MYRModel Year Report

1997 Mercury Sable

● Typical for this model
1997 Mercury Sable
BUILT 2026-09-02

This year's complaint volume is within 30% of this model's typical year.

This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.

How is this computed?

COMPLAINTS PER YEAR

Complaints per year, Mercury Sable Bar chart of distinct NHTSA complaints filed per model year, 1997 highlighted. 1984: 1 complaints 1984 1985: 0 complaints 1986: 47 complaints 1987: 78 complaints 1988: 129 complaints 1988 1989: 242 complaints 1990: 168 complaints 1991: 229 complaints 1992: 372 complaints 1992 1993: 678 complaints 1994: 388 complaints 1995: 350 complaints 1996: 304 complaints 1996 1997: 228 complaints 1997 1998: 190 complaints 1999: 258 complaints 2000: 464 complaints 2000 2001: 430 complaints 2002: 440 complaints 2003: 201 complaints 2004: 52 complaints 2004 2005: 83 complaints 2006: 1 complaints 2008: 61 complaints 2009: 20 complaints 2009
1997: 228 complaints
View as data table
YearComplaints
19841
19850
198647
198778
1988129
1989242
1990168
1991229
1992372
1993678
1994388
1995350
1996304
1997228
1998190
1999258
2000464
2001430
2002440
2003201
200452
200583
20061
200861
200920

KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS

Percentages can add to more than 100% -- a complaint can name more than one system.

POWER TRAIN 22%

22% of complaints: power train — 50 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing automatic transmission and manual transmission.

CRASH FIRE
Show complaint excerpts

WHEN ON A INCLINE, THE VEHICLE SLIPPED OUT OF DRIVE TO REVERSE GEAR. THIS CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO ROLL BACK RESULTING IN DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE. *JB THE DEALER REPLACED THE TRANSMISSION SHIFTER CABLE.

NHTSA ODI report, 20040907

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 20%

20% of complaints: engine and engine cooling — 45 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing gasoline and engine.

FIRE INJURY
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL 12%

12% of complaints: vehicle speed control — 28 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing accelerator pedal and cruise control.

CRASH INJURY
Show complaint excerpts

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 MERCURY SABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN BRAKING TO A COMPLETE STOP, THE ENGINE RPMS WOULD INCREASE ABNORMALLY. IN ADDITION, THE VEHICLE WOULD SLIGHTLY PULL FORWARD AS IF IT WERE ATTEMPTING TO ACCELERATE.

NHTSA ODI report, 20120606

WHENEVER USING THE CRUISE CONTROL BUTTONS, FINGERS WOULD GET CUT. CRUISE CONTROL HAVE VERY SHARP EDGES THAT CUT DEEPLY WHEN STEERING WHEEL IS TURNED. *AK

NHTSA ODI report, 19971203

VISIBILITY 11%

11% of complaints: visibility — 24 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing heater core and power window devices and controls.

FIRE
Show complaint excerpts

CONSUMER WAS WARMING VEHICLE UP AND GOT OUT, WENT INSIDE AND THE HOUSE AND THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE. FIRE DEPARTMENT CAME AND THEY NOTICED THAT FIRE STARTED FROM THE RIGHT HAND SIDE OF VENT AND IGINITION. VEHICLE BURNED DOWN COMPLETELY. *AK *ML

NHTSA ODI report, 19990107

SEAT BELTS 10%

10% of complaints: seat belts — 22 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing retractor and buckle assembly.

CRASH INJURY
Show complaint excerpts

WHILE MAKING A TURN ANOTHER VEHICLE IMPACTED THE RIGHT SIDE OF CONSUMER'S VEHICLE AT UNKNOWN SPEED. UPON IMPACT, AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY, AND DRIVER'S SEAT BELT WAS CUT IN HALF.

NHTSA ODI report, 20040317

Also filed under AIR BAGS

SAFETY TIMELINE

R 19960923 — power train

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 SHO

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND, IF NECESSARY, REPLACE THE PARK PAWL ABUTMENT BRACKET.

Campaign 96V166000 — check if this car was fixed

R 19970630 — power train

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,

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE TRANSMISSION AND REPLACE THESE SERVO COVERS.

Campaign 97V097000 — check if this car was fixed

R 19980323 — exterior lighting

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 REQUIR

Remedy: OWNER GUIDES CONTAINING REVISED AIMING INSTRUCTIONS WILL BE MAILED TO OWNERS OF THESE VEHICLES.

Campaign 98V028000 — check if this car was fixed

BUY-SMART CHECKLIST

1997 Mercury Sable — pre-purchase inspection

  • Test/inspect for power train issues (50 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for engine and engine cooling issues (45 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for vehicle speed control issues (28 reports on file for this year).
  • Verify recall 96V166000 (power train) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 97V097000 (power train) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 98V028000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL

BEST YEARS

▲ 1986 ▲ 2004 ▲ 2008

WORST YEARS

■ 1993 ■ 2000 ◆ 2002

See all years ranked →

FAQ

Is the 1997 Mercury Sable reliable?

Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 1997 Mercury Sable is rated "typical".

What are the most common problems with the 1997 Mercury Sable?

The most-reported component is power train, accounting for 22% of complaints on file.

How many recalls does the 1997 Mercury Sable have?

3 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-09-01 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.