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. The consumer also discovered oil leaking in the transaxle area. Updated 01/05/09.

- Timonium, MD, USA

The contact owns a 1997 Mercury Sable. The contact stated that transmission fluid was leaking and draining onto the catalytic converter. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer for a diagnosis. The manufacturer stated that his vehicle does not have any open recalls and they were unaware of NHTSA campaign id number 97V097000 (power train:automatic transmission). The failure mileage was 105,000 and current mileage was 137,000.

- Lake Orion , MI, USA

Vehicle slow to up shift. While driving at any speed vehicle suddenly dropped to lowest gear would not go over 23 mph. Loud roaring! after placing in park; putting into drive transmission slams into first gear, but will not change into higher gear.

- Kingston, GA, USA

When on a incline, the vehicle slipped out of drive to reverse gear. This caused the vehicle to roll back resulting in damage to the vehicle. The dealer replaced the transmission shifter cable.

- Woodridge, IL, USA

Intermittently while driving at any speed there was a clicking sound coming from the steering column. When this occurred the power steering/power windows and ABS failed to work properly. (automatic position lever module) the radio had gone on and off as well.

- Kansas City, MO, USA

Transmission rebuilt.head gasket replaced.

- Chicopee, MA, USA

1997 Mercury Sable.

- Vallejo, CA, USA

While driving about 65 mph the vehicle stalled. The consumer restarted the vehicle but it would not shift.

- Rochester, NY, USA

At about 100,000 easy highway miles, we had to replace the torque converter, then the entire transmission, plus for the last two years minor engine repairs to the tune of about $350 every other month, the window won't go down anymore, and now--4 months after the transmission replacement--we have lost overdrive and the engine light is on, again! we have never had a car with this many problems, and will never buy a Ford/Mercury anything again. Our Suburban was more reliable.

- Waitsburg, WA, USA

About a year back I had transmission problem on my Sable at 70,000 miles. It would move in reverse but no forward motion. The vehicle was towed and the transmission was rebuilt at cottman transmission at the cost of over $2000 and loss of vehicle use for a week. A month later, it failed with exactly similar symptoms. It was towed to the same facility and repaired under warranty in four days. Six months later, and exactly a month after the warranty on repair work expired (74,000 miles), the transmission started to visibly down shift while driving (at all speeds). Took it back to repair facility - was told it's internal transmission problems - once again! I just can't believe this. I can't afford to waste 4,000 on transmission jobs on this car when it's not even worth that much. I scanned through the other complaints and found some other instances when this transmission had given problems to owners. Just wondering how many dissatisfied owners would it take for Ford to realize that there is a "real" problem with their Sable/Mercury transmissions! I had two Ford Taurus's in the past, and this is third from Ford family. I am going to stop spending money on Ford cars if this is the level of quality that I get for my money.

- Sterling Heights, MI, USA

I purchased a 1997 Mercury Sable in July 1977 from don jackson spartan Lincoln Mercury dealer. I have had continuous trouble with the transmission, the brakes, the "plastic" bucket holding reserve antifreeze (cracked and leaked antifreeze) and now the windshield wipers work when they want to work (intermittently and steadily). When I contacted don jackson Lincoln-Mercury at those times when the parts acted up to ask them if there had been any recalls or problems (and I cited each area each time I called), I was told there were no problems reported in any of these areas with the 97 Sable. I found there on the internet that there are many. I have paid $2000 for the transmission repair, $550 for brakes, $80 for the antifreeze bucket, and went to purchase a wiper motor ($85) when I was told by the auto store clerk to check the internet, which I am now doing. I find that jackson spartan L/M dealer has not been honest with me and I was not notified by don jackson spartan L/M of these fallacies. What can I do?

- Hampton, GA, USA

No summary listed for above vehicle.

- Randallatown, MD, USA

Consumer stated had to flush radiator out at least five times because of dirty water, it is written in owner's manual that the radiator should be flushed 1 time every 100,000 miles. While flushing the radiator, water got into the transmission and the transmission had to be replaced several times. Consumer states that ever since recall 98823 was completed on vehicle, radiator has constantly needed flushed, now causing problems with the transmission. Consumer heard a noise in the front wheel area, dealer replaced right front wheel bearing.

- Lakelinden, MI, USA

Without any indication of approaching failure, the transmission failed on me. The car from parked position could be backed in reverse gear to the street, but would not go forward in "D" it does go forward, but takes up too much engine RPM - slippage?- to pick up speed. Then you can switch gears to 2nd and 3rd (D with overdrive off) and 4th (with od engaged) gear. I haven't risked topping 45 mph in my test run. Apparently there is some problem with transmission that does not allow it to move forward when put in "D" and seems like taking too much RPM to pick up load when gears are changed manually. I have browsed through this web site for complaints launched by other '97 Sable owners, but I could not find any one with similar problem.

- Sterling Heights, MI, USA

Transmission fails pulling out in traffic, when I bought the car they denied it until I made manager drive w/me they rebuilt it free, after fighting with them, I did not have the car a week. They rebuilt it, 1 yr later happened again, said cannot find anything, took it to another dealer, said they always have problems with transmission in these due to the torque converter too strong for the transmission. They know they made a mistake. Oil is black, they know something is wrong but they are not going to recall because they would have to recall the car.

- Royersford, PA, USA

Vehicle is revving while engine is running. Mph does not move, but rpms go up, possibly due to bands within transmission that are slipping.

- Romeo, MI, USA

While driving 70 mph and all of a sudden vehicle slowed to 30 mph, transmission had gone out. Dealer found metal shavings.

- Wichita, KS, USA

Transmission blew apart. Crack in case may have occurred first, causing internal problems (still had fluid) or transmission blowing apart may have caused crack in case (per repairman).

- Brighton, CO, USA

Bought the car in Aug 1999- brought the car back in Sept 1999 for the transmission. Shifting very hard into gear. Dealership had car for aweek or so claimed to have fixed the problem. Problem has been re-occuring for over 3 monthe brought back into dealer. Had car another week and said they found nothing wrong. That they ajusted the idol ( has been stalling as well) and did a few other minor things.. not only did they not fix the problem but it's now worse then before.... what do I do... I have only had the car for a little over a year and am having repeated trouble with this problem? should I have to pay to have a new transmission put in seeing how the problem has been occuring since I bought the car.. I don't feel that is right..... any information you can provide is greatly appericated. Thank you...

- Orrs Island, ME, USA

Transmission does not engage into gears easily and is delayed on occasions, unable to rectify problem after several repair attempts. Mjs

- Blue Sprin, MO, USA