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BrakesPart report

1997 Mercury Sable Brakes Problems

Complaints
19about this part
Share
8%of 228 total for the year
Median mileage
58,431miles
Trend
StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.

NHTSA recorded 19 complaints about the brakes of the 1997 Mercury Sable, 8% of the 228 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 58,431 miles. 1 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.

“Constantly having to service brakes on my 1997 Mercury Sable. I have had brake calipers seize up to the point the wheel was too hot to touch and I currently have brake lines rusted out for the second time in about 2 years this is simply unacceptable for such an expensive luxury model and from a safety point of view it is unacceptable to put anything in the way of brake lines that will leak rust or otherwise fail prematurely.”

NHTSA complaint #10368440, filed 2010-11, 159,000 miles

“I have read dozens of examples of the same problem posted on this site. It appears that Mercury needs to make a recall. About 6 months ago my brake pedal released the pressure I had on it and went all the way to the floor. I took it into the brake shop and had my hoses, calipers, and break lines all completely replaced. Within 6 months, the exact same thing has happened again. I do not have $500 to spend every six months on a car that is supposed to be reliable and dependable. This is unacceptable.”

NHTSA complaint #10244962, filed 2008-10, 35 miles

“Wife was just returning with neighbor, whom she had just dropped off, when she was turning into our driveway. She stepped on the brakes & the pedal went all the way to the floor & the brake system light came on. When I came home, it was obvious what had happened as there was brake fluid all over the driveway. I had car towed the next morning to hammonasset ford, Mercury, lincoln dealership in madison, ct. After inspecting the car today the dealer service dept. …”

NHTSA complaint #10033206, filed 2003-08, 50,000 miles

“I should have learned that Sable was a bad car after the engine of my mother's '87 Sable exploded, caught fire and busted through the floor of the car beside the gas pedal and brake (1993). Luckily she was not in the car. The engine had been off and sitting in park for five minutes when this happened. I bought my 97 Sable in 2001. I have never had a car with so many constant problems. I spend about $1200 a year fixing it continually. I'm currently having electrical problems with the radio going out while in reverse or when I press the brake. …”

NHTSA complaint #10070190, filed 2004-01, 70,000 miles

“I purchased a 1997 Mercury Sable in july 1977 from don jackson spartan lincoln Mercury dealer. I have had continuous trouble with the transmission, the brakes, the plastic bucket holding reserve antifreeze (cracked and leaked antifreeze) and now the windshield wipers work when they want to work (intermittently and steadily). When I contacted don jackson lincoln-Mercury at those times when the parts acted up to ask them if there had been any recalls or problems (and I cited each area each time I called), I was told there were no problems reported in any of these areas with the 97 Sable. …”

NHTSA complaint #10003211, filed 2003-01, 34 miles

Brakes: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
2009210%
2008610%
2005810%
20041223%
2003147%
2002245%
2001409%
20006714%
19992911%
19982915%
1997198%
1996207%
1995113%
1994267%
1993487%
19924111%
1991199%
1990106%
1989135%
198843%
198757%
198624%

Other parts of the 1997 Mercury Sable

Transmission and drivetrain
43 complaints
Engine cooling
42 complaints
Vehicle speed control
28 complaints
Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
22 complaints
Seat belts
21 complaints
Electrical system
19 complaints
Steering
19 complaints
Suspension
17 complaints
Air bags
12 complaints
Equipment
12 complaints
Tires
11 complaints
Fuel system
9 complaints

← All problems reported for the 1997 Mercury Sable

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 29, 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