While traveling down the highway, the car accelerated without explanation or warning. Brakes were not able to slow the vehicle to a controllable level. Brakes overheated from constant application. The car plowed over a parking barrier and through the grass before running a stop sign and stop light. Only way to stop the car was to throw it into park which caused the engine to rev and smoke. Given the level of traffic and time of day, the probability of an accident (possibly fatal) was extremely high. Car had to be towed to the repair garage but we do not have the documentation on cause of problem yet. Contacted manufacturer regarding covering cost of repair and they refused indicating this specific car is not on recall list, although there are several documented cases of this exact problem on the same make, model & year.
Mercury Sable overheating problems
137 of the 4,888 owner complaints about the Mercury Sable describe engine overheating, most of them for the 1993 model year.
- owner complaints
- 137
- worst model year
- 1993
- typical repair cost reported
- $1,700
- typical mileage
- 77,500
By model year
Often reported together
Engine failure 15Stalling 11Fire or smoke 9Headlights 5Misfire 4Won't start 2Water leak 2Loss of power 2
What owners say
I went in to the local dealer to have a coolant leak checked and was told that my rear springs, struts and brakes were all bad, the springs were broken and were hazardous to drive with. Total cost of these repairs is well over $1,500. I asked about the recall on the springs and was told it was only for the front of the vehicle. The recall should include the rear also because the same springs were used in the rear as in the front. I should not have to pay to have all these things repaired because of faulty springs. I was also told the other items, struts and brakes were likely cause from the bad springs. Ford needs to be accountable, many other people have had this problem.
Consumer requesting reimbursement for repairs on a 1995 mercury sable. Consumer repaired the vehicle for recall problems before a recall was received and would like reimbursement for the cost. *kb the head gaskets, timing cover gaskets and oil pan were replaced due to the vehicle overheating.
Tl*- the contact owns a 2001 mercury sable with an odometer reading of 71750 miles. The contact stated that the hoses that ran through the heater core dry rotted and failed, which caused the vehicle to overheat. The contact was driving under normal conditions at 40 MPH when the failure occurred. The contact took the vehicle to the dealer to have the problem repaired. The failure mileage was 68,680.*ak the vehicle was leaking coolant at the tubes to the heater core. The front brake pads were very thin. Updated 04/12/07.
Coolant leaks for bottom I have a 2001 mercury sable ls it has the 3.0 liter motor not 24 valve. I have talked with three other people and they have all ford taurus's and they had to replace coolant bottle because they all cracked on the bottom of the bottle. Its odd that four people that I know we all have to change the bottle within a year of each other. Could there be faulty bottles made and will the antifreeze damage other parts on my car. I only have 78,000 miles on the car.
I have had constant overheating problems with ths car. The problems range from cracked flush/fill valves, to hoses,to water pump failure. 03/30/2002 transmission started slipping. A mechanic at a local shop recommended adding fluid. The problem continued and each time the mechanic recommended adding fluid. No leak was determined. Problem continued until the transmission went out in 07/2003.
While driving at 40 MPH, the vehicle began to overheat. The consumer drove the vehicle to a mechanic, who found the head gasket was blown. The manufacturer and the dealer are aware of the problem.
Problem first noticed as engine overheated and a coolant leak occurred... Debris in cooling system creates a blockage and heater works intermittently. Still overheats after radiator flushes to clean system. I have been advised by the mechanic to either sell the car or replace the entire cooling system.
1995 mercury sable has experienced several problems. *mr the engine would idle, run rough, stall, and restart immediately, the A/C had blown warm air, the remote fuel door latch had broken, the engine made a loud squealing sound while being driven, and there was a coolant leak. The headgasket , timing cover, oil pan, broken fuel door spring, and starter circuit wiring assembly have all been replaced. Recall #97v019000
The head gasket cracked, and coolant leaked onto the engine.
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 overheating
Which Mercury Sable years have engine overheating problems?
The model years with the most reports are 1993 (59 complaints), 1994 (25 complaints) and 1995 (17 complaints).
How much does it cost to fix engine overheating on the Mercury Sable?
Owners who mentioned a price put the repair at about $1,700 (median of 12 complaints that include a dollar amount). Costs vary with mileage, warranty and where the work is done.
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