The Mercury Sable is a mid-sized automobile manufactured by Ford Motor Company. The Sable began production in 1986 as a re-badged version of the Ford Taurus. The Sable was built to be a reliable automobile, but even from the very beginning, there were problems in the fuel-system design as well as several other components that would have to be re-engineered. If you own a Mercury Sable, there are areas you'll need to troubleshoot to ensure your Mercury is safe to drive.
Check for vibration or feedback in the steering wheel during braking. Starting in 1986, it is estimated there are or were 325,000 Sables that suffered from faulty brake disc rotors. These rotors would fracture in driving conditions where calcium chloride and sodium chloride---also known as salt. Both of these compounds are used extensively in northern climates to de-ice the roads in the winter months. The vibration is caused by the rotor warping prior to fracture. Once the brake disc has fractured, critical brake failure will result. Have this item serviced by a Ford dealership.
Check the upper support assembly on the front seat for fatigue or an improper weld. Some model years of the Sable (1989 to 1994) that were equipped with power adjustable seats had weak or improper welds holding the seat together. In a crash, the seat may not perform as expected, and you may be injured if or when the weld fails. Take your Sable to a Ford Dealership to have the welds inspected.
Check to see if your brake lights will not go out, even when you are not stepping on the brake pedal. Sables manufactured in 2003 suffered from an electrical short in the factory wiring harness that caused the brake lights to stay on permanently. Have the stop lamp switch replaced by an authorized Ford dealer.
Check for a burning smell coming from the Sable's air cleaner. In 2003, the factory air cleaner material was improperly manufactured. The under-hood temperatures would cause the air filter material to smolder and burn causing a fire or damage to the intake and related components. Replace the air filter or take your Sable to a Ford dealer to have it replaced.
