1999 Mercury Sable: windshield wiper failure

Filed May 8, 2014 · Body · 65,988 miles · CO

After rains the car got a wet floor on the passenger side ,no wet spots on roof or windows. It was leaking water from the dash board compartment bottom.while driving ,the heater was on and it started smoking from under the dashboard compartment by passenger side I turned everything off . I took it for repair and now, on may it rained heavy again and it has a puddle in the passenger side again ,same situation as before, water came from inside.is this a safety hazard? I bought this car on november 2013 ,and I knew too late about the heating system recall ,I don't know if it was ever repaired on that recall.ford dealer in colorado says there is no way to check it.according to some websites it needs something to have a protection under the wipers vents(cowl) and it is a factory mistake. I have had the heating system repaired 2 times,too expensive for me.I am under employed. I want to know if this is a safety hazard. It is the only way I could make ford to fix this recalled if the car was never fixed for this before.thanks for your help.

Filed May 1, 2006 · Visibility · 94,000 miles · NH

My mercury sable front windshield wipers turn on intermittently when you use the blinker and sometimes when you are just holding the steering wheel. Especially on a sunny day, this defect is a startling occurrence and could lead to an accident. I experienced the same problem on my other two 1999 ford vehicles. My 1999 expedition did the same thing and the multifunction switch was replaced under the ford program number 00b40. My 1999 taurus also did the same thing and the multifunction switch was replaced under the 36,000-mile warranty. This is obviously a known problem to ford and should be addressed. If it has happened to three 1999 vehicles in the same household, I am sure the problem is much more widespread and a safety recall is in order.

Filed Nov 17, 2005 · Visibility · NJ

The front windshield wiper turns on by itself, sometimes it only goes on once and other times it will do it for a few times. It used to only happen once every few months, now there are days that it happens every few minutes. I have not taken the car to the dealer yet, because I want to get more information on this to see if it will become a recall or not (since others have had the same problem).

Filed Sep 3, 2004 · Visibility · OH

I own a 1999 mercury sable, bought it new. Since I have owned the car, windshield wipers will turn on periodically. This might happen no more than once or twice a year. Recently, while driving in a rainstorm, the washer fluid started to sprayeed out. It only lasted a split second and so far has not happened again. The washer fluid is a new occurence; before, it was just the wipers coming on and swishing a time or two.

Filed Jul 20, 2004 · Visibility · 150,000 miles · MA

1999 mercury sable - the windshield wipers come on by themselves. I have to turn them on and off to get them to stop. The first time it happened I thought I hit the them by mistake, but it has happened several times since.

Filed Jan 29, 2004 · Visibility · CA

I own a 1999 mercury sable. While I am driving, the windshield wipers turn on by themselves. This is a recurring problem that started sometime last fall. To turn them off, I have to turn them on and off several times.

Filed Jul 7, 2003 · Wheels · NJ

Rims on 1999 mercury sable are corroding (not easily visable, but when you pull the tires off). Will cause leakage of air out of tires. Dealerships will not even look at problem, says they are not covered.*ak also windshield wipers will occasionally just come on.

Filed Jun 29, 2003 · Visibility · 24,000 miles · NY

I own a 1999 mercury sable with all the bells and whistles. For the past year my windshield wipers turn on by themselves while I'm driving. My hands are on the wheel so it's not as if I'm setting them off. Have there been any other complaints like mine? What is the cause? Is there a recall on this condition? Thank you. D thank you . Donna o.

Filed Nov 12, 2002 · Visibility · 50,000 miles · CA

Consumer stated windshield wipers would not work fast enough in heavy rain. Mr manufacturer notified. *tt

Filed Sep 25, 2002 · Visibility · TN

On a recently purchased 1999 mercury sable there are minute scratches within the area of the windshield swept by the wipers. These scratches act as a refractor causing glare when traveling toward the sun and from oncoming vehicles lights and overhead street lights, etc. Upon further investigation it was noted that when the washer was actuated that the wipers would make an upward sweep prior to fluid being dispensed onto the windshield. The wiper action scoured the windshield with the dirt or deposits on the glass causing these scratches. My wife stated the glare is similar to that she experience prior to her cataract surgeries. From a recent discussion with a service manager of a ford dealer it was learned that most late model ford products washer operate the same way, I.e. The washer pump motor and wiper motor are energized simultaneously and the delay of the fluid application is due the fluid having to be pumped from a remote reservoir. Nlm

Filed Sep 23, 2002 · Visibility · FL

The windshield wipers turn on without the switch being turned on. This occurs randomly and can be aggravated when the car goes over a bump. Nlm

Filed Sep 10, 2002 · Electrical, Lights · MI

Wiper intermittently coming on by itself. Multi-function switch had to be replaced.