1996 Mercury Sable
The Verdict
Worst problem area
Transmission & Drivetrain
Transmission & Drivetrain leads by volume: 69 of 304 complaints (23%) mention it. Complaints mentioning Visibility & Lighting include more reported injuries (96) than those mentioning any other identified area.
Complaints filed fell from 350 in 1995 to 304 in 1996.
Data last changed . Sources: NHTSA complaints and recalls, EPA fuel economy data. Methodology
Cost, Fuel Economy & Complaint History
| Category | 1995 | 1996 | 1997 | 1998 | vs. 1996 Midsize Cars |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual fuel cost ($) | 2,950–3,300 | 2,950–3,100 | 2,950–3,300 | 3,100–3,450 | |
| Combined MPG | 19–21 | 20–21 | 19–21 | 18–20 | |
| City / Highway MPG | 16–18 / 24–27 | 17–18 / 25–26 | 16–18 / 24–26 | 16–17 / 23–26 | |
| CO₂ tailpipe (g/mi) | 423–468 | 423–444 | 423–468 | 444–494 | |
| Complaints filed | 350 | 304 | 227 | 190 | |
| Recalls issued | 6 | 5 | 3 | 2 | |
| Crash-involved complaints | 11 | 20 | 10 | 28 | |
| Fire-involved complaints | 14 | 10 | 5 | 3 | |
| Injuries reported | 10 | 119 | 11 | 18 | |
| Deaths reported | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Configurations compared | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
Not compared: this database has no vehicle sales or registration figures, so a raw count mostly reflects how many were sold, not how safe the vehicle is.
Common questions
How many recalls does the 1996 Mercury Sable have?
5 NHTSA recall campaigns as of Sep 16, 2026. Check your VIN with NHTSA to see whether one applies to your car.
What is the most common complaint about the 1996 Mercury Sable?
Transmission & Drivetrain: 69 of 304 NHTSA complaints (23%) mention it.
What gas mileage does the 1996 Mercury Sable get?
EPA rates it 20–21 MPG combined.
How much does it cost to fuel a 1996 Mercury Sable?
EPA estimates $2,950–$3,100 a year in fuel costs, using EPA's assumptions.
Similar Vehicles
EPA-Rated Configurations (4)
| Configuration | Transmission | Cylinders | Displacement | Drivetrain | Fuel Type | Vehicle Class | City | Highway | Combined | Annual Fuel Cost | CO₂ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Configuration 1 | Automatic 4-spd | 6 | 3.0L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Midsize Cars | 18 mpg (high) | 26 mpg (high) | 21 mpg (high) | $2,950 (low) | 423 g/mi (low) |
| Configuration 2 | Automatic 4-spd | 6 | 3.0L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Midsize Cars | 18 mpg (high) | 26 mpg (high) | 21 mpg (high) | $2,950 (low) | 423 g/mi (low) |
| Configuration 3 | Automatic 4-spd | 6 | 3.0L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Midsize-Large Station Wagons | 17 mpg (low) | 25 mpg (low) | 20 mpg (low) | $3,100 (high) | 444 g/mi (high) |
| Configuration 4 | Automatic 4-spd | 6 | 3.0L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Midsize-Large Station Wagons | 17 mpg (low) | 26 mpg (high) | 20 mpg (low) | $3,100 (high) | 444 g/mi (high) |
Complaints by Category
| Category | Complaints | Crash-Involved | Fire-Involved | Injuries | Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 62 | 2 | 5 | 1 | 0 |
| Transmission & Drivetrain | 69 | 1 | 3 | 1 | 0 |
| Fuel System | 10 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical | 22 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Brakes | 21 | 5 | 1 | 6 | 0 |
| Steering | 36 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Suspension, Wheels & Tires | 18 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Airbags & Restraints | 23 | 8 | 0 | 14 | 0 |
| Driver Assistance & Speed Control | 17 | 4 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| Body, Seats & Latches | 33 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| Visibility & Lighting | 40 | 0 | 1 | 96 | 0 |
| Other | 16 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
A complaint that names more than one category is counted in each, so the rows can add up to more than the total number of complaints.
Recalls (5)
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY · Campaign 98V067000 · Mar 27, 1998
Defect: 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.
Consequence: 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.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL THE CORRECT FUEL TANK.
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION · Campaign 96V176000 · Sep 26, 1996
Defect: 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.
Consequence: THIS CONDITION COULD RESULT IN THE VEHICLE ROLLING AS IF IN NEUTRAL WITH THE SHIFT LEVER IN THE PARK POSITION.
Remedy: 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.
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:GEAR POSITION INDICATION (PRNDL) · Campaign 96V166000 · Sep 23, 1996
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.
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION · Campaign 96V086000 · May 17, 1996
Defect: 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.
Consequence: 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.
Remedy: 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.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:BRAKE FLUID LOW WARNING: LAMP · Campaign 96V016000 · Jan 30, 1996
Defect: THE BRAKE SYSTEM FLUID LEVEL INDICATOR LAMP SWITCH CAN MALFUNCTION. THIS DOES NOT COMPLY WITH FMVSS NO. 105, "HYDRAULIC BRAKE SYSTEMS."
Consequence: 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.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE BRAKE SYSTEM FLUID LEVEL INDICATOR LAMP SWITCHES.