Reliability, what owners report, and what it costs to keep.
AVOIR's read: the numbers are mixed and the complaint record is worth reading before you commit.
Owners have filed 245 complaints with NHTSA about the 1997 Mercury Sable, and it carries 3 recalls. These are owner allegations rather than confirmed defects, but the pattern of what people complain about is the most useful signal a used buyer has.
| Area | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Power train | 30 | 12% |
| Engine and engine cooling | 25 | 10% |
| Vehicle speed control | 23 | 9% |
| Seat belts | 16 | 7% |
| Visibility | 14 | 6% |
| Service brakes | 12 | 5% |
| Suspension | 10 | 4% |
| Electrical system | 10 | 4% |
| Tires | 8 | 3% |
| Steering | 8 | 3% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
YES I HAVE A USED CAR AND THE DASH FROM THE HEAT HAS ROSE OFF OR HAS BUCKELED UP AND I HAVE CONTACTED THE COMPANY WELL APPARENTLY IT IS OBSOLETE AND IT IS HARD TO COME BY SO I CANT DRIVE WITHOUT A DASH AND I CANT GET ONE
NHTSA complaint: Unknown or other
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 MERCURY SABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR A SAFETY INSPECTION, WHERE THE MECHANIC NOTIFIED HER THAT THE BRAKE LINES WERE CORRODED AND THE BALL JOINTS WERE DETACHING F
NHTSA complaint: Suspension
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 MERCURY SABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN BRAKING TO A COMPLETE STOP, THE ENGINE RPMS WOULD INCREASE ABNORMALLY. IN ADDITION, THE VEHICLE WOULD SLIGHTLY PULL FORWARD AS IF IT WERE ATTEMPTING
NHTSA complaint: Vehicle speed control
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 1997 MERCURY SABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THE SUB FRAME THAT HOLDS THE MOTOR AND TRANSMISSION TOGETHER WAS DETACHED FROM THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE VEHICLE DUE TO RUST. WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE WAS MAKIN
NHTSA complaint: Structure
CONSTANTLY HAVING TO SERVICE BRAKES ON MY 1997 MERCURY SABLE. I HAVE HAD BRAKE CALIPERS SEIZE UP TO THE POINT THE WHEEL WAS TOO HOT TO TOUCH AND I CURRENTLY HAVE BRAKE LINES RUSTED OUT FOR THE SECOND TIME IN ABOUT 2 YEAR
NHTSA complaint: Service brakes
I BOUGHT AND ARE DRIVING A 1997 MERCURY SABLE WITH 84K MILES AND IT IS A DANGER TO BE IN. THE REAR SPRINGS ARE BROKEN IN SEVERAL PLACES. I HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT FORD WAS RECALLING AND FIXING THIS PROBLEM IN SIMILAR AND
NHTSA complaint: Suspension
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 MERCURY SABLE. THE CONTACT NOTICED TRANSMISSION FLUID LEAKING ONTO THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER. THE WAS INFORMED BY A FORD REPRESENTATIVE THAT HIS VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER
NHTSA complaint: Power train
I HAVE READ DOZENS OF EXAMPLES OF THE SAME PROBLEM POSTED ON THIS SITE. IT APPEARS THAT MERCURY NEEDS TO MAKE A RECALL. ABOUT 6 MONTHS AGO MY BRAKE PEDAL RELEASED THE PRESSURE I HAD ON IT AND WENT ALL THE WAY TO THE FL
NHTSA complaint: Service brakes
NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns for the 1997 Mercury Sable. Recalls are free to have fixed at a franchised dealer regardless of who owns the car now, but only if they were never done, so check the VIN of the specific car rather than trusting the model.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE TEXT AND/OR GRAPHICS FOR THE VEHICLE HEADLAMP AIMING INSTRUCTIONS PROVIDED IN THE OWNER GUIDES ARE NOT SUFFICIENTLY CLEAR. THIS DOES NOT MEET THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT."
Risk: IF THE HEADLAMP ASSEMBLIES ARE REPLACED, CUSTOMERS MAY BE CONFUSED BY THE AIMING INSTRUCTIONS PROVIDED IN THE OWNER GUIDES CAUSING THE HEADLAMPS TO BE IMPROPERLY AIMED.
Fix: OWNER GUIDES CONTAINING REVISED AIMING INSTRUCTIONS WILL BE MAILED TO OWNERS OF THESE VEHICLES.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH AX4S AUTOMATIC TRANSAXLES. THE LOW/INTERMEDIATE SERVO COVER CAN SEPARATE FROM THE TRANSAXLE WHILE THE VEHICLE IS BEING DRIVEN. IF THIS OCCURS, TRANSMISSION FLUID WILL LEAK CONTACTING THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER.
Risk: THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER TEMPERATURE MAY BE HOT ENOUGH TO IGNITE THE TRANSMISSION FLUID AND CAUSE A VEHICLE FIRE.
Fix: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE TRANSMISSION AND REPLACE THESE SERVO COVERS.
THE PARK PAWL ABUTMENT BRACKET HAS A SHARP EDGE WHICH CAN CAUSE THE PARKING PAWL TO HANG UP AND NOT ENGAGE THE PARK GEAR. THIS WOULD ALLOW THE VEHICLE TO MOVE EVEN THOUGH THE GEAR SHIFT INDICATOR SHOWS THAT THE VEHICLE IS IN PARK.
Risk: UNINTENDED AND UNEXPECTED VEHICLE MOVEMENT CAN RESULT IN PERSONAL INJURY AND PROPERTY DAMAGE.
Fix: DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND, IF NECESSARY, REPLACE THE PARK PAWL ABUTMENT BRACKET.
| Reliability raw | 72 | good |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 74 | good |
| Maintenance | 78 | good |
| Depreciation | 60 | average |
| Performance | 54 | average |
| Efficiency | 38 | below average |
Percentile ranks against other midsize & large cars in the catalog.
What stands behind each score for this car:
Owners have filed 245 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and power train is the most reported area with 30 of them (12%). There are 3 recalls on record. Check any specific car against its VIN before buying.
AVOIR scores its reliability 72/100 (good) from NHTSA recall campaigns and complaint density. That figure is a raw complaint count, not yet adjusted for sales volume, so a high-volume model scores worse than it deserves.
AVOIR scores its longevity 74/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 1997 car has no 200,000-mile population to observe yet, so treat it as a prior rather than evidence.
AVOIR's read: be careful, because the numbers are mixed and the complaint record is worth reading before you commit. Its overall ownership score is 67/100. Condition, mileage and service history still matter more than any score, so get a pre-purchase inspection on the specific car.
Sources: NHTSA recalls and complaints, EPA fuel economy, IIHS awards, and live market listings. A score describes a model-year, not the individual car in front of you. Get a pre-purchase inspection.