NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Suspension complaints
11 reportsClear category filter80,000 miles · Mar 25, 2016
SteeringSuspension
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 MERCURY SABLE. WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, A SQUEAKING NOISE WAS HEARD UNDER THE VEHICLE, ESPECIALLY WHEN SLOWING DOWN, MAKING TURNS, AND REVERSING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE CRADLE AND SUBFRAME BUSHING WERE CORRODED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 MERCURY SABLE. WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, A SQUEAKING NOISE WAS HEARD UNDER THE VEHICLE, ESPECIALLY WHEN SLOWING DOWN, MAKING TURNS, AND REVERSING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE CRADLE AND SUBFRAME BUSHING WERE CORRODED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. IN ADDITION, WHILE DRIVING AT CERTAIN SPEEDS AND MAKING RIGHT OR LEFT TURNS, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000.
NHTSA ODI #10851657
184,000 miles · Jun 16, 2006
StructureSuspension
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE LEFT FRONT WHEEL STABILIZER ARM WOBBLED FROM SIDE TO SIDE. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP AND IT WAS DETERMINED, THE FRONT UNDERCARRIAGE AND ENGINE MOUNTS WERE RUSTED. THE VEHICLE WAS EXPOSED TO EXTREME WINTER WEATHER AND CORROSIVE ROAD SALTS. …
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DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE LEFT FRONT WHEEL STABILIZER ARM WOBBLED FROM SIDE TO SIDE. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP AND IT WAS DETERMINED, THE FRONT UNDERCARRIAGE AND ENGINE MOUNTS WERE RUSTED. THE VEHICLE WAS EXPOSED TO EXTREME WINTER WEATHER AND CORROSIVE ROAD SALTS. THE REPAIR SHOP CONCLUDED THAT DUE TO THE EXTENSIVE CORROSION, THE PROBLEM COULD NOT BE CORRECTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT ALERTED.
NHTSA ODI #10160028
Mileage unknown · May 17, 2004
Engine And Engine CoolingStructureSuspension
WHILE DRIVING ENGINE COLLAPSED DUE TO RUSTING. THIS CAUSED THE FRAME TO BREAK. ALSO, WHEN THE ENGINE COLLAPSED THE BALL JOINTS BROKE, CAUSING THE TIRES TO DISENGAGE FROM THE VEHICLE. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10073691
Mileage unknown · May 14, 2004
Suspension
WHILE DRIVING PASSENGER'S FRONT WHEEL FELL OFF. CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, AND DROVE IT TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION, AND MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT FRONT PASSENGER UPPER AND LOWER BALL JOINTS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED DUE TO CORROSION.*AK
NHTSA ODI #10073672
Mileage unknown · Aug 26, 2003
Suspension
THE CONSUMER STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING, THE SPRING PUNCTURE THE RIGHT FRONT TIRE. DEALER NOTIFIED. *PH AS SOON AS THE VEHICLE WAS PLACE IN REVERSE THERE WAS A LOUD NOISE AND THE FRONT LEFT SIDE OF THE VEHICLE COLLAPSED. WHEN THE CONSUMER ATTEMPTED TO REPLACED THE TIRE HE NOTICED THAT THE COIL SPRING BROKE WHICH IN TURN PU…
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THE CONSUMER STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING, THE SPRING PUNCTURE THE RIGHT FRONT TIRE. DEALER NOTIFIED. *PH AS SOON AS THE VEHICLE WAS PLACE IN REVERSE THERE WAS A LOUD NOISE AND THE FRONT LEFT SIDE OF THE VEHICLE COLLAPSED. WHEN THE CONSUMER ATTEMPTED TO REPLACED THE TIRE HE NOTICED THAT THE COIL SPRING BROKE WHICH IN TURN PUNCTURED THE TIRE. *SCC *NLM
NHTSA ODI #10031707
Mileage unknown · Aug 16, 2001
Suspension
THE LEFT FRONT SPRING PIERCED THE FRONT TIRE, AFTER IT HAD BROKEN IN TWO WHILE CONSUMER WAS BACKING OUT OF DRIVEWAY, DEALER FOUND PASSENGER SPRING, STABLIZER LINK, AND STRUT BEARING BROKEN, BOTH SPRINGS WERE REPLACED.*JB MANUFACTURER NOTIFIED. *TT
NHTSA ODI #562548
Mileage unknown · Jun 13, 2001
Engine And Engine CoolingSuspension
CONSUMER IS HAVING SOME PROBLEMS WITH ENGINE, ENGINE OVERHEATS AND AT TIMES STALLS.*AK RADIATOR HAS BEEN REPLACED TWO TIMES, HEADGASKETS WERE REPLACED AND FINALLY ENGINE WAS REPLACED. SHOCKS WERE REPLACED. *SLC
NHTSA ODI #890304
Mileage unknown · Mar 8, 2001
Engine And Engine CoolingSuspension
WHEN DRIVING AT ANY SPEED AND WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING VEHICLE CUTS OFF, CAUSING LOSS OF ALL POWER. ALSO, WHEN MAKING A LEFT OR RIGHT HAND TURN THERE IS A KNOCKING NOISE COMING FROM FRONT END. CONSUMER HAS CONTACTED DEALER. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS.*AK
NHTSA ODI #882435
Mileage unknown · Sep 8, 1999
Suspension
WHILE DRIVING AT 70 MPH THE RUBBER ON THE TIRE CAME OFF AND DAMAGED THE BUMPER/ FENDER, AND PART OF THE RUBBER HIT ANOTHER VEHICLE WHICH DAMAGED THE OTHER VEHICLE'S WINDSHIELD. ALSO, SOME TYPE OF NOISE WITHIN THE VEHICLE, AND VEHICLE WAS GOING FROM SIDE TO SIDE. *AK
NHTSA ODI #847167
Mileage unknown · Jul 18, 1997
SteeringSuspension
FAILED SWAY BAR LINKS CAUSED CLUNKING NOISE WHEN TURNING.
NHTSA ODI #519545
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 ↗
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