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1996 Mercury Sable

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 1996 Mercury Sable do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 201.

About this comparison →

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

Limited mileage data: 27 of 304 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Power Train. Review the 69 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 60 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Steering. Review the 36 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

20 crash reports9 fire reports17 injury reports

Fuel System, Gasoline complaints

10 reports
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Mileage unknown · Aug 4, 2002
Fuel System, Gasoline

WIRE CONNECTING FUEL PUMP WAS WITHOUT SLEEVE AND WIRE WAS BURNT ALMOST INTO WHICH COULD HAVE LED TO AN EXPLOSION COSTING ME MY LIFE. I HAVE THE FUEL PUMP IN MY POSSESSION THAT WAS REMOVED. I NEED SOMEONE IN CHARGE TO VIEW THIS FUEL PUMP IN ORDER TO PROTECT LIVES. I ALSO WOULD LIKE COMPENSATION FOR MY EXPENSES.*AK

NHTSA ODI #765167

Mileage unknown · Apr 23, 2001
Electrical SystemFuel System, GasolinePower Train

I HAVE A NUMBER OF WORRIES WITH MY VEHICLE. THE FOLLOWING ARE: WHEN PLAYING THE RADIO/TAPE DECK, YOU HEAR A LOUD BUZZING NOISE COMING THROUGH THE SPEAKERS EVEN IF THE RADIO IS TURNED DOWN; WHEN STEERING FROM LEFT TO RIGHT YOU'LL HEAR A CRANKING NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT END OF CAR; CAR DOES NOT ABSORB BUMPS AT ALL, IT ROCKS, …

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I HAVE A NUMBER OF WORRIES WITH MY VEHICLE. THE FOLLOWING ARE: WHEN PLAYING THE RADIO/TAPE DECK, YOU HEAR A LOUD BUZZING NOISE COMING THROUGH THE SPEAKERS EVEN IF THE RADIO IS TURNED DOWN; WHEN STEERING FROM LEFT TO RIGHT YOU'LL HEAR A CRANKING NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT END OF CAR; CAR DOES NOT ABSORB BUMPS AT ALL, IT ROCKS, MAKES KNOCKING NOISE COMING FROM SOMEWHERE NEAR WHEELS; WHEN DRIVING ON HIGHWAY AT A SPEED OF ABOUT 50-70 MPH, CAR WILL SWAY, LIKE A WIND IS BLOWING IT AWAY; FEUL SENSOR WILL FLOAT, YOU CAN NOT COUNT ON IT TO TELL YOU HOW MUCH GAS YOU HAVE; TRUNK HOOD FLIPS UP IN THE AIR SO FAST AND HARD, I HAVE STUNTED MY FINGERS BEFORE ON IT; THE DOORS ON THE CAR HAVE A SHARP EDGE TO IT, IF YOU DON'T STAND BACK WHEN OPENING THE DOOR, IT CAN GASH YOUR LEG; WIND SHIELD ARE A BLIND SPOT, TO LONG, WIPERS ARE SO STRONG THEY VIBRATE THE CAR, UNUSUALLY STRONG; BACK WINDOW ON LEFT SIDE (PASSENGER) WILL NOT ROLL UP, OR ROLL DOWN SOMETIMES; ASSEMBLY OF LIGHT MOLDINGS/FIXTURES IN BACK OF CAR ARE OFF(NOT EVENLY LINED UP), SO IS THE LEVELING OF TRUNK LID; CAR JUMPS WHEN STARTING IT UP, LIKE IT'S READY TO PULL OFF, EVEN WHEN YOUR FOOT IS ON THE BRAKE; WHEN MOVING THE GEARS THE CAR MAKES A KNOCKING NOISE, AND JUMPS ALSO; BRAKE LIGHT COMES ON AND GOES OFF AT TIMES; CAR LOSES POWER AT TIMES, EVEN AFTER THE TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED IN FEBRUARY, 2001; KEYLESS ALARM SYSTEM IS SENSITIVE, SOMETIMES A INCONVIENCE, IF YOU PICK KEYS UP AND TOUCH THE PANIC, OR TRUNK RELEASE BUTTON IT CAN BE SET OFF IN THE HOUSE, BEHIND A BRICK WALL.*AK

NHTSA ODI #744401

Mileage unknown · Oct 27, 2000
Fuel System, Gasoline

RECALL 98V067000/ MANUFACTURER'S RECALL 98S10/ FUEL TANK. DEALER CANNOT REPAIR RECALL UNTIL DECEMBER, 2000. *AK

NHTSA ODI #873985

Mileage unknown · Sep 18, 2000
Fuel System, Gasoline

FUEL SHUT-OFF SWITCH TRIPPED, SHUTING DOWN THE CAR ON THE HIGHWAY AFTER I WENT OVER A VERY SMALL BUMP.

NHTSA ODI #731790

Mileage unknown · Aug 11, 2000
Fuel System, Gasoline

CAR STALLED AT TRAFFIC LIGHT AND HAD TO BE TOWED. UPON INSPECTION BY A MECHANIC, IT WAS NOTED THAT THE WIRES LEADING FROM THE FUEL PUMP HAD BECOME FRAYED DUE TO RUBBING AGAINST THE PUMP HOUSING ITSELF. A NEW PUMP WAS ORDERED FROM THE FORD DEALER AND THE NEW PUMP WAS NOTED TO HAVE A THICK PROTECTIVE SLEEVE AROUND THE WIRES TO PRE…

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CAR STALLED AT TRAFFIC LIGHT AND HAD TO BE TOWED. UPON INSPECTION BY A MECHANIC, IT WAS NOTED THAT THE WIRES LEADING FROM THE FUEL PUMP HAD BECOME FRAYED DUE TO RUBBING AGAINST THE PUMP HOUSING ITSELF. A NEW PUMP WAS ORDERED FROM THE FORD DEALER AND THE NEW PUMP WAS NOTED TO HAVE A THICK PROTECTIVE SLEEVE AROUND THE WIRES TO PREVENT THEM FROM FRAYING. THE BARE WIRES ON MY PUMP COULD EASILY CAUSE A SPARK AND EXPLOSION SO I WROTE TO FORD TO APPRISE THEM OF THE SITUATION. I HEARD FROM THEM ABOUT A WEEK LATER AND THEY BASICALLY TOLD ME TO GET LOST, AND THAT SINCE I DID NOT BRING MY CAR TO A FORD DEALERSHIP FOR REPAIR THAT I WAS OUT OF LUCK AND THAT THEY WOULD NOT REIMBURSE ME. I ALSO SUGGESTED THEY RECALL THE PART TO PREVENT INJURY DUE TO POSSIBLE EXPLOSION DUE TO THIS DEFECTIVE FUEL PUMP DESIGN, BUT AGAIN THEY WERE NOT INTERESTED IN HEARING FROM ME. NEEDLESS TO SAY I WILL NEVER BUY ANOTHER FORD PRODUCT AGAIN.

NHTSA ODI #727601

Mileage unknown · Sep 27, 1999
Fuel System, Gasoline

AT HIGHWAY SPEED, FUEL PUMP FAILED, BLEW A FUSE; THE MOTOR STOPPED.

NHTSA ODI #712206

Mileage unknown · Oct 15, 1998
Fuel System, Gasoline

FUEL VAPOR IS LEAKING INTO VEHICLE. ALSO, VAPORS ARE SO STRONG THAT CONSUMER CAN EVEN SMELL IT WHILE BEING OUT OF THE CAR. DEALER NOTIFIED. *AK

NHTSA ODI #828969

Mileage unknown · May 16, 1997
Fuel System, Gasoline

THE CAR STALLED WHILE DRIVING DUE TO A BLOWN FUSE AND SHORTED WIRE ON FUEL PUMP.

NHTSA ODI #517261

Mileage unknown · May 1, 1997
Fuel System, Gasoline

FUEL PRESSURE REGULATOR FAILURE DUE TO A SHORT IN THE POWER WIRE FUEL PUMP, NO FUEL PRESSURE. *AK

NHTSA ODI #811885

Mileage unknown · Mar 15, 1996
Fuel System, Gasoline

PURCHASED CAR NEW THERE IS A BAD RAW GAS SMELL LIKE THERE IS A GAS LEAK TOOK TO DEALER CAN'T FIND PROBLEM. PLEASE DESCRIBE . *AK

NHTSA ODI #980768

Official recalls

5

98V067000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:storage:tank Assembly

Mar 25, 1998

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES PREVIOUSLY SERVICED UNDER FORD SERVICE BULLETIN 97-17-9 FROM AUGUST 1997 THROUGH DECEMBER 1997. THESE VEHICLES WERE INADVERTENLY EQUIPPED WITH AN 18-GALLON FUEL TANK RATHER THAN THE 16-GALLON AS SPECIFIED. THE 18-GALLON TANK HAS A SECOND VALVE LOCATION WHERE A SHIPPING PLUG SHOULD BE INSTALLED.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: IF THIS SHIPPING PLUG IS DISPLACED, FUEL LEAKAGE CAN RESULT. FUEL LEAKAGE IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE COULD POTENTIALLY RESULT IN A FIRE.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL THE CORRECT FUEL TANK.

96V176000 · Power Train:automatic Transmission

Sep 18, 1996

THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION PARK PAWL SHAFT MAY NOT BE FREE TO ROTATE AS INTENDED. IF THE PARK PAWL SHAFT DOES NOT ROTATE, IT WOULD PREVENT THE PARK PAWL FROM ENGAGING THE PARK GEAR WHEN THE SHIFT LEVER IS IN THE PARK POSITION.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THIS CONDITION COULD RESULT IN THE VEHICLE ROLLING AS IF IN NEUTRAL WITH THE SHIFT LEVER IN THE PARK POSITION.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE PARK PAWL SHAFT ROTATION AND THOSE SHAFTS WITH RESTRICTED ROTATION WILL BE REPLACED WITH A SHORTER SHAFT THAT WILL NOT RESTRICT ROTATION.

96V166000 · Power Train:automatic Transmission:gear Position Indication (prndl)

Sep 5, 1996

THE PARK PAWL ABUTMENT BRACKET HAS A SHARP EDGE WHICH CAN CAUSE THE PARKING PAWL TO HANG UP AND NOT ENGAGE THE PARK GEAR. THIS WOULD ALLOW THE VEHICLE TO MOVE EVEN THOUGH THE GEAR SHIFT INDICATOR SHOWS THAT THE VEHICLE IS IN PARK.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: UNINTENDED AND UNEXPECTED VEHICLE MOVEMENT CAN RESULT IN PERSONAL INJURY AND PROPERTY DAMAGE.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND, IF NECESSARY, REPLACE THE PARK PAWL ABUTMENT BRACKET.

96V086000 · Power Train:automatic Transmission

May 14, 1996

THE PARK PAWL SHAFT WAS IMPROPERLY POSITIONED WHEN THE ROLL PIN THAT RETAINS IT WAS INSTALLED DURING TRANSMISSION ASSEMBLY. IF THE SHAFT WAS NOT PROPERLY POSITIONED, THE ROLL PIN MAY NOT HAVE LINED UP WITH THE GROOVE IN THE SHAFT AND HAVE BEEN CRUSHED AT ASSEMBLY. ALSO, A BURR COULD HAVE BEEN RAISED ON THE SHAFT.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THIS COULD RESULT IN THE PARK PAWL OCCASIONALLY NOT ENGAGING WHEN THE TRANSMISSION SELECTOR LEVER IS PLACED IN THE PARK POSITION. THIS COULD RESULT IN THE VEHICLE ROLLING AS IF IN NEUTRAL IF THE VEHICLE OPERATOR DOES NOT APPLY THE PARKING BRAKE.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE PARK PAWL SHAFT ROLL PIN. IF THE ROLL PIN IS DAMAGED, BOTH THE ROLL PIN AND THE PARK PAWL SHAFT WILL BE REPLACED. IN ADDITION, OWNERS WILL BE REMINDED TO FULLY APPLY THE PARKING BRAKE, IN ADDITION TO PLACING THE TRANSMISSION IN PARK.

96V016000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:brake Fluid Low Warning: Lamp

Jan 25, 1996

THE BRAKE SYSTEM FLUID LEVEL INDICATOR LAMP SWITCH CAN MALFUNCTION. THIS DOES NOT COMPLY WITH FMVSS NO. 105, "HYDRAULIC BRAKE SYSTEMS."

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: CONSEQUENCE OF NON-COMPLIANCE: IF THE SWITCH MALFUNTIONS, THE BRAKE SYSTEM WARNING LAMP WILL EITHER REMAIN ILLUMINATED CONTINUOUSLY OR FAIL TO LIGHT AS INTENDED WHEN THE FLUID LEVEL FALLS TO A CERTAIN LEVEL. IN EITHER CASE, THE VEHICLE OPERATOR WOULD NOT BE WARNED OF A LOW BRAKE FLUID LEVEL CONDITION.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE BRAKE SYSTEM FLUID LEVEL INDICATOR LAMP SWITCHES.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.