RoadVitals

1991 Mercury Sable Body & structure Problems

Owner-reported complaints naming the body or structure system, filed with NHTSA

Data refreshed

Body & structure 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.
20
Latest Jul 11, 2008
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.
9%
of 221 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.
0
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 vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 1991 Mercury Sable submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 20 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 body or structure

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

Body & structure
Filed Jul 11, 2008

I HIT A SMALL POTHOLE AND THE STEERING WHEEL SUDDENLY MOVED TO A ONE O'CLOCK POSITION WHILE THE WHEELS WERE POINTING STRAIGHT AHEAD. MY ALIGNMENT SHOP INSPECTED THE CAR AND FOUND THAT THE CAUSE WAS A FAILURE OF THE PASSENGER SIDE SUB-FRAME MOUNTING BOLT ANCHOR. THE LOCAL DEALER SAID MY CAR IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL (98S36) I DEMAND AN ANSWER AS WHY MY CAR IS NOT INCLUDED. *TR

NHTSA ID
10233972
Incident
Jun 29, 2008
Mileage
57,000 mi
Body & structure
Filed Jul 17, 2003

NORTHPORT FORD IN COMMACK, NY FAILED TO PROPERLY PERFORM SAFETY RECALL 98S36 FOR THE SUBFRAME ON MY 1991 MERCURY SABLE. THE SUBFRAME SUBSEQUENTLY BROKE FREE CAUSING DAMAGE TO MY MOTOR MOUNTS, TRANSMISSION AND STEERING COMPONENTS. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CLOSEST FORD DEALER IN PATCHOGUE NY. FORD AGREED TO REINSTATE THE RECALL FOR THE DEALER TO REPAIR MY VEHICLE. THE DEALER CALLED FORD WITH THE PRICE OF THE SUBSEQUENT DAMAGE AND FORD WITHDREW THE OFFER TO REPAIR. THEY WANTED TO BUY THE VEHICLE BACK AT A PRICE THEY DECIDED ON. I AM ON DISABILITY WITH A WORK RELATED ACCIDENT. I CAN NOT AFFORD TO BE WITHOUT MY VEHICLE. I CAN NOT AFFORD TO BUY ANOTHER VEHICLE AT THE BUYOUT PRICE FORD WANTS TO GIVE ME. I FEEL THAT THIS ACCURED DUE TO A SAFETY RECALL THAT WAS NOT PERFORMED PROPERLY AND FORD SHOULD DEAL WITH THAT DEALERSHIP AND FIX MY VEHICLE AT NO CHARGE.*AK

NHTSA ID
10028532
Incident
May 30, 2003
Mileage
130,000 mi
Body & structure
Filed May 16, 2003

THE LEFT REAR SUB-FRAME MOUNT BROKE. THE RIGHT REAR SUB-FRAME MOUNT LOOKED LIKE IT WAS ABOUT TO BREAK. *NLM

NHTSA ID
10020010
Incident
May 16, 2003
Body & structure
Filed May 13, 2003

THE CONSUMER VEHICLE EXPERIENCED SYMPTOMS OF NHTSA RECALL # 98-V-323-000 WHICH WAS RELATED TO THE REAR LOWER SUBFRAME MOUNT PLATE NUT. THE CONSUMER VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO VIN. *NLM

NHTSA ID
10019777
Incident
May 13, 2003
Body & structure
Filed Aug 23, 2000

SUBFRAME IS DETACHING FROM MOTOR, AND IS CORRODED. CONSUMER TOOK CAR INTO DEALER ON SEPT 20, 1999, FOR RECALL ON SUBFRAME. HOW COULD IT BE CORRODED SO FAST.*AK

NHTSA ID
868471
Incident
Aug 21, 2000
Body & structure
Filed Aug 17, 1999

LIFTGATE HAD CHRONIC DIFFICULTY CLOSING SECURELY, BEGINNING AT APPROXIMATELY 50,000 MILES. DEALER ADVISED ME TO ADJUST STRIKER POSITION. EVENTUALLY PROBLEM WORSENED UNTIL LIFTGATE WOULD NOT CLOSE SECURELY DESPITE STRIKER ADJUSTMENT. PLASTIC TRIM PIECE COVERING LIFTGATE STILL WAS REMOVED REVEALING THAT THE SHEET METAL STILL (PART NUMBER 8D74) WAS FRACTURED AROUND THE STRIKER ADJUSTMENT OPENING, CAUSING STRIKER TO MOVE WHEN LIFTGATE WAS CLOSED, PREVENTING LIFTGATE FROM CLOSING AROUND STRIKER. I CALLED DEALER TO ALERT THEM TO THIS DEFECT; DEALER STATED THEY KNEW OF NO TSBS (TECHNICAL SAFETY BULLETINS) ADDRESSING THIS PROBLEM; THEREFORE I WOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR REPAIR COSTS. I THEN CALLED FORD-MERCURY CUSTOMER SERVICE; THEY STATED THAT MY CAR WAS OUT OF WARRANTY, AND THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS FOR THIS PROBLEM; THEREFORE THEIR "FINAL DECISION" WAS THAT THE REPAIR COSTS WERE MY RESPONSIBILITY. (REPAIR COSTS, AS ESTIMATED BY A BODY SHOP, WERE $315.) I SUBMIT THAT THIS IS NOT A NORMAL "WEAR & TEAR" PROBLEM, BUT A SAFETY DEFECT. MY SAFETY CONCERNS: 1/UNSECURED LIFTGATE ALLOWS CARBON MONOXIDE FROM EXHAUST TO ENTER CAR WHILE DRIVING, ENDANGERING ALL OCCUPANTS; 2/UNSECURED LIFTGATE CAN BOUNCE OPEN WHEN DRIVING, ENDGANGERING OCCUPANTS OF REAR-FACING SEAT; 3/UNSECURED LIFTGATE EXPOSES CONTENTS OF PARKED CAR, AND CAR ITSELF, TO THEFT. I AM CERTAIN THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM FOR THIS MAKE AND MODEL OF VEHICLE. FORD-MERCURY WAS QUITE UNRESPONSIVE AND INDIFFERENT ABOUT ADDRESSING AND CORRECTING THIS SAFETY DEFECT. I APPRECIATE YOUR ASSISTANCE, AND WELCOME THE OPPORTUNITY TO DISCUSS THIS FURTHER WITH YOUR REPRESENTATIVES.

NHTSA ID
710105
Incident
Jun 1, 1999
Body & structure
Filed Jul 28, 1999

BODY MOUNTS FAILED PRIOR TO RECALL NOTICE (98V323000) WHICH CAUSED DAMAGE TO OTHER COMPONENTS. *YC

NHTSA ID
547582
Incident
Nov 4, 1996
Body & structureHeating & air conditioningTransmission
Filed Jul 23, 1999

DEALERSHIP WILL NOT PERFORM RECALL WORK (98V-323) DUE TO LACK OF PARTS. MJS

NHTSA ID
547471
Body & structure
Filed Jul 12, 1999

FAILURE OF RECALL COMPONENT (98V-323) CAUSED TRANSMISSION FAILURE, SLIPAGE & LOSS OF CONTROL PRIOR TO RECALL NOTICE, REPLACEMENT OF TRANSMISSION NECESSARY, HOWEVER CONTINUED PROBLEMS. *YC

NHTSA ID
547238
Incident
Oct 15, 1991
Body & structure
Filed May 6, 1999

AFTER HAVING RECALL 98S36 REPAIRES DONE, VEHICLE WAS TAKEN IN TO BE SERVICED AND CONSUMER WAS TOLD THAT THE BODY MOUNTS BROKE AGAIN. DEALER HAS BEEN COTACTED.*AK

NHTSA ID
837561
Body & structureBrakesEngine
Filed Mar 25, 1999

ENGINE MOUNTS REPLACED PRIOR TO RECALL DUE TO BEING LOOSE, HOWEVER RECALL DOES NOT INCLUDE MOTOR MOUNTS, ONLY SUBFRAME MOUNTS. (98V-323)

NHTSA ID
544604
Incident
Aug 4, 1998
Body & structurePowertrain (other)Steering
Filed Mar 25, 1999

BODY MOUNTS REPLACED PRIOR TO RECALL. (98V-323), ALSO REPLACED INNER/OUTER TIE ROD AND THE DRIVE AXLE.

NHTSA ID
544584
Incident
Nov 13, 1998
Body & structure
Filed Mar 24, 1999

FRONT CRADLE BOLT FAILED.

NHTSA ID
544542
Incident
Jan 1, 1999
Body & structureSteeringTransmission
Filed Nov 30, 1998

WHILE BACKING OUT OF A DRIVEWAY THERE WAS A LOUD NOISE COMING FROM THE VEHICLE, AND THE REAR MOUNT BOLTS PULLED THROUGH THE SUB-FRAME DUE TO CORROSION, CAUSING THE STEERING TO LOCK UP. *AK THE CUSTOMER WAS SEEKING REIMBURSEMENT FOR REPAIRS OF THE VEHICLE'S DEFECTIVE PARTS THAT WERE ON RECALL 93V106002. THE VEHICLE'S TRANSMISSION FAILED AND WAS REPLACED BY THE CUSTOMER. *YH

NHTSA ID
831436
Incident
Nov 21, 1998
Body & structure
Filed Jul 23, 1998

THE SUB-FRAME MOUNT RETAINING PLATE BROKE, CAUSING UNCONTROLLABLE STEERING AS IN RECALL # 93V106/ DATED 16-NOV-93. MANUFACTURER/DEALER REFUSED TO HONOR RECALL. *AK

NHTSA ID
825814
Incident
Jul 13, 1998
Body & structure
Filed Jan 23, 1998

REAR SUB-FRAME MOUNTS FAILED PRIOR TO/AFTER RECALL REPAIRS (93V-106.002). *AK

NHTSA ID
523254
Incident
Sep 5, 1997
Body & structure
Filed Sep 30, 1997

HATCHBACK HYDRAULIC CYLINDER IS FALLING OFF . OWNER TOOK VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION . ONE CAN'T SEE THAT THE HATCHBACK IS FALLING OFF UNLESS PULLING UP THE FLOORBOARD. THE DEALER CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER, AND THEY WILL NOT REPAIR THE DEFECT AT THEIR EXPENSE. *AK

NHTSA ID
816732
Incident
Sep 29, 1997
Body & structurePowertrain (other)
Filed Jul 31, 1997

WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE ABOUT 10 MPH, WHEN COMSUMER'S SON WAS MAKING A RIGHT HAND TURN AND PULLED INTO A DRIVEWAY, THE REAR BOLT OF THE ENGINE CRADLE FELL AND CB JOINT FELL ONE AT A TIME. WHEN THAT HAPPENED, THE ENGINE DROPPED WITH THE CRADLE. COMSUMER CONTACTED MANUFACTURER, THEY SAID IT WAS A RECALL ON THOSE BOLTS. [ RECALL NUMBER 92S61]. THE VEHICLE APPLIED TO THE RECALL , BUT THE VIN DID NOT SHOW ON THAT RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER THINKS THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN FIXED. *AK ENGINE CRADLE FALLING CAUSED DAMAGE TO RACK AND PINION WHICH REQUIRED REPLACEMENT. *SLC

NHTSA ID
814653
Incident
Jul 28, 1997
AirbagsBody & structureBrakes+2 more
Filed Oct 15, 1996

FRONT SHOCK ABSORBER RECALL REPAIR REFUSED BY DEALER.

NHTSA ID
509752
Incident
Oct 15, 1996
Body & structureEngineSeat belts+2 more
Filed May 25, 1995

OXYGEN SENSOR FAILED, RESULTING IN ROUGH IDLE/HESITATION.

NHTSA ID
486660
Incident
Apr 7, 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 .