The 1997 Mercury Sable has 3 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting an estimated 711,800 vehicles. Recall repairs are always free at any authorized dealer. Owners have filed 326 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the power train. Last updated July 5, 2026.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE TEXT AND/OR GRAPHICS FOR THE VEHICLE HEADLAMP AIMING INSTRUCTIONS PROVIDED IN THE OWNER GUIDES ARE NOT SUFFICIENTLY CLEAR. THIS DOES NOT MEET THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT."
Consequence
IF THE HEADLAMP ASSEMBLIES ARE REPLACED, CUSTOMERS MAY BE CONFUSED BY THE AIMING INSTRUCTIONS PROVIDED IN THE OWNER GUIDES CAUSING THE HEADLAMPS TO BE IMPROPERLY AIMED.
Remedy
OWNER GUIDES CONTAINING REVISED AIMING INSTRUCTIONS WILL BE MAILED TO OWNERS OF THESE VEHICLES.
POWER TRAIN97V0970001997-06-09100,000 affected
Defect
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH AX4S AUTOMATIC TRANSAXLES. THE LOW/INTERMEDIATE SERVO COVER CAN SEPARATE FROM THE TRANSAXLE WHILE THE VEHICLE IS BEING DRIVEN. IF THIS OCCURS, TRANSMISSION FLUID WILL LEAK CONTACTING THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER.
Consequence
THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER TEMPERATURE MAY BE HOT ENOUGH TO IGNITE THE TRANSMISSION FLUID AND CAUSE A VEHICLE FIRE.
Remedy
DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE TRANSMISSION AND REPLACE THESE SERVO COVERS.
POWER TRAIN96V1660001996-09-0540,000 affected
Defect
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.
Consequence
UNINTENDED AND UNEXPECTED VEHICLE MOVEMENT CAN RESULT IN PERSONAL INJURY AND PROPERTY DAMAGE.
Remedy
DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND, IF NECESSARY, REPLACE THE PARK PAWL ABUTMENT BRACKET.
Complaints by component
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
31
1crashes
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
19
3crashes1injuries
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
15
1fires
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
10
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
8
5crashes7injuries
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM
8
1fires
INTERIOR LIGHTING
7
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP
6
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:RETRACTOR
6
TIRES
6
1crashes1injuries
Total complaints326
What owners report
Verbatim reports filed with NHTSA, lightly edited for readability and with personal
information removed.
“Yes I have a used car and the dash from the heat has rose off or has buckeled up and I have contacted the company well apparently it is obsolete and it is hard to come by so I cant drive without a dash and I cant get one either”
“Tl* the contact owns a 1997 mercury sable. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic for a safety inspection, where the mechanic notified her that the brake lines were corroded and the ball joints were detaching from the vehicle. Also, the mechanic advised the contact that the vehicle was…”
“Tl* the contact owns a 1997 mercury sable. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic for a safety inspection, where the mechanic notified her that the brake lines were corroded and the ball joints were detaching from the vehicle. Also, the mechanic advised the contact that the vehicle was…”
“Tl* the contact owns a 1997 mercury sable. The contact stated that when braking to a complete stop, the engine rpms would increase abnormally. In addition, the vehicle would slightly pull forward as if it were attempting to accelerate. As the contact was approaching a traffic stop, she crashed…”
“Tl* 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…”
“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…”
“I bought and are driving a 1997 mercury sable with 84k miles and it is a danger to be in. The rear springs are broken in several places. I have been told that ford was recalling and fixing this problem in similar and like years of taurus's and sables. Mine they claim does not qualify. The 1997 is…”
“Tl*the contact owns a 1997 mercury sable. The contact noticed transmission fluid leaking onto the catalytic converter. The was informed by a ford representative that his vin was not included in nhtsa campaign id number 97v097000 (power train:automatic transmission), although the failures were…”
Recall, complaint, and investigation records from official NHTSA datasets (FLAT_RCL,
FLAT_CMPL, FLAT_INV), synced weekly. Counts reflect NHTSA records for the 1997 Mercury Sable as of
July 5, 2026. Complaint narratives are consumer-submitted and unverified. This page
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