Autoblog

NHTSA probing 2000-2003 Ford Taurus and Mercury Sable models over throttle issue

Jonathon Ramsey — Mon, 29 Oct 2012 11:01:00 EST

Filed under: Sedan, Government/Legal, Safety, Ford, Mercury

A potential issue with the speed control cable collar has got the 2003-20003 Ford Taurus and Mercury Sable under the spotlight of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. If the collar breaks it can cause the throttle to be stuck open.

The issue is limited to vehicles with the 3.0-liter V6 Duratec. There are just 50 complaints so far out of 310,000 cars, but the NHTSA has begun an investigation into whether a recall should be issued.

NHTSA probing 2000-2003 Ford Taurus and Mercury Sable models over throttle issue originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 29 Oct 2012 11:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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NHTSA probing nearly 2 million Ford Taurus and Mercury Sable models over stuck throttles

Chris Paukert — Tue, 13 Mar 2012 09:01:00 EST

Filed under: Sedan, Government/Legal, Safety, Ford

According to Reuters, The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has trained its gaze on nearly two million Ford Taurus and Mercury Sable models over a potential stuck throttle issue.

This past Sunday, March 11, NHTSA announced it would investigate 360,000 Taurus sedans from the 2005 and 2006 model years after the government safety regulator received 14 complaints of a stuck throttle due to cruise control cable detachment. A day later, The Detroit News reported that NHTSA has expanded its investigation to include all 2001 through 2006 Taurus and Sable models for a total of 1.92 million vehicles, and in a letter to Ford, said that it has located a total of 30 such complaints.

Reuters says at least one complaint noted that the Taurus' engine can race to 4,000 RPM after the car is shifted into Park or Neutral, and there were further complaints indicating that affected models were difficult to slow. In certain cases, the transmission had to be shifted into Neutral or the engine turned off to stop the car.

Ford is reportedly cooperating with the NHTSA probe and no recall has been announced.

NHTSA probing nearly 2 million Ford Taurus and Mercury Sable models over stuck throttles originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 13 Mar 2012 09:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Ultra-rare SHO-powered aluminum-bodied Mercury Sable AIV spotted in Canada

John Neff — Mon, 26 Apr 2010 11:31:00 EST

Filed under: Sedan, Performance, Etc., Ford, Mercury, Canada

1994 Mercury Sable AIV - Click above for high-res image gallery

Back in 1994, Ford produced a series of experimental Mercury Sables with all-aluminum bodies. About 20 were made, a few of which were even powered by the aluminum 3.2-liter Yamaha V6 from the automatic-equipped Taurus SHO of the time. Laden down with high-performance hardware, the aluminum-bodied Sable AIV, which stands for Aluminum-Intensive Vehicle, was some 360 pounds lighter than a steel-bodied SHO and 91 pounds lighter than a 1994 Mercury Sable (with a much less powerful Vulcan V6, mind you). It was also more fuel efficient despite being tuned for performance.

Having largely been developed and tested in Canada, the Sable AIV isn't known to many Americans (despite one being campaigned in the 1995 One Lap of America and finishing a respectable 15th), but those who troll SHOforum.com were recently given a history lesson when a Canadian forum member stumbled across a pristine example sitting in the parking lot of Ford's Canadian headquarters. Fortunately, this crafty Canadian SHO-fan eventually made contact with someone at Ford who confirmed the parked AIV was indeed the real deal. Unfortunately, this Ford contact also confirmed what most SHOforum.com members already feared: Unable to be registered as a road-going vehicle, this AIV will likely be destroyed.

An aluminum-bodied SHO (even if it looks like a Sable) ranks right up there with a SHO Wagon as the ultimate unobtainable prize for any SHO fan. For one, it completely fixes one of the original SHO's major shortcomings: rust. Thanks to aluminum's natural corrosion resistance, this particular example looks SHO-room (hahaha) fresh despite being 16 years old. Plus, these Sable AIVs were said to go like stink thanks to their 360-pound weight loss.

The last thing Autoblog wants to see is such a unique piece of automotive history sent to the crusher, especially me, what with a 1991 Taurus SHO Plus sleeping quietly in the garage. Hopefully Ford decides against euthanasia for this 16-years-young cousin of the SHO and makes some space for it in the Henry Ford Museum (or even a dark warehouse). If neither of those solutions will work, I have a two-car garage.

Gallery: 1994 Mercury Sable AIV

[Source: SHOforum.com]

Ultra-rare SHO-powered aluminum-bodied Mercury Sable AIV spotted in Canada originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 26 Apr 2010 11:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Eight vehicles you can still buy new... seriously

Steven J. Ewing — Sat, 20 Mar 2010 20:01:00 EST

Filed under: Car Buying, Convertible, Minivan/Van, Sedan, SUV, Truck, Etc., Cadillac, Chevrolet, Chrysler, Dodge, GM, GMC, Mazda, Mercury, Mitsubishi, Pontiac, Saab

Eight vehicles you can still buy new - Click above for high-res image gallery

Was your heart crushed when vehicles like the Mercury Sable, Pontiac Grand Prix or Dodge Durango got the axe? Well, fear not - these hot little numbers (and many more!) are still available from dealerships all across the country.

Automobile magazine has detailed a list of eight cars that are still on sale - brand new - even though they aren't 2010 models. And while these vehicles don't necessarily represent the sexiest cars currently sitting on dealer lots, it's probably safe to assume that they're all being offered with substantial incentive packages, not to mention full warranties (we hope).

Click through the gallery below to see high-res shots of all eight rides, and head over to Automobile to read the full details.

Gallery: Eight Vehicles You Can Still Buy New

[Source: Automobile]

Eight vehicles you can still buy new... seriously originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 20 Mar 2010 20:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Mercury Sable dies along with Taurus X

Chris Shunk — Fri, 05 Dec 2008 09:02:00 EST

Filed under: Ford, Mercury

Next month Ford is expected to unveil the all new 2010 Ford Taurus at the Detroit Auto Show, but don't expect the large sedan to be accompanied by a new Mercury Sable. Ford spokesman Mark Schirmer told Automotive News that the spacious sedan will take a dirt nap in April, one month after the Taurus X drives off into the sunset. The Sable never did make inroads with customers despite of its unoffensive sheet metal, smooth ride, and spotless safety ratings, and sales are down 20% for the year through November. Schirmer stated that part of the reason for the Sable's departure was that Ford was readying itself for lower industry volume levels, which makes multiple nameplates more difficult to justify. Dealers will need to order their last Sables by March 6th, and production comes to a halt on April 30. In a letter to dealers, Ford stated that it was discontinuing the Sable to "have a laser sharp focus on delivering the products that consumers want the most." Fair enough.

We never quite understood why the Sable performed as poorly as it did. The Sable was no standard bearer, mind you, but even the Grand Marquis regularly kicked the Sable's arse on the sales charts. And it's been around since Jimmy Carter was president.

[Source: Automotive News - Sub. Req.]

Mercury Sable dies along with Taurus X originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 05 Dec 2008 09:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Mercury Sable and Taurus X dead next year?

Jonathon Ramsey — Mon, 11 Aug 2008 09:58:00 EST

Filed under: Sedan, Crossover, Ford, Mercury

Mercury, after nearly being introduced to oblivion, was rescued from the void because Ford needs a brand that could be devoted to small cars. The Ford brand, still fighting off oblivion itself, has recently been devoted to fresh, new designs that provide consumers the flair and features they've been looking for.

Two of the hitches in those plans are the Mercury Sable and the Taurus X. The Sable, sister of the Ford Taurus, has remained so unloved that even Jill Wagner couldn't save it (through no fault of her own). In these days of the Flex, Edge and Escape, the Taurus X is a conveyance from the Myocene era. To paraphrase Sesame Street, two of these things are not like the other... and so they are being killed, according to The Detroit News.

Ford hasn't confirmed the demise of the two cars. However, sales of both are in decline, they fall outside the missions of their respective brands, and Ford is furiously retooling plants and planning new rollouts. In light of all that, the real question might be: why put off until tomorrow...

[Source: The Detroit News]

Mercury Sable and Taurus X dead next year? originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 11 Aug 2008 09:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Taurus gets a new tagline

Dan Roth — Thu, 07 Jun 2007 07:57:00 EST

Filed under: Marketing/Advertising, Safety, Ford

It should come as no surprise that the Taurus and its siblings perform well on crash tests. The platform was developed from the Volvo P2 architecture that provides the basis for the original S80, as well as the S60 and outgoing V70. The Taurus has just earned itself five-star ratings in all of the NHTSA's tests, and the IIHS recommends the Taurus as a Top Pick. Seeking to capitalize on that success, the advertising boffins have whipped up a new tagline: "Rated Safest Car In America." Our spines tingle with delight. Our write-in suggestion of "Saves Your Arse" apparently has gone unheeded.

The Ford Five Hundred was so under-promoted by Ford that we don't recall any tag line. No matter. Seeking a return on its investment, Ford has given the revamped Five Hundred the Taurus moniker and a raft of upgrades. The hope is that the Taurus name isn't totally bankrupt, even though the DN101-based last generation was allowed to die on the vine. The new 3.5 liter V6 helps out by not only bumping power, but the horrid NVH of the 3.0 liter has been replaced by a hearty growl, instantly making the car feel better. It's a roomy, well put together car that drives well, for a reasonable price, so perhaps buyers will find the safety scores a persuasive argument.

[Source: Auto News - sub. req'd]

Taurus gets a new tagline originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 07 Jun 2007 07:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Ford, Honda score high on safety test

Damon Lavrinc — Mon, 14 May 2007 08:25:00 EST

Filed under: Sedan, Safety, Crossover, Acura, Ford, Mercury

The crash-happy folks over at the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) have just released the results of their newest round of testing, and Acura and Ford have come out on top. Both the Acura MDX and the Ford Taurus/Mercury Sable earned the highest possible scores.

The MDX was rated as "Good" in front-, side- and rear-collisions, and the same goes for the Taurus and its rebadged sibling. All three vehicles garnered the "Top Safety Pick" award, which was aided by the fact that the Taurus and Sable have optional stability control.

Although there was no mention of the IIHS's new seat/head restraint results for the FoMoCo twins, the MDX had improved its score in that department after Honda engineers tinkered with the setup for the 2007 model year.

[Source: Detroit News]

Ford, Honda score high on safety test originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 14 May 2007 08:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Autoblog Podcast #57

Dan Roth — Wed, 14 Feb 2007 17:02:00 EST

Filed under: Podcasts

Episode #57 is a breezy little number, clocking in around 32 minutes long. Though on the short side, it's action-packed! We recap the Chicago show, paucity of activity and all. For starters, we return to one of our favorite subjects recently, the impending Pontiac G8. Let's just say it's even better up-close. Next, we ruminate over the all-new Scion xD and xB. The little Toyota offspring were all that happened on the second day of the show, and the aging boomers there were thrilled with the updates to these cars. Nothing like nailing your target market, eh? Before wrapping up for the night, the boys take a ride through the return of the Taurus and Sable nameplates, and how successful that move may prove to be. Capping Podcast 57 is the one bit that's not Chicago-related; the upcoming unveiling of Dodge's Demon roadster at the Geneva show. It looks nice, but we're dubious that it has any production plans, though this is Chrysler, which is capable of turning a show car into reality better than most. Enjoy the 'cast!

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Autoblog Podcast #57 originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 14 Feb 2007 17:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Ford's Mark Fields announces Bold Move: Bring back Taurus & Sable brands

Mike Magda — Wed, 07 Feb 2007 11:09:00 EST

Filed under: Chicago Auto Show, Ford

Making both a bold and simple move, Ford's North American boss Mark Fields confirmed this morning what we already knew, that the Taurus and Sable brands will be resurrected for 2008.

Fields, delivering the keynote address at the Chicago Auto Show this morning, said the Ford Five Hundred nameplate will be dropped in favor of the venerable Taurus badge. The Freestyle crossover vehicle will also be renamed the Taurus X, and Mercury Montego will switch to the Sable nameplate. All three vehicle will be introduced to the press later in the day, though we were first introduced to the new "Taurus" in Detroit.

Fields said only four in 10 consumers were aware that Ford offered a vehicle called the Five Hundred. Yet the Taurus nameplate, which was killed last year, had built up 20 years of strong brand recognition and was recognized by 80 percent of shoppers. Fields also said Taurus was Ford's third-best-known brand behind F-Series and Mustang. During the early '90s, the Taurus was America's best-selling car five years running. About seven million Taurus models were sold in 21 years, and Ford estimates nearly 3.5 million are still on the road.

Check out more of our thoughts, a complete transcript of Mark Fields' speech, and VIDEO of him delivering the announcement after the jump.

Continue reading Ford's Mark Fields announces Bold Move: Bring back Taurus & Sable brands

Ford's Mark Fields announces Bold Move: Bring back Taurus & Sable brands originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 07 Feb 2007 11:09:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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CONFIRMED: Taurus, Taurus X and Sable return for 2008

Alex Nunez — Wed, 07 Feb 2007 02:02:00 EST

Filed under: Chicago Auto Show, Sedan, Wagon, Crossover, Ford, Mercury

Click for a mini gallery of Taurus, Taurus X and Sable

Let this be a lesson to Ford: if you have a web page up on your servers, it is LIVE even if you don't have a link published for it. The proof comes courtesy of Blue Oval News, where one of their forum posters played around with URL strings and found the splash pages for the 2008 Ford Taurus and Taurus X (née Freestyle), as well as the 2008 Mercury Sable (formerly Montego).

The materials were posted, and the rest, as they say, is history. The big news, of course, is the summary renaming of the Ford Freestyle, Ford Five-Hundred, and Mercury Montego to the familiar Taurus and Sable monikers. Ford honcho Alan Mulally made it no secret that he thought ditching the old names was a big mistake, and by resurrecting them, he and Ford hope that shoppers see them and welcome them back with open arms. It could work. There are plenty of people who don't follow this stuff with the level of fanaticism we (and you, the readers) do. For them, the idea of a New Taurus or New Sable will be of interest, even though we all know it's simply a matter of nameplate swapping.

It also helps that all three cars are restyled. The Taurus is the Five-Hundred that was rolled out in Detroit. The Taurus X loses the Freestyle name and gains the Edge's face, creating a family look for the crossovers. The Sable's new front end apes that of its little brother, the Mercury Milan. All the cars get the 260-horsepower V6 and some new stuff like Ford Sync will be available across the board.

While the initial reaction may be to dismiss this as an act of desperation, it very nicely sets up 2010, when the entire Ford lineup should be all-new. These are just renamed cars right now, but when they get redesigned, they'll be the all-new Taurus and Sable. They'll have had a couple of years to reconnect with the public and by then, all this naming hubbub is going to be a very distant memory. Especially to consumers.

Follow the jump for the press releases on all three.

Stay tuned tomorrow for much more on these cars, as the Chi-town crew will have live shots, full galleries, and (hopefully) video.

UPDATE: Full coverage on each car, including individual galleries, available at the links below:

[Source: Blue Oval News]

Gallery: FIRST LOOK: 2008 Ford Taurus, Taurus X, Mercury Sable

Continue reading CONFIRMED: Taurus, Taurus X and Sable return for 2008

CONFIRMED: Taurus, Taurus X and Sable return for 2008 originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 07 Feb 2007 02:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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