1996 Mercury Sable power train problems
69 owner complaints filed with NHTSA name the power train on the 1996 Mercury Sable — 23% of all complaints for this model year.
What owners report
“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…”
filed Oct 19, 2017
“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…”
filed Sep 15, 2009
Verbatim excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA. Reports are not independently verified.
Related service bulletins
Groan/buzz/vibration when the gear selector is in park with the vehicle parked on an incline. *tt this bulletin updates previous bulletin 17358, dated 11/01/2003 to include 2005 models. *tt
17358 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Aug 1, 2004New transmission cooler flusher - service tips. 2003 escort and super duty f series included. *tt
03148 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Jul 21, 2003Torque converter clutch not engaging when commanded and/or diagnostic trouble codes p0741 or p1744 stored in memory. Models from 1996 to 2003. *tt
03123 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Jun 23, 2003
Power Train problems in other Sable years
| Year | Reports | Share |
|---|---|---|
| 2009 Sable | 3 | 15% |
| 2008 Sable | 11 | 18% |
| 2005 Sable | 26 | 31% |
| 2004 Sable | 12 | 23% |
| 2003 Sable | 30 | 15% |
| 2002 Sable | 23 | 5% |
| 2001 Sable | 22 | 5% |
| 2000 Sable | 31 | 7% |
| 1999 Sable | 28 | 11% |
| 1998 Sable | 25 | 13% |
| 1997 Sable | 43 | 19% |
| 1995 Sable | 93 | 27% |
Other reported problem areas on the 1996 Mercury Sable
Counts are unique NHTSA complaints naming this component group. Complaints are unverified owner reports; mileage is computed only from complaints that included a usable odometer reading.