1998 Mercury Sable complaints

IN MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC WHILE TRAVELING 55-60MPH VEHICLE FELT FUNNY. THEN, HEARD A LOUD BLAST. VEHICLE BEGAN TO COLLAPSE. PULLED OVER, AND NOTICED THREAD OF TIRE COMING OFF FROM INSIDE TO OUTSIDE AT 48000 MILES. CONTACTED AAA , AND RIGHT FRONT TIRE WAS REPLACED. SECOND TIME GOING ONTO FREEWAY AT 35MPH, HEARD AN EXPLOSION. WAS THE SAME PROBLEM AS FIRST TIME, ONLY LEFT FRONT TIRE WAS AFFECTED AT 49500 MILES. GENERAL TIRES P205/65R15 ON 1998, MERCURY, SABLE. *AK THE FIRST BLOWOUT CAUSED EXTENSIVE DAMAGE TO THE RIGHT FRONT FENDER AND DOOR (SECOND TIRE DOT A3UR442238), P205/65R15, AM G4S. NLM

MANUFACTURER REFUSES TO INVESTIGATE AIR BAG DEFECT, ALONG WITH THE OTHER PROBLEMS. HOWEVER, I AM CONCERN ABOUT DRIVING AROUND IN A VEHICLE I THOUGHT WAS SAFE. ME AND MY CHILDREN COULD HAVE LOST OUR LIVES TO THAT 18 WHEEL TRUCK. THE TRUCK STRUCK BOTH THE FRON AND REAR OF MY 1998 SABLE AND THE BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. FORD CONSUMER AFFAIRS DEPARTMENT STATED TO ME THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NEVER ON A CALL BACK AND THE MANUFACTURER WARRANTY EXPIRED. I HAD AN EXTENDED WARRANTY ON MY CAR AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT. I HAD THIS CAR TESTED WHEN I FIRST PURCHASED IT. IT HAD SOME ELECTRICAL AND ENGINE PROBLEMS OF WHICH I HELD ON TO THE INVOICES . I FEEL THAT THE MANUFACTURER IS RESPONSIBLE FOR THIS DEFECT. IT UNDETERMINE IF THE CAR WAS DEFECTIVE AT THE TIME OF PURCHASE. BUT I CAN SAY IT HAD ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS. WHICH MAY HAVE AFFECTED THE AIR BAG SENSORS.*AK

VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH. CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO PULL VEHICLE OVER AND EXIT IT BEFORE VEHICLE WAS CONSUMED IN FLAME. AN INVESTIGATOR DETERMINED THAT AN ELECTRICAL SHORTAGE (UNKNOWN LOCATION) IGNITED FUEL LINE. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION/ATTACHMENTS.*AK

THE PROBLEM WAS IDENTICAL IN BOTH INSTANCES, THE REAR CALIPERS ON THOSE TWO OCCASIONS FAILED TO FULLY RELEASE RESULTING IN RAPID AND PREMATURE PAD WEAR. ON BOTH OCCASSIONS THE PROBLEM WAS NOT NOTICABLE UNTIL THERE WAS METAL TO METAL CONTACT. AT THAT POINT THE FAILURE CAUSED EXTREME HEAT TO BE GENERATED TO THE POINT OF SCORCHING THE WHEEL . THE SHOP THAT DID THE LAST REPAIR , THEY ARE VERY GOOD AT WHAT THEY DO, CHECKED THE FRONT BRAKES AND THE ONLY WORK DONE WAS TO MACHINE THE THE ROTORS TO ELIMINATE A SLIGHT SHIMMY. I AM VERY EASY ON MY CAR AND THAT I DID NOT NEED FRONT PADS AT 75000 MI SEEMS TO INDICATE SO.*AK

DRIVER HAD BRAKED TO TURN INTO PARKING SPACE IN PARKING GARAGE. VEHICLE RAPIDLY ACCELERATED AND SLAMMED INTO GARAGE WALL. NO INJURIES, BUT BOTH AIR BAGS DEPLOYED.*AK

WHILE CONSUMER WAS BACKING OUT OF DRIVEWAY FRONT COIL SPRING BROKE, AND WENT THROUGH THE TIRE. DEALERSHIP WAS AWARE OF PROBLEM. *AK *JB

WHILE CONSUMER'S WIFE WAS TRAVELING AT APPROXIMATELY 5 TO 10 MPH AND SLOWING DOWN TO MAKE A TURN, BRAKES WOULD NOT COMPLETELY ENGAGE TO STOP VEHICLE. ENGINE ACCELERATED WHILE BRAKES WERE BEING APPLIED. DEALERSHIP COULD NOT DETERMINE THAT THERE WAS A DEFECT IN VEHICLE. THEN, ON MAY 14TH, 2001 CONSUMER'S WIFE WENT TO STOP VEHICLE WHILE APPROACHING A RED LIGHT AND BRAKES DID NOT WORK/ WOULD NOT BRING VEHICLE TO A COMPLETE STOP. ENGINE ACTED AS THOUGH IT WANTED TO ACCELERATE. *AK THE BRAKE HAD FAILED TWICE. *YH

VEHICLE ACCELERATES WHEN COMING TO A STOP AND APPLYING BRAKES, ENGINE REVVS, CONSUMER HIT BUILDING ON ONE OCCASION. *AK

VEHICLE EXPERIENCING A PROBLEM WITH NOT SHIFTING INTO GEAR INTERMITTENTLY / MOMENTARILY WHILE TRAVELING. THIS PROBLEM HAD OCCURRED ON FOUR OCCASIONS WITHIN 2 1/2 YEARS. VEHICLE BEEN INTO DEALER'S SHOP ON TWO OCCASIONS, AND UNABLE TO LOCATE THE PROBLEM.. *AK *JB

INTERMITTENTLY WHEN DOOR IS COLSED AND SOMETIMES WHILE DRIVING INTERIOR LIGHT WILL STAY ON. DEALER HAS REPLACED WIRING HARNESS; HOWEVER, PROBLEM STILL EXISTS.*AK

DOOR AJAR LIGHT STAYS EVEN THOUGH ALL DOORS ARE SHUT WHICH CAUSES DOME AND INTERIOR LIGHT TO STAY ON. THIS CAN RESULT IN BATTERY DRAINING. *AK WHEN THE DOOR AJAR LIGHT ILLUMINATES, THE POWER WINDOW AND POWER DOOR LOCKS FAIL. *YH

AFTER COMING TO A STOP VEHICLE WOULD ACCELERATE AND REV UP ENGINE. WOULD TAKE OFF WHEN FOOT WAS OFF BRAKE. HAS HAPPENED 5 TIMES. CONTACTED DEALERSHIP, AND INFORMED CONSUMER VEHICLE WAS OUT OF WARRANTY. PROBLEM WAS INTERMITTENT.*AK

BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO FLOOR,UNABLE TO STOP IN 150-200 FEET DISTANCE...CRASHED. *AK

CONSUMER'S VEHICLE REARENDED ANOTHER VEHICLE DUE TO BRAKE FAILURE. PEDAL WENTDOWN TO THE FLOOR, AND VEHICLE FAILED TO STOP. WAS TRAVELING 40MPH. AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. *AK BLOWN 5 AMP FUSE (RADIO,RCC,IPC CIRCUTE) WERE FOUND AFTER THE ACCIDENT. *YH

BRAKES HAVE BEEN REPLACED 3 TIMES DUE TO PREMATURE FAILURE. BRAKES USUALLY ONLY LAST ABOUT 4-5MONTHS. *AK THE SAME CONDITIONS AND NOISE REOCCURED. *YH

COMING TO A STOP, ENGINE STARTED TO RACE WHILE APPLYING BRAKES, AND CAUSED VEHICLE TO MOVE FORWAD. CONSUMER HAD TO TURN IGNITION OFF, AND IT RESTARED AS NORMAL. CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER, BUT COULD NOT DETERMINE CAUSE.*AK *SLC

VEHICLE EXPERIENCES TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS. *SLC

WHEN DRIVING AT ANY SPEED VEHICLE CUTS OFF WITHOUT ANY PRIOR WARNING, CAUSING LOSS OF POWER. CONSUMER HAS CONTACTED DEALER, DEALER HAS YET TO DETERMINE CAUSE OF PROBLEM. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS.*AK

ENGINE LIGHT WOULD COME ON & THEN GO OFF ON ITS OWN WHILE DRIVING. DOOR/ DOME & FLOOR LIGHTS WOULD REMAIN ON AT SAME TIME. DO NOT GO OUT. RAN DOWN BATTERY. HAVE TAKEN TO DEALERSHIP.

THE VEHICLE IS EXPERIENCING AN ELECTRICAL PROBLEM, THE RADIO HAS BEEN REPLACED 2 TIMES BECAUSE OF A SHORT, THE BATTERY IS DRAINING CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO BE INOPERABLE. *SLC

REAR BRAKE PADS COMPLETELY WORN, NEEDING REPLACEMENT AND MACHINING OF ROTORS. DEALER THOUGHT FRONT BRAKES HAD BEEN SERVICED BECAUSE PADS WERE IN SUCH GOOD SHAPE. ALL BRAKE PARTS WERE ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT FROM TIME VEHICLE WAS BUILT. DEALER CLAIMS REAR BRAKES DO 70% OF STOPPING ON THIS CAR BY DESIGN.*AK

THE FAILURE OF THE FIVE POINT HARNESS (MAKER: COSTCO, MODEL: 20448BNG, MADE: 03-03-00) FAILS IN THE REGARD THAT THE CHEST CLIP IS EASILY SLID DOWN BY THE CHILD ENABLING THEM TO FREE THEIR ARMS. THIS CREATES ENOUGH SLACK IN THE STRAPS THAT THEY CAN CONCEIVABLY FREE THEIR LEGS FROM THE RESTRAINT AND, INDEED, THEIR ENIRE BODY. *AK

FRONT WINDSHIELD WOULD FOGGED UP FIRST, AND THEN UNFOGGED WHEN USING DEFOGGER, WHICH COULD LEAD TO A VEHICLE CRASH DUE TO POOR VISIBILITY. DEALER NOTIFIED, AND INFORMED CONSUMER THAT THIS WAS A NORMAL CONCERN, BUT UNABLE TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM AT THIS TIME. PLEASE FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS ON THIS MATTER. *AK

MY CAR MADE A LOW ROARING NOISE FROM THE REAR END AFTER ABOUT 3 MONTHS, SINCE THE FIRST INCIDENT DIDN'T OCCUR AGAIN FOR A FEW WEEKS I DIDN'T WORRY ABOUT IT, HOWEVER, AFTER I HAD IT FOR ABOUT 6 MONTHS THE NOISE GOT WORSE AND I WAS TOLD I NEEDED NEW BRAKE PADS, THESE WERE INSTALLED THE SAME DAY, A FEW WEEKS LATER THE SAME NOISE OCCURRED AGAIN AND THIS TIME I WAS TOLD I NEEDED NEW TIE ROD ENDS, THESE WERE INSTALLED THAT DAY, THEN IT WAS MY BRAKE PADS LATER IT WAS THE ROTORS, BRAKE PADS AND SHOES, I STILL HAVE THE NOISE IN THE REAR OF THE CAR AND NOW MY BRAKES ARE STILL NOT RIGHT, I CAME DOWN A HILL LAST WEEK AND WHEN I HIT MY BRAKES THERE WERE NONE, THE DEALER IS SAYING IT IS THE FACT THAT I DRIVE A LOT FORD MOTOR CO IS SAYING THEY AREN'T RESPONSIBLE AND BUD SHELL IS SAYING IT IS MY FAULT CAN YOU HELP ME I HAVE HAD THIS CAR IN THE SHOP FOR THIS SAME PROBLEM ABOUT 10 TIMES SINCE SEPT 1999 I AM AFRAID THAT MY BRAKES WILL FAIL ME AGAIN IN A MORE DANGEROUS SITUATION THAN THE LAST TIME. *AK

MAKES A PRONOUNCED CONTINUAL "WINDING UP/DOWN" NOISE WHILE ACCELERATING/TRANS SHIFTS. TRANSMISSION SHOP CAN'T PINPOINT NOISE; ONLY THAT IT'S COMING FROM TRANSMISSION. *AK

AMERICAN GENERAL CONTINENTAL TIRE'S (P205 65 R15) STEEL BELT FLEW OFF, CONSUMER'S HEAD HIT THE STEERING WHEEL AND THE WINDOW. *SLC

THE CAR LOST DRIVE POWER, AND APPEARED TO GO INTO NEUTRAL. THE TRANSMISSION SHOP LATER FOUND THAT A SHAFT, FROM THE TORQUE CONVERTER TO THE PUMP, HAD SNAPPED. THE SHAFT IS A FAIRLY SUBSTANTIAL PIECE OF METAL. THE SHOP REPAIRED THE TRANSMISSION BUT COULD NOT MAKE A GUESS AS TO THE REASON FOR THE METAL FAILURE. I HAVE THE SHAFT THAT SNAPPED AND CAN PROVIDE DIGITAL IMAGES. THERE IS NO OBVIOUS REASON TO ME WHY IT WOULD HAVE SNAPPED WETHER IT IS DESIGN OR METALLURGY. I CAN PROVIDE DIGITAL IMAGES OF THE COMPONENT BREAKAGE. IF YOU SO DESIRE, I CAN PROVIDE YOU WITH THE PART IF YOU WISH TO PERFORM FAILURE ANALYSIS FOR METAL DEFECTS / MANUFACTURING PROBLEMS, OR DESIGN ISSUES. IN MY CASE, THE FAILURE HAPPENED ON A LIGHTLY TRAVELLED ROAD, WITH NO TRAFFIC AROUND. IF THIS A FAILURE THAT HAD OCCURRED ON A BUSY HIGHWAY, WHILE TURNING IN TRAFFIC, OR DURING MANY SCENARIOS - THIS COULD HAVE CAUSED A REAL PROBLEM FOR ME, PASSENGERS, OR OTHER MOTORISTS. I HOPE THAT ANYONE ELSE WITH THE SAME FAILURE IS AS FORTUNATE.

TURNED VEHICLE OFF TO FILL IT WITH FUEL. TURNED IT OFF & THEN ON WITHOUT STARTING. WAS UNABLE TO SHIFT VEHICLE INTO NEUTRAL TO BE MOVED. CONTACTED DEALER & WAS INFORMED HOW TO SHIFT WHEN ON BUT NOT RUNNING.*AK

CONSUMER HAD COME TO A COMPLETE STOP WHEN THE VEHICLE SLOWLY STARTED TO MOVE FORWARD AND WOULD NOT STOP UNTIL THE IGNITION WAS TURNED OFF, CONSUMER NUDGED THE VEHICLE IN FRONT DUE TO LOSS OF BRAKE CONTROL (NO DAMAGE). *SLC

A $2 RETAINING CLIP AFFECTING THE 4TH GEAR IN THE AUTOMATIC TRAN IS BROKEN OR HAS COME OFF, ACCORDING TO THE DEALERS COMPUTER CODE READING AND SERVICE BULLETIN, AND IT IS GOING TO COST UP TO $900 TO FIX IF IT DAMAGED THE HOUSING INSIDE.

REAR PASSENGER FIRESTONE TIRE RIPPED AT SIDEWALL A FEW MONTHS AFTER PURCHASE (P20565R15). NLM

VEHICLE HAD BEEN PARKED IN GARAGE. WIFE STARTED CAR IN ORDER TO BACK OUT WHEN REAR WINDOW SHATTERED OR EXPLODED WITHOUT WARNING. *AK GLASS EXPLODED OUTWARD COVERING THE INTIRE REAR HALF OF THE VEHICLE'S INTERIOR. NO INJURIES. *YH

NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK

I ROTATE TIRES EVERY 6000 MI. DURING ROTATION I INSPECT BRAKE PADS FOR WEAR. AT 18000 MI I FOUND EXCESSIVE WEAR ON REAR PADS, TO THE POINT THAT THEY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED FAIRLY SOON. I TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALER FOR REPLACEMENT UNDER WARRANTY. THEY ADVISED THAT THOS WEAR WAS "NORMAL" AND WAS NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. THAT'S NONSENSE. I'VE NEVER HAD A CAR THAT NEEDED REAR PAD REPLACEMENT AT LESSS THAN 50000 MI. NO PROFESSIONLS I SPOKE WITH THOUGHT THIS WAS "NORMAL" WEAR. THIS IS MADE WORSE BY THE FACT THAT, WHEN THE CAR WAS NEW, I HAD BROUGHT IT IN FOR CORRECTION OF BRAKE VIBRATION. THE DEALER MACHINED THE ROTORS AND THE TECH SAID HE "DIDN'T LIKE THE LOOKS OF THE REAR PADS SO HE REPLACED THEM." THAT'S AT 1500 MI. WHICH MEANS THE REPLACMENT SET ONLY LASTED 16500 MI. THE OWNER SERVICE GUIDE ONLY SAYS TO INSPECT FRONT AND REAR BRAKES AT 30000 MI. IF I HAD WAITED TO 30000 MI I WOULD HAVE HAD AT LEAST ROTOR FAILURE AND MIGHT HAVE HAD BRAKE SEIZURE, CAUSING ACCIDENT/INJURY. DEALER CONTACTED FORD MOTOR CO REP WHO SAID IT WAS NORMAL WEAR AND WOULD NOT BE COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. I PERSONALLY REPLACED REAR PADS WITH AFTER-MARKET LIFE-OF-THE-CAR-WARRANTY PREMIUM-GRADE PADS BECAUSE I WON'T PAY FORD FOR ANOTHER SET OF FAST-WEARING PADS. I KEPT THE ORIGINAL PADS FOR NHTSA INSPECTION, IF DESIRED. *AK

WHILE EXITING RAMP FROM A HIGHWAY ONTO A MAIN STREET, THE EXPLORER IN FRONT OF US STOPPED BEFORE ENTERING THE MAIN STREET. WE WERE DRIVING SLOWLY WHEN WE TRIED TO STOP BEHIND THE OTHER VEHICLE. MY HUSBAND PUT HIS FOOT ON THE BRAKE AND IT WENT TO THE FLOOR. HE CONTINUED A NUMBER OF TIMES, BUT COULD NOT STOP OR EVEN SLOW DOWN. WE KNEW WE WOULD HIT THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF US, WHICH PREVENTED OUR CAR FROM GOING ONTO THE MAIN STREET OF TRAFFIC. FROM TRYING TO STOP MANY TIMES, MY HUSBAND SUFFERED A SIATICA INJURY, WHICH HE CURRENTLY BEING TREATED BY AN ORTHOPEDIST, CHIROPRACTER, PHYSICAL THERAPIST AND PRIMARY CARE DOCTOR. *AK

ACCELERATOR RELEASING FROM SPEED OF 15 MPH TO 20-25 MPH WHEN EASING OFF GAS PEDAL. *AK

WHEN TRAVELING AND STOPPING TRANSMISSION WILL GO INTO NEUTRAL, AND CAR WILL NOT GO FORWARD OR BACKWARD. CONSUMER HAS TO PUT TRANSMISSION INTO PARK, AND THEN BRING IT BACK INTO DRIVE. *AK

CONSUMER HEARD GRINDING SOUND FROM THE REAR & TOOK VEHICLE TO THE DEALER. ROTORS, AND BRAKE SHOES AND PADS WERE REPLACED. HOWEVER, PROBLEM OCCURRED AGAIN ON 10-AUG-1999. IT WAS TAKEN TO THE SAME DEALER, AND HE REPLACED ALOT OF PARTS. AS OF 10-APR-2000, VEHICLE IS AT THE DEALER'S AGAIN. DEALER COULDN'T FIND CAUSE OF PROBLEM. BRAKES ARE STILL LOCKING UP. *AK

WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE VIBRATES AND SEVERELY PULLS TO THE RIGHT, CAUSE UNKNOWN. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *AK

CONSUMER WAS DRIVING OVER 50 MPH ON HIGHWAY, AND IN BETWEEN TWO 18 WHEELERS.THE 18 WHEELER ON RIGHT HAND SIDE HIT VEHICLE ON SIDE. THEN, PUSHED VEHICLE INTO ANOTHER 18 WHEELER ON LEFT SIDE. THEN CONSUMER'S VEHICLE HIT A PICKUP TRUCK WITH FRONT END. UPON HITTING MEDIAN, BUMPER BROKE IN HALF. ALSO, DUAL AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY,CAUSING INJURIES *AK

INTERMITTENTLY HEADLIGHTS BECOME INOPERABLE. DEALER HAS INSPECTED AND REPAIRED VEHICLE SEVERAL TIMES, AND HAS NOT BEEN ABLE TO PROPERLY CORRECT THE VEHICLE. *AK

BRAKES FAILED. YH

WHILE DRIVNG AT 35 MPH ANOTHER VEHICLE STOPPED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD, AND THE CONSUMER REAR ENDED THE VEHICLE IN FRONT. UPON IMPACT, DRIVER'S SIDE AND PASSENGER'S SIDE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. *AK

WHILE PARKING VEHICLE A LOUD POPPING SOUND WAS HEARD COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. HOOD WAS RAISED AND A FIRE BROKE OUT AGAINST FIRE WALL IN CENTER AREA OF VEHCLE. BELIEVED FIRE WAS CAUSED BY A FUEL LEAKAGE FROM INJECTOR RAIL. DEALER / MANUFACTURER WERE NOT CONTACTED AT THIS TIME. CAN NHTSA HELP IN THIS MATTER. *AK

THE SYMPTOM IS THE 'CHECK ENGINE' LIGHT IS ALWAYS ON. IT CONSUMES MUCH MORE GAS THAN BEFORE DURING IDLING AND THE ENGINE TEMPERATURE TENDS TO BE HIGH.

WHEN GOING DOWNHILL WITH FOOT OFF ACCELERATOR THE VEHICLE ACCELERATES UNREASONABLY AND EXCESSIVE BRAKING IS REQUIRED. THIS CREATES A DANGEROUS SITUATION IN CONTROLLOING THE SPEED OF THE CAR ESPECIALLY IN WET OR OTHER SLIPPERY CONDITIONS.

WHILE TRAVELING AND TURNING OFF FREEWAY AT APPOXIMATELY 5-10 MPH, VEHICLE HYDROPLANED. NO INJURIES REPORTED. SEEKING NHTSA HELP ON THIS MATTER. *AK

WHILE STOPPING AT AN ENTER SECTION VEHICLE ACCELERATED OUT OF CONTROL. CONSUMER FINALLY STOPPED VEHICLE BY PUTTING FOOT ON BRAKE. *AK

THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER EMITTED ODORS THAT MADE THE DRIVER SICK . THIS COULD CAUSE THE DRIVER TO LOSS CONTROL. DEALER HAS SEEN VEHICLE THREE TIMES ,AND NO ONE COULD FIND THE CAUSE. *AK

ELECTRONIC SENSOR ASSEMBLY. F6DZ-964444-EA. FUEL GAUGE ASSEMBLY. F7DZ-93055-AA. PROBLEMS SINCE PURCHASE.