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: 27 of 304 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.
Power Train. Review the 69 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 60 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Steering. Review the 36 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
20 crash reports9 fire reports17 injury reports
What owners actually said
304 reports
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
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
Mileage unknown · Jul 9, 2003
Air BagsCrashInjury
CONSUMER STATES THAT WHEN VEHICLE WAS HIT IN THE FRONT CENTER AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY, CAUSING MINOR INJURIES TO THE CONSUMER. DEALER NOTIFIED. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10026856
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
Mileage unknown · Apr 10, 2003
Latches/locks/linkages
THE DRIVER'S DOOR LOCK DID NOT FUNCTION PROPERLY. IT CONSTANTLY JAMMED NOT ALLOWING CONSUMER TO OPEN THE DOOR. *NLM
NHTSA ODI #10015568
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
46,650 miles · Feb 16, 2003
Power Train
CAR IS A 1996 MERCURY SABLE, VIN [XXX], WITH A DEFECTIVE TRANSMISSION. CAR WOULD LUNGE AND JERK AS CAR WOULD SLOW AND THEN RE-ACCELERATE (SUCH AS GOING INTO AND OUT OF A CURVE IN TOWN, OR APPROACHING A RED LIGHT THAT CHANGED TO GREEN BEFORE THE CAR COMPLETELY STOPPED.) CAR WAS FIRST WORKED ON 9/9/1999, AT WHICH TIME THE CAR H…
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CAR IS A 1996 MERCURY SABLE, VIN [XXX], WITH A DEFECTIVE TRANSMISSION. CAR WOULD LUNGE AND JERK AS CAR WOULD SLOW AND THEN RE-ACCELERATE (SUCH AS GOING INTO AND OUT OF A CURVE IN TOWN, OR APPROACHING A RED LIGHT THAT CHANGED TO GREEN BEFORE THE CAR COMPLETELY STOPPED.) CAR WAS FIRST WORKED ON 9/9/1999, AT WHICH TIME THE CAR HAD 28,156 MILES ON IT. THE DEALER REPLACED A SENSOR UNDER WARRANTY. THE SYMPTOMS AGAIN STARTED OCCURRING ABOUT A YEAR LATER. WHEN SERVICED ON 5/15/2001, THE DEALER COULD NOT FIND THE SOURCE OF THE PROBLEM. FINALLY, THE TRANSMISSION FAILED IN APRIL 2002. THE TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED 4/24/2002 WITH LESS THAN 47,000 MILES ON THE CAR. THE CAR HAD AN EXTENDED WARRANTY FROM FORD. AT THE TIME OF THE FAILURE, THE WARRANTY HAD EXPIRED FOR TIME (GREATER THAN 5 YEARS) BUT NOT MILEAGE. HOWEVER, THE CAR WAS COVERED BY THE WARRANTY (TIME AND MILEAGE) DURING BOTH THE SEPTEMBER 1999 AND MAY 2001 SERVICES. HAD THE FAULT BEEN PROPERLY DIAGNOSED AT EITHER TIME WHILE STILL UNDER WARRANTY, MY CONTENTION IS THAT THE TRANSMISSION WOULD NOT HAVE FAILED. I CURRENTLY HAVE THE TRANSMISSION. THE GEARING SYSTEM HAS NOTCHES IN THE TEETH. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
NHTSA ODI #10007614
Mileage unknown · Feb 11, 2003
Vehicle Speed ControlCrash
WHEN THE BRAKE WAS APPLIED, THE VEHICLE LUNGED FORWARD AND ACCELERATED INTO SOME NEARBY TRASH CANS AND A WOODEN FENCE. *JG *JB
NHTSA ODI #10006304
96,500 miles · Feb 9, 2003
Engine And Engine CoolingInterior Lighting
THE WATER PUMP FAILED ON A 1996 MERCURY SABLE BECAUSE SAND FROM THE ENGINE CASTING GOT INTO THE WATER PUMP
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 ↗
NHTSA investigations
0
No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.
1996 Mercury Sable Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year
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