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 2005 Mercury Sable owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
This 2005 Mercury Sable (ls premium) just fell out of gear as I was on the road. Totally out of the blue with no warning whatsoever. I know now the transmission must be replaced for upwards of $1800.00. This car has just 30,000 miles on it. I find it completely unacceptable for a mildly driven car, owned by an elderly woman, should fail so badly after only 30,000 miles. This seems to be a common occurrence with this particular transmission also involving the Ford taurus and the windstar...which I understand was recalled. This particular transmission is known to fail prematurely and without notice. This is an accident waiting to happen and I hope this is taken seriously. This is a defect that is way too common in these models and I will be looking into legal recourse against any and all involved. Please check into this unfortunate public safety hazard. Thank-you.
While traveling down the interstate 90 highway southbound on 10 June, 2016 the vehicle suddenly and without warning lost forward motion power and the RPM level of the car shot up suddenly. The vehicle rolled to a stop on the side of the highway while still running, but there was no vehicle movement provided in any of the automatic transmission gears, including reverse. The vehicle was towed to a local repair shop in spooner, wi where a repair bill estimate of $3-$4K was provided.....rebuild current or replace with remanufactured.
I drived it on highway and suddenly there was noise and rmp passed 4000 but no accelerated. I managed to stopped on shoulder, and restarted the car, engine run OK, and car wasn't moving, either forward or backward. I could be hit by other cars if I didn't manage to shoulder. I searched online and I found out a lot of complaints about Mercury Sable's transmission issues. This is very dangerous and people May get killed because of sudden transmission failure without any warning. My car has about 88700 miles on it.
Purchase vehicle used in June of 2015, one repair after another. Owned 1yr and here are repairs that we have had to do: drain plug replaced, trans filter, additive & fluid, re-built transmission, fluid, replace rear brake shoes, replace valve cover gasket, oil pan gasket, EGR sensor. Cost incurred $3,275.20 way more than any car should have in one year! Anybody going to reimburse these expenses?
After leaving a stop, the car was able to move, then all of a sudden, the car would not change gears and stayed in a nuetral position. After safely parking the car, it will not shift into drive or reverse. Looking online I see numerous consumer with the same issue and the cost is more than the car is worth, but is a known issue that the manufacturer will not take the blame on.
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 Mercury Sable. While driving 20 MPH, the vehicle began to suddenly decrease in speed. The contact stated that the vehicle reacted as if it were in neutral. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 92,000.
I was driving to work on the evening of January 23, 2012 when I turned through a stop light pressed on the gas pedal and the car made a vroom noise like it wanted to go but there was no power. The car never died. I coasted down the hill onto a side street. The car was towed to a transmission repair company. We ended up having to have the transmission torque converter replaced. We were told that this is unusually for a car of this age. I checked for recalls and there is not one for my make and model but there is one for the Ford freestar. I am just wondering since this is a Ford product that the same torque converter could have been used in my car.
When entering the car after a basketball game I started the vehicle and tried to go into reverse but the car remained in neutral as it would not shift into gear. Prior to this I had never noticed any issues with the transmission. I was told by our mechanic the torque converter had given out and needs to be replaced. After doing extensive research I found there are hundreds if not thousands of other Mercury Sable owners that have experienced the exact same issue with their transmission. Ford recalled the same part on other similar make and models vehicles. This needs to be recalled of Mercury sables as well.
I'll add my car to the list of Sable/taurus transmission failures. Failed with no warning whatsoever. The car suddenly came out of gear and the rpms shot way up. It's at a transmission shop now but it appears to be the same failure as hundreds if not thousands of others online. This is a known issue with bad torque converters/input shafts. Why isn't there a recall/investigation going on for this issue. I probably won't keep the car after it's repaired as many have reported repeat failures on rebuilt transmissions even though I'll be out around $2000.00. I don't trust the car anymore.
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 Mercury Sable. The contact stated that while driving approximately 30 MPH , he experienced a sudden loss of acceleration power with no warning. The vehicle was towed to a private mechanic for a diagnostic testing. The mechanic stated that the transmission torque converter needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but did not offer any further assistance since the vehicle was not included in any recalls. The vehicle was repaired. The approximate failure was 130,000 and current mileage was 140,000.
Transmission complaints in other Sable years
Frequently asked questions
How common are transmission problems on the 2005 Mercury Sable?
NHTSA has 26 complaints about the transmission & drivetrain of the 2005 Mercury Sable, 31% of the model year's 83 complaints. The component named most often is automatic transmission (4 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2005 Mercury Sable transmission problems?
No. NHTSA lists no transmission & drivetrain recall for the 2005 Mercury Sable. 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 2005 Mercury Sable transmission problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 83,000 miles.
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.