Transmission has failed twice. Currently in the vehicle radio light and dome light intermittenly comes on. Horn also honks as I drive . Steering wheel feels wobbly and there are popping noises come from around the steering column. Front passenger seat lumbar button is stuck. Tires have been changed 4 times in the front. Electric windows failed the first day I bought the car. The most dangerous part of the whole deal is that the car will stop running when your driving at55 mph; this happened to me twice. Mr
Engine & cooling
1988 Mercury Sable Engine problems
Owners have filed 24 complaints about the 1988 Mercury Sable's engine & cooling with NHTSA - 19% of all its complaints, most recently on September 26, 2002. They describe 0 crashes, 3 fires and 0 injuries. Stalling, loss of power, oil consumption, overheating, head gaskets, timing chains and engine failure.
- Complaints
- 24
- Recalls
- 0
- Crashes
- 0
- Fires
- 3
- Injuries
- 0
- Deaths
- 0
Engine complaints
Ongoing problem with engine stalling at any speed. Vehicle been into dealer shop on four occasions, and dealer was unable to duplicate the problem. *Ak *yh
While test driving slide contacts went out, then 2 monthes later they went out again then 10 monthes later went out again. Then head gasket went out. Cruise dosn't work or horn. Ford dealership said they couldn't find replacement so I have to just live without horn and cruise. I think I have short because of horn now but want to charge me to look at it, and it can no longer be driven because of head gasket. *Ak
Power steering leaks started in 1995 after the motor mounts broke and the automobile was taken in many times to repair the leaks to no avail. Hoses and lines were replaced twice, seals were replaced on ps pump, and finally in 1998 the vehicle was taken to a non ford dealer and they were able to fix the problem by replacing the power steering rack and pinion. The money spent was well over $2100.00 To finally repair the leaks. This included the replacement of the motor mounts which were a recall item and I paid...
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for this. I was told that it was not a warranty or recall problem. This failure led to the excessive expenditures for repairs. The latest problem with the car is the head gaskets failed. This is the second time and the estimate is for $1000.00. The headgasket secret warranty only covers through dec. 1998. I have yet to tally all repairs for this vehicle, but I am sure it is well over $5000.00 Over the life of the vehicle. Transmission replaced, alternator, two power steering pumps, rack and pinion, radiator, two head gasket failures, excessive brake jobs ever since the recall of the rotors, almost yearly after this recall. Numerous vacuum leaks under the dash and one again last week. Two sets of power steering lines. The car never stays running when it is hot. It has been taken back numerous times with no resolution. The throttle cable stuck while crossing an intersection and almost caused an accident and then broke after driving it to the dealer to check the problem. The rear alignment bolts are frozen. Engine and transmission have always leaked excessively. Frozen calipers has been a common problem. *Ak
I have tried to work with the car lot on this, they refuse & I reported problems within 48 hours of purchase
Head gasket leaked causing smoke to come from the rear of vehicle. Nm
When driving at any speed the vehicle is jerking, and the battery light won't go of, and the vehicle is stalling. *Ak
Around jan 20, 1999 I received a recall notice from ford pertaining to the replacement of the sub frame retaining bolts. Work was done at heritage motors in syracuse on 1/29/99. Heritage notified me at the time that my front motor mounts were broken and recommended they be replaced. Because of convenience I took the car to azria repair service. While replacing the motor mounts mr azria observed that only the two rear sub frame bolts had been replaced by heritage. He showed me that one of the front bolts was in...
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fact already broken and the other front bolt was in dangerous condition. He explained that the motor mounts could not be replaced without drilling or cutting access holes into the frame in order to remove the rust-frozen nuts and bolts holding the sub frame in place. He showed me how removal or at least loosening of the sub frame was necessary to replace the mounts. The inaccessible and frozen retaining bolts made his work unnecessarily time consuming and costly. He advised me that the car could not be driven safely and I therefore authorized him to replace the two remaining bolts as well as the motor mounts. My contention is that heritage should have replaced all the bolts (front and rear) as part of the safety recall since all the bolts were known to be in dangerous condition and posed a hazard to the vehicle. I do not feel that I should have to pay for parts and labor pertaining to those items which were known by ford to be defective and posed a safety hazard to the vehicle. I am retaining the original parts in case anyone wishes to examine their condition. My bill from azria service was $575.41
Consumer has received a recall letter, manufacturer's recall #98s36/nhtsa #98v323000, consumer has taken the vehicle to be repaired, and dealer did not replace what was said to be replaced in the letter. *Ak
While driving at any speed the vehicle was vibrating, and there was knocking noise coming from the motor mounts. Also, transmission went out. In addition, when consumer tried start vehicle up, vehicle died out without any prior warning and caught on fire. *Ak
Recall mfr 38s36/ 98v323000 problem in front rather than rear. Dealer contacted,and cannot remedy problem due to compliance with recall. Also transmission problem occurred on 1/15/99. Problems still exists. Provide further information. *Ak
I was just told recently that this major engine failure was known about by the manufactures about the head bolts causing the head gaskets to blow and damage the heads and valves. I was also told that if I were to send in a copy of my repair bill to the manufacturer that I would be fully reimbursed. Can you please send me by mail the address that I could send the copies to? I would appreciate that very much , thank you.
MOTOR MOUNT FAILED.
HEAD GASKET FAILED.
Vehicle caught on fire while driving in engine compartment and totaled the car. *Ak *slc
Engine mounts have failed, involved in recall for motor mounts, dealer made repairs, but again had same problem. Tt
SUB FRAME MOTOR MOUNTS BROKE. TT
Motor mount broke, resulting in leakage and other damage. Tt
MOTOR MOUNTS FAILED TWICE PRIOR TO RECALL.
ENGINE NEED A TIMING GEAR PUT IN NEW GASKET . TT
Recall repair on motor mounts not performed when brought in for recall work (92m77), repairs performed when vehicle age exceeded time limit and fee charged. *Tw
Right front motor mount failed after recall repairs. *Skd
Front motor mounts failed twice, also noisy engine/rough idling. *Skd
VEHICLE FIRE. *AK
Mercury Sable engine complaints by year
Sable engine problems, every yearSource: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) complaints and recalls, checked . Complaints are owners' own reports and are not verified. How we use the data