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1996 Mercury Sable recalls

There are 5 safety recalls on record for the 1996 Mercury Sable, covering 556,900 vehicles in total across all the models in each campaign. Newest first.

All recalls

Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assemblyReported March 25, 1998 · 400 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Vehicle description: passenger vehicles previously serviced under ford service bulletin 97-17-9 from august 1997 through december 1997. These vehicles were inadvertenly equipped with an 18-gallon fuel tank rather than the 16-gallon as specified. The 18-gallon tank has a second valve location where a shipping plug should be installed.
Risk
If this shipping plug is displaced, fuel leakage can result. Fuel leakage in the presence of an ignition source could potentially result in a fire.
Remedy
Dealers will install the correct fuel tank.

Recall number 98V067000 · Recall details

Power train: automatic transmissionReported September 18, 1996 · 340,000 vehicles affected
What is wrong
The automatic transmission park pawl shaft may not be free to rotate as intended. If the park pawl shaft does not rotate, it would prevent the park pawl from engaging the park gear when the shift lever is in the park position.
Risk
This condition could result in the vehicle rolling as if in neutral with the shift lever in the park position.
Remedy
Dealers will inspect the park pawl shaft rotation and those shafts with restricted rotation will be replaced with a shorter shaft that will not restrict rotation.

Recall number 96V176000 · Recall details

Power train: automatic transmission: gear position indication (PRNDL)Reported September 5, 1996 · 40,000 vehicles affected
What is wrong
The park pawl abutment bracket has a sharp edge which can cause the parking pawl to hang up and not engage the park gear. This would allow the vehicle to move even though the gear shift indicator shows that the vehicle is in park.
Risk
Unintended and unexpected vehicle movement can result in personal injury and property damage.
Remedy
Dealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace the park pawl abutment bracket.

Recall number 96V166000 · Recall details

Power train: automatic transmissionReported May 14, 1996 · 100,000 vehicles affected
What is wrong
The park pawl shaft was improperly positioned when the roll pin that retains it was installed during transmission assembly. If the shaft was not properly positioned, the roll pin may not have lined up with the groove in the shaft and have been crushed at assembly. Also, a burr could have been raised on the shaft.
Risk
This could result in the park pawl occasionally not engaging when the transmission selector lever is placed in the park position. This could result in the vehicle rolling as if in neutral if the vehicle operator does not apply the parking brake.
Remedy
Dealers will inspect the park pawl shaft roll pin. If the roll pin is damaged, both the roll pin and the park pawl shaft will be replaced. In addition, owners will be reminded to fully apply the parking brake, in addition to placing the transmission in park.

Recall number 96V086000 · Recall details

Service brakes, hydraulic: brake fluid low warning: lampReported January 25, 1996 · 76,500 vehicles affected
What is wrong
The brake system fluid level indicator lamp switch can malfunction. This does not comply with fmvss no. 105, "hydraulic brake systems."
Risk
Consequence of non-compliance: if the switch malfuntions, the brake system warning lamp will either remain illuminated continuously or fail to light as intended when the fluid level falls to a certain level. In either case, the vehicle operator would not be warned of a low brake fluid level condition.
Remedy
Dealers will replace the brake system fluid level indicator lamp switches.

Recall number 96V016000 · Recall details

Questions about the 1996 Mercury Sable recalls

How do I check if my 1996 Mercury Sable has an open recall?

Enter your VIN in the VIN decoder on this page to see the recalls for your exact model and year, then confirm with any dealer of the brand or the manufacturer, who can tell you whether the repair was already done on your car.

Do I have to pay for a recall repair?

No. Safety recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer of the brand, even if the car is out of warranty or you are not the first owner.

How many recalls does the 1996 Mercury Sable have?

5, covering fuel system, gasoline, power train and service brakes, hydraulic.

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