Two problems related to oil pump have been reported for the 1996 Mercury Sable. The most recently reported issues are listed below.
Car stalled, thought it to be altenator, towed to my mechanic, found that the oil pump grear was stripped, and engine froze up, due to lack of lubricant. Hd to replace with remanufactured engine, car has been serviced as required from the day it was purchased new, with all service records retained. Cost $4400. 00 to replace. Feel it is the responsibility of Ford motor company to pay for the replacement. Was out of warrenty, but engine still only had 31613 miles on it.
No light or sensor on the oil pump to indicate a failure which could eventually cause damages to parts and complete malfunction of the engine. Systematic destruction of the engine of this vehicle took place in a chain-reaction from a simple oil pump failure. Took dealer 3 weeks to repair the engine damage from the oil pump, covered half the cost of repair.