Mercury Sable 1996

• Recall 11410 [USA]: If this shipping plug is displaced, fuel leakage can result. fuel leakage in the presence of an ignition source could potentially result in a fire.
  Vehicle description: passenger vehicles previously serviced under ford service bulletin 97-17-9 from august 1997 through december 1997. These vehicles were inadvertenly equipped with an 18-gallon fuel tank rather than the 16-gallon as specified. The 18-gallon tank has a second valve location where a shipping plug should be installed.
  dealers will install the correct fuel tank.
  owner notification began june 17, 1998.Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact ford at 1-800-392-3673.Also contact the national highway traffic safety administration's auto safety hotline at 1-888-dash-2-dot (1-888-327-4236).

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• Recall 16462 [USA]: This condition could result in the vehicle rolling as if in neutral with the shift lever in the park position.
  The 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 engaging the park gear when the shift lever is in the park position.
  dealers will inspect the park pawl shaft rotation and those shafts with restricted rotation will be replaced with a shorter shaft that will not restrict rotation.
  owner notification:owner notification is expected to being september 30, 1996. Note:owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact ford at 1-800-392-3673.Also contact the national highway traffic safety administration's auto safety hotline at 1-800-424-9393.

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• Recall 14656 [USA]: Unintended and unexpected vehicle movement can result in personal injury and property damage.
  The 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 even though the gear shift indicator shows that the vehicle is in park.
  dealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace the park pawl abutment bracket.
  owner notification:owner notification is expected to begin september 23, 1996.Note:owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact ford at 1-800-392-3673.Also contact the national highway traffic safety administration's auto safety hotline at 1-800-424-9393.

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• Recall 29109 [USA]: This could result in the park pawl occasionally not engaging when the transmission selector lever is placed in the park position. this could result in the vehicle rolling as if in neutral if the vehicle operator does not apply the parking brake.
  The park pawl shaft was improperly positioned when the roll pin that retains it was installed during transmission assembly. If the shaft was not properly positioned, the roll pin may not have lined up with the groove in the shaft and have been crushed at assembly. Also, a burr could have been raised on the shaft.
  dealers will inspect the park pawl shaft roll pin. If the roll pin is damaged, both the roll pin and the park pawl shaft will be replaced. In addition, owners will be reminded to fully apply the parking brake, in addition to placing the transmission in park.
  system: power train; transmission; automatic. Vehicle description: passenger vehicles and mini-vans equipped with ford ax4s automatic transaxles. Note: owner notification is expected to begin in mid-june 1996. Note: owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time, should contact ford at 1-800-392-3673. Also contact the national highway traffic safety administration's auto safety hotline at 1-800-424-9393.

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• Recall 16028 [USA]: Consequence of non-compliance: if the switch malfuntions, the brake system warning lamp will either remain illuminated continuously or fail to light as intended when the fluid level falls to a certain level. in either case, the vehicle operator would not be warned of a low brake fluid level condition.
  The brake system fluid level indicator lamp switch can malfunction. This does not comply with fmvss no. 105, "hydraulic brake systems."
  dealers will replace the brake system fluid level indicator lamp switches.
  system: brakes; hydraulic; switch; brake warning; fmvss no. 105.Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. Note: owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time, should contact ford at 1-800-392-3673. Also contact the national highway traffic safety administration's auto safety hotline at 1-800-424-9393.

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• Recall 1998114 [Canada]: Fuel supply
  Vehicles that were serviced for a stall condition between august 1, 1997 and december 1, 1997 may have received and incorrect fuel tank. The incorrect tank contains an additional vent hole which provides the potential for a fuel leak. Correction: vehicles will be inspected and fuel tank will be replaced with the correct tank if necessary.

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• Recall 1996034 [Canada]: Brakes
  These vehicles may not comply with c.M.V.S.S. 105 - hydraulic brake systems. The brake system fluid level indicator may malfunction which could cause the brake system warning lamp to: (1) remain illuminated continuously, or (2) fail to illuminate as intended should the fluid level fall to a certain level. Correction: brake system fluid level indicator lamp switches will be replaced on affected vehicles.

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• Recall 1996084 [Canada]: Structure
  Note: vehicles equipped with ford ax4s automatic transaxles. The park pawl shaft may have been improperly positioned during transmission assembly. This could result in the park pawl not engaging when the transmission selector is placed in the park position. This could allow the vehicle to roll as if in neutral if the vehicle operator does not apply the parking brake. Correction: vehicles will be inspected and if necessary the park pawl shaft roll pin and park pawl shaft will be replaced.

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• Recall 1996135 [Canada]: Powertrain
  The park pawl abutment bracket has a sharp edge which may cause the parking pawl to hang up and not engage the park gear. This may cause the vehicle to move even though the gear shift indicator shows that the vehicle is in park. As a result, unintended and unexpected vehicle movement could occur with the possibility of personal injury and property damage. Correction: dealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace the park pawl abutment bracket on affected vehicles.

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• Recall 1996148 [Canada]: Powertrain
  The automatic transaxle park mechanism may not prevent the vehicle from rolling even if the transaxle shift lever is firmly placed in the "park" position. If the driver is unaware that the park mechanism of the transaxle has not properly engaged and leaves the vehicle unattended without setting the parking brake, the vehicle could be free to roll as if in neutral. This could result in a crash without prior warning. Correction: park mechanism will be inspected and, if necessary, a new park pawl shaft will be installed in the transaxle.

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To ensure accuracy and for your safety, it is recommended to do a free VIN recall check here or here [USA] - UK - Canada.

Bulletins are notices put out by manufacturers in conjunction with the NHTSA to notify the public of manufacturing issues or changes.

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. The car hasn't moved since then. Waste of $1,000!! Transmission is finished.

Tl* the contact owns a 1996 mercury sable. While driving at various speeds, a squeaking noise was heard under the vehicle, especially when slowing down, making turns, and reversing. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the cradle and subframe bushing were corroded and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. In addition, while driving at certain speeds and making right or left turns, the steering wheel seized. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failures. The approximate failure mileage was 80,000.

Tl* the contact owns a 1996 mercury sable. The contact took the vehicle to an independent mechanic for routine maintenance and the mechanic discovered that the engine cradle and the subframe were severely rusted and corroded. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 95,000.

Relevant information---engine was repaired on sept. 9/10, 2012 same morning as the accident--car was driven to bank but as i was leaving i could not put car into reverse. A gentleman passerby was able to put it into reverse with effort and a loud noise in the gears. I proceeded to my exercise class which lasted one hour. Had no trouble with reverse gear this time. About 1/2 hour later i was turning into a parking lot and in a matter of minutes the engine started revving up and shot forward on its own, went over a curb & sidewalk and crashed into a brick wall at high speed. The air bags went off and with effort i was able to open the front door. I had minor injuries--nose, cut on elbow, banged up knees. The engine of the car kept roaring for possibly 15 minutes until someone cut the cable to the battery. The police reported that i had stepped on the gas instead of the brake which was totally false. I remember distinctly thinking--there's something terrible wrong with my car. The insurance company was not interested in pursuing the cause which may have been related to the repair done on the engine. They called the car a total loss. *tr

Tl* the contact owns a 1996 mercury sable. While driving at approximately 5 mph the contact heard a popping sound coming from the under the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic for diagnostic. The mechanic stated the rear lower subframe was fractured due to corrosion and could detach from the vehicle. There was a recall under nhtsa campaign id number: 98v323000 (structure:frame and members) that may be related to the failure but did not include 1996 models. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 93,000.

Tl*the contact owns a 1996 mercury sable. The contact stated that while sitting on the passenger seat, he was involved in an accident. He mentioned that although he was properly wearing his seat belt and the airbag deployed, it failed to protect him. He mentioned that his head and right hand hit into the windshield and shattered it. He also suffered a concussion and injuries to his knees. A police report was filed. The vehicle was destroyed. The manufacturer was not contacted. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and current mileages were 166,000. Updated 06/01/11*lj updated 06/13/11

Tl*the contact owns a 1996 mercury sable wagon. The contact stated the vehicle had been parked on sept 10,09 at 3:30, the next day, at 6:30 pm the vehicle caught fire. The vehicle was engulfed in flames. There were no injuries. The fire department extinguished the fired and stated that it was as electrical fire. A fire report is available if needed. The manufacturer was not notified. The insurance has not advised the contact if the vehicle was destroyed or not. An insurance adjuster will provide the findings as soon as possible. The failure mileage was 140,000. Updated 10/20/09 *cn the consumer stated the transmission was replaced twice. Updated 10/23/09.*jb

The steel brake lines to the rear breaks rusted and my breaks failed. I have looked at three other cars of the same type and tey have the same problem. This could kill someone. *tr

The sub frame on my son's 96 mercury sable suddenly broke loose and nearly caused him a serious accident. The steerinmg of the vehicle became very eratic and as such lost control of the vehicle. Luckily no one was hurt.The area where the frame attaches to the body had literaly rusted away and the subfram had shifted. I checked the complaint databases and found ford had a recall on sables and tauruses for subframe failures from 89 to the 95 model in saltbelt states. The same type of failures listed in the recall informatioin are also endemic to the 96 model. Other than the subframe failure the car was in excellent shape and well maintained. The major concern i have is how many other 96' sable and tauruses are still on the roads in the saltbelt states with the potential for a very serious and life threatening accident to occur due to this defect. I seriously believe that ford or some governmental agency should require warnings to be issued to owners of these cars to have them inspected before people who are driving these cars find themselves in a serious accident.

Common OBD-II Error Codes

• P0741 [4] Torque Converter Clutch Circuit Performance or Stuck Off
• P1744 [4] Slip Solenoid System
• P0340 [1] Camshaft Position Sensor Circuit Malfunction (Bank 1)
• P1309 [1] EGR Calibration High
• P1336 [1] Misfire Rate Catalyst Damage Fault - Bank 1
• P1518 [3] Intake Manifold Runner Control (Bank 2) Stuck Closed
• P0401 [1] Exhaust Gas Recirculation Flow Insufficient Detected
• P1407 [1] EGR Metering Orifice Restricted
• P1519 [2] High Load Neutral/Drive Fault
• B1522 [3] Hood Switch Circuit Short To Ground
• P1135 [1] Lack Of HO2S Switch - Adaptive Fuel At Limit
• P1155 [1] Lack Of HO2S21 Switch - Adaptive Fuel At Limit
• C1095 [1] ABS Hydraulic Pump Motor Circuit Failure
• P0300 [2] Random/Multiple Cylinder Misfire Detected
• P0301 [2] Cylinder 1 Misfire Detected
• P0302 [2] Cylinder 2 Misfire Detected
• P0303 [2] Cylinder 3 Misfire Detected
• P0304 [2] Cylinder 4 Misfire Detected
• P0305 [2] Cylinder 5 Misfire Detected
• P0306 [2] Cylinder 6 Misfire Detected
• P0307 [2] Cylinder 7 Misfire Detected
• P0308 [2] Cylinder 8 Misfire Detected
• B1937 [1] Air Bag Passenger Pressure Switch Circuit Open
• B1977 [1] B1977
• P0171 [1] System too Lean (Bank 1)
• P0174 [1] System too Lean (Bank 2)