Dt*: the contact stated while driving at low speeds down a hill and trying to stop the vehicle stalled. All the lights on the dashboard illuminated prior to the vehicle stalling. The brakes did not work when this occurred. The parking brake must be used to stop the vehicle. An independent repair shop has been unable to duplicate the problem.*ak updated 1/25/2006 - the manufacturer indicated there were not recalls related to the failure.
1992 Mercury Sable engine problems
151 complaints (41% of all complaints for this car).
- owner complaints
- 151
- of this car's complaints
- 41%
- crashes
- 0
- recalls
- 1
Which part fails
- Engine107
- Engine: gasoline27
- Cooling system10
- Cooling system: radiator assembly6
- Exhaust system: emission control5
- Cooling system: fan3
- Engine: gasoline: belts and associated pulleys2
- Exhaust system: emission control: gas recirculation valve (EGR valve)1
At what mileage
Complaints by mileage at the time of the problem.
0k-25k
25k-50k
50k-75k
75k-100k
100k-125k
125k-150k
150k-175k
175k-200k
200k+
Mercury Sable engine problems in other years
Specific symptoms reported on the 1992 Mercury Sable engine
Phrases found in the owners' own descriptions, so one complaint can mention several symptoms.
Related recalls
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system: fan
- What is wrong
- These vehicles are originally sold or currently registered in the following states: alaska, iowa, minnesota, nebraska, north dakota, and south dakota. The vehicles involved are 1992-1994 tempo/topaz vehicles with 3.0l engines; 1994 tempo/topaz with 2.3l engines; 1992-1995 taurus/sable with 3.8l engines; 1994-1995 taurus/sable with 3.0l engines and 1992-1994 lincoln continental vehicles with 3.8l engines. During high winds, heavy, blowing and drifting snow, and low temperatures, the engine cooling fan can become blocked or frozen with snow. The fan motor may not rotate and could overheat.
- Risk
- This condition can cause smoke or flames from the fan and/or shroud, the fan electrical wiring, or the fan motor resulting in a vehicle fire.
- Remedy
- Dealers will install an electrical jumper harness containing an automatic resetting circuit breaker to protect the fan motor low speed circuitry from overheating.
Recall number 97V019000 · Recall details
Related investigations
Engine cooling fan fires
There is no summary currently available
EA96024
Engine cooling fan fires
In december 1995, ford recalled 119,313 vehicles in canada to remedy the subject condition in certain 1992-95 taurus, sable, tempo, topaz and continental vehicles.ford is aware of similar incidents occurring in northern regions of the united states, but maintains that the frequencies do not warrant a finding of an unreasonable risk to motor vehicle safety.
PE96033
Idle air spd ctrl vlv malf
There is no summary currently available
EA93022
Idle air spd ctrl vlv malf
There is no summary currently available
PE93010
What 1992 Mercury Sable owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
My head gaskets keep blowing .. I realize this is a older model car however just b/c im a single female who didnt even know what a recall was/is doesnt mean that I shouldnt be entitled to perhaps a reembursment or to have my car fixed properly I have been out so much money on this car and the motor and I always always do as directed with oil changes and water checkings I just dont understand why I wasnt ever notified of the dangers of my cooling systems and my motor. I am a widow with 3 children and I cant afford to keep having my heads done or my motor worked on please guide me in the direction of someone that could perhaps fix this problem once and for all.
The car is a 1992 mercury sable 3.8l v-6 engine with 93,000 miles. The head gaskets need to be replaced. I have been quoted an estimate of $1,000 to fix the problem. I am the second owner of the automobile and it has been well maintained. The car broke down on june 25, 2003 and is currently parked at the mechanic's shop.
1st one remove & replace timing cover/pump, housing, replace studs, water pump, renew coolant. Cost $1,079.60 2nd r&r headgaskets/ $1,304.10. I would like for someone to let me know if I could get some of my money back because this was a recall a bad part which I had no knowledge of. Until I had to have it repaired. Ford said that I was 9 months to late under warranty. I am the second owner of this car how would I have known that ford had a problm with this kind of car. Any type of help would be appreciated. I'm a single mom and I can't afford to have this kind of car repair. I had to use my rent money inorder to get my car out of the shop. I just want somekind of repayment a head gasket is suppose to last the life of the car. It will be just three years this october for me that I have had the car. It's not my problem that they put in bad parts and knew that they needed to be taken care of. But no one wanted to pay the cost so a lot of customers didn't get recall letters inorder to take care of the problem. I'm sure that if anyone that owned this car would have had the repairs done at the cost of the company. Why would there be a time limit set on major part like that. So people don't experience the problem until years and that's what happened to me. I just want some kind of response toward this problem. Thank you ms. Patricia reese p.o. Box 59 shirley, ny 11967-0059
While driving, vehicle started running hot, overheating. Consumer had vehicle towed to dealership, who indicated that the cause of the problem was the water pump. Dealership replaced the pump, but the problem recurred 3 times within a small period of time. Please provide more details. Ts
The motor mounts were replaced in 1999 which has failed again. While driving 45 MPH the owner heard something drop/break.
While driving in a very high temperature, vehicle will stall out.
Vehicle was losing coolant and ove heating while driving. Vehicle taken to dealer, and informed dealer of a blown head gasket. Feel free to provide any further information.
Vehicle stalled three time in hot weather and heavy traffic.
Car was running fine all of a sudden I had no heat thought needed a thermostat but dealer said I needed a head gasket that this has been a well known problem on ford 3.8 v6 cars. This car has been maintained by me and the previous owner who is my father a retired ford employee. The car was always taken care of at a dealer. I called ford and was told sorry can't help so now I have a$1600.00 bill to pay. I am in the process of writing a letter toford. Thank you.
Questions about the 1992 Mercury Sable engine
Does the 1992 Mercury Sable have engine problems?
Owners have filed 151 complaints about the engine of the 1992 Mercury Sable, 41% of all its complaints, more than any other problem.
At what mileage do 1992 Mercury Sable engine problems start?
Not enough complaints include the mileage to tell.
Was there a recall on the 1992 Mercury Sable engine?
Yes, 1 recall: 97V019000. Check your VIN to see if your car still needs the free repair.
What year does the Mercury Sable have bad engine?
The Mercury Sable model years with the most engine complaints are 1993 (356 complaints), 1992 (151 complaints) and 1994 (144 complaints).
Other 1992 Mercury Sable problems
Transmission 61Brakes 41Body 29Electrical 28Steering 28Acceleration 22Suspension 17Lights 13Visibility 13Airbags 11Tires 10Fuel system 5Seat belts 5Seats 5Locks 2Wheels 1
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