Yes I have a used car and the dash from the heat has rose off or has buckeled up and I have contacted the company well apparently it is obsolete and it is hard to come by so I cant drive without a dash and I cant get one either
The worst 1997 Mercury Sable problems
Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.
Problems by type
Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.
- Transmission43
- Engine42
- Acceleration28
- Visibility22
- Seat belts21
- Brakes19
- Electrical19
- Steering19
- Suspension17
- Lights15
- Airbags12
- Tires11
- Fuel system9
- Body8
- Locks3
- Seats1
- Wheels1
Specific symptoms reported on the 1997 Mercury Sable
Stalling 13Transmission failure 10Seat belt 9Brake failure 8Coil spring 8Fuel pump 8Tire blowout 6Wipers 6No deployment 5Fire or smoke 5
Recalls 3
Exterior lighting: headlights
- What is wrong
- Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. The text and/or graphics for the vehicle headlamp aiming instructions provided in the owner guides are not sufficiently clear. This does not meet the requirements of fmvss no. 108, "lamps, reflective devices, and associated equipment."
- Risk
- If the headlamp assemblies are replaced, customers may be confused by the aiming instructions provided in the owner guides causing the headlamps to be improperly aimed.
- Remedy
- Owner guides containing revised aiming instructions will be mailed to owners of these vehicles.
Recall number 98V028000 · Recall details
Power train: automatic transmission
- What is wrong
- Vehicle description: passenger vehicles equipped with ax4s automatic transaxles. The low/intermediate servo cover can separate from the transaxle while the vehicle is being driven. If this occurs, transmission fluid will leak contacting the catalytic converter.
- Risk
- The catalytic converter temperature may be hot enough to ignite the transmission fluid and cause a vehicle fire.
- Remedy
- Dealers will inspect the transmission and replace these servo covers.
Recall number 97V097000 · 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
Technical service bulletins for the 1997 Mercury Sable 244
Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.
- Surge, idle roll, rough idle only when the engine cooling fans are operating. tt
- General (PCM) power train control module programming procedures. tt
- General power train control module (PCM) programming procedures. tt
- Groan/buzz/vibration when the gear selector is in park with the vehicle parked on an incline. tt this...
- Malfunction indicator lamp illuminated with diagnostic trouble codes (dtcs) P0442, P0455, P0456, P0457 or...
- Remote keyless entry (rke) - service tips. tt
- New transmission cooler flusher - service tips. 2003 escort and super duty f series included. tt
- Torque converter clutch not engaging when commanded and/or diagnostic trouble codes P0741 or P1744 stored...
- Malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) illumination with diagnostic trouble codes P0442, P0455, P0456, P0457,...
- Erratic operation of the cool/warm function of the temperature control system - repair procedure for...
1997 Mercury Sable fuel economy
Official EPA estimates in miles per gallon (MPGe for electric). Ranges cover trims that share the same engine.
| Engine | Drive | City | Highway | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.0L 6‑cyl | FWD | 16-18 | 24-26 | 19-21 |
What 1997 Mercury Sable owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
Tl* the contact owns a 1997 mercury sable. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic for a safety inspection, where the mechanic notified her that the brake lines were corroded and the ball joints were detaching from the vehicle. Also, the mechanic advised the contact that the vehicle was unsafe to drive. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 73,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 1997 mercury sable. The contact stated that when braking to a complete stop, the engine rpms would increase abnormally. In addition, the vehicle would slightly pull forward as if it were attempting to accelerate. As the contact was approaching a traffic stop, she crashed into the rear of another vehicle. There were no injuries. The contact took the vehicle to a mechanic for diagnosis but the failure was unable to be determined. The mechanic disconnected the cruise control as a precaution and the vehicle functioned properly. The dealer and manufacturer were not notified. The failure mileage was 43,000.
Tl* the contact owned a 1997 mercury sable. The contact stated the sub frame that holds the motor and transmission together was detached from the right side of the vehicle due to rust. While driving the vehicle was making noise; however, during the diagnostic test the mechanic confirmed that the subframe was covered with rust. The dealer and manufacturer stated there were no recalls or related warranties and offered no assistance. The VIN was not available. The failure mileage was 99,000.
Constantly having to service brakes on my 1997 mercury sable. I have had brake calipers seize up to the point the wheel was too hot to touch and I currently have brake lines rusted out for the second time in about 2 years this is simply unacceptable for such an expensive luxury model and from a safety point of view it is unacceptable to put anything in the way of brake lines that will leak rust or otherwise fail prematurely.
I bought and are driving a 1997 mercury sable with 84k miles and it is a danger to be in. The rear springs are broken in several places. I have been told that ford was recalling and fixing this problem in similar and like years of taurus's and sables. Mine they claim does not qualify. The 1997 is the same car as a 1998 and 1999 that they have provided recall replacements on... I wonder how many other people have had this problem or have been in accident because of this problem that ford is obviously aware .
Tl*the contact owns a 1997 mercury sable. The contact noticed transmission fluid leaking onto the catalytic converter. The was informed by a ford representative that his VIN was not included in the federal safety agency campaign id number 97v097000 (power train:automatic transmission), although the failures were identical. The contact still has the vehicle, but is afraid to drive. The failure and current mileages were 37,840. Updated 12/30/08. *lj the consumer also discovered oil leaking in the transaxle area. Updated 01/05/09.
I have read dozens of examples of the same problem posted on this site. It appears that mercury needs to make a recall. About 6 months ago my brake pedal released the pressure I had on it and went all the way to the floor. I took it into the brake shop and had my hoses, calipers, and break lines all completely replaced. Within 6 months, the exact same thing has happened again. I do not have $500 to spend every six months on a car that is supposed to be reliable and dependable. This is unacceptable.
Tl*the contact owns a 1997 mercury sable. While the contact's son was driving at an unknown speed, the driver's side seat belt loosened without warning. The manufacturer will be notified. The current and failure mileages were 55,000.
Tl*the contact owns a 1997 mercury sable. The contact stated that transmission fluid was leaking and draining onto the catalytic converter. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer for a diagnosis. The manufacturer stated that his vehicle does not have any open recalls and they were unaware of the federal safety agency campaign id number 97v097000 (power train:automatic transmission). The failure mileage was 105,000 and current mileage was 137,000.
Compare the 1997 Mercury Sable
Other model years
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Questions about the 1997 Mercury Sable
Is the 1997 Mercury Sable reliable?
Owners have filed 228 complaints about the 1997 Mercury Sable, 2.7 times a typical Sable model year.
What is the most common problem with the 1997 Mercury Sable?
Transmission and drivetrain, with 43 complaints, typically around 72,000 miles. Next is engine (42).
How many recalls does the 1997 Mercury Sable have?
3 recalls, covering exterior lighting and power train.
Was there a recall on the 1997 Mercury Sable transmission?
Yes, 2 recalls: 97V097000, 96V166000. 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).
What gas mileage does the 1997 Mercury Sable get?
Official estimates for the 1997 Mercury Sable range from 19 to 21 mpg combined. The most efficient version (3.0L 6-cyl, FWD) gets 16-18 city and 24-26 highway.
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