RoadVitals

1988 Mercury Sable Electrical Problems

Owner-reported complaints naming the electrical system, filed with NHTSA

Data refreshed

Electrical reportsComplaints 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.
23
Latest May 2, 2001
Share of all reportsThis category as a share of every owner report on file for this model year. One report can name more than one component, so the categories overlap.
18%
of 126 total
Crash or fire reportedReports in this category whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. The reporter's own answer on the NHTSA form, not a verified finding.
12
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
0

What this page shows

Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 1988 Mercury Sable submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 23 reports on file name it.

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

Owner reports naming electrical

Shown in the owner’s own words, exactly as filed

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
Electrical
Filed Dec 14, 2000

WHILE DRIVING, VEHICLE STALLED, A GARAGE MAN FOUND THE PROBLEM TO BE A FAULTY IGNITION MODULE. *SLC

NHTSA ID
558484
Incident
Jun 19, 1993
ElectricalEngineSteering+1 more
Filed Mar 13, 2000

POWER STEERING LEAKS STARTED IN 1995 AFTER THE MOTOR MOUNTS BROKE AND THE AUTOMOBILE WAS TAKEN IN MANY TIMES TO REPAIR THE LEAKS TO NO AVAIL. HOSES AND LINES WERE REPLACED TWICE, SEALS WERE REPLACED ON PS PUMP, AND FINALLY IN 1998 THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A NON FORD DEALER AND THEY WERE ABLE TO FIX THE PROBLEM BY REPLACING THE POWER STEERING RACK AND PINION. THE MONEY SPENT WAS WELL OVER $2100.00 TO FINALLY REPAIR THE LEAKS. THIS INCLUDED THE REPLACEMENT OF THE MOTOR MOUNTS WHICH WERE A RECALL ITEM AND I PAID FOR THIS. I WAS TOLD THAT IT WAS NOT A WARRANTY OR RECALL PROBLEM. THIS FAILURE LED TO THE EXCESSIVE EXPENDITURES FOR REPAIRS. THE LATEST PROBLEM WITH THE CAR IS THE HEAD GASKETS FAILED. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME AND THE ESTIMATE IS FOR $1000.00. THE HEADGASKET SECRET WARRANTY ONLY COVERS THROUGH DEC. 1998. I HAVE YET TO TALLY ALL REPAIRS FOR THIS VEHICLE, BUT I AM SURE IT IS WELL OVER $5000.00 OVER THE LIFE OF THE VEHICLE. TRANSMISSION REPLACED, ALTERNATOR, TWO POWER STEERING PUMPS, RACK AND PINION, RADIATOR, TWO HEAD GASKET FAILURES, EXCESSIVE BRAKE JOBS EVER SINCE THE RECALL OF THE ROTORS, ALMOST YEARLY AFTER THIS RECALL. NUMEROUS VACUUM LEAKS UNDER THE DASH AND ONE AGAIN LAST WEEK. TWO SETS OF POWER STEERING LINES. THE CAR NEVER STAYS RUNNING WHEN IT IS HOT. IT HAS BEEN TAKEN BACK NUMEROUS TIMES WITH NO RESOLUTION. THE THROTTLE CABLE STUCK WHILE CROSSING AN INTERSECTION AND ALMOST CAUSED AN ACCIDENT AND THEN BROKE AFTER DRIVING IT TO THE DEALER TO CHECK THE PROBLEM. THE REAR ALIGNMENT BOLTS ARE FROZEN. ENGINE AND TRANSMISSION HAVE ALWAYS LEAKED EXCESSIVELY. FROZEN CALIPERS HAS BEEN A COMMON PROBLEM. *AK

NHTSA ID
720073
Incident
Aug 19, 1997
ElectricalSteering
Filed Jul 13, 1999
Fire reported

11/8/98 RETURNED HOME AFTER TAKING HUSBAND TO WORK 4 MILE ROUND TRIP. PARKED 2 DOORS DOWN, 20 TO 25 MINUTES, HEARD AN EXPLOSION AND GOT A TELEPHONE CALL FROM NEIGHBOR THAT MY CAR WAS ON FIRE , FIRE TRUCK ARRIVED AND SAID MY BATTERY CAUSED THE FIRE. MY CAR WAS RULED AS TOTALED. I DO HAVE A REPORT FROM THE FIRE MASHALL'S OFFICE. 2ND COMPLAINT, RELPACED 2 PRESSURE POWER STEERING HOSE AND 1 RETURN HOSE AND STILL HAD A POWER STEERING LEAK. ALSO 3 BATTERIES AND 2 TENSIONERS.

NHTSA ID
708553
Incident
Jun 1, 1998
ElectricalEngineSuspension
Filed Mar 10, 1999

WHEN DRIVING AT ANY SPEED THE VEHICLE IS JERKING, AND THE BATTERY LIGHT WON'T GO OF, AND THE VEHICLE IS STALLING. *AK

NHTSA ID
835612
Incident
Jan 24, 1999
Electrical
Filed Jul 31, 1997
Fire reported

PARKED VEHICLE ACROSS STREET NEIGHBOR NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM UNDERNEATH THE HOOD, AND THE VEHICELCAUGHT FIRE.FIREMAN WROTE REPORT UP AS ENGINE FIRE, VEHICLE TOTALED. *AK

NHTSA ID
814634
Incident
Jun 27, 1997
Electrical
Filed Jul 29, 1997

IGNITION SWITCH FAILURE.

NHTSA ID
520374
Electrical
Filed May 30, 1997
Fire reported

OWNER NOT NOTIFIED OF RECALL ON IGNITION SWITCH, WHICH OVERHEATED AND CAUSED FIRE IN WIRING HARNESS.

NHTSA ID
517676
Incident
Sep 12, 1996
Electrical
Filed May 15, 1997
Fire reported

WHEN STARTING VEHICLE A FIRE BROKE OUT UNDER THE DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT. VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED UNDER RECALL # 91V036000 IN AUGUST OF 91. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT STATED THAT FIRE WAS ELECTRICAL. THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALLED. *AK

NHTSA ID
812277
Incident
May 1, 1997
Electrical
Filed Dec 11, 1996
Fire reported

IGNITION SWITCH FIRE.

NHTSA ID
512537
Incident
Aug 31, 1996
ElectricalInterior & seats
Filed Dec 9, 1996
Fire reported

WHILE DRIVING, EXPERIENCED ELECTRICAL SYSTEM FAILURE WHEN NOTICED BURNING SMELL, FOUND WIRING HAD MELTED UNDER DASH, RESULTING IN A FIRE. *AK CONSUMER STATES BOTH FAILURES INVOLVED THE IDENTICAL PARTS, THE IGNITION SWITCH AND THE PLASTIC HARNESS CONNECTOR THAT PLUGS INTO THE SWITCH ALONG WITH SEVERAL INCHES OF 10 OR 8 WIRE, CONSUMER STATES IT IS OBVIOUSLY AN INTERNAL RESISTANCE PROBLEM WITH THE SWITCHES AS THERE IS NO DRAW (CURRENT) THAT WOULD INDICATE A SHORT CIRCUIT AND NO OTHER ABNORMAL INDICATIONS OF ELECTRICAL MALFUNCTIONS. *SLC

NHTSA ID
806052
Incident
Jul 30, 1994
Electrical
Filed Aug 8, 1996

RECEIVED RECALL # 9V071000 MADE TWO APPOINTMENTS, DEALER SAID HE DOESN'T HAVE THE PARTS . PLEASE DESCRIBE. *AK

NHTSA ID
800674
Incident
Aug 8, 1996
Heating & air conditioningElectricalEngine+3 more
Filed Aug 6, 1996

TRANSMISSION CONVERTER BYPASS SWITCH FAILED, CAUSING VEHICLE TO STUMBLE. *DH

NHTSA ID
507123
Incident
Mar 1, 1993
Electrical
Filed Jul 31, 1996
Fire reported

ELECTRICAL SHORT, UNDER THE DASH COMPARTMENT FIRE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, IGNITION SWITCH FAILURE.*AK

NHTSA ID
800324
Incident
Jun 30, 1996
Electrical
Filed Jul 26, 1996

IGNITION SWITCH RECALL REPAIRS REFUSED DUE TO MODEL YEAR.

NHTSA ID
506747
Incident
Jul 26, 1996
Electrical
Filed Jul 23, 1996
Fire reported

VEHICLE PARKED IN PARKING LOT, BURST INTO FLAMES DUE TO AN ELECTRICAL SHORT IN THE IGNITION. *AK

NHTSA ID
987217
Incident
Jul 18, 1996
Electrical
Filed Jun 24, 1996
Fire reported

VEHICLE WAS NOT BEING USED, VEHICLE SMELLED LIKED BURNING BRAKES, MECHANIC CHECKED UNDER HOOD, FOUND SWITCH HARNESS HAD BURNED. *AK

NHTSA ID
986065
Incident
Jun 7, 1996
Electrical
Filed Jun 17, 1996

VEHICLE'S IGNITION SWITCH OVER HEATED AND MELTED THE CONNECTOR TO THE SWITCH. *AK *JB

NHTSA ID
985708
Incident
Jun 11, 1996
Electrical
Filed May 20, 1996
Fire reported

DROVE THE VEHCILE AND PARKED, AFTER FEW SECONDS SAW SMOKE COMING INTO THE VENTS, ELECTRICAL SHORT, ALSO LOSS OF ALL POWER STEERING. *AK

NHTSA ID
984631
Incident
May 17, 1996
Electrical
Filed Apr 29, 1996
Fire reported

WHILE DRIVING, SMOKE STARTED COMING FROM STEERING COLUMN, ELECTRICL COMPONENANTS STOPPED WORKING; IGNITION SHORTED OUT. *AK

NHTSA ID
983722
Incident
May 15, 1995
Body & structureDriver assistanceElectrical+4 more
Filed Sep 7, 1995

REAR AXLE SEALS FAILED PRIOR TO SERVICE RECALL.

NHTSA ID
484872
Incident
Sep 7, 1995
Electrical
Filed Aug 11, 1995

VEHICLE STALLS OUT AT HIGH SPEED, NO PARTS WERE REPLACED TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM. TT

NHTSA ID
970280
Incident
Aug 3, 1988
Electrical
Filed Jul 6, 1995
Fire reported

SMOKE STARTED COMING FROM UNDERHOOD; UNDERHOOD BECAME ENGULFED WITH FLAMES ACCORDING TO FIRE DEPT, COULD HAVE BEEN CAUSED BY FUEL LEAK. *AK CONSUMER STATES IGNITION WIRING HARNESS CONNECTOR MELTED AND HAD TO BE REPLACED AT ONE TIME BEFORE THE FIRE OCCURED,8JB

NHTSA ID
968312
Incident
Jun 15, 1995

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.

Other components reported on this vehicle

Categories with enough reports to have a page of their own

Elsewhere on this vehicle

Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .