1997 Mercury Sable Body and structure Problems
- Complaints
- 8about this part
- Share
- 4%of 228 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 99,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 8 complaints about the body and structure of the 1997 Mercury Sable, 4% of the 228 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 99,000 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.
“This was a failure that fortunately was caught before a crash. I purchased the vehicle used last december. From the time I purchased it there was a clunking sound that came from under the front on the driver's side. At the end of september my husband noticed that the engine was moving back and forth (front to back) when the car would start out and back up. He continued to monitor it for a few days when it started to sound if it were whirring and grinding on the driver's side. He took it to a repair place, fisher auto body and repair in somerset. …”
NHTSA complaint #10096535, filed 2004-10, 100,000 miles“The contact owned a 1997 Mercury Sable. The contact stated the sub frame that holds the motor and transmission together was detached from the right side of the vehicle due to rust. While driving the vehicle was making noise; however, during the diagnostic test the mechanic confirmed that the subframe was covered with rust. The dealer and manufacturer stated there were no recalls or related warranties and offered no assistance. The VIN was not available. The failure mileage was 99,000.”
NHTSA complaint #10421114, filed 2011-08, 99,000 miles“The contact owns a 1997 Mercury Sable. In cold weather, the driver's side door will shut, but not latch until the vehicle is driven 3-4 miles with the heater on full blast. The failure has occurred for the past two winters. The dealer stated that it was the contact's responsibility. When the driver's side door is shut, one of the trim panels detaches from the interior door panel due to deterioration of the plastic attachments (christmas tree). He was informed not to worry about the failure because it was not harmful. …”
NHTSA complaint #10223169, filed 2008-04, 94,000 miles“Automatic lock on driver's side door does not stay locked. Consumer enters the automobile and locks all four doors. Once the engine starts, driver's side lock pops open. This occurs about 70% of the time when consumer starts the automobile. Also, area dealer have been receiving numerous complaints of the same problem with the same automobile.”
NHTSA complaint #860941, filed 2000-04Body and structure: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2009 | 1 | 5% |
| 2008 | 2 | 3% |
| 2005 | 3 | 4% |
| 2004 | 1 | 2% |
| 2003 | 20 | 10% |
| 2002 | 13 | 3% |
| 2001 | 11 | 3% |
| 2000 | 8 | 2% |
| 1999 | 10 | 4% |
| 1998 | 10 | 5% |
| 1997 | 8 | 4% |
| 1996 | 29 | 10% |
| 1995 | 25 | 7% |
| 1994 | 20 | 5% |
| 1993 | 34 | 5% |
| 1992 | 29 | 8% |
| 1991 | 20 | 9% |
| 1990 | 23 | 14% |
| 1989 | 23 | 10% |
| 1988 | 14 | 11% |
| 1987 | 17 | 22% |
| 1986 | 11 | 24% |
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 complaintsEquipment
12 complaintsTires
11 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