1992 Mercury Sable

Defect. VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES ORIGINALLY SOLD OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, IOWA, KANSAS, KENTUCKY, MAINE, MARYLAND, MASSACHUSETTS, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA, MISSOURI, NEBRASKA, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW JERSEY, NEW YORK, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, RHODE ISLAND, VERMONT, VIRGINIA, WEST VIRGNIA, AND WISCONSIN. THE REAR LOWER SUBFRAME MOUNT PLATE NUT CAN EXPERIENCE STRESS CORROSION CRACKING IF SUBJECTED TO LONG TERM EXPOSURE TO ROAD SALTS. THIS CAN RESULT IN FRACTURE AND LOSS OF THE STRUCTURAL INTEGRITY OF THE SUBFRAME MOUNT ATTACHMENT. DETACHMENT OF THE BODY MOUNTS AT THE REAR CORNERS OF THE SUBFRAME, WHICH SUPPORTS THE ENGINE AND TRANSMISSION, ALLOWS THE REAR CORNERS OF THE SUBFRAME TO DROP.

Risk. IF BOTH REAR CORNERS DROP, STEERING WOULD BECOME SUDDENLY VERY DIFFICULT, AFFECTING VEHICLE CONTROL AND INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy. DEALERS WILL INSTALL SUBFRAME REAR MOUNT BOLTS, REINFORCEMENT PLATES, AND PLATE NUTS.

Defect. VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 3.8L ENGINES AND ORIGINALLY SOLD OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE FOLLOWING STATES: ALASKA, COLORADO, IOWA, IDAHO, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, KANSAS, MASSACHUSETTS, MAINE, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA, MISSOURI, MONTANA, NORTH DAKOTA, NEBRASKA, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW YORK, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, SOUTH DAKOTA, VERMONT, WISCONSIN, AND WYOMING. WATER CAN ACCUMULATE WITHIN THE SPEED CONTROL CABLE CONDUIT. IF ENOUGH WATER ACCUMULATES, IT COULD FREEZE WITHIN A LOW AREA OF THE CABLE ROUTING WHEN EXPOSED TO A LONG TERM COLD SOAK AT TEMPERATURES AT LEAST SEVERAL DEGREES BELOW FREEZING.

Risk. DRIVER CONTROL OF VEHICLE SPEED USING THE SPEED CONTROL SYSTEM OR THE ACCELERATOR CONTROL SYSTEM WOULD BE DIMINISHED INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy. DEALERS WILL ADD A BOOT TO THE SPEED CONTROL CABLE.

Defect. THESE VEHICLES ARE ORIGINALLY SOLD OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE FOLLOWING STATES: ALASKA, IOWA, MINNESOTA, NEBRASKA, NORTH DAKOTA, AND SOUTH DAKOTA. THE VEHICLES INVOLVED ARE 1992-1994 TEMPO/TOPAZ VEHICLES WITH 3.0L ENGINES; 1994 TEMPO/TOPAZ WITH 2.3L ENGINES; 1992-1995 TAURUS/SABLE WITH 3.8L ENGINES; 1994-1995 TAURUS/SABLE WITH 3.0L ENGINES AND 1992-1994 LINCOLN CONTINENTAL VEHICLES WITH 3.8L ENGINES. DURING HIGH WINDS, HEAVY, BLOWING AND DRIFTING SNOW, AND LOW TEMPERATURES, THE ENGINE COOLING FAN CAN BECOME BLOCKED OR FROZEN WITH SNOW. THE FAN MOTOR MAY NOT ROTATE AND COULD OVERHEAT.

Risk. THIS CONDITION CAN CAUSE SMOKE OR FLAMES FROM THE FAN AND/OR SHROUD, THE FAN ELECTRICAL WIRING, OR THE FAN MOTOR RESULTING IN A VEHICLE FIRE.

Remedy. DEALERS WILL INSTALL AN ELECTRICAL JUMPER HARNESS CONTAINING AN AUTOMATIC RESETTING CIRCUIT BREAKER TO PROTECT THE FAN MOTOR LOW SPEED CIRCUITRY FROM OVERHEATING.

Defect. THE ARC WELDS ON THE SWAY BAR BRACKET, WHERE IT ATTACHES TO THE STRUT RESERVE TUBE, DID NOT FUSE PROPERLY.

Risk. OVER TIME, A PORTION OF THE BRACKET CAN TEAR AWAY FROM THE STRUT, FALLING INTO AND PUNCTURING THE TIRE OR CAUSING DAMAGE TO THE WHEEL, WHICH COULD RESULT IN AN ACCIDENT.

Remedy. MONROE DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE STRUT FREE OF CHARGE.

Defect. CHILDREN CAN ACCIDENTALLY LOCK THEMSELVES IN THE FOOTWELL AREA OF THE REAR-FACING THIRD SEAT, OR IN THE STORAGE COMPARTMENT IN STATION WAGONS NOT EQUIPPED WITH AN OPTIONAL THIRD SEAT. ONCE THE COMPARTMENT IS CLOSED IT CANNOT BE OPENED FROM THE INSIDE.

Risk. THERE IS A DANGER OF AIR DEPRIVATION, HYPERTHERMIA,AND/OR PANIC RESPONSE TO A CHILD WHO HAS LOCKED HIMSELF OR HERSELF INTO THECOMPARTMENT, WITH THE POSSIBILITY OF ASPHYXIATION.

Remedy. REPLACE THE SELF-LATCHING ASSEMBLY CURRENTLY USED IN THE REAR STORAGE COMPARTMENT WITH A LATCH ASSEMBLY THAT CAN ONLY BE CLOSED WITH A KEY.

THE TIRE VALVE ON MY RIGHT REAR TIRE FAILED WHILE THE CAR WAS GARAGED. THIS WAS THE SECOND VALVE FAILURE IN A PAIR OF TIRES INSTALLED ON 04/27/2007. THE FIRST VALVE FAILED (ON THE OTHER TIRE IN THE PAIR) ON 04/26/2009 WHILE THE CAR WAS ALSO PARKED, BUT ABOUT 30 MILES FROM HOME (SEE ODI NUMBER 10279930). *TR

WHILE AT A DESTINATION ABOUT 30 MILES FROM HOME, MY LEFT-FRONT TIRE VALVE FAILED JUST AS I WAS ABOUT TO ENTER THE PARKED CAR TO HEAD HOME. THE AIR WHOOSHED LOUDLY OUT OF THE TIRE AS I WATCHED IT DEFLATE BEFORE MY EYES. I CALLED AAA FOR ASSISTANCE IN CHANGING THE TIRE AND TOOK THE FLAT TIRE TO MY DEALER THE FOLLOWING DAY FOR REPLACEMENT OF THE DEFECTIVE TIRE VALVE. THE VALVE WAS INSTALLED AS PART OF A NEW-TIRE INSTALLATION ON 04/24/2007 BY MY FORD DEALER. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1992 MERCURY SABLE. WHEN THE CONTACT TOOK HIS VEHICLE TO A LOCAL MECHANIC, CORROSION WAS DISCOVERED IN THE STEERING COLUMN. HE ALSO DISCOVERED THAT HE WAS EXPERIENCING THE SAME FAILURE LISTED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 98V323000 (STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS). THE MANUFACTURER WAS UNABLE TO PROVIDE ASSISTANCE; HOWEVER, THEY STATED THAT BECAUSE IT HAD EXCEEDED TEN YEARS, THE PARTS WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 85,591. UPDATED 10/16/08. *LJ THE VEHICLE WOULD PULL TO THE SIDE. UPDATED 10/17/08. *JB

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1992 MERCURY SABLE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD THUMPING NOISE. APPROXIMATELY THIRTY SECONDS LATER, THE VEHICLE SHUT OFF. HE PUSHED THE VEHICLE TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND NOTICED THAT THE FRONT FRAME FAILED. TWO DAYS LATER, THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AAA. A LOCAL MECHANIC ARRIVED A WEEK LATER AND STATED THAT THERE WAS WEAR AND TEAR ON THE FRONT FRAME BUSHING SWAY BAR, WHICH CAUSED THE FRONT FRAME TO FAIL. HE NOTIFIED THE MANUFACTURER AND THEY STATED THAT THERE WAS A RECALL FOR THE REAR FRAME, BUT NOT THE FRONT. THE MANUFACTURER WOULD NOT PROVIDE ANY FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE WITH THE REPAIRS AND STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT WORTH REPAIRING. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 100,000. UPDATED 11/06/07 *TR

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT LOW SPEEDS DOWN A HILL AND TRYING TO STOP THE VEHICLE STALLED. ALL THE LIGHTS ON THE DASHBOARD ILLUMINATED PRIOR TO THE VEHICLE STALLING. THE BRAKES DID NOT WORK WHEN THIS OCCURRED. THE PARKING BRAKE MUST BE USED TO STOP THE VEHICLE. AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP HAS BEEN UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM.*AK UPDATED 1/25/2006 - THE MANUFACTURER INDICATED THERE WERE NOT RECALLS RELATED TO THE FAILURE. *NM

THE CONSUMER'S GENERAL TIRES DEVELOPED SEPARATION BETWEEN THE TREAD AND THE CORE. *TS *SC

DT: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT THE CONSUMER STRUCK A DEER AND EXPERIENCED DIFFICULTY STOPPING WITH THE BRAKES. THERE WAS DAMAGE TO THE FRONT HOOD AND HEADLIGHTS. NO POLICE REPORT WAS TAKEN. HE DROVE THE VEHICLE HOME. UPON INSPECTION THERE WAS CORROSION ON BRAKE LINES. HE SUSPECTED THIS WAS DUE TO DISSIMILAR METAL CORROSION AND ROAD SALTS. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED AT THIS TIME. *AK UPDATED 12/27/05. *JB THE BRAKE LINE BURST.

MERCURY SABLE 1992 POWER STEERING LEAKED. *BF THE LEAK WAS COMING FROM THE RACK AND PINION. *NM

THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN IN A FRONTAL CRASH AT 35-40 MPH AND NONE OF THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. NO INJURIES WERE REPORTED AND THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED. *JB

I WAS ON THE HIGHWAY SO I PUT ON THE CRUISE CONTROL, WHEN I HIT THE BRAKES THE CAR SLOWED DOWN, THEN WHEN I REASLED THE BRAKES THE CAR RADILY SPEED UP, AND IT IS HARD TO SHUT IT OFF.*AK

WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH REAR SUB FRAME MOUNT BUSHING SEPARATED FROM THE VEHICLE. RECALL 98V323000 FOR THE SUB FRAME MOUNT BOLTS WAS ISSUED. DEALER REFUSED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE BECAUSE IT WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO VIN. *AK

WHILE DRIVING TRANSMISSION MADE A LOUD NOISE. THEN IT COMPLETELY FAILED. *AK

SUB FRAME RUSTED DUE TO THE PROBLEM AS DESCRIBED IN THE SUB FRAME CORROSION RECALL 98V323000. HOWEVER, THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INVOLVED IN THE RECALL DUE TO VIN. *AK

CORROSION OF PASSENGER SIDE REAR SUB FRAME, ALOWING ENGINE TO DROP DOWN, CAUSING A POSSIBLE FATAL DRIVING CONDITION. SUB FRAME BOLTS REPLACED IN A RECALL. ENTIRE SUB FRAME WAS REPLACED WITH A NEW ORIGINAL PART FROM FORD, AT A $1,100 COST TO MYSELF. *AK

MY HEAD GASKETS KEEP BLOWING .. I REALIZE THIS IS A OLDER MODEL CAR HOWEVER JUST B/C IM A SINGLE FEMALE WHO DIDNT EVEN KNOW WHAT A RECALL WAS/IS DOESNT MEAN THAT I SHOULDNT BE ENTITLED TO PERHAPS A REEMBURSMENT OR TO HAVE MY CAR FIXED PROPERLY I HAVE BEEN OUT SO MUCH MONEY ON THIS CAR AND THE MOTOR AND I ALWAYS ALWAYS DO AS DIRECTED WITH OIL CHANGES AND WATER CHECKINGS I JUST DONT UNDERSTAND WHY I WASNT EVER NOTIFIED OF THE DANGERS OF MY COOLING SYSTEMS AND MY MOTOR. I AM A WIDOW WITH 3 CHILDREN AND I CANT AFFORD TO KEEP HAVING MY HEADS DONE OR MY MOTOR WORKED ON PLEASE GUIDE ME IN THE DIRECTION OF SOMEONE THAT COULD PERHAPS FIX THIS PROBLEM ONCE AND FOR ALL. *AK

SEVERE PAINT EROSION/FLAKING/DISCOLORATION....HAS BEEN NOTICEABLE AND PROGRESSING WORSE SINCE ABOUT 1997.

1ST ONE REMOVE & REPLACE TIMING COVER/PUMP, HOUSING, REPLACE STUDS, WATER PUMP, RENEW COOLANT. COST $1,079.60 2ND R&R HEADGASKETS/ $1,304.10. I WOULD LIKE FOR SOMEONE TO LET ME KNOW IF I COULD GET SOME OF MY MONEY BACK BECAUSE THIS WAS A RECALL A BAD PART WHICH I HAD NO KNOWLEDGE OF. UNTIL I HAD TO HAVE IT REPAIRED. FORD SAID THAT I WAS 9 MONTHS TO LATE UNDER WARRANTY. I AM THE SECOND OWNER OF THIS CAR HOW WOULD I HAVE KNOWN THAT FORD HAD A PROBLM WITH THIS KIND OF CAR. ANY TYPE OF HELP WOULD BE APPRECIATED. I'M A SINGLE MOM AND I CAN'T AFFORD TO HAVE THIS KIND OF CAR REPAIR. I HAD TO USE MY RENT MONEY INORDER TO GET MY CAR OUT OF THE SHOP. I JUST WANT SOMEKIND OF REPAYMENT A HEAD GASKET IS SUPPOSE TO LAST THE LIFE OF THE CAR. IT WILL BE JUST THREE YEARS THIS OCTOBER FOR ME THAT I HAVE HAD THE CAR. IT'S NOT MY PROBLEM THAT THEY PUT IN BAD PARTS AND KNEW THAT THEY NEEDED TO BE TAKEN CARE OF. BUT NO ONE WANTED TO PAY THE COST SO A LOT OF CUSTOMERS DIDN'T GET RECALL LETTERS INORDER TO TAKE CARE OF THE PROBLEM. I'M SURE THAT IF ANYONE THAT OWNED THIS CAR WOULD HAVE HAD THE REPAIRS DONE AT THE COST OF THE COMPANY. WHY WOULD THERE BE A TIME LIMIT SET ON MAJOR PART LIKE THAT. SO PEOPLE DON'T EXPERIENCE THE PROBLEM UNTIL YEARS AND THAT'S WHAT HAPPENED TO ME. I JUST WANT SOME KIND OF RESPONSE TOWARD THIS PROBLEM. THANK YOU MS. PATRICIA REESE P.O. BOX 59 SHIRLEY, NY 11967-0059

THE CAR IS A 1992 MERCURY SABLE 3.8L V-6 ENGINE WITH 93,000 MILES. THE HEAD GASKETS NEED TO BE REPLACED. I HAVE BEEN QUOTED AN ESTIMATE OF $1,000 TO FIX THE PROBLEM. I AM THE SECOND OWNER OF THE AUTOMOBILE AND IT HAS BEEN WELL MAINTAINED. THE CAR BROKE DOWN ON JUNE 25, 2003 AND IS CURRENTLY PARKED AT THE MECHANIC'S SHOP.

WHEN BRAKING HARD, THE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR RESULTING IN LOSS OF BRAKES. I HAD TO USE THE E-BRAKE AND PUMP THE REGULAR PEDAL TO STOP. BRAKE FLUID WAS LEAKING FROM LINE LOCATED IN ENGINE COMPARTMENT NEXT TO DRIVER SIDE FRONT WHEEL WELL. *LA

WHILE DRIVING UNDER NORMAL CONDITIONS STEERING WHEEL SUDDENLY LOCKED UP WITHOUT WARNING. CONSUMER STOPPED VEHICLE, TURNED ON HAZARDS, AND NOTICED TRANSMISSION AND MOTOR HAD DROPPED. IT WAS LATER DETERMINED THAT THE SUBFRAME RUSTED AROUND BOTH REAR BUSHINGS. *AK *NLM