The 1996 Mercury Sable has 3 recalls, the most serious being two separate transmission issues where the vehicle can roll even when the gear selector is placed in Park.
Both transmission concerns involve the parking mechanism failing to lock the drivetrain. In one case, a sharp edge inside the transmission can cause the park pawl to hang up and not fully engage, leaving the vehicle free to move. The other affects models with the Ford AX4S automatic transaxle, where a mispositioned park pawl shaft can produce the same result: the transmission behaves as if it is in neutral rather than Park, and the vehicle can roll if the parking brake is not set. There is also a fuel system concern affecting vehicles that were serviced for a stall condition during a specific period in 1997 and may have received an incorrect fuel tank. That tank contains an extra vent hole that can allow fuel to leak.
At a glance
What can fail
Some vehicles serviced for stalling between August and December 1997 may have received an incorrect fuel tank with an extra vent hole, which could cause fuel to leak.
What the fix does
Your vehicle will be inspected, and the fuel tank will be replaced with the correct one if needed.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
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At a glance
What can fail
The park pawl abutment bracket has a sharp edge that can catch the parking pawl, preventing it from locking into park gear. The vehicle may roll even though the shifter shows park is engaged.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect the park pawl abutment bracket and replace it if needed.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The park pawl shaft in the transmission may have been positioned incorrectly during assembly. This could prevent the park pawl from engaging when you shift into park, allowing the vehicle to roll unless you apply the parking brake.
What the fix does
Your vehicle will be inspected. If needed, the park pawl shaft roll pin and park pawl shaft will be replaced.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
