Model year record

1997 MERCURY Sable

3 recall campaigns on file for this model year. 326 owner complaints on file.

Recalls

Recall campaignNHTSA 98V028000

Exterior lighting: headlights

Component
Exterior lighting: headlights
Manufacturer
FORD MOTOR COMPANY
Vehicles affected
571,800
Reported to NHTSA
1998-02-10
Owners notified
1998-03-23

Defect description

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."

Safety risk

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.

Manufacturer remedy

OWNER GUIDES CONTAINING REVISED AIMING INSTRUCTIONS WILL BE MAILED TO OWNERS OF THESE VEHICLES.

Recall campaignNHTSA 97V097000

Power train: automatic transmission

Component
Power train: automatic transmission
Manufacturer
FORD MOTOR COMPANY
Vehicles affected
100,000
Reported to NHTSA
1997-06-09
Owners notified
1997-06-30

Defect description

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.

Safety risk

THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER TEMPERATURE MAY BE HOT ENOUGH TO IGNITE THE TRANSMISSION FLUID AND CAUSE A VEHICLE FIRE.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE TRANSMISSION AND REPLACE THESE SERVO COVERS.

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.

Owner complaints

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

ComponentComplaintsMedian mileage
Power train: automatic transmission3170,000 mi
Vehicle speed control1964,788 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline15
Engine and engine cooling: engine1072,000 mi
Air bags: frontal8
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system852,200 mi
Interior lighting780,000 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: fuel pump639,469 mi
Seat belts: front: retractor6
Tires684,400 mi
Vehicle speed control: accelerator pedal643,000 mi
Electrical system580,000 mi
Equipment: appliance: air conditioner5
Power train: manual transmission590,000 mi
Seat belts555,000 mi
Seat belts: front: buckle assembly5
Service brakes, hydraulic564,788 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip5
Suspension: front: springs: coil springs5154,000 mi
Unknown or other580,000 mi
Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system: heater core552,200 mi
Electrical system: wiring4
Engine and engine cooling470,000 mi
Power train470,000 mi
Seat belts: front: anchorage4
Steering: steering wheel/handle bar4
Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system452,200 mi
Visibility: power window devices and controls470,000 mi
Electrical system: 12V/24V/48V battery3
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system: radiator assembly334 mi
Steering370,000 mi
Steering: hydraulic power assist system354,000 mi
Steering: hydraulic power assist: pump3
Steering: linkages: tie rod assembly312,000 mi
Steering: rack and pinion3
Structure: body: door3
Suspension312,000 mi
Suspension: front3
Visibility: windshield3
Air bags2
Air bags: side/window2
Electrical system: wiring: front underhood2
Electrical system: wiring: fuses and circuit breakers2
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline: belts and associated pulleys2
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: emission control: catalytic convertor2
Equipment265,200 mi
Equipment: electrical: radio/tape deck/CD etc.2160,000 mi
Equipment: mechanical: accessory scissor/screw/bottle jack/lift2
Exterior lighting2
Exterior lighting: brake lights248,000 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly2
Latches/locks/linkages: doors: latch294,000 mi
Power train: automatic transmission: gear position indication (PRNDL)2106,000 mi
Power train: automatic transmission: torque converter2
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components2
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings250,000 mi
Suspension: rear: springs: coil springs267,220 mi
Tires: sidewall2
Tires: tread/belt285,000 mi
Vehicle speed control: cruise control2
Visibility: sun/moon roof assembly2
Visibility: windshield wiper/washer2
Electrical system: 12V/24V/48V battery: cables1
Electrical system: alternator/generator/regulator1
Electrical system: ignition1
Electrical system: ignition: module1
Electrical system: wiring: rear compartment/trunk1
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system1
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe1
Equipment: electrical170,000 mi
Exterior lighting: headlights: high/low beam dimmer switch1
Exterior lighting: headlights: switch1
Exterior lighting: tail lights1
Exterior lighting: turn signal1
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery1
Fuel system, other1
Latches/locks/linkages: hood: latch1187,000 mi
Power train: automatic transmission: cooling unit and lines1
Power train: automatic transmission: park/neutral start interlock switch1
Power train: axle assembly: axle shaft1
Power train: clutch assembly1
Power train: driveline: constant velocity joint1
Power train: driveline: differential unit1
Power train: manual transmission: floor shift assembly1
Seat belts: front1
Seat belts: rear/other194,996 mi
Seats: front assembly: power adjust1
Service brakes173,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: rotor1
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: drum: wheel cylinders134 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: master cylinder1
Service brakes, hydraulic: power assist1
Service brakes, hydraulic: power assist: hydraulic: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings158,431 mi
Structure: body1
Structure: body: door: hinge and attachments194,000 mi
Structure: body: trunk lid1
Structure: frame and members199,000 mi
Structure: frame and members: underbody shields1100,000 mi
Suspension: front: macpherson strut1100,000 mi
Suspension: front: wheel bearing1
Suspension: rear184,234 mi
Suspension: rear: springs192,000 mi
Tires: valve1138,707 mi
Vehicle speed control: linkages1
Visibility: rear window wiper/washer: switch/wiring1
Visibility: rearview mirrors/devices: interior1
Visibility: windshield wiper/washer: linkages1
Visibility: windshield wiper/washer: motor134 mi
Wheels: lugs/nuts/bolts/studs184,400 mi

The 1996 model has roughly the same number of complaints as this one. The 1998 model has about 1.5 times as many 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.