1998 Mercury Sable

These are unverified consumer reports filed with NHTSA, shown as submitted.

• 12/27/2000· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

  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.*AK

• 12/24/2005· SUSPENSION

  WHILE RESEARCHING ANOTHER PROBLEM ONLINE, I FOUND REFERENCES TO COIL SPRING PROBLEMS FOR OTHER SABLE MODEL YEARS, SO THOUGHT I SHOULD NOTIFY NHTSA MY REAR COIL SPRING BROKE ALSO. WHILE PARKED IN MY GARAGE, THE PASSENGER SIDE REAR COIL SPRING ON MY 1998 MERCURY SABLE WAGON BROKE. INCIDENT DATE IS ESTIMATED, I HAD TO WAIT FOR THE SHOP TO GET THE SPRINGS. BOTH REAR SPRINGS WERE REPLACED APRIL 20, 2005 (I HAVE RECEIPT). *JB

• 12/23/2004· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULICCrash

  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 SABLES 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? *AK

• 12/23/2004· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULICCrash

  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 SABLES 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!*AK

• 12/21/1998· VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

  WHEN BRAKES ARE APPLIED TO STOP CAR, THE ENGINE ROARS AND CAR ACCELERATES. REQUIRES ADDITITIONAL EFFORT TO STOP CAR AND THE ENGINE RACES UNTIL CAR IS PUT INTO NEUTRAL OR PARK. PROCESSOR FAILED COMPLETELY ON 12/19/98 AND WAS REPLACED WITH A NEW UNIT.

• 12/19/2012· STRUCTURE

  TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 MERCURY SABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE WOULD HEAR A RATTLING NOISE FROM UNDER THE HOOD AND ASSUMED THAT THE MOTOR MOUNTS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT REPAIRED THE VEHICLE BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE CONTACT INSPECTED UNDER THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED THAT THE FRAME WAS RUSTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND STATED THAT THE FRAME NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 85,500.

• 12/17/2004· VISIBILITY

  THE CABIN AIR FILTER EQUIPMENT LEAKS RAINWATER INTO THE VEHICLE ON THE PASSENGER SIDE. THIS CREATES AN EXCESSIVE AMOUNT OF MOISTURE IN THE VEHICLE, HENCE CAUSING EXCESSIVE FOGGING OF THE WINDOW GLASS, OBSTRUCTING THE DRIVER'S VIEW OF THE ROAD, PRESENTING THE OPPORTUNITY FOR COLLISION DUE TO REDUCED VISIBILITY. *JB

• 12/17/2001· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

  SPRING CLIP FOR REAR BRAKE PADS HAS SNAPPED AND DISCONNECTED DURING OPERATION OF VEHICLE TWICE. THIS PROBLEM HAS OCCURRED WITH 17,000 AND 19,000 MILES ON THE VEHICLE. DEALERSHIP HAS BEEN UNABLE TO EFFECTIVELY REMEDY THE PROBLEM. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION / DOCUMENTATION.*AK

• 12/16/1998· AIR BAGSCrash

  WHILE DRIVING BOTH AIR BAGS DEPLOYED WITHOUT IMPACT WHICH CAUSED DRIVER TO FORM A VIOLENT MANEUVER IN THE ROAD, CRASHING INTO THE VEHICLE AHEAD. ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS, BEFORE THE AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT, DRIVER NOTICED THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT WOULD FLICKER WHENEVER GOING OVER ANY KIND OF BUMP IN THE ROAD. THE VEHICLE WAS RENTED FROM HERTZ RENTAL CAR COMPANY. *AK

• 12/08/2003· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

  WHILE DRIVING CONSUMER NOTICED BLACK SMOKE COMING FROM THE ENGINE. CONSUMER PULLED THE VEHICLE OVER, CALLED A TOW TRUCK, AND VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP. MECHANIC INFORMED CONSUMER THAT THE PLASTIC INTAKE MANIFOLD FAILED.*AK

• 12/08/2000· SEAT BELTS

  THE FAILURE OF THE FIVE POINT HARNESS (MAKER: COSTCO, MODEL: 20448BNG, MADE: 03-03-00) FAILS IN THE REGARD THAT THE CHEST CLIP IS EASILY SLID DOWN BY THE CHILD ENABLING THEM TO FREE THEIR ARMS. THIS CREATES ENOUGH SLACK IN THE STRAPS THAT THEY CAN CONCEIVABLY FREE THEIR LEGS FROM THE RESTRAINT AND, INDEED, THEIR ENIRE BODY. *AK

• 12/01/2000· VISIBILITY

  FRONT WINDSHIELD WOULD FOGGED UP FIRST, AND THEN UNFOGGED WHEN USING DEFOGGER, WHICH COULD LEAD TO A VEHICLE CRASH DUE TO POOR VISIBILITY. DEALER NOTIFIED, AND INFORMED CONSUMER THAT THIS WAS A NORMAL CONCERN, BUT UNABLE TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM AT THIS TIME. PLEASE FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS ON THIS MATTER. *AK

• 11/30/1999· AIR BAGSCrash

  WHILE DRIVNG AT 35 MPH ANOTHER VEHICLE STOPPED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD, AND THE CONSUMER REAR ENDED THE VEHICLE IN FRONT. UPON IMPACT, DRIVER'S SIDE AND PASSENGER'S SIDE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. *AK

• 11/28/2006· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

  FOR YEARS I HAVE HAD ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS ON 1998 MERCURY SABLE--THE DOME LIGHT, FLOOR LIGHTS AND DOOR LIGHTS CONSTANTLY ON. I KEEP THE DOME LIGHT OFF. THE FLOOR LIGHT BULBS WERE REMOVED. DOOR LIGHTS ARE CONSTANTLY ON. HOWEVER, 1.5 YEARS AGO, I LOST ALL HEADLIGHTS AT NIGHT UPON ENTERING A HIGHWAY. I COULD RISK USING HIGH BEAMS BY HOLDING IN PLACE. MULTIFUNCTION ARM WAS REPLACED AND THE DIAL ON DASHBOARD. THEN BOTH DIALS WERE REPLACED FOR FAN AND HEATING, DEFROST AND AIR CONDITIONER. THEN TOLD MY COMPUTER CHIP NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. I HAVE NO DEFROSTER, HEAT, FAN OR AIR CONDITIONER. ALSO, LAST YEAR AFTER DEALING WITH SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT ON AND OFF THEN STAYING ON FOR YEARS, HAD TO REPLACE THE EMISSIONS SENSOR FOR CAR TO BE INSPECTED. WOULD A DEALER BE WILLING TO GIVE ME A DEFROSTER FIX AND/OR HEAT. MANY PEOPLE HAVE TOLD ME THAT FORD AND MERCURY ARE KNOWN FOR ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS. AND OVER 1500 DOLLARS LATER AND I STILL HAVE A DEFECTIVE, UNSAFE CAR. *NM

• 11/22/2000· STEERING,SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

  MY CAR MADE A LOW ROARING NOISE FROM THE REAR END AFTER ABOUT 3 MONTHS, SINCE THE FIRST INCIDENT DIDN'T OCCUR AGAIN FOR A FEW WEEKS I DIDN'T WORRY ABOUT IT, HOWEVER, AFTER I HAD IT FOR ABOUT 6 MONTHS THE NOISE GOT WORSE AND I WAS TOLD I NEEDED NEW BRAKE PADS, THESE WERE INSTALLED THE SAME DAY, A FEW WEEKS LATER THE SAME NOISE OCCURRED AGAIN AND THIS TIME I WAS TOLD I NEEDED NEW TIE ROD ENDS, THESE WERE INSTALLED THAT DAY, THEN IT WAS MY BRAKE PADS LATER IT WAS THE ROTORS, BRAKE PADS AND SHOES, I STILL HAVE THE NOISE IN THE REAR OF THE CAR AND NOW MY BRAKES ARE STILL NOT RIGHT, I CAME DOWN A HILL LAST WEEK AND WHEN I HIT MY BRAKES THERE WERE NONE, THE DEALER IS SAYING IT IS THE FACT THAT I DRIVE A LOT FORD MOTOR CO IS SAYING THEY AREN'T RESPONSIBLE AND BUD SHELL IS SAYING IT IS MY FAULT CAN YOU HELP ME I HAVE HAD THIS CAR IN THE SHOP FOR THIS SAME PROBLEM ABOUT 10 TIMES SINCE SEPT 1999 I AM AFRAID THAT MY BRAKES WILL FAIL ME AGAIN IN A MORE DANGEROUS SITUATION THAN THE LAST TIME. *AK

• 11/22/1999· FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINEFire

  WHILE PARKING VEHICLE A LOUD POPPING SOUND WAS HEARD COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. HOOD WAS RAISED AND A FIRE BROKE OUT AGAINST FIRE WALL IN CENTER AREA OF VEHCLE. BELIEVED FIRE WAS CAUSED BY A FUEL LEAKAGE FROM INJECTOR RAIL. DEALER / MANUFACTURER WERE NOT CONTACTED AT THIS TIME. CAN NHTSA HELP IN THIS MATTER. *AK

• 11/21/2003· POWER TRAIN

  THE DRIVER PRESSED DOWN ON THE ACCELERATED PEDAL AND THE VEHICLE DID NOT MOVE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR ANALYSIS. THE DEALER FOUND INTERNAL FAILURE OF THE TRANSMISSION. THE TRANSMISSION HAD TO BE REPLACED. *NLM

• 11/18/2000· POWER TRAIN

  MAKES A PRONOUNCED CONTINUAL "WINDING UP/DOWN" NOISE WHILE ACCELERATING/TRANS SHIFTS. TRANSMISSION SHOP CAN'T PINPOINT NOISE; ONLY THAT IT'S COMING FROM TRANSMISSION. *AK

• 11/14/2001· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

  VEHICLE OVERHEATED. ENGINE CHECK LIGHT DIDN'T COME ON. CONSUMER SMELLED SMOKE. TOOK VEHICLE TO MECHANIC. MECHANIC CHANGED THERMOSTAT. NEXT DAY WATER WAS ALL OVER THE GROUND. PROBLEM WAS STILL OCCURRING. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK

• 11/12/2003· AIR BAGS,SEAT BELTSCrash

  THE AIRBAGS AND SHOULDER HARNESS BOTH FAILED IN A FRONT END COLLISION AT HIGHWAY SPEED RESULTING IN INJURIES TO THE DRIVER. *LA

• 11/12/2003· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

  WHILE THE CRUISE CONTROL WAS SET AT 60 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED THEN RESTARTED BY ITSELF. THE DEALER COULD NOT DUPLICATE OR DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM. *AK THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM WAS IN THE SWITCH AND A LOOSE WIRE. THE VEHICLE RESTARTED ON IT'S OWN AND WAS SOMETIMES HARD TO START. (HARD TO START, HOT OR COLD) WHEN THE VEHICLE DIED AT LOW SPEEDS, IT DID NOT RESTART AND WAS HARD TO START IMMEDIATELY AFTER BUT WOULD START WITHIN 2-3 MINUTES. *SCC *JB

• 11/11/1999· FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

  THE SYMPTOM IS THE 'CHECK ENGINE' LIGHT IS ALWAYS ON. IT CONSUMES MUCH MORE GAS THAN BEFORE DURING IDLING AND THE ENGINE TEMPERATURE TENDS TO BE HIGH.

• 11/10/2005· SUSPENSION,ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

  AFTER ONLY OWNING MY VEHICLE FOR 8 MONTHS, AND BEING TOLD IT WAS IN PERFECT CONDITION, IN A MATTER OF 3 DAYS, MANY PROBLEMS OCCURRED. MY 4WD LIGHTS BEGAN FLASHING, ALONG WITH THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT. WHEN ACCELERATING UPHILL, THE TEMPERATURE GAUGE RAISES TO HIGH IN A MATTER OF SECONDS AND THE CHECK GAUGE LIGHT COMES ON. THE CAR BEGAN DYING, THE IDLE DROPPING AT SLOW SPEEDS, AND EVEN DIED IN MID DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY, LEAVING ME TO VEER TOWARDS THE EDGE OF THE ROAD WITH NO POWER STEERING. I TOOK THE CAR TO A DEALERSHIP, THAT WAS SUPPOSED TO HONOR MY EXTENDED WARRANTY, I PAID $1200 FOR. MY ESTIMATE CAME UP TO ALMOST $3000 WITH THE WARRANTY ONLY OPTING TO COVER $ 300. THE PROBLEMS AS DESCRIBED BY THE MECHANIC WERE: THROTTLE POSITION SENSOR: $680, SLACK IN BOTH LOWER BALL JOINTS (NEED REPLACING): $625, ELECTRICAL AND RELATED REPAIRS: $ 215, SENSOR FOR FRONT AND REAR INTERNAL FAILURE $ 700, T/CASE MOTOR $725. I COME TO FIND OUT THAT THE 4WD ON MY VEHICLE PURCHASED ONLY FOR THAT REASON WITH WINTER COMING DOESN'T EVEN WORK, THE WHOLE THING NEEDS REBUILT. I'VE NEVER EVEN USED IT. I PAID ALL I COULD $900, AND GOT THE CAR BACK JUST TO HAVE IT RESPONDING THE SAME WAY, VIRTUALLY UN-DRIVABLE. AFTER VIEWING SEVERAL WEBSITES, THE FORD/MERCURY WEBSITE LISTED NO RECALLS AND COMPLAINTS FOR MY VEHICLE, BUT ALLDATA.COM LISTED THE THROTTLE POSITION, AND THE SAME 4WD PROBLEMS I'M HAVING; PLUS MINOR ONES I FAILED TO MENTION TO THE MECHANIC, SUCH AS THE REAR SEAT POSITIONING WILL NOT RECLINE, WHISTLING FROM THE WHEEL WELL ETC... I AM VERY DISAPPOINTED IN MY FINDINGS, AND FIND MY SELF IN QUESTION AS TO KEEP THE PIECE OF JUNK, OR BUY A NEW CAR. DID I GET SCREWED BY THE DEALER WHO SOLD IT TO ME, ALONG WITH MY "FAKE" EXTENDED WARRANTY? IS THERE ANY POSSIBILITY THE MANUFACTURER CAN PARTAKE IN THE REPAIRS? I ALREADY KNOW SIMILAR PROBLEMS ARE HAPPENING TO OTHER OWNERS OF THE 1998 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER. *JB

• 11/09/2000· TIRES

  AMERICAN GENERAL CONTINENTAL TIRE'S (P205 65 R15) STEEL BELT FLEW OFF, CONSUMER'S HEAD HIT THE STEERING WHEEL AND THE WINDOW. *SLC

• 11/08/2005· VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

  DT: THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED SUDDEN ACCELERATION. THE CONTACT SET CRUISE CONTROL SAT ON 35 MPH. WHEN HE WENT TO TAP THE BRAKE TO DEACTIVATE THE CRUISE CONTROL THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED. THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT STOP. HE HAD TO TURN THE CRUISE CONTROL OFF BY HAND SEVERAL TIMES BEFORE THE CAR WOULD SLOW DOWN. THE MANUFACTURER HAS NOT BEEN CONTACTED. *AK

• 11/07/2000· POWER TRAIN

  THE CAR LOST DRIVE POWER, AND APPEARED TO GO INTO NEUTRAL. THE TRANSMISSION SHOP LATER FOUND THAT A SHAFT, FROM THE TORQUE CONVERTER TO THE PUMP, HAD SNAPPED. THE SHAFT IS A FAIRLY SUBSTANTIAL PIECE OF METAL. THE SHOP REPAIRED THE TRANSMISSION BUT COULD NOT MAKE A GUESS AS TO THE REASON FOR THE METAL FAILURE. I HAVE THE SHAFT THAT SNAPPED AND CAN PROVIDE DIGITAL IMAGES. THERE IS NO OBVIOUS REASON TO ME WHY IT WOULD HAVE SNAPPED WETHER IT IS DESIGN OR METALLURGY. I CAN PROVIDE DIGITAL IMAGES OF THE COMPONENT BREAKAGE. IF YOU SO DESIRE, I CAN PROVIDE YOU WITH THE PART IF YOU WISH TO PERFORM FAILURE ANALYSIS FOR METAL DEFECTS / MANUFACTURING PROBLEMS, OR DESIGN ISSUES. IN MY CASE, THE FAILURE HAPPENED ON A LIGHTLY TRAVELLED ROAD, WITH NO TRAFFIC AROUND. IF THIS A FAILURE THAT HAD OCCURRED ON A BUSY HIGHWAY, WHILE TURNING IN TRAFFIC, OR DURING MANY SCENARIOS - THIS COULD HAVE CAUSED A REAL PROBLEM FOR ME, PASSENGERS, OR OTHER MOTORISTS. I HOPE THAT ANYONE ELSE WITH THE SAME FAILURE IS AS FORTUNATE.

• 11/04/2002· ELECTRICAL SYSTEMFire

  WHILE EXITING VEHICLE AFTER DRIVING FOR ABOUT TWENTY MINUTES, VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE. CAUSE IS UNKNOWN. THERE WERE NO WARNING. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION. MR

• 11/01/2005· VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

  1) VEHICLE WAS HAVING SHIFTING PROBLEMS WITH NOT EASILY COMING OUT OF THE 'PARK" POSITION. DEALER KEPT STATING THERE WAS NO PROBLEM. 2) OCT.30--TRAVELING AT 70 MPH HEADING FOR A DOWNHILL WITH RELATIVELY SHARP CURVE AT BOTTOM, BRAKED TO CANCEL CRUISE CONTROL WITH NO RESPONSE. AGAIN BRAKED HARD WITH NO RESPONSE. CANCELLED CRUISE CONTROL MANUALLY WITH STEERING WHEEL "OFF" BUTTON---JUST IN TIME TO AVOID A CERTAIN DISASTER! LATER, I ENGAGED THE CRUISE CONTROL AGAIN ON A STRAIGHT STRETCH OF ROAD AND AGAIN, THE BRAKE DID NOT CANCEL THE SYSTEM! 3) DEALER DETERMINED THAT THE BRAKE SWITCH AND HARNESS HAD A STRANGE BURN IN THE WIRING. HARNESS WAS REPLACED AND (CONSOLE) SHIFT CONTROL AND CRUISE CONTROL NOW ARE WORKING NORMALLY. *JB

• 10/26/2001· STEERING

  WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE PULLS TO THE RIGHT OR LEFT DUE TO A SPRING WITHIN STEERING BOX. *AK CONSUMER LISTS PROPERTY DAMAGE AND AN INJURY, HOWEVER DOES NOT MENTION ANY ACCIDENT. *YH

• 10/26/2000· FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER

  TURNED VEHICLE OFF TO FILL IT WITH FUEL. TURNED IT OFF & THEN ON WITHOUT STARTING. WAS UNABLE TO SHIFT VEHICLE INTO NEUTRAL TO BE MOVED. CONTACTED DEALER & WAS INFORMED HOW TO SHIFT WHEN ON BUT NOT RUNNING.*AK

• 10/26/2000· VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

  CONSUMER HAD COME TO A COMPLETE STOP WHEN THE VEHICLE SLOWLY STARTED TO MOVE FORWARD AND WOULD NOT STOP UNTIL THE IGNITION WAS TURNED OFF, CONSUMER NUDGED THE VEHICLE IN FRONT DUE TO LOSS OF BRAKE CONTROL (NO DAMAGE). *SLC

• 10/24/1999· VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

  WHEN GOING DOWNHILL WITH FOOT OFF ACCELERATOR THE VEHICLE ACCELERATES UNREASONABLY AND EXCESSIVE BRAKING IS REQUIRED. THIS CREATES A DANGEROUS SITUATION IN CONTROLLOING THE SPEED OF THE CAR ESPECIALLY IN WET OR OTHER SLIPPERY CONDITIONS.

• 10/23/2003· POWER TRAIN

  WHILE WAITING AT A STOP VEHICLE SHOOK/VIBRATED. CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER TO THE SHOULDER,AND VEHICLE SHUT DOWN. *AK

• 10/23/1998· VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

  THE IDLE SPEED CONTROL UNIT DESIGN IS POOR CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO CONTINUE SPEED AFTER THE ACCELERATOR IS RELEASED.

• 10/20/1998· STRUCTURE

  TOP OF THE DOOR HANDLE HAS SLICED THE CONSUMER'S DAUGHTER FINGER,AND RIPPED THE TIP OF THE FINGER ON THE VERY SHARP EDGES TWICE. CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER, AND THEY TOLD THE CONSUMER TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO A DEALER. *AK

• 10/19/1999· TIRESCrash

  WHILE TRAVELING AND TURNING OFF FREEWAY AT APPOXIMATELY 5-10 MPH, VEHICLE HYDROPLANED. NO INJURIES REPORTED. SEEKING NHTSA HELP ON THIS MATTER. *AK

• 10/19/1998· POWER TRAIN

  VEHICLE DESIGN ALLOWS FOR THE PCM TO MAINTAIN THE SAME RPM AS IF THE TRANSMISSION WERE IN 3RD GEAR WITH THE TORQUE CONVERTER LOCKED, THIS DOES NOT ALLOW FOR DECELERATION WHEN FOOT IS OFF ACCELERATOR CAUSING WEAR OF BRAKING COMPONENTS AND EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCES WHICH ARE UNPREDICTABLE.

• 10/18/2002· AIR BAGS

  CONSUMER STATES AIR BAGS DEPLOYED W/O WARNING WHILE PARKING VEHICLE. DRIVER'S BAG DID NOT DEPLOY COMPLETELY. MR

• 10/18/2002· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

  CONSUMER STATED ON 2 SEPARATE INCIDENTS WHILE DRIVING, THE ALTERNATOR OVERCHARGED AND BLEW OUT CAUSING VEHICLE TO STALL. *MR *TT

• 10/16/2001· STRUCTURE,INTERIOR LIGHTING

  INTERIOR LIGHTS STAY ON & WHEN THIS HAPPENS THE ELECTRONIC DOOR LOCK MALFUNCTIONS AT THE SAME TIME

• 10/15/1998· STRUCTURE

  THE DASHBOARD AND VENTS REFLECT ONTO THE WINDSHIELD CAUSING POOR VISIBILITY DUE TO DESIGN.

• 10/13/2015· AIR BAGS,SERVICE BRAKESCrash

  TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 MERCURY SABLE. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE BRAKES FAILED. DUE TO THE BRAKE FAILURE, THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A CRASH AT AN INTERSECTION WITH AN ONCOMING VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE CONTACT AND PASSENGER SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE BACK AND FACE THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 179,000.

• 10/06/2004· SUSPENSION

  WHILE PARKED FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE COIL SPRING FAILED. AS A RESULT, THE TIRE WAS PUNCTURED. ONE MONTH LATER, THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE FAILED. *AK CONSUMER DOESN'T KNOW IF FIRST FAILURE WAS OCCURRED WHILE PARKED OR WHILE MOVING IT OUT OF 3FT OF SNOW. CONSUMER COULDN'T SEE IT UNTIL MOVED FROM SNOW, 2ND FAILURE OCCURRED IN THE PARKING LOT. BOTH TIMES IT RIPPED A 12' WHOLE IN THE TIRE. CONSUMER NEIGHBOR ALSO HAS THE SAME MODEL VEHICLE AND THE SAME PROBLEM. CONSUMER HAD TO REPLACE BOTH COIL SPRINGS AND TIRES.*SB

• 10/06/1999· VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

  WHILE STOPPING AT AN ENTER SECTION VEHICLE ACCELERATED OUT OF CONTROL. CONSUMER FINALLY STOPPED VEHICLE BY PUTTING FOOT ON BRAKE. *AK

• 10/03/2007· VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

  1999 MERCURY SABLE ACCELERATED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CUSTOMER STATED THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED AS HE WAS ATTEMPTING TO BRAKE AT AN INTERSECTION TO MAKE A RIGHT TURN. *KB *TR THE CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO GET THE VEHICLE UNDER CONTROL AFTER PUTTING IT IN NEUTRAL. UPDATED 03/22/10 UPDATED 05/28/10.*JB

• 09/30/1998· VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

  COMING TO A STOP ENGINE WILL BEGIN TO RACE, CAUSING SUDDEN ACCELERATION WHICH COULD RESULT IN AN ACCIDENT. *AK

• 09/29/1999· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

  THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER EMITTED ODORS THAT MADE THE DRIVER SICK . THIS COULD CAUSE THE DRIVER TO LOSS CONTROL. DEALER HAS SEEN VEHICLE THREE TIMES ,AND NO ONE COULD FIND THE CAUSE. *AK

• 09/28/1998· VISIBILITY

  REAR LEFT WINDOW EXPLODES AND SATTERS AND FALLS INTO CAR WHILE TRAVELING AT 25 MPH. POLICE REPORT STATES NO EVIDENCE OF ANYTHING CAUSING WINDOW TO BREAK. FORD REFUSES TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY.

• 09/23/1998· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

  WHEN STOPPED AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT WITH THE VEHICLE IN "DRIVE", THE ENGINE SUDDENLY ROARED AND THE VEHICLE STARTED TO MOVE FORWARD. DRIVER SHIFTED TO PARK AND THE VEHICLE RETURNED TO IDLE SPEED.

• 09/21/2000· POWER TRAIN

  A $2 RETAINING CLIP AFFECTING THE 4TH GEAR IN THE AUTOMATIC TRAN IS BROKEN OR HAS COME OFF, ACCORDING TO THE DEALERS COMPUTER CODE READING AND SERVICE BULLETIN, AND IT IS GOING TO COST UP TO $900 TO FIX IF IT DAMAGED THE HOUSING INSIDE.