Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (accelerator pedal, throttle, sudden acceleration, cruise control).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 1997 Mercury Sable owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
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.
Tl contact owns a 1997 Mercury Sable. While driving 5 MPH, the vehicle suddenly accelerated without the accelerator pedal being depressed. As a result, the vehicle crashed into and destroyed the contact's garage door. He stated that the only way to stop the vehicle was to place it in park. The contact called the dealer and is awaiting a response. The vehicle has not been repaired. The current and failure mileages were 78,000. Updated 12/31/07 updated
While gear shift indicated vehicle was in neutral engine surged and vehicle accelerated to an unknown speed before crashing into another vehicle. There were no injuries. Also, power steering and power assist brakes failed to operate during this incident. Dealership has yet to examine vehicle to determine cause of this problem. Please provide any additional information / documentation.
I have had 5 occurrences of engine surging when slowing down to a light or stop sign and applying the brakes. The surge is so strong that the brakes must be repeatedly pressed down hard to stop and held down to their maximum capability. In 3 of the 5 occurrences in heavy traffic, rear end collisions were avoided by mere inches.
Intermittently when the vehicle stopped at a light or a stop sign there would be a problem with resuming driving. The gas pedal will be depressed and the vehicle will not move. After a considerable amount of time the vehicle would respond. Dealer has examined the vehicle twice for this problem.
I purchased Mercury Sable in July 1999 as a new vehicle (dealer demo). I experienced first problem about a year ago during two separate weeks and thought no more about it until this month. I left church and went up a slight incline to a stop sign; when I took my foot off the brake and tried to pull out into the traffic, the car began rolling backwards. I braked and looked to be sure I had not somehow put the car in neutral; it was in drive. I again tried to accelerate and the car continued backward, half way down the block. I pushed hard on the accelerator and the car suddenly jerked forward. Less than two weeks later, I sat at a red light on flat Land and when the light turned green and I touched the gas pedal, it revved up but did not move. I braked, put the car in neutral then back in drive and it jerked forward. …
Vehicle idle speed does not return to normal. Engine is racing while the vehicle is stopped. Vehicle does not slow down when the accelerator pedal is released, vehicle continues to run at 30 plus mile per hour without pushing on the accelerator pedal, requiring constant application of the brakes to keep the vehicle from getting out of control. This has happened in various weather, has happened after the vehicle has been driven as much as 100 miles on freeways and after driving as little as 5 miles in the city. Problem was occuring when the vehicle was driven into the crest Lincoln Mercury dealer service department, dealer stated that diagnostics indicated there is no problem.
Cruise control would not disengage when braking and vehicle would continue to accelate until switch was turned off. Dealer and the manufacturer were not notified at this time. Consumer stated when vehicle began to accelerate the speedometer did not move, this has also happened on another occasion, however the cruise control was not engaged at that time, the dealer replaced the sensor assembly, but the problem reoccured.
Vehicle will accelerate without foot pressing the throttle. Speedometer doesn't register speed, vehicle's speed was increasing. Dealer will be replacing speed control chip for sixth time. Also, consumer has checked to see if cruise control did not engage. Dealer has duplicated the problem. Please provide more information.
Speedometer would momentarily operate erratically. Needle would jump back and forth while driving, sometimes it operated normally. Dealer was not contacted at this time. Consumer adds accelerator possibly contributed to erratic operation of the speedometer.
Acceleration complaints in other Sable years
Frequently asked questions
How common are acceleration problems on the 1997 Mercury Sable?
NHTSA has 28 complaints about the speed control & acceleration of the 1997 Mercury Sable, 12% of the model year's 228 complaints. The component named most often is accelerator pedal (6 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1997 Mercury Sable acceleration problems?
No. NHTSA lists no speed control & acceleration recall for the 1997 Mercury Sable, though it has 3 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 1997 Mercury Sable acceleration problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 65,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 3 crashes, 0 fires and 1 injury to speed control & acceleration 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.