1997 Mercury Sable
The Verdict
Worst problem area
Transmission & Drivetrain
Transmission & Drivetrain leads by volume: 43 of 227 complaints (19%) mention it. Complaints mentioning Airbags & Restraints include more reported injuries (9) than those mentioning any other identified area.
Complaints filed fell from 304 in 1996 to 227 in 1997.
Data last changed . Sources: NHTSA complaints and recalls, EPA fuel economy data. Methodology
Cost, Fuel Economy & Complaint History
| Category | 1995 | 1996 | 1997 | 1998 | 1999 | vs. 1997 Midsize Cars |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual fuel cost ($) | 2,950–3,300 | 2,950–3,100 | 2,950–3,300 | 3,100–3,450 | 3,100–3,300 | |
| Combined MPG | 19–21 | 20–21 | 19–21 | 18–20 | 19–20 | |
| City / Highway MPG | 16–18 / 24–27 | 17–18 / 25–26 | 16–18 / 24–26 | 16–17 / 23–26 | 16–17 / 24–26 | |
| CO₂ tailpipe (g/mi) | 423–468 | 423–444 | 423–468 | 444–494 | 444–468 | |
| Complaints filed | 350 | 304 | 227 | 190 | 258 | |
| Recalls issued | 6 | 5 | 3 | 2 | 5 | |
| Crash-involved complaints | 11 | 20 | 10 | 28 | 22 | |
| Fire-involved complaints | 14 | 10 | 5 | 3 | 4 | |
| Injuries reported | 10 | 119 | 11 | 18 | 24 | |
| Deaths reported | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Configurations compared | 2 | 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 1997 Mercury Sable have?
3 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 1997 Mercury Sable?
Transmission & Drivetrain: 43 of 227 NHTSA complaints (19%) mention it.
What gas mileage does the 1997 Mercury Sable get?
EPA rates it 19–21 MPG combined.
How much does it cost to fuel a 1997 Mercury Sable?
EPA estimates $2,950–$3,300 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 | 17 mpg | 26 mpg (high) | 20 mpg | $3,100 | 444 g/mi |
| 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 | 16 mpg (low) | 24 mpg (low) | 19 mpg (low) | $3,300 (high) | 468 g/mi (high) |
| Configuration 4 | Automatic 4-spd | 6 | 3.0L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Midsize-Large Station Wagons | 17 mpg | 24 mpg (low) | 20 mpg | $3,100 | 444 g/mi |
Complaints by Category
| Category | Complaints | Crash-Involved | Fire-Involved | Injuries | Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 41 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 0 |
| Transmission & Drivetrain | 43 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel System | 9 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical | 25 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Brakes | 19 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Steering | 19 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Suspension, Wheels & Tires | 27 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Airbags & Restraints | 31 | 5 | 0 | 9 | 0 |
| Driver Assistance & Speed Control | 28 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Body, Seats & Latches | 11 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Visibility & Lighting | 29 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Other | 17 | 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 (3)
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS · Campaign 98V028000 · Feb 25, 1998
Defect: 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 TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION · Campaign 97V097000 · Jun 17, 1997
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 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.