RoadVitals

1988 Mercury Sable

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
126
Latest Jan 13, 2004
Safety recallsA safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
6
Latest Dec 16, 1998
InvestigationsNHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
20
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
29
1 injuries, 0 deaths reported

Overview

Our database contains 126 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1988 Mercury Sable, most frequently naming the engine, electrical and steering categories. 6 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; 20 NHTSA investigations name it; and 51 manufacturer communications are on file.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

What owners report

Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Safety recalls

6 campaigns cover this model year

View all 6

Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.

Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov
98V323000

STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS

Dec 16, 1998
2,697,000 units potentially affected
The defect: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES ORIGINALLY SOLD OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, IOWA, KANSAS, KENTUCKY, MAINE, MARYLAND, MASSACHUSETTS, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA, MISSOURI, NEBRASKA, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW JERSEY, NEW YORK, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, RHODE ISLAND, VERMONT, VIRGINIA, WEST VIRGNIA, AND WISCONSIN. THE REAR LOWER SUBFRAME MOUNT PLATE NUT CAN EXPERIENCE STRESS CORROSION CRACKING IF SUBJECTED TO LONG TERM EXPOSURE TO ROAD SALTS. THIS CAN RESULT IN FRACTURE AND LOSS OF THE STRUCTURAL INTEGRITY OF THE SUBFRAME MOUNT ATTACHMENT. DETACHMENT OF THE BODY MOUNTS AT THE REAR CORNERS OF THE SUBFRAME, WHICH SUPPORTS THE ENGINE AND TRANSMISSION, ALLOWS THE REAR CORNERS OF THE SUBFRAME TO DROP.
The risk: IF BOTH REAR CORNERS DROP, STEERING WOULD BECOME SUDDENLY VERY DIFFICULT, AFFECTING VEHICLE CONTROL AND INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
The remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL SUBFRAME REAR MOUNT BOLTS, REINFORCEMENT PLATES, AND PLATE NUTS.
FORD MOTOR COMPANYManufacturer number 98S36View on NHTSA.gov
94E036000

SUSPENSION:FRONT:SHOCK ABSORBER

Nov 25, 1994
98,000 units potentially affected
The defect: THE ARC WELDS ON THE SWAY BAR BRACKET, WHERE IT ATTACHES TO THE STRUT RESERVE TUBE, DID NOT FUSE PROPERLY.
The risk: OVER TIME, A PORTION OF THE BRACKET CAN TEAR AWAY FROM THE STRUT, FALLING INTO AND PUNCTURING THE TIRE OR CAUSING DAMAGE TO THE WHEEL, WHICH COULD RESULT IN AN ACCIDENT.
The remedy: MONROE DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE STRUT FREE OF CHARGE.
MONROE AUTO CORP.View on NHTSA.gov
93V106000

STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS

Jun 23, 1993
1,610,000 units potentially affected
The defect: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: TAURUS AND SABLES BUILT FROM 10-14-85 THROUGH 8-19-88, AND LINCOLN CONTINENTALS BUILT FROM 11-4-87 THROUGH 9-30-88 (EXCEPT 1989 - 1991 2.5L TAURUS AND 1989 - 1992 SHO). THE AFFECTED CARS WERE ORIGINALLY SOLD OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE FOLLOWING STATES: CONNECTICUT, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, MAINE, MASSACHUSETTS, MICHIGAN, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW JERSEY, NEW YORK, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, RHODE ISLAND, VERMONT, AND WISCONSIN. THE BODY MOUNTS AT THE REAR CORNERS OF THE SUBFRAME, WHICH SUPPORTS THE ENGINE AND TRANSMISSION, MAY BECOME DETACHED DUE TO CORROSION OF THE SUBFRAME MOUNT RETAINING PLATE. THIS WOULD ALLOW THE REAR CORNERS OF THE SUBFRAME TO DROP.
The risk: IF ONE OF THE REAR CORNERS DROPS, ONLY MINOR INDICATIONS OF A MALFUNCTION SUCH AS A CLUNKING NOISE OR SLIGHT CHANGE IN STEERING WHEEL ALIGNMENT ARE NOTICEABLE. HOWEVER, IF BOTH REAR CORNERS OF THE SUBFRAME DROP, STEERING BECOMES VERY DIFFICULT, WHICH COULD ADVERSELY AFFECT VEHICLE CONTROL AND POSSIBLY RESULT IN AN ACCIDENT.
The remedy: INSTALL A CORROSION-RESISTANT REINFORCING PLATE AND A NEW BOLT ON BOTH REAR SUBFRAME MOUNTS. THIS RECALL CAMPAIGN HAS BEEN SUPERSEDED BY RECALL 98V-323.
FORD MOTOR COMPANYView on NHTSA.gov

Safety investigations

NHTSA inquiries naming this vehicle. An investigation is not a finding of a defect.

RQ97009ClosedRecall Query

REAR LOWER SUBFRAME ASSEMBLY

Opened Aug 29, 1997
Closed Feb 16, 1999

TO DETERMINE WHETHER THE CARS THAT WERE NOT INCLUDED IN THE SAFETY RECALL 93V-106 SHOULD BE RECALLED DUE TO THE SAME FAILURE PHENOMENON, AND TO DETERMINE IF THERE IS REMEDY FAILURE ISSUE

STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERSLed to recall 93V106000
DP95004ClosedDefect Petition

ALLEGED DEFECTIVE TIE RODS

Opened Aug 8, 1995
Closed Aug 30, 1995

ALLEGED DEFECTIVE TIE RODS

UNKNOWN OR OTHER
EA94008ClosedEngineering Analysis

BROKEN TIE RODS

Opened Feb 16, 1994
Closed Feb 27, 1995

There is no summary currently available

STEERING
PE93100ClosedPreliminary Evaluation

POLYCAST ROAD WHEEL CRACKS

Opened Dec 2, 1993
Closed Jun 30, 1994

There is no summary currently available

SUSPENSION

Recent owner complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words

View all 126
BrakesTransmission
Filed Jan 13, 2004

INITIALLY THE GEARS WERE SLIPPING WHILE DRIVING. CURRENTLY, THE CONSUMER CANNOT SHIFT THE VEHICLE INTO ANY GEAR. THE DEALER DETERMINED THAT THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION MUST BE REBUILT. *AK . THE CONSUMER IS SEEKING ASSISTANCE TO CORRECT HIS VEHICLE BECAUSE OF THE FAULTY DEFECT DESIGN IN THE TRANSMISSION WHICH CAUSED SLIPPAGE WHILE OPERATING. *CB SEVERAL YEARS AGO THE DISC BRAKE SEPARATED FROM THE ROTOR RING WHILE DRIVING. AFTER SEEKING ASSISTANCE, THE CONSUMER DISCOVERED THERE WAS A RECALL REGARDING THE ROTOR, HOWEVER HIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED.*JB

NHTSA ID
10050139
Mileage
144,000 mi
BrakesEngineSteering+2 more
Filed Sep 26, 2002

TRANSMISSION HAS FAILED TWICE. CURRENTLY IN THE VEHICLE RADIO LIGHT AND DOME LIGHT INTERMITTENLY COMES ON. HORN ALSO HONKS AS I DRIVE . STEERING WHEEL FEELS WOBBLY AND THERE ARE POPPING NOISES COME FROM AROUND THE STEERING COLUMN. FRONT PASSENGER SEAT LUMBAR BUTTON IS STUCK. TIRES HAVE BEEN CHANGED 4 TIMES IN THE FRONT. ELECTRIC WINDOWS FAILED THE FIRST DAY I BOUGHT THE CAR. THE MOST DANGEROUS PART OF THE WHOLE DEAL IS THAT THE CAR WILL STOP RUNNING WHEN YOUR DRIVING AT55 MPH; THIS HAPPENED TO ME TWICE. MR

NHTSA ID
767752
Incident
Sep 25, 2002
Engine
Filed Oct 10, 2001

ONGOING PROBLEM WITH ENGINE STALLING AT ANY SPEED. VEHICLE BEEN INTO DEALER SHOP ON FOUR OCCASIONS, AND DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. *AK *YH

NHTSA ID
897570
Incident
Apr 24, 1998
Steering
Filed Aug 22, 2001

POWER ASSIST HOSE IS TOO CLOSE TO EXHAUST MANIFOLD. HEAT IS BURNING A HOLE THROUGH RUBBER HOSE, CAUSING FLUID LEAKAGES AND LOSS OF POWER STEERING ASSIST. ALSO, CAN LEAD TO A POSSIBLE FIRE. DEALER WAS NOTIFIED AND INFORMED CONSUMER THAT THEY HAVE A HEAT SERVICE SHIELD KIT AVAILABLE AT A COST TO THE CONSUMER. ASKING NHTSA TO LOOK INTO THIS MATTER. *AK *SLC

NHTSA ID
894892
Incident
Jul 18, 2001
Electrical
Filed May 2, 2001

WHILE TRAVELING 65MPH VEHICLE SUDDENLY STALLED IN MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC. WAS NOT ABLE TO RESTART IT. TOWED TO DEALERSHIP, AND HAD DISTRIBUTOR/ ROTOR, AND CAP REPLACED.*AK

NHTSA ID
887267
Incident
Apr 15, 2001
Powertrain (other)
Filed Apr 27, 2001

CV JOINT WHICH IS A PART OF AXLE ASSEMBLY BROKE, CAUSING LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS.*AK

NHTSA ID
886929
Transmission
Filed Mar 6, 2001

AXOD TRANSMISSION HAS FAILED DUE TO FAULTY MANUFACTURING.PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK

NHTSA ID
882197
Brakes
Filed Jan 18, 2001

DISC BRAKE ROTORS HAVE RUSTED OUT DUE TO LACK OF CORROSION PROTECTION ON 2 PIECES OF METAL, CAUSING LOSS OF BRAKES. *AK THE COMPOSITE DISK BRAKES ROTOR'S BOND BETWEEN THE DISK BRAKE PAD CONTACT AREA FRACTURED FROM THE SHEET METAL HUB CAUSEING THE BRAKE. *YH

NHTSA ID
878469
Incident
Jan 10, 2001

Manufacturer communications

A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.

01157

INFORMATION REGARDING TRANSMISSION FLUID USAGE CHARTS. *SLC

01156

VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM:HEATER CORE

SOME VEHICLES MAY EXHIBIT HEATER CORE LEAKS. *SLC

01124

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

ON SOME VEHICLES, ENGINE OIL MAY CONTINUE TO LEAK FROM THE ENGINE OIL PAN GASKET AREA AFTER AN ENGINE OIL PAN GASKET REPAIR HAS BEEN PERFORMED. *TT

0015

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

INFORMATION REGARDING THE NEW TRANSMISSION COOLER FLUSHER- SERVICE TIP. *MJS

99222

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING

SUBJECT ON A WIRE HARNESS TERMINAL REPAIR KIT AVAILABLE FOR REPAIRING ELECTRICAL WIRING HARNESSES. *TT

99196

EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER

INFORMATION ON IDENTIFYING NON-APPROVED / ALTERNATE REFRIGERANTS WHICH COULD CAUSE SAFETY, AND PERFORMANCE CONCERNS IF INSTALLED IN FORD A/C SYSTEMS. *TT

Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

Mercury Sable by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2009200036.1
2008611151.3
2006100—
2005831243.2
2004522249.3
20032014456.7
20024404461.7
20014309864.1
20004647963.2
19992585259.5
19981902053.3
19972283050.3
19963045053.4
19953506460.0
19943875459.2
199367381160.0
199236451159.7
199122151163.3
199016671167.2
198923881673.1
1988Viewing12662069.0
19877692266.6
19864692067.1
1985001—
1984100—
1982000—
1981000—

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.