Engine check light had been coming on intermittently for years. Vehicle had been taken to dealer numerous times, problem could not be remedied. While drivng 40 MPH there was smoke coming from tailpipe, and engine was running very rough. Vehicle was taken to a repair shop, a blown headgasket was diagnosed.
1992 Mercury Sable engine complaints
Page 2 of 6: complaints 11 to 40 of 151, newest first, as owners wrote them.
With out no warning I heard a loud noise and noticed that my temperature gauge was going up. I was on a busy 3 lane highway at quitting time trying to get off a exit to the nearest gas station. I came to an intersection and noticed that there was a tremendous amount of smoke everywhere, smoking up the whole intersection to where no motorist could proceed. I turned off the car and noticed that there was anti-freeze coming out of my exhaust. I had the car taken to my mechanic and was told that I had a blown head gasket. The mechanic infomed me that this year of car has had problems with the engines and the head gaskets. I noticed that my heater was not putting out any heat and my check engine light was coming on. So I decided to research this model and see if there was any warranty or recalls on this type of thing and to my surprise this seems to be an on going problem that ford refuses to do anything about. I bought this car exactly 1yr ago this month from a ford dealer and I feel that this dealer knowing the problems that this car has had should be responsible for selling me a lemon. I'm a single mother with this being my only car and I am looking at $1000.00 to $1500.00 to either replace the motor or fix it. Now does ford think that I'm going to buy another motor and take the chance on the same problem happening again. I think that ford needs to be held responsible for this problem. Is it going to take someone being seriously injured or killed before they will do something. This head gasket blows with no warning and caused tremendous smoke which blocks other motorists view. This is a defect due to ford and ford should be made to pay for there defect not me. I could see if this was a isolated issue but it is not and I'm sure that there are many more people that this has happened to and they have never bothered to report it. Someone needs to step in and make ford responsible.
Motor has failed, and dealer can't find the problem. Please provide further information.
While driving and without warning vehicle completelt shutsdown, cause unknown. Please give any further details.
On a trip to nc the engine temp rose and stalled many times. Local dealers can't duplicate or verify with diagnostic test. Replaced oxygen sensors and motor mounts new fuelfilter. Ford dealer refused additional work for ignition problem that he cannot see on this car.car is unsafe to drive because stalling could take place.
Failure of engine head gasket caused failure of entire cooling system.
Engine mounts were replaced in recall 10/27/94 but continue to break; why doesn't ford want to fix?
No summary listed for above vehicle.
Head gasket failure resulted in repair bill of $1336.18, plus $399.51 for rental car for eight days (car was at mechanic's from 5/20/01 through 6/13/01, but I was able to borrow a car for two weeks), plus $45 for tow to mechanics shop. My mechanic had warned that car might have to stay in his shop for at least two weeks because of scarcity of parts due to high demand. After hearing that parts were scarce, I decided to do some research on internet and learned that that ford has known about head-gasket failure/vulnerability on all 1988-95 taurus/sables (as well as other ford models) since 1998 (tsb 98-4-9). Ford issued a limited recall, the coverage of which included sables, but only 1994-95 model years, even though head gasket problem affects all 1988-95 ford cars with 3.8l v6 engines. My car had only 51,244 miles on it at time that head gasket blew; furthermore, my car has been very well maintained, and I have receipts for all maintenance performed on vehicle from date of purchase. My mechanic also informed me that although the head gasket was replaced, my car is not guaranteed against future head gasket failure. I believe that ford should have issued a full recall, one that covers all 1988-95 ford cars with 3.8l v6 engines Ive learned through research that head gaskets are supposed to be a nonmaintenance item and are supposed to last the life of the car (or at least 120,000 miles).
Head gasket failed. Car was parked in driveway. The morning of 5/15/2001 car did not start. Car was towed to mechanic, upon his check he concluded that head gasket had failed.
Head gasket failed leaking anti-freeze into engine, causing damage to oxygen sensor and radiator. Consumer had head gasket replaced at private garage.
Head gasket was cracked and leaked coolant which caused engine to overheat. Private mechanic was repairing this defect, and was going to cost approximately $800-1200.00. Please provide any additional information/attachments.
I am not a mechanic so here goes. I first was driving and white smoke began blowing out of the muffler. I stopppred the car and had it towed to an auto repair shop.he said I had a blown head gasket which is quit common in the mercury sable.I contacted several mechanics who all said the same thing,it must be a defect in the sable. I had that fixed and because of this my transmission let go and blew a rod.
There seems to be a problem with fords 3.8 liter v6 head gaskets. Mine personnelly failed at 91,000 mile mark and everyone else I know that owns one has failed around 90,000 miles it seem to me there is a big problem this is a costly repair for something that should not be happening to all of the 3.8 liters can you please look at this problem so we can stop this travesty of justice from accouring any more. Thank you.
No summary listed for abov evehicle.
No summary listed for above vehicle.
Vehicle was making noise in front. Consumer took vehicle to a technician where he told consumer that noise was coming from motor mounts that were broken. Manufacturer had taken care off a recall for this problem before. *ak the motor mounts were replaced but the parts were defective.
Ford motor co. Should recall this vehicle. No safety defect mentione din summary.
While driving air conditioner went out & started to make welling noises. Would blow cold air. Took vehicle to mechanic & informed consumer that heat sensors were going up. Failed to get warm. Thermostat was replaced.
No warning, car hesitated, the a white plume of smoke came from exhaust.
Suddenly lost power steering.after pump replaced hoses blew.2000 miles later,head gasket blew.
I understand there is a recall for a head gasket replacement on 94 & 95 tarus & sables with 3.8 l engines, I had the same problem with my 92 3.8l sable, the head gasket had to be replaced by a mechanic this past summer. Ford refuse to acknowledge and or service problem when notify. What recourse as a consumer do I have ?
I am aware of the problems with the ford 3.4 l early head gasket failure, now that it has happened to me. I had to spend over $900 to get the repair done. This has in turn put me and my family into a serious financial situation. I have since learned that there was an extended warranty on many of these engines, but it was for 7 years, leaving my car out of that. However, since it has only 65,000 miles on it, I think ford should rethink their policy. I also have learned that there is a potential for the head gasket to blow again. How can ford be allowed to let this go on and on and on for the owners of these vehicles? Sure, you can get it fixed if it is under the warranty, extended or regular, but what about the people who have the failure later and then even again at some point. I think the situation is far worse that ford is admitting, that there are many, many more cars with this problem and that it will continue to be a problem long after the 7 year extended warranty for many of the cars affected. How can I have my 17 year old child go out in the car and get stranded who knows where. We live in an area that can have some long, dark roads. So, even though the car itself may not be a safety hazard due to the head gasket problem, it is a potential safety threat if someone breaks down in a bad area. It could be very dangerous. What is being done about this?? Is ford being allowed to cover this up like they did with the tires and lie about how many vehicles are really affected and to what extent? At the expense of all of us who cannot afford to pay for a repair that should not be necessary in the first place. Why should I have to be afraid to drive somewhere at night, being a woman, with the risk of breaking down on a dark road somewhere? Why should I have to pay for the repair even once, no matter when it happens, especially with 65,000 miles on it. I do not even know if this is the first time for this vehicle to have this problem since I purchased it used.
I bought my mercury sable in march of 98, with only 18,000 miles on it. It was paid off in march of 2000. In october, it hit that deadly mileage where lots of sables and tauruses blow their head gaskets...and yes that's just what mine has done. I contacted the ford dealership in my town and they of course instantly said "sorry, your model year is not include in the sable head gasket recall." so what now. As a single mother of two, earning $200 a week, I don't expect to have any spare money until income tax return time. Right now I'm boring a friends car. Obviously that can't go on forever. Thanks ford, for the dependable car!
Head gaskets failed at approx 93000 miles. There have been extended warranties on many ford models with 3.8l engines but not 1992 (yet). I contacted ford and they basically told me there was nothing they were willing to do to help defray the expense ($1300) of replacing the head gaskets even though it is a known problem.
Head gasket failed causing complete failure of the engine, power steering and power brakes.
Engine mounts replaced under recall 92m77 in 1/96. I was advised by ford that one repair is all that is performed. I don't see why they shouldn't repair again as obviously the problem still exists for engine mounts to fail every 4 years.
No summary
Head gasket has blown at 100,000 miles. Is not aware of exteneded warranty for head gasket.
I got in my car to take my child to school and me to work like every other day we started down the road and smoke was coming out my exhaust that smelled like anti freeze, then my thermostat pegged itself all the way hot.
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