1997 Mercury Sable from North America - Comments

In the short time I have owned this car I have discovered that:

1. The rear brake lights will not go on unless the hazard light switch is turned on. (The hazard lights do not work at all.)

2. The steering column started to make a rubbing noise. Turned out there are 3 things wrong with the steering column (joints, pins and something else) and will cost $1,200 total to get it all fixed!

3. Brake light went out suddenly.

I bought this car for my son's first car. I've read very good reviews about it and since this car only had 43,000 miles on it, I felt he would have many good, worry-free years with it.

The first problem was the brake light going out (while he was in line to take his driving test--so he had to postpone it). At 45,000 miles, that seems a bit early.

The problem with the hazard light switch operating the rear brake lights, but not the hazard lights (a $200 repair) is annoying.

But the real kicker is the steering wheel needing such intensive repairs. I've had many cars of a variety of brands lasting well over 80,000 miles (my current Honda has over 100,000 miles) and have never heard of this type of problem. And at only 44,000 miles??? It's going to cost $1000 to fix. Now I'm wondering if it's even worth it to repair this. What's going to break next?

Has anyone else had this type of problem with their Sable?

I own a 1996 mercury sable ls. and the steering column also makes those noises under certain circumstances. DO NOT pay for that repair, there is nothing wrong with it. it is simply the power steering pump, it cannot keep up with the shift in fluid sometimes. but nothing is wrong with it, this also happens on most ford taurus and other sables. the shop you brought it to simply wants your money. again, there is nothing wrong with it, it just sounds bad. there is no need to fix this.

I have a 1996 Mercury Sable and the steering column makes this awful noise. It kind of sounds like really bad rubbing and I'm afraid that it will end up going out on me. Another problem is the brake light went on and every now and than it goes off, but comes back on again, but mostly stays on and I had the brakes fixed in the summer of 2006. Not only that, but my engine light has gone on and won't go off, it is driving me nuts. Last year I spent around $900 getting the clutch and all that stuff that has to do with the defrost, air conditioning and so on fixed. I spent $7,000 on this car back in 2005 and it had less than 90,000 miles on it. Sometimes I wonder if this car is worth all the money that has been spent.

The brake lights going on and off is most likely a loose connection to the brake sensor. The sensor is located on the brake pedal itself, the repair will cost about $5 if you do it yourself by changing the connectors. I have had this same problem with my 1997 Mercury Sable.

"The brake lights going on and off is most likely a loose connection to the brake sensor. The sensor is located on the brake pedal itself, the repair will cost about $5 if you do it yourself by changing the connectors. I have had this same problem with my 1997 Mercury Sable."

I think he meant the "BRAKE" repair light on the dash. Not the brake lights themselves.