1997 Mercury Sable: problems, recalls and reliability
3 recalls and 228 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is power train (15% of complaints).
Data updated weekly · latest recall Feb 1998
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 228 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“Yes I have a used car and the dash from the heat has rose off or has buckeled up and I have contacted the company well apparently it is obsolete and it is hard to come by so I cant drive without a dash and I cant get one either”Owner report · Unknown Or Other · Jul 2016
“Tl* the contact owns a 1997 mercury sable. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic for a safety inspection, where the mechanic notified her that the brake lines were corroded and the ball joints were detaching from the vehicle. Also, the mechanic advised the contact that the vehicle was unsafe to drive. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 73,000.”Owner report · Suspension · Aug 2012
“Tl* the contact owns a 1997 mercury sable. The contact stated that when braking to a complete stop, the engine rpms would increase abnormally. In addition, the vehicle would slightly pull forward as if it were attempting to accelerate. As the contact was approaching a traffic stop, she crashed into the rear of another vehicle. There were no injuries. The contact took the vehicle to a mechanic for diagnosis but the failure was unable to be determined. The mechanic disconnected the cruise control as a precaution and the vehicle functioned properly. The dealer and manufacturer were not notified. The failure mileage was 43,000.”Owner report · Vehicle Speed Control · May 2012
Show 7 more owner reports
“Tl* the contact owned a 1997 mercury sable. The contact stated the sub frame that holds the motor and transmission together was detached from the right side of the vehicle due to rust. While driving the vehicle was making noise; however, during the diagnostic test the mechanic confirmed that the subframe was covered with rust. The dealer and manufacturer stated there were no recalls or related warranties and offered no assistance. The VIN was not available. The failure mileage was 99,000.”Owner report · Structure · Aug 2011
“Constantly having to service brakes on my 1997 mercury sable. I have had brake calipers seize up to the point the wheel was too hot to touch and I currently have brake lines rusted out for the second time in about 2 years this is simply unacceptable for such an expensive luxury model and from a safety point of view it is unacceptable to put anything in the way of brake lines that will leak rust or otherwise fail prematurely. *tr”Owner report · Service Brakes, Hydraulic · Nov 2010
“I bought and are driving a 1997 mercury sable with 84k miles and it is a danger to be in. The rear springs are broken in several places. I have been told that ford was recalling and fixing this problem in similar and like years of taurus's and sables. Mine they claim does not qualify. The 1997 is the same car as a 1998 and 1999 that they have provided recall replacements on... I wonder how many other people have had this problem or have been in accident because of this problem that ford is obviously aware . *tr”Owner report · Suspension · May 2010
“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 identical. The contact still has the vehicle, but is afraid to drive. The failure and current mileages were 37,840. Updated 12/30/08. *lj the consumer also discovered oil leaking in the transaxle area. Updated 01/05/09. *jb”Owner report · Power Train · Dec 2008
“I have read dozens of examples of the same problem posted on this site. It appears that mercury needs to make a recall. About 6 months ago my brake pedal released the pressure I had on it and went all the way to the floor. I took it into the brake shop and had my hoses, calipers, and break lines all completely replaced. Within 6 months, the exact same thing has happened again. I do not have $500 to spend every six months on a car that is supposed to be reliable and dependable. This is unacceptable. *tr”Owner report · Service Brakes, Hydraulic · Oct 2008
“Tl*the contact owns a 1997 mercury sable. While the contact's son was driving at an unknown speed, the driver's side seat belt loosened without warning. The manufacturer will be notified. The current and failure mileages were 55,000.”Owner report · Seat Belts · Aug 2008
“Car would not move when placed in reverse, when it did move left front tire blew out. When I removed tire, found coil spring had broken and punctured tire. Very thankful it happened in driveway. Other model years are covered by recall, could not find anything for 1997. *tr”Owner report · Suspension · Mar 2008
When filing, owners marked a crash in 10 of these complaints and injuries in 11 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 3 campaigns
THE PARK PAWL ABUTMENT BRACKET HAS A SHARP EDGE WHICH CAN CAUSE THE PARKING PAWL TO HANG UP AND NOT ENGAGE THE PARK GEAR. THIS WOULD ALLOW THE VEHICLE TO MOVE EVEN THOUGH THE GEAR SHIFT INDICATOR SHOWS THAT THE VEHICLE IS IN PARK.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND, IF NECESSARY, REPLACE THE PARK PAWL ABUTMENT BRACKET.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH AX4S AUTOMATIC TRANSAXLES. THE LOW/INTERMEDIATE SERVO COVER CAN SEPARATE FROM THE TRANSAXLE WHILE THE VEHICLE IS BEING DRIVEN. IF THIS OCCURS, TRANSMISSION FLUID WILL LEAK CONTACTING THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE TRANSMISSION AND REPLACE THESE SERVO COVERS.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE TEXT AND/OR GRAPHICS FOR THE VEHICLE HEADLAMP AIMING INSTRUCTIONS PROVIDED IN THE OWNER GUIDES ARE NOT SUFFICIENTLY CLEAR. THIS DOES NOT MEET THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT."
Remedy: OWNER GUIDES CONTAINING REVISED AIMING INSTRUCTIONS WILL BE MAILED TO OWNERS OF THESE VEHICLES.
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 1997 Mercury Sable reliable?
NHTSA has 228 owner complaints and 3 recall campaigns on record for the 1997 Mercury Sable. The most complained-about area is power train (15% of complaints).
At what mileage do 1997 Mercury Sable problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 80,000 miles or less.
Does the 1997 Mercury Sable have open recalls?
3 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning power train:automatic transmission:gear position indication (prndl). 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.