MYRModel Year Report

1997 Mercury Sable

● Typical for this model
1997 Mercury Sable
BUILT 2026-10-10

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
228
Recalls
3

Campaigns on file for 1997

Investigations
0

None on file

Top problem
Power train

22% of complaints

Complaints per year

1984: 1 complaint 1984 1985: 0 complaints 1986: 47 complaints 1987: 78 complaints 1987 1988: 129 complaints 1989: 242 complaints 1990: 168 complaints 1990 1991: 229 complaints 1992: 372 complaints 1993: 678 complaints 1993 1994: 388 complaints 1995: 350 complaints 1996: 304 complaints 1997: 228 complaints 1997 228 1998: 190 complaints 1999: 258 complaints 2000: 464 complaints 2001: 430 complaints 2002: 440 complaints 2002 2003: 201 complaints 2004: 52 complaints 2005: 83 complaints 2005 2006: 1 complaint 2008: 61 complaints 2009: 20 complaints 2009
1984: 1 complaint 1984 1985: 0 complaints 1986: 47 complaints 1986 1987: 78 complaints 1988: 129 complaints 1988 1989: 242 complaints 1990: 168 complaints 1990 1991: 229 complaints 1992: 372 complaints 1992 1993: 678 complaints 1994: 388 complaints 1994 1995: 350 complaints 1996: 304 complaints 1997: 228 complaints 1997 228 1998: 190 complaints 1999: 258 complaints 2000: 464 complaints 2000 2001: 430 complaints 2002: 440 complaints 2002 2003: 201 complaints 2004: 52 complaints 2004 2005: 83 complaints 2006: 1 complaint 2006 2008: 61 complaints 2009: 20 complaints 2009
1984: 1 complaint 1984 1985: 0 complaints 1985 1986: 47 complaints 1986 1987: 78 complaints 1987 1988: 129 complaints 1988 1989: 242 complaints 1989 1990: 168 complaints 1990 1991: 229 complaints 1991 1992: 372 complaints 1992 1993: 678 complaints 1993 1994: 388 complaints 1994 1995: 350 complaints 1995 1996: 304 complaints 1996 1997: 228 complaints 1997 228 1998: 190 complaints 1998 1999: 258 complaints 1999 2000: 464 complaints 2000 2001: 430 complaints 2001 2002: 440 complaints 2002 2003: 201 complaints 2003 2004: 52 complaints 2004 2005: 83 complaints 2005 2006: 1 complaint 2006 2008: 61 complaints 2008 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% · 50 reports

Most commonly citing automatic transmission and manual transmission.

CRASHFIRE
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, 2004-09-07

Engine and engine cooling

20% · 45 reports

Most commonly citing gasoline and engine.

FIREINJURY

Vehicle speed control

12% · 28 reports

Most commonly citing accelerator pedal and cruise control.

CRASHINJURY
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, 2012-06-06

Whenever using the cruise control buttons, fingers would get cut. Cruise control have very sharp edges that cut deeply when steering wheel is turned.

NHTSA ODI report, 1997-12-03

Visibility

11% · 24 reports

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.

NHTSA ODI report, 1999-01-07

Seat belts

10% · 22 reports

Most commonly citing retractor and buckle assembly.

CRASHINJURY
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, 2004-03-17

Also filed under Air bags

Safety timeline

3 recalls · 0 investigations · oldest first

To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →

  1. R
    1996-09-23Power train96V166000 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…

    Remedy: Dealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace the park pawl abutment bracket.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  2. R
    1997-06-30Power train97V097000 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…

    Remedy: Dealers will inspect the transmission and replace these servo covers.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  3. R
    1998-03-23Exterior lighting98V028000 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…

    Remedy: Owner guides containing revised aiming instructions will be mailed to owners of these vehicles.

    Check if this car was fixed →

Buy-smart checklist

1997 Mercury Sable — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

  • Power train: 50 reports on file for this year.
  • Engine and engine cooling: 45 reports on file for this year.
  • Vehicle speed control: 28 reports on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

  • Recall 96V166000 · Power train
  • Recall 97V097000 · Power train
  • Recall 98V028000 · Exterior lighting
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

Other years of this model

See all years ranked →

Best years3 years

Worst years3 years

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 2026-10-09 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.