1997 MERCURY SABLE — Problems, Recalls & Safety Data
N/A
Safety Rating
326
Owner Complaints
3
Recalls
47
Service Bulletins
0
Investigations
Overview of the 1997 MERCURY SABLE
The 1997 MERCURY SABLE has received a total of 326 safety complaints filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). There have been 3 recall campaigns affecting this vehicle, covering issues with EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS, POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION, POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:GEAR POSITION INDICATION (PRNDL). 47 technical service bulletins have been issued by Ford Motor Company for this model year. The most commonly reported problems involve the Power Trainautomatic Transmission (31 complaints), Vehicle Speed Control (19 complaints), and Engine And Engine Coolingenginegasoline (15 complaints).
Recalls for the 1997 MERCURY SABLE
NHTSA has recorded 3 recalls for the 1997 MERCURY SABLE, potentially affecting up to 711,800 vehicles.
Recall 98V028000 — EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
| 571,800 vehicles affected
Defect: 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: 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.
View full details →Recall 97V097000 — POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
| 100,000 vehicles affected
Defect: 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: 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.
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 →Owner Complaints for the 1997 MERCURY SABLE
326 complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 1997 MERCURY SABLE. Below is a breakdown by vehicle component.
Most Recent Complaints
YES I HAVE A USED CAR AND THE DASH FROM THE HEAT HAS ROSE OFF OR HAS BUCKELED UP AND I HAVE CONTACTED THE COMPANY WELL APPARENTLY IT IS OBSOLETE AND IT IS HARD TO COME BY SO I CANT DRIVE WITHOUT A DASH AND I CANT GET ONE EITHER
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 MERCURY SABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR A SAFETY INSPECTION, WHERE THE MECHANIC NOTIFIED HER THAT THE BRAKE LINES WERE CORRODED AND THE BALL JOINTS WERE DETACHING FROM THE VEHICLE. ALSO, THE MECHANIC ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS UNSAFE TO DRIVE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 73,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 MERCURY SABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR A SAFETY INSPECTION, WHERE THE MECHANIC NOTIFIED HER THAT THE BRAKE LINES WERE CORRODED AND THE BALL JOINTS WERE DETACHING FROM THE VEHICLE. ALSO, THE MECHANIC ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS UNSAFE TO DRIVE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 73,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 MERCURY SABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN BRAKING TO A COMPLETE STOP, THE ENGINE RPMS WOULD INCREASE ABNORMALLY. IN ADDITION, THE VEHICLE WOULD SLIGHTLY PULL FORWARD AS IF IT WERE ATTEMPTING TO ACCELERATE. AS THE CONTACT WAS APPROACHING A TRAFFIC STOP, SHE CRASHED INTO THE REAR OF ANOTHER VEHICLE. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSIS BUT THE FAILURE WAS UNABLE TO BE DETERMINED. THE MECHANIC DISCONNECTED THE CRUISE CONTROL AS A PRECAUTION AND THE VEHICLE FUNCTIONED PROPERLY. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 43,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 1997 MERCURY SABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THE SUB FRAME THAT HOLDS THE MOTOR AND TRANSMISSION TOGETHER WAS DETACHED FROM THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE VEHICLE DUE TO RUST. WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE WAS MAKING NOISE; HOWEVER, DURING THE DIAGNOSTIC TEST THE MECHANIC CONFIRMED THAT THE SUBFRAME WAS COVERED WITH RUST. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER STATED THERE WERE NO RECALLS OR RELATED WARRANTIES AND OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 99,000.
Safety Rating for the 1997 MERCURY SABLE
NHTSA has not yet tested the 1997 MERCURY SABLE in its New Car Assessment Program.
Technical Service Bulletins for the 1997 MERCURY SABLE
Ford Motor Company has issued 47 technical service bulletins (TSBs) for the 1997 MERCURY SABLE. TSBs are notices sent by manufacturers to their dealers describing a known issue and the recommended repair procedure.
02183 — ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM
EXHAUST SYSTEM Y-PIPE CRACK AT THE NOISE VIBRATION HARNESS BRACKET. *MJ
01116 — ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM
SOME VEHICLES MAY EXHIBIT COOLING SYSTEM CONDITIONS SUCH CONTAMINATED / CORRODED COOLANT; LEAKING / DISCOLORED COOLANT OVERFLOW BOTTLES; VIBRATION FROM ENGINE; LEAKING HEATER CORE; COOLANT OVERFLOW; HIGH TEMPERATURE GAUGE READINGS, ETC. *TT
14087 — FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:CARBURETOR SYSTEM
SOME VEHICLES MAY EXHIBIT DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODE P1518 AND/OR P1519, RELATED TO INTAKE MANIFOLD RUNNER CONTROL (IMRC). **MR
8199 — SUSPENSION:FRONT:STABILIZER BAR
SOME VEHICLES MAY EXHIBIT A RATTLING OR CLUNKING NOISE FROM THE FRONT END (FRONT STABILIZER LINK) UNDER NORMAL DRIVING CONDITIONS.
7106 — UNKNOWN OR OTHER
INFORMATION REGARDING THE WINNERS OF THE EDSR OF THE MONTH QUALITY AWARDS FOR THE MONTH OF AUGUST. *MJS
996735 — POWER TRAIN:AXLE ASSEMBLY
SOME VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH THE AX4S TRANSAXLE MAY EXHIBIT A HARSH 3-2 DOWNSHIFT WHEN COASTING AROUND A CORNER AND THEN STEPPING INTO THE THROTTLE TO ACCELERATE AWAY FROM THE CORNER. *TT
6612 — SUSPENSION
SOME VEHICLES MAY EXHIBIT FRONT SUSPENSION NOISE DUE TO FRONT STRUT, FRONT SWAY BAR LINKS OR SYMPTOMS SUCH AS PREMATURE REAR BRAKE PAD WEAR DUE TO SEIZED REAR BRAKE CALIPERS OR SLIDES. *TT
98B23S1 — ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM
INSTALLATION OF COOLING SYSTEM BY-PASS KIT. *TT
5255 — 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, AND OR LACK OF HEAT. *TT
5301 — VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS
INFORMATION ON VEHICLES EXHIBITING AN INOPERATIVE POWER WINDOW. *TT
Showing 10 of 47 technical service bulletins.
NHTSA Investigations for the 1997 MERCURY SABLE
There are no NHTSA defect investigations on record for this vehicle.
Other Model Years of the MERCURY SABLE
- 1992 MERCURY SABLE — 517 complaints
- 1993 MERCURY SABLE — 981 complaints
- 1994 MERCURY SABLE — 534 complaints
- 1995 MERCURY SABLE — 485 complaints
- 1996 MERCURY SABLE — 391 complaints
- 1997 MERCURY SABLE (current)
- 1998 MERCURY SABLE — 243 complaints
- 1999 MERCURY SABLE — 302 complaints
- 2000 MERCURY SABLE — 578 complaints
- 2001 MERCURY SABLE — 528 complaints
- 2002 MERCURY SABLE — 541 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