1997 Mercury Sable

Complaint history

When NHTSA received these reports. Changes in reporting alone do not establish a change in failure rates.

Problems owners report

Listed groups have at least 3 complaints. The page includes the 20 largest groups plus any additional flagged groups; some complaints are not assigned to a group.

AI groups complaints by meaning; the groups are approximate. Share ratio compares the problem’s share of this vehicle’s complaints with its share on other vehicles over the last 24 months (shown from 3 recent complaints). A 2× ratio means twice the complaint share, not twice the failure risk. Flags mark unusual shares or recent surges after an AI review of the complaint content. “First signal” does not mean the pattern has persisted continuously.How recall estimates are calculated.

Recalls

• NHTSA recall #98V028000February 10, 1998571,800 vehicles affected

  exterior lighting: headlights

  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."

  If the headlamp assemblies are replaced, customers may be confused by the aiming instructions provided in the owner guides causing the headlamps to be improperly aimed.

  Remedy

  Owner guides containing revised aiming instructions will be mailed to owners of these vehicles.

• NHTSA recall #97V097000June 9, 1997100,000 vehicles affected

  power train: automatic transmission

  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.

  The catalytic converter temperature may be hot enough to ignite the transmission fluid and cause a vehicle fire.

  Remedy

  Dealers will inspect the transmission and replace these servo covers.

• NHTSA recall #96V166000September 5, 199640,000 vehicles affected

  power train: automatic transmission: gear position indication (prndl)

  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.

  Unintended and unexpected vehicle movement Can result in personal injury and property damage.

  Remedy

  Dealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace the park pawl abutment bracket.

Other model years

• 1986 46
• 1987 76
• 1988 126
• 1989 238
• 1990 166
• 1991 221
• 1992 364
• 1993 674
• 1994 387
• 1995 350
• 1996 304
• 1997
• 1998 190
• 1999 258
• 2000 464
• 2001 430
• 2002 440
• 2003 201
• 2004 52
• 2005 83
• 2008 61