14 problems related to engine cooling system have been reported for the 1996 Mercury Sable. The most recently reported issues are listed below.
Coolant turned to acid and cause corrusion to heater plug and water pump. Dealership is aware of problem.
Coolant inside vehicle has deteriorated, causing engine to rust. Please add additional information.
I was traveling home from my first long distance trip from napa, CA. To ventura, CA. When without any warning the cars temperature gauge went straight to hot, the engine light came on and the car lost total power, result? two blown head gaskets, numerous cooling parts replaced. When Ford was contacted about reimbursement for a known defect (head gaskets) they said the goodwill policy doesn't count in my case because I took it to a repairshop other than Ford. So here I am out $2,724. 62 repair costs $400. Towing cost and another $250. In rental cost. I believe that I should be reimbursed my costs even though I didn't have the car repaired by Ford, because I didn't know about the extended "goodwill" warranty until after the fact. So here is another sob story about defective head gaskets not being fixed. Ford knows about this serious problem and refuses to fix it.
Vehicle started overheating. Cooling system broke down to soon and caused erosion. Ford developed a repair kit for cooling system. Contacted dealer, and dealer paid half of the cost.
Coolant turned to a rusty sluggy mixture. Freeze out plugs had to be replaced and system flushed. New coolant was added and it is already turning brown again. Ford did do the work for free, but told me I was on my own if it occured again. Have learned through various people that the same thing is happening to their Sable and taurus cars. Transmission has also had to repaired at a cost to me of $1750. 00. When you come to a stop the car will then not go forward. You have to press in on the gas and make it lunge forward, sometimes causing the tires to "burn rubber" ! we brought this problem to the service department three years ago and each time we took the car in the service staff informed us that there was no problem. On last visit is when the coolant problem was discoverd. Was told that our car had "cancer" and should get rid of it, but not at their dealership. The problem with the transmission was a forward engagement piston. The company that made the repair had three other Sables in the shop with the exact same problem - each with no support from Ford. Each were paying $1750. 00. Help!!!.
No summary listed for above vehicle.
Engine is rusting from inside out. All metal cooling lines replaced and now all freeze plugs need to be replaced, and antifreeze is brown.
I am having a hard time getting Ford pay for the problem with a warranty. No summary issued for above vehicle.
This problem matches the description of service program number 98b23, which expired on August 31, 1999. The original notification about this program was sent to my old adress, from wich I moved out on may 1998. I feel that this failure is a recognized manufacturer's defect and it should be repaired by the company at no cost to the owner.
After vehicle was repaired under recall# 98b2151, vehicle overheated . The thermostat and engine had to be replaced. The dealer and manufacturer have been notified.
Consumer had recall repair work on the heating and cooling system in April, now the freeze out plugs have gone bad and there is a blown gasket.
When putting in coolant it leaks out by the time consumer reaches destination.
Engine continually overheats. Consumer has had numerous repairs done to vehicle and the problem reoccurs. Every time consumer takes vehicle to dealer , dealer would always say something else needed to be done. The cost kept adding up, but condition still remained the same.
Cooling system overflow reservoir has rubbed against the fender, causing stress cracks on the buttom of the reservoir, resulting in coolant leakage . Manufactuer has redesigned part.