IllustrationWHEN DRIVING DRIVER SMELLED BURNING ODOR COMING FROM THE DASHBOARD. CONSUMER STATED THAT WIRE MELTED, CAUSING THE BURNING SMELL. *AK
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
What owners actually said
350 reportsWHEN BEGINNING TO BACK CAR OUT OF GARAGE, DRIVER'S SIDE FRONT COIL SPRING FAILED. LEFT FENDER SAGGED NOTICEABLY AND PIECE OF SPRING WAS FOUND ON FLOOR OF GARAGE UNDER CAR. AFTER HAVING CAR TOWED TO REPAIR SHOP, INVESTIGATION SHOWED RIGHT SIDE FRONT COIL SPRING TO ALSO BE BROKEN, BUT STILL IN PLACE. *LA
CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR ROUTINE MAINTENANCE, AND MECHANIC NOTICED THAT THE MOTOR MOUNTS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED DUE TO CORROSION. *AK
DRIVER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR ROUTINE MAINTENANCE, AND MECHANIC NOTICED THAT THE MOTOR MOUNTS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED DUE TO CORROSION. *AK
CONSUMER STATED THAT VEHICLE WAS LEAKING COOLANT INTO ENGINE WHICH CAUSED IT TO SMOKE . CONSUMER HAD THIS VEHICLE CHECKED OUT AND HE WAS TOLD THAT IT WAS LEAKING COOLANT. HE CALLED THE MANUFACTURER AND WAS TOLD THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL. *AK
WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED SPEEDOMETER MALFUNCTIONED. NEEDLE JUMPED BACK AND FORTH, AND WENT OUT OF CONTROL. THIS HAPPENED AT LEAST FOUR TIMES IN THE LAST MONTH. MANUFACTURER NOR DEALER WERE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM.*AK WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED SPEEDOMETER MALFUNCTIONED. NEEDLE JUMPED BACK AND FORTH, AND WENT OUT OF CONTROL.…
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WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED SPEEDOMETER MALFUNCTIONED. NEEDLE JUMPED BACK AND FORTH, AND WENT OUT OF CONTROL. THIS HAPPENED AT LEAST FOUR TIMES IN THE LAST MONTH. MANUFACTURER NOR DEALER WERE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM.*AK WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED SPEEDOMETER MALFUNCTIONED. NEEDLE JUMPED BACK AND FORTH, AND WENT OUT OF CONTROL. THIS HAPPENED AT LEAST FOUR TIMES IN THE LAST MONTH.*MR
MY SPEEDOMETER JUMPS BY 10-15 MPH WHEN SPEEDS ARE ABOVE 40 MPH. AT LOWER SPEEDS IT ALSO SHAKES BY 5 MPH OR SO. THIS HAS TO BE A FLAW IN THE 1995 MERCURY SABLE BECAUSE I SEE HUNDREDS OF OTHER COMPLAINTS ON THIS SAME PROBLEM. THE MANUFACTURER MUST BE HELD RESONSIBLE FOR IT'S REPAIR. IT IS A CRONIC PROBLEM.*AK
CAR STALLS IN WARM WEATHER. ON ONE OF MANY STALLED OCCASIONS I WAS STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT AND WHEN IT TURNED GREEN THE CAR LUNGED AS IF IT WERE MOVING BUT STALLED AND A MAN IN A TRUCK BEHIND ME SLAMMED ON HIS BRAKES BUT A WOMAN BEHIND HIM SLAMMED INTO HIS TRUCK. THEY HAD AN ACCIDENT BECAUSE MY CAR STALLED AND STOPPED SHORT. A…
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CAR STALLS IN WARM WEATHER. ON ONE OF MANY STALLED OCCASIONS I WAS STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT AND WHEN IT TURNED GREEN THE CAR LUNGED AS IF IT WERE MOVING BUT STALLED AND A MAN IN A TRUCK BEHIND ME SLAMMED ON HIS BRAKES BUT A WOMAN BEHIND HIM SLAMMED INTO HIS TRUCK. THEY HAD AN ACCIDENT BECAUSE MY CAR STALLED AND STOPPED SHORT. ALSO, RIGHT REAR WINDOW WONT GO DOWN SOMETIMES. THE A/C STINKS AND THE HEATER SMELLS LIKE SUPER HOT DRIED BURNT CARPETING. THERE'S A GAS SMELLS SO HEAVY AT TIMES IN THE BACK SEAT I'M SCARED FOR MY CHILDREN TO BE BACK THERE. THE DASH LIGHTS GET SO HOT I'M AFRAID IT'S GOING TO MELT SOMETHING OR START A FIRE. THE CAR IS HAD TO START ON CERTAIN DAYS. OTHER DAYS IT STARTS RIGHT UP. SOMETIMES THE CAR STARTS AND RUNS GREAT. OTHER DAYS IT STARTS BUT YOU CAN FEEL SOMETHING ISN'T RIGHT AND THE CAR WILL FEEL LIKE IT'S ON THE VERGE OF STALLING BUT THEN YOU CAN HEAR IT START BACK UP AGAIN. ALMOST LIKE THE IGNITION IS TURNING ON AND OFF. I HAVE A LIST OF ALL THE REPAIRS DONE TO MY CAR JUST AFTER I PURCHASED IT AND THERE IS SOME MAJOR BILLS IN THIS PILE! READING THAT OTHER PEOPLE ARE HAVING THE SAME EXACT PROBLEMS WITH THEIR SABLES IS PROOF THAT FORD PUT OUT AN UNSAFE CAR! I HAVEN'T GOT THE MONEY TO BUY ANOTHER CAR. I CAN HARDLY AFFORD TO FIX THE ONE I HAVE BUT IT'S ALL I GOT. SHAME ON FORD! I WON'T BE BUYING ANOTHER FORD IN THE FUTURE UNLESS THEY RESOLVE THIS MESS! *JB
CONSUMER HEARD CRACKING COMING FROM FLOORBOARD WHILE OPERATING VEHICLE. DEALER DIAGNOSED THAT THE REAR LOWER SUBFRAME IS CORRODING. RELATED TO RECALL 98V323000; BUT, CONSUMER'S VEHICLE NOT INCLUDED DUE TO VIN. *AK PROBLEM HAS GOTTEN WORSE AND CONSUMER DON'T FEEL SAFE DRIVING THE VEHICLE. *PH
WHEN THE CONSUMER STARTED THE VEHICLE AND DROVE SLOWLY ABOUT 50 FEET, HE DISCOVERED THE TWO FRONT COILS SPRINGS WERE BROKE AND THE VEHICLE HAD A FLAT TIRE. THE COIL SPRINGS BROKE DUE TO CORROSION. *AK *JB
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.