The contact owns a 1996 Mercury Sable. The contact took the vehicle to an independent mechanic for routine maintenance and the mechanic discovered that the engine cradle and the subframe were severely rusted and corroded. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 95,000.

- Elburn, IL, USA

The contact owns a 1996 Mercury Sable. While driving at approximately 5 mph the contact heard a popping sound coming from the under the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic for diagnostic. The mechanic stated the rear lower subframe was fractured due to corrosion and could detach from the vehicle. There was a recall under NHTSA campaign id number: 98V323000 (structure:frame and members) that may be related to the failure but did not include 1996 models. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 93,000.

- Clarinda, IA, USA

- the contact has a 1996 Mercury Sable with an odometer reading of 60000 miles; the subframe was rusted. The contact heard a cracking noise when making left turn at 5 mph under dry conditions. When the contact looked under the car he found that the subframe rusted off of the vehicle. This failure is addressed under recall 98V323000 frame and members. The contact called the manufacturer, and was told that the car was too old for them to take any action. The contact said that he would have pictures and a repair order. Updated 02/22/07.

- Romulus, MI, USA

While driving engine collapsed due to rusting. This caused the frame to break. Also, when the engine collapsed the ball joints broke, causing the tires to disengage from the vehicle.

- Kenova, WV, USA

A bolt holding the right front subframe came ripped away from its bracket. It caused the engine to pull to the right and ripped a vaccum line from the brake distribution assembly located on the firewall. I lost the power assist for the brakes and fortunately it happened at a slow speed. It cost me approximately $315 to have the problem fixed.

- Forest Hill, MD, USA

This did not show up until around the summer of '97, when I bought the car. This is because, it only happens when the car has sat in sun for awhile. Then on the road at around 60mpr you get this high whistle, which seems to come from somewhere on the passenger side outside around the engine area. The noise varies depending on the speed(seems to stop under 55) and variations in the roadway. My own guess is that something expands in the heat of the sun and when air at a certain speed comes in contact it either vibrates or it's the air going through it. The dealer has looked, guessed it was a missing screw just below the windsheld(wrong!) and gave up.this may not sound like a safety hazzard but it is very distracting after several miles.and like I said it only seems to happen in the hot sun. Would appreciate any help you have to offer. It's driving my wife crazy. Thank you

- Beacon, NY, USA

Due to design the engine serpentine belt and pulleys failed while driving in water, the splash shields are not adequate.

- Oklahoma C, OK, USA