Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (engine, cooling system, oil leaks, timing chain, exhaust).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 1996 Mercury Sable owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
Relevant information---engine was repaired on sept. 9/10, 2012 same morning as the accident--car was driven to bank but as I was leaving I could not put car into reverse. A gentleman passerby was able to put it into reverse with effort and a loud noise in the gears. I proceeded to my exercise class which lasted one hour. Had no trouble with reverse gear this time. About 1/2 hour later I was turning into a parking lot and in a matter of minutes the engine started revving up and shot forward on its own, went over a curb & sidewalk and crashed into a brick wall at high speed. The air bags went off and with effort I was able to open the front door. I had minor injuries--nose, cut on elbow, banged up knees. The engine of the car kept roaring for possibly 15 minutes until someone cut the cable to the battery. …
Tl* the contact owns a 1996 Mercury Sable. The contact stated that while driving approximately 55 MPH, the vehicle suddenly accelerated and the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where unknown repairs were performed. The failure recurred however and the vehicle was taken to the dealer for the same failure on numerous occasions. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 6,000 and the current mileage was 49,000.
Dt*: the contact stated while driving various speeds, the steering wheel was difficult to turn. The vehicle was inspected by an independent repair shop who determined the engine mount and carriage frame rusted which caused the engine to slip from the mount. The vehicle was exposed to extreme winter weather and road salts. The repair shop concluded that a piece of steel needed to be added to each side of the engine mount to correct the problem. The manufacturer was not alerted.
I have had this car for one year and one half. I bought it from ray hudson Chevrolet in la crosse ,wis. I had the car two weeks and the transmission had to be replaced. Two weeks after the front and back brakes had to be replaced. This was at the dealers exspense. I had to have a wheel bearing replaced and now after a year and 1/2 I have to replace the whole motor.
The consumer experienced engine trouble. The consumer then opened the hood and saw flames. The consumer first noticed there was a problem when the vehicle sputtered. Upon stopping he noticed smoke coming out of the front end. The consumer put the flames out with a soda.
Vehicle caught on fire while parked in the garage. Consumer states ABS light was coming the day vehicle was purchasd and dealer admtted that it was on but did not say anything, possible cause was fan from ABS light.
Coolant turned to a rusty sluggy mixture. Freeze out plugs had to be replaced and system flushed. New coolant was added and it is already turning brown again. Ford did do the work for free, but told me I was on my own if it occured again. Have learned through various people that the same thing is happening to their Sable and taurus cars. Transmission has also had to repaired at a cost to me of $1750.00. When you come to a stop the car will then not go forward. You have to press in on the gas and make it lunge forward, sometimes causing the tires to "burn rubber" ! We brought this problem to the service department three years ago and each time we took the car in the service staff informed us that there was no problem. On last visit is when the coolant problem was discoverd. Was told that our car had "cancer" and should get rid of it, but not at their dealership. …
I was traveling home from my first long distance trip from napa, ca. To ventura, ca. When without any warning the cars temperature gauge went straight to hot, the engine light came on and the car lost total power, result? Two blown head gaskets, numerous cooling parts replaced. When Ford was contacted about reimbursement for a known defect (head gaskets) they said the goodwill policy doesn't count in my case because I took it to a repairshop other than Ford. So here I am out $2,724.62 repair costs $400. Towing cost and another $250. In rental cost. I believe that I should be reimbursed my costs even though I didn't have the car repaired by Ford, because I didn't know about the extended "goodwill" warranty until after the fact. So here is another sob story about defective head gaskets not being fixed. Ford knows about this serious problem and refuses to fix it.
I was driving on the trunpike and then all of a sudden there was no more power I had to stay there till this man call the police the car should not do it. There was no warning at all. I then had it tow three time from the place where it broke down ,then to the macenics shop then from there to autoland the total of the no power the car started to burk and that was the end of it it didn;t start anymore took to autoland with harry lupo they said it was this and to find out it was that to but they had my car for over a month .I went and took it out they said it was running fine I stared to drive it all it did was back frie and ran very hot.
Vehicle experiencing problems with the heating/cooling system, consumer noticed brown corrosion in the radiator and reservoir, the radiator cap was replaced and a super flush was done to stop the problem, after the flush the heat still didn't work as it should, at the end of November, the consumer had to replace the radiator because of the corrosion, now there are signs of anti-freeze in the tailpipe, which could be a sign that the corrosion could be getting into the engine and possibly warping the heads.
Engine complaints in other Sable years
Frequently asked questions
How common are engine problems on the 1996 Mercury Sable?
NHTSA has 62 complaints about the engine & cooling of the 1996 Mercury Sable, 20% of the model year's 304 complaints. The component named most often is engine › gasoline (21 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1996 Mercury Sable engine problems?
No. NHTSA lists no engine & cooling recall for the 1996 Mercury Sable, though it has 5 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 1996 Mercury Sable engine problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 97,000 miles, and 17% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 2 crashes, 5 fires and 1 injury to engine & cooling problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.