1989 MERCURY SABLE Complaints

RECALL (98V-323) FAILED SEVERAL TIMES PRIOR TO RECALL NOTICE, FINAL FAILURE RESULTED IN ENGINE FIRE WHEN THE MOUNTS FAILED CAUSING STRESS AND BREAKAGE OF THE POWER STEERING HOSE WHICH LEAKED ONTO HOT ENGINE (FIRE). MJS

CONCLUSION: THE FIRE DAMAGE AROUND THE FUEL DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM (NEAR THE FIRE WALL) WAS FOUND TO BE THE AREA OF ORIGIN. THERE WAS NO INDICATIONS OF ELECTRICAL MALFUNTIONS. THE CAUSE OF THIS FIRE IS DETERMINED TO BE ACCIDENTAL DUE TO MECHANICAL FAILURE. PER COLUMBIA, MO. FIRE MARSHALL'S REPORT NO. 99-03407

HAVE OTHER FORD OR MERCURY VEHICLES EXPERIENCED SIMILAR PROBLEMS? WERE THESE VEHICLES RECALLED FOR THIS ISSUE? NO SAFETY DEFECTS LISTED WITHIN SUMMARY. *AK

RECALL 98V323000: RECEIVED NOTICE IN MAIL & CONTACTED DEALER FOR APPOINTMENT. WAS INFORMED BY SERVICE MANAGER THAT NO PARTS WERE AVAILBLE FOR SUBFRAME. THE PARTS WERE ON BACK ORDER & WOULD CALL WHEN THEY ARE IN. OWNER NOT PLEASED. *AK

CAR HAD BEEN PARKED IN CUSTOFOAM CORPORATION, MAUSTON, WI., PARKING LOT FOR ONE AND A HALF DAYS. RECEIVED CALL ON FRIDAY, APRIL 30, 1999 AT 2:30 PM THAT THE OFFICE MANAGER AND OTHER EMPLOYEES HAD TO BREAK THE DRIVER'S SIDE FRONT WINDOW IN ORDER TO OPEN THE HOOD AND DISCONNECT THE BATTERY CABLES. INTERIOR OF CAR WAS FILLING WITH HEAVY SMOKE AND CAR WAS TRYING TO START ITSELF. INVESTIGATION REVEALED THE IGNITION SWITCH AND WIRING WAS BADLY BURNED. *AK

PARKED & TURNED VEHICLE OFF. EXHAUST FUMES ENTERED VEHICLE. GOT OUT & LIFTED HOOD. A LOT OF SMOKE BILLOWED OUT. LATER NOTICED FLAMES. FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CALLED & PUT FLAMES OUT. FIRE WAS WAS CAUSED BY STEERING HOSES RUBBING AGAINST EACH OTHER & CAUSING A LEAK WHICH DRIPPED FLUID ONTO ENGINE AND CAUSING A FIRE. *AK

THE VEHICLE ATTEMPTED TO PASS A SEMI-TRAILER. AFTER CONSUMER PASSED OTHER VEHICLE, ACCELERATER PEDAL STUCK AND VEHICLE SPED UP TO 70-75MPH. THE BRAKES HAD TO BE APPLIED WITH BOTH FEET IN ORDER TO SLOW THE VEHICLE DOWN. DEALER HAS NOT SEEN VEHICLE. *AK

THE LEFT FRONT SUSPENSION SPRING BROKE, CAUSING IT TO RUB AGAINST THE TIRE, RESULTING IN A TIRE BLOW-OUT, RECALL ON COMPONENT, HOWEVER DENIED DUE TO YEAR BUILT. *YC

WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED VEHICLE WAS STALLING AND CUTTING OFF. ALSO, WINDSHIELD WIPERS WON'T GO DOWN. *AK

REAR SUB-FRAME BODY MOUNTS FAILED PRIOR TO RECALL NOTICE CAUSING VEHICLE LOSS OF CONTROL AND NEAR ACCIDENT. (98S36).