no report yet
Exterior lighting: headlights
Risk. IF THE HEADLAMP ASSEMBLIES ARE REPLACED, CUSTOMERS MAY BE CONFUSED BY THE AIMING INSTRUCTIONS PROVIDED IN THE OWNER GUIDES CAUSING THE HEADLAMPS TO BE…
1997 Mercury SableProblems, recalls & complaints
NHTSA has logged 228 owner complaints about the 1997 Mercury Sable, most often about the power train. It is covered by 3 safety recalls.
Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through October 20, 2016. Updated daily.
Complaints by system
Where the 1997 Mercury Sable has problems
228 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.
43Power train2 crash/fire/injury
42Engine and engine cooling3 crash/fire/injury
28Vehicle speed control4 crash/fire/injury
22Visibility1 crash/fire/injury
21Seat belts1 crash/fire/injury
19Steering2 crash/fire/injury
19Electrical system2 crash/fire/injury
18Service brakes, hydraulic
17Suspension
7412 other systems9 crash/fire/injury
| System | Complaints | Crash, fire or injury |
|---|---|---|
| Power train | 43 | 2 |
| Engine and engine cooling | 42 | 3 |
| Vehicle speed control | 28 | 4 |
| Visibility | 22 | 1 |
| Seat belts | 21 | 1 |
| Steering | 19 | 2 |
| Electrical system | 19 | 2 |
| Service brakes, hydraulic | 18 | 1 |
| Suspension | 17 | 0 |
| 12 other systems | 74 | 9 |
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.
3 recalls
1997 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. THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER TEMPERATURE MAY BE HOT ENOUGH TO IGNITE THE TRANSMISSION FLUID AND CAUSE A VEHICLE FIRE.
no report yet
Automatic transmission: gear position indication (prndl)
Risk. UNINTENDED AND UNEXPECTED VEHICLE MOVEMENT CAN RESULT IN PERSONAL INJURY AND PROPERTY DAMAGE.
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
1997 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
1997 Mercury Sable safety ratings
1997 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.
TL*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…
TL*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…
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. *JB
Own a 1997 Sable?
Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.