1999 Mercury Sable Suspension Problems

Which parts fail

• Front › Springs › Coil springs
  36
• Front
  5
• Front › Wheel bearing
  1
• Front › Springs › Air suspension system
  1
• Front › Hub
  1
• Rear › Springs › Coil springs
  1

Components named in complaints (struts, shocks, control arms, ball joints, springs).

Mileage when the problem started

• Under 25k
  14%
• 25k–50k
  312%
• 50k–75k
  936%
• 75k–100k
  624%
• 100k–150k
  28%
• 150k+
  416%

Owner reports

Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 1999 Mercury Sable owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).

I own a 1999 ,Mercury Sable.on May 13, 1999, while backing out of my driveway,I heard a very loud popping sound then a very loud grinding noise. I called my dealership and was told to bring my vehicle in. I then had it towed there. When they called to inform me of the problem, iwas told that the front right coil spring had broke and in the process had ruined my tire also. I wastold it would cost about $300.00 to fix and that it was not covered under my extended warrenty. I gave them the okay to fix it. Later that day, I was talking to an individual who told me about two other incidents that he had heard of this happening. Being a parent, with small children,I became concerned of their safety. …

Car was two years old when purchased, and had 60K miles. I noted that car would shake, especially during braking. I also noted that vehicle pulled to one side during braking. I took car to shop and found that the brake discs had to be turned due to warpage. (I was told that this was common on these vehicles, including tuarus') this eleviated most of the problems, but was told that the tie rods, and tie rod ends were wore out and had to be replaced. I personally looked at the original tie rods after they were replaced and noted that they were wore out. This problem could have possibly resulted in premature braking and lose of control of the vehicle. There was a notable difference in the braking distance and ability to control vehicle at higher speeds. I still have the original tie rods, and ends.

Problems with ABS. The vehicle was in two accidents due to the inability to control the vehicle during normal driving conditions, where the ABS did not work. The vehicle was in for repair 7 times. The following are repairs and or problems the vehicle experienced: torque converter replaced after transmission fluid was found low, exhaust leak fixed, washer fluid would spray when the turn signal and lights were on, shaking when the brakes were applied/resurfaced rotors, trunk leaked water, replaced multi-function switch to fix washer fluid problem, ABS not working when there was a panic stop, left and right spindle assembly was replaced, front end rotors were replaced again, wheel alignment, the ABS did not engage and caused an accident, and replaced left side outer tie rod end.

My 99 Sable gs has a recall on the front coil springs and Ford will not replace them because it has exceeded the time frame. Which is ridiculous! I never even received a recall notice on the car we found the recall online. Also the rear coil springs are broken and the tires are messed up and Ford won't recall them if salt is going to get in the front coil springs and make them crack then what makes you think that it won't get in the rear? We have small children and are worried about their safety. We will be getting a lawyer and file a complaint through him because this car is not safe for anyone to be in let alone children. I think they should worry about safety and not mass production.

I took my car to the dealer to have a rear suspension squeak diagnosed and repaired. The mechanic discovered that a broken rear coil spring was the cause of the squeak. The part of the spring that rested in the spring seat had fractured several inches from the end of the coil. The mechanic recommended replacing both coil springs to reduce the risk of the unbroken spring fracturing, puncturing the tire and causing an accident. I paid for replacement of both coil springs and had the rear struts replaced at the same time to restore the car's original ride quality.

While backing out of the driveway front coil spring broke, damaging the front left tire. Consumer received a recall notice for the front coil spring shield.04V332000/front coil spring. Currently, the parts needed for repair were unavailable. Consumer contacted the manufacturer, who advised consumer to contact the dealership. Consumer contacted the dealership, who urged consumer to keep contacting him for availability of parts.

Consumer experienced a flat on the right front tire. The consumer changed tire to an unused spare and attempted to drive to service station. While driving, the spare blew out. Upon inspection by dealer, it was discovered the coil spring had broken and pierced both tires, and caused damage. Found the rotors out of round. The front brake rotor were machined and the pads half worn.

There were no events leading up to the failure. Coil spring failed and broke going out of our driveway, puncturing inner side wall of front left tire. We got a replacement strut and coil spring assembly from a salvage yard costing $53.30. New tire costing $59.73. Old coil spring showed no signs of abnormal corrosion so it should not have failed. We still have all old parts.

Consumer was backing out of a parking space and when moving forward front suspension crashed to the ground, and the front of the vehicle collapsed, left front ball joints fell to the ground and broke the axle. Consumer contacted the manufacturer, and was told that warranty expired and there was nothing they could do.

Consumer called the dealer after finding out about a recall for the front coil spring. Consumer was told by the mechanic to bring the vehicle in. After arriving at dealer consumer was advised that vehicle was not recalled, and was turned away. Recall letter arrived the next day.

Related recalls

NHTSA investigations

Suspension complaints in other Sable years