1995 Mercury Sable: problems, recalls and reliability
6 recalls and 350 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is engine and engine cooling (33% of complaints).
Data updated weekly · latest recall Dec 2001
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 350 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“Tl* the contact owns a 1995 mercury sable. While driving approximately 40 mph, the transmission jerked severely with extreme hesitation. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic for diagnostic testing who stated that the rear subframe was completely corroded, which caused damage to the transmission. The VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 93v106000 (structure). The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The VIN was invalid. The approximate failure mileage was 103,219.”Owner report · Structure · Sep 2015
“Tl* the contact owns a 1995 mercury sable. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to start. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer for a diagnostic test. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure and current mileage was 160,000. *tr”Owner report · Engine · Jun 2013
“Tl*the contact owns a 1995 mercury sable. While driving at 5 mph, the contact made a right turn and heard a loud noise. The contact inspected the vehicle and discovered that the right rear subframe mounting bushing had broken due to corrosion. The contact called the manufacturer and filed a complaint; however, the manufacturer refused to assist with repair costs and stated that the vehicle was not included in recall 98v323000 (structure: frame and members). The contact planned to have the vehicle repaired at the time of the complaint. The current and failure mileages were 103,325.”Owner report · Structure · May 2010
Show 7 more owner reports
“Was on my way home from work and heard a loud screech, since I was just down the street from my home I pulled in my driveway and the tire blew. Upon inspection I noticed the tire was completely slashed from the front right coil spring breaking. New coil spring strut shock and axle. *tr”Owner report · Suspension · Mar 2010
“Futura 875 tires made by bridgestone firestone with tread separation on all 4 tires. These tires seem never to have existed. They are not futura 775 tires they are futura 875 tires. These tires were purchased july 2001 at a time when dangerous tires were in the news for roll over accident's killing people. Yet pepboys never notified us they were defective. Now the tread separation on all 4 tires is very obvious and the tires must be replaced. Clearly there are still defective dangerous tires on the road waiting to harm a trusting public. Why? *tr”Owner report · Tires · Jun 2009
“There is a strong gas smell especially on hot days and there seems to be excessive pressure in the gas tank. I have scoured the vehicle for leaks and can not find any. I have replaced both rubber hoses from the filler neck to the tank and even dropped the tank but didn't find any evidence of a leak. The smell is still occurring. When you first park the vehicle after a drive it is real strong and then goes away. *tr”Owner report · Fuel/Propulsion System · May 2009
“Tl*the contact owns a 1995 mercury sable. While driving at any speed, the radiator fan shuts off and does not come back on. As a result, the temperature in the vehicle increases. The dealer was notified and gave the contact the runaround. The contact referenced three NHTSA campaign id numbers 01i011000, 01v390000, and 97v019000 (engine and engine cooling:cooling system:fan). The contact was informed that the safety improvement campaign expired. She stated that she never received a recall notice. The failure mileage was 60,000.”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · Aug 2008
“My daughter had just driven all over the state with her student teaching assignment. She was going to teach for the day when she had tire failure. She had just left from her apartment going 10 mph and about one mile from her place. The coil spring broke jabbing into her tire and causing a blow out. We had to have the car towed and the mechanic said these mecuries and ford sables were good for this kind od a problem. Then I got on line and it sais that one point back in 95 that these kind of cars had to have guards to protect the coils from the tires. I am concerned. *tr”Owner report · Tires · Feb 2008
“Upon completing a tire check of my vehicle, I noticed the sidewall of my general tire ameri -g4s is buldging out (about the size of a golf ball hemisphere) and the rubber is starting to separate. *tr”Owner report · Tires · Jun 2007
“When I took my 1995 mercury sable to a mechanic for an oil change, he notified me that both rear springs were broken. He showed it to me and I saw it for myself. Furthermore, one spring had worn a visible groove in the right rear tire. It was dangerous to drive my car further and it must be repaired immediately at a cost of $700. The repair is scheduled for next week and includes rear struts, rear springs and the associated mounting brackets. My mechanic says this is a defect in the steel used for the springs and is a common problem on ford products and they fix a lot of them. *jb”Owner report · Suspension · Jan 2007
When filing, owners marked a crash in 11 of these complaints and injuries in 10 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 6 campaigns
THE RETAINER CLIP WHICH HOLDS THE MASTER CYLINDER PUSH ROD TO THE BRAKE PEDAL ARM IS MISSING OR NOT COMPLETELY INSTALLED. THE PUSH ROD CAN SEPARATE FROM THE BRAKE PEDAL ARM.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND, IF NECESSARY, INSTALL THE RETAINER CLIP.
THESE VEHICLES ARE ORIGINALLY SOLD OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE FOLLOWING STATES: ALASKA, IOWA, MINNESOTA, NEBRASKA, NORTH DAKOTA, AND SOUTH DAKOTA. THE VEHICLES INVOLVED ARE 1992-1994 TEMPO/TOPAZ VEHICLES WITH 3.0L ENGINES; 1994 TEMPO/TOPAZ WITH 2.3L ENGINES; 1992-1995 TAURUS/SABLE WITH 3.8L ENGINES; 1994-1995 TAURUS/SABLE WITH 3.0L ENGINES AND 1992-1994 LINCOLN CONTINENTAL VEHICLES WITH 3.8L ENGINES. DURING HIGH WINDS, HEAVY, BLOWING AND DRIFTING SNOW, AND LOW TEMPERATURES, THE ENGINE COOLING FAN CAN BECOME BLOCKED OR FROZEN WITH SNOW. THE FAN MOTOR MAY NOT ROTATE AND COULD OVERHEAT.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL AN ELECTRICAL JUMPER HARNESS CONTAINING AN AUTOMATIC RESETTING CIRCUIT BREAKER TO PROTECT THE FAN MOTOR LOW SPEED CIRCUITRY FROM OVERHEATING.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 3.8L ENGINES AND ORIGINALLY SOLD OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE FOLLOWING STATES: ALASKA, COLORADO, IOWA, IDAHO, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, KANSAS, MASSACHUSETTS, MAINE, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA, MISSOURI, MONTANA, NORTH DAKOTA, NEBRASKA, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW YORK, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, SOUTH DAKOTA, VERMONT, WISCONSIN, AND WYOMING. WATER CAN ACCUMULATE WITHIN THE SPEED CONTROL CABLE CONDUIT. IF ENOUGH WATER ACCUMULATES, IT COULD FREEZE WITHIN A LOW AREA OF THE CABLE ROUTING WHEN EXPOSED TO A LONG TERM COLD SOAK AT TEMPERATURES AT LEAST SEVERAL DEGREES BELOW FREEZING.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL ADD A BOOT TO THE SPEED CONTROL CABLE.
THIS IS NOT A SAFETY RECALL IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE SAFETY ACT. HOWEVER, IT IS DEEMED A SAFETY IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN BY THE AGENCY. VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: 1995 TAURUS/SABLE PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 3.0L AND 3.8L ENGINES AND 1995 FORD MUSTANG VEHICLES WITH 3.8L AND 5.0L ENGINES. IT IS POSSIBLE FOR THE ENGINE COOLING FAN BEARING TO SEIZE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE ENGINE COOLING FAN MOTOR ASSEMBLY AT NO CHARGE TO CONSUMERS. FORD IS EXTENDING THE LIMITED WARRANTY ON THE ENGINE COOLING FAN MOTOR TO A TOTAL OF 8 YEARS OR 100,000 MILES FROM THE WARRANTY START DATE, WHICHEVER OCCURS FIRST. THIS COVERAGE IS AUTOMATICALLY TRANSFERRED TO SUBSEQUENT OWNERS AT NO CHARGE. IF THE VEHICLE ALREADY HAS MORE THAN 100,000 MILES, THIS COVERAGE WILL LAST UNTIL JUNE 30, 2002. IF THE CONSUMER HAS PAID TO HAVE THIS SERVICE DONE BEFORE DECEMBER 2001, FORD IS OFFERING A REFUND. OWNERS CAN CONTACT FORD AT 1-866-436-7332, CONCERNING THIS PROGRAM.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: TAURUS/SABLE VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 3.0L AND 3.8L ENGINES AND MUSTANG VEHICLES WITH 3.8L AND 5.0L ENGINES. IT IS POSSIBLE FOR THE ENGINE COOLING FAN BEARING TO SEIZE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE ENGINE COOLING FAN ASSEMBLY AND INSTALL A CIRCUIT BREAKER. IF THE COOLING FAN IS INOPERATIVE, THE FAN AND MOTOR ASSEMBLY WILL BE REPLACED. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN DECEMBER 28, 2001. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT FORD AT 1-866-436-7332.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES ORIGINALLY SOLD OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, IOWA, KANSAS, KENTUCKY, MAINE, MARYLAND, MASSACHUSETTS, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA, MISSOURI, NEBRASKA, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW JERSEY, NEW YORK, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, RHODE ISLAND, VERMONT, VIRGINIA, WEST VIRGNIA, AND WISCONSIN. THE REAR LOWER SUBFRAME MOUNT PLATE NUT CAN EXPERIENCE STRESS CORROSION CRACKING IF SUBJECTED TO LONG TERM EXPOSURE TO ROAD SALTS. THIS CAN RESULT IN FRACTURE AND LOSS OF THE STRUCTURAL INTEGRITY OF THE SUBFRAME MOUNT ATTACHMENT. DETACHMENT OF THE BODY MOUNTS AT THE REAR CORNERS OF THE SUBFRAME, WHICH SUPPORTS THE ENGINE AND TRANSMISSION, ALLOWS THE REAR CORNERS OF THE SUBFRAME TO DROP.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL SUBFRAME REAR MOUNT BOLTS, REINFORCEMENT PLATES, AND PLATE NUTS.
How other years compare
Check your exact Sable by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 1995 Mercury Sable reliable?
NHTSA has 350 owner complaints and 6 recall campaigns on record for the 1995 Mercury Sable. The most complained-about area is engine and engine cooling (33% of complaints).
At what mileage do 1995 Mercury Sable problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 83,420 miles or less.
Does the 1995 Mercury Sable have open recalls?
6 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning service brakes, hydraulic:pedals and linkages. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.