Engine
3.0L 6-cyl
How to read this file. Complaint records are unverified owner submissions to the federal safety agency. Counts are raw, not adjusted for sales volume or vehicle age. Recall campaigns apply to the model; only a VIN check shows whether this car is affected or repaired. Parts shown are named by an editorial note or listed as a search directory; none is a diagnosis. Full methodology.
Fault profile
Complaint-component records on this vehicle, grouped by family. A complaint naming two systems counts once in each.
Complaints are owner-reported and not verified by the agency.
When it fails
The timing of this vehicle's reported failures, from the complaint file itself. A cluster tells you what to expect and when; it is shaped by reporting behavior as well as by the vehicle.
Vehicle age when the failure occurred
Years between the model year and the owner's reported failure date. Based on 106 of 126 complaints with a usable failure date.
Known issues
The component families with the most complaint records against this vehicle. Counts, crash and fire figures belong to the whole family, not to any single named issue. Parts listed are related system parts, not a diagnosis.
Engine & cooling
34 complaint records6 fire reports
"ONGOING PROBLEM WITH ENGINE STALLING AT ANY SPEED. VEHICLE BEEN INTO DEALER SHOP ON FOUR OCCASIONS, AND DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. *AK *YH..."- one owner's federal complaint about this system; it may not describe the issue named above
Parts
No specific part is named for this issue. Browse engine & cooling parts in the directory →
Electrical system
29 complaint records16 fire reports
"WHILE DRIVING, SMOKE STARTED COMING FROM STEERING COLUMN, ELECTRICL COMPONENANTS STOPPED WORKING; IGNITION SHORTED OUT. *AK..."- one owner's federal complaint about this system; it may not describe the issue named above
Parts
No specific part is named for this issue. Browse electrical system parts in the directory →
Steering
28 complaint records8 fire reports2 crash reports
"POWER STEERING HOSES WERE STRETXHED/STRAINED, CAUSINGMPOWER STEERING FLUID TO LEAK ONTO EXHAUST MANIFOLD, RESULTING IN DENSE SMOKE. TT..."- one owner's federal complaint about this system; it may not describe the issue named above
Parts
No specific part is named for this issue. Browse steering parts in the directory →
Federal defect investigations
Formal investigations opened by the federal safety agency into this vehicle. An investigation is the step between a complaint pattern and a recall; not every one results in one.
| Investigation | Status | Component | Subject |
|---|---|---|---|
| RQ97009 opened Aug 1997 | closed Feb 1999 | Structure | REAR LOWER SUBFRAME ASSEMBLY - led to recall 98V323000 TO DETERMINE WHETHER THE CARS THAT WERE NOT INCLUDED IN THE SAFETY RECALL 93V-106 SHOULD BE RECALLED DUE TO THE SAME FAILURE PHENOMENON, AND TO DETERMINE IF THERE IS REMEDY FAILURE ISSUE |
| DP95004 opened Aug 1995 | closed Aug 1995 | Unknown Or Other | ALLEGED DEFECTIVE TIE RODS ALLEGED DEFECTIVE TIE RODS |
| EA94008 opened Feb 1994 | closed Feb 1995 | Steering | BROKEN TIE RODS There is no summary currently available |
| PE93100 opened Dec 1993 | closed Jun 1994 | Suspension | POLYCAST ROAD WHEEL CRACKS There is no summary currently available |
| PE93065 opened Jul 1993 | closed Nov 1993 | Vehicle Speed Control | UNDERBODY FUEL LINE FAILS There is no summary currently available |
Show 15 more closed investigations
| Investigation | Status | Component | Subject |
|---|---|---|---|
| PE93058 opened Jun 1993 | closed Feb 1994 | Steering | BROKEN TIE RODS There is no summary currently available |
| EA92040 opened Nov 1992 | closed Jun 1993 | Structure | SUB-FRM/UNIBODY ABSOR.FAIL - led to recall 93V106002 There is no summary currently available |
| PE92056 opened Jul 1992 | closed Nov 1992 | Structure | SUB-FRM/UNIBODY ABSOR.FAIL There is no summary currently available |
| PE92044 opened Apr 1992 | closed Aug 1992 | Steering | POWER STEERING LEAKS/FIRES There is no summary currently available |
| PE92014 opened Feb 1992 | closed Jun 1992 | Engine And Engine Cooling | ENGINE MOUNT FAILURE There is no summary currently available |
| EA91042 opened Oct 1991 | closed May 1992 | Structure | STORAGE COMPAR SUFFOCATION - led to recall 92V065000 === |
| PE91128 opened Sep 1991 | closed Jan 1992 | Electrical System | FIRES IN IGNITION SWITCH There is no summary currently available |
| PE91108 opened Aug 1991 | closed Oct 1991 | Structure | STORAGE COMPAR SUFFOCATION There is no summary currently available |
| PE91036 opened Jan 1991 | closed May 1991 | Structure | DOOR HANDLES BREAKAGE There is no summary currently available |
| EA90045 opened Sep 1990 | closed Sep 1991 | Service Brakes, Hydraulic | BRAKE DISC HUB SEPARATIONS - led to recall 91V134002 === |
| EA90042 opened Aug 1990 | closed Dec 1991 | Vehicle Speed Control | THROTTLE STICKING There is no summary currently available |
| PE90071 opened Apr 1990 | closed Jun 1990 | Engine And Engine Cooling | BRAKE DISC HUB FAILURE There is no summary currently available |
| PE90066 opened Mar 1990 | closed Aug 1990 | Vehicle Speed Control | THROTTLE STICKING There is no summary currently available |
| PE90019 opened Nov 1989 | closed Mar 1990 | Vehicle Speed Control | SPEED CONTROL FAILURE There is no summary currently available |
| PE89006 opened Oct 1988 | closed Jun 1989 | Seats | HEAD REST DROPS === |
Recall campaigns
Safety-recall remedies are normally provided at no charge. Under US federal law the mandatory free remedy applies when the vehicle was no more than 15 years old at the time the defect was determined; manufacturers often cover older vehicles voluntarily. Canadian rules differ. Confirm eligibility with the manufacturer using the VIN. Each campaign number links to the federal record.
| Campaign | Component | Summary | Remedy |
|---|---|---|---|
| 98V323000 | Structure | VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES ORIGINALLY SOLD OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, IOWA, KANSAS, KENTUCKY, MAINE, MARYLAND, MASSACHUSETTS, MICHIGAN,... | Normally free |
| 93V106000 | Structure | VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: TAURUS AND SABLES BUILT FROM 10-14-85 THROUGH 8-19-88, AND LINCOLN CONTINENTALS BUILT FROM 11-4-87 THROUGH 9-30-88 (EXCEPT 1989 - 1991 2.5L TAURUS AND 1989 - 1992 SHO). | Normally free |
| 92V065000 | Wheels | CHILDREN CAN ACCIDENTALLY LOCK THEMSELVES IN THE FOOTWELL AREA OF THE REAR-FACING THIRD SEAT, OR IN THE STORAGE COMPARTMENT IN STATION WAGONS NOT EQUIPPED WITH AN OPTIONAL THIRD SEAT. | Normally free |
| 91V134000 | Service Brakes, Hydraulic | FRONT DISC BRAKE ROTORS OF THE SUBJECT VEHICLES MAY EXPERIENCE SEVERE CORROSION IF OPERATED IN AREAS WHERE CALCIUM CHLORIDE AND SODIUM CHLORIDE ARE USED EXTENSIVELY. | Normally free |
| 91V036000 | Seats | THE POWER SEAT SWITCH WIRING IS ROUTED OVER RATHER THAN UNDER THE FRONT SEAT SUPPORT BRACE, ALLOWING DAMAGE BY SEAT CUSHION SPRING ENDS WHEN SEAT IS OCCUPIED. | Normally free |
Transport Canada recalls
Recalls issued under Canadian law for this model year, from Transport Canada's Vehicle Recalls Database. Matched by model name, so a Canadian-market variant may appear here that was sold under another name in the US. Units are Canadian vehicles affected.
| Recall | System | Units (CA) | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1998250 1998-12-22 | Steering | 251,032 | On certain vehicles located in Manitoba, Ontario, Quebec, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, and Newfoundland & Labrador, the lower sub frame mount plate nut may corrode and fail due to exposure to road salt. |
| 1992166 1992-12-30 | Structure | 157,101 | On certain vehicles with 3.0 Litre and 3.8 Litre engines, the body mounts on the rear corners of the subframe which supports the engine and transmission may become detached due to corrosion of the rear lower mount retaining plates,... |
| 1992099 1992-08-21 | Emissions | 16,233 | NOTE: VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 3.8 LITRE ENGINES. THESE VEHICLES MAY NOT COMPLY WITH C.M.V.S.S 1105 - EVAPORATIVE EMISSIONS. CORRECTION: PURGE VALVE AND HOSE ASSEMBLY WILL BE REPLACED ON AFFECTED VEHICLES. |
| 1992060 1992-05-20 | Structure | 48,330 | Note: Station wagon vehicles only. Young children left unattended in the vehicle could lock themselves in the footwell area of the rear-facing third seat (or the underfloor storage compartment in station wagons not equipped with the... |
| 1991055 1991-03-27 | Electrical | 7,442 | IMPROPER ROUTING OF THE POWER SEAT SWITCH WIRING WILL ALLOW THE WIRING TO BE CONTACTED AND POTENTIALLY DAMAGED BY THE SEAT CUSHION SPRING ENDS WHEN THE SEAT IS OCCUPIED. |
Show 3 more Canadian recalls
| Recall | System | Units (CA) | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1991021 1991-02-11 | Engine | 113,833 | THIS RECALL SUPERSEDES RECALL 90-27 FOR VEHICLES IN THE MARITIMES. THE THROTTLE MAY STICK IN AN OPEN POSITION DUE TO LINKAGE BINDING CAUSED BY CORROSION. |
| 1990193 1990-12-07 | Brakes | 127,161 | THE COMPOSITE CONSTRUCTION FRONT BRAKE ROTORS ON THESE VEHICLES MAY CORRODE, WEAKEN AND FRACTURE, RESULTING IN A REDUCTION OF BRAKING PERFORMANCE. |
| 1990027 1990-02-09 | Engine | 15,909 | RANGER/BRONCO II - 2.9 LITRE ENGINES TAURUS/SABLE - 3.0 LITRE ENGINES NOTE: VEHICLES LOCATED IN NEWFOUNDLAND, NOVA SCOTIA, NEW BRUNSWICK AND PRINCE EDWARD ISLAND. |
Service bulletins and warranty extensions
Manufacturer communications to dealers on file with the federal agency: repair instructions, service campaigns, and warranty extensions. A warranty extension means the manufacturer may pay for a repair the recall table does not cover.
| Bulletin | Type | Component | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| 01156 Aug 2001 | Visibility | SOME VEHICLES MAY EXHIBIT HEATER CORE LEAKS. *SLC | |
| 01157 Aug 2001 | Unknown Or Other | INFORMATION REGARDING TRANSMISSION FLUID USAGE CHARTS. *SLC | |
| 01124 Jun 2001 | Engine And Engine Cooling | ON SOME VEHICLES, ENGINE OIL MAY CONTINUE TO LEAK FROM THE ENGINE OIL PAN GASKET AREA AFTER AN ENGINE OIL PAN GASKET REPAIR HAS BEEN PERFORMED. *TT | |
| 0015 Jan 2000 | Power Train | INFORMATION REGARDING THE NEW TRANSMISSION COOLER FLUSHER- SERVICE TIP. *MJS | |
| 99222 Oct 1999 | Electrical System | SUBJECT ON A WIRE HARNESS TERMINAL REPAIR KIT AVAILABLE FOR REPAIRING ELECTRICAL WIRING HARNESSES. *TT |
Show 45 more bulletins
| Bulletin | Type | Component | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| 99196 Sep 1999 | Equipment | INFORMATION ON IDENTIFYING NON-APPROVED / ALTERNATE REFRIGERANTS WHICH COULD CAUSE SAFETY, AND PERFORMANCE CONCERNS IF INSTALLED IN FORD A/C SYSTEMS. *TT | |
| 99183 Sep 1999 | Engine And Engine Cooling | SERVICE TIP INFORMATION ON REVISED OIL PAN GASKET REPLACEMENT PROCEDURE. *TT | |
| 99152 Jul 1999 | Power Train | INFORMATION ON THE NEW FLUSH AND FILL TOOL AVAILABLE THROUGH ROTUNDA. *TT | |
| 98246 Dec 1998 | Electrical System | FORD MOTOR COMPANY HAS RELEASED A NEW ELECTRICAL GREASE ( F8AZ - 19G208-AA ) TO REDUCE THE POSSIBILITY OF MOISTURE CORROSION AT THE TERMINALS. *YC | |
| 12178 Nov 1998 | Power Train | INFORMATION REGARDING TSB 98-5A-12 (TRANSAXLE/TRANSMISSION/TRANSFER CASE-VEHICLES TOWED BEHIND RECREATIONAL VEHICLES-RECOMMENDED GUIDELINES) DOES NOT LIST TOWING INFORMATION FOR CERTAIN MODEL VEHICLES. *MJS | |
| 9802169838 May 1998 | Power Train | TRANSAXLES USE A NEW TRANSMISSION FLUID. *YC | |
| 9888 Apr 1998 | Power Train | INFORMATION ON A NEW TRANSMISSION FLUID USAGE CHART. *YC | |
| 9852 Apr 1998 | Tires | INFORMATION ON TIRE COMPANY TELEPHONE NUMBERS FOR CUSTOMER ASSISTANCE. *YC | |
| 9874 Apr 1998 | Engine And Engine Cooling | A NEW SILICONE GASKET AND SEALANT. *YC | |
| 982675 Apr 1998 | Power Train | A REVISED FORWARD CLUTCH INNER SEAL FOR THE AXOD, AXODE, AX4S & AX4N TRANSAXLE IS AVAILABLE WITH IMPROVED SEALING AND REDUCED CHANCE OF THE SEAL ROLLING DURING INSTALLATION. *YC | |
| 982695 Apr 1998 | Engine And Engine Cooling | SOME VEHICLES WITH 3.8L ENGINE MAY USE SHORTER HEAD BOLTS IN THE OUTBOARD POSITION. *YC | |
| 9864 Mar 1998 | Engine And Engine Cooling | INFORMATION ON A BUZZING OR RATTLE NOISE FROM THE EXHAUST SYSTEM. *TT | |
| 985A13 Mar 1998 | Service Brakes | THE USE OF PETROLEUM-BASED GREASE AS A LUBRICANT IN SERVICING DISC BRAKES IS NO LONGER ACCEPTABLE. *YC | |
| 9848 Mar 1998 | Equipment | ANNOUNCING THE FORD OEM AIR CONDITIONING RETROFIT KIT AVAILABILITY. *YC | |
| 9849 Mar 1998 | Engine And Engine Cooling | CONCERNS WITH COOLANT MAY LEAK FROM THE HEAD GASKETS AND / OR THE VEHICLE MAY OVERHEAT. *YC | |
| 9832 Feb 1998 | Structure | FRONT AND REAR BUMPERS MADE OF XENOY PLASTIC HAVE HAD THE CONDUCTIVE PRIMER REMOVED FROM SERVICE PARTS. *YC | |
| 9811329 Feb 1998 | Engine And Engine Cooling | INFORMATION REGARDING THE THE AVAILABILITY OF THE REVISED HEADGASKET FOR COOLANT LOSS CONDITIONS ON SOME ENGINES. *TT | |
| 97111097234 Nov 1997 | Electrical System | VEHICLES EXHIBITING A "SQUEAKING" OR "CHIRPING" FROM THE BLOWER MOTOR AT LOW BLOWER MOTOR SPEEDS. *YC | |
| 97610 Mar 1997 | Engine And Engine Cooling | BLOWER MOTOR- "CHIRPING" OR "SQUEAKING" FROM BLOWER MOTOR AT LOW SPEEDS. *JD | |
| 97511 Mar 1997 | Power Train | FLUID- TRANSMISSION FLUID USAGE CHARTS. *JD | |
| 9743 Feb 1997 | Engine And Engine Cooling | BLOWER MOTOR- "CHIRP" OR "SQUEAK" FROM BLOWER MOTOR AT LOW SPEEDS. *JD | |
| BC101209702 Jan 1997 | Power Train | VERIFY THE TRANSAXLE INSTALLED IN THE VEHICLE IS THE CORRECT MODEL AND MODEL YEAR FOR THE VEHICLE. *JD | |
| 9716 Jan 1997 | Steering | SOME POWER STEERING HOSES HAVE BEEN REPLACED WITH A REVISED DESIGN AND SHOULD NO LONGER BE USED FOR SERVICE. *JD | |
| 962612 Dec 1996 | Power Train | TRANSAXLE - TORQUE CONVERTER REPLACEMENT GUIDELINES AND TORQUE CONVERTER/TRANSAXLE COOLING SYSTEM CLEANING PROCEDURES - SERVICE TIP. *TW | |
| 96246 Nov 1996 | Electrical System | WIRING - ELECTRICAL DIODE IDENTIFICATION AND SERVICE REPLACEMENTS. *TW | |
| 96249 Nov 1996 | Power Train | TORQUE CONVERTER - LEAK TEST PROCEDURE - SERVICE TIP. *TW | |
| 96221 Oct 1996 | Visibility | WINDSHIELD AND INTERIOR GLASS - FOG/FILM. *TW | |
| BC9584961001 Oct 1996 | Steering | INFORMATION FOR CONCERNS OF GRUNT OR GROAN DURING WHEEL RETURN FROM FULL RIGHT TURN. *TT | |
| BC9683961001 Oct 1996 | Power Train | PROCEDURE FOR UPDATING THE CALIBRATION FROM R-11 TO R-12 FOR STALLING ON DECEL & MISFIRE CODES ON 3.0L VEHICLES. *TT | |
| 95212 Oct 1995 | Service Brakes | THE USE OF PETROLEUM-BASED GREASE AS A LUBRICANT IN SERVICING DISC BRAKES IS NO LONGER ACCEPTABLE BECAUSE IT MAY BE INCOMPATIBLE WITH THE RUBBER MATERIAL USED IN THE DISC BRAKE SYSTEM. | |
| 95157 Jul 1995 | Power Train | THE TORQUE CONVERTER IDENTIFICATION CODES HAVE BEEN REVISED AS OF 3/1/95. *SD | |
| 9592 May 1995 | Visibility | UNKNOWN | |
| 9582 Apr 1995 | Visibility | A REVISED SERVICE WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR IS NOW AVAILABLE. *TW | |
| BC8890950401 Apr 1995 | Suspension | UNKNOWN | |
| 9556 Mar 1995 | Suspension | PREMATURE WEAR ON INNER EDGES OF REAR TIRES MAY BE CAUSED BY REAR CAMBER AND TOE SETTINGS THAT ARE NOT WITHIN SPECIFICATION. *TW | |
| 95511 Mar 1995 | Visibility | CHIRP OR SQUEAK FROM BLOWER MOTOR. *TW | |
| 9562 Mar 1995 | Service Brakes | ROUGHNESS CONCERN DURING BRAKE APPLICATION. *TW | |
| 9566 Mar 1995 | Visibility | CHIRP OR SQUEAK NOISE FROM BLOWER MOTOR AT LOW SPEEDS. *TW | |
| 9534 Feb 1995 | Suspension | RATTLING OR CLUNKING NOISE FROM THE FRON SUSPENSION. *TW | |
| 9546 Feb 1995 | Visibility | REVISED WIPER MOTOR. *TW | |
| BC0270950103 Jan 1995 | Power Train | SOME AXOD CHAIN COVERS WERE OVERDRILLED IN THE OVERDRIVE SERVO APPLY CIRCUIT, CAUSING THE OVERDRIVE BAND TO BE APPLIED AT ALL TIMES. *TW | |
| 9523 Jan 1995 | Fuel System | ERRATIC DISTANCE-TO-EMPTY AND FUEL GAUGE READINGS. *TW | |
| 9511 Jan 1995 | Suspension | PREMATURE WEAR ON THE INNER EDGES OF REAR TIRES. *TW | |
| 94243 Nov 1994 | Suspension | VEHICLES MAY EXHIBIT A CLICKING NOISE FROM THE FRONT STRUTS. *TW | |
| 94244 Nov 1994 | Engine And Engine Cooling | INTERMITTENT STALLING. *TW |
Before you buy this vehicle
A test-drive checklist generated from this vehicle's own complaint and recall record.
- Cold-start it yourself and listen for the first thirty seconds.Knocking, ticking that fades as it warms, or blue or white smoke on startup are the sounds of this vehicle's engine cluster. Check the oil level and the coolant color, and ask whether the engine or its head gaskets have ever been out.
- Sit in it with the engine off and test everything that has a switch.Windows, locks, lights, the cluster, the radio. Electrical faults are this vehicle's story and the hardest to see on a drive: an intermittent no-start waits for the second week of ownership. Ask for the battery's age and whether any control module has been replaced.
- Drive one straight highway stretch and one slow parking lot.Wander or a shimmy over bumps at speed, and heavy or dropped assist at low speed, are the two faces of this vehicle's steering cluster. A clunk on turn-in points at the linkage.
- Run the VIN against open recalls before you negotiate.This vehicle has 5 recall campaigns on file. An open recall needs VIN-specific confirmation. Many are quick, no-charge fixes and worth negotiating over; an unresolved do-not-drive advisory, or a remedy the manufacturer has not yet made available, should stop the purchase until it is resolved.
- Ask for the service history in writing, then read it against this page.The complaint families above are where owners of this vehicle report trouble. Repairs in exactly those systems are evidence the car had the problem; no such repairs could mean it never developed it, or that it was never fixed. The test-drive items above are how you tell those apart.
Parts search directory
The generic parts list for this vehicle has its own page: a search launcher for every system, filtered by fuel type and era but not by engine, trim, or brake type. It is not a diagnosis and not a fitment guarantee.
Open the parts directory for this Mercury Sable →