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.
10 crash reports5 fire reports9 injury reports
What owners actually said
228 reports
Mileage unknown · Feb 4, 2000
Service Brakes, HydraulicSuspension
CONSUMER HAS PROBLEM WITH SUSPENSION. VEHICLE SITS SO LOW TO THE GROUND THAT IN SNOW LIKE WEATHER, BRAKES FREEZE UP, AND PERFORM POORLY UNTIL CAR IS FULLY WARMED UP. CONSUMER NOW BELIEVES THAT HER CLAIMS WERE TOO HASTY AND THAT ALL LOW RIDING CARS HAVE THIS PROBLEM, CAR SIMPLY IS NOT SUITED FOR COUNTRY DRIVING CONDITIONS. *…
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CONSUMER HAS PROBLEM WITH SUSPENSION. VEHICLE SITS SO LOW TO THE GROUND THAT IN SNOW LIKE WEATHER, BRAKES FREEZE UP, AND PERFORM POORLY UNTIL CAR IS FULLY WARMED UP. CONSUMER NOW BELIEVES THAT HER CLAIMS WERE TOO HASTY AND THAT ALL LOW RIDING CARS HAVE THIS PROBLEM, CAR SIMPLY IS NOT SUITED FOR COUNTRY DRIVING CONDITIONS. *AK *ML
NHTSA ODI #856288
Mileage unknown · Jan 18, 2000
Exterior Lighting
DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHT MODULE FAULTY, LOCATION OF MODULE IS BELOW THE ACID STORAGE BATTERY WHICH CREATES A CORROSION PROBLEM. MJS
NHTSA ODI #550441
Mileage unknown · Jan 14, 2000
Electrical SystemPower TrainSeats
THATS IT THE TRANSMISSION WENT OUT AT 45,000, THE WHEEL BEARING WENT OUT SOON AFTER PURCHASED, THE INTERIOR ELECTRICAL WENT OUT SOON AFTER PURCHASE ALSO THE POWER SEAT QUIT WORKING.
NHTSA ODI #717357
Mileage unknown · Jan 3, 2000
Fuel System, Gasoline
WIRING WITHIN THE GAS TANK HAS NO COVERING CAUSING THE HOSE CLAMP TO RUB AGAINST AN ELECTICAL WIRING, RESULTING IN A FIRE HAZARD. CONSUMER HAS CONTACTED THE DEALER, DEALER HAS PLACED A COVERING OVER THE WIRING. *AK *ML
NHTSA ODI #854630
Mileage unknown · Dec 21, 1999
Vehicle Speed Control
ON-GOING / INTERMITTENT PROBLEM WITH HIGH SURGE / ENGINE ACELERATION. PROBLEM OCCURS IN STOP/GO TRAFFIC AT HIGHWAY SPEED OR AT A STOP POSTION. PROBLEM HAS OCCURRED ON FIVE OCCASIONS. DEALER NOTIFIED, AND UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. *AK
NHTSA ODI #854270
Mileage unknown · Dec 16, 1999
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingPower Train
WHILE DRIVING TRANSMISSION COMPLETELY MALFUNCTIONED, CAUSE UNKNOWN. ALSO TACHOMETER NEEDLE REGISTERING TOO HIGH, SMOKE COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD, AND OIL SMELL. *AK
NHTSA ODI #851787
Mileage unknown · Nov 3, 1999
Engine And Engine Cooling
WHILE DRIVING HEAVY EXHAUST FUMES ENTERED INTO THE VEHICLE WHICH CAUSED THE OCCUPANT TO FEEL SICK AND ALMOST PASSED OUT, WHICH COULD HAVE RESULTED IN A CRASH. EARIER REPLACED THE CATALITIC CONVERTER WHICH WAS CRACKED AND CAUSED THE FUMES TO ENTER INTO THE VEHICLE. *AK
NHTSA ODI #852471
Mileage unknown · Oct 29, 1999
Power Train
TRANSMISSION SHIFTS ERRATICALLY. YH
NHTSA ODI #549403
Mileage unknown · Oct 12, 1999
Fuel System, GasolineFuel System, Other
WHEN THE VEHICLE GETS DOWN TO A HALF A TANK OF GAS GAS GUAGE INDICATES THAT THE VEHICLE IS ON EMPTY. ALSO THE FUEL GAUGE COMES ON. DEALER CAN'T FIX THE PROBLEM. *AK
NHTSA ODI #850405
Mileage unknown · Sep 23, 1999
Power Train
FROM THE DAY I PURCHASED MY BRAND NEW 1997 MERCURY SABLE I HAVE HAD TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS. THE DEALERSHIP REPLACED THE TRANS AT APPROX 31,600 MILES. NOW THE COOLER LINE IS LEAKING EXTREMELY BAD. I AM UNABLE TO DRIVE IT AND NEED TO HAVE IT TOWED TO THE DEALER. THE VEHICLE HAS 49,000 MILES SO 18,000 MILES AFTER THE TRANSMISSIO…
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FROM THE DAY I PURCHASED MY BRAND NEW 1997 MERCURY SABLE I HAVE HAD TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS. THE DEALERSHIP REPLACED THE TRANS AT APPROX 31,600 MILES. NOW THE COOLER LINE IS LEAKING EXTREMELY BAD. I AM UNABLE TO DRIVE IT AND NEED TO HAVE IT TOWED TO THE DEALER. THE VEHICLE HAS 49,000 MILES SO 18,000 MILES AFTER THE TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED, AGAIN I AM HAVING TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS. PLEASE ADVISE.
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.
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.
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
0
No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.
1997 Mercury Sable Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year
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