1997 Mercury Sable Equipment Problems
- Complaints
- 12about this part
- Share
- 5%of 228 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 77,200miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 12 complaints about the equipment of the 1997 Mercury Sable, 5% of the 228 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 77,200 miles.
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.
“We own a 1997 Mercury Sable. In june of 2004 our heater core went out and, as the car was under warranty, was replaced by a local car dealership, henry day ford. The mileage of the car was then 60,468. Since then, we have had to have the heater core replaced an additional 4 times, the last time was may 11, 2005 (mileage 64,995). On june 7, 2005, once again, the heater core seemed to go out. We took it to henry day and they informed us that the head gasket was warped and needed to be replaced. …”
NHTSA complaint #10125110, filed 2005-06, 65,200 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“(location) state: michigan. City: warren: zip code: 48092. Location: eleven mile road & dequindre road cross section near seven eleven gas station. (description of the incident): front passenger right side wheels and tires assembly broke off from the integrated vehicle.”
NHTSA complaint #10173780, filed 2006-11, 84,400 miles“Intermittently while driving at any speed there was a clicking sound coming from the steering column. When this occurred the power steering/power windows and ABS failed to work properly. (automatic position lever module) the radio had gone on and off as well.”
NHTSA complaint #10083658, filed 2004-08, 160,000 miles“Consumer has been experiencing problems with the air conditioning. Vehicle was included in the recall, and the dealer failed to fix the problem correctly. In turn, the dealer created additional problems, such as rust on the overflow tank. The manufacturer has been notified.”
NHTSA complaint #829303, filed 1998-10Related service bulletins
- 10013060Oct 14, 2002Climate control a/c service tech tips.
Equipment: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2005 | 1 | 1% |
| 2003 | 3 | 1% |
| 2002 | 2 | 0% |
| 2001 | 11 | 3% |
| 2000 | 5 | 1% |
| 1999 | 6 | 2% |
| 1998 | 2 | 1% |
| 1997 | 12 | 5% |
| 1996 | 7 | 2% |
| 1995 | 9 | 3% |
| 1994 | 16 | 4% |
| 1993 | 28 | 4% |
| 1992 | 6 | 2% |
| 1991 | 8 | 4% |
| 1990 | 3 | 2% |
| 1989 | 3 | 1% |
| 1988 | 5 | 4% |
| 1987 | 3 | 4% |
| 1986 | 1 | 2% |
Other parts of the 1997 Mercury Sable
43 complaintsEngine cooling
42 complaintsVehicle speed control
28 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
22 complaintsSeat belts
21 complaintsBrakes
19 complaintsElectrical system
19 complaintsSteering
19 complaintsSuspension
17 complaintsAir bags
12 complaintsTires
11 complaintsFuel 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 28, 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