no report yet
Storage: tank assembly
Risk. IF THIS SHIPPING PLUG IS DISPLACED, FUEL LEAKAGE CAN RESULT.
1996 Mercury SableProblems, recalls & complaints
NHTSA has logged 304 owner complaints about the 1996 Mercury Sable, most often about the power train. It is covered by 5 safety recalls.
Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through October 19, 2017. Updated daily.
Complaints by system
Where the 1996 Mercury Sable has problems
304 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.
69Power train4 crash/fire/injury
60Engine and engine cooling5 crash/fire/injury
36Steering3 crash/fire/injury
29Structure2 crash/fire/injury
27Visibility1 crash/fire/injury
20Electrical system
19Service brakes, hydraulic
17Vehicle speed control
15Air bags
7113 other systems6 crash/fire/injury
| System | Complaints | Crash, fire or injury |
|---|---|---|
| Power train | 69 | 4 |
| Engine and engine cooling | 60 | 5 |
| Steering | 36 | 3 |
| Structure | 29 | 2 |
| Visibility | 27 | 1 |
| Electrical system | 20 | 3 |
| Service brakes, hydraulic | 19 | 5 |
| Vehicle speed control | 17 | 4 |
| Air bags | 15 | 10 |
| 13 other systems | 71 | 6 |
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.
5 recalls
1996 Mercury Sable recalls and how many were fixed
Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
no report yet
Power train: automatic transmission
Risk. THIS CONDITION COULD RESULT IN THE VEHICLE ROLLING AS IF IN NEUTRAL WITH THE SHIFT LEVER IN THE PARK POSITION.
no report yet
Automatic transmission: gear position indication (prndl)
Risk. UNINTENDED AND UNEXPECTED VEHICLE MOVEMENT CAN RESULT IN PERSONAL INJURY AND PROPERTY DAMAGE.
no report yet
Power train: automatic transmission
Risk. THIS COULD RESULT IN THE PARK PAWL OCCASIONALLY NOT ENGAGING WHEN THE TRANSMISSION SELECTOR LEVER IS PLACED IN THE PARK POSITION.
Show 1 more recall
no report yet
Brake fluid low warning: lamp
Risk. CONSEQUENCE OF NON-COMPLIANCE: IF THE SWITCH MALFUNTIONS, THE BRAKE SYSTEM WARNING LAMP WILL EITHER REMAIN ILLUMINATED CONTINUOUSLY OR FAIL TO LIGHT AS…
Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with Mercury.
Best & worst years
1996 vs. every other Sable year
Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the Sable median. How we score
'86'87'88'89'90'91'92'93'94'95'96'97'98'99'00'01'02'03'04'05'06'08'09
- Avoid
- Caution
- Solid
- Best
- Not rated
NHTSA crash tests
1996 Mercury Sable safety ratings
1996 Mercury Sable 4-DR. in NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program. Photos are from NHTSA's crash tests.
- Stability control: No
- Forward collision warning: No
- Lane departure warning: No
In owners' words
What Sable owners report
Recent power train complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.
JUST BOUGHT A MERCURY SABLE 1996. AFTER DRIVING THIS VEHICAL FOR ABOUT 10 MILES, THE TRANSMISSION BEGAN TO SLIP BADLY. IT BEGAN WITH HAVING TROUBLE ACCELERATING FROM A COMPLETE STOP. LUCKILY I WAS DRIVING IN A RURAL AREA WITH FEW STOPS AND LITTLE TRAFFIC. BY THE TIME I STOPPED AT THE 3 STOP SIGN.…
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 MERCURY SABLE WAGON. THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN PARKED ON SEPT 10,09 AT 3:30, THE NEXT DAY, AT 6:30 PM THE VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS ENGULFED IN FLAMES. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT EXTINGUISHED THE FIRED AND STATED THAT IT WAS AS…
(1) CAR SHIFTS HARD DURING ACCELERATION AND DECELERATION. SPEEDOMETER DOES NOT WORK OR BOUNCES UP, THEN DOWN. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON. (2) WHILE DRIVING AT NORMAL ROAD SPEEDS THE TRANSMISSION WILL SWITCH TO LOW GEAR CAUSING SUDDEN THROW OF DRIVER INSIDE CAR AND AT TIMES WHEN TRYING TO…
Own a 1996 Sable?
Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.