1994 Mercury Sable: jerking or lurching

Filed Jan 15, 2004 · Body, Brakes · AL

The key insert does not align, have had 2 transmissions in 5 years. (I know to check my fluids) new engine, & the paint is awful. Engine, motor, gas, gasps and jerks with me. Have had motor mounts replaced, nothing helps. Heater coil(?) went out, I have no heat now. We had to bypass. The rest I have not been able to afford to repair. I hate this car. I am worried everytime I get in it that my mother and I are not going to get home. I have had the car towed so many times, the man who does the towing knows me and my car on sight. I will not go more than 30 miles fromt he house. My mechanic even hates the car. I call him an angel, because he has kept it running.

Filed Mar 24, 2002 · Transmission · IA

Front piston in transmission cracked. This caused the transmission to lose pressure at slow speeds as if it went into nuetral. This was particularly dangerous when stopped to turn left. While waiting for oncoming traffic to pass the trans would lose pressure resulting in the nuetral condition. When the traffic passed and there was an opportunity to turn I would step on the gas but the car would not move. Then after a couple of seconds, and since the engine speed had now increased, the trans pressure would increase and the car would suddenly go into gear and lurch into the left turn. However a few seconds of turning opportunity had now been lost and the oncoming traffic was a little closer than I am comfortable with. I would not let my family drive the car until it was fixed. I took it to the ford dealer and he immediatly knew the cause, which indicates this is a common problem. In fact he had another customer with the same problem, same kind of car, same time. It cost me $1,400 to get the trans rebuilt. The defective part is and aluminum ring that is formed from sheet metal. During the forming process the metal was stretched too thin. This was evident by the stress mark or smile on the defective part. The repeated application of pressure eventually resulted in the crack which let the hydraulic pressure to leak past the piston. Again this very dangerous.

Filed Oct 5, 2000 · Acceleration, Transmission · FL

My transmission makes a loud thump noise when the car is shifted from park to either drive or reverse. Also when I come to a complete stop and then press the accelerator, the car seems to be in neutral and then after a few seconds goes into gear and launches forward. While driving, my speedometer will be accurate, and then just read zero for a while and then will start working again. My air conditioning was not working for a while and it just recently started working again, but often makes a loud high pitched screaming noise. I also believe that one or more of my motor mounts is loose or broken because when I shift the transmission into gear, the entire engine seems to jump up and then come down and jerk the whole car.

Filed Oct 12, 1999 · Transmission · MA

When coming to a stop, such as a redlight, and trying to accelerate from it, the vehicle will jump into neutral, and owner has to apply gas until the vehicle kicks back into gear and jerks suddenly forward. Dealer claims that manufacturer installed wrong pistons.

Filed Oct 5, 1999 · Transmission · PA

Transmission would stay in neutral for a few seconds then jerk into gear. Both forward or reverse. Once in gear, it would be okay until coming to a stop, then it would slip for a few seconds. Quit using overdrive to be able to drive until the shop could work on it. Shop found broken sprags and other problems. Rebuilt and installed all updates.

Filed Oct 5, 1999 · Transmission · MA

While driving at any speed vehicle is stalled /jerked and lost power. Also, transmission was not shifting properly. This was the third transmission put into vehicle.

Filed Jun 17, 1999 · Engine · OH

Motor mounts broke while driving , causing vehicle to jerk. Vehicle has been repaired by private mechanic. Dealer has been notified.

Filed Jan 3, 1999 · Transmission · FL

In normal driving the car started jerking and bucking. My regular service station drove it and sent me to a transmission place. He drove it and said it had a problem brably because these cars (94 sables and also taurus) had aluminum pistons which cracked under pressure. Later models, and replacement parts are steel. This was defective part that ford should replace. Every one I know who has this same model had had the same problem. The cost is expensiive - $1492. Ford should pay for this! It is also dangerous.

Filed Nov 4, 1998 · Transmission · ME

When leaving stop light/sign & pressing accelerator pedal, vehicle would jump or jerk to another gear. Took to dealer & told transmission piston seal made of aluminum can break & not strong enough for sable.

Filed Dec 13, 1996 · Transmission · SC

Transmission malfunctioned while sitting at stop sign, upon pressing accelerator, vehicle hesitated, then lurched forward. Transmission shop indicates defect in transmission pistons, mfr won't assist, not fixed.

Filed May 25, 1995 · Acceleration · NE

Vehicle has excessively high engine idle speed following a cold start; results in vehicle lurching forward/rearward following a stop; excessive speed. Tt