1996 Mercury Sable Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 69about this part
- Share
- 23%of 304 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 90,000miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 69 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 1996 Mercury Sable, 23% of the 304 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 90,000 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved and 3 a fire, according to the filers. 3 recall campaigns on record are filed under a similar system.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“Just bought a Mercury Sable 1996. After driving this vehical for about 10 miles, the transmission began to slip badly. It began with having trouble accelerating from a complete stop. Luckily I was driving in a rural area with few stops and little traffic. By the time I stopped at the 3 stop sign. The transmission would no longer engage into 1st or 2nd gear. Never got into 4th gear. But had to get push the vehical from the last stop sign until I reached a small hill that allowed me to reach the speed so that 3rd was able to engage and was able to make it to my house. …”
NHTSA complaint #11034494, filed 2017-10, 300,000 miles“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“The vehicle was parked and with no warning rolled forward. The dealer was notified. The vehicle was stopped and the gear shift was in park. The consumer exited the vehicle, and when he returned to the vehicle, it started to roll down the slope of the roadway. The consumer ran after the vehicle and was able to get it under control.”
NHTSA complaint #10031327, filed 2003-08, 65,001 miles“Problem started when shifting from park to drive, car would lurch forward unless you had brake pedal pushed down as hard as you could. Then while leaving a stop light car would hesitate then pick up speed very slowly, finally the car will not go into reverse. Transmission shop said that transmission had to be replaced. $1800.00 !!”
NHTSA complaint #10028593, filed 2003-07, 96,512 miles“Recall campaign 96v176000 was issued. When engaging the vehicle into park it began to roll. However, this vehicle was not included in the recall due to VIN. The vehicle does not enage in park and will not pass inspection.”
NHTSA complaint #10110816, filed 2005-03, 90,000 milesRelated recalls
- 96V176000Sep 18, 1996The automatic transmission park pawl shaft may not be free to rotate as intended. If the park pawl shaft does not rotate, it would prevent the park pawl from…Covers: Mercury Sable 1996, Ford Taurus 1996, Lincoln Continental 1996
- 96V166000Sep 5, 1996The park pawl abutment bracket has a sharp edge which can cause the parking pawl to hang up and not engage the park gear. This would allow the vehicle to move…Covers: Mercury Sable 1996–1997, Ford Taurus 1996–1997, Windstar 1996 +1 more
- 96V086000May 14, 1996The park pawl shaft was improperly positioned when the roll pin that retains it was installed during transmission assembly. If the shaft was not properly…Covers: Mercury Sable 1996, Ford Taurus 1996, Windstar 1996
Transmission and drivetrain: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2009 | 3 | 15% |
| 2008 | 11 | 18% |
| 2005 | 26 | 31% |
| 2004 | 12 | 23% |
| 2003 | 30 | 15% |
| 2002 | 23 | 5% |
| 2001 | 22 | 5% |
| 2000 | 31 | 7% |
| 1999 | 28 | 11% |
| 1998 | 25 | 13% |
| 1997 | 43 | 19% |
| 1996 | 69 | 23% |
| 1995 | 93 | 27% |
| 1994 | 95 | 25% |
| 1993 | 48 | 7% |
| 1992 | 61 | 17% |
| 1991 | 101 | 46% |
| 1990 | 17 | 10% |
| 1989 | 19 | 8% |
| 1988 | 22 | 17% |
| 1987 | 9 | 12% |
| 1986 | 8 | 17% |
Other parts of the 1996 Mercury Sable
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 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