IllustrationSUBFRAME HAS FAILED, CAUSING THE VEHICLE ENGINE TO DROP. DEALER NOTIFIED.*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 reports1995 MERCURY SABLE HAS EXPERIENCED SEVERAL PROBLEMS. *MR THE ENGINE WOULD IDLE, RUN ROUGH, STALL, AND RESTART IMMEDIATELY, THE A/C HAD BLOWN WARM AIR, THE REMOTE FUEL DOOR LATCH HAD BROKEN, THE ENGINE MADE A LOUD SQUEALING SOUND WHILE BEING DRIVEN, AND THERE WAS A COOLANT LEAK. THE HEADGASKET , TIMING COVER, OIL PAN, BROKEN…
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1995 MERCURY SABLE HAS EXPERIENCED SEVERAL PROBLEMS. *MR THE ENGINE WOULD IDLE, RUN ROUGH, STALL, AND RESTART IMMEDIATELY, THE A/C HAD BLOWN WARM AIR, THE REMOTE FUEL DOOR LATCH HAD BROKEN, THE ENGINE MADE A LOUD SQUEALING SOUND WHILE BEING DRIVEN, AND THERE WAS A COOLANT LEAK. THE HEADGASKET , TIMING COVER, OIL PAN, BROKEN FUEL DOOR SPRING, AND STARTER CIRCUIT WIRING ASSEMBLY HAVE ALL BEEN REPLACED. RECALL #97V019000 *SCC
IN JULY '1996, PURCHASED A BRAND NEW MERCURY SABLE WAGON FROM RISING SUN, MD DEALER. THE CAR HAD ONLY ACCRUED 52,000 MILES IN 2000 AT WHICH POINT THE TRANSMISSION PROBLEM FIRST MANIFESTED WITH PROGRESSIVELY ROUGHER DISENGAGE UPON BRAKING FOR GRADUAL LURCHING STOP. TOOK THE CAR TO A FORD/LINCOLN/MERCURY DEALER IN NEWARK, DE AND…
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IN JULY '1996, PURCHASED A BRAND NEW MERCURY SABLE WAGON FROM RISING SUN, MD DEALER. THE CAR HAD ONLY ACCRUED 52,000 MILES IN 2000 AT WHICH POINT THE TRANSMISSION PROBLEM FIRST MANIFESTED WITH PROGRESSIVELY ROUGHER DISENGAGE UPON BRAKING FOR GRADUAL LURCHING STOP. TOOK THE CAR TO A FORD/LINCOLN/MERCURY DEALER IN NEWARK, DE AND WAS TOLD THE PROBLEM WAS "NORMAL FOR AN AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION". NOW, WITH 63,100 MILES, THERE IS HESITATION IN ENGAGING FROM A STOPPED POSITION AND WHIT DOES ENGAGE, IT CATCHES WITH A CHIRP OF THE TIRES ON THE DRIVE WHEELS. ALTHOUGH UNPREDICTIBLE IN OCCURRENCE, IT IS HAPPENING WITH INCREASING FREQUENCY, REGARDLESS OF BEING WARM OR COLD. *AK
THE SMELL WHILE USING THE HEATER OR THE AIR CONDITIONER IS SO HORRIBLE IT'S ALMOST A HEALTH HAZARD TO USE IT. THE HEATER IS SO HOT IT DRIED OUT OUR EYES AND NOSES WITH EVEN A SHORT TRIP IN THE CAR. THE AIR CONDITIONING WORKED GREAT AND FELT WONDERFUL BUT THE SMELL WAS UNBEARABLE. LINCOLN MERCURY IN DEARBORN, MI COULD NOT FIN…
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THE SMELL WHILE USING THE HEATER OR THE AIR CONDITIONER IS SO HORRIBLE IT'S ALMOST A HEALTH HAZARD TO USE IT. THE HEATER IS SO HOT IT DRIED OUT OUR EYES AND NOSES WITH EVEN A SHORT TRIP IN THE CAR. THE AIR CONDITIONING WORKED GREAT AND FELT WONDERFUL BUT THE SMELL WAS UNBEARABLE. LINCOLN MERCURY IN DEARBORN, MI COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING AND SAID THEY DIDN'T SMELL ANYTHING EITHER. IT SMELLS OF URINE AND AN OLD WET RAG COMBO. *TT
DEFECTIVE SPEEDOMETER NEEDLE AND CRUISE CONTROL. DEALER WAS NOTIFIED. MR *PH
AT ABOUT 6000 MILES THE SPEEDOMETER BECAME UNSTEADY. AT 23,500 MILES THE NEEDLE STATED TO WAVE AND BOUNCE CONSISTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER BUT THEY DID NOTHING BECAUSE THE VEHICLE WAS OUT OF WARRANTY. THE CRUISE E CONTROL BECAME ERRATIC AS WELL. *MR *SCC *NLM
WHEN THE DRIVER APPLIED THE BRAKES THE VEHICLE LUNGED. ALSO WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS IN DRIVE THE GEAR SHIFT MOVED INTO NEUTRAL WITHOUT WARNING. THE DEALER STATED VEHICLE HAD A CRACKED PRETENSIONER. *NLM
THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. *JB
THE ENGINE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. *JB
I CONTACTED THE FORD MOTOR COMPANY COMPLAINING ABOUT A FAULTY TRANSMISSION IN MY 1995 MERCURY SABLE THAT SUDDENLY WENT OUT ON ME WHEN I WAS ON MY WAY HOME IN DECEMBER OF 2002. THE CAR HAD BEEN HAVING PROBLEMS SINCE THE FIRST DAY I GOT IT AND I WAS TOLD THAT IT WAS OKAY, THAT THE PROBLEM WOULD CORRECT ITSELF. MY CAR HAD BEEN SK…
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I CONTACTED THE FORD MOTOR COMPANY COMPLAINING ABOUT A FAULTY TRANSMISSION IN MY 1995 MERCURY SABLE THAT SUDDENLY WENT OUT ON ME WHEN I WAS ON MY WAY HOME IN DECEMBER OF 2002. THE CAR HAD BEEN HAVING PROBLEMS SINCE THE FIRST DAY I GOT IT AND I WAS TOLD THAT IT WAS OKAY, THAT THE PROBLEM WOULD CORRECT ITSELF. MY CAR HAD BEEN SKIPPING FOR A WHILE, THEN IT WOULD STOP, SO I THOUGHT NO MORE OF IT. I BOUGHT MY CAR IN EXCELLENT CONDITION FROM A CAR DEALER (NOT A FORD DEALERSHIP) AND PRINTED A CARFAX JUST TO DOUBLE CHECK FOR ANY MAJOR PROBLEMS. I FOUND NONE. AFTER REPLACING THE RADIATOR, FIXING THE ALTERNATOR, AND REPLACING THE BRAKE SYSTEM IN THE THREE YEARS THAT I HAVE HAD MY CAR, THE TRANSMISSION WENT OUT. IT ONLY HAS 123,000 MILES ON IT. I CONTACTED YOUR WEB SITE AND DISCOVERED 19 OTHER COMPLAINTS BESIDES MINE ABOUT THE SAME PROBLEM IN THIS MODEL CAR. AS A MATTER OF FACT, ONE MAN REPLACED HIS SIX TIMES!!! THEN, TO MAKE MATTERS WORSE, THEY CONTACTED ME AND TOLD ME TO GO LOOK AT ANOTHER CAR AT FAIRWAY. WELL, THERE'S A FAIRWAY FORD HERE IN ANDERSON, SC. I GO UP THERE AT 10 LIKE I'M SUPPOSED TO, AND THEY HAVE NO IDEA WHAT I'M TALKING ABOUT. I CALL THE BRANCH BACK AND THEY TELL ME THAT THEY DON'T OWN ANY FORD PLACES IN SC, THAT I WAS SUPPOSED TO GO TO ALBANY, GA. THAT IS A GRAND TOTAL OF 600+ MILES AND 10 HRS AWAY ROUND TRIP. I GO ALL THE WAY DOWN THERE FOR THE MANAGER TO TELL ME BASICALLY THAT I WENT DOWN THERE TO TRADE IN A CAR. I HAD TOLD THEM THAT MY CAR IS NOT RUNNING, BUT APPARENTLY, THEY DON'T LISTEN VERY WELL. SO, I'M STILL OUT OF A CAR AND THE ONE I HAVE IS NOT TRADABLE IN THE CONDITION ITS IN. I STILL OWE $1700 AND ITS GOING TO COST ME AT LEAST THAT MUCH IF NOT MORE TO FIX IT. ALL I WANT IS FOR THEM TO FIX THIS PART THAT THEY KNOW IS FAULTY, BECAUSE OTHER CONSUMERS ARE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM. I JUST HOPE IT DOESN'T TAKE SOMEONE GETTING KILLED ON THE HIGHWAY WHEN THIS PART QUITS ON THEM BEFORE FORD WILL RECALL THESE CARS AND FIX THEM. *NLM
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.