1993 Mercury Sable: complete transmission failure

Filed Jan 19, 2008 · Transmission · 181,978 miles · MD

In early january 2008, my mercury sable 3.0 wagon, began to have transmission (ax4s) problems of eradict upshifting and downshifting when accelerating from a stop and climbing a hill. In addition when I checked the fluid level when the motor is hot it appears low in atf fluid, but when the motor has cooled the transmission fluid stick indicates the transmission full at the right level. I have become aware that the ax4s has a history of "inadequate internal lubrication of critical parts and a weak forward clutch piston that cracks and leaks pressure" that leads to complete failure of the transmission. My car is no longer operational due to transmission failure. The estimated cost on average from transmission repair shops in my area is 2200.00. I would like to keep the car and realize now that this particular transmission has numerous complaints of failure and ford is aware of the factory defects built into the transmission. I would like ford to repair my transmission at there expense since they have been aware of these problem for years yet continued to manufacture and install this transmission into there vehicles being sold to the public.

Filed Apr 29, 2004 · Transmission · 84,572 miles · NY

While driving at 5 MPH and without any warning the automatic transmission failed. Towed vehicle to the dealer and the technician determined the vehicle needed a new transmission. *ak

Filed Jan 15, 2004 · Engine, Transmission · 135,000 miles · PA

Ford 3.8l head gasket failure transmission failure

Filed Sep 8, 2003 · Engine · 4,000 miles · CA

Within the first 4000 miles, the engine was replaced because of an oil filter not doing it's job,according to the mechanics at negherbon mercury in oakland. The new engine ran hot. The dealer said it was within the normal range. The brand new engine actually had a cracked head gasket. All the repairs cost me $1800.00 that time. The dealer wouldn't even perform a compression check. Then the car would stall while driving, usually at freeway speeds. Most times it would restart. But this was very scary and dangerous. I brought it to the dealer, they claimed they could not duplicate it. I took it to my neighborhood mechanic who hooked up some machine to the computer. We drove it on a nearby freeway, where of course it stalled. He was able to immediately determine the computer was faulty!!!! The device that basically runs the entire vehicle was shutting off gas flow to the engine. I had my mechanic correct the problem. There was also other defects, such as the steering wheel mounted turn signal stalk was replaced but the replacement did the same thing. Only low wiper speed no high speed, and the variable speed went out. The lightbar in the front of the vehicle all went out. I spoke with other sable owners who said the same thing about the lights. The vehicle spent almost one year at my mechanics. Then within two months of finally getting it back, the torque converter went out. My mechanic said I should replace the transmission at the same time. When he told me it would be $2700.00 I threw in the towel on that car. At that point blue book worth was $3000.00. Why would I want to put in any more money? It is now up on blocks at my father-in-laws. I consider this car a lemon. The dealer was not very helpful at all. In fact they seemed very hostile.

Filed Aug 4, 2001 · Engine · GA

This vehicle was purchased used from a mercury dealership and has been in the shop for repairs over 30 times. The engine has always ran hot with the temperature near or at the red line. Dealership says this is normal and not a problem. However, the excessive heat constantly boils out the engine coolant and has caused excessive wear inside the coolant lines with failiures above the thermostat, and above the engine at the firewall, and of the upper and lower hoses, as well as two thermostats. The excessive heat has also prevented proper cooling of the transmission fluid which has resulted in shifting problems and eventual failure of the transmission. The motor mounts on this vehicle have been replaced at least 8 times (we have an internal letter from ford that indicates they know the mounts are defective and will replace them for free if the owner has this letter). The engine oil light is now beginning to flicker and the transmission is not shifting properly, again. The valve cover and timing cover gaskets were replaced 5,000 miles ago because they were leaking oil onto the catalytic converter and exhaust system, which caused constant burning odor and smoke. I believe this vehicle, and all models of it with the same engine, poses a serious fire and accident hazard due to the constant high engine temperatures which are not normal, regardless of what the manufacturer says. The high temps are causing transmission failures, gasket failures, coolant line failures, and sensor failures (several have had to be replaced on our car). Your database shows hundreds of similar complaints. The sable/taurus needs to be recalled for all versions with the 3.8 liter engine, not just a few select years, and ford needs to reimburse all expenses incurred by the owners for engine and engine component repairs. We have also had water pump failures, computer failure, brake failure, strut failure, rear suspension failure, cruise control lockup which placed the engine in high speed.

Filed Mar 19, 2001 · Electrical, Engine · MI

The starters made for this car are not the right kind I am alwys replacing it, headgaskets blew out at 80000 miles the transmission went out at 103265 this car is poorly built.

Filed Jan 24, 2001 · Engine · NJ

While traveling noticed vehicle smoking. Technician stated that head gasket needed to be replaced. *ak head gasket failure caused a chain reaction of other damages. Water pump failed and the radiator developed hole due to pressure build up. The timing case caver was leaking. Head gasket and transmission failures are the two common problems with lincoln mercury vehicle.

Filed Oct 30, 1999 · Engine, Transmission · MN

Coolant detected in exhaust at 70000 miles failure at 115000. Transmission failure at 65000 miles broken clutch cylinder

Filed Mar 30, 1999 · Transmission · MT

Cause of transmission failure was due to transmission fluid boiling.

Filed Mar 11, 1999 · Transmission · NY

Transmission failed suddenly with no warning

Filed Oct 24, 1997 · Transmission · NY

Transmission failed.

Filed Oct 21, 1997 · Transmission · MA

Transmission failure.