1999 Mercury Sable

1999 Mercury Sable

The 1999 Mercury Sable is a mid-size sedan that was praised for its spacious interior, comfortable ride, and strong V6 engine. It was available with a choice of two engines: a 3.0-liter V6 with 155 horsepower and 185 lb-ft of torque, and a 3.4-liter V6 with 200 horsepower and 225 lb-ft of torque. Both engines were paired with a four-speed automatic transmission.

Despite its positive attributes, the Sable was also known for a number of reliability issues that affected various components of the vehicle.

Engine

3.0-liter V6

• Intake manifold gasket failure
  • Description/Symptoms: The intake manifold gasket can fail, causing a loss of coolant and engine overheating. This can lead to warped cylinder heads and other serious engine damage.
  • Solution: The intake manifold gasket needs to be replaced.
  • Estimated Cost to Fix: $500 - $1,000+

3.4-liter V6

• Timing chain tensioner failure
  • Description/Symptoms: The timing chain tensioner can fail, causing the timing chain to slip or break. This can lead to catastrophic engine damage.
  • Solution: The timing chain and tensioner need to be replaced.
  • Estimated Cost to Fix: $1,500 - $2,500+
  • Intake manifold runner control (IMRC) actuator failure
  • Description/Symptoms: The IMRC actuator can fail, causing the intake manifold runners to stick in the open or closed position. This can lead to a loss of power and fuel economy.
  • Solution: The IMRC actuator needs to be replaced.
  • Estimated Cost to Fix: $300 - $500+

Transmission

4-Speed Automatic

• Transmission failure
  • Description/Symptoms: The transmission can fail, causing the vehicle to lose power or become inoperable.
  • Solution: The transmission needs to be rebuilt or replaced.
  • Estimated Cost to Fix: $1,500 - $3,000+

Suspension

• Strut mount bearing failure
  • Description/Symptoms: The strut mount bearings can fail, causing a clunking noise and a loss of stability.
  • Solution: The strut mount bearings need to be replaced.
  • Estimated Cost to Fix: $200 - $400+

Electrical

• Alternator failure
  • Description/Symptoms: The alternator can fail, causing the battery to drain and the vehicle to lose power.
  • Solution: The alternator needs to be replaced.
  • Estimated Cost to Fix: $300 - $500+
• Battery failure
  • Description/Symptoms: The battery can fail, causing the vehicle to lose power.
  • Solution: The battery needs to be replaced.
  • Estimated Cost to Fix: $100 - $200+

Exterior

• Headlight switch failure
  • Description/Symptoms: The headlight switch can fail, causing the headlights to not turn on or off.
  • Solution: The headlight switch needs to be replaced.
  • Estimated Cost to Fix: $100 - $200+

Interior

• Power window switch failure
  • Description/Symptoms: The power window switch can fail, causing the power windows to not work.
  • Solution: The power window switch needs to be replaced.
  • Estimated Cost to Fix: $100 - $200+
• Dashboard cluster failure
  • Description/Symptoms: The dashboard cluster can fail, causing the gauges and warning lights to not work.
  • Solution: The dashboard cluster needs to be replaced.
  • Estimated Cost to Fix: $500 - $1,000+

Summary

The 1999 Mercury Sable is a reliable vehicle that offers a spacious interior, comfortable ride, and strong V6 engine. However, it is known for a number of reliability issues that can affect the engine, transmission, suspension, electrical system, and interior. These issues can be costly to fix, so it is important to be aware of them before purchasing a used Sable.