1996 MERCURY SABLE — Problems, Recalls & Safety Data
N/A
Safety Rating
391
Owner Complaints
5
Recalls
46
Service Bulletins
0
Investigations
Overview of the 1996 MERCURY SABLE
The 1996 MERCURY SABLE has received a total of 391 safety complaints filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). There have been 5 recall campaigns affecting this vehicle, covering issues with FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY, POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION, POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:GEAR POSITION INDICATION (PRNDL). 46 technical service bulletins have been issued by Ford Motor Company for this model year. The most commonly reported problems involve the Power Trainautomatic Transmission (54 complaints), Engine And Engine Coolingenginegasoline (21 complaints), and Engine And Engine Coolingengine (14 complaints).
Recalls for the 1996 MERCURY SABLE
NHTSA has recorded 5 recalls for the 1996 MERCURY SABLE, potentially affecting up to 556,900 vehicles.
Recall 98V067000 — FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY
| 400 vehicles affected
Defect: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES PREVIOUSLY SERVICED UNDER FORD SERVICE BULLETIN 97-17-9 FROM AUGUST 1997 THROUGH DECEMBER 1997. THESE VEHICLES WERE INADVERTENLY EQUIPPED WITH AN 18-GALLON FUEL TANK RATHER THAN THE 16-GALLON AS SPECIFIED. THE 18-GALLON TANK HAS A SECOND VALVE LOCATION WHERE A SHIPPING PLUG SHOULD BE INSTALLED.
Consequence: IF THIS SHIPPING PLUG IS DISPLACED, FUEL LEAKAGE CAN RESULT. FUEL LEAKAGE IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE COULD POTENTIALLY RESULT IN A FIRE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL THE CORRECT FUEL TANK.
View full details →Recall 96V176000 — POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
| 340,000 vehicles affected
Defect: THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION PARK PAWL SHAFT MAY NOT BE FREE TO ROTATE AS INTENDED. IF THE PARK PAWL SHAFT DOES NOT ROTATE, IT WOULD PREVENT THE PARK PAWL FROM ENGAGING THE PARK GEAR WHEN THE SHIFT LEVER IS IN THE PARK POSITION.
Consequence: THIS CONDITION COULD RESULT IN THE VEHICLE ROLLING AS IF IN NEUTRAL WITH THE SHIFT LEVER IN THE PARK POSITION.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE PARK PAWL SHAFT ROTATION AND THOSE SHAFTS WITH RESTRICTED ROTATION WILL BE REPLACED WITH A SHORTER SHAFT THAT WILL NOT RESTRICT ROTATION.
View full details →Recall 96V166000 — POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:GEAR POSITION INDICATION (PRNDL)
| 40,000 vehicles affected
Defect: 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: 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.
View full details →Recall 96V086000 — POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
| 100,000 vehicles affected
Defect: THE PARK PAWL SHAFT WAS IMPROPERLY POSITIONED WHEN THE ROLL PIN THAT RETAINS IT WAS INSTALLED DURING TRANSMISSION ASSEMBLY. IF THE SHAFT WAS NOT PROPERLY POSITIONED, THE ROLL PIN MAY NOT HAVE LINED UP WITH THE GROOVE IN THE SHAFT AND HAVE BEEN CRUSHED AT ASSEMBLY. ALSO, A BURR COULD HAVE BEEN RAISED ON THE SHAFT.
Consequence: THIS COULD RESULT IN THE PARK PAWL OCCASIONALLY NOT ENGAGING WHEN THE TRANSMISSION SELECTOR LEVER IS PLACED IN THE PARK POSITION. THIS COULD RESULT IN THE VEHICLE ROLLING AS IF IN NEUTRAL IF THE VEHICLE OPERATOR DOES NOT APPLY THE PARKING BRAKE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE PARK PAWL SHAFT ROLL PIN. IF THE ROLL PIN IS DAMAGED, BOTH THE ROLL PIN AND THE PARK PAWL SHAFT WILL BE REPLACED. IN ADDITION, OWNERS WILL BE REMINDED TO FULLY APPLY THE PARKING BRAKE, IN...
View full details →Recall 96V016000 — SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:BRAKE FLUID LOW WARNING: LAMP
| 76,500 vehicles affected
Defect: THE BRAKE SYSTEM FLUID LEVEL INDICATOR LAMP SWITCH CAN MALFUNCTION. THIS DOES NOT COMPLY WITH FMVSS NO. 105, "HYDRAULIC BRAKE SYSTEMS."
Consequence: CONSEQUENCE OF NON-COMPLIANCE: IF THE SWITCH MALFUNTIONS, THE BRAKE SYSTEM WARNING LAMP WILL EITHER REMAIN ILLUMINATED CONTINUOUSLY OR FAIL TO LIGHT AS INTENDED WHEN THE FLUID LEVEL FALLS TO A CERTAIN LEVEL. IN EITHER CASE, THE VEHICLE OPERATOR WOULD NOT BE WARNED OF A LOW BRAKE FLUID LEVEL CONDITION.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE BRAKE SYSTEM FLUID LEVEL INDICATOR LAMP SWITCHES.
View full details →Owner Complaints for the 1996 MERCURY SABLE
391 complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 1996 MERCURY SABLE. Below is a breakdown by vehicle component.
Most Recent Complaints
JUST BOUGHT A MERCURY SABLE 1996. AFTER DRIVING THIS VEHICAL FOR ABOUT 10 MILES, THE TRANSMISSION BEGAN TO SLIP BADLY. IT BEGAN WITH HAVING TROUBLE ACCELERATING FROM A COMPLETE STOP. LUCKILY I WAS DRIVING IN A RURAL AREA WITH FEW STOPS AND LITTLE TRAFFIC. BY THE TIME I STOPPED AT THE 3 STOP SIGN. THE TRANSMISSION WOULD NO LONGER ENGAGE INTO 1ST OR 2ND GEAR. NEVER GOT INTO 4TH GEAR. BUT HAD TO GET PUSH THE VEHICAL FROM THE LAST STOP SIGN UNTIL I REACHED A SMALL HILL THAT ALLOWED ME TO REACH THE SPEED SO THAT 3RD WAS ABLE TO ENGAGE AND WAS ABLE TO MAKE IT TO MY HOUSE. THE CAR HASN'T MOVED SINCE THEN. WASTE OF $1,000!! TRANSMISSION IS FINISHED.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 MERCURY SABLE. WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, A SQUEAKING NOISE WAS HEARD UNDER THE VEHICLE, ESPECIALLY WHEN SLOWING DOWN, MAKING TURNS, AND REVERSING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE CRADLE AND SUBFRAME BUSHING WERE CORRODED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. IN ADDITION, WHILE DRIVING AT CERTAIN SPEEDS AND MAKING RIGHT OR LEFT TURNS, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 MERCURY SABLE. WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, A SQUEAKING NOISE WAS HEARD UNDER THE VEHICLE, ESPECIALLY WHEN SLOWING DOWN, MAKING TURNS, AND REVERSING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE CRADLE AND SUBFRAME BUSHING WERE CORRODED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. IN ADDITION, WHILE DRIVING AT CERTAIN SPEEDS AND MAKING RIGHT OR LEFT TURNS, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 MERCURY SABLE. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR ROUTINE MAINTENANCE AND THE MECHANIC DISCOVERED THAT THE ENGINE CRADLE AND THE SUBFRAME WERE SEVERELY RUSTED AND CORRODED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 95,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 MERCURY SABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED AND THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE UNKNOWN REPAIRS WERE PERFORMED. THE FAILURE RECURRED HOWEVER AND THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR THE SAME FAILURE ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 6,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 49,000. *TR
Safety Rating for the 1996 MERCURY SABLE
NHTSA has not yet tested the 1996 MERCURY SABLE in its New Car Assessment Program.
Technical Service Bulletins for the 1996 MERCURY SABLE
Ford Motor Company has issued 46 technical service bulletins (TSBs) for the 1996 MERCURY SABLE. TSBs are notices sent by manufacturers to their dealers describing a known issue and the recommended repair procedure.
14856 — ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM
SOME VEHICLES EQUPPED WITH 3.0L 2V VULCAN OR 4V DURATEC ENGINE MAY EXHIBIT AN EXHAUST RUST-THRU, WELD FATIGUE CONDITION BETWEEN THE TWO TOEBOARD CATALYSTS WHERE A TIE-IN BRACKET IS WELDED TO THE FORMED INLET PIPE OF THE REAR BANK TOEBOARD CATALYST. *TT
8583 — ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
SOME VEHICLES MAY EXHIBIT DTC P1518 AND / OR P1519, RELATED TO INTAKE MANIFOLD RUNNER CONTROL (IMRC). *MR
8016 — UNKNOWN OR OTHER
SOME VEHICLES MAY EXHIBIT AN INTERMITTENT LOSS OF INSTRUMENT CONTROL PANEL (ICP).
982513 — VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS
EXHIBITING AN INOPERATIVE POWER WINDOW. *YC
982112 — ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
SOME VEHICLES EXPERIENCE A HARD START/LONG CRANK TIME CONDITION. *YC
984986 — POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:TORQUE CONVERTER
EXHIBITING A HIGHER THAN EXPECTED ENGINE RPM (FLARE) AND HARSH BUMP ON THE 3-2 TORQUE DEMAND DOWN SHIFT AT LIGHT THROTTLE (TIP IN) 16-24 KM/H (10-15 MPH). *TT
98-4724 — ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM
CONTAMINATED/CORRODED COOLANT, HIGH OR FLUCTUATING TEMPERATURE GAUGE. *AK
98B23 — ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM
THE OWNER NOTIFICATION PROGRAM 98B23 CONTAINED INCORRECT LABOR ALLOWANCE AND COOLANT PART NUMBER INFORMATION
4621 — ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
SOME VEHICLES MAY EXHIBIT CONTAMINATED / CORRODED COOLANT, HIGH OR FLUCTUATING TEMP GAUGE, COOLANT ODOR, COOLANT OVERFLOW, BLOWN OR LEAKING HOSES, BLOWN HEAD GASKET, FAILED ENGINE, LACK OF HEAT. *TT
4675 — FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
SOME VEHICLES MAY EXHIBIT A HARD / NO START CONCERN WHEN PARKED IN A STEEP NOSE-UP POSITION WITH LESS THAN 1/4 TANK OF FUEL AND FOR AN EXTENDED PERIOD OF TIME. *TT
Showing 10 of 46 technical service bulletins.
NHTSA Investigations for the 1996 MERCURY SABLE
There are no NHTSA defect investigations on record for this vehicle.
Other Model Years of the MERCURY SABLE
- 1991 MERCURY SABLE — 346 complaints
- 1992 MERCURY SABLE — 517 complaints
- 1993 MERCURY SABLE — 981 complaints
- 1994 MERCURY SABLE — 534 complaints
- 1995 MERCURY SABLE — 485 complaints
- 1996 MERCURY SABLE (current)
- 1997 MERCURY SABLE — 326 complaints
- 1998 MERCURY SABLE — 243 complaints
- 1999 MERCURY SABLE — 302 complaints
- 2000 MERCURY SABLE — 578 complaints
- 2001 MERCURY SABLE — 528 complaints
Other MERCURY Models
- MERCURY GRAND MARQUIS — 4,949 total complaints
- MERCURY MILAN — 3,211 total complaints
- MERCURY COUGAR — 2,646 total complaints
- MERCURY MOUNTAINEER — 2,646 total complaints
- MERCURY VILLAGER — 2,205 total complaints
- MERCURY MARINER — 1,716 total complaints
- MERCURY MYSTIQUE — 1,510 total complaints
- MERCURY TRACER — 754 total complaints