10th May 2007, 10:26

Hello, I bought a Mercury 1999 Sable; my first American car. I've only had for 6 months and the transmission already went bad. When I put it in drive, the second gear slips, rpms wind up at 4500rpm, then shifts with a jerk. My neighbors think that I burn rubber on purpose, but it's my transmission that's bad.

Also, at times the speedometer does not work.

The check engine light came on and I had to replace the speed sensor.

One day I still drove after doing replacing the fluid and filter, thinking it will be alright. But I was wrong; on the freeway after 30 minutes of driving, it was stuck on first gear. It wouldn't shift. I had to pull over to the emergency lane and wait for almost an hour. I was late to work.

The car looks decent, but I do not have a lot of money. I'm considering on buying a scooter now, as I will save $ on gas and repairs. The only place that accepts my car as a trade in, is a pick your part for $100.00 dollars.

24th May 2007, 08:54

I have had this car for six months now and it has been nothing but a money pit for me. I have the standard duratech v6 and the GS trim model. the car looks great, but with 148,000 miles it needs new wheel bearings and a torque converter in the transmission. Over the last month I have put well over $2,000 into this car and it is just not worth the waste of time and money. To top it off it gets horrible gas mileage and sometimes when it rains it won't start.

19th Jun 2007, 12:48

I bought a 1999 Sable from the Bargain Wheels section of the newspaper for my son a year ago. It has a beautiful body, fairly low miles and for the first several months, it seemed to need no repairs, other than brakes. Inspection time came around and nobody will pass the Sable due to a P1309 Manufacturer Specific Code. We have replaced many parts as per the advice of different certified mechanics and the code still remains. Prior to re-inspection, we replaced spark plugs, wires, cam shaft sensor, coolant hoses and a sensor similar to an O2 oxygen sensor. The windshield wipers do come on spontaneously sometimes and the engine light does not come on when you turn the key, but overall the Sable runs smoothly.

26th Oct 2007, 02:53

Similar problems:

*wipers come on by themselves

*had to replace transmission at 50,000 miles

*now the car won't start when I leave it sit for 10 hours and I have replaced the battery -and the alternator is good

*the radio/front panel gets really hot

*no heat, though good air; I must change it manually in the winter.

*service engine light stays on all the time.

Back to the shop again. Purchased it used at 30,000 miles and I never miss a 3,000 mile oil change, etc. Has 110,000 miles on it now. Frustrating car.

19th Nov 2007, 11:19

ME TOO, Same problems as some of the other postings. I bought a 1999 Mercury Sable LS, 3.0 DOHC engine, a year ago. I was so thrilled with this car when we bought it, because it is so pretty, sunroof, leather seats, special wheels, (compared to the old Cavalier I had been previously driving). However, so far, we have replaced entire rack and pinion steering unit, a very expensive job! Now the engine "putts" and misses and we can't figure out what the problem is, so far we have changed a broken vacuum hose, the fuel filter, plugs and wires, oil filter, air filter, gas cap. Still misses when the gas petal is applied. Stops after it gains speed. now after all that the ABS light is flashing on and off. I don't have the money for all these repairs! So, I guess I will run it till it won't run any more and pray I don't get stuck on the road . This car is A real disappointment!

3rd Jan 2008, 10:53

I bought a 1999 Mercury Sable about 18 months ago and although I have had several problems with this car, I feel very blessed to not have had the major problems described on this site. The car had just under 100,000 miles when I bought it at an auction, so probably some of those major issues had already been dealt with. The previous owners appeared to have done a decent job and I probably spent a total of $800 since I’ve had it on repairs. However, I found this web page from a search engine trying to figure out why my heat does not work. The air works and the defroster (rear and front) works, but the heat blows out cold air. The “open door” light stays on for as long as 30 minutes and has blew at least 10 interior light bulbs (I just quit buying them). The car rattles and shakes when you hit 60 mph (which I heard was common with sables, but it’s still scary). I didn’t pay much for it, so for me, it has been a great car otherwise-but it appears that I am an exception.

4th Jan 2008, 14:53

Check the water pump. Some have plastic impellers that fall apart.

22nd Mar 2008, 10:39

I have a 1999 Sable wagon and have had good luck with it except for the brakes being replaced twice. I had the problem of "open door" light staying on and dome light but I solved that problem by spraying the door latches with heavy duty silicone spray. Worked! Also my ABS brake light stays on and I understand it needs a sensor ($800).

10th Jul 2008, 09:25

I bought a new 2004 Mercury Sable- it was beautiful black exterior, sunroof, 6 CD changer in the console, black leather seats- loaded with options. I took excellent care of it- then at 75,000 miles the transmission went out of it, leaving my elderly mother and I stuck in traffic in the middle of town. So now I have it 2/3 paid for, I can't afford to repair it, and I had to get another car this time going for a GM product. So much for my 1st new car out of college.

29th Sep 2008, 22:55

1999 Sable LS 24 valve 108,000 miles (since new)

Mobil 1 5W30 and M210 filter every 5K

2nd set of rotors + pads (not bad).

Serpentine belt @ 60K.

New spark plugs @ 100K.

Tranny out at 60K (Ford replaced!) (VSS, Vehicle Speed Sensor).

"Low Coolant" light on frequently (Bad sensor in surge tank).

"Possessed" wipers.

This is the only year you have to take the dash off to replace the dash lights.

To do: new lower ball joints, sway bar links front+rear, struts, new "S" belt, change tranny fluid to M 1 (+new filter).

If the cost of the "Transmission Game" (someone mentioned it earlier... The wrench turners + dealers are plundering FOMOCO over this one... a bad sensor switch and they replace the entire tranny?) had not been borne by Ford... This beast would have been in the recyclers about 6 years ago.

An American Automobile, I know better...