10.0
really awful- Crashes / Fires:
- 3 / 0
- Injuries / Deaths:
- 1 / 0
- Average Mileage:
- 9,778 miles
About These NHTSA Complaints:
The NHTSA is the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints can be spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem. See the Back button — blue bar at the very top of the page — to explore more.
The contact owns a 1997 Mercury Sable. While driving 5 mph, the vehicle suddenly accelerated without the accelerator pedal being depressed. As a result, the vehicle crashed into and destroyed the contact's garage door. He stated that the only way to stop the vehicle was to place it in park. The contact called the dealer and is awaiting a response. The vehicle has not been repaired. The current and failure mileages were 78,000. Updated 12/31/07 updated
- Niagra Falls, NY, USA
Nar 04/01/2003. The speed sensor has been replaced 5 times within 6 years. When the speed sensor failed, it caused the speedometer needle to go to zero while the vehicle was still moving. The gears changed randomly and the steering became difficult.
- Morganville, NJ, USA
I have had 5 occurrences of engine surging when slowing down to a light or stop sign and applying the brakes. The surge is so strong that the brakes must be repeatedly pressed down hard to stop and held down to their maximum capability. In 3 of the 5 occurrences in heavy traffic, rear end collisions were avoided by mere inches.
- Booneville, MS, USA
The speed control switch did not work. The consumer called the dealership and the manufacturer regarding recall #98V028000, 97V097000, 99V12400, and was told they were not valid.
- East Greenbush, NY, USA
Vehicle will accelerate without foot pressing the throttle. Speedometer doesn't register speed, vehicle's speed was increasing. Dealer will be replacing speed control chip for sixth time. Also, consumer has checked to see if cruise control did not engage. Dealer has duplicated the problem.
- Revere, MA, USA
Speedometer would momentarily operate erratically. Needle would jump back and forth while driving, sometimes it operated normally. Dealer was not contacted at this time. Consumer adds accelerator possibly contributed to erratic operation of the speedometer.
- Rio Rico, AZ, USA
Cruise control would not disengage when braking and vehicle would continue to accelate until switch was turned off. Dealer and the manufacturer were not notified at this time.. consumer stated when vehicle began to accelerate the speedometer did not move, this has also happened on another occasion, however the cruise control was not engaged at that time, the dealer replaced the sensor assembly, but the problem reoccured.
- Rio Rico, AZ, USA
While gear shift indicated vehicle was in neutral engine surged and vehicle accelerated to an unknown speed before crashing into another vehicle. There were no injuries. Also, power steering and power assist brakes failed to operate during this incident. Dealership has yet to examine vehicle to determine cause of this problem. Please provide any additional information / documentation.
- Portsmouth, RI, USA
I purchased Mercury Sable in July 1999 as a new vehicle (dealer demo). I experienced first problem about a year ago during two separate weeks and thought no more about it until this month. I left church and went up a slight incline to a stop sign; when I took my foot off the brake and tried to pull out into the traffic, the car began rolling backwards. I braked and looked to be sure I had not somehow put the car in neutral; it was in drive. I again tried to accelerate and the car continued backward, half way down the block. I pushed hard on the accelerator and the car suddenly jerked forward. Less than two weeks later, I sat at a red light on flat land and when the light turned green and I touched the gas pedal, it revved up but did not move. I braked, put the car in neutral then back in drive and it jerked forward. When I took it to allan vigil Ford on tara boulevard in jonesboro, Georgia, the service manager quoted a price of more than $2,500. To repair the transmission. On a car only four years old with less than 70,000 miles!!!! I have read other reports on this make and model and transmission problems. I am not the only one having trouble with Ford transmissions. My son in law, joseph kaigler, has a 2001 Taurus which he returned after less than a month to have the transmission repaired. Please help! short of paying $2,500, is there another remedy I may gain.
- Hampton, GA, USA
On-going / intermittent problem with high surge / engine aceleration. Problem occurs in stop/go traffic at highway speed or at a stop postion. Problem has occurred on five occasions. Dealer notified, and unable to duplicate the problem.
- Chicago, IL, USA
Vehicle experienced sudden acceleration while driving at sl0W speeds / coming to a stop.
- Zelienople, PA, USA
When vehicle was at a stop, itjumped out of gear and accelerated. Also, there was a loud noise that came from transmission. Vehicle has been in the repair shop four times.
- Happiesburg, MI, USA
Engine throttle sticks at 1200 to 2500 RPM while driving.
- Shingle Springs, CA, USA
After 5 minutes turned off, returned to car, turned it on and put it into reverse, vehicle then expoded backwards up an embankment and crashed into trees.
- Syosset, NY, USA
Vehicle will rev up. The gas pedal has to be applied in order to stop it. Dealer has seen 3 times and finds no problem.
- Westminster, CA, USA
Vehicle suddenly accelerates while in drive or reverse or slowing down. Dealer has been contacted.
- Haledon, NJ, USA
Whenever using the cruise control buttons, fingers would get cut. Cruise control have very sharp edges that cut deeply when steering wheel is turned.
- Brooklyn, WI, USA
Recall # 97V025000, dealer does not have parts available.
- Rockville Center, NY, USA
- Las Vegas, NV, USA