Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (automatic and manual transmissions, CVT, axles, driveshaft, 4WD/AWD).
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).
About a year back I had transmission problem on my Sable at 70,000 miles. It would move in reverse but no forward motion. The vehicle was towed and the transmission was rebuilt at cottman transmission at the cost of over $2000 and loss of vehicle use for a week. A month later, it failed with exactly similar symptoms. It was towed to the same facility and repaired under warranty in four days. Six months later, and exactly a month after the warranty on repair work expired (74,000 miles), the transmission started to visibly down shift while driving (at all speeds). Took it back to repair facility - was told it's internal transmission problems - once again! I just can't believe this. I can't afford to waste 4,000 on transmission jobs on this car when it's not even worth that much. …
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. …
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.
Tl contact owns a 1997 Mercury Sable. The contact stated that transmission fluid was leaking and draining onto the catalytic converter. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer for a diagnosis. The manufacturer stated that his vehicle does not have any open recalls and they were unaware of NHTSA campaign id number 97V097000 (power train:automatic transmission). The failure mileage was 105,000 and current mileage was 137,000.
The automatic transmission lever position module failed. When this occurred, the windshield wipers/power steering and other components malfunctioned. The consumer replaced the part. The dealer indicated that this was a common failure with this make/model, but the cause was undetermined.
Intermittently while driving at any speed there was a clicking sound coming from the steering column. When this occurred the power steering/power windows and ABS failed to work properly. (automatic position lever module) the radio had gone on and off as well.
Dt: the contact owns a 1997 Mercury Sable. When parking the car the shifter indicates it is in park, but it is actually in reverse. There is a recall #96V166000, but the vehicle was not included in the recall due to the VIN. The consumer noticed this problem on 9-6-05.
Bought the car in aug 1999- brought the car back in sept 1999 for the transmission. Shifting very hard into gear. Dealership had car for aweek or so claimed to have fixed the problem. Problem has been re-occuring for over 3 monthe brought back into dealer. Had car another week and said they found nothing wrong. That they ajusted the idol ( has been stalling as well) and did a few other minor things.. Not only did they not fix the problem but it's now worse then before.. .. What do I do ... I have only had the car for a little over a year and am having repeated trouble with this problem? Should I have to pay to have a new transmission put in seeing how the problem has been occuring since I bought the car .. I don't feel that is right..... Any information you can provide is greatly appericated. Thank you...
Related recalls
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.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the transmission and replace these servo covers.
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.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace the park pawl abutment bracket.
Transmission complaints in other Sable years
Frequently asked questions
How common are transmission problems on the 1997 Mercury Sable?
NHTSA has 43 complaints about the transmission & drivetrain of the 1997 Mercury Sable, 19% of the model year's 228 complaints. The component named most often is automatic transmission (31 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1997 Mercury Sable transmission problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 97V-097 (automatic transmission, Jun 9, 1997); NHTSA recall 96V-166 (gear position indication (prndl), Sep 5, 1996). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 1997 Mercury Sable transmission problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 72,000 miles, and 9% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 1 fire and 0 injuries to transmission & drivetrain 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.