1988 Mercury Sable Problems
Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component
Data refreshed
What this page shows
Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 1988 Mercury Sable, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Reports by component
Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category
- Engine2917.1%
- Electrical2313.5%
- Steering2313.5%
- Transmission1911.2%
- Body & structure148.2%
- Interior & seats95.3%
- Seat belts95.3%
- Fuel system84.7%
- Driver assistance74.1%
- Powertrain (other)63.5%
- Heating & air conditioning52.9%
- Brakes42.4%
- Tires & wheels42.4%
- Exterior lighting31.8%
- Suspension31.8%
- Other / unspecified21.2%
- Visibility21.2%
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
Each component in detail
What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words
Engine
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.
From owner reports, verbatim
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
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
Electrical
Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.
From owner reports, verbatim
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
WHILE DRIVING, VEHICLE STALLED, A GARAGE MAN FOUND THE PROBLEM TO BE A FAULTY IGNITION MODULE. *SLC
Steering
Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage.
From owner reports, verbatim
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
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
Transmission
Reports naming the automatic or manual transmission, including shifting behaviour, shudder, slipping and transmission control modules.
From owner reports, verbatim
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
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
Body & structure
Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim.
From owner reports, verbatim
VEHICLE EXPERIENCED FAILURE OF THE SUB-FRAME BODY MOUNT, RECALL ON COMPONENT HOWEVER CONSUMER WAS NOT NOTIFIED (98V-323). MJS
REAR SUB-FRAME MOUNTS BROKE, CAUSING A PROBLEM WITH TRANSMISSION. BOLTS ON THE MOUNTS DROPPED OFF/BUSHINGS ALSO FELL OFF. BOTH WERE CORRODED/RUSTY. *AK
Interior & seats
Reports naming seats, latches, locks, linkages and interior fittings.
From owner reports, verbatim
FIVE HOURS AFTER LAST USE HORN WENT OFF,WHEN I WENT TO SEE THE PROBLEM SMOKE POURIHG OUT CRACK MADE IN WINDSHIELD FROM FIRE.BATTERY DISCONNECTED STOPPED FIRE,HOWEVER POLICE STILL HAD FIRE DEPT. GIVE IT A GOOD HOSING.
DRIVER SEAT OUTER BRACKET BROKE AT FRONT BEND, SEAT IS LOOSE, CAR HAS FAILED NJ STATE INSPECTION FOR SAFETY. SEAT CAN BREAK COMPLETELY LOOSE IN A COLLISION CAUSING ADDITIONAL INJURIES AND DEATHS. THERE ARE ALREADY 10 ODIS THAT I FOUND FOR THE SAME PROBLEM. THIS IS A FATIGUE FAILURE, SO OVER TIME MANY MORE WILL FAIL. THIS IS A SERIOUS DESIGN DEFECT TREND, A RECALL SHOULD BE ORDERED TO REPLACE THE TRACK (SEE OIDS 545300,963608,483070,947504,924010,935076,372411,389368,712732,942605)
Seat belts
Reports naming seat belts, buckles, retractors and pretensioners.
From owner reports, verbatim
SHOULDER BELT AND THE LAP BELT DON'T WORK ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE AND PASSENGER'S SIDES. CONSUMER CAN HEAR THE SEAT BELT MOTOR RUNNING, BUT THE SEAT BELT DOESN'T WORK. *AK
THE CONSUMER HAS BEEN EXPERIENCING PROBLEMS WITH SEAT BELT BUCKLE. WHEN TRIED TO FASTEN SEAT BELTS, SEAT BELT BUCKLE FELL OFF. THE MANUACTURER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. *AK
Fuel system
Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.
From owner reports, verbatim
THE FUEL PUMP FAILED THREE TIMES, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO LOSE POWER.
CRACKS DEVELOPED IN FUEL TANK, RESULTING FROM FUEL LEAKAGE. AFTER REPAIRS TWO CRACKS DEVELOPED IN SAME AREA. *AK
Driver assistance
Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems.
From owner reports, verbatim
WHILE WAITING AT STOP LIGHT WITH FOOT ON BRAKE PEDAL ENGINE STARTED RACING & THEN JERKED FORWARD. TURNED VEHICLE OFF TO STOP IT. WAS ABLE TO TAKE VEHICLE TO DEALERSHIP, BUT VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. *AK
WHEN DRIVING AT ANY SPEED VEHICLE WILL ACCELERATE AT HIGH SPEED. *AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Powertrain (other)
Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials.
From owner reports, verbatim
CV JOINT WHICH IS A PART OF AXLE ASSEMBLY BROKE, CAUSING LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS.*AK
WORN TIE ROD ENDS CAUSED PREMATURE WEAR/SEPARATION OF TIRES.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Heating & air conditioning
Reports naming the heating, ventilation and air-conditioning system.
From owner reports, verbatim
DISCHARGE LINE TO AIR CONDITIONER WAS NOT INSTALLED CORRECTLY. IT CAME LOOSE & RELEASED FREEON INTO ATMOSPHERE OF VEHICLE. INDEPENDENT INSPECTOR HAD CHECK IT. TOOK TO DEALER & MECHANIC WAS GOING TO REPLACE WITH SAME PART. HAD REFUSED TO HAVE OLD PART REPLACED NEW PART, JUST LIKED OLD. *AK
COMPLETE FAILURE OF AIR CONDITIONER; NEEDS NEW COMPRESSOR. *AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Brakes
Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.
From owner reports, verbatim
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
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
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Tires & wheels
Reports naming tires, wheels, hubs, or the tire-pressure monitoring system.
From owner reports, verbatim
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
EA00023; TIRE TREAD SEPARATION: WHILE DRIVING ABOUT 65 MPH TREAD ON THE REAR PASSENGER'S SIDE TIRE PEELED OFF. DRIVER WAS ABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF VEHICLE. TIRE SIXE P20570R14. TIRE ON A 1988, MERCURY, SABLE. FIRESTONE WAS CONTACTED ABOUT THE TIRE. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK FIRESTONE TIRE DOT # E2T9F5A065, THE TREAD SEPARATION CAUSED THE BUMPER TO SEPARATE FROM THE VEHICLE. *SLC
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Exterior lighting
Reports naming headlights, tail lights, turn signals and other exterior lighting.
From owner reports, verbatim
HEAD LAMP SWITCH BECOMES HOT TO THE TOUCH AFTER ABOUT 30 MINUTES OF OPERATION.
THE HEADLIGHTS/DASH LIGHTS/RUNNING LIGHTS AND BRAKES LIGHTS BLINK ON AND OFF DUE TO A SHORT IN THE LIGHT SWITCH. THE LIGHT SWITCH HAS BEEN REPLACED TWICE, AND NEEDS REPLACING A THIRD TIME. EACH SWITCH HAS LASTED ABOUT 40,000 MILES. *AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Suspension
Reports naming suspension components — springs, struts, shocks, control arms and related hardware.
From owner reports, verbatim
WAS COMING TO A STOP SIGN. HEARD A LOUD BANG, VEHICLE STARTED PULLING TO LEFT. RIGHT WHEEL HAD BROKEN DUE TO CORROSION. *AK
WHEN DRIVING AT ANY SPEED THE VEHICLE IS JERKING, AND THE BATTERY LIGHT WON'T GO OF, AND THE VEHICLE IS STALLING. *AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Other / unspecified
Reports whose component NHTSA recorded as unknown, or that do not map to one of the categories above.
From owner reports, verbatim
WAS COMING TO A STOP SIGN. HEARD A LOUD BANG, VEHICLE STARTED PULLING TO LEFT. RIGHT WHEEL HAD BROKEN DUE TO CORROSION. *AK
WHEEL BOLTS BREAK OFF WHEN REMOVING NUTS.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Visibility
Reports naming windshields, glass, wipers, defrosters and mirrors.
From owner reports, verbatim
WHILE IDLING, VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE IN FRONT AREA, ELECTRICAL HEATER FAN MOTOR IGNITED, PLEASE DESCRIBE DETAILS. *AK
WHEEL BOLTS BREAK OFF WHEN REMOVING NUTS.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
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.
Elsewhere on this vehicle
Data sources
- NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation — owner-reported complaints and the components recorded on them
Data on this page last refreshed .