED. MANUFACTURER REFUSES TO REPLACE HEAD GASKET. *YH *JB SERVICE BULLETIN #98-4-9. HEAD GASKET FAILED WHEN IT WAS SEVEN YEARS AND SEVEN MONTHS. *SCC
Official recalls
501V390000 · Engine And Engine Cooling:cooling System:fan
Dec 21, 2001
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: TAURUS/SABLE VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 3.0L AND 3.8L ENGINES AND MUSTANG VEHICLES WITH 3.8L AND 5.0L ENGINES. IT IS POSSIBLE FOR THE ENGINE COOLING FAN BEARING TO SEIZE.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: SHOULD THIS OCCUR, EXCESSIVE HEAT COULD BE GENERATED WHICH COULD MELT THE FAN MOTOR ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR. COMPONENTS INSIDE THE COOLING FAN MOTOR COULD IGNITE POTENTIALLY RESULTING IN AN UNDERHOOD FIRE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE ENGINE COOLING FAN ASSEMBLY AND INSTALL A CIRCUIT BREAKER. IF THE COOLING FAN IS INOPERATIVE, THE FAN AND MOTOR ASSEMBLY WILL BE REPLACED. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN DECEMBER 28, 2001. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT FORD AT 1-866-436-7332.
98V323000 · Structure:frame And Members
Dec 16, 1998
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.
97V025000 · Vehicle Speed Control
Feb 26, 1997
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.
97V019000 · Engine And Engine Cooling:cooling System:fan
Feb 25, 1997
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.
94V198000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:pedals And Linkages
Oct 11, 1994
THE RETAINER CLIP WHICH HOLDS THE MASTER CYLINDER PUSH ROD TO THE BRAKE PEDAL ARM IS MISSING OR NOT COMPLETELY INSTALLED. THE PUSH ROD CAN SEPARATE FROM THE BRAKE PEDAL ARM.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THIS CAN RESULT IN LOSS OF BRAKING ABILITY AND AN ACCIDENT.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND, IF NECESSARY, INSTALL THE RETAINER CLIP.
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
4RQ99017 · 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.