Owner-reported complaints naming the steering system, filed with NHTSA
Data refreshed
Steering 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 Sep 26, 2002
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.
8
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
1
What this page shows
Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage. 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 steering
Shown in the owner’s own words, exactly as filed
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
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
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
Steering
Filed Mar 24, 1999
Fire reported
POWER STEERING FLUID LEAKS FROM FAULTY CONNECTIONS, CAUSING FLUID TO IGNITE ON EXHAUST
NHTSA ID
704876
Incident
Feb 14, 1998
SteeringSuspension
Filed Mar 10, 1999
WHEN DRIVING AT 35MPH OR OVER THE VEHILCE IS STALLING, VIBRATING AND THE CONSUMER CAN'T PICK UP SPEED AND THE POWER STEERING WENT OUT. *AK
NHTSA ID
835609
Incident
Nov 28, 1998
Steering
Filed Feb 17, 1999
WHILE DRIVING AT 35 MPH STEERING WENT OUT WHICH LOCKED STEERING WHEEL IN A STRAIGHT POSITION. STEERING WHEEL WAS JERKING AND VIBRATING, AND THE CONSUMER HAD TO FORCE THE STEERING WHEEL IN ORDER TO PULL THE VEHICLE OVER TO THE SIDE WITHOUT CAUSING ANY TYPE OF ACCIDENT. *AK
NHTSA ID
834905
Incident
Oct 7, 1998
EnginePowertrain (other)Steering
Filed Sep 29, 1998
WORN TIE ROD ENDS CAUSED PREMATURE WEAR/SEPARATION OF TIRES.
NHTSA ID
541372
Incident
Aug 3, 1998
Steering
Filed Jun 17, 1998
Fire reported
POWER STEERING PUMP LEAKED RESULTING IN FIRE.
NHTSA ID
536908
Incident
Feb 24, 1998
Steering
Filed Apr 28, 1998
Fire reported
POWER STEERING PUMP FAILED CAUSING LEAKAGE, RESULTING IN VEHICLE FIRE.
NHTSA ID
534834
Incident
Feb 24, 1998
Powertrain (other)Steering
Filed Nov 25, 1997
CV JOINTS FAILED. ALSO, TIE RODS/WHEEL BEARINGS MALFUNCTIONED. *AK
NHTSA ID
523492
Incident
Dec 12, 1996
Steering
Filed Sep 3, 1997
Fire reported
HIGH PRESSURE POWER STEERING LINE RUPTURED SPRAYING OIL DOWN ON EXHAUST MANIFOLD CAUSING FIRE.
NHTSA ID
521654
Steering
Filed Dec 12, 1996
WHILE DRIVING AND MAKING A TURN, STEERING LOCKED UP . PLEASE DESCRIBE . *AK
NHTSA ID
806260
Incident
Dec 12, 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
Steering
Filed May 1, 1996
Crash reported1 injury reported
WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY STEERING WHEEL FAILED, CAUSING AN ACCIDENT. PLEASE DESCRIBE. *AK
NHTSA ID
983881
Incident
Apr 9, 1996
Seat beltsSteering
Filed Mar 4, 1996
STEERING COLUMN BROKE. *SD
NHTSA ID
502050
Incident
Mar 4, 1996
EngineFuel systemSteering
Filed Oct 12, 1995
FUEL INJECTOR FAILED. *SD
NHTSA ID
487067
Incident
Oct 12, 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
Steering
Filed Jul 14, 1995
Fire reported
POWER STEERING HOSE LEAKED, RESULTING IN A TOTAL FIRE. *AK
NHTSA ID
968834
Body & structureEngineSteering
Filed Apr 25, 1995
POWER STEERING HOSES WERE STRETXHED/STRAINED, CAUSINGMPOWER STEERING FLUID TO LEAK ONTO EXHAUST MANIFOLD, RESULTING IN DENSE SMOKE. TT
NHTSA ID
964347
Incident
Jul 5, 1994
Steering
Filed Mar 30, 1995
LEFT OUTER TIE ROD LOOSENED FROM INNER TIE ROD, ALSO RIGHT OUTER TIE ROD DETERIORATED. *SKD
NHTSA ID
482178
Incident
Dec 1, 1994
SteeringTransmission
Filed Feb 27, 1995
THE RIGHT INNER TIE ROD IS BROKEN, THE TRANSMISSION NEED TO BE OVERHAUL # AXO6. TT
NHTSA ID
960602
Incident
Aug 1, 1994
Steering
Filed Feb 20, 1995
Fire reported
POWER STEERING HOSE LEAK CAUSED FIRE/LOSS OF POWER STEERING. *DH
NHTSA ID
481817
Incident
Feb 1, 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