Comments: I have a 1995 Mercury Sable with 52,000 miles on it. Some years ago, Ford issued a letter saying it would make repairs if the head gasket prematurely blew on this car at under 60,000 miles or within 5 years. About two weeks ago, with no warning, my Sable blew its head gasket in my garage, after I had turned off the car and gotten out of it. It was just a miracle that I was still in the garage with my husband when it happened. Normally, I would have gone in the house and shut the door. At any rate, I turned around and smoke was billowing from the rear of the car. My husband jumped in the car (I wouldn't have done that) and backed it into our court. I ran for the phone and called 911. My point is, that except for the fluke of my being in the garage at the time, my house could have gone up in smoke! when I called the local Ford dealer, they referred me to Ford customer service. Josh at customer service told me that the "customer satisfaction program" on this car had expired and that there are no available coverages. He further stated that I had no recourse to anyone else in the company because Ford had "empowered" the customer service program to answer all questions of this type. I think that if my house had burned down, Ford certainly would have had some liability. The cost to repair the vehicle is $2,000, nearly as much as it's worth. Is there anything you can do to help me with this problem?

- Walnut Creek, CA, USA

Motor replaced on my car, a 95 Mercury Sable, replaced at 85,000 miles and just blew again I now have 123,00 on the car and just want to express my gratitude for you changing my mind on future purchases of Ford products. I work for a teer 2 supplier of color conc. To GM and have always purchased Ford in spite of the savings I receive through work. Can you help me or not with my expenses for repair of another motor?

- Wadsworth, OH, USA

Consumer took vehicle to the dealer for routine maintenance, and mechanic noticed that the motor mounts needed to be replaced due to corrosion.

- Aurora, NY, USA

Driver took the vehicle to the dealer for routine maintenance, and mechanic noticed that the motor mounts needed to be replaced due to corrosion.

- Aurora, NY, USA

Car stalls in warm weather. On one of many stalled occasions I was stopped at a red light and when it turned green the car lunged as if it were moving but stalled and a man in a truck behind me slammed on his brakes but a woman behind him slammed into his truck. They had an accident because my car stalled and stopped short. Also, right rear window wont go down sometimes. The A/C stinks and the heater smells like super hot dried burnt carpeting. There's a gas smells so heavy at times in the back seat I'm scared for my children to be back there. The dash lights get so hot I'm afraid it's going to melt something or start a fire. The car is had to start on certain days. Other days it starts right up. Sometimes the car starts and runs great. Other days it starts but you can feel something isn't right and the car will feel like it's on the verge of stalling but then you can hear it start back up again. Almost like the ignition is turning on and off. I have a list of all the repairs done to my car just after I purchased it and there is some major bills in this pile! reading that other people are having the same exact problems with their Sable is proof that Ford put out an unsafe car! I haven't got the money to buy another car. I can hardly afford to fix the one I have but it's all I got. Shame on Ford! I won't be buying another Ford in the future unless they resolve this mess!

- Livonia, MI, USA

The vehicle stalled without warning.

- Providence, RI, USA

The engine stalled without warning.

- Providence, RI, USA

I have a 1995 Mercury Sable that has a bad head gasket. I was told by my mechanic that there was a recall by Ford, but after calling and leaving messages, I am unable to confirm this. Please advise. Thank you! I am also listing numerous problems that have occurred with the suspension and brakes in the last year.

- Mentor, OH, USA

Blown head gasket on all Ford 3800's.

- Spearman, TX, USA

When driving consumer noticed white smoke coming out of tail pipe. Mechanic stated that the head gaskets were blown. Ts consumer never received recall notification regarding head gaskets, therefore dealer was not willing to do anything. Head gaskets had to be replaced three times at owners expense.

- Meadford, MA, USA

Vehicle overheated and leaked coolant due to a defective head gasket. Consumer stated that manufacturer had issued a technical service bulletin on the defective head gasket, and issued a warranty. Head gasket failed after the warranty had expired. Manufacturer refuses to replace head gasket. Service bulletin #98-4-9. head gasket failed when it was seven years and seven months.

- Westfield, NJ, USA

I own a 1995 Mercury Sable station wagon. At 69,000 miles the head gasket failed. Ford Motor Company acknowledged the defective part in technical service bulletin 98-4-9. Ford issues a 5 yr/60,000 warranty in 1998 and a 7 yr/100,000 mile warranty in 2000. The head gaskets on my vehicle did not fail until the vehicle was 7 years and seven months --which was over the warranty period. This part should have been recalled for safety reasons. It is unfair to make the public pay for a defective part. Nlm

- Westfield, NJ, USA

Head gasket goes out prematurely, causing engine to overheat. Had part replaced, problem reoccurred.

- Saugus, MA, USA

Consumer states the head gasket is leaking coolant into engine..

- Johnstown, PA, USA

While driving at 65 mph head gasket blewout, engine heads cracked, and there was also damage to the intake. Vehicle became inoperable. Consumer is asking for a refund of repair cost.

- Fairfeild, OH, USA

Our 1995 Mercury Sable had 54,500 miles on it and the head gaskets failed. Had vehicle towed to dealer and they explained that the head gaskets failed and that we may possibly need a new engine. We had previously rec'd several recall notices from Mercury regarding 1994 and 1995 Sable and defective head gaskets. When we rec'd notices we took vehicle to dealer and they explained that they could not replace the head gasket unless it was defective at the present time. Well, needless to say it was three months over the seven year or 100,000 warranty for the defective head gaskets and ours failed. I question why Mercury did not replace all head gaskets if they were aware that they were defective. Spoke with our Mercury dealer and he said that there is nothing he can do. I've been doing some research on the problem and I noticed that there are a lot more complaints about this issue. What can we as consumers do to have Mercury replace all defective equipment? we are now out $1200 because of a know defective piece of euqipment.

- Chestnut Hill, MA, USA

We blew a head gasket and then discovered there have been numerous problems with this on 1995 Sable. Ford should have done a recall to rectify the problem.

- Pleasant Hill, IA, USA

4 months after buying the car, the engine started to heat up, and leak. I took it to the nearest mechanic for repair. I had purchassed extended warranty, but the dealer reimbursed only $19.84 out of $544. Ford didn't respond to my previous queries concerning another vehicle. So I'm contacting you, hoping for a help. Had to replace radiator and belt serpentine. Please help me in getting my money back. Lou.

- Fairfax, VA, USA

There was a recall in June 1995 92M77 for 1993 Taurus. Looking at the NHTSA website it appears that the motor mount problems wasn't solved until at least 1998. Thus the recall should be extended. Thank you.

- Berkelely, CA, USA

Vehicle overheats, runs rough with a heavy white smoke coming from tail pipe because head gaskets have failed prematurely. Dealer has been notified.

- Modesto, CA, USA