1996 Mercury Sable Exterior lighting Problems
- Complaints
- 13about this part
- Share
- 4%of 304 total for the year
- Median mileage
- —not reported
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 13 complaints about the exterior lighting of the 1996 Mercury Sable, 4% of the 304 complaints for this model year.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“Headlights become distorted of a film developing on covering of the lens. This covering prevents visibility at night. Owner is aware of others around the same year with same problem. Please describe details.”
NHTSA complaint #8014933, filed 2002-07“Vehicle started to act sluggish, engine check light came on. Vehicle was not operating properly. Took to dealer who said that it was a multi-function relay switch that caused air pump not function properly.”
NHTSA complaint #859682, filed 2000-04“When putting the headlight switch turned position and the switch got hot , on one occasion driving at night the light went off and came back on . Please describe .”
NHTSA complaint #801644, filed 1996-08Exterior lighting: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2004 | 7 | 13% |
| 2003 | 12 | 6% |
| 2002 | 13 | 3% |
| 2001 | 13 | 3% |
| 2000 | 54 | 12% |
| 1999 | 7 | 3% |
| 1998 | 5 | 3% |
| 1997 | 8 | 4% |
| 1996 | 13 | 4% |
| 1995 | 9 | 3% |
| 1994 | 27 | 7% |
| 1993 | 63 | 9% |
| 1992 | 13 | 4% |
| 1991 | 4 | 2% |
| 1990 | 8 | 5% |
| 1989 | 4 | 2% |
| 1988 | 3 | 2% |
| 1987 | 1 | 1% |
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 complaintsAir bags
15 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 30, 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