NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Electrical System complaints
20 reportsClear category filter140,000 miles · Sep 15, 2009
Electrical SystemPower TrainFire
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 MERCURY SABLE WAGON. THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN PARKED ON SEPT 10,09 AT 3:30, THE NEXT DAY, AT 6:30 PM THE VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS ENGULFED IN FLAMES. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT EXTINGUISHED THE FIRED AND STATED THAT IT WAS AS ELECTRICAL FIRE. A FIRE REPORT IS…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 MERCURY SABLE WAGON. THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN PARKED ON SEPT 10,09 AT 3:30, THE NEXT DAY, AT 6:30 PM THE VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS ENGULFED IN FLAMES. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT EXTINGUISHED THE FIRED AND STATED THAT IT WAS AS ELECTRICAL FIRE. A FIRE REPORT IS AVAILABLE IF NEEDED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE INSURANCE HAS NOT ADVISED THE CONTACT IF THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED OR NOT. AN INSURANCE ADJUSTER WILL PROVIDE THE FINDINGS AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 140,000. UPDATED 10/20/09 *CN THE CONSUMER STATED THE TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED TWICE. UPDATED 10/23/09.*JB
NHTSA ODI #10283986
39,000 miles · Mar 3, 2003
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine Cooling
VEHICLE STALLED REPEATEDLY. THE IGNITION MODULE WAS REPLACED, HOWEVER THE PROBLEM RECURRED.*JB
NHTSA ODI #10009682
Mileage unknown · Sep 10, 2002
Electrical SystemFire
WHILE DRIVING AT 20 MPH,VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE. CONSUMER OPENED HOOD AND FIRE WAS COMING UNDER THE ENGINE.DEALER WAS NOTIFIED.*AK
NHTSA ODI #8018333
Mileage unknown · Aug 16, 2002
Electrical SystemExterior Lighting
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK
NHTSA ODI #765758
Mileage unknown · Dec 12, 2001
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine Cooling
CAR STALLED, THOUGHT IT TO BE ALTENATOR, TOWED TO MY MECHANIC, FOUND THAT THE OIL PUMP GREAR WAS STRIPPED, AND ENGINE FROZE UP, DUE TO LACK OF LUBRICANT. HD TO REPLACE WITH REMANUFACTURED ENGINE, CAR HAS BEEN SERVICED AS REQUIRED FROM THE DAY IT WAS PURCHASED NEW, WITH ALL SERVICE RECORDS RETAINED. COST $4400.00 TO REPLACE. …
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CAR STALLED, THOUGHT IT TO BE ALTENATOR, TOWED TO MY MECHANIC, FOUND THAT THE OIL PUMP GREAR WAS STRIPPED, AND ENGINE FROZE UP, DUE TO LACK OF LUBRICANT. HD TO REPLACE WITH REMANUFACTURED ENGINE, CAR HAS BEEN SERVICED AS REQUIRED FROM THE DAY IT WAS PURCHASED NEW, WITH ALL SERVICE RECORDS RETAINED. COST $4400.00 TO REPLACE. FEEL IT IS THE RESPONSIBILITY OF FORD MOTOR COMPANY TO PAY FOR THE REPLACEMENT. WAS OUT OF WARRENTY, BUT ENGINE STILL ONLY HAD 31613 MILES ON IT.
NHTSA ODI #755572
Mileage unknown · Nov 29, 2001
Electrical SystemStructure
THIS PROBLEM HAS HAPPENED OVER AND OVER AGAIN. THEY FIX IT AND IT STILL KEEPS ON BREAKING DOWN. DRIVER DOOR WON'T LOCK, ROOF LIGHT STAYS ON, PANEL LIGHT INDICATING ALL DOORS ARE OPEN STAYS LIT. THEN IT GOES OFF AND THEN ON. ITS A CONTINOUS THING THAT HAPPENS. YESTERDAY. 11-28-01 IT WOULD NOT START. I BOUGHT A NEW BATTERY AND SO…
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THIS PROBLEM HAS HAPPENED OVER AND OVER AGAIN. THEY FIX IT AND IT STILL KEEPS ON BREAKING DOWN. DRIVER DOOR WON'T LOCK, ROOF LIGHT STAYS ON, PANEL LIGHT INDICATING ALL DOORS ARE OPEN STAYS LIT. THEN IT GOES OFF AND THEN ON. ITS A CONTINOUS THING THAT HAPPENS. YESTERDAY. 11-28-01 IT WOULD NOT START. I BOUGHT A NEW BATTERY AND SOMETIMES IT STARTS AND SOMETIMES IT DOESN'T. DO I QUALIFY TO GET A LOANER VEHICLE UNTIL THEY FIND OUT WHAT IS WRONG WITH IT. THEY DON'T SEEM TO HAVE ANY ANSWERS YET. MY VEHICLE IS PAID OFF SINCE OF LAST MONTH. ERLINDA L. PICAZO
NHTSA ODI #755071
Mileage unknown · Apr 23, 2001
Electrical SystemFuel System, GasolinePower Train
I HAVE A NUMBER OF WORRIES WITH MY VEHICLE. THE FOLLOWING ARE: WHEN PLAYING THE RADIO/TAPE DECK, YOU HEAR A LOUD BUZZING NOISE COMING THROUGH THE SPEAKERS EVEN IF THE RADIO IS TURNED DOWN; WHEN STEERING FROM LEFT TO RIGHT YOU'LL HEAR A CRANKING NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT END OF CAR; CAR DOES NOT ABSORB BUMPS AT ALL, IT ROCKS, …
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I HAVE A NUMBER OF WORRIES WITH MY VEHICLE. THE FOLLOWING ARE: WHEN PLAYING THE RADIO/TAPE DECK, YOU HEAR A LOUD BUZZING NOISE COMING THROUGH THE SPEAKERS EVEN IF THE RADIO IS TURNED DOWN; WHEN STEERING FROM LEFT TO RIGHT YOU'LL HEAR A CRANKING NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT END OF CAR; CAR DOES NOT ABSORB BUMPS AT ALL, IT ROCKS, MAKES KNOCKING NOISE COMING FROM SOMEWHERE NEAR WHEELS; WHEN DRIVING ON HIGHWAY AT A SPEED OF ABOUT 50-70 MPH, CAR WILL SWAY, LIKE A WIND IS BLOWING IT AWAY; FEUL SENSOR WILL FLOAT, YOU CAN NOT COUNT ON IT TO TELL YOU HOW MUCH GAS YOU HAVE; TRUNK HOOD FLIPS UP IN THE AIR SO FAST AND HARD, I HAVE STUNTED MY FINGERS BEFORE ON IT; THE DOORS ON THE CAR HAVE A SHARP EDGE TO IT, IF YOU DON'T STAND BACK WHEN OPENING THE DOOR, IT CAN GASH YOUR LEG; WIND SHIELD ARE A BLIND SPOT, TO LONG, WIPERS ARE SO STRONG THEY VIBRATE THE CAR, UNUSUALLY STRONG; BACK WINDOW ON LEFT SIDE (PASSENGER) WILL NOT ROLL UP, OR ROLL DOWN SOMETIMES; ASSEMBLY OF LIGHT MOLDINGS/FIXTURES IN BACK OF CAR ARE OFF(NOT EVENLY LINED UP), SO IS THE LEVELING OF TRUNK LID; CAR JUMPS WHEN STARTING IT UP, LIKE IT'S READY TO PULL OFF, EVEN WHEN YOUR FOOT IS ON THE BRAKE; WHEN MOVING THE GEARS THE CAR MAKES A KNOCKING NOISE, AND JUMPS ALSO; BRAKE LIGHT COMES ON AND GOES OFF AT TIMES; CAR LOSES POWER AT TIMES, EVEN AFTER THE TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED IN FEBRUARY, 2001; KEYLESS ALARM SYSTEM IS SENSITIVE, SOMETIMES A INCONVIENCE, IF YOU PICK KEYS UP AND TOUCH THE PANIC, OR TRUNK RELEASE BUTTON IT CAN BE SET OFF IN THE HOUSE, BEHIND A BRICK WALL.*AK
NHTSA ODI #744401
Mileage unknown · Jan 11, 2001
Electrical System
WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED ENGINE WILL JUST DIE, CAUSING VEHICLE TO COME TO A STOP. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. *AK
NHTSA ODI #877986
Mileage unknown · Oct 24, 2000
Electrical System
A/C CONTROL LIGHTS INOPERABLE - DEALER STATES MUST REPLACE ENTIRE DASH INCLUDING RADIO. REPLACEMENT COST $800.00 PLUS LABOR. *AK
NHTSA ODI #735051
Mileage unknown · Oct 16, 2000
Electrical System
I REALLY NEED THIS PROBLEM RESOLVED ITS VERY DANGEROUS I RECENTLY SAW A RECALL SECTION IN THE NEWSPAPERS WITH THIS PROBLEM SIMILAR TO MINE SOMETHING ABOUT A TFI SWITCH OR SOMETHING HAVING TO DO WITH THE VEHICLES STALLING WELL I BOUGHT MY CAR WITH A 2 MONTH WARRANTY AN HAVE SINCE HAD THE TRANSMISSION CHECKED AND IVE TAKEN IT TO T…
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I REALLY NEED THIS PROBLEM RESOLVED ITS VERY DANGEROUS I RECENTLY SAW A RECALL SECTION IN THE NEWSPAPERS WITH THIS PROBLEM SIMILAR TO MINE SOMETHING ABOUT A TFI SWITCH OR SOMETHING HAVING TO DO WITH THE VEHICLES STALLING WELL I BOUGHT MY CAR WITH A 2 MONTH WARRANTY AN HAVE SINCE HAD THE TRANSMISSION CHECKED AND IVE TAKEN IT TO THE FORD DEALER SEVERAL TIMES TRYING TO HAVE THEM DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM FIRST THEY SAID THEY COULD FIND NOTHING WRONG WITH IT THEN I ASKED THEM TO PLEASE TRY AND DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM THEN THEY ENDED UP SAYING IT WAS THE TFI SWITCH OR SOMETHING SO THEY REPLACED THAT BUT THAT WASNT THE PROBLEM THIS IS STILL HAPPEING SO DID I PAY FOR SOMETHING I DIDNT NEED BUT THATS NOT THE ISSUE THE ISSUE IS THIS CAR
NHTSA ODI #734475
Official recalls
5Mar 25, 1998
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES PREVIOUSLY SERVICED UNDER FORD SERVICE BULLETIN 97-17-9 FROM AUGUST 1997 THROUGH DECEMBER 1997. THESE VEHICLES WERE INADVERTENLY EQUIPPED WITH AN 18-GALLON FUEL TANK RATHER THAN THE 16-GALLON AS SPECIFIED. THE 18-GALLON TANK HAS A SECOND VALVE LOCATION WHERE A SHIPPING PLUG SHOULD BE INSTALLED.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IF THIS SHIPPING PLUG IS DISPLACED, FUEL LEAKAGE CAN RESULT. FUEL LEAKAGE IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE COULD POTENTIALLY RESULT IN A FIRE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL THE CORRECT FUEL TANK.
Sep 18, 1996
THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION PARK PAWL SHAFT MAY NOT BE FREE TO ROTATE AS INTENDED. IF THE PARK PAWL SHAFT DOES NOT ROTATE, IT WOULD PREVENT THE PARK PAWL FROM ENGAGING THE PARK GEAR WHEN THE SHIFT LEVER IS IN THE PARK POSITION.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THIS CONDITION COULD RESULT IN THE VEHICLE ROLLING AS IF IN NEUTRAL WITH THE SHIFT LEVER IN THE PARK POSITION.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE PARK PAWL SHAFT ROTATION AND THOSE SHAFTS WITH RESTRICTED ROTATION WILL BE REPLACED WITH A SHORTER SHAFT THAT WILL NOT RESTRICT ROTATION.
Sep 5, 1996
THE PARK PAWL ABUTMENT BRACKET HAS A SHARP EDGE WHICH CAN CAUSE THE PARKING PAWL TO HANG UP AND NOT ENGAGE THE PARK GEAR. THIS WOULD ALLOW THE VEHICLE TO MOVE EVEN THOUGH THE GEAR SHIFT INDICATOR SHOWS THAT THE VEHICLE IS IN PARK.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: UNINTENDED AND UNEXPECTED VEHICLE MOVEMENT CAN RESULT IN PERSONAL INJURY AND PROPERTY DAMAGE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND, IF NECESSARY, REPLACE THE PARK PAWL ABUTMENT BRACKET.
May 14, 1996
THE PARK PAWL SHAFT WAS IMPROPERLY POSITIONED WHEN THE ROLL PIN THAT RETAINS IT WAS INSTALLED DURING TRANSMISSION ASSEMBLY. IF THE SHAFT WAS NOT PROPERLY POSITIONED, THE ROLL PIN MAY NOT HAVE LINED UP WITH THE GROOVE IN THE SHAFT AND HAVE BEEN CRUSHED AT ASSEMBLY. ALSO, A BURR COULD HAVE BEEN RAISED ON THE SHAFT.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THIS COULD RESULT IN THE PARK PAWL OCCASIONALLY NOT ENGAGING WHEN THE TRANSMISSION SELECTOR LEVER IS PLACED IN THE PARK POSITION. THIS COULD RESULT IN THE VEHICLE ROLLING AS IF IN NEUTRAL IF THE VEHICLE OPERATOR DOES NOT APPLY THE PARKING BRAKE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE PARK PAWL SHAFT ROLL PIN. IF THE ROLL PIN IS DAMAGED, BOTH THE ROLL PIN AND THE PARK PAWL SHAFT WILL BE REPLACED. IN ADDITION, OWNERS WILL BE REMINDED TO FULLY APPLY THE PARKING BRAKE, IN ADDITION TO PLACING THE TRANSMISSION IN PARK.
Jan 25, 1996
THE BRAKE SYSTEM FLUID LEVEL INDICATOR LAMP SWITCH CAN MALFUNCTION. THIS DOES NOT COMPLY WITH FMVSS NO. 105, "HYDRAULIC BRAKE SYSTEMS."
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: CONSEQUENCE OF NON-COMPLIANCE: IF THE SWITCH MALFUNTIONS, THE BRAKE SYSTEM WARNING LAMP WILL EITHER REMAIN ILLUMINATED CONTINUOUSLY OR FAIL TO LIGHT AS INTENDED WHEN THE FLUID LEVEL FALLS TO A CERTAIN LEVEL. IN EITHER CASE, THE VEHICLE OPERATOR WOULD NOT BE WARNED OF A LOW BRAKE FLUID LEVEL CONDITION.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE BRAKE SYSTEM FLUID LEVEL INDICATOR LAMP SWITCHES.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗