NHTSA — Power Train: Automatic Transmission Problems

10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
2 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
3 / 0
Average Mileage:
9,462 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.

1999 Mercury Sable transmission problems

transmission problem

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1999 Mercury Sable Owner Comments

problem #13

Oct 032006

Sable 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 12,000 miles

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

- the contact has a 1999 Mercury Sable. The contact stated that when she purchased the vehicle May 22 2006, the vehicle did not have heat. The contact stated that she has had many problems with this vehicle since she purchased it. The vehicle operates with a high temperature reading, and the transmission seems to slip gears when you apply the gas pedal and back fires while switching gears. The dealer has not addressed the failures that the contact has experienced with her vehicle. The contact stated that October of 2006 was the last time she corresponded with the dealer and they still have done nothing to help her.

- Macon, GA, USA

problem #12

Aug 272006

Sable

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Transmission temporarily fails to shift when accelerating or braking.

- White Haven, PA, USA

problem #11

Sep 012004

Sable 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 90,000 miles
Car has always shifted hard. At approximately 90K miles automatic transmission started to fail evidenced by gear slippage and car decellerating while being driven. Transmission pump was also "knocking". car was taken to transmission shop and they stated that a 10 cent "O" ring had failed in the transmission pump and that the transmission pump had literally "come apart". also, the transmission pan had a smal, shiny indention where the pump was located, further evidence of where the problem possibly originated. They had also stated that they have seen numerous tuarus' and Sable with the same problem. Transmission was completely rebuilt at a cost of $1700 and the pump was replaced with one with a metallic "O" ring to help eliminate further failures. I personally take great care and pride with my vehicles and on average have checked all fluid levels, including the transmission fluid on a bimonthly bases. The transmission failure was rather sudden with no warning, to include an engine light.

- N. Little Rock, AR, USA

problem #10

Jun 152003

Sable

  • miles

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

While driving at 5 mph consumer heard a noise coming from under the vehicle. Consumer put vehicle in reverse and the vehicle would not accelerate. Consumer made contact with the dealer.

- Granby, CT, USA

problem #9

Jun 122002

Sable 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Problems with ABS. The vehicle was in two accidents due to the inability to control the vehicle during normal driving conditions, where the ABS did not work. The vehicle was in for repair 7 times. The following are repairs and or problems the vehicle experienced: Torque converter replaced after transmission fluid was found low, exhaust leak fixed, washer fluid would spray when the turn signal and lights were on, shaking when the brakes were applied/resurfaced rotors, trunk leaked water, replaced multi-function switch to fix washer fluid problem, ABS not working when there was a panic stop, left and right spindle assembly was replaced, front end rotors were replaced again, wheel alignment, the ABS did not engage and caused an accident, and replaced left side outer tie rod end.

- Voorhees, NJ, USA

problem #8

May 202003

Sable

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Problems with transmission caused vehicle to stop. While driving 60 mph, the vehicle stopped, and failed to accelerated when the pedal was pushed.

- Hollywood, FL, USA

problem #7

Nov 132002

Sable 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 21,000 miles

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

Consumer stated when put in park the vehicle rolled bakwards about 4-6 in. Caused damages.

- Lakeworth, FL, USA

problem #6

Jun 282002

Sable

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
While driving transmission will slip out of gears, causing the vehicle not to have any power. Dealer notified.

- Nampa, ID, USA

problem #5

Jul 172001

Sable

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Transmission had to be replaced twic within 8 month period.

- Greenfield, CA, USA

problem #4

Dec 262001

Sable

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Hard upshift and downshift while coming to a stop or pulling away. Once vehicle was stopped it would have a tendency at times to lurch forward while brake was on.. upon taking the transmission down, the dealer found clutch material in transmission the SS3 was sticking, the accumulator O-ring was cut the forward drum ck.vall sticint overdrive band burned and needed to exchange the entire transmission. Thankfully the trany was under warranty. However, now the repaired assy is only covered for 12000 miles or 12 months whichever comes first and we are naturally concerned that this might be a defect as the Ford taures seemed to have trany problems in the 1197 to 1999 range which is why we did not buy one but went with the Sable after checking NHTSA reports re: The vehicle itself.

- Lemon Grove, CA, USA

problem #3

Oct 012000

Sable

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles

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

Consumer states she attempted to put vehicle in reverse, the engine felt as if it was going to fall out, consumer contacted dealership and vehicle was taken in for a transmission overhaul and repairs on three occassions.

- Los Angeles, CA, USA

problem #2

Sep 222000

Sable

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Almost caused a major accident but avoided fatalties.

- North Royalton, OH, USA

problem #1

Oct 011999

(reported on)

Sable

  • miles
Note***** did not have any failures!! my reason for writing is to complain about the frequent shifting of the automatic transmission. In addition, the brakes vibrate at high speed usually between 55-70 when braking. To be fair I reported and had the car serviced when the brakes first vibrated. The service manager reported that there were heat marks on the disc's. my principal driving is highway with limited braking. The dealer shaved the rotors (which bothered me given that there was less then 10,000 miles at the time), and the vibration disappeared. I am however once again seeing some slight vibration. Tire wear appears to be normal. Getting back to the rotors, I am concerned that the life of the rotors having been cut will be short. As for the transmission this has just started, and I haven't yet scheduled a service call. I have spoken to several people who own either Taurus's or Sable's and the recurring problem seems to be the transmissions. What do you guys say?

- Eastchester, NC, USA

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