Five problems related to engine belts and pulleys have been reported for the 1996 Mercury Sable. The most recently reported issues are listed below.
Crankshaft pulley failed while driving in rainstorm.
Vehicle stalls every time in rainy weather, vehicle was taken to dealer on 5 occasions, dealer replaced serpentine belt and informed consumer that the manufacturer was designing a guard to prevent water from entering the vehicle, however, manufacturer was not aware of new guard.
Drove through puddle of water. This caused main belt to slip, resulting in the driver losing control of vehicle. Happens every time vehicle is driven through water. Mechanic cannot locate the reason belts would slip.
High idle when moving from park to drive, causing vehicle to lurch forward, and it will also travel couple feet if foot is not on brakes hard. Manufacturer issued a TSB, but it does not correct defect. Consumer states that this failure caused the liquid filled mounts to fail which also caused exhaust leak at manifold, the TSB number is 97-7-1, which states the pcm needed replaced due to an incorrect software identification block. Drive and serpentine belts failed.
When driving over puddles water will get into serpentine belt, causing power steering to go out momentarily, and loss of control.