Model year record

1996 MERCURY Sable

5 recall campaigns on file for this model year. 391 owner complaints on file.

Recalls

Recall campaignNHTSA 98V067000

Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly

Component
Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly
Manufacturer
FORD MOTOR COMPANY
Vehicles affected
400
Reported to NHTSA
1998-03-25
Owners notified
1998-06-17

Defect description

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.

Safety risk

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.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL INSTALL THE CORRECT FUEL TANK.

Recall campaignNHTSA 96V176000

Power train: automatic transmission

Component
Power train: automatic transmission
Manufacturer
FORD MOTOR COMPANY
Vehicles affected
340,000
Reported to NHTSA
1996-09-18
Owners notified
1996-10-09

Defect description

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.

Safety risk

THIS CONDITION COULD RESULT IN THE VEHICLE ROLLING AS IF IN NEUTRAL WITH THE SHIFT LEVER IN THE PARK POSITION.

Manufacturer 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.

Recall campaignNHTSA 96V166000

Power train: automatic transmission: gear position indication (PRNDL)

Component
Power train: automatic transmission: gear position indication (PRNDL)
Manufacturer
FORD MOTOR COMPANY
Vehicles affected
40,000
Reported to NHTSA
1996-09-05
Owners notified
1996-09-23

Defect description

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.

Safety risk

UNINTENDED AND UNEXPECTED VEHICLE MOVEMENT CAN RESULT IN PERSONAL INJURY AND PROPERTY DAMAGE.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND, IF NECESSARY, REPLACE THE PARK PAWL ABUTMENT BRACKET.

Recall campaignNHTSA 96V086000

Power train: automatic transmission

Component
Power train: automatic transmission
Manufacturer
FORD MOTOR COMPANY
Vehicles affected
100,000
Reported to NHTSA
1996-05-14
Owners notified
1996-07-17

Defect description

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.

Safety risk

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.

Manufacturer 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 ADDITION TO PLACING THE TRANSMISSION IN PARK.

Recall campaignNHTSA 96V016000

Service brakes, hydraulic: brake fluid low warning: lamp

Component
Service brakes, hydraulic: brake fluid low warning: lamp
Manufacturer
FORD MOTOR COMPANY
Vehicles affected
76,500
Reported to NHTSA
1996-01-25
Owners notified
1996-02-21

Defect description

THE BRAKE SYSTEM FLUID LEVEL INDICATOR LAMP SWITCH CAN MALFUNCTION. THIS DOES NOT COMPLY WITH FMVSS NO. 105, "HYDRAULIC BRAKE SYSTEMS."

Safety risk

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.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE BRAKE SYSTEM FLUID LEVEL INDICATOR LAMP SWITCHES.

Owner complaints

A complaint is one person's report to a federal agency. It is not a finding.

ComponentComplaintsMedian mileage
Power train: automatic transmission5465,001 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline21
Engine and engine cooling: engine1439,000 mi
Steering: hydraulic power assist system13
Structure: body: door12
Air bags: frontal11
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system11
Vehicle speed control116,000 mi
Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system: heater core11
Unknown or other10
Visibility: windshield8
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip7
Steering: steering wheel/handle bar7
Structure: frame and members793,000 mi
Visibility: windshield wiper/washer7
Engine and engine cooling667,000 mi
Exterior lighting: headlights6
Steering680,000 mi
Steering: rack and pinion6
Electrical system4140,000 mi
Electrical system: wiring: front underhood4
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline: belts and associated pulleys4
Power train467,000 mi
Power train: automatic transmission: park/neutral start interlock switch4
Power train: manual transmission4
Seat belts: front: buckle assembly4
Vehicle speed control: accelerator pedal493,350 mi
Electrical system: 12V/24V/48V battery3
Electrical system: ignition3
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system: radiator assembly3
Equipment: mechanical: accessory scissor/screw/bottle jack/lift3
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery3
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: fuel pump3
Latches/locks/linkages: doors: latch3
Service brakes, hydraulic370,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: rotor3
Structure: body3
Structure: frame and members: underbody shields3135,000 mi
Suspension380,000 mi
Tires: tread/belt3140,000 mi
Wheels367,000 mi
Air bags2166,000 mi
Air bags: side/window2
Electrical system: ignition: module239,000 mi
Electrical system: wiring: interior/under dash2
Engine26,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system2
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: emission control: catalytic convertor2
Equipment: appliance: air conditioner2
Exterior lighting: headlights: switch2
Fuel system, gasoline: fuel injection system2
Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly2
Interior lighting296,500 mi
Latches/locks/linkages: hatchback/liftgate: lock2
Power train: automatic transmission: gear position indication (PRNDL)290,000 mi
Seat belts2166,000 mi
Seat belts: front: retractor2
Seat belts: rear/other2
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components2
Steering: hydraulic power assist: power steering fluid2
Steering: linkages: tie rod assembly2
Structure2
Structure: body: trunk lid2
Suspension: front2
Suspension: front: control arm: lower ball joint2
Suspension: front: control arm: upper ball joint2
Tires2
Electrical system: alternator/generator/regulator1
Electrical system: wiring1
Electronic stability control (ESC)1137,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system: hoses/lines/piping/fittings1
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: emission control1
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: emission control: crankcase (PCV)1
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: emission control: gas recirculation valve (EGR valve)1
Equipment: electrical: radio/tape deck/CD etc.1
Equipment: other: owners/service/other manual1
Exterior lighting: back up lights1
Exterior lighting: headlights: concealment devices1
Exterior lighting: tail lights1
Exterior lighting: turn signal1
Exterior lighting: turn signal: switch1
Fuel system, gasoline: storage1
Power train: automatic transmission: control module (TCM/PCM/TECM)1
Power train: axle assembly1
Power train: driveline: universal joint1
Seats: front assembly: recliner1
Service brakes, air: supply: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings1
Service brakes, hydraulic: brake fluid low warning: lamp1
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: differential proportional valve1
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings196,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: power assist: vacuum: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings1
Steering: hydraulic power assist: hose, piping, and connections1
Steering: hydraulic power assist: pump1
Steering: rack and pinion: rack1
Suspension: front: shock absorber1
Suspension: front: springs: coil springs1
Suspension: front: stabilizer bar1184,000 mi
Suspension: rear1
Vehicle speed control: cruise control1
Vehicle speed control: linkages1
Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system: windshield: electrical heating element1
Visibility: power window devices and controls1
Visibility: rearview mirrors/devices: interior1
Visibility: sun/moon roof assembly1

The 1995 model has roughly the same number of complaints as this one. The 1997 model has roughly the same number of complaints as this one. These figures reflect raw complaint counts, not failure rates. Higher-selling model years naturally receive more complaints.

Safety recall repairs are provided free of charge by franchised dealers, regardless of vehicle age or mileage. This page displays aggregated data for the model year. To check recall status for a specific vehicle, search its VIN at nhtsa.gov.