Automatic Transmission Torque Converter Problems of Mercury Sable

Idriving under normal conditions on a city street in 2003 merc Sable with 33k miles. While in motion, the transmission fails with no forward or reverse working or any other mechanical warnings. ( no transmission codes on obdii. I was immediately able to coast into a drugstore parking lot. Car towed to local Ford dealer. Dealer informed that the torque converter splines have failed and torque converter needs to replaced for $ 1726. 00. Dealer repaired vehicle, replaced with Ford re-manuafactured torque converter. Searched intern net and found same numerous complaints of Ford torque converters spline failures. Based on the type and number of complaints this appears to warrant an audit of this safety problem. There are other reported complaints that vehicles were traveling on highways and suffered transmission failures while in motion without any warnings.

See all problems of the 2003 Mercury Sable 🔎.

When entering the car after a basketball game I started the vehicle and tried to go into reverse but the car remained in neutral as it would not shift into gear. Prior to this I had never noticed any issues with the transmission. I was told by our mechanic the torque converter had given out and needs to be replaced. After doing extensive research I found there are hundreds if not thousands of other Mercury Sable owners that have experienced the exact same issue with their transmission. Ford recalled the same part on other similar make and models vehicles. This needs to be recalled of Mercury Sables as well.

See all problems of the 2005 Mercury Sable 🔎.

The contact owns a 2003 Mercury Sable. The contact stated that the transmission failed. While driving approximately 60 mph, the vehicle lost acceleration. The vehicle was towed to dom's getty station (heightstown, NJ 08520, phone (609) 448-4146) for diagnostic testing, which located the failure at the transmission input shaft and torque converter. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified. The failure mileage was 57,000.

I have just found out from my mechanic that the transmission, ax4n, that is in my Mercury, have sudden and immediate failures due to a defect in the torque converter. When I called several local transmission shops, they are all aware of this problem. Cost to fix, approximately $1800 for a new torque converter. While you are driving the car it will act like you shifted into neutral. The engine is running, but the car will not move forward or backward. You immediately have to find a place to pull over to. This can be quite hazardous if you are on the expressway. There is no preventive maintenance you can do to prevent this problem. This is a manufacturing defect. The hydraulic pump shaft has approximately two inches of mail spline. The female counterpart which is in the torque converter is approximately one eighth of an inch in thickness. The hydraulic pump shaft will strip the teeth on the torque converter. This causes the car to become inoperable. What is frustrating is that you will have no warning when this will happen. And you do not have any warning of an impending problem. You are now looking at a $1800, for a replacement torque converter. The rebuild company that sells rebuilt torque converters replaces the 1/8 inch female spline,that has stripped, in the torque converter with a new 1/4 inch thick female spline in the torque converter. It certainly seems that Ford was negligent when assembling this transmission. This is a safety issue. My car can loose power at any time. When making a left turn into oncoming traffic or on the road while traveling on the expressway. I now have to drive this car and be paranoid while on the road. There is nothing I can do to prevent this problem. I would have to replace the torque converter for peace of mind while driving this car. It only has 69,000 miles on it. Ford said my car is out of warranty. Sincerely ralph e. Maclean.

See all problems of the 2002 Mercury Sable 🔎.

The torque converter in the transmission failed. The vehicle stopped dead in the street. I was on a side street at the time and not on the highway. I called 4 transmission repair shops in the st. Charles, mo area for pricing. They were all aware of this defect but Ford does not have a recall and will not offer any type of satisfaction for the repair. If I had been traveling at a higher rate of speed, on a busy street or highway, an accident would have occurred. I think this is definitely a safety hazard. I don't know that any other consumers have complained but a survey of transmission repair shops would surely reveal the extent of the problem.

See all problems of the 2000 Mercury Sable 🔎.

I left home for work. All parts of vehicle working fine. I put my blinkers on to make a left turn, which I executed. Half-way down the street, the car began to lose power, but was still running. I tried shifting to another gear - nothing. There was no warning, no sound, just nothing. I attempted to get the car to the side of the one way street with parking on both sides. I could not move the car. Thankfully this did not occur on an interstate, or I would have been killed. Had to call aaa, get the vehicle towed. My garage said it was catastrophic torque converter loss. He has done 5 2003 vehicles just this year. My husband just had major heart surgery; is not working, and now I have to come up with over $2,000 to get a rebuilt transmission. Ford/Mercury has known about these catastrophic failures for years now -- and nothing is done. Does it take someone being killed before there is action? this is not fair the american consumers who try to buy american products and get screwed in the end! my next car. . . Just may be from another country.

I started my car to take it for an oil change. With the engine warmed up I shifted into gear to go. Without any warning symptoms (no clunking, no grinding gears, no loss of fluids,. . . ) the transmission decided to completely fail. The car would not go forward nor backwards as no gears were working. As this is now the third complete failure of the transmission on this car, I am trying to decide if I should try to get it repaired again. In all my years of driving, this is the only car that I have owned that has had transmission problems. There are known design flaws - the torque converter splines are not beefy enough and the vent fitting with a check valve on the trans housing malfunctions closed and causes the trans fluid to shoot back out of the dipstick tube, and there are other issues with this transmission as well. . . The same Ford/Mercury transmission model was recalled in another Ford vehicle. I repeat, the same failure prone part in another vehicle was recalled. There are thousands of complaints online about this particular transmission in Sables and taurus vehicles it is a serious problem as the instantaneous complete transmission failure can easily occur in dangerous traffic situations. It previously failed with my car in motion on a highway! it's not clear as to why there is no recall nor warning. An investigation on the internet will clearly reveal thousands of failures and data is available at transmission and garage shops. Do something please.

My wife was accelerating at about 10 mph when the vehicle completely went out of gear. The engine was running but the car failed to move quickly coming to a dead stop. It turns out it is the torque converter. I understand that Mercury Sables have this problem. It is the same transmission as is in a Ford windstar that did have a recall to replace these defective transmissions. If this had occurred on the interstate during rush hour in our area she could have been hurt and in an accident. Why no recall??.

The contact owns a 2001 Mercury Sable. The contact stated that while sitting at a traffic stop, the gear shifter engaged from drive to neutral. The failure was experienced several times. The vehicle was taken to the dealer to have a diagnostic performed. The failure was located at the trans axle and the contact was advised that the torque converter was not engaging. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and current mileage was 182,000.

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The contact owns a 2003 Mercury Sable. The contact stated that he attempted to accelerate from a complete stop however, the vehicle would not respond. The vehicle was later towed to an independent mechanic where the contact was advised that the torque converter failed and deposited metal shavings into the transmission. The vehicle was repaired by rebuilding the transmission. The torque converter was also replaced. The manufacturer was contacted and offered no assistance. The failure and current mileages were approximately 70,000.

Tl-the contact owns a 2008 Mercury Sable. The contact stated that while trying to accelerate on an incline while at a stop sign, the vehicle continued to roll backward. The contact stated that the torque converter engaged and the vehicle stalled, causing the power steering to also fail. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for diagnosis where they advised him that they were unable to diagnose the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted but offered no assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 79,000. The current mileage was approximately 81,000. Kmj.

See all problems of the 2008 Mercury Sable 🔎.

I'll add my car to the list of Sable/taurus transmission failures. Failed with no warning whatsoever. The car suddenly came out of gear and the rpms shot way up. It's at a transmission shop now but it appears to be the same failure as hundreds if not thousands of others online. This is a known issue with bad torque converters/input shafts. Why isn't there a recall/investigation going on for this issue. I probably won't keep the car after it's repaired as many have reported repeat failures on rebuilt transmissions even though I'll be out around $2000. 00. I don't trust the car anymore.

Third time here we go!!! the torque converter has been replaced twice on this Mercury Sable piece of junk! please see nthsa report id # 10333941 this was the first time the torque converter failed. I had it repaired at a Ford / Mercury dealership. Received a 12/12 warranty (12k miles or 12 months) it failed again at eleven months and 12100 miles 100 miles over the warranty so they told me tough luck buddy. . I had it repaired again same dealership. I did not even bother to file a report I figured its a waste of time any how. And now here we go again 3rd time. That Ford can manufacture and sell junk and get away with it is criminal. I guess buyer beware don't by Ford and especially do not buy Ford front wheel drive. When it comes to Ford. . . I would never ascribe to malice that which is adequately explained by incompetence when it comes to class action lawsuits . . . Does it matter what the judge drives ? have you been driven by Ford lately.

I was driving to work on the evening of January 23, 2012 when I turned through a stop light pressed on the gas pedal and the car made a vroom noise like it wanted to go but there was no power. The car never died. I coasted down the hill onto a side street. The car was towed to a transmission repair company. We ended up having to have the transmission torque converter replaced. We were told that this is unusually for a car of this age. I checked for recalls and there is not one for my make and model but there is one for the Ford freestar. I am just wondering since this is a Ford product that the same torque converter could have been used in my car.

The contact owns a 2005 Mercury Sable. The contact stated that while driving approximately 30 mph , he experienced a sudden loss of acceleration power with no warning. The vehicle was towed to a private mechanic for a diagnostic testing. The mechanic stated that the transmission torque converter needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but did not offer any further assistance since the vehicle was not included in any recalls. The vehicle was repaired. The approximate failure was 130,000 and current mileage was 140,000.

Tl - the contact owns a 2005 Mercury Sable. The contact stated that while driving approximately 65 mph, he experienced a sudden loss of motive power with no warning. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for diagnostic testing. The technician advised that the transmission torque converter and transmission shaft oil pump needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and stated that the vehicle was not included in any recalls. The vehicle was repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 60,585 and the current mileage was 97,200. Kmj.

Driving a 2005 Mercury Sable GS at 30 mph, transmission comes out of drive gear and will not shift into any gear but park. Stuck in the middle of a major intersection for hours, needed to be towed. Repairs include rebuild of transmission and torque converter. There was no warning, lights, or strange behavior just suddenly occured.

I was driving the car. Came to a stop and pressed the gas pedal to accelerate. The car started out ok and the mph reached 15mph and then there was nothing. It was like the car was in neutral. I had to coast off the side of the road. Had t have the car towed home. Spoke with several Ford dealerships service mechanics and everyone of them said that they were almost 100% that it was the torque converter (inside the transmission). And could also be the whole transmission. The car wont go into gear. You can move the gearshift flawlessly thru the gears and nothing the car wont move. I was also told by every Ford mechanic that this is a huge problem with that year of car and that transmission (ax4n). Then to find out that Ford knows of the problem and no recall! then I find out today that Ford issued a recall on the Ford windstar for the transmissions (which are the same transmissions that are in the Sable and in the Ford taurus, the model # tranny ax4n). If Ford can issue a recall on the windstar for the same problem as the Sable and taurus why cant they issue a recall on all of them? the cost to fix my Sable is anywhere from $1300 to $1800 and that's if its only the torque converter and not the whole tranny which would cost in the $3500 to $4500 range. And both quotes are coming from Ford mechanics who have done numerous Sables etc with this same problem. I am a single mother and definitely do not have the money to have my car fixed!!!! apparently this is a huge problem and I feel along with so many others that Ford should do a recall and fix it for free!!!! especially when they recall the windstar for the same tranny and same problem! this is an ongoing problem and Ford should address it and take care of it. Because as of right now I sit without a car. I have had other Ford cars and never a problem that's the only reason I purchased this one. If I would only knew. . . . .

Without warning I experienced a loss of power with my 2004 Mercury Sable. After driving my car approximately 46 miles (I live 47 miles from job) I came to a stop sign and when I went to proceed through the stop sign, I was not able to do so. I had lost forward and reverse gears and the car would not move. There were no warning signs. No slipping, no banging, no grinding or any other noises that almost always are associated with transmission failure. I had the car towed to a transmission shop (aamco of mineola, NY) and the transmission was replaced. I never in all my 32 years of driving had a transmission fail in the manner that this transmission did. I also truly felt it was a torque converter or input shaft failure but I am not a mechanic (I do have a good knowledge of how a car and it's components work) and just decided to get the transmission fixed. I did not think much about this until I received a notice that my Ford freestar is involved in a recall (11s25/NHTSA recall 12v-006) which described the same failure. It just so happens that it is also a model year 2004 and is equipped with the same model transmission (ax4s). I am now very confident that the transmission's torque converter failed just as it is described in the recall for my Ford freestar. I believe that there is a design problem with the splines in the torque converter when it is manufactured and a possible failure of the input shaft (which the torque converter spins on).

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Information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u. S. C. 552(b)(6) please see your report pe09033. My Mercury Sable uses the same transmission. And this week end me and my family almost got killed when on I-75 in the middle of a construction zone with concrete barriers on both sides my transmission died with no warning. This car has only 40000 miles on it and I changed the fluid as recommended at 30000 miles. The mechanic said that this was a catastrophic transmission failure and never should have happened at 40000 miles! the mechanic said to me you had no warning did you! I agreed. He said the torque converter had probably failed! the he told me it would cost about $2200 for parts and about $1100 for labor a grand total of $3300. I am an engineer so I know a little about engines and mechanical applications. This should never have happened. I believe after some research that these transmissions have a significant design fault in them partly from torque converter failure and partly from over heating because of poor circulation and heat dissipation design. I would like to register an official complaint with the NHTSA about the above and join or start a campaign for a recall about the above stated problem. I hope that at some point I will have some recourse with Ford. So with some anticipation I respectfully request some help or a response with to my request. [xxx].

When accelerating from a stop, all forward power was lost--as if my car had been placed in neutral. Vehicle had to be towed. Transmission shop reported that worn splines in the torque converter caused the difficulty. Nhtsa recall 12v-006 covers this exact same problem for Mercury monterey/Ford freestar vehicles, and the torque converter shaft is the same as in my car, yet Ford says it is not covered for Mercury Sable. Ford rep encouraged me to file this NHTSA report. Repair cost me approximately $2000 out of pocket.

I was heading to church. I turned on to another road when my car stopped going. It sounded fine but when I tried to push the gas to go, the car would not go. I've only had the car about 3 to 4 yrs, and have only put about 50,000 miles on the car. I had the car towed to eckenrod Ford in cullman, al. With a lot of persistence and a bulldog attitude, they are currently fixing my car. But, it is costing me money I don't have since I just had a baby. Who ,by the way, was with me when the car failed to drive properly (on a cold snowy sat. Morning). They know they have this problem, I don't know why they don't take care of it all together. I could have been in the middle of a busy highway like the last car I had when it did the same thing. Guess what, it was a 2000 Ford taurus with the same service bulletin as this car and had to be fixed but I didn't pay for it. Instead they managed to get me in the car I currently have with the same problem. They need to fix their cars and quiet giving the consumer a hard time about it. How many have to tear up before they do anything about it?????????.

2005 Mercury Sable, auto trans, 43,000 miles, up to date on service, no warning of failure, driving in slow lane coasts to stop with engine revving. Not comfortable to be stuck on busy road in detroit in the dark with cars swerving to avoid me. Identified as the spline on the torque converter. Apparently this is a common problem with this vehicle and its twin the taurus. . Read more...

Went to take my daughter to school one morning, noticed that the car took extra long to engage into reverse. Drove my daughter to school, went to work and decided that I better check the transmission fluid. Upon removing the dip stick, the transmission fluid came boiling out of the dip stick hole. I immediately called a tow truck and had it taken to aamco transmission located at 1705 w. Kennedy blvd. , tampa, FL 33606, 813-251-1049. Upon their inspection of the transmission, they had determined that the torque converter had gone bad which in turn caused the pump to go bad. So therefore, I had to have a complete overhaul of the transmission which has now cost me $2223. 04 plus $88. 11 for car rental. Total amount was $2311. 15. I am going to make a formal demand for payment from Mercury as this should not have happened on a car that only has 37000 miles on it.

At about 100,000 easy highway miles, we had to replace the torque converter, then the entire transmission, plus for the last two years minor engine repairs to the tune of about $350 every other month, the window won't go down anymore, and now--4 months after the transmission replacement--we have lost overdrive and the engine light is on, again! we have never had a car with this many problems, and will never buy a Ford/Mercury anything again. Our suburban was more reliable.

See all problems of the 1997 Mercury Sable 🔎.

Problems with abs. The vehicle was in two accidents due to the inability to control the vehicle during normal driving conditions, where the abs did not work. The vehicle was in for repair 7 times. The following are repairs and or problems the vehicle experienced: torque converter replaced after transmission fluid was found low, exhaust leak fixed, washer fluid would spray when the turn signal and lights were on, shaking when the brakes were applied/resurfaced rotors, trunk leaked water, replaced multi-function switch to fix washer fluid problem, abs not working when there was a panic stop, left and right spindle assembly was replaced, front end rotors were replaced again, wheel alignment, the abs did not engage and caused an accident, and replaced left side outer tie rod end.

See all problems of the 1999 Mercury Sable 🔎.

When driving vehicle overheated which prevented clutch from going into gear. Also, passenger's side rear door would not open from either inside or outside. Consumer has contacted the dealer. The cam shaft sensor was broken. The torque converter failure.

The car lost drive power, and appeared to go into neutral. The transmission shop later found that a shaft, from the torque converter to the pump, had snapped. The shaft is a fairly substantial piece of metal. The shop repaired the transmission but could not make a guess as to the reason for the metal failure. I have the shaft that snapped and can provide digital images. There is no obvious reason to me why it would have snapped wether it is design or metallurgy. I can provide digital images of the component breakage. If you so desire, I can provide you with the part if you wish to perform failure analysis for metal defects / manufacturing problems, or design issues. In my case, the failure happened on a lightly travelled road, with no traffic around. If this a failure that had occurred on a busy highway, while turning in traffic, or during many scenarios - this could have caused a real problem for me, passengers, or other motorists. I hope that anyone else with the same failure is as fortunate.

See all problems of the 1998 Mercury Sable 🔎.

Transmission fails pulling out in traffic, when I bought the car they denied it until I made manager drive w/me they rebuilt it free, after fighting with them, I did not have the car a week. They rebuilt it, 1 yr later happened again, said cannot find anything, took it to another dealer, said they always have problems with transmission in these due to the torque converter too strong for the transmission. They know they made a mistake. Oil is black, they know something is wrong but they are not going to recall because they would have to recall the car.

Locked torque converter seems to disengage when going down hill. Also, speed control cannot control speed of car going down any slight hill. Seems to be not locked up, etc. Cannot use engine compression, etc, to slow vehicle. Cruise control us is useless on any type of downgrade! is this a design flaw or can it be repaired? vehicle is a leased car through wheels, inc. Thank you.

The torque converter clutch did not engage at times, which caused a hard shift.