2002 MERCURY SABLE Power Train Problems

10/2/2022 was on I 94 east bound lost momentum rpms jump to 6k then lost all gears in transmission car has 88639 miles on it hardly driven changed trans fluid hoping to get trans working again and still won't move in any gear had to wait 4 hours on freeway for a tow just to get it off the freeway had to fight with AAA for the 4 hours to get it towed now in my driveway and still won't move at all

The contact owns a 2002 Mercury Sable. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle, the check engine warning light and transmission symbol remained illuminated. Additionally, while driving at various speeds, the vehicle would not properly accelerate. The contact stated that the vehicle shuddered and stalled occasionally. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The local dealer and manufacturer were notified of the failure but no assistance was offered. The failure mileage was unknown.

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 [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

THE TRANSMISSION FROZE UP BREAKING THE AXLE RIGHT OFF AS I PULLED OUT OF A DRIVE WAY ONTO THE STREET WITH ON COMING TRAFFIC.

Mileage: 39,000

THIS MECHANICAL PROBLEM HAS HAPPENED TWO TIMES. THE FIRST TIME WAS AT APPROXIMATELY 120,000 MILES.THE CAR IS ALWAYS SERVICED, WELL MAINTAINED AND RUNS TERRIFIC. I WAS DRIVING FOR ABOUT 30 MINUTES ON THE PARKWAY. SUDDENLY I EXPERIENCED THE CAR STICKING LIKE IT WAS CHOKING, LOSING POWER AND THEN SURGING AHEAD. I WAS SHOCKED, CONTINUED TO DRIVE AND IT EVENTUALLY CLEARED ITSELF. I HAVE NEVER HAD ANY OTHER SYMPTOMS OR INCIDENTS LIKE THIS IN THE PAST. I THOUGHT IT MIGHT BE A CLOGGED FUEL INJECTOR SO I IMMEDIATELY ADDED SOME FUEL INJECTOR CLEANER. I BROUGHT THE CAR TO MY MECHANIC THE NEXT MORNING BUT HE COULDN'T FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH THE CAR. THE SECOND TIME IT HAPPENED WAS ABOUT 3 - 4 WEEKS LATER AND I CALLED THE MECHANIC AGAIN. WE ONLY FOUND A SMALL TRANSMISSION LEAK BUT NOTHING ELSE. I HAPPENED TO MENTION THE INCIDENTS TO A MECHANIC FRIEND OF MINE AT WORK AND HE TOLD ME IT SOUNDED LIKE THE THROTTLE. HE SAID HE ALSO THOUGHT THERE WAS A RECALL ON MY CAR. I BELIEVE THIS IS A POTENTIALLY VERY DANGEROUS ISSUE AND NEED THE DEALER AND THE NHTSA TO ADVISE IF THERE IS A RECALL! IF THERE ISN'T THEN THERE SHOULD BE ONE. PLEASE ADVISE. *TR

Mileage: 120,000

MY DAUGHTER HAD JUST MERGED ONTO THE HIGHWAY GOING APPROXIMATELY 65MPH. INITIALLY IT FELT DIFFICULT TO GET THE CAR UP TO SPEED. SHE NOTICED SHE WAS EDGING UP ON THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF HER AND TOOK HER FOOT OFF THE ACCELERATOR TO SLOW DOWN BUT INSTEAD THE CAR SPED UP. SHE APPLIED THE BRAKES WHICH DID NOT SLOW THE CAR DOWN. SHE APPLIED PRESSURE TO THE ACCELERATOR IN AN ATTEMPT TO "UNSTICK" IT WHICH HAD NO EFFECT ON THE SPEED OF THE CAR. SHE THEN ATTEMPTED TO APPLY THE BRAKES FURTHER AT WHICH TIME THE BRAKES BEGAN SMOKING. THE CAR HAD REACHED 90MPH AT THIS POINT AND WAS SHAKING. WHILE CONTINUING TO KEEP HER FOOT ON THE BRAKES, SHE WAS ABLE TO PULL INTO THE BREAKDOWN LANE AND PUT THE CAR INTO NEUTRAL BUT THE VEHICLE ONLY SLOWED DOWN MINIMALLY AT WHICH TIME SHE PUT THE CAR INTO PARK. THE VEHICLE THEN STOPPED BUT SHE KEPT HER FOOT ON THE BRAKE BECAUSE THE ENGINE CONTINUED TO REV BETWEEN 3,000 - 4,000 RPMS AND SHE COULD FEEL RESISTANCE AS IF THE CAR WANTED TO CONTINUE TO MOVE FORWARD DESPITE BEING IN PARK. AT THAT TIME SHE SHUT OFF THE ENGINE AND CALLED FOR ASSISTANCE. WHEN MY HUSBAND AND I ARRIVED ON SCENE MY HUSBAND VERIFIED THAT THE ACCELERATOR WAS NOT STUCK ON ANYTHING, SUCH AS A FLOOR MAT. ONCE HE SAW THAT THE ACCELERATOR APPEARED TO BE IN A NORMAL POSITION HE STARTED THE VEHICLE AND IMMEDIATELY THE ENGINE WAS REVING WITH RPMS AGAIN BETWEEN 3,000 - 4,000. THE ENGINE WAS AGAIN SHUT OFF AND THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE LOCAL FORD DEALERSHIP. *TR

Mileage: 86,668

HAD TUNEUP. [PLUGS AND WIRES] COMPUTER UPGRADE. CAR NOW SURGES AND IDLE JUMPS TO 2000 RPM. HIT A CAR IN FRONT OF ME AT STOP LIGHT, AND ALMOST A PERSON IN WALK, WHEN SURGED. AM SHIFTING TO NEUTRAL AT STOPS, BUT, IT SNAPS YOUR NECK WHEN YOU SHIFT BACK TO DRIVE. HAVE HAD TO 2 DIF FORD & MEC. DEALERS SEVERAL TIMES AND ONLY GET NOTHING!! HELP PLEASE. *TR

Mileage: 59,240

HIT THE BRAKES WHILE DRIVING AND THE ENGINE REVS UP. MULTIPLE TIMES TO DEALER AND STILL NOT FIXED- I REQUESTED A NEW COMPUTER OR BRAIN FOR THE CAR WHILE UNDER EXTENDED WARRANTY- NO GO FROM DEALER. ON SNOW THIS IS VERY SCARY-ON WET ROADS IN FLORIDA I PUT IT IN NEUTRAL AND THE ENGINE REVS WHEN I HIT THE BRAKES-WHEN SOMEONE GETS HIT AND KILLED I WILL BE TOLD I SHOULD HAVE TOLD SOMEONE -MULTIPLE DRIVERS AND PEOPLE HAVE BEEN WITH ME WHEN THIS HAS OCCURRED- INCLUDING MECHANICS FROM A LINCOLN MERCURY DEALER IN ORCHARD PARK NY. *TR

Mileage: 45,000

I PURCHASED A 2002 MERCURY SABLE IN SEPTEMBER, 2006. ON JANUARY 19, 2007 WHILE TURNING INTO MY DRIVEWAY GOING 3-5 MILES AN HOUR BOTH FRONTAL AIRBAGS DEPLOYED CAUSING AN ESTIMATED $3,000.00 TO $4,000.00 IN DAMAGES. THE DEALER HAS REFUSED TO ASSIST ME SAYING I BOUGHT THE CAR "AS IS". THEY TOLD ME TO FILE THE CLAIM WITH MY INSURANCE COMPANY. THE INSURANCE COMPANY SAID THEY COULD DO NOTHING "THERE WAS NO IMPACT". FORD MOTOR COMPANY SAID THERE WAS A 50,000 MILE WARRANTY. YOUR DEPARTMENT SENT ME A SERVICE TECHNICAL BULLETIN STATING THAT FORD KNEW OF THIS PROBLEM IN MAY, 2002. I HAVE BEEN UNABLE TO GET ANYONE (IE: DEALER, INSURANCE COMPANY, FINANCE COMPANY, OR MANUFACTURER) TO HELP ME WITH THIS ISSUE. IN FEBRUARY OF THIS YEAR 2009, THE FUEL PUMP, DRIVER, COMPUTER, AND TRANSMISSION WENT OUT IN THIS CAR. I HAVE SPENT OVER $1,600.00 IN REPAIR OF THIS VEHICLE . DUE TO THE DEPRECIATION OF THE CAR, THE MECHANICAL FAILURES, AND THE SAFETY ISSUE OF NO AIRBAGS THE VEHICLE IS WORTH NOTHING. I STILL OWE THE FINANCE COMPANY $6,000.00 AND HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO DRIVE THE CAR FOR THE LAST 10 MONTHS. I WAS RECENTLY DIRECTED TO RESEARCH THE CONSUMER RIGHTS ACT OF 1974, THE MAGNUSON-MOSS WARRANTY ACT, SALE OF GOODS ACT 1979, ALABAMA LEMON LAWS, BUYERS REMORSE LAW, TRADE COMMISSION ACT, UNIFORM COMMERCIAL CODE, AND CONSUMER RIGHTS WHEN BUYING A USED CAR BY THE BBB. I HAVE BEEN DENIED MY RIGHTS. NO CONSUMER SHOULD HAVE TO EXPERIENCE WHAT I HAVE. EVERY CONSUMER HAS THE RIGHT TO EXPECT A CAR THEY PURCHASE TO MEET REASONABLE STANDARDS. THERE WAS A GRAVE ISSUE OF SAFETY FOR ME AND MY GRANDDAUGHTER WHEN THE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. THANK GOD WE WERE NOT INJURED. ALL OF THESE FAILURES HAVE SIGNIFICANTLY IMPAIRED THE USE, VALUE, AND SAFETY OF THIS VEHICLE! THEY AROSE OUT OF THE ORDINARY USE OF THE VEHICLE AND NOT AS A RESULT OF ABUSE. THE MOTOR VEHICLE IS OUT OF SERVICE AND IN THE CUSTODY OF THE DEALER DUE TO REPAIR ATTEMPTS, ONE OF WHICH OCCURRED DURING THE LEMON LAW RIGHTS PERIOD. *TR

Mileage: 50,000

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MERCURY SABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKE LIGHTS STOPPED WORKING AND THE GEAR SHIFTER FAILED. HE REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 04V106000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS:SWITCH). THE DEALER STATED THAT THE BRAKE SWITCH AND WIRING HARNESS WERE FAULTY. THEY WOULD NOT REPAIR THE VEHICLE ACCORDING TO THE RECALL BECAUSE HIS VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT HE WOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR THE REPAIRS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 64,000.

Mileage: 64,000

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE JERKED FORWARD AT AN ALARMING RATE OF SPEED WHENEVER THE ACCELERATOR WAS DEPRESSED. THE SUDDEN ACCELERATION CAUSED AN ACCIDENT WITH ANOTHER VEHICLE AND A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY THE SERVICE DEALER WHO DETERMINED THAT THE TRANSMISSION WAS THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM. THE TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED. THE CONTACT ASKED FOR THE OLD PARTS AND THE SERVICE DEALER REFUSED TO SUPPLY THOSE PARTS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND REFUSED ASSISTANCE BECAUSE THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT.

Mileage: 54,796

2002 MERCURY SABLE BOTH FRONT & BOTH REAR SPRINGS/ CORRODED & SNAPPED. FRONT LEFT TIRE PUNCTURED. NO OFFICIAL RECALL FOR 2002. MY FATHER HAS A 2000 WITH SAME EXACT PROBLEM WHICH WAS COVERED BY RECALL MY CAR NEEDS REAR STRUTS/REAR SPRINGS /SWAY BAR LINKS/FRONT STRUTS/& SPRINGS WITH LINK KITS BASICALLY THE WHOLE FRONT & REAR SUSPENSION. TRANSMISSION FAILED A JUST OVER 80,000 MILES. *JB

Mileage: 85,000

GEAR SHIFT LOCK STICKS AND DOES NOT ALWAYS ENGAGE ALLOWING SHIFT LEVER TO MOVE THE FULL RANGE OF TRANSMISSION POSITIONS WHILE DRIVING. THE ORANGE POSITION INDICATOR IS LOOSE AND FLOATS FREELY SO YOU NEVER KNOW WHAT POSITION THE TRANSIMSSION IS IN.*AK

Mileage: 14,000

I OWN A 2002 MERCURY SABLE VIN # [XXX]. THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION SLIPS BADLY WHEN GOING FROM FIRST TO SECOND GEAR. I HAVE BEEN TRYING TO GET THE DEALER, FAIRFEILD LINCOLN MERCURY, 6065 DIXIE HIGHWAY, FAIRFEILD OHIO, 45014, TO REPAIR THE PROBLEM SINCE 11/17/03 WITH NO RESULT. ON OCTOBER 25, 2004 I PULLED OUT IN TRAFFIC AND WAS ALMOST STRUCK WHEN THE VEHICLE FAILED TO SHIFT AND ACCELERATE THROUGH THE INTERSECTION. THE TRANSMISSION FAILS TO SHIFT AND THE RPMS MAXED OUT. THE VEHICLE SIMPLY COASTED THROUGH THE INTERSECTION AND THE OTHER VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO NARROWLY AVOID HITTING ME. ON THE THREE OCCASION (WHICH I CAN DOCUMENT) THE DEALERSHIP SAID THEY DROVE THE VEHICLE AND COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE FAILURE AND THUS THEY COULD NOT REPAIR THE VEHICLE.*AK INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

Mileage: 26,089

WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH TRANSMISSION INTERMITTENTLY SLIPPED GEARS. DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. *AK

Mileage: 22,000

CAR SURGES.TRANSAXLE LIGHT COMES ON AND CONTINUALLY BLINKS UNTIL THE IGNITION IS TURNED OFF. BEEN TO THE DEALER 3 TIMES WHERE ERROR PO734 WAS RETRIEVED EACH TIME. DEALER REPLACED SOME TRANSMISSION PARTS. DEALER UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. THE PROBLEM IS INTERMITTENT AND STILL EXISTS. CALLED FORD MOTOR COMPANY (MERCURY) CUSTOMER SERVICE. NO HELP. REQUESTED A DISPUTE APPLICATION FORM. *AK

Mileage: 28,724

THE CONSUMER STATED VEHICLE WOULD NOT SHIFT FROM FIRST TO SECOND GEAR. *AK *JB *NM

TRANSMISSION PROBLEM IN TRAFFIC. CAR DOESN'T SHIFT PROPERLY WHEN ACCELERATING FROM LOWER SPEEDS AND GIVES PASSENGERS A JOLT. *LA

Mileage: 14,468

I HAVE A 2002 MERCURY SABLE W/ 40,000 MILES ON IT. THE CAR HAD TO BE TAKEN BACK NUMEROUS TIMES THE HUB CAPS FELL OFF AFTER THE 6TH TIME THEY REPLACED WITH ALLOY WHEELS. THE RIGHT & LEFT SWAY BAR END LINKS HAVE BEEN REPLACED. THE ALTENATOR WENT OUT AND WAS REPLACED. THE TRANSMISSION HAD TO COMPLETELY BE OVERHAULED. THE POWERTRAIN CONTROL MODULE REPLAED, THE SPARK PLUG WIRE REPLACED, REPLACED PROCESSOR AND KEY. #4 PLUG WIRE SHORTING OUT CAUSED COIL TO GO BAD AND FOULED #3 AC COIL ASY-IGN REPLACED AFTER FIXING $3 & #4 SHOWED UP ON POWER BALANCE RETEST,BUT SAID ROAD TEST WAS OK AT THIS TIME SUGGESTED FEL MANAGEMENT. IT SCARES ME THAT SO MUCH CAN GO WRONG ON A 2002 AUTO. I DID HAVE EXTENDED WARRANTY ON THE ALTENATOR AND TRANSMISSION, BUT I WOULD HAVE HATED TO PAY THE $3028.00 CHARGE TO FIX THE PROBLEM, I WASN'T REAL HAPPY TO PAY THE DEDUCTIBLE. THE EXTENDED WARRANTY GOT STUCK PAYING EVEN THOUGH I HAD THE CAR IN UNDER ORIGNAL WARRANTY FOR THE SAME PROBLEM. *LA

Mileage: 33,394

CONSUMER NOTICED SHIFT INDICATOR LIGHT WAS NOT WORKING ON THE FLOOR SHIFT AS HE SHIFTED GEARS AT LOW SPEED. GEAR SHIFT CABLE HAD COME LOOSE, DEALER REPLACED THE CABLE. *AK

THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS. *NLM

CONSUMER CALLED COMPLAINING ABOUT HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE TRANSMISSION. ALSO STATED THAT DEALER WAS CONTACTED AND THAT THEY STATED THAT THEY CAN'T FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE. * NLM

CONSUMER CALLED COMPLAINING ABOUT HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE TRANSMISSION. ALSO STATED THAT DEALER WAS CONTACT AND CAN'T FIND NOTHING WRONG WITH IT. TS