Tl* the contact owns a 2008 mercury sable. While driving in reverse, the steering wheel seized without warning. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the power steering pump failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure recurred. The vehicle was later taken to hennessy ford lincoln atlanta (located at 5675 peachtree industrial blvd, atlanta, ga 30341, (770) 624-0200) where it was diagnosed that the power steering system needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired due to the repair fees. The manufacturer was notified of the failures and referred the contact to the federal safety agency. The approximate failure mileage was 43,000.
Mercury Sable engine failure problems
86 of the 4,888 owner complaints about the Mercury Sable describe engine failure, most of them for the 1993 model year.
- owner complaints
- 86
- worst model year
- 1993
- typical repair cost reported
- $3,000
- typical mileage
- 70,287
Is there a fix? There are 3 recalls for this area of the car. See below
By model year
Often reported together
Overheating 15Loss of power 4Stalling 3Check engine light 3Steering lock-up 2Oil consumption 2Jerking 2Hesitation 2
What owners say
Miles 70,290 (acc) I was driving ob the highway , to avoid a crash I had to stop quickly. All indicator lamps came on but the car did not shut off. Small clouds of smoke from exhaust (white-grey). It was parked for 2 days , start up was fine driving was fine also. Once again a( lead foot) driver cut me and another car off. Same thing avoiding a crash slamming on my break. Again all indicator lights on but the cut shuts off completely. Turn it back on its was hesitation smoke and shaking. And more. A tsb was issued for a part/piece that will cause premature engine failure.
Tl* the contact owns a 1996 mercury sable. While driving at various speeds, a squeaking noise was heard under the vehicle, especially when slowing down, making turns, and reversing. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the cradle and subframe bushing were corroded and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. In addition, while driving at certain speeds and making right or left turns, the steering wheel seized. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failures. The approximate failure mileage was 80,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 mercury sable. The contact stated that while traveling 5 MPH she attempted to enter a parking space when the throttle seized in the open position. The contact was able to stop the vehicle by firmly depressing the brakes. The vehicle was not taken to a mechanic or dealer, and was not repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure and current mileages were not available.
Tl* the contact owns a 2009 mercury sable. The contact stated that while driving approximately 10-20 MPH, the front wheels seized, causing the vehicle to halt. The ABS and traction control warning lights were illuminated after the failure. The vehicle was shut off and restarted, performing as normal. The failure recurred on an intermittent basis. The vehicle was later taken to the dealer for diagnosis. The vehicle was not diagnosed. The manufacturer was contacted and offered no assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 23,000. The current mileage was approximately 37,000. The VIN was unavailable.
No real signs of distress until the main bearings failed. At 33,000 miles, proof of service and oil changes covering the first 29,000 miles. Vehicle developed a bad knock. Had it towed to a ford dealership for inspection. Told me that the main bearings on the cam went bad. One ford dealership tells me ford will help with the cost of total engine replacement, unfortunately, not the dealership the car is at.
My car was running fine, I purchased the car june 2003, I have kept up with typical vehicle maintenance. My last oil change the mechanic said it was low, checked for leaks and did not find anything. I was driving home from work the engine light started to blink and the car would not accelerate. I pulled over, turned the car off. I let the car rest for 10 minutes tried to start again and the engine would run but chugged and vibrated. Had the car towed to the family mechanic and found out the camshaft broke. My sable has 72,000 miles, I purchased the car with 21,000 miles from columbia ford in columbia ct. My mechanic said the engine was built poorly because this should not have happened, it is very rare. So here I am, three years into my loan and three years to go--$8000 left to pay and it is going to cost $3000+ to put in a new engine. Anyone want a car for $8000 without an engine? I would never by a ford or a mercury again!!
1999 mercury sable ls VIN - [xxx] car was bought new from copper country ford 12/16/98 warranty - 36,000 miles / 6 years ----------------------------------------------- at approx 36,095 miles oct 2004 I had to replace the rack and pinion steering. Seeing as how I was over the warranty, I called the ford mo. Co and asked if there was anything they would do. Town & country ford (local ford dealer in my town) said they would charge me for the labor only. April 11, 2005 with approx 38,000 miles it started to leak oil. I took it to town & country and they said it needed a new oil pan gasket. They repaired it at my expense. Approx a month later, it was leaking again. Took it in, and they said they fixed it... Oil pan gasket needed some tweeking, so they said. I took it to have its normal 3000 mi oil check days later, and the man who looked at my engine said the fan belt was shredded, and could not believe someone was working on my engine days prior and did not fix it or tell me about it. I had the fan belt replaced. Oct 13, 2005 my car is still leaking oil. I took it to town & country ford, and now they tell me I need a new engine.....because the block is cracked. I asked if maybe the oil leak that had started in april may have been due to the cracked block, to which I never got an answer. When I asked why the block was cracked, the answer I got was "its made of aluminum, and sometimes these things happen." current mileage is approx 40,000. I just called the ford motor co and they said there are no programs associated with this car to help me and that there is nothing they can do. I realize that im over mileage, and that im over the warranty....but I have replaced the rack and pinion and now I have to replace the engine? [xxx] [xxx] [xxx] *nm updated 07/18/2012 *js information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6)
Blowen head gasket on 1993 ford sable wagon witn 87,000 miles on engine engine replacement needed
While driving engine blew out.
Related recalls
Engine and engine cooling
- What is wrong
- On certain vehicles, the air filter paper in these vehicles can smolder or burn.
- Risk
- This can lead to damage to the air induction system on these vehicles and/or an underhood fire.
- Remedy
- Dealers will replace the air filter element. Owner notification began on march 10, 2004. Owners should contact ford at 1‑800‑392‑3673.
Recall number 04V105000 · Recall details
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system: fan
- What is wrong
- Vehicle description: taurus/sable vehicles equipped with 3.0l and 3.8l engines and mustang vehicles with 3.8l and 5.0l engines. It is possible for the engine cooling fan bearing to seize.
- Risk
- Should this occur, excessive heat could be generated which could melt the fan motor electrical connector. Components inside the cooling fan motor could ignite potentially resulting in an underhood fire.
- Remedy
- Dealers will inspect the engine cooling fan assembly and install a circuit breaker. If the cooling fan is inoperative, the fan and motor assembly will be replaced. Owner notification began december 28, 2001. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact ford at 1‑866‑436‑7332.
Recall number 01V390000 · Recall details
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system: fan
- What is wrong
- These vehicles are originally sold or currently registered in the following states: alaska, iowa, minnesota, nebraska, north dakota, and south dakota. The vehicles involved are 1992-1994 tempo/topaz vehicles with 3.0l engines; 1994 tempo/topaz with 2.3l engines; 1992-1995 taurus/sable with 3.8l engines; 1994-1995 taurus/sable with 3.0l engines and 1992-1994 lincoln continental vehicles with 3.8l engines. During high winds, heavy, blowing and drifting snow, and low temperatures, the engine cooling fan can become blocked or frozen with snow. The fan motor may not rotate and could overheat.
- Risk
- This condition can cause smoke or flames from the fan and/or shroud, the fan electrical wiring, or the fan motor resulting in a vehicle fire.
- Remedy
- Dealers will install an electrical jumper harness containing an automatic resetting circuit breaker to protect the fan motor low speed circuitry from overheating.
Recall number 97V019000 · Recall details
Questions about the Mercury Sable engine failure
Which Mercury Sable years have engine failure problems?
The model years with the most reports are 1993 (28 complaints), 1994 (17 complaints) and 1995 (10 complaints).
How much does it cost to fix engine failure on the Mercury Sable?
Owners who mentioned a price put the repair at about $3,000 (median of 10 complaints that include a dollar amount). Costs vary with mileage, warranty and where the work is done.
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