1996 Mercury Sable complaints

I AM HAVING A HARD TIME GETTING FORD PAY FOR THE PROBLEM WITH A WARRANTY. NO SUMMARY ISSUED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK

CHECK ENGINE LIGHT APPEARED BECAUSE ENGINE FAILED RESULTING IN OVER HEATING. YH

THE BATTERY WAS INEXPLICABLY DRAINED 6 WEEKS AFTER WE PURCHASED THE CAR. TWO DAYS AGO, THE CAR SLIPPED INTO NEUTRAL WITHOUT WARNING WHENEVER I TURNED OR SLOWED DOWN. NOW, IT SLIPS INTO NEUTRAL ALL OF THE TIME.

THIS PROBLEM MATCHES THE DESCRIPTION OF SERVICE PROGRAM NUMBER 98B23, WHICH EXPIRED ON AUGUST 31, 1999. THE ORIGINAL NOTIFICATION ABOUT THIS PROGRAM WAS SENT TO MY OLD ADRESS, FROM WICH I MOVED OUT ON MAY 1998. I FEEL THAT THIS FAILURE IS A RECOGNIZED MANUFACTURER'S DEFECT AND IT SHOULD BE REPAIRED BY THE COMPANY AT NO COST TO THE OWNER. *AK

NONE

WELL, THE TRANSMISSION I HAVE, IM ON MY SECOND ONE (THEY SORTA REPLACED/REBUILT MY OLD ONE) IS NO DIFFERENT THAN THE OLD ONE. I MEAN AT LEAST IT USES THE 2ND GEAR, WHICH THE OTHER ONE NEVER DID. NOW I THOUGHT THIS WAS AN ISOLATED INCIDENT UNTIL I ASKED AROUND. TWO OF MY FRIENDS HAVE SABLE'S IN THEIR FAMILIES, ONE IS A '96 LIKE MINE, THE OTHER A '97 AND BOTH OF THEIR CARS HAVE HAD SERIOUS TRANSMISSION TROUBLES. MY FRIEND'S '96 DOESNT EVEN WORK ANYMORE, HES RATHER ANGRY ABOUT THAT AND MY OTHER FRIENDS '97 IS SHAKY. IM WORRIED NOW BECAUSE IM OUT OF WARRANTY, I ONLY HAVE A LITTLE OVER 20K ON MY CAR, I DRIVE IT REALLY NICELY, THIS SHOULDNT HAVE HAPPENED. I FEEL ITS MY DUTY TO TELL YOU GUYS I BELIEVE THIS SHOULD BE RECALLED, SOMEONE WILL GET SERIOUSLY HURT FROM THIS ONE DAY IM SURE, BUT IM SURE IT WOULD TAKE 50+ PEOPLE BEFORE ANYONE DOES ANYTHING AND THAT ISNT GOING TO HAPPEN, SO IM LEFT WITH THIS GREAT CAR AND A TERRIBLE TRANSMISSION. IF YOU THINK YOU COULD GET A RECALL GOING ON THESE TRANSMISSIONS, OR YOU NEED ANY INFO, CALL ME BEFORE 1AM CDT PLEASE AT 972-964-1713

WHILE PULLING FROM A PARKING SPACE, A PIECE OF METAL BROKE OFF ON THE INSIDE OF THE TRANSMISSION CAUSING THE GEARS TO LOCK UP AND ALSO THE TRANSFER CASE CRACK FROM THE INSIDE OUT. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED, COMPLETE TRANSMISSION REBUILT.

BRAKE SHIFT INTERLOCK PERMITTED SHIFT FROM PARK WITH ENGINE RUNNING WITHOUT FOOT PRESSURE ON BRAKE PEDAL

AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION BURNT UP AFTER 2 MILE TRIP

WITHOUT THE KEY IN THE IGNITION AND VEHICLE IN THE PARK POSITION, THE VEHICLE ROLLS FORWARD ON FLAT SURFACE. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *AK

ENGINE CHECK LIGHT COMES ON INTERMITTENTLY. *AK

WHEN DRIVING AT ANY RATE OF SPEED VEHICLE WILL INTERMITTENTLY SHUTDOWN WITHOUT WARNING. CAUSE UNKNOWN. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *AK

AT HIGHWAY SPEED, FUEL PUMP FAILED, BLEW A FUSE; THE MOTOR STOPPED.

DURING ACCELLERATION FROM STOP TO MAKE LEFT TURN, TRANSMISSION DISSENGAGED. REAR BEARING FAILURE CAUSED DISSINTEGRATION OF TRANSMISSION. DEALER SUSPECTED FAULTY COMPONENTS/ASSEMBLY BUT WAS UNWILLING TO COVER UNDER WARRANTEE WHICH EXPIRED ONLY 5000 MILES EARLIER. CONTACTED MANUFACTURER WHO CLAIMED NO RESPONSIBILITY.

HAD REC'D RECALL NOTICE #98V198000 IN MAIL. CONTACTED DEALER. TOOK VEHICLE FOR APPT. HAD VEHICLE REPAIRED. BEEN HAVING PROBLEMS WITH HEATER CORE WHICH WAS REPLACED 6 TIMES. COOLANT SYSTEM BLOWING INTO VEHICLE. CAN SMELL IT. MECHANIC CAN NOT LOCATE CAUSE OF PROBLEM. *AK

AUTOMOBILE WAS PARKED ON THE STREET, AND WHEN WIFE ATTEMPTED TO TURN THE AUTO ON, PASSENGER'S SIDE AND DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. CONSUMER'S WIFE SUSTAINES BURNS ON BODY. *AK

THIS DID NOT SHOW UP UNTIL AROUND THE SUMMER OF '97,WHEN I BOUGHT THE CAR. THIS IS BECAUSE,IT ONLY HAPPENS WHEN THE CAR HAS SAT IN SUN FOR AWHILE. THEN ON THE ROAD AT AROUND 60MPR YOU GET THIS HIGH WHISTLE,WHICH SEEMS TO COME FROM SOMEWHERE ON THE PASSENGER SIDE OUTSIDE AROUND THE ENGINE AREA. THE NOISE VARIES DEPENDING ON THE SPEED(SEEMS TO STOP UNDER 55) AND VARIATIONS IN THE ROADWAY. MY OWN GUESS IS THAT SOMETHING EXPANDS IN THE HEAT OF THE SUN AND WHEN AIR AT A CERTAIN SPEED COMES IN CONTACT IT EITHER VIBRATES OR IT'S THE AIR GOING THROUGH IT. THE DEALER HAS LOOKED,GUESSED IT WAS A MISSING SCREW JUST BELOW THE WINDSHELD(WRONG!) AND GAVE UP.THIS MAY NOT SOUND LIKE A SAFETY HAZZARD BUT IT IS VERY DISTRACTING AFTER SEVERAL MILES.AND LIKE I SAID IT ONLY SEEMS TO HAPPEN IN THE HOT SUN. WOULD APPRECIATE ANY HELP YOU HAVE TO OFFER. IT'S DRIVING MY WIFE CRAZY. THANK YOU

HEATER CORE FAILDED THREE TIMES WITHIN A YEAR

WHEN STOPPING AT A LIGHT AND TAKING OFF AGAIN THE CAR TAKES A FEW SECONDS TO MOVE. WHEN IT DOES MOVE, VEHICLE JERKS FORWARD HARD ENOUGH TO CAUSE WHIPLASH. DEALER SAYS THE VEHICLE NEEDS A NEW TRANSMISSION. *AK

THE HEATER CORE HAD BLOWN OUT 6 TIMES SINCE IT WAS REPAIRED UNDER RECALL. WOULD START BLOWING ANT-IFREEZE INSIDE OF VEHICLE, EVEN WHEN AIR CONDITIONER IS OFF. *AK

INTERMITTENTLY ENGINE CHECK LIGHT ILLUMINATES WHILE DRIVING. THE DEALER HAS INSPECTED VEHICLE AND HAS NOT BEEN ABLE TO DUPLICATE OR CORRECT THE PROBLEM. *AK

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

MY 1996 MERCURY SABLE HAS DEVELOPED SEVERAL POWER STEERING PROBLEMS 1 MONTH AFTER WARRANTY WHICH FORD DEALER REFUSES TO FIX. *AK

POWER STEERING GEAR AND THE RETURN LINE IS LEAKING STEERING FLUID. THE DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. RACK & PINION ASSEMBLY (ORIGINAL) IS DEFECTIVE. *YC

WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY AT APPROX. 65-70 MPH NOTICED ENGINE CHECK LIGHT AND BATTERY LIGHT COMING ON. PULLED OVER, TURNED OFF VEHICLE, AND LOOKED UNDER HOOD. NOTICED ENGINE COOLANT OVERFLOWING ONTO GROUND. TRIED TO START VEHICLE, BUT ENGINE WOULD NOT START. VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY DEALER ,AND INFORMED CONSUMER THAT ENGINE HAD SUCKED UP THE WATER FROM THE AIR FILTER WHICH CAUSED THE ENGINE HEAD TO CRACK. CAN NHTSA HELP IN THIS MATTER, AND PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. *AK

WHILE IN THE DRIVEWAY TURNED THE WHEEL AND THE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED ON BOTH SIDES. CONSUMER CONTACTED DEALER. *AK

HOT WIRE TO FUEL PUMP RUBBING AGAINST SENDING UNIT, WEARING THROUGH THE INSULATION RESULTING IN BLOWN FUEL PUMP FUSES. NLM

WHEN COMING TO A STOP, THE TRANSMISSION WOULD DISENGAGE OUT OF DRIVE INTO NEUTRAL. THIS HAS HAPPENED NUMEROUS TIMES. HAVE BEEN TO DEALER & SO FAR NOTHING FOUND.*AK

OWNER HAD HEATER CORE REPLACED 3 TIMES,AND FUMES STILL ENTER INTO THE VEHICLE, OWNER THINKS FUMES CAN CAUSE FIRE. *AK

WHILE DRIVING IN HEAVY RAIN ON HIGHWAY, SIGNALED TO EXIT AND WIPERS FROZE CAUSING LOSS OF VISION. HAD TO EXIT HIGHWAY BY LOOKING AT SHOULDER OF ROAD. STOPPED CAR AND PLAYED WITH WIPER SWITCH, TURNING OFF AND ON. WIPERS FAIL WHEN RIGHT TURN SIGNAL APPLIED. CALLED DEALERSHIP WHERE PURCHASED AND TOLD NO RECALL ON VEHICLE. WIFE REMEMBERS HEARING ABOUT SAME PROBLEM ON TV. LOOKING FOR INFORMATION ON BULLETIN OR RECALL.

AFTER VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED UNDER RECALL# 98B2151, VEHICLE OVERHEATED . THE THERMOSTAT AND ENGINE HAD TO BE REPLACED. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER HAVE BEEN NOTIFIED. *AK

TRANSMISSION JERKS WHEN SLOWING DOWN TO STOP. *AK

BRAKE VACCUM LINE BROKE, RESULTING IN COLLISION. HOWEVER, THE AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY ON CONTACT. *YC

I AM VERY CONCERNED ABOUT THE FAILURE OF THE REAR SUBMOUNTS IN MY CAR. I PURCHASED A PREMIUM EXTENDED SERVICE PLAN WITH THE CAR AND I AM TOLD THESE COMPONENTS ARE NOT COVERED BECAUSE THEY ARE PART OF THE " STRUCTURE " OF THE CAR AND ARE A SAFETY HAZARD SHOULD THEY FAIL. IN FACT THE COMPONENTS DO NOT EVEN APPEAR ON THE MAINTENANCE SCHEDULE FOR MY CAR!

COOLING SYSTEM OVERFLOW RESERVOIR HAS RUBBED AGAINST THE FENDER, CAUSING STRESS CRACKS ON THE BUTTOM OF THE RESERVOIR, RESULTING IN COOLANT LEAKAGE . MANUFACTUER HAS REDESIGNED PART. *AK

DEALER REPLACED TRANSMISSION. , THEN CHANGED COMPUTER SETTINGS, FUEL MILEAGE CUT BY 1/3. *AK

THIS VEHICLE HAS BEEN GROSSLY UNRELIABLE, THIS IS CERTAINLY A LEMON. I NEED YOUR ASSISTANCE OR SUGGESTION WITH THESE SAFETY DISCREPANCIES. THANKS. NO SAFETY DEFECTS LISTED IN THE SUMMARY. *AK

VEHICLE EXPERIENCED SUDDEN ACCELERATION WHEN BRAKE PEDAL WAS APPLIED WHILE PULLING INTO A PARKING SPACE. VEHICLE CRASHED INTO A CENTER BLOCK BUILDING. UPON IMPACT, BOTH AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPOLY, AND MINOR INJURIES WERE SUSTAINED BY BOTH DRIVER AND PASSENGER. DEALER/MANUFACTURER NOTIFIED. *AK

MOTOR THREW A ROD; OUT OF WARRANTY SINCE PURCHASED USED; MOTOR IS "SO NEW" HAVE HAD TO WAIT 3 WEEKS FOR PARTS; FORD REFUSES TO ASSIST

TRANSMISSION LEAKED FLUID, CAUSED BY DIFFERENTIAL GEARS DISINTEGRATING INTERNALLY AND CRACKING TRANSMISSION CASE. $1700 REPAIR.

ENGINE MOUNTS BROKE, CAUSING THE ENGINE TO DROP DUE TO CORROSION. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *AK

TRANSMISSION LEAKED FLUID. FOUND CRACK IN HOUSING, CAUSED BY DIFFERENTIAL BREAKING DOWN INTERNALLY. VEHICLE IS JUST PAST 36,000 MILE WARRANTY. 2 DAYS OF LABOR AND $1600 ESTIMATED REPAIR FOR DIFFERENTIAL AND TRANSMISSION HOUSING. NEED TO CHECK IF RELATED TO CURRENT "ROLL PIN" TRANSMISSION SAFETY RECALL FOR 1996 SABLE.

AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION GEAR BROKE INTO THE TRANSMISSION SYSTEM WHICH ALMOST CAUSED LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK

WHEN CAR IS PUT ON A STANDARD TIRE SHOP LIFT THE REAR HIGTH SENSING VALVE GOES PAST ITS LIMIT WHICH ALLOWS CONSTANT PRESSURE TO BE APPLIED TO REAR BRAKES, AND CAN LEAD TO BRAKE FAILURE IN LESS THAN 400 MILES. *AK

WE HAVE HAD TECHNICIANS, MECHANICS, AND FORD ENGINEERS WORKING ON THIS CAR. AS OF THIS DATE, THEY CAN NOT FIX THE PROBLEM, CAR WILL ONLY GO 20MPH AND WILL NOT FIRE ON PLUGS 1 AND 5. ALL PARTS THAT COULD BE WRONG HAVE BEEN REPLACED. A COMPLETE CHECK OF THE CAR SHOWS NO OTHER PROBLEM. CAR ALSO UPON STARTING JERKS.

THIS POROBLEM AFFECTS ALL 1996 THROUGH1999 MERCURY SABLES &FORD TAURUSES. IT IS NOT ADVERTISED NOR LISTED IN EQUIPMENT SPECIFICATIONS ON THE MSRP. THE TRUNK LID IS NOT MANUFACTURED WITH GALVANIZED STEEL . IT WAS MANUFACTURED WITH EITHER PLASTIC OR ALUMINUM. THE ONLY WAY I FOUND OUT ABOUT THI S WAS WHEN I ATTEMPTED TO PUT MY MAGNETIC C.B. ANTENNA ON THE TRUNK. THE ANTENNA WOULDN'T ATTACH TO THE TRUNK. I TRIED THE MAGNET ON ALL SABLE AND TAURUSES FROM '96 THROUGH 99,AND THE SAME THING HAPPENED. I TRIED THE MAGNET ON CONTOURS,MYSTIQUES,ESCORTS,FORD CROWN VIC'S,GRAND MARQUI'S,LINCOLNS AND THE MAGNETIC ANTENNA WORKED. I SERIOUSLY THINK THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD DO SOMETHING ABOUT THIS PROBLEM. I BELIEVE IF THESE AUTOMOBILES ARE INVOLVED IN A REAR END COLLISION IT WOULD CAUSE GREATER INJURIES THAN IF THE VEHICLE WAS MANUFACTURED WITH STEEL. I WILL APPRECITE HEARING FROM YOU AGENCY SINCE THE PERSON I SPOKE WITH ON THE PHONE SAID I SHOULD CONTACT YOU. THANK YOU VERY MUCH, JAMES H. LANE. *AK

BRAKE SYSTEM WARNING LAMP REMAINS ILLUMINATED CONTINUOUSLY. VEHICLE NOT INCLUDED IN RECALL 96V016000. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *AK

NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR THIS VEHICLE.

NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR THIS VEHICLE. *AK

THE HEATING CORE FAILED ON THREE OCCASIONS, NOT ABLE TO BE REPAIRED DUE TO DESIGN BEING DEFECTIVE. YH