NHTSA — Service Brakes, Hydraulic: Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip Problems

10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
5 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
2 / 0
Average Mileage:
8,632 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.

1998 Mercury Sable brakes problems

brakes problem

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1998 Mercury Sable Owner Comments

problem #11

Nov 192004

Sable 6-cyl

  • 94,950 miles

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

In 1998 I purchased a new Mercury Sable. Stopping distance has been inadequate since new. Returned to dealer 3 times, checked and stated everything was fine. In panic stops it feels as if only the rear wheels are braking. Now, after 95,000 miles I have changed the rear brake pads 3 times and rear rotors once, but the original front pads are still on the car - just now needing replacement. Front rotors excellent - no outer ridge. Obviously, front brakes are not working effectively - normally front brakes provide about 60% of braking power. On November 19 2004 I rear-ended another car in a chain-reaction panic stop. Body damage is now repaired, but I hesitate to put it back in service without determining and repairing the brake problem that has existed since the car was new. I wrote Ford about the problem years ago but received no answer. The service manager at the dealership has no record that I ever complained about inadequate braking. Car was checked at brakemasters, but they could find nothing wrong. With millions of Sable and tauruses built by Ford, I can't believe I have the only car with this problem. I wonder how many of these cars have been involved in rear-end collisions with the owners never realizing that they had a braking problem? I would like to know why the front brakes are not working, so I can repair the problem!

- Roseville , CA, USA

problem #10

Nov 192004

Sable 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
In 1998 I purchased a new Mercury Sable. Stopping distance has been inadequate since new. Returned to dealer 3 times, checked and stated everything was fine. In panic stops it feels as if only the rear wheels are braking. Now, after 95,000 miles I have changed the rear brake pads 3 times and rear rotors once, but the original front pads are still on the car - just now needing replacement. Front rotors excellent - no outer ridge. Obviously, front brakes are not working effectively - normally front brakes provide about 60& of braking power. On November 19 I rear-ended another car in a chain-reaction panic stop. Body damage is now repaired, but I hesitate to put it back in service without determining and repairing the brake problem that has existed since the car was new. I wrote Ford about the problem years ago but received no answer. The service manager at the dealership has no record that I ever complained about inadequate braking. Car was checked at brakemasters, but they could find nothing wrong. With millions of Sable and tauruses built by Ford, I can't believe I have the only car with this problem. I wonder how many of these cars have been involved in rear-end collisions with the owners never realizing that they had a braking problem?

- Roseville, CA, USA

problem #9

May 282003

(reported on)

Sable

  • miles
Nar 05/28/2003 failure in the antilock brake system.

- Pittsburgh, PA, USA

problem #8

Jul 012002

Sable

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles

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

ABS braking light appears on the dashboard. The mechanic from the dealership told the consumer that the module had to be replaced. The consumer feels that Ford should be responsible for this part.

- Webster, NY, USA

problem #7

Dec 182001

Sable

  • miles
I hit sand that is on the road to help you from sliding on black ice, but in my case it made my car go sliding and I hit curb on right side of me, which knocked my hands off steering wheel.by the time I had my hands back on the wheel and braking I was on left side of road.at this point I was off the road and on the mud, which my brakes didn't do me any good I just keep going up and over into the canyon where I went down about 15-20 where I hit an oak tree head on.the back of my car went up in the air and went side ways slammed down on the drivers side of car.during all this neither of the air bags deployed.I received 31 stitches in face and separated ribs and bruised wrest and bumps and bruises.

- Soulsbyville, CA, USA

problem #6

Jan 152001

Sable

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Consumer's vehicle rearended another vehicle due to brake failure. Pedal wentdown to the floor, and vehicle failed to stop. Was traveling 40mph. Air bags deployed. Blown 5 amp fuse (radio, rcc, ipc circute) were found after the accident.

- Clairemont, FL, USA

problem #5

Jun 012000

Sable

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles

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

Brakes have been replaced 3 times due to premature failure. Brakes usually only last about 4-5months. The same conditions and noise reoccured.

- Marietta, GA, USA

problem #4

Dec 232000

Sable

  • miles
Rear brake pads completely worn, needing replacement and machining of rotors. Dealer thought front brakes had been serviced because pads were in such good shape. All brake parts were original equipment from time vehicle was built. Dealer claims rear brakes do 70% of stopping on this car by design.

- Milltown, NJ, USA

problem #3

Jun 242000

Sable

  • miles
While exiting ramp from a highway onto a main street, the Explorer in front of us stopped before entering the main street. We were driving slowly when we tried to stop behind the other vehicle. My husband put his foot on the brake and it went to the floor. He continued a number of times, but could not stop or even slow down. We knew we would hit the vehicle in front of us, which prevented our car from going onto the main street of traffic. From trying to stop many times, my husband suffered a siatica injury, which he currently being treated by an orthopedist, chiropracter, physical therapist and primary care doctor.

- Randolph, MA, USA

problem #2

Jun 211999

Sable

  • miles
Consumer heard grinding sound from the rear & took vehicle to the dealer. Rotors, and brake shoes and pads were replaced. However, problem occurred again on 10-Aug-1999. It was taken to the same dealer, and he replaced alot of parts. As of 10-Apr-2000, vehicle is at the dealer's again. Dealer couldn't find cause of problem. Brakes are still locking up.

- Lynchburg, VA, USA

problem #1

Jan 172000

Sable

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Brakes failed.

- Bloomfield Hills, MI, USA

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