Model year record

1995 Mercury Sable recalls & problems

The 1995 Mercury Sable has 5 safety recalls and 350 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is engine and engine cooling (154 complaints).

Recalls5safety recalls

Complaints350filed by owners

Crashes · fires11 · 14reported in complaints

Injuries · deaths10 · 0reported in complaints

Safety recalls

Engine and engine coolingDec 21, 2001

Cooling system › Fan

Recall 01V390000695,260 vehicles

Problem: 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.
Fix: 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.

StructureDec 16, 1998

Frame and members

Recall 98V3230002,697,000 vehiclesopened after NHTSA action (ODI)

Problem: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES ORIGINALLY SOLD OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, IOWA, KANSAS, KENTUCKY, MAINE, MARYLAND, MASSACHUSETTS, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA, MISSOURI, NEBRASKA, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW JERSEY, NEW YORK, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, RHODE ISLAND, VERMONT, VIRGINIA, WEST VIRGNIA, AND WISCONSIN. THE REAR LOWER SUBFRAME MOUNT PLATE NUT CAN EXPERIENCE STRESS CORROSION CRACKING IF SUBJECTED TO LONG TERM EXPOSURE TO ROAD SALTS. THIS CAN RESULT IN FRACTURE AND LOSS OF THE STRUCTURAL INTEGRITY OF THE SUBFRAME MOUNT ATTACHMENT. DETACHMENT OF THE BODY MOUNTS AT THE REAR CORNERS OF THE SUBFRAME, WHICH SUPPORTS THE ENGINE AND TRANSMISSION, ALLOWS THE REAR CORNERS OF THE SUBFRAME TO DROP.
Risk: IF BOTH REAR CORNERS DROP, STEERING WOULD BECOME SUDDENLY VERY DIFFICULT, AFFECTING VEHICLE CONTROL AND INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Fix: DEALERS WILL INSTALL SUBFRAME REAR MOUNT BOLTS, REINFORCEMENT PLATES, AND PLATE NUTS.

Vehicle speed controlFeb 26, 1997

Vehicle speed control

Recall 97V025000212,700 vehicles

Problem: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 3.8L ENGINES AND ORIGINALLY SOLD OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE FOLLOWING STATES: ALASKA, COLORADO, IOWA, IDAHO, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, KANSAS, MASSACHUSETTS, MAINE, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA, MISSOURI, MONTANA, NORTH DAKOTA, NEBRASKA, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW YORK, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, SOUTH DAKOTA, VERMONT, WISCONSIN, AND WYOMING. WATER CAN ACCUMULATE WITHIN THE SPEED CONTROL CABLE CONDUIT. IF ENOUGH WATER ACCUMULATES, IT COULD FREEZE WITHIN A LOW AREA OF THE CABLE ROUTING WHEN EXPOSED TO A LONG TERM COLD SOAK AT TEMPERATURES AT LEAST SEVERAL DEGREES BELOW FREEZING.
Risk: DRIVER CONTROL OF VEHICLE SPEED USING THE SPEED CONTROL SYSTEM OR THE ACCELERATOR CONTROL SYSTEM WOULD BE DIMINISHED INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE CRASH.
Fix: DEALERS WILL ADD A BOOT TO THE SPEED CONTROL CABLE.

Engine and engine coolingFeb 25, 1997

Cooling system › Fan

Recall 97V01900075,200 vehiclesopened after NHTSA action (ODI)

Problem: 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.
Fix: DEALERS WILL INSTALL AN ELECTRICAL JUMPER HARNESS CONTAINING AN AUTOMATIC RESETTING CIRCUIT BREAKER TO PROTECT THE FAN MOTOR LOW SPEED CIRCUITRY FROM OVERHEATING.

Service brakes, hydraulicOct 11, 1994

Pedals and linkages

Recall 94V1980001,500 vehicles

Problem: THE RETAINER CLIP WHICH HOLDS THE MASTER CYLINDER PUSH ROD TO THE BRAKE PEDAL ARM IS MISSING OR NOT COMPLETELY INSTALLED. THE PUSH ROD CAN SEPARATE FROM THE BRAKE PEDAL ARM.
Risk: THIS CAN RESULT IN LOSS OF BRAKING ABILITY AND AN ACCIDENT.
Fix: DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND, IF NECESSARY, INSTALL THE RETAINER CLIP.

Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. A recall listed here may already have been fixed on a particular car: enter its 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls.

Crash test ratings

1995 Mercury Sable 4-DR.

OverallNot Rated

Frontal crash	Not Rated
Side crash	Not Rated
Rollover	Not Rated

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (New Car Assessment Program). Ratings are comparable only between vehicles of similar size and weight, and ratings from 2011 on use tougher tests than earlier years. Photos: NHTSA.

Fuel economy

Sable

21mpg combined

City / highway	18 / 27 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

3 L · 6 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $3,200/year to fuel

Sable Wagon

21mpg combined

City / highway	18 / 27 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

3 L · 6 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $3,200/year to fuel

Sable

20mpg combined

City / highway	17 / 26 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

3.8 L · 6 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $3,350/year to fuel

Sable Wagon

19mpg combined

City / highway	16 / 24 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

3.8 L · 6 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $3,550/year to fuel

EPA estimates from fueleconomy.gov for each engine and transmission sold. Annual cost is the EPA's estimate for 15,000 miles a year at its current fuel and electricity price assumptions. Your results will vary.

What owners report

Problem area	Complaints	Crashes	Fires	Injuries	Typical mileage*
Engine and engine coolingEngine; Engine › Gasoline	154	1	9	2	69,545 mi
Power trainAutomatic transmission; Manual transmission	99	0	1	0	113,109 mi
Electrical systemIgnition; Wiring › Interior/under dash	33	0	2	0	—
SuspensionFront › Springs › Coil springs; Front	31	0	0	0	75,000 mi
StructureFrame and members; Body › Door	25	0	0	0	89,895 mi
Vehicle speed controlLinkages; Cruise control	22	2	0	1	17,000 mi
Fuel system, gasolineDelivery › Fuel pump; Storage › Tank assembly	17	0	0	0	—
VisibilityGlass, side/rear; Windshield wiper/washer	15	0	1	0	—
Service brakes, hydraulicAntilock/traction control/electronic limited slip; Power assist	13	1	0	0	—
EquipmentAppliance › Air conditioner	11	0	0	0	—
TiresTread/belt; Sidewall	10	0	0	0	—
Air bagsFrontal	9	8	0	6	—

*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.

Recent owner complaints

Structure › Body
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1995 MERCURY SABLE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE TRANSMISSION JERKED SEVERELY WITH EXTREME HESITATION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING WHO STATED THAT THE REAR SUBFRAME WAS COMPLETELY CORRODED, WHICH CAUSED DAMAGE TO THE TRANSMISSION. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 93V106000 (STRUCTURE). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS INVALID. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 103,219.
Sep 21, 2015 · 103,219 miles
Engine
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1995 MERCURY SABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR A DIAGNOSTIC TEST. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 160,000. *TR
Jun 18, 2013 · 160,000 miles
Fuel/propulsion system
THERE IS A STRONG GAS SMELL ESPECIALLY ON HOT DAYS AND THERE SEEMS TO BE EXCESSIVE PRESSURE IN THE GAS TANK. I HAVE SCOURED THE VEHICLE FOR LEAKS AND CAN NOT FIND ANY. I HAVE REPLACED BOTH RUBBER HOSES FROM THE FILLER NECK TO THE TANK AND EVEN DROPPED THE TANK BUT DIDN'T FIND ANY EVIDENCE OF A LEAK. THE SMELL IS STILL OCCURRING. WHEN YOU FIRST PARK THE VEHICLE AFTER A DRIVE IT IS REAL STRONG AND THEN GOES AWAY. *TR
May 4, 2009 · 87,000 miles
Structure › Frame and members
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1995 MERCURY SABLE. WHILE DRIVING AT 5 MPH, THE CONTACT MADE A RIGHT TURN AND HEARD A LOUD NOISE. THE CONTACT INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND DISCOVERED THAT THE RIGHT REAR SUBFRAME MOUNTING BUSHING HAD BROKEN DUE TO CORROSION. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER AND FILED A COMPLAINT; HOWEVER, THE MANUFACTURER REFUSED TO ASSIST WITH REPAIR COSTS AND STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN RECALL 98V323000 (STRUCTURE: FRAME AND MEMBERS). THE CONTACT PLANNED TO HAVE THE VEHICLE REPAIRED AT THE TIME OF THE COMPLAINT. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 103,325.
May 15, 2010 · 103,325 miles
Engine and engine cooling
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1995 MERCURY SABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE WOULD SPORADICALLY STALL WHEN DRIVING IN WARM TO HOT TEMPERATURES. THE CONTACT STATED THE ENGINE WOULD HAVE TO BE SHUT OFF AND COOLED OFF BEFORE BEING ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR FURTHER INSPECTION OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 84,000.
Jul 1, 2006 · 50,000 miles
Suspension › Front
WAS ON MY WAY HOME FROM WORK AND HEARD A LOUD SCREECH, SINCE I WAS JUST DOWN THE STREET FROM MY HOME I PULLED IN MY DRIVEWAY AND THE TIRE BLEW. UPON INSPECTION I NOTICED THE TIRE WAS COMPLETELY SLASHED FROM THE FRONT RIGHT COIL SPRING BREAKING. NEW COIL SPRING STRUT SHOCK AND AXLE. *TR
Mar 18, 2010
Fuel system, gasoline
I BOUGHT A 1995 MERCURY SABLE. THE PERSON I BOUGHT IT FROM SAID IT HAD ALL NEW BRAKES, SPRINGS, FILTERS, SENSORS, RADIATOR, ETC. WHEN I TOOK IT TO MY MECHANIC LAST WEEK (FRIDAY), HE SAID THERE IS A NUMBER OF ILLEGAL THINGS ON IT AND IT NEEDS 1500$ WORTH OF WORK TO MAKE IT SAFE. HE SAID IT WAS A LEMON AND I SHOULD CONTACT THE PERSON THAT SOLD IT TO ME, SO I DID, I BROUGHT HIM TO THE MECHANIC SO HE COULD HEAR EVERYTHING ILLEGAL AND UNSAFE AND BROKEN ABOUT IT. HE STATED IN FRONT OF THE MECHANICS THAT HE WOULD BE REFUNDING MY MONEY ON MONDAY (TODAY). WHEN I CALLED TODAY THEY TOLD ME TO BAD I'M NOT GETTING MY MONEY BACK. WE BOUGHT IT AS IS AND OH WELL. I HAVE A DETAILED LIST OF PROBLEMS WITH…
Mar 5, 2010 · 131,000 miles
Tires
FUTURA 875 TIRES MADE BY BRIDGESTONE FIRESTONE WITH TREAD SEPARATION ON ALL 4 TIRES. THESE TIRES SEEM NEVER TO HAVE EXISTED. THEY ARE NOT FUTURA 775 TIRES THEY ARE FUTURA 875 TIRES. THESE TIRES WERE PURCHASED JULY 2001 AT A TIME WHEN DANGEROUS TIRES WERE IN THE NEWS FOR ROLL OVER ACCIDENT'S KILLING PEOPLE. YET PEPBOYS NEVER NOTIFIED US THEY WERE DEFECTIVE. NOW THE TREAD SEPARATION ON ALL 4 TIRES IS VERY OBVIOUS AND THE TIRES MUST BE REPLACED. CLEARLY THERE ARE STILL DEFECTIVE DANGEROUS TIRES ON THE ROAD WAITING TO HARM A TRUSTING PUBLIC. WHY? *TR
Jun 15, 2009 · 126,500 miles

Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.

NHTSA defect investigations

FRONT SUSPENSION SPRINGClosedLed to recall 98V094000
There is no summary currently available
RQ99017 · opened Aug 9, 1999 · closed Feb 16, 2000
ENGINE COOLING FAN FIRESClosedLed to recall 97V019000
There is no summary currently available
EA96024 · opened Sep 30, 1996 · closed Apr 15, 1997
HEADLIGHT FAILUREClosedLed to recall 98V009000
EXCESSIVE HEAT IN AN IMPROPERLY MANUFACTURED CIRCUIT BREAKER WITHIN THE HEADLIGHT SWITCH CAUSED THAT CIRCUIT BREAKER TO OPEN FOR TIME PERIODS OF VARYING LENGTH TO COOL OFF.OPENING OF THE CIRCUIT BREAKER IN THIS MANNER INTERRUPTS ELECTRIC CURRENT FLOW TO THE HEADLIGHTS, SHUTTING THEM OFF.HEADLIGHT OUTAGES HAVE RANGER FROM BRIEF FLICKERS (LESS THAN ONE SECOND) TO GREATER THAN 20 SECONDS.OVER TIME, THE OUTAGES GROW IN LENGTH AND DURATION BECAUSE OF HEAT-INDUCED DETERIORATION OF THE SWITCH AND ASSOCIATED WIRING.RECALL 98V-009 WILL APPLY TO APPROXIMATELY 506,000 TAURUS, SABLE, MARK VIII, AND CONTINENTAL VEHICLES PRODUCED FROM 1-DEC.-92 THROUGH 30-SEP-93 AT THE ATLANTA, CHICAGO,AND WIXOM ASSEMBLY PLANTS.87% OF MY 1992-1995 TAURUS/SABLE AND 97% OF MY 1993-1995 MARK VIII WARRANTY REPAIRS (HEADLIGHT SWITCH REPLACEMENT) INVOLVED VEHICLES BUILT DURING THE DEC. 92 - OCT. 93 BUILD RANGE.
EA96019 · opened Jul 31, 1996 · closed Jan 26, 1998
ENGINE COOLING FAN FIRESClosedLed to recall 97V019000
IN DECEMBER 1995, FORD RECALLED 119,313 VEHICLES IN CANADA TO REMEDY THE SUBJECT CONDITION IN CERTAIN 1992-95 TAURUS, SABLE, TEMPO, TOPAZ AND CONTINENTAL VEHICLES.FORD IS AWARE OF SIMILAR INCIDENTS OCCURRING IN NORTHERN REGIONS OF THE UNITED STATES, BUT MAINTAINS THAT THE FREQUENCIES DO NOT WARRANT A FINDING OF AN UNREASONABLE RISK TO MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY.
PE96033 · opened May 2, 1996 · closed Sep 30, 1996