NHTSA — Engine And Engine Cooling: Engine Problems

6.2

fairly significant
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
12,429 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

1996 Mercury Sable engine problems

engine problem

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1996 Mercury Sable Owner Comments

problem #14

May 012006

Sable 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 135,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

: the contact stated while driving various speeds, the steering wheel was difficult to turn. The vehicle was inspected by an independent repair shop who determined the engine mount and carriage frame rusted which caused the engine to slip from the mount. The vehicle was exposed to extreme winter weather and road salts. The repair shop concluded that a piece of steel needed to be added to each side of the engine mount to correct the problem. The manufacturer was not alerted.

- Lake Orion, MI, USA

problem #13

May 172004

(reported on)

Sable

  • miles
While driving engine collapsed due to rusting. This caused the frame to break. Also, when the engine collapsed the ball joints broke, causing the tires to disengage from the vehicle.

- Kenova, WV, USA

problem #12

Nov 172002

Sable

  • 39,000 miles
Vehicle stalled repeatedly. The ignition module was replaced, however the problem recurred.

- Sarsoda, FL, USA

problem #11

Oct 262002

Sable

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Consumer states that while driving and without warning the engine overheated and blew and the vehicle started to smoke under the hood causing the consumer to pull over. Dealer notified

- Jacksonville, FL, USA

problem #10

Aug 282002

(reported on)

Sable

  • miles
Consumer recently had taken her vehicle for routine maintenance, and was informed that the vehicle had a leaking head gasket.

- Sunnyvale, CA, USA

problem #9

Apr 222001

Sable

  • miles
I was traveling home from my first long distance trip from Napa, ca. To ventura, ca. When without any warning the cars temperature gauge went straight to hot, the engine light came on and the car lost total power, result? two blown head gaskets, numerous cooling parts replaced. When Ford was contacted about reimbursement for a known defect (head gaskets) they said the goodwill policy doesn't count in my case because I took it to a repairshop other than Ford. So here I am out $2,724.62 repair costs $400. Towing cost and another $250. In rental cost. I believe that I should be reimbursed my costs even though I didn't have the car repaired by Ford, because I didn't know about the extended "goodwill" warranty until after the fact. So here is another sob story about defective head gaskets not being fixed. Ford knows about this serious problem and refuses to fix it.

- Ventura, CA, USA

problem #8

Aug 012000

Sable

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Vehicle experiencing problems with the heating/cooling system, consumer noticed brown corrosion in the radiator and reservoir, the radiator cap was replaced and a super flush was done to stop the problem, after the flush the heat still didn't work as it should, at the end of November, the consumer had to replace the radiator because of the corrosion, now there are signs of anti-freeze in the tailpipe, which could be a sign that the corrosion could be getting into the engine and possibly warping the heads.

- Two Harbors, MN, USA

problem #7

Sep 142000

(reported on)

Sable

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
The engine coolant system freeze-out plugs popped out of the engine block causing the coolant to leak profusely.

- Denville, NJ, USA

problem #6

Jun 122000

Sable

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
While driving on the njp about 55 mph vehicle began to lose power and just die. This happened without any kind of warning. Vehicle was towed to a dealership. Dealership detected the cause to be a blown engine head gasket. Head gasket was replaced. Owner is still experiencing problems with vehicle. The vehicle had been to the dealer three times but no solution is found. Now the vehicle hits hard when in reverse, drive and park.

- Jersey City, NJ, USA

problem #5

Apr 132000

Sable

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
No light or sensor on the oil pump to indicate a failure which could eventually cause damages to parts and complete malfunction of the engine. Systematic destruction of the engine of this vehicle took place in a chain-reaction from a simple oil pump failure. Took dealer 3 weeks to repair the engine damage from the oil pump, covered half the cost of repair.

- Kailua, HI, USA

problem #4

Jul 271999

Sable

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

While driving on highway at approx. 65-70 mph noticed engine check light and battery light coming on. Pulled over, turned off vehicle, and looked under hood. Noticed engine coolant overflowing onto ground. Tried to start vehicle, but engine would not start. Vehicle was inspected by dealer, and informed consumer that engine had sucked up the water from the air filter which caused the engine head to crack. Can NHTSA help in this matter, and provide additional information.

- Taunton, MA, USA

problem #3

May 111999

(reported on)

Sable

  • miles
Engine mounts broke, causing the engine to drop due to corrosion.

- La Canada, CA, USA

problem #2

Jan 121998

Sable

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Crankshaft pulley failed while driving in rainstorm.

- Oklahoma C, OK, USA

problem #1

Dec 211996

Sable

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Engine gaskets failed, causing oil to leak onto ground.

- Constable, NY, USA

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