NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Power Train complaints
69 reportsClear category filter300,000 miles · Oct 19, 2017
Power Train
JUST BOUGHT A MERCURY SABLE 1996. AFTER DRIVING THIS VEHICAL FOR ABOUT 10 MILES, THE TRANSMISSION BEGAN TO SLIP BADLY. IT BEGAN WITH HAVING TROUBLE ACCELERATING FROM A COMPLETE STOP. LUCKILY I WAS DRIVING IN A RURAL AREA WITH FEW STOPS AND LITTLE TRAFFIC. BY THE TIME I STOPPED AT THE 3 STOP SIGN. THE TRANSMISSION WOULD NO LONGER…
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JUST BOUGHT A MERCURY SABLE 1996. AFTER DRIVING THIS VEHICAL FOR ABOUT 10 MILES, THE TRANSMISSION BEGAN TO SLIP BADLY. IT BEGAN WITH HAVING TROUBLE ACCELERATING FROM A COMPLETE STOP. LUCKILY I WAS DRIVING IN A RURAL AREA WITH FEW STOPS AND LITTLE TRAFFIC. BY THE TIME I STOPPED AT THE 3 STOP SIGN. THE TRANSMISSION WOULD NO LONGER ENGAGE INTO 1ST OR 2ND GEAR. NEVER GOT INTO 4TH GEAR. BUT HAD TO GET PUSH THE VEHICAL FROM THE LAST STOP SIGN UNTIL I REACHED A SMALL HILL THAT ALLOWED ME TO REACH THE SPEED SO THAT 3RD WAS ABLE TO ENGAGE AND WAS ABLE TO MAKE IT TO MY HOUSE. THE CAR HASN'T MOVED SINCE THEN. WASTE OF $1,000!! TRANSMISSION IS FINISHED.
NHTSA ODI #11034494
140,000 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
Mileage unknown · Oct 4, 2005
Power Train
(1) CAR SHIFTS HARD DURING ACCELERATION AND DECELERATION. SPEEDOMETER DOES NOT WORK OR BOUNCES UP, THEN DOWN. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON. (2) WHILE DRIVING AT NORMAL ROAD SPEEDS THE TRANSMISSION WILL SWITCH TO LOW GEAR CAUSING SUDDEN THROW OF DRIVER INSIDE CAR AND AT TIMES WHEN TRYING TO ACCELERATE THERE IS A LONG DELAY IN PO…
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(1) CAR SHIFTS HARD DURING ACCELERATION AND DECELERATION. SPEEDOMETER DOES NOT WORK OR BOUNCES UP, THEN DOWN. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON. (2) WHILE DRIVING AT NORMAL ROAD SPEEDS THE TRANSMISSION WILL SWITCH TO LOW GEAR CAUSING SUDDEN THROW OF DRIVER INSIDE CAR AND AT TIMES WHEN TRYING TO ACCELERATE THERE IS A LONG DELAY IN POWER TO ENGINE THEN SUDDEN ACCELERATION. (3) REPLACED CAM SENSOR AND OTHER SENSOR THREE TIMES AND ALWAYS FAILS AGAIN.*JB
NHTSA ODI #10138467
90,000 miles · Mar 2, 2005
Power Train
RECALL CAMPAIGN 96V176000 WAS ISSUED. WHEN ENGAGING THE VEHICLE INTO PARK IT BEGAN TO ROLL. HOWEVER, THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO VIN. *AK THE VEHICLE DOES NOT ENAGE IN PARK AND WILL NOT PASS INSPECTION. *TC
NHTSA ODI #10110816
138,000 miles · May 5, 2004
Power Train
POWER TRAIN SLIPPING AND FAILURE. TRANSMISSION WILL SLIP AFTER FIRST STOP. LET SET FOR A FEW MINUTES AND RESTART, WILL DRIVE UNTIL NEXT STOP.*AK
NHTSA ODI #10068358
67,000 miles · Jan 15, 2004
Engine And Engine CoolingPower TrainService Brakes, Hydraulic
I HAVE HAD THIS CAR FOR ONE YEAR AND ONE HALF. I BOUGHT IT FROM RAY HUDSON CHEVROLET IN LA CROSSE ,WIS. I HAD THE CAR TWO WEEKS AND THE TRANSMISSION HAD TO BE REPLACED. TWO WEEKS AFTER THE FRONT AND BACK BRAKES HAD TO BE REPLACED. THIS WAS AT THE DEALERS EXSPENSE. I HAD TO HAVE A WHEEL BEARING REPLACED AND NOW AFTER A YEAR AND 1…
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I HAVE HAD THIS CAR FOR ONE YEAR AND ONE HALF. I BOUGHT IT FROM RAY HUDSON CHEVROLET IN LA CROSSE ,WIS. I HAD THE CAR TWO WEEKS AND THE TRANSMISSION HAD TO BE REPLACED. TWO WEEKS AFTER THE FRONT AND BACK BRAKES HAD TO BE REPLACED. THIS WAS AT THE DEALERS EXSPENSE. I HAD TO HAVE A WHEEL BEARING REPLACED AND NOW AFTER A YEAR AND 1/2 I HAVE TO REPLACE THE WHOLE MOTOR.
NHTSA ODI #10071066
Mileage unknown · Oct 9, 2003
Power Train
WHILE DRIVING ABOUT 55 MPH ON THE HIGHWAY AND WITHOUT WARNING THE OVERDRIVE LIGHT APPEARED ON THE DASHBOARD FOR TRANSMISSION. THE VEHICLE SHUT DOWN, AND WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR ANALYSIS. THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN AT DEALER MORE THAN ONCE. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10042687
65,001 miles · Aug 15, 2003
Power Train
THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED AND WITH NO WARNING ROLLED FORWARD. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED. *AK THE VEHICLE WAS STOPPED AND THE GEAR SHIFT WAS IN PARK. THE CONSUMER EXITED THE VEHICLE, AND WHEN HE RETURNED TO THE VEHICLE, IT STARTED TO ROLL DOWN THE SLOPE OF THE ROADWAY. THE CONSUMER RAN AFTER THE VEHICLE AND WAS ABLE TO GET IT …
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THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED AND WITH NO WARNING ROLLED FORWARD. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED. *AK THE VEHICLE WAS STOPPED AND THE GEAR SHIFT WAS IN PARK. THE CONSUMER EXITED THE VEHICLE, AND WHEN HE RETURNED TO THE VEHICLE, IT STARTED TO ROLL DOWN THE SLOPE OF THE ROADWAY. THE CONSUMER RAN AFTER THE VEHICLE AND WAS ABLE TO GET IT UNDER CONTROL. *SCC *JB
NHTSA ODI #10031327
96,512 miles · Jul 18, 2003
Power Train
PROBLEM STARTED WHEN SHIFTING FROM PARK TO DRIVE, CAR WOULD LURCH FORWARD UNLESS YOU HAD BRAKE PEDAL PUSHED DOWN AS HARD AS YOU COULD. THEN WHILE LEAVING A STOP LIGHT CAR WOULD HESITATE THEN PICK UP SPEED VERY SLOWLY, FINALLY THE CAR WILL NOT GO INTO REVERSE. TRANSMISSION SHOP SAID THAT TRANSMISSION HAD TO BE REPLACED. $1800.00 …
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PROBLEM STARTED WHEN SHIFTING FROM PARK TO DRIVE, CAR WOULD LURCH FORWARD UNLESS YOU HAD BRAKE PEDAL PUSHED DOWN AS HARD AS YOU COULD. THEN WHILE LEAVING A STOP LIGHT CAR WOULD HESITATE THEN PICK UP SPEED VERY SLOWLY, FINALLY THE CAR WILL NOT GO INTO REVERSE. TRANSMISSION SHOP SAID THAT TRANSMISSION HAD TO BE REPLACED. $1800.00 !! *JB
NHTSA ODI #10028593
58,890 miles · May 26, 2003
Power Train
I HAVE A MERCURY SABLE 1996, MANUFACTURED IN 9/95. VIN NUMBER [XXX]. MY CAR HAS 58,000 MILES AND THE TRANSMISSION IS ALMOST GONE. I WAS INFORMED THAT THERE IS A RECALL ON THE TRANSMISSIONS FOR THIS CAR AND I AM LOOKING FOR THE NECESSARY INFORMATION TO TAKE WITH ME TO DEALER FOR REPLACEMENT. I HAVE ALSO NOTICED THAT MY CAR JERKS …
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I HAVE A MERCURY SABLE 1996, MANUFACTURED IN 9/95. VIN NUMBER [XXX]. MY CAR HAS 58,000 MILES AND THE TRANSMISSION IS ALMOST GONE. I WAS INFORMED THAT THERE IS A RECALL ON THE TRANSMISSIONS FOR THIS CAR AND I AM LOOKING FOR THE NECESSARY INFORMATION TO TAKE WITH ME TO DEALER FOR REPLACEMENT. I HAVE ALSO NOTICED THAT MY CAR JERKS FORWARD WHEN AM TAKING OFF FROM A STOPPED POSITION. I HAVE DONE ALL THAT I CAN TO TAKE CARE OF THIS CAR BUT NOTHING I DO HAS WORKED. THERE ARE SO MANY COMPLAINTS AND RECALLS ON THIS CAR AND I REALLY NEED HELP WITH MY RESEARCH TO PRESENT TO THE DEALER WHEN I TAKE THIS CAR IN FOR REPAIRS AGAIN. A WEBSITE IF THERE IS ONE TO HELP FIND MY VIN #. ANY RECALL INFORMATION. HELP! *NLM INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
NHTSA ODI #10020530
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 ↗