2004 Mercury Sable LS - Known Issues?

- B
- Bob Shuman
  
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posted
15 years ago

Fri, May 9, 2008 1:29 PM

I just acquired a very low mileage 2004 Mercury Sable LS with the 3.0L DOHC (Duratek) engine. I have always been a shade tree/weekend mechanic Do-It-Yourselfer and have worked on a number of other family vehicles, but in nearly 35 years of car ownership, this is my first Ford product.

I have found and downloaded the maintenance schedule for this vehicle, but would appreciate feedback from existing Sable/Taurus and 3.0 DOHC engine owners based on their experiences. Specifically, what are the known areas for failure and what additional maintenance procedures are recommended?

Thanks in advance for any and all thoughts. So far, I very much like driving this vehicle. It has good acceleration and seems to handle very well. It also got 27-28 MPG out on the open road and through the Rocky mountains despite driving mostly 75+ MPH.

Bob

- A
- Andrew Rossmann
  
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posted
15 years ago

Fri, May 9, 2008 8:35 PM

The weak point of the Taurus/Sable is the transmission. Follow the most severe schedule and change the trans fluid often.

- R
- Repairman
  
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posted
15 years ago

Sat, May 10, 2008 1:27 PM

I've got a '00 Sable wagon, same engine, etc. . 136k miles and only thing I've done to the motor other than maintenance is replace 1 ignition coil and it failed after washing the motor when I first got the car used with 80k on it. In fact I've just got done replacing the lower ball joints and stabilizer bar links in the front end and this is at 136k. The stabilizer links are a known wear item that makes a clunking in the front end. Adhere to the maint. schedule, especially on servicing the transmission, I've had 2 prev Taurus's and the weak link is the trans. . Those '80's and '90's cars had poor trans. in them but ours have the latest version that is better. I expect to get at least 200k miles out of my car. The Taurus car club of America is a good resource on these cars, lots of young guys who "test" their cars "hard" and know the weak spots. I've always been a GM guy but after some used Fords and now a new Mustang GT and the work to mileage ratio on my last couple of Chevys I'm not very happy with the Chevy's.