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Engine & cooling

1998 Mercury Sable Engine problems

Owners have filed 18 complaints about the 1998 Mercury Sable's engine & cooling with NHTSA - 9% of all its complaints, most recently on November 28, 2006. They describe 2 crashes, 0 fires and 0 injuries. Stalling, loss of power, oil consumption, overheating, head gaskets, timing chains and engine failure.

Complaints
18
Recalls
0
Crashes
2
Fires
0
Injuries
0
Deaths
0

Engine complaints

Engine & coolingElectrical system

For years I have had electrical problems on 1998 mercury sable--the dome light, floor lights and door lights constantly on. I keep the dome light off. The floor light bulbs were removed. Door lights are constantly on. However, 1.5 Years ago, I lost all headlights at night upon entering a highway. I could risk using high beams by holding in place. Multifunction arm was replaced and the dial on dashboard. Then both dials were replaced for fan and heating, defrost and air conditioner. Then told my computer...

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chip needs to be replaced. I have no defroster, heat, fan or air conditioner. Also, last year after dealing with service engine light on and off then staying on for years, had to replace the emissions sensor for car to be inspected. Would a dealer be willing to give me a defroster fix and/or heat. Many people have told me that ford and mercury are known for electrical problems. And over 1500 dollars later and I still have a defective, unsafe car. *Nm

Filed Incident Engine and engine cooling · Electrical systemNHTSA 10174619
SuspensionEngine & coolingElectrical systemAcceleration & cruise control

After only owning my vehicle for 8 months, and being told it was in perfect condition, in a matter of 3 days, many problems occurred. My 4wd lights began flashing, along with the check engine light. When accelerating uphill, the temperature gauge raises to high in a matter of seconds and the check gauge light comes on. The car began dying, the idle dropping at slow speeds, and even died in mid driving down the highway, leaving me to veer towards the edge of the road with no power steering. I took the car to a...

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dealership, that was supposed to honor my extended warranty, I paid $1200 for. My estimate came up to almost $3000 with the warranty only opting to cover $ 300. The problems as described by the mechanic were: throttle position sensor: $680, slack in both lower ball joints (need replacing): $625, electrical and related repairs: $ 215, sensor for front and rear internal failure $ 700, t/case motor $725. I come to find out that the 4wd on my vehicle purchased only for that reason with winter coming doesn't even work, the whole thing needs rebuilt. I've never even used it. I paid all I could $900, and got the car back just to have it responding the same way, virtually un-drivable. After viewing several websites, the ford/mercury website listed no recalls and complaints for my vehicle, but alldata.Com listed the throttle position, and the same 4wd problems I'm having; plus minor ones I failed to mention to the mechanic, such as the rear seat positioning will not recline, whistling from the wheel well etc... I am very disappointed in my findings, and find my self in question as to keep the piece of junk, or buy a new car. Did I get screwed by the dealer who sold it to me, along with my "fake" extended warranty? Is there any possibility the manufacturer can partake in the repairs? I already know similar problems are happening to other owners of the 1998 mercury mountaineer. *Jb

Filed Incident Suspension · Engine and engine cooling · Electrical system · Vehicle speed controlNHTSA 10142445
Engine & cooling

Consumer complained about vehicle shutting down. When this happened all dashboard lights came on. While stopping at a traffic light vehicle shut off. It would restart after a minute or two. Consumer took vehicle too the dealer, and they put it on the diagnostic machine, but could not find anything wrong with the vehicle. *Ak

Filed Incident Engine and engine coolingNHTSA 10064743
Engine & cooling

My 1998 mercury sable with 3.0 Liter engine apparently is designed to provide no engine braking when coasting. The engine computer prevents the engine from returning to idle. Other have told me that this occurs with other ford taurus' and sables. This condition results in excessive speed building up when going downhill - especially with the cruise control engaged. *Nm

Filed Incident Engine and engine coolingNHTSA 10062461
Engine & cooling

This is the 2nd year in a row that I have had to have the engine cooling system flushed because it is getting something in it from the engine and then blocking the heater core. My mechanic (a neghbor) indicated that he has started seeing this problem in a lot of sables & tarauses at 4 years or more.*Ak

Filed Incident Engine and engine coolingNHTSA 10056928
Engine & cooling

While driving consumer noticed black smoke coming from the engine. Consumer pulled the vehicle over, called a tow truck, and vehicle was towed to the dealership. Mechanic informed consumer that the plastic intake manifold failed.*Ak

Filed Incident Engine and engine coolingNHTSA 10050165
Engine & coolingLights

I have had a oil leak several times replaced oil pan and gasket 4 time,s still have problem, headlights work intermittently, and are now completely out.*Ak

Filed Incident Engine and engine cooling · Exterior lightingNHTSA 10037546
Engine & cooling

The radiator coolant system hose come off, and leaked transmission fluid. This resulted in the transmission failure. The service shop indicated that the cause of the hose coming off could be caused by pressure build up. Please provide more details.

Filed Engine and engine coolingNHTSA 10034599
Engine & coolingCrash

Automobile 1998 mercury sable engine rpm surges fixed several times at dealer replacing sensors and other parts still surges periodically in 2002 the engine surged and the brakes did not hold collision with another vehicle the car was in the shop 5 times before the crash for the same problem since 2002 another 4 times and the problem is still not fixed also after shutting off car, the fan still runs also fixed 4 times now only reason we did not buy a new, and other brand vehicle is lack of funds to purchase a new car this car is dangerous not sure of accident date exactly will check police report . *Nlm

Filed Incident Engine and engine coolingNHTSA 10019284
Engine & cooling

When the consumer removed his removed his foot from the accelerator pedal, the vehicle continued to accelerate. Also, when the brakes were applied the engine continued to surge. *Jb

Filed Incident Engine and engine coolingNHTSA 10017865
Engine & cooling

Consumer stated that when at a stop and without warning the engine would start racing and it will be hard for the consumer to control the vehicle. Dealer notified. Ts

Filed Incident Engine and engine coolingNHTSA 10002358
Engine & cooling

This is the second time I have had to repair this problem, the first occurred at 62,000 miles, and I feel ford is dragging their feet in a similar fashion to the 3.8 Litre motor incident. No safety defect listed. *Ak

Filed Incident Engine and engine coolingNHTSA 760187
BrakesEngine & cooling

While traveling on highway and without prior warning vehicle will shake while applying brakes. Also, motor mounts were defective. *Ak

Filed Incident Service brakes, hydraulic · Engine and engine coolingNHTSA 8005865
Engine & cooling

Vehicle overheated. Engine check light didn't come on. Consumer smelled smoke. Took vehicle to mechanic. Mechanic changed thermostat. Next day water was all over the ground. Problem was still occurring. Please provide any further information. *Ak

Filed Incident Engine and engine coolingNHTSA 899141
Engine & coolingElectrical systemAirbagsCrash

Manufacturer refuses to investigate air bag defect, along with the other problems. However, I am concern about driving around in a vehicle I thought was safe. Me and my children could have lost our lives to that 18 wheel truck. The truck struck both the fron and rear of my 1998 sable and the bags did not deploy. Ford consumer affairs department stated to me that the vehicle was never on a call back and the manufacturer warranty expired. I had an extended warranty on my car at the time of the accident. I had...

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this car tested when I first purchased it. It had some electrical and engine problems of which I held on to the invoices . I feel that the manufacturer is responsible for this defect. It undetermine if the car was defective at the time of purchase. But I can say it had electrical problems. Which may have affected the air bag sensors.*Ak

Filed Incident Engine and engine cooling · Electrical system · Air bagsNHTSA 750576
Engine & cooling

The catalytic converter emitted odors that made the driver sick . This could cause the driver to loss control. Dealer has seen vehicle three times ,and no one could find the cause. *Ak

Filed Engine and engine coolingNHTSA 849085
Engine & cooling

I have had problems with this car since the day I purchased it. Along with everything else that is wrong with it, there is a odor entering the vehicle, mainly on the passenger's front when at a stop. We have taken the car to all the local dealers and they either tell us they can smell it and just spray air freshner into the vents. Others say they can't smell anything and therefore can't do anything about it. We recently took the car to a private garage and they found evidence of fluid leaking or spraying onto...

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the exhaust manifold. It is felt that the fluid is coming from the hydraulic engine mount on the passenger side. The odor causes a burning sensation in the throat and lungs and followed by headaches. In one case, it caused severe breathing problems. This person already has lung related problems but this odor caused a severe and violent reaction. You have nothing listing what is used in the new engine mounts therefore making it appear that this could be a toxic substance when brought into contact with a hot manifold. What does it take to. *Ak

Filed Incident Engine and engine coolingNHTSA 707364
Engine & cooling

When stopped at a traffic light with the vehicle in "drive", the engine suddenly roared and the vehicle started to move forward. Driver shifted to park and the vehicle returned to idle speed.

Filed Incident Engine and engine coolingNHTSA 541645

Mercury Sable engine complaints by year

Sable engine problems, every year

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Source: 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

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