1996 Mercury Sable Engine cooling Problems
- Complaints
- 60about this part
- Share
- 20%of 304 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 81,750miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 60 complaints about the engine cooling of the 1996 Mercury Sable, 20% of the 304 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 81,750 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved and 5 a fire, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“I have had this car for one year and one half. I bought it from ray hudson chevrolet in la crosse ,wis. I had the car two weeks and the transmission had to be replaced. Two weeks after the front and back brakes had to be replaced. This was at the dealers exspense. I had to have a wheel bearing replaced and now after a year and 1/2 I have to replace the whole motor.”
NHTSA complaint #10071066, filed 2004-01, 67,000 miles“This problem matches the description of service program number 98b23, which expired on august 31, 1999. The original notification about this program was sent to my old adress, from wich I moved out on may 1998. I feel that this failure is a recognized manufacturer's defect and it should be repaired by the company at no cost to the owner.”
NHTSA complaint #715439, filed 1999-11“I was driving on the trunpike and then all of a sudden there was no more power I had to stay there till this man call the police the car should not do it. There was no warning at all. …”
NHTSA complaint #726022, filed 2000-07“I was traveling home from my first long distance trip from napa, ca. To ventura, ca. When without any warning the cars temperature gauge went straight to hot, the engine light came on and the car lost total power, result? Two blown head gaskets, numerous cooling parts replaced. When ford was contacted about reimbursement for a known defect (head gaskets) they said the goodwill policy doesn't count in my case because I took it to a repairshop other than ford. So here I am out $2,724.62 repair costs $400. Towing cost and another $250. In rental cost. …”
NHTSA complaint #748760, filed 2001-07“Coolant turned to a rusty sluggy mixture. Freeze out plugs had to be replaced and system flushed. New coolant was added and it is already turning brown again. Ford did do the work for free, but told me I was on my own if it occured again. Have learned through various people that the same thing is happening to their Sable and taurus cars. Transmission has also had to repaired at a cost to me of $1750.00. When you come to a stop the car will then not go forward. You have to press in on the gas and make it lunge forward, sometimes causing the tires to burn rubber ! …”
NHTSA complaint #745185, filed 2001-05Related service bulletins
- 10017916May 1, 2005Surge, idle roll, rough idle only when the engine cooling fans are operating.
Engine cooling: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 1 | 2% |
| 2005 | 3 | 4% |
| 2004 | 2 | 4% |
| 2003 | 19 | 9% |
| 2002 | 20 | 5% |
| 2001 | 23 | 5% |
| 2000 | 25 | 5% |
| 1999 | 22 | 9% |
| 1998 | 19 | 10% |
| 1997 | 42 | 18% |
| 1996 | 60 | 20% |
| 1995 | 132 | 38% |
| 1994 | 142 | 37% |
| 1993 | 357 | 53% |
| 1992 | 151 | 41% |
| 1991 | 56 | 25% |
| 1990 | 30 | 18% |
| 1989 | 49 | 21% |
| 1988 | 29 | 23% |
| 1987 | 10 | 13% |
| 1986 | 7 | 15% |
Other parts of the 1996 Mercury Sable
69 complaintsSteering
36 complaintsBody and structure
29 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
27 complaintsBrakes
20 complaintsElectrical system
20 complaintsVehicle speed control
17 complaintsAir bags
15 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 27, 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