BOTH RIGHT REAR SEAT BELTS DO NOT RETRACT AND MAKING THEM UNUSEABLE, DEALER HAS INFORMED CONSUMER THAT IT WILL TAKE 7-10 DAYS TO REPAIR PROBLEM.*YH
1997 Mercury Sable
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
Similar to other model years
Owner complaints for the 1997 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: 49 of 228 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 43 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 42 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Vehicle Speed Control. Review the 28 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
228 reportsWHILE MAKING TURNS THE VEHICLE STALLS INTERMITTENTLY, THE DEALER HAS REFUSED TO REPAIR THIS PROBLEM BECAUSE THEY SAY IT IS NEARLY IMPOSSIBLE TO DIAGNOSE. NLM
INTERMITTENTLY WHEN TURNING STEERING WHEEL TO THE LEFT WITHOUT ANY INDICATION VEHICLE WOULD STALL. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK
WHEN STEPPING ON GAS PEDAL RPMS GO UP BUT ENGINE DOESN'T RESPOND. THIS HAPPENS IN THE MORNING AND ACTS INTERMITTENTLY. CONTACTED DEALER, AND DEALER FUEL PUMP NEEDED REPLACEMENT. *AK
WHILE BACKING CAR FROM GARAGE(SLOWLY) RIGHT FRONT COIL SPRING SNAPPED ,STABBING TIRE , SLICING TIRE 360 DRGREES. VEHICLE DROPPED TO FLOOR BREAKING UPPER BEARING ON COIL SPRING. LOOKS LIKE A DEFECT IN THE STEEL AT BREAK AND AT OTHER LOCATIONS ON COIL. HAD THIS HAPPENED AT ANY SPEED A SURE ACCIDENT WAS GOING TO HAPPEN. THIS IS …
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WHILE BACKING CAR FROM GARAGE(SLOWLY) RIGHT FRONT COIL SPRING SNAPPED ,STABBING TIRE , SLICING TIRE 360 DRGREES. VEHICLE DROPPED TO FLOOR BREAKING UPPER BEARING ON COIL SPRING. LOOKS LIKE A DEFECT IN THE STEEL AT BREAK AND AT OTHER LOCATIONS ON COIL. HAD THIS HAPPENED AT ANY SPEED A SURE ACCIDENT WAS GOING TO HAPPEN. THIS IS A SERIOUS FLAW THAT FORD SAYS HAS NO RECALL, THUS NO RECOURSE FOR ME EXCEPT NEVER BUY ANOTHER FORD. THANK YOU ( WHERE ARE THESE COILS MADE MEXICO???)*AK
THE TRANSMISSION FAILED CAUSING THE VEHICLE NOT TO MOVE WHILE AT A STOP LIGHT.
ON MAY 26, 2001 THE 1997 MERCURY SABLE ENGINE COMPLETELY STOPPED AT 45 MILES PER HOUR ON A COUNTRY ROAD. IT WAS TOWED TO TOM'S AUTO SERVICE IN NEW CARLISLE, INDIANA WHERE IT WAS DETERMINED THAT A CORRODED WIRE TO THE FUEL PUMP WAS THE PROBLEM. THEN ON JULY 12, 2001 THE MERCURY SABLE DID THE SAME THING AND WAS AGAIN TOWED TO TO…
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ON MAY 26, 2001 THE 1997 MERCURY SABLE ENGINE COMPLETELY STOPPED AT 45 MILES PER HOUR ON A COUNTRY ROAD. IT WAS TOWED TO TOM'S AUTO SERVICE IN NEW CARLISLE, INDIANA WHERE IT WAS DETERMINED THAT A CORRODED WIRE TO THE FUEL PUMP WAS THE PROBLEM. THEN ON JULY 12, 2001 THE MERCURY SABLE DID THE SAME THING AND WAS AGAIN TOWED TO TOM'S IN NEW CARLISLE, INDIANA WHERE IT WAS DETERMINED THAT A CORRODED WIRE INSIDE OF THE GAS TANK WAS THE PROBLEM. THE MECHANIC INFORMED US THAT HAD THE FUSE NOT BLOWN FIRST, THE GAS TANK WOULD HAVE EXPLODED. HE THEN STATED THAT HE HAS SEEN THIS PROBLEM MANY TIMES BEFORE ON OTHER FORD VEHICLES AND THAT IT IS A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION. WE WANT FORD TO REIMBURSE US FOR THE REPAIRS AND TOWING CHARGES AND TO INFORM OTHER VEHICLE OWNERS THAT THERE IS A POTENTIAL DANGER IF THE WIRES ARE NOT IMMEDIATELY REPLACED. WE NEVER HAD AN PRIOR INDICTATION FROM THE VEHICLE THAT THERE WAS ANY SORT OF PROBLEM, THE VEHICLE DOES NOT SPIT OR SPUTTER OR SLOWLY LOSE POWER, IT JUST COMPLETELY STOPS AND MUST BE COASTED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD.
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOV EVEHICLE. *AK
HAD CAR IN GARAGE SEVERAL TIMES OVER 1 1/2 YEAR FOR ENGINE LIGHT, ALWAYS CODE PO3O3-MISFIRE CYLINDER 3, DEALER ALWAYS FOUND SOMETHING WRONG SO IT SEEMED, LIGHT CONTINED TO COME ON. FINALLY, AT 81,000 DRIVING ON HIGHWAY ENGINE LIGHT FLASHES, LOSE ALL POWER, PULL OVER, COOLANT BLOWN ALL OVER ENGINE, CAR TOWED TO DEALER, FIND IT IS…
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HAD CAR IN GARAGE SEVERAL TIMES OVER 1 1/2 YEAR FOR ENGINE LIGHT, ALWAYS CODE PO3O3-MISFIRE CYLINDER 3, DEALER ALWAYS FOUND SOMETHING WRONG SO IT SEEMED, LIGHT CONTINED TO COME ON. FINALLY, AT 81,000 DRIVING ON HIGHWAY ENGINE LIGHT FLASHES, LOSE ALL POWER, PULL OVER, COOLANT BLOWN ALL OVER ENGINE, CAR TOWED TO DEALER, FIND IT IS BLOWN HEAD GASKET, ENGINE DAMAGE, NEED NEW ENGINE. TOLD VEHICLE OVERHEATED SEVERAL TIMES, NEVER ONCE DID IT OVERHEAT WHILE DRIVING IT. FIND NUMEROUS PROBLEMS WITH THESE CARS AND HEAD GASKET PROBLEMS, ASKE QUESTIONS OF DEALER AND FORD MOTOR CO. NEVER A STRAIGHT ANSWER, JUST "NOT YOUR CAR" AND "IT'S NOT UNDER WARRANTY, WE CAN'T HELP YOU" NOW OWNER MUST PAY 3200 + TO REPLACE ENGINE AND ADD COOLANT BYPASS SYSTEM TO NEW ENGINE BECAUSE OF PROBLEMS WITH THE ENGINE COOLANT SYSTEM. FORD MOTOR CO. TAKING NO RESPONSIBILITY AT ALL. READ NUMEROUS REPORTS OF BLOWN HEADS, BLOWN ENGINES, COOLANT PROBLEMS. NEED ANWERS, PLEASE!!!! NO ONE IS COOPERATING AT ALL.*AK
PAINT HAS PEELED AND NOW THE METAL IS RUSTING AROUND ALL EDGES OF THE HOOD. NO SAFETY DEFECT. *AK
Official recalls
398V028000 · Exterior Lighting:headlights
Feb 10, 1998
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE TEXT AND/OR GRAPHICS FOR THE VEHICLE HEADLAMP AIMING INSTRUCTIONS PROVIDED IN THE OWNER GUIDES ARE NOT SUFFICIENTLY CLEAR. THIS DOES NOT MEET THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT."
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IF THE HEADLAMP ASSEMBLIES ARE REPLACED, CUSTOMERS MAY BE CONFUSED BY THE AIMING INSTRUCTIONS PROVIDED IN THE OWNER GUIDES CAUSING THE HEADLAMPS TO BE IMPROPERLY AIMED.
Remedy: OWNER GUIDES CONTAINING REVISED AIMING INSTRUCTIONS WILL BE MAILED TO OWNERS OF THESE VEHICLES.
97V097000 · Power Train:automatic Transmission
Jun 9, 1997
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH AX4S AUTOMATIC TRANSAXLES. THE LOW/INTERMEDIATE SERVO COVER CAN SEPARATE FROM THE TRANSAXLE WHILE THE VEHICLE IS BEING DRIVEN. IF THIS OCCURS, TRANSMISSION FLUID WILL LEAK CONTACTING THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER TEMPERATURE MAY BE HOT ENOUGH TO IGNITE THE TRANSMISSION FLUID AND CAUSE A VEHICLE FIRE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE TRANSMISSION AND REPLACE THESE SERVO COVERS.
96V166000 · Power Train:automatic Transmission:gear Position Indication (prndl)
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.
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
0No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.
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