1995 Mercury Sable: fire, smoke or burning smell

14 of the 350 complaints about the 1995 Mercury Sable describe fire, smoke or burning smell.

owner complaints: 14
of this car's complaints: 4%
recalls: 0

Is there a fix? 8 service bulletins cover this area of the car. See below

Fire, smoke or burning smell by model year

2008
3
2004
2
2003
1
2002
4
2001
9
2000
4
1999
3
1998
2
1997
5
1996
6
1995
14
1994
4
1993
13
1992
8
1991
6
1990
9

What owners say

Filed Mar 8, 2004 · Engine · 102,000 miles · PA · fire

While driving 60 MPH the fan motor caught on fire. The consumer managed to pull over and had the vehicle towed. The dealership has been notified but did not resolve the problem. *nm

Filed Feb 11, 2004 · Electrical · 120,000 miles · IA

When driving driver smelled burning odor coming from the dashboard. Consumer stated that wire melted, causing the burning smell.

Filed Feb 12, 2003 · Engine · 80,000 miles · FL · fire

Driver was driving car on state road 84. Car was stalling. Driver pulls over to side of road, opens hood engine compartment engulfed in flames as stated in fire marshall's report. Fire marshall states the fire started in the engine compartment. Car was totalled.

Filed Dec 3, 2002 · Engine · 36,200 miles · MA

When driving consumer noticed white smoke coming out of tail pipe. Mechanic stated that the head gaskets were blown. Ts consumer never received recall notification regarding head gaskets, therefore dealer was not willing to do anything. Head gaskets had to be replaced three times at owners expense.

Filed Sep 20, 2002 · Engine · MN · fire

Parts for recall 01v390000 concerning engine cooling fan bearing were not available for months. While waiting for parts, vehicle caught on fire.

Filed Apr 29, 2002 · Engine · MA · fire

Vehicle caught on fire. There was a recall letter sent to consumer, (01i011000) the fire was due to the conditions stated in the recall letter. Consumer is looking for assistance to cover the costs of repair to vehicle.

Filed Jan 29, 2002 · Engine · CA

Vehicle overheats, runs rough with a heavy white smoke coming from tail pipe because head gaskets have failed prematurely. Dealer has been notified.

Filed Feb 25, 2001 · Engine · WI

When we purchased the car, it had 120,673 miles. About 3 months after we bought it, we started experiencing problems with the car overheating. The temp indicator would rise to hot, stay there for about a minute or more and then go back to normal. We put in a new thermostat, but occasionally the car would overheat. By the time we pulled over to stop the car, the temp gauge would return to normal. This has continued, intermittently, until last thursday. While driving home from work, the temp gauge rose to hot, the engine started to mis-fire and I saw blue smoke coming out the back. I managed to get the car home, but it never started again. When we checked the oil, it was up a quart. (my guess is anti-freeze in the crankcase.) looks like a blown head gasket. I have since heard rumors that it may be a common problem for that engine.

Filed Nov 7, 2000 · Electrical, Transmission · NH

Consumer speedometer doesn't give correct reading. Reading indicates vehicle is going much faster. Dealer's safety inspection of vehicle found nothing wrong. After wheel alignment was done wiring harness was moved too close to exhaust system. Vehicle almost caught on fire & startedd smoking severely. Wires on exhaust wall melted. Dealer said wires were moved backed to where they belonged & it would be fine.

Filed Jul 21, 2000 · Electrical · NY

I had been noticing a strange burning smell in the car for some time - but couldn't place its source. I found the smell getting stronger over time, and stronger when the headlights were on. Then I noticed that the dash area surrounding the headlight switch was warm to the touch. I pulled off the headlight switch knob, and the switch shaft was burning - too hot to touch. I obtained a new headlight switch and proceeded to dissaemble the dash. I found the back end (plastic connector receptable body) of the switch totally melted, and some of the wires had their insulation melted clear off, down to bare copper. Luckily none of the wires were touching in the bare areas. The male end of the harness (that plugs into the switch) was melted into the switch body. I had to buy a new replacement connector, splice it in and make up some new wires, and then install the new switch. The auto parts stores say that although ford doesn't have the connector + pigtail assembly available as a dealer item, it is an aftermarket item since "they burn up so often." had I not intervened when I did, I could have had a severe in-dash fire, plus lost my lights at night. My lights never stopped working, although the burning smell was evident. Mercury customer assistance advised no prior reports of this type.

Filed Nov 1, 1999 · Electrical · VA · fire

Sitting in the vehicle smelled something burning. Opened the door to see where it was burning. Turned on headlight switch and a fire broke out on the dashboard.

Filed Oct 18, 1999 · Engine · NE · fire

Received recall notice 97v019000 in the mail. Contacted dealer. Took vehicle for repairs on date given. Picked vehicle up. The vehicle had caught fire after repairs were done on 02 sep 99. The remedy for the engine cooling fan had failed.