1996 Mercury Sable LS 3.0 from North America

Summary:

Some problems, but an overall good car

Faults:

Radiator cracked at 70,000 miles. Had new radiator installed instead of repairing old one, because of high labor cost involved in reaching the radiator in the car (whole engine has to basically be removed to access radiator.)

Intermittent malfunction of overhead light; will sometimes stay on as if a door is open, when it is not.

Failed transmission at 90,000 miles. $2,200.00 to replace (including labor.)

General Comments:

Despite the problems, this has been a good car. Very comfortable ride, roomy trunk, good leg room in both front and back seats are all pluses. Insurance costs are lower because of this car's excellent safety rating. With the exception of the failed transmission, I have been very happy with this car.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Don't Know

Review Date: 31st December, 2003

1996 Mercury Sable from North America

Summary:

GARBAGE

Faults:

Piece of junk. Electrical problems, the engine stalls when it rains.

General Comments:

I would NEVER recommend this car to anyone. It's a piece of junk. My parents had an older (1993) sable and it had a bad transmission. We were told the problems had been fixed and bought this one because it was cheap. Now we know why.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 6th November, 2003

1996 Mercury Sable GS Wagon 3.0 V6 from North America

Summary:

A slow-dying, comfortable wagon.

Faults:

The blower motor has expired. I cannot get air conditioning, heat, or vent.

The windshield wipers stop working when I activate the turn signal.

One of the rear valves has either cracked or stuck, thus leaving me with 5 out of 6 cylinders. Minimum of $1500 required for repair or to replace engine.

The tensioner coil is loose and caused me to blow the serpentine belt. Car overheated as a result.

The back window pneumatic rods are not working properly, and the rear glass will slam shut half a minute after opening it.

There is a hard jerk in the transmission when I put the car into drive.

General Comments:

Other than the above recent problems, the car is extremely comfortable. It's great for travel and transport, and the standard roof rack takes light loads (like a kayak) with ease.

The GS model comes with all of the extras except for a rear windshield wiper unit.

I love the rear seats that fold down flat for extra trunk space.

Like many Ford cars, when the mileage gets over 70,000, there seems to be a host of accompanying problems. When things start to domino, it's time to trade it in.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 14th September, 2003

29th Jan 2006, 07:33

NEVER, EVER trust a dealer to tell you about a recall. Always check them yourself at: http://www.nhtsa.gov/

Print them out and take them in-hand to the dealer.

21st Jun 2010, 19:15

I have owned several Taurus/Sable wagons; other than one Sable (an '86) that I could never get the transmission right with. The others (two 86, one 96, one 98) all made it to 250,000 plus without major problems - with all but one breaking the 300,000 mark. Living in the upper midwest, they eventually get parked in deference to ravages of road salt - but at 300,000 they certainly don't owe me anything. In 300,000 I'll plan on a couple of alternators and water-pumps, and suspension work at about 150,000. These are overall excellent vehicles, with very good handling manners.

1996 Mercury Sable GS 3.0 V6 from North America

Summary:

A great car with good gas mileage

Faults:

At 127,500 Miles the Radiator, AC Compressor, Water Pump, and Heater core had to be replaced. Now the Transmission is starting to act funny when going from gear 1 to the second gear.

General Comments:

The sedan Sable is an extremely comfortable car with great gas mileage. I am still in High School, and the gas isn't very expensive for me.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 12th September, 2003

21st Jul 2004, 09:01

I bought my brother in laws old 96 sable, it had 138.000 on it at the time, it now has over 150,000 on it and in the two years I had it I never had any problems with it at all, and its still is a great runner, and it has ice cold air, great gas mileage and not one problem with this car, I would buy another sable, and my brother in law did. to the people that are having problems with there sables, maybe you're not maintaining them properly..