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Mercury Sable stalling problems

180 of the 4,888 owner complaints about the Mercury Sable describe engine stalls while driving, most of them for the 1994 model year.

owner complaints
180
worst model year
1994
typical mileage
54,000
Is there a fix? There are 3 recalls for this area of the car. See below

By model year

What owners say

Filed Sep 30, 2022 · Engine, Transmission · NJ

The contact owns a 2002 Mercury Sable. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle, the check engine warning light and transmission symbol remained illuminated. Additionally, while driving at various speeds, the vehicle would not properly accelerate. The contact stated that the vehicle shuddered and stalled occasionally. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The local dealer and manufacturer were notified of the failure but no assistance was offered. The failure mileage was unknown.

Filed Oct 8, 2019 · Engine · 55,000 miles · OH

I am having problems with it stalling constantly when I have sat at a light I dont javw the money to fix this due to on a fixed income was told it has a problem with the throttle control issue and they said there was a recall on it due this

Filed Mar 26, 2017 · Transmission · 155,000 miles · CT

Transmission died while driving down the highway.

Filed Aug 18, 2016 · Engine · 96,000 miles · AL

Tl* the contact owns a 1994 mercury sable. While driving various speeds or idling, the vehicle stalled without warning. The contact stated that the vehicle was able to restart after several attempts. The failure occurred on several occasions. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, but the failure could not be duplicated. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 96,000.

Filed Sep 24, 2015 · Driver assistance, Engine · 65,000 miles · IL

Tl* the contact owns a 2009 mercury sable. When the contact turned the steering wheel while driving 15 MPH, the vehicle felt as if it would stall and an abnormal noise was heard. The traction control warning indicator illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a dealer, but could not be diagnosed. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 65,000.

Filed Jan 26, 2015 · Engine · 167,000 miles · PA

Subject:2000 mercury sable ls. When starting vehicle when raining vehicle tends to choke out or miss and not have any power. If attempting to drive vehicle will stall out. This has happened several times. Someone mentioned to me that computer could be getting wet or holding condensation. The warning engine light will come on. If driven for a distance after rain is over the next day or so the light will go off. Is this a problem with this particular car? The engine was tuned five years ago when purchased. When the weather is dry or just snowing the car idles okay and runs smooth.

Filed Aug 21, 2014 · Engine, Transmission · 70,000 miles · NY

Vehicle accelerates on it's own. Have had multiple problems where I go to stop and car accelerates at a stop sign or light. I have almost rear ended multiple cars because of this. While going from a red to green light on a hill my sable stalled and began to roll backwards, almost crashing into the car behind me, if it hadn't been for my quick reaction. Vehicle will idle very high, 2.5rpms at the lowest, while sitting in park after startup. After a 5 minutes it will sometimes drop down to 750-1000rpms, other times it will continue to idle high. During drive it will continually accelerate to around 40 MPH on it's own. When I brake it will idle high and lurch forward, until I'm forced to push the brake all the way to the floor. Then car will either continue to idle high or drop so low that it stalls. Usually I drive with two feet at lights or signs to be able to rev engine from stalking. Engine light came on, code read idle air control valve, so it was replaced. Problem continued. Took to garage and it looks like the intake manifold gasket. All vacuum lines were replaced as well. Am going to fix the gasket and sell. Car scares me too much to drive. Multiple panic and anxiety attacks. Please recall this, extremely unsafe.

Filed May 23, 2013 · Acceleration, Engine · 50,420 miles · IA

Accelerator stopped responding and vehicle stalled shortly after.

Filed Dec 19, 2012 · Transmission · 79,000 miles · VA

Tl* the contact owns a 2008 mercury sable. The contact stated that while trying to accelerate on an incline while at a stop sign, the vehicle continued to roll backward. The contact stated that the torque converter engaged and the vehicle stalled, causing the power steering to also fail. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for diagnosis where they advised him that they were unable to diagnose the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted but offered no assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 79,000. The current mileage was approximately 81,000. Updated 6/4/13 *cn updated 06/11/2013

Filed Oct 12, 2012 · Acceleration · PA · crash · 1 injury

Tl* the contact owns a 2009 mercury sable. The contact stated that while entering a parking space, the rpms increased excessively as the vehicle suddenly accelerated, causing the contact to crash into a curb as the vehicle went airborne. The vehicle landed in an embankment and then stalled. A passenger sustained head injuries as a result. The vehicle had not yet been diagnosed for the accelerator failure. The vehicle was repaired for the body damage. The VIN was unavailable. The failure mileage was unknown.

Related recalls

Engine and engine coolingReported March 2, 2004 · 399,926 vehicles affected
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: fanReported December 21, 2001 · 695,260 vehicles affected
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: fanReported February 25, 1997 · 75,200 vehicles affected
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 stalling

Which Mercury Sable years have engine stalls while driving problems?

The model years with the most reports are 1994 (34 complaints), 1993 (32 complaints) and 1995 (25 complaints).

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