RoadVitals

1989 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.
238
Latest Apr 28, 2007
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.
8
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.
16
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.
78
11 injuries, 1 deaths reported

Overview

Our database contains 238 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1989 Mercury Sable, most frequently naming the electrical, engine and seat belts categories. 8 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; 16 NHTSA investigations name it; and 50 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

8 campaigns cover this model year

View all 8

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
97I003000

SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY

Oct 7, 1997
299,600 units potentially affected
The defect: THIS IS NOT A SAFETY RECALL IN ACCORDANCE WITH FEDERAL REGULATION 573. HOWEVER, IT IS DEEMED A SAFETY IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN BY THE AGENCY. FORD IS INITIATING AN OWNER NOTIFICATION PROGRAM THAT WILL PROVIDE AN EXTENDED WARRANTY, 12 YEARS AND UNLIMITED MILEAGE, FOR ALL SEAT BELT BUCKLES WITH FUNCTIONAL CONCERNS.
The risk: IN THE EVENT OF A COLLISION, THE OCCUPANT OF THE SEAT MAY NOT BE PROPERLY RESTRAINED AND PERSONAL INJURY COULD OCCUR.
The remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE SEAT BELT BUCKLE ASSEMBLY, FOR 12 YEARS AND UNLIMITED MILEAGE.
FORD MOTOR COMPANYView 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

Safety investigations

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

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
PE93065ClosedPreliminary Evaluation

UNDERBODY FUEL LINE FAILS

Opened Jul 15, 1993
Closed Nov 30, 1993

There is no summary currently available

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:LINKAGES

Recent owner complaints

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

View all 238
Body & structure
Filed Apr 28, 2007

CORROSION-RELATED DETERIORATION IN 1989 MERCURY SABLE RESULTED IN DETACHMENT OF SUB-FRAME REAR PLATE NUT AND BOLT PULLING THROUGH. SYMPTOMS AS DESCRIBED IN RECALLS 93V106002 AND 98V-323/98S36. ADVISED BY FORD DEALER THAT THESE RECALLS DO NOT APPLY TO MY VIN AND ARE LIMITED TO EASTERN US STATES. HOWEVER 98V-323 STATES THAT VEHICLES WITH THESE SYMPTOMS ARE TO BE REPAIRED FREE BY DEALERS. NO ACCIDENT/INJURY HAS OCCURRED AND THE VEHICLE IS SCHEDULED FOR REPAIR ON MONDAY APRIL 29 2007. I NEED TO KNOW IF THE RECALL WILL BE EXTENDED TO COVER MY VEHICLE REPAIR AND IF NOT, WHY NOT. SALT IS USED EXTENSIVELY IN UT FOR SNOW AND ICE CONTROL. *TR

NHTSA ID
10189167
Incident
Apr 26, 2007
Mileage
147,230 mi
Steering
Filed May 11, 2004

WHILE MAKING A LEFT HAND U-TURN AT 30 MPH STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP. THIS CAUSED CONSUMER TO HIT A CURVE. DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. *AK VEHICLE ALSO JUMPED UP INTO A CURVE AND DENTED THE LEFT FENDER BY A TREE. *LA

NHTSA ID
10064604
Incident
Mar 12, 2004
Mileage
100,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Apr 8, 2004

THIS MORNING (7-8-04) I WAS PULLED OVER FOR THE FIRST TIME EVER AND THE OFFICER SAID I WAS DOING 75 IN A 55 WHEN MY SPEEDOMETER READ 65. I ASKED THE GENTLEMAN IF THERE WAS SOMEWAY HE COULD FORGET THE TICKET SINCE IT WAS MY FIRST TIME EVER AND HE SAID NO. HE DID NOT EXPLAIN TO ME EVERYTHING ON THE TICKET AND YOU CAN HARDLY READ HALF THE?!@#$% HE WROTE. I AM GOING TO TAKE THIS TO COURT SINCE HE DID NOT HAVE ME SIGN THE TICKET LIKE IT IS SUPPOSE TO BE. THEY DON'T PUT THE WORD "SIGNATURE" ON THE A LINE FOR NOTHING. I WOULD APPRECIATE IT IF I RECEIVED A CALL OR AT LEAST AN E-MAIL WITH IN THE NEST 24 HOURS. THANK YOU AND PLEASE DO DRIVE SLOW.*AK

NHTSA ID
10065801
Incident
Apr 8, 2004
Interior & seats
Filed Jan 23, 2004
Fire reported

WE PARKED IN THE DRIVEWAY, GATHERED OUR THINGS AND WENT IN TO THE HOUSE. THE NEXT MORNING I WENT TO BRUSH THE SNOW OFF OF THE CAR AND NOTICED THE WINDSHIELD WAS BROKEN, I OPENED THE DRIVER DOOR AND DISCOVERED THE WHOLE DASHBOARD WAS MELTED LIKE A CANDLE, WE HAD JUST FILLED UP THE TANK THE PREVIOUS DAY AND WERE VERY LUCKY WE DIDN'T LOSE OUR HOME ALSO. WE FIGURE THE REASON THE CAR DIDN'T BECOME FULLY INVOLVED WAS BECAUSE THE WINDOWS WERE ROLLED UP TIGHT AND IT SUFFOCATED THE FLAMES, THE CAR IS STILL A COMPLETE LOSS. THE WIRING IN THAT CAR HAD NEVER BEEN TOUCHED,CUT OR MODIFIED. THERE WAS NO REASON FOR THIS TO HAPPEN EXCEPT FOR A MANUFACTURER DEFECT. THE WAY WE SEE IT MERCURY SHOULD OWE US ONE CAR OR BLUE BOOK VALUE. ANY HELP WOULD BE APPRECIATED. *LA

NHTSA ID
10054774
Incident
Jan 2, 2004
Seat belts
Filed Jun 12, 2003

BOTH FRONT SEAT BELTS DO NOT LATCH PROPERLY. THE WARRANTY PROGRAM ON THE SEAT BELTS HAS EXPIRED. *AK

NHTSA ID
10022981
Transmission
Filed Nov 26, 2002

WHILE DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEED THE VEHICLE JUMP INTO OVERDRIVE WITHOUT WARNING. PLEASE FEEL FREE TO ADD ANY ADDTIONAL INFORMATION. TS

NHTSA ID
8023355
Incident
Oct 30, 2002
BrakesOther / unspecified
Filed Sep 2, 2002

WHILE DRIVING, THE RIGHT FRONT TIRE FELL OFF, CAUSING DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE, ALL 5 LUG BOLTS WERE BROKEN OFF, OHIO TRAFFIC CRASH REPORT. *SLC

NHTSA ID
567268
Incident
Jul 4, 2002
Seat belts
Filed Apr 29, 2002

DRIVER'S SIDE SEATBELT RETRACTOR WILLCLICK IN, BUT WILLNOT STAY OPEN. DEALERSHIP IS AWARE OF PROBLEM.*AK

NHTSA ID
8008799
Incident
Apr 1, 2002

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
1989Viewing23881673.1
198812662069.0
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.