Just bought a mercury sable 1996. After driving this vehical for about 10 miles, the transmission began to slip badly. It began with having trouble accelerating from a complete stop. Luckily I was driving in a rural area with few stops and little traffic. By the time I stopped at the 3 stop sign. The transmission would no longer engage into 1st or 2nd gear. Never got into 4th gear. But had to get push the vehical from the last stop sign until I reached a small hill that allowed me to reach the speed so that 3rd was able to engage and was able to make it to my house. The car hasn't moved since then. Waste of $1,000!! Transmission is finished.
1996 Mercury Sable transmission problems
69 complaints (23% of all complaints for this car). Typical mileage when it fails: 90,000. 1 crash reported.
- owner complaints
- 69
- of this car's complaints
- 23%
- typical mileage
- 90,000
- crashes
- 1
- recalls
- 3
Which part fails
- Automatic transmission54
- Automatic transmission: park/neutral start interlock switch4
- Manual transmission3
- Automatic transmission: gear position indication (PRNDL)2
- Driveline: universal joint1
- Axle assembly1
- Automatic transmission: control module (TCM/PCM/tecm)1
At what mileage
Complaints by mileage at the time of the problem.
0k-25k
25k-50k
50k-75k
75k-100k
100k-125k
125k-150k
150k-175k
175k-200k
200k+
Mercury Sable transmission problems in other years
Specific symptoms reported on the 1996 Mercury Sable transmission
Phrases found in the owners' own descriptions, so one complaint can mention several symptoms.
Related recalls
Power train: automatic transmission
- 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)
- 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 transmission
- 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
What 1996 Mercury Sable owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
Tl*the contact owns a 1996 mercury sable wagon. The contact stated the vehicle had been parked on sept 10,09 at 3:30, the next day, at 6:30 pm the vehicle caught fire. The vehicle was engulfed in flames. There were no injuries. The fire department extinguished the fired and stated that it was as electrical fire. A fire report is available if needed. The manufacturer was not notified. The insurance has not advised the contact if the vehicle was destroyed or not. An insurance adjuster will provide the findings as soon as possible. The failure mileage was 140,000. Updated 10/20/09 *cn the consumer stated the transmission was replaced twice. Updated 10/23/09.
(1) car shifts hard during acceleration and deceleration. Speedometer does not work or bounces up, then down. Check engine light comes on. (2) while driving at normal road speeds the transmission will switch to low gear causing sudden throw of driver inside car and at times when trying to accelerate there is a long delay in power to engine then sudden acceleration. (3) replaced cam sensor and other sensor three times and always fails again.
Recall campaign 96v176000 was issued. When engaging the vehicle into park it began to roll. However, this vehicle was not included in the recall due to VIN. *ak the vehicle does not enage in park and will not pass inspection.
Power train slipping and failure. Transmission will slip after first stop. Let set for a few minutes and restart, will drive until next stop.
I have had this car for one year and one half. I bought it from ray hudson chevrolet in la crosse ,wis. I had the car two weeks and the transmission had to be replaced. Two weeks after the front and back brakes had to be replaced. This was at the dealers exspense. I had to have a wheel bearing replaced and now after a year and 1/2 I have to replace the whole motor.
While driving about 55 MPH on the highway and without warning the overdrive light appeared on the dashboard for transmission. The vehicle shut down, and was towed to the dealer for analysis. The vehicle had been at dealer more than once.
The vehicle was parked and with no warning rolled forward. The dealer was notified. *ak the vehicle was stopped and the gear shift was in park. The consumer exited the vehicle, and when he returned to the vehicle, it started to roll down the slope of the roadway. The consumer ran after the vehicle and was able to get it under control. *scc
Problem started when shifting from park to drive, car would lurch forward unless you had brake pedal pushed down as hard as you could. Then while leaving a stop light car would hesitate then pick up speed very slowly, finally the car will not go into reverse. Transmission shop said that transmission had to be replaced. $1800.00 !!
I have a mercury sable 1996, manufactured in 9/95. Vin number [xxx]. My car has 58,000 miles and the transmission is almost gone. I was informed that there is a recall on the transmissions for this car and I am looking for the necessary information to take with me to dealer for replacement. I have also noticed that my car jerks forward when am taking off from a stopped position. I have done all that I can to take care of this car but nothing I do has worked. There are so many complaints and recalls on this car and I really need help with my research to present to the dealer when I take this car in for repairs again. A website if there is one to help find my VIN #. Any recall information. Help! *nlm information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6).
Questions about the 1996 Mercury Sable transmission
Does the 1996 Mercury Sable have transmission problems?
Owners have filed 69 complaints about the transmission of the 1996 Mercury Sable, 23% of all its complaints, more than any other problem.
At what mileage do 1996 Mercury Sable transmission problems start?
The typical (median) mileage in owner complaints is 90,000 miles.
Was there a recall on the 1996 Mercury Sable transmission?
Yes, 3 recalls: 96V176000, 96V166000, 96V086000. Check your VIN to see if your car still needs the free repair.
What year does the Mercury Sable have bad transmission?
The Mercury Sable model years with the most transmission complaints are 1991 (101 complaints), 1994 (95 complaints) and 1995 (93 complaints).
Other 1996 Mercury Sable problems
Engine 62Steering 35Body 29Visibility 26Brakes 20Electrical 20Acceleration 17Airbags 15Lights 15Suspension 11Fuel system 10Seat belts 10Locks 5Tires 5Wheels 3Driver assistance 1Seats 1
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