1996 Mercury Sable Air bags Problems
- Complaints
- 15about this part
- Share
- 5%of 304 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 166,000miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 15 complaints about the air bags of the 1996 Mercury Sable, 5% of the 304 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 166,000 miles. 7 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“The contact owns a 1996 Mercury Sable. The contact stated that while sitting on the passenger seat, he was involved in an accident. He mentioned that although he was properly wearing his seat belt and the airbag deployed, it failed to protect him. He mentioned that his head and right hand hit into the windshield and shattered it. He also suffered a concussion and injuries to his knees. A police report was filed. The vehicle was destroyed. The manufacturer was not contacted. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and current mileages were 166,000. Updated 06/01/11 updated 06/13/11”
NHTSA complaint #10383088, filed 2011-02, 166,000 miles“While driving at 35 MPH, the consumer's vehicle hit another vehicle on the side. The air bags did not deploy and the passenger's side seat belt did not restrain the passenger. The consumer was inquiring about the status of the original complaint.”
NHTSA complaint #10029583, filed 2003-10“Vehicle experienced sudden acceleration when brake pedal was applied while pulling into a parking space. Vehicle crashed into a center block building. Upon impact, both air bags did not depoly, and minor injuries were sustained by both driver and passenger. Dealer/manufacturer notified.”
NHTSA complaint #838811, filed 1999-06“Drive's side airbag deployed, and passenger's side airbag deployed half way, and all these particles came flying everywhere. Consumer felt airbag exploded. Also, noticed a hole the size of a fist in passenger's side air bag.”
NHTSA complaint #879322, filed 2001-01“While traveling consumer lost control of vehicle as result of an accident.also, air bags did not deploy without any indication. Please provide further informaton.”
NHTSA complaint #856385, filed 2000-02Air bags: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 4 | 7% |
| 2005 | 4 | 5% |
| 2004 | 2 | 4% |
| 2003 | 8 | 4% |
| 2002 | 24 | 5% |
| 2001 | 27 | 6% |
| 2000 | 33 | 7% |
| 1999 | 17 | 7% |
| 1998 | 14 | 7% |
| 1997 | 12 | 5% |
| 1996 | 15 | 5% |
| 1995 | 8 | 2% |
| 1994 | 10 | 3% |
| 1993 | 24 | 4% |
| 1992 | 11 | 3% |
| 1991 | 10 | 5% |
| 1990 | 14 | 8% |
Other parts of the 1996 Mercury Sable
69 complaintsEngine cooling
60 complaintsSteering
36 complaintsBody and structure
29 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
27 complaintsBrakes
20 complaintsElectrical system
20 complaintsVehicle speed control
17 complaintsExterior lighting
13 complaintsSuspension
11 complaintsFuel system
10 complaintsSeat belts
10 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1996 Mercury Sable
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology