The most recent problems are electrical in nature. First, all of the passenger power windows have failed. They can only be controlled by the driver side panel. Second, even though all of the doors are securely closed, the interior dome light will remain on between 20 seconds and several hours. There were occasions when the light would come on by itself while I was driving down the highway to work. An audible clicking noise could be heard from under the dash. The click is similar to the sound made when manually operating the switch. Third, this started on sunday, 01/19/03, the headlights will turn on and off by themselves while the vehicle is off and the headlight switch is off. Additionally, with the car running and the daytime lights only, the highbeam indicator came on. When I turned the headlights on, the indicator went off. When I turned the headlights off, the highbeam indicator came back on. The highbeam indicator eventually turned off on its own within 5 or 10 minutes. Previous problems have included front end suspension related failures and an oil pan that sprung a leak in december 2001 at around 78k miles. The oil pan sprung another leak in december 2002. The service dealer attributed the leak to the same problem and another failure with the oil pressure switch. I agreed to the oil pressure switch repair and told them that if the oil pan gasket failed a 2nd time (original cause of leak in 2001), that it was due to poor repair work. They tightened the bolts to the oil pan. The winter weather has hampered my efforts to check for the leak. Although I no longer smell burning oil.
1997 Mercury Sable engine complaints
Page 2 of 3: complaints 11 to 40 of 42, newest first, as owners wrote them.
Consumer states that while driving at any speed and no warning the vehicle will shut off causing consumer to pull over. Dealer notified. Mr
The freeze plugs continuously rust out causing the coolant to be brown making the engine overheat. The vehicle was worked on (2) months ago with the problem reoccuring. Please describe details.
While traveling on the highway without prior warning. The engine light appear on the dashboard and the vehicle will stall. The dealership is aware of the problem. Nlm
Car overheated, taken to mechanic who diagnosed blown headgasket - retooled headgasket. Also replaced water pump, radiator, plugs, plug wires, coil, thermostat, since headgasket problem - car has needed to be repaired constantly. Still has cylinder 1 misfire. Car is 5 yrs old. Seems like excessive prblems for a car that new.
Consumer stated had to flush radiator out at least five times because of dirty water, it is written in owner's manual that the radiator should be flushed 1 time every 100,000 miles.*jb while flushing the radiator, water got into the transmission and the transmission had to be replaced several times. *yh consumer states that ever since recall 98823 was completed on vehicle, radiator has constantly needed flushed, now causing problems with the transmission. Consumer heard a noise in the front wheel area, dealer replaced right front wheel bearing.
Consuemer states that while driving the freeze plug in the engine blew, causing the vehicle to cut off without any warning. Dealer replaced part 3 times problem still occuring. Nlm
Consumer was traveling on a side street and noticed that vehicle was hesitating. Vehicle cut off without prior warning. Dealership was aware of the of problem.
Transmission fails pulling out in traffic, when I bought the car they denied it until I made manager drive w/me they rebuilt it free, after fighting with them, I did not have the car a week. They rebuilt it, 1 yr later happened again, said cannot find anything, took it to another dealer, said they always have problems with transmission in these due to the torque converter too strong for the transmission. They know they made a mistake. Oil is black, they know something is wrong but they are not going to recall because they would have to recall the car.
While making turns the vehicle stalls intermittently, the dealer has refused to repair this problem because they say it is nearly impossible to diagnose. Nlm
Intermittently when turning steering wheel to the left without any indication vehicle would stall. Please provide further information.
No summary listed for abov evehicle.
Had car in garage several times over 1 1/2 year for engine light, always code po3o3-misfire cylinder 3, dealer always found something wrong so it seemed, light contined to come on. Finally, at 81,000 driving on highway engine light flashes, lose all power, pull over, coolant blown all over engine, car towed to dealer, find it is blown head gasket, engine damage, need new engine. Told vehicle overheated several times, never once did it overheat while driving it. Find numerous problems with these cars and head gasket problems, aske questions of dealer and ford motor co. Never a straight answer, just "not your car" and "it's not under warranty, we can't help you" now owner must pay 3200 + to replace engine and add coolant bypass system to new engine because of problems with the engine coolant system. Ford motor co. Taking no responsibility at all. Read numerous reports of blown heads, blown engines, coolant problems. Need anwers, please!!!! No one is cooperating at all.
Vehicle has been to dealer 14 times for leaking anti-freeze since shortly afer purchase. Currently, warrantyhas expired. Dealer finds shavings of motor are getting into radiator. Vehicle also has a anti-freeze smell. *ak the dealer wants to replace the engine because the metal particles chipping off the engine caused damage to the radiator core ( bad anti freeze oder).
When driving vehicle overheated which prevented clutch from going into gear. Also, passenger's side rear door would not open from either inside or outside. Consumer has contacted the dealer.*ak the cam shaft sensor was broken. The torque converter failure.
While driving at 55mph cooling system failed causing engine to stop and lock up.
While driving at normal highway speed all of a sudden vehicle cut off. Driver was able to pull to the side of the road safely, turned off the ignition, and got out of vehicle. This was when driver and family noticed vehicle was on fire. Vehcle was towed to the dealership. Cv boot exploded and threw grease onto the catalytic converter, which started the fire. Vehicle was being repaired. Please provide any further information.
While traveling a hot oil smell was coming from vehicle. Also, transmission fluid was leaking, contacting the catalytic converter. Please provide further information.
A loose ground wire was causing the vehicle to idle rough.
Upon driving during rain or damp weather steering wheel locks, the battery light flashes and the fan belt makes noise. Yh
Consumer exhaust system faulty causing fumes to enter the cabin of the vehicle causing consumer to become ill (headache, fatique ect). Nlm
While driving transmission completely malfunctioned, cause unknown. Also tachometer needle registering too high, smoke coming from under the hood, and oil smell.
While driving heavy exhaust fumes entered into the vehicle which caused the occupant to feel sick and almost passed out, which could have resulted in a crash. Earier replaced the catalitic converter which was cracked and caused the fumes to enter into the vehicle.
Every time vehicle hits a puddle after it has rains, the vehicle would stall out. The engine would still be running. Does not have to restart vehicle. Would have no brakes or power steering. Lost control. Taking vehicle to dealer.
When driving in wet conditions and making a right hand turn from a stopped position, power steering is lost and engine power is reduced. Also, dashboard warning lights illuminate. This loss of power and steering while entering traffic is alarming! It is obvious that the belt is slippling due to the moisture being sprayed up from the passenger side wheel well. I have inspected the belt and it is in fine condition. There is no manual adjustment for the belt tensioner (spring loaded). This problem started at 24,000 miles. I have searched the internet and have seen another similar complaint. I belive that this problem must be reviewed before someone loses steering while entering traffic and is killed! I realize that replacing the belt may make the problem go away, however, this is an obviou.
The rear windshield suddenly shaterred while driving on a freeway! There was nothing that hit the car. The manufacturer refused to take care of this problem as the car was out of the warranty (mileage). The second problem regarding the radiator clamp occurred within 12 hours of my purchasing the car. Suddenly fumes came out of the engine with the 'low coolent' sign. Had to toe the car to the dealership who fixed it by putting a new clamp on the hose. The third complaint was noticed within 2-3 months of buying the car. The dealership fixed the problem by changing the malfunctioning switch. Never received any apologies from the company for the manufacturing defects. I don't know what is more to come....
The heater core went out 2 weeks after purchase in november. It went out again in may. And again in october. And it is leaking again today 12-15-98.
When riding over puddles the steering wheel locks up, and the battery warning light comes on. The vehicle stutters for a few minutes and then goes back to normal. Dealer doesn't have a solution for problem.
Vehicle would stall out at any speed 35 and under. Sometimes when coming to a stop, vehicle just diesout. Took vehicle to dealer & was informed nothing was wrong. Its an intermittent problem.
Duel mufflers are leaking due to rust.
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