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 !!
1996 Mercury Sable: stuck in gear or won't shift
5 of the 302 complaints about the 1996 Mercury Sable describe stuck in gear or won't shift.
- owner complaints
- 5
- of this car's complaints
- 2%
- recalls
- 3
Is there a fix? There are 3 recalls and 40 service bulletins for this area of the car. See below
Stuck in gear or won't shift by model year
- 20054
- 20042
- 20033
- 20022
- 20011
- 20004
- 19991
- 19981
- 19971
- 19965
- 19951
- 19943
- 19922
- 19902
What owners say
While driving, the transmission slips and would not shift into other gears. Cause unknown. Please give any further details.
Erratically the transmission does not shift into gear. The dealer has been notified.
Intermittently the vehicle would not go into drive . Ultimately vehicle would not go into gear. The manufacturer has paid half the cost of the repair.
Transmission will not shift into gear. Cause unknown. Please describe.
Service bulletins that may apply
- Groan/buzz/vibration when the gear selector is in park with the vehicle parked on an incline
- New transmission cooler flusher - service tips
- Torque converter clutch not engaging when commanded and/or diagnostic trouble codes P0741 or P1744 stored...
- Some vehicles may exhibit a groan/buzz/vibration when the gear selector is in park
- Some vehicles may exhibit a park pullout clunk noise when shifting from park to another gear position
- Brake shift interlock
- Information regarding the new transmission cooler flusher- service tip
- Some vehicles equipped with AX4S transaxle, may exhibit a harsh 2-3 downshift may occur when coasting...
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
Questions about the 1996 Mercury Sable won't shift
Is stuck in gear or won't shift a common problem on the 1996 Mercury Sable?
5 of 302 owner complaints about the 1996 Mercury Sable (2%) mention stuck in gear or won't shift. The model year with the most reports is 1996.
Is there a recall or service bulletin for this on the 1996 Mercury Sable?
There are 3 recalls and 40 service bulletins for the same area of the car. Check them below with your VIN.
Other symptoms on the 1996 Mercury Sable
Jerking 14Stalling 11Transmission failure 10Headlights 8Overheating 8Sudden acceleration 8Engine failure 7Slipping 7ABS 6Check engine light 6Fire or smoke 6Fuel pump 6Power steering loss 6Grinding brakes 5Door locks 5Seat belt 5Steering noise 5Wipers 5
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