1996 Mercury Sable problems
Owners have filed 391 complaints about the 1996 Mercury Sable with NHTSA. Power train accounts for 18.2% of them — narrowly the most common, ahead of engine and engine cooling at 17.1%.
Complaints391
Crashes25
Fires13
Injuries124
Deaths0
What owners report breaking
Power train 18.2% · 71
Engine and engine cooling 17.1% · 67
Steering 10.0% · 39
Visibility 7.7% · 30
Structure 7.4% · 29
Electrical system 5.1% · 20
Service brakes, hydraulic 4.9% · 19
Vehicle speed control 4.3% · 17
Severity
Of those complaints, 25 describe a crash, 13 describe a fire and 124 report an injury.
Reading the numbers
Across the 15 model years of the Mercury Sable in this data, 1996 sits 8th by complaint volume. 1993 draws the most.
Filings have fallen off, 4 in the last three years against 7 in the three before. That is normal as a generation leaves the road.
The median odometer reading at the time of complaint was 95,000 miles.
In owners' own words
The vehicle was parked and with no warning rolled forward. The dealer was notified. *Ak the vehicle was stopped and the gear shift was in park. The consumer exited the vehicle, and when he returned to the vehicle, it started to roll down the slope of the roadway. The consumer ran after the vehicle and was able to get it under control. *Scc Power train · reported at 65,001 miles
When automobile is placed in park, it does not automatically go into park. Also, when the automobile is on a hill, it will move until emergency brake is on. In addition, it is hard to shift out of park. Recall 96v176ooo has been issued which deals with the same problem. However, this vehicle is not covered under the recall due to vin. Power train
Problem started when shifting from park to drive, car would lurch forward unless you had brake pedal pushed down as hard as you could. Then while leaving a stop light car would hesitate then pick up speed very slowly, finally the car will not go into reverse. Transmission shop said that transmission had to be replaced. $1800.00 !! Power train · reported at 96,512 miles
Verbatim from NHTSA filings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.
Safety recalls
Checking NHTSA for open recalls…