Model year record

1997 Mercury Sable recalls & problems

The 1997 Mercury Sable has 3 safety recalls and 228 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is power train (51 complaints).

Recalls3safety recalls

Complaints228filed by owners

Crashes · fires10 · 5reported in complaints

Injuries · deaths11 · 0reported in complaints

Safety recalls

Exterior lightingFeb 10, 1998

Headlights

Recall 98V028000571,800 vehicles

Problem: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE TEXT AND/OR GRAPHICS FOR THE VEHICLE HEADLAMP AIMING INSTRUCTIONS PROVIDED IN THE OWNER GUIDES ARE NOT SUFFICIENTLY CLEAR. THIS DOES NOT MEET THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT."
Risk: IF THE HEADLAMP ASSEMBLIES ARE REPLACED, CUSTOMERS MAY BE CONFUSED BY THE AIMING INSTRUCTIONS PROVIDED IN THE OWNER GUIDES CAUSING THE HEADLAMPS TO BE IMPROPERLY AIMED.
Fix: OWNER GUIDES CONTAINING REVISED AIMING INSTRUCTIONS WILL BE MAILED TO OWNERS OF THESE VEHICLES.

Power trainJun 9, 1997

Automatic transmission

Recall 97V097000100,000 vehicles

Problem: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH AX4S AUTOMATIC TRANSAXLES. THE LOW/INTERMEDIATE SERVO COVER CAN SEPARATE FROM THE TRANSAXLE WHILE THE VEHICLE IS BEING DRIVEN. IF THIS OCCURS, TRANSMISSION FLUID WILL LEAK CONTACTING THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER.
Risk: THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER TEMPERATURE MAY BE HOT ENOUGH TO IGNITE THE TRANSMISSION FLUID AND CAUSE A VEHICLE FIRE.
Fix: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE TRANSMISSION AND REPLACE THESE SERVO COVERS.

Power trainSep 5, 1996

Automatic transmission › Gear position indication (prndl)

Recall 96V16600040,000 vehicles

Problem: 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.
Risk: UNINTENDED AND UNEXPECTED VEHICLE MOVEMENT CAN RESULT IN PERSONAL INJURY AND PROPERTY DAMAGE.
Fix: DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND, IF NECESSARY, REPLACE THE PARK PAWL ABUTMENT BRACKET.

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

1997 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 / 26 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 L · 6 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $3,350/year to fuel

Sable Wagon

20mpg combined

City / highway	17 / 24 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

3 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 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*
Power trainAutomatic transmission; Manual transmission	51	1	1	0	72,000 mi
Engine and engine coolingEngine › Gasoline; Engine	46	0	3	1	61,100 mi
Vehicle speed controlAccelerator pedal; Cruise control	28	3	0	1	53,894 mi
VisibilityDefroster/defogger/hvac system › Heater core; Defroster/defogger/hvac system	24	0	1	0	58,700 mi
Seat beltsFront › Retractor; Front › Buckle assembly	22	1	0	1	70,000 mi
Electrical systemWiring; 12v/24v/48v battery	21	0	2	0	80,000 mi
SteeringSteering wheel/handle bar; Hydraulic power assist system	19	2	0	0	54,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulicAntilock/traction control/electronic limited slip; Foundation components	19	1	0	0	57,215 mi
SuspensionFront › Springs › Coil springs; Front	17	0	0	0	94,200 mi
EquipmentAppliance › Air conditioner; Electrical › Radio/tape deck/cd etc.	12	0	0	0	77,200 mi
Air bagsFrontal; Side/window	12	5	0	9	—
TiresSidewall; Tread/belt	11	1	0	1	85,000 mi

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

Recent owner complaints

Unknown or other
YES I HAVE A USED CAR AND THE DASH FROM THE HEAT HAS ROSE OFF OR HAS BUCKELED UP AND I HAVE CONTACTED THE COMPANY WELL APPARENTLY IT IS OBSOLETE AND IT IS HARD TO COME BY SO I CANT DRIVE WITHOUT A DASH AND I CANT GET ONE EITHER
Jul 6, 2016 · 80,000 miles
Service brakes
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 MERCURY SABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR A SAFETY INSPECTION, WHERE THE MECHANIC NOTIFIED HER THAT THE BRAKE LINES WERE CORRODED AND THE BALL JOINTS WERE DETACHING FROM THE VEHICLE. ALSO, THE MECHANIC ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS UNSAFE TO DRIVE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 73,000.
Aug 10, 2012 · 73,000 miles
Vehicle speed controlCrash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 MERCURY SABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN BRAKING TO A COMPLETE STOP, THE ENGINE RPMS WOULD INCREASE ABNORMALLY. IN ADDITION, THE VEHICLE WOULD SLIGHTLY PULL FORWARD AS IF IT WERE ATTEMPTING TO ACCELERATE. AS THE CONTACT WAS APPROACHING A TRAFFIC STOP, SHE CRASHED INTO THE REAR OF ANOTHER VEHICLE. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSIS BUT THE FAILURE WAS UNABLE TO BE DETERMINED. THE MECHANIC DISCONNECTED THE CRUISE CONTROL AS A PRECAUTION AND THE VEHICLE FUNCTIONED PROPERLY. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 43,000.
May 23, 2012 · 43,000 miles
Structure › Frame and members
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 1997 MERCURY SABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THE SUB FRAME THAT HOLDS THE MOTOR AND TRANSMISSION TOGETHER WAS DETACHED FROM THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE VEHICLE DUE TO RUST. WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE WAS MAKING NOISE; HOWEVER, DURING THE DIAGNOSTIC TEST THE MECHANIC CONFIRMED THAT THE SUBFRAME WAS COVERED WITH RUST. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER STATED THERE WERE NO RECALLS OR RELATED WARRANTIES AND OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 99,000.
Aug 18, 2011 · 99,000 miles
Service brakes, hydraulic
CONSTANTLY HAVING TO SERVICE BRAKES ON MY 1997 MERCURY SABLE. I HAVE HAD BRAKE CALIPERS SEIZE UP TO THE POINT THE WHEEL WAS TOO HOT TO TOUCH AND I CURRENTLY HAVE BRAKE LINES RUSTED OUT FOR THE SECOND TIME IN ABOUT 2 YEARS THIS IS SIMPLY UNACCEPTABLE FOR SUCH AN EXPENSIVE LUXURY MODEL AND FROM A SAFETY POINT OF VIEW IT IS UNACCEPTABLE TO PUT ANYTHING IN THE WAY OF BRAKE LINES THAT WILL LEAK RUST OR OTHERWISE FAIL PREMATURELY. *TR
Nov 29, 2010 · 159,000 miles
Suspension › Rear
I BOUGHT AND ARE DRIVING A 1997 MERCURY SABLE WITH 84K MILES AND IT IS A DANGER TO BE IN. THE REAR SPRINGS ARE BROKEN IN SEVERAL PLACES. I HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT FORD WAS RECALLING AND FIXING THIS PROBLEM IN SIMILAR AND LIKE YEARS OF TAURUS'S AND SABLES. MINE THEY CLAIM DOES NOT QUALIFY. THE 1997 IS THE SAME CAR AS A 1998 AND 1999 THAT THEY HAVE PROVIDED RECALL REPLACEMENTS ON... I WONDER HOW MANY OTHER PEOPLE HAVE HAD THIS PROBLEM OR HAVE BEEN IN ACCIDENT BECAUSE OF THIS PROBLEM THAT FORD IS OBVIOUSLY AWARE . *TR
May 4, 2010 · 84,234 miles
Power train › Automatic transmission
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 MERCURY SABLE. THE CONTACT NOTICED TRANSMISSION FLUID LEAKING ONTO THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER. THE WAS INFORMED BY A FORD REPRESENTATIVE THAT HIS VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 97V097000 (POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION), ALTHOUGH THE FAILURES WERE IDENTICAL. THE CONTACT STILL HAS THE VEHICLE, BUT IS AFRAID TO DRIVE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 37,840. UPDATED 12/30/08. *LJ THE CONSUMER ALSO DISCOVERED OIL LEAKING IN THE TRANSAXLE AREA. UPDATED 01/05/09. *JB
Dec 10, 2008
Service brakes, hydraulic
I HAVE READ DOZENS OF EXAMPLES OF THE SAME PROBLEM POSTED ON THIS SITE. IT APPEARS THAT MERCURY NEEDS TO MAKE A RECALL. ABOUT 6 MONTHS AGO MY BRAKE PEDAL RELEASED THE PRESSURE I HAD ON IT AND WENT ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR. I TOOK IT INTO THE BRAKE SHOP AND HAD MY HOSES, CALIPERS, AND BREAK LINES ALL COMPLETELY REPLACED. WITHIN 6 MONTHS, THE EXACT SAME THING HAS HAPPENED AGAIN. I DO NOT HAVE $500 TO SPEND EVERY SIX MONTHS ON A CAR THAT IS SUPPOSED TO BE RELIABLE AND DEPENDABLE. THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE. *TR
Oct 1, 2008 · 35 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.