1997 Mercury Sable problems
Owners have filed 326 complaints about the 1997 Mercury Sable with NHTSA. Power train accounts for 15.6% of them — narrowly the most common, ahead of engine and engine cooling at 14.1%.
Complaints326
Crashes14
Fires7
Injuries13
Deaths0
What owners report breaking
Power train 15.6% · 51
Engine and engine cooling 14.1% · 46
Vehicle speed control 8.6% · 28
Visibility 7.4% · 24
Seat belts 6.7% · 22
Electrical system 6.4% · 21
Service brakes, hydraulic 5.8% · 19
Steering 5.8% · 19
Severity
Of those complaints, 14 describe a crash, 7 describe a fire and 13 report an injury.
Reading the numbers
Across the 15 model years of the Mercury Sable in this data, 1997 sits 10th by complaint volume. 1993 draws the most.
Filings have fallen off, 5 in the last three years against 14 in the three before. That is normal as a generation leaves the road.
The median odometer reading at the time of complaint was 72,000 miles.
In owners' own words
Vehicle exhibits an intermittent neutral condition after driving and coming to a stop (I found service bulletin number 983112 on nstha web site) almost caused an accident when brake was released vehicle rolled onto busy highway and I had to come to a complete stop almost struck by semi. Mercury dealer did not find a problem. I can never tell when this is going to happen. There is absolutely no warning. Power train
From the day I purchased my brand new 1997 Mercury Sable I have had transmission problems. The dealership replaced the trans at approx 31,600 miles. Now the cooler line is leaking extremely bad. I am unable to drive it and need to have it towed to the dealer. The vehicle has 49,000 miles so 18,000 miles after the transmission was replaced, again I am having transmission problems. Please advise. Power train
The automatic transmission lever position module failed. When this occurred, the windshield wipers/power steering and other components malfunctioned. The consumer replaced the part. The dealer indicated that this was a common failure with this make/model, but the cause was undetermined.*Ak *cb Power train · reported at 90,000 miles
Verbatim from NHTSA filings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.
Safety recalls
Checking NHTSA for open recalls…