When on a incline, the vehicle slipped out of drive to reverse gear. This caused the vehicle to roll back resulting in damage to the vehicle. *jb the dealer replaced the transmission shifter cable.
1997 Mercury Sable: complete transmission failure
10 of the 228 complaints about the 1997 Mercury Sable describe complete transmission failure.
- owner complaints
- 10
- of this car's complaints
- 4%
- recalls
- 2
Is there a fix? There are 2 recalls and 40 service bulletins for this area of the car. See below
Complete transmission failure by model year
What owners say
At about 100,000 easy highway miles, we had to replace the torque converter, then the entire transmission, plus for the last two years minor engine repairs to the tune of about $350 every other month, the window won't go down anymore, and now--4 months after the transmission replacement--we have lost overdrive and the engine light is on, again! We have never had a car with this many problems, and will never buy a ford/mercury anything again. Our suburban was more reliable.
While parking the vehicle engage from drive to reverse and the transmission failure to move didn't work. Dealer fixed the transmission. Please provide further information. Ts
Consumer stated that while driving at any speed and without the transmission failed causing the vehicle not to accelerate. Dealer notified. Ts
Without any indication of approaching failure, the transmission failed on me. The car from parked position could be backed in reverse gear to the street, but would not go forward in "d" it does go forward, but takes up too much engine RPM - slippage?- to pick up speed. Then you can switch gears to 2nd and 3rd (d with overdrive off) and 4th (with od engaged) gear. I haven't risked topping 45 MPH in my test run. Apparently there is some problem with transmission that does not allow it to move forward when put in "d" and seems like taking too much RPM to pick up load when gears are changed manually. I have browsed through this web site for complaints launched by other '97 sable owners, but I could not find any one with similar problem.
The transmission failed causing the vehicle not to move while at a stop light.
Transmission blew apart. Crack in case may have occurred first, causing internal problems (still had fluid) or transmission blowing apart may have caused crack in case (per repairman).
Bought the car in aug 1999- brought the car back in sept 1999 for the transmission. Shifting very hard into gear. Dealership had car for aweek or so claimed to have fixed the problem. Problem has been re-occuring for over 3 monthe brought back into dealer. Had car another week and said they found nothing wrong. That they ajusted the idol ( has been stalling as well) and did a few other minor things.. Not only did they not fix the problem but it's now worse then before.. .. What do I do ... I have only had the car for a little over a year and am having repeated trouble with this problem? Should I have to pay to have a new transmission put in seeing how the problem has been occuring since I bought the car .. I don't feel that is right..... Any information you can provide is greatly appericated. Thank you...
Thats it the transmission went out at 45,000, the wheel bearing went out soon after purchased, the interior electrical went out soon after purchase also the power seat quit working.
From the day I purchased my brand new 1997 mercury sable I have had transmission problems. The dealership replaced the trans at approx 31,600 miles. Now the cooler line is leaking extremely bad. I am unable to drive it and need to have it towed to the dealer. The vehicle has 49,000 miles so 18,000 miles after the transmission was replaced, again I am having transmission problems. Please advise.
Service bulletins that may apply
- General (PCM) power train control module programming procedures
- General power train control module (PCM) programming procedures
- 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
Related recalls
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
Questions about the 1997 Mercury Sable transmission failure
Is complete transmission failure a common problem on the 1997 Mercury Sable?
10 of 228 owner complaints about the 1997 Mercury Sable (4%) mention complete transmission failure. The model year with the most reports is 1991.
Is there a recall or service bulletin for this on the 1997 Mercury Sable?
There are 2 recalls and 40 service bulletins for the same area of the car. Check them below with your VIN.
Other symptoms on the 1997 Mercury Sable
Stalling 13Seat belt 9Brake failure 8Coil spring 8Fuel pump 8Tire blowout 6Wipers 6No deployment 5Fire or smoke 5
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