1996 Mercury Sable Seat belts Problems
- Complaints
- 10about this part
- Share
- 3%of 304 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 166,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 10 complaints about the seat belts of the 1996 Mercury Sable, 3% of the 304 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 166,000 miles. 3 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.
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.
“The seat belts on both sides of the front seat, driver's side and passenger's side became inoperable at approximately 50000 miles. We didn't notice that they were inoperable, only that the belts would catch in the door when we shut the door. After a while, after the warranty ran out, we realized that the reason that the belts were getting caught in the door was because they were not retracting properly. We took the car to the dealer, walser lincoln-Mercury at the above address. The seat belts on both sides were replaced on 1/8/02. …”
NHTSA complaint #756696, filed 2002-01“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“Had rec'd recall notice #98v198000 in mail. Contacted dealer. Took vehicle for appt. Had vehicle repaired. Been having problems with heater core which was replaced 6 times. Coolant system blowing into vehicle. Can smell it. Mechanic can not locate cause of problem.”
NHTSA complaint #848321, filed 1999-09“When vehicle came to rest in a ditch driver noticed that rear center seat belt did not restrain css properly, it slid down between front and rear seats.”
NHTSA complaint #882579, filed 2001-03Seat belts: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2005 | 1 | 1% |
| 2004 | 3 | 6% |
| 2003 | 5 | 2% |
| 2002 | 3 | 1% |
| 2001 | 12 | 3% |
| 2000 | 12 | 3% |
| 1999 | 20 | 8% |
| 1998 | 9 | 5% |
| 1997 | 21 | 9% |
| 1996 | 10 | 3% |
| 1995 | 4 | 1% |
| 1994 | 7 | 2% |
| 1993 | 8 | 1% |
| 1992 | 5 | 1% |
| 1991 | 4 | 2% |
| 1990 | 12 | 7% |
| 1989 | 44 | 18% |
| 1988 | 8 | 6% |
| 1987 | 8 | 11% |
| 1986 | 6 | 13% |
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 complaintsExterior lighting
13 complaintsSuspension
11 complaintsFuel system
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