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 1997 Mercury Sable owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
I should have learned that Sable was a bad car after the engine of my mother's '87 Sable exploded, caught fire and busted through the floor of the car beside the gas pedal and brake (1993). Luckily she was not in the car. The engine had been off and sitting in park for five minutes when this happened. I bought my 97 Sable in 2001. I have never had a car with so many constant problems. I spend about $1200 a year fixing it continually. I'm currently having electrical problems with the radio going out while in reverse or when I press the brake. The window on the passenger side won't move up or down unless the driver and the passenger press the buttons at the same time. The interior light stays on, so we have to unplug the fuse to get it to go off. The seat belt safety light and the window button lights keep clicking on and off. …
I purchased a 1997 Mercury Sable in July 1977 from don jackson spartan Lincoln Mercury dealer. I have had continuous trouble with the transmission, the brakes, the "plastic" bucket holding reserve antifreeze (cracked and leaked antifreeze) and now the windshield wipers work when they want to work (intermittently and steadily). When I contacted don jackson Lincoln-Mercury at those times when the parts acted up to ask them if there had been any recalls or problems (and I cited each area each time I called), I was told there were no problems reported in any of these areas with the 97 Sable. I found there on the internet that there are many. I have paid $2000 for the transmission repair, $550 for brakes, $80 for the antifreeze bucket, and went to purchase a wiper motor ($85) when I was told by the auto store clerk to check the internet, which I am now doing. …
My husband and I own a 1993 Mercury Sable wagon. We purchased it used 3 years ago. It currently has 44,000 miles on it. At approximately. 43,000 miles ( a month ago) it blew the head gasket. I am aware that Ford extended the warranty on 1994-1996 models of the Ford taurus and Mercury Sable for this same problem. My Ford dealer stated to us that this head gasket blowing has been a consistent problem on the 3.8 engines, which ours has. It would seem to me that Ford is very aware of this problem and chose to do nothing about it for owners of 1993 cars. I feel is was their responsibility to help these customers financially--we just spent $1700 for this repair. Needless to say, it was money we didn't have. Why hasn't this problem been addressed with the 1993 models with the 3.8 engine before this? Ford suggested that I address this with your agency.
At about 100,000 easy highway miles, we had to replace the torque converter, then the entire transmission, plus for the last two years minor engine repairs to the tune of about $350 every other month, the window won't go down anymore, and now--4 months after the transmission replacement--we have lost overdrive and the engine light is on, again! We have never had a car with this many problems, and will never buy a Ford/Mercury anything again. Our suburban was more reliable.
While driving at normal highway speed all of a sudden vehicle cut off. Driver was able to pull to the side of the road safely, turned off the ignition, and got out of vehicle. This was when driver and family noticed vehicle was on fire. Vehcle was towed to the dealership. Cv boot exploded and threw grease onto the catalytic converter, which started the fire. Vehicle was being repaired. Please provide any further information.
Consumer took vehicle to dealer for recall repairs on cooling system in February, 2000. 17,000 miles later while driving, consumer turned on the defroster and a green film covered the inside of front windshield, making it impossible to see. Consumer had to roll windows down to see. Dealer replaced heater core.
While pulling into a parking space brakes were depressed and vehicle accellerated. The vehicle went up and over the curb, and was finaly stopped in a adjacent parking spot. This problem occurred twice within a year.
The most recent problems are electrical in nature. First, all of the passenger power windows have failed. They can only be controlled by the driver side panel. Second, even though all of the doors are securely closed, the interior dome light will remain on between 20 seconds and several hours. There were occasions when the light would come on by itself while I was driving down the highway to work. An audible clicking noise could be heard from under the dash. The click is similar to the sound made when manually operating the switch. Third, this started on Sunday, 01/19/03, the headlights will turn on and off by themselves while the vehicle is off and the headlight switch is off. Additionally, with the car running and the daytime lights only, the highbeam indicator came on. When I turned the headlights on, the indicator went off. …
Had car in garage several times over 1 1/2 year for engine light, always code po3o3-misfire cylinder 3, dealer always found something wrong so it seemed, light contined to come on. Finally, at 81,000 driving on highway engine light flashes, lose all power, pull over, coolant blown all over engine, car towed to dealer, find it is blown head gasket, engine damage, need new engine. Told vehicle overheated several times, never once did it overheat while driving it. Find numerous problems with these cars and head gasket problems, aske questions of dealer and Ford motor co. Never a straight answer, just "not your car" and "it's not under warranty, we can't help you" now owner must pay 3200 + to replace engine and add coolant bypass system to new engine because of problems with the engine coolant system. Ford motor co. Taking no responsibility at all. …
When driving in wet conditions and making a right hand turn from a stopped position, power steering is lost and engine power is reduced. Also, dashboard warning lights illuminate. This loss of power and steering while entering traffic is alarming! It is obvious that the belt is slippling due to the moisture being sprayed up from the passenger side wheel well. I have inspected the belt and it is in fine condition. There is no manual adjustment for the belt tensioner (spring loaded). This problem started at 24,000 miles. I have searched the internet and have seen another similar complaint. I belive that this problem must be reviewed before someone loses steering while entering traffic and is killed! I realize that replacing the belt May make the problem go away, however, this is an obviou.
Engine complaints in other Sable years
Frequently asked questions
How common are engine problems on the 1997 Mercury Sable?
NHTSA has 42 complaints about the engine & cooling of the 1997 Mercury Sable, 18% of the model year's 228 complaints. The component named most often is engine › gasoline (15 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1997 Mercury Sable engine problems?
No. NHTSA lists no engine & cooling 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 engine problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 70,000 miles, and 25% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 0 crashes, 2 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.