Speedometer failed at 67500, needle fluctuates wildly and unusable as an indicator. Research of your database indicates unusally large number of identical complaints. Ford issued an advisory to dealers (article 97-12-5) on 6/9/97 regarding the defective speedometer. Request NHTSA initiate an investigation and seek a recall due to the defect of the same item affecting a large group of vehicles relating to motor vehicle safety. Your database indicates that the majority of owners have had multiple speedometer failures and Ford is unwilling to take responsibility for installing what may be inferior components and thereby creating additional unreasonable safety risks. There appears to be conclusive evidence that there is a defect affecting a large number of Sable/Taurus vehicles and Ford is aware of it. Perhaps Ford may be receptive to entertain a request for a recall before this defect the becomes magnitude of an Explorer roll-over type issue. Please help!

- Harrisburg, PA, USA

Consumer speedometer doesn't give correct reading. Reading indicates vehicle is going much faster. Dealer's safety inspection of vehicle found nothing wrong. After wheel alignment was done wiring harness was moved too close to exhaust system. Vehicle almost caught on fire & startedd smoking severely. Wires on exhaust wall melted. Dealer said wires were moved backed to where they belonged & it would be fine.

- Goffstown, NH, USA

Speedometer started swinging wildly at speeds above 35 mph. Replaced at 30000 miles. Problem started again with replaced part and persists.

- Roslyn Hts, NY, USA

Plastic speedometer gear broke. Nlm

- El Dorado, KS, USA

My first speedometer needle started swing between 45 and 85 at constant real speed, whenever I drove around 60 mph real speed. At that time my car had 29,000 miles in Aug 1997. I changed my speedometer from Ford dealer under Ford warranty. I had exactly the same problems at 46,000 miles in Nov 1998 with my second speedometer. I changed speedometer again from Ford dealer. I have exactly the same problem at 61,000 miles in Jun 2000 with my third speedometer. I think 95 Sable has serious problem with their speedometer. It is really dangerous, since I cannot figure out my speed, if I run faster than 50 miles. I'm having exactly the same speedometer problems approx every one and half years (about 16,000 miles) after the first speedometer. Ford dealer asked $ 600 to install another new speedometer, since the part warranty is one year. I really don't want to drive without knowing my speed on highways. Then I have to spend $600 every one and half years to maintain speedometer. I think Ford should do something for my speedometer, since speedometer is one of the most important instrument on highways.

- Troy, NY, USA

Speedometer is inaccurate which is a safety hazard. Speedometer needle bounces at high speeds 45 or higher. Will go up to 85 and back down to 45. At lower speeds reading is not accurate. You have no idea of your actual speed. Speedo head was replaced 07/98 at 49,760 miles speedometer failed again 06/2000 at 70,165 first replacment at my expense was $382.88. Second replacement is $600 again at my expense. Ford Motor Company did not warrenty either repair. This is a real saftey hazard in not knowing what speed you are traveling in school zones, work zones etc.. problems occur with or without cruise control engaged.

- Lavista, NE, USA

Drivers side widow pops out while closing the door. Also the dealer installed a speedometer two years ago in may of 1998 for $400 cost to us which was'nt covered under warranty. I believe this is a safty issue and should be repaired at no cost to us. The speedometer failed again in December of 1999. Now the dealer is asking for another $500 (pre-paid) to correct the problem. I find this to be excessive. What can we do now?

- Appleton, WI, USA

Speedometer defective, two times in less than two years.

- Appleton, WI, USA

The speedometer unit required two replacements, however still does not work properly, fluctuates over 55 mph.

- Marietta, GA, USA

When vehicle reaches 45mph speedometer oscilates. Driver is not able to tell how fast the vehicle is going. The dealer, North gate Lincoln in tampa, fl, refuses to repair vehicle.

- Tampa, FL, USA

I bought my 1995 Sable in July 97 with 30,000 miles and a Ford extended warranty. At 31,667 miles the speedometer dial would buzz and the needle swing back and forth, not reading proper speed. I contacted a Ford dealer, columbia Ford in columbia, ct and they replaced the speedometer head in dash, stating that Ford knows that the speedometer heads last about 30,000 miles then they defect. They also told me that Ford sent out a tsb on the speedo heads and that NHTSA also had reports on the defect. Now at 64,000 miles the speedo head again defected, buzzing and reading improper speed, very frightning. I contacted Ford about the issue and after a week of trying to get them on the phone I finally did. The service rep at Ford customer service I talked to, dorthia at extension 2703, said in so many words that I am up the creek. I then asked to talk to her supervisor, nichol kings, she would not let me, put me on hold, then came back and now after I tried to resolve the matter she said in a firm voice, "the matter is now closed". Ford flat out refused to stand behind their product, knowing well that the defect was a safety issue. Ths cost of replacing the speedo head is about $500. I cannot afford to replace the speedo every 30,000 miles, and it is a very serious safety issue since my wife uses the car also. I believe it is very pathetic that a consumer has to be shafted like this buying a car in good faith, then being told too bad for you. Ford knew about this safety defect all along. Please help before I or someone in my family gets killed being unable to read their proper speed. Thank you for your time.

- East Haven, CT, USA

The speedometer jumps erractically whenever the speed exceeds 40mph or a bump is encountered on the road. Based on the dangerous condition that this failure causes I do not understand why a recall has not been instituted to address this very serious defect. Based on the number of complaints registered on this site alone it is evident that this is not an isolated incident. I have contacted the Ford/Mercury people to no avail, I trust that this Agency can rectify this matter before the speedometer failures result in unnecessary injuries or deaths.

- Bronx, NY, USA

I realize that Ford has extended the warranty on the head gasket. I also believe they should extend their warranty to cover the timing cover gasket as well. I called a number of dealers. The overall impression I got was that they are seeing more and more 3.8 liter engines with leaking timing cover gaskets. Which comes first? the blown head gasket or the failed timing cover gasket. Also the speedometer seems to last 12000-15000 miles. It took the dealer 6 months to get the replacement parts for the last one that went bad.

- Crystal Lake, IL, USA

When vehicle reaches 45 mph or above speedometer starts to fluctuate, bouncing back and forward, not reading the correct mileage. Dealer has been contacted, speedometer has been replaced twice already.

- Haymarket, VA, USA

Speedometer replaced @ 68,000 miles, failed again @ 82,220. At 30 mph speedo jumps to 85 mph, Ford claims they do not have a speedometer problem, but your complaint data base shows otherwise. Ford refused to do anything about this unless I incur the total expense around $500. - this is a safety issue as you have no way to gauge your speed. I also have a 92 Taurus with the same speedometer head, and that one has failed twice too.

- Schenectady, NY, USA

April '96 speedometer failed, warranty replaced. Jan'00 failed again on 5 yr old car w/42,000 miles. Contacted dealer/detroit many times. Dealer has to keep car 2 days will not provide loaner. Car should have been recalled. Needle fluctuates, do not know speed I am driving. A car with this low mileage & only 5 yrs old should not need 3 speedometers.

- Exton, PA, USA

Consumers speedometer head failed and was replaced under warreanty, failed again and dealer refuse to replace because speedometer head was no longer under warranty. Nlm

- Newark, NY, USA

Speedometer fluctuates wildly upon acceleration and while cruising.

- Ashland, VA, USA

Speedometer jumps at highway speeds. First occurred in 1998 at 20,000 miles. Part was replaced, problem has reoccurred at 30,000 miles and dealer states that costumer is responsible for full cost of repair.

- West Nyack, NY, USA

When vehicle is traveling at about 65mph odometer jumps up and down so that driver is unable to tell what speed he is driving. Dealer has replaced speedometer, and problem still exists, , fuel line failure at 13,000 miles causing gas fumes.

- Marietta, GA, USA