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Engine coolingPart report

1997 Mercury Sable Engine cooling Problems

Complaints
42about this part
Share
18%of 228 total for the year
Median mileage
61,100miles
Trend
StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.

NHTSA recorded 42 complaints about the engine cooling of the 1997 Mercury Sable, 18% of the 228 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 61,100 miles. 2 a fire, according to the filers.

Example complaints

Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.

“At about 100,000 easy highway miles, we had to replace the torque converter, then the entire transmission, plus for the last two years minor engine repairs to the tune of about $350 every other month, the window won't go down anymore, and now--4 months after the transmission replacement--we have lost overdrive and the engine light is on, again! We have never had a car with this many problems, and will never buy a ford/Mercury anything again. Our suburban was more reliable.”

NHTSA complaint #10016444, filed 2003-04, 100,000 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

“My husband and I own a 1993 Mercury Sable wagon. We purchased it used 3 years ago. It currently has 44,000 miles on it. At approximately. 43,000 miles ( a month ago) it blew the head gasket. I am aware that ford extended the warranty on 1994-1996 models of the ford taurus and Mercury Sable for this same problem. My ford dealer stated to us that this head gasket blowing has been a consistent problem on the 3.8 engines, which ours has. It would seem to me that ford is very aware of this problem and chose to do nothing about it for owners of 1993 cars. …”

NHTSA complaint #10008495, filed 2003-03, 43,635 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

“Consumer took vehicle to dealer for recall repairs on cooling system in february, 2000. 17,000 miles later while driving, consumer turned on the defroster and a green film covered the inside of front windshield, making it impossible to see. Consumer had to roll windows down to see. Dealer replaced heater core.”

NHTSA complaint #10055522, filed 2004-02, 52,200 miles

Related service bulletins

Engine cooling: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
200812%
200534%
200424%
2003199%
2002205%
2001235%
2000255%
1999229%
19981910%
19974218%
19966020%
199513238%
199414237%
199335753%
199215141%
19915625%
19903018%
19894921%
19882923%
19871013%
1986715%

Other parts of the 1997 Mercury Sable

Transmission and drivetrain
43 complaints
Vehicle speed control
28 complaints
Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
22 complaints
Seat belts
21 complaints
Brakes
19 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 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