1991 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 1991 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
- Transmission9230.0%
- Engine5618.2%
- Steering278.8%
- Body & structure206.5%
- Brakes196.2%
- Electrical154.9%
- Powertrain (other)113.6%
- Airbags113.6%
- Suspension103.3%
- Visibility72.3%
- Driver assistance72.3%
- Tires & wheels72.3%
- Fuel system62.0%
- Exterior lighting41.3%
- Seat belts41.3%
- Interior & seats31.0%
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
Transmission
Reports naming the automatic or manual transmission, including shifting behaviour, shudder, slipping and transmission control modules.
From owner reports, verbatim
THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FAILED WITHOUT WARNING WHILE STOPPED AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT. NLM
WHEN ACCELERATING FROM A STOP VEHICLE WILL HESITATE , FEELS AS THOUGH VEHICLE IS IN NEUTRAL , LIKE IT IS OUT OF GEAR AND WILL NOT MOVE. CONSUMER MUST RESTART VEHICLE, BUT EVENTUALLY DEFECT WILL REOCCUR. CONSUMER RECEIVED AN EXTENDED WARRANTY IN NOVEMBER 1994 FOR THIS PROBLEM WHICH STATED THAT DEFECT WILL CAUSE ERRATIC TRANSMISSION OPERATION. MANUFACTURER CLAIMED IT HAS PASSED THE WARRANTY BY YEARS AND WILL NOT COVER COSTS. *AK *SLC
Engine
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.
From owner reports, verbatim
OTHER THAN THE REST OF MY PROBLEMS WITH THE ABOVE MY NEWEST COMPLAINT IS THAT I JUST FOUND OUT THAT DUE TO THE FACT FORD INSTALLED AN ALUMINIM PISTON WHERE THERE SHOULD HAVE BEEN A STEEL ONE WHICH IS THE ONLY ONE AVAILABLE NOW SINCE YOU DISCOVERED YOUR PROBLEMS. MY CAR IS IN THE SHOP RIGHT NOW AND I'M BEING TOLD IT WILL COST BETWEEN $1200.00 - $1500.00 TO FIX DUE TO FORD'S POOR DESIGN. THIS IS NOT MY FIRST SABLE WAGON. THE FIRST ONE HAD ALL KINDS OF A/C PROBLEMS AND I'M GETTING TIRED OF PAYING FOR YOUR MISTAKES. MY A/C IS OUT NOW, I REPLACE BRAKE PADS ALL THE TIME.
VEHICLE WOULD OVERHEAT WHILE DRIVING, VEHICLE TAKEN TO A REPAIR SHOP, AND INFORMED OF A BLOWN HEAD GASKET. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK
Steering
Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage.
From owner reports, verbatim
OTHER THAN THE REST OF MY PROBLEMS WITH THE ABOVE MY NEWEST COMPLAINT IS THAT I JUST FOUND OUT THAT DUE TO THE FACT FORD INSTALLED AN ALUMINIM PISTON WHERE THERE SHOULD HAVE BEEN A STEEL ONE WHICH IS THE ONLY ONE AVAILABLE NOW SINCE YOU DISCOVERED YOUR PROBLEMS. MY CAR IS IN THE SHOP RIGHT NOW AND I'M BEING TOLD IT WILL COST BETWEEN $1200.00 - $1500.00 TO FIX DUE TO FORD'S POOR DESIGN. THIS IS NOT MY FIRST SABLE WAGON. THE FIRST ONE HAD ALL KINDS OF A/C PROBLEMS AND I'M GETTING TIRED OF PAYING FOR YOUR MISTAKES. MY A/C IS OUT NOW, I REPLACE BRAKE PADS ALL THE TIME.
CONSUMER STATES THAT THE VEHICLE BUSHINGS ARE MADE OF A VIBER MATERIAL THAT WEARS OUT, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO STEER IMPROPERLY. *AK
Body & structure
Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim.
From owner reports, verbatim
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
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
Brakes
Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.
From owner reports, verbatim
OTHER THAN THE REST OF MY PROBLEMS WITH THE ABOVE MY NEWEST COMPLAINT IS THAT I JUST FOUND OUT THAT DUE TO THE FACT FORD INSTALLED AN ALUMINIM PISTON WHERE THERE SHOULD HAVE BEEN A STEEL ONE WHICH IS THE ONLY ONE AVAILABLE NOW SINCE YOU DISCOVERED YOUR PROBLEMS. MY CAR IS IN THE SHOP RIGHT NOW AND I'M BEING TOLD IT WILL COST BETWEEN $1200.00 - $1500.00 TO FIX DUE TO FORD'S POOR DESIGN. THIS IS NOT MY FIRST SABLE WAGON. THE FIRST ONE HAD ALL KINDS OF A/C PROBLEMS AND I'M GETTING TIRED OF PAYING FOR YOUR MISTAKES. MY A/C IS OUT NOW, I REPLACE BRAKE PADS ALL THE TIME.
CONSUMER STATED THAT THE WINDSHIELD WIPER WAS NOISY.*JB
Electrical
Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.
From owner reports, verbatim
AUTO WAS PARKED. APPROXIMATELY ONE HALF LATER, ACCORDING TO THE FIRE DEPARTMENT REPORT, A FIRE WAS REPORTED COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD OF THE VEHICLE. FIRE GUTTED OUT THE ENTIRE MOTOR AND THE CAR WAS TOTALED. NO INJURIES. THERE WAS NO PREVIOUS INDICATION OF ANY ELECTRICAL PROBLEM. MR
VEHICLE WAS ON THE ENTRANCE RAMP TO A MAJOR HIGHWAY WHEN ENGINE POWER WAS SUDDENLY LOST. CAR WAS RESTARTED AFTER A TEN MINUTE COOL DOWN. DROVE FOR ANOTHER 10 MINUTES WHEN ENGINE POWER WAS LOST FOR A SECOND TIME. CAR WAS UNABLE TO START AFTER THE SECOND FAILURE. ROOT CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS A CORRODED GROUND CONNECT, ITENTIFIED AS C112 (FORD #). THIS CONNECTOR PROVIDES THE GROUND (NEGATIVE) FOR MAJOR ENGINE AND INSTRUMENTATION COMPONENTS (INSTRUMENT CLUSTER, INTEGRATED CONTROL MODULE, POWER STEERING MODULE, COOLING FAN, ELECTRONIC ENGINE CONTROL MODULE, OXYGEN SENSORS). THE LOCATION OF THIS GROUND CONNECTOR NEXT TO THE BATTERY, INCREASES ITS SUSCEPTABILITY TO ACCELERATED CORROSION. THE GROUND PLUG IS NOT A WATER TIGHT DESIGN. SEVERE CORROSION OF THE CONNECTOR BLADES WERE FOUND UPON DISASSEMBLY . CONNECTOR SHOULD BE REPLACED WITH A TYPE LESS SUSCEPTABLE TO CORROSION. FAILURES ARE MORE LIKELY WHEN THE CAR IS OPERATING IN HOT DRY WEATHER AND WITH HIGHER ELECTRICAL LOADS.
Powertrain (other)
Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials.
From owner reports, verbatim
OTHER THAN THE REST OF MY PROBLEMS WITH THE ABOVE MY NEWEST COMPLAINT IS THAT I JUST FOUND OUT THAT DUE TO THE FACT FORD INSTALLED AN ALUMINIM PISTON WHERE THERE SHOULD HAVE BEEN A STEEL ONE WHICH IS THE ONLY ONE AVAILABLE NOW SINCE YOU DISCOVERED YOUR PROBLEMS. MY CAR IS IN THE SHOP RIGHT NOW AND I'M BEING TOLD IT WILL COST BETWEEN $1200.00 - $1500.00 TO FIX DUE TO FORD'S POOR DESIGN. THIS IS NOT MY FIRST SABLE WAGON. THE FIRST ONE HAD ALL KINDS OF A/C PROBLEMS AND I'M GETTING TIRED OF PAYING FOR YOUR MISTAKES. MY A/C IS OUT NOW, I REPLACE BRAKE PADS ALL THE TIME.
THE TRANSAXLE FORWARD CLUTCH PISTON DESIGN IS MADE OF ALUMINUM WHICH FAILS (CRACKS), THE REPLACEMENT IS MADE OF STEEL, CONSUMER FEELS A RECALL SHOULD BE ISSUED DUE TO DESIGN FLAW *MJS
Airbags
Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights.
From owner reports, verbatim
AIR BAG LIGHT FLASHES ON AND OFF, INDICTATING A DEFECT. CONSUMER HAS NOT TAKEN VEHICLE TO DEALER. *AK
BEFORE CONSUMER PURCHASED VEHICLE THEY NOTICED THAT THE AIR BAG LIGHT WAS ON, THE DEALER TOLD THE CONSUMER THEY COULD NOT FIX THE LIGHT DUE TO A FEDERAL LAW AND NEVER SAID THE AIR BAGS DID NOT WORK, THERE WAS AN ACCIDENT WHERE THE AIR BAGS EXPERIENCED NO DEPLOYMENT AND 2 OF THE OCCUPANTS INJURIES WERE SORENESS. *SLC
Suspension
Reports naming suspension components — springs, struts, shocks, control arms and related hardware.
From owner reports, verbatim
CONSUMER STATES THAT THE VEHICLE BUSHINGS ARE MADE OF A VIBER MATERIAL THAT WEARS OUT, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO STEER IMPROPERLY. *AK
PLNHTS#6954-94-E-036-000: SWAY BAR BRACKET WHERE IT ATTACHES TO THE STRUT RESERVE TUBE DID NOT FUSE PROPERTY. CONSUMER STATES HAS THE SAME PROBLEM (MAKING SOME NOISE). DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFED. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. TS
Heating & air conditioning
Reports naming the heating, ventilation and air-conditioning system.
From owner reports, verbatim
THE MODULATOR VAVLE WENT OUT AND I WAS TOLD THE EVAPORATOR ALSO HAD TO BE REPLACED. I JUST WONDERED IF OTHERS HAD HAD A/C PROBLEMS OR WAS IT JUST MY CAR. I ALSO HAD THE REPLACED A/C GO OUT 2 YEARS LATER AND HAD TO REPLACE THECOMPRESSOR AND OTHER PARTS
DEALERSHIP WILL NOT PERFORM RECALL WORK (98V-323) DUE TO LACK OF PARTS. MJS
Visibility
Reports naming windshields, glass, wipers, defrosters and mirrors.
From owner reports, verbatim
OTHER THAN THE REST OF MY PROBLEMS WITH THE ABOVE MY NEWEST COMPLAINT IS THAT I JUST FOUND OUT THAT DUE TO THE FACT FORD INSTALLED AN ALUMINIM PISTON WHERE THERE SHOULD HAVE BEEN A STEEL ONE WHICH IS THE ONLY ONE AVAILABLE NOW SINCE YOU DISCOVERED YOUR PROBLEMS. MY CAR IS IN THE SHOP RIGHT NOW AND I'M BEING TOLD IT WILL COST BETWEEN $1200.00 - $1500.00 TO FIX DUE TO FORD'S POOR DESIGN. THIS IS NOT MY FIRST SABLE WAGON. THE FIRST ONE HAD ALL KINDS OF A/C PROBLEMS AND I'M GETTING TIRED OF PAYING FOR YOUR MISTAKES. MY A/C IS OUT NOW, I REPLACE BRAKE PADS ALL THE TIME.
CONSUMER STATED THAT THE WINDSHIELD WIPER WAS NOISY.*JB
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Driver assistance
Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems.
From owner reports, verbatim
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH ON NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS, THERE WAS A NOTICEABLE DELAY TO DISENGAGED THE SPEED CONTROL. THE BRAKE PEDAL HAD TO BE PUMPED SEVERAL TIMES UNTIL THE DRIVER REGAINED CONTROL OVER THE VEHICLE'S SPEED. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL LETTER # 97V025000 BUT MISPLACED IT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED WHO REFUSED TO PRODUCE A NEW LETTER BECAUSE THE RECALL WAS TOO OLD. THE CONTACT EXPRESSED CONCERN BECAUSE THE SPEED CONTROL MALFUNCTIONING ENTAILED A SERIOUS SAFETY RISK.
TRANSMISSION WENT OUT WHILE DRIVING AT 50 MPH WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING, CAUSING VEHICLE TO STALL AND SHUT OFF COMPLETELY. ALSO, THERE WAS VIBRATION WITHIN THE STEERING WHEEL. ALSO, LOSS OF CRUISE CONTROL, CAUSING VEHICLE TO ACCELERATE. IN ADDITION,SMOKE CAME FROM UNDERHOOD. *AK
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
LEFT/REAR COOPER TIRE, SIZE: P205/65R15, DOT: U9UREK7139 EXPERIENCED TREAD SEPARATION WHILE TRAVELING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED. THERE WERE APPROXIMATELY 10,000 MILES ON THE TIRE, AND IT WAS NOT ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT ON 1991, MERCURY, SABLE. *AK
REAR BRAKES RUSTED THROUGH THE DRUMS. *SLC
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Fuel system
Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.
From owner reports, verbatim
OTHER THAN THE REST OF MY PROBLEMS WITH THE ABOVE MY NEWEST COMPLAINT IS THAT I JUST FOUND OUT THAT DUE TO THE FACT FORD INSTALLED AN ALUMINIM PISTON WHERE THERE SHOULD HAVE BEEN A STEEL ONE WHICH IS THE ONLY ONE AVAILABLE NOW SINCE YOU DISCOVERED YOUR PROBLEMS. MY CAR IS IN THE SHOP RIGHT NOW AND I'M BEING TOLD IT WILL COST BETWEEN $1200.00 - $1500.00 TO FIX DUE TO FORD'S POOR DESIGN. THIS IS NOT MY FIRST SABLE WAGON. THE FIRST ONE HAD ALL KINDS OF A/C PROBLEMS AND I'M GETTING TIRED OF PAYING FOR YOUR MISTAKES. MY A/C IS OUT NOW, I REPLACE BRAKE PADS ALL THE TIME.
INNER TIE ROD BROKE, CAUSING A FUEL LINE TO BE SEVERED. CURRENTLY,FUEL IS BEING PUMPED INTO THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. MECHANIC HAS REPLACED THE RACK AND PINION AND FUEL LINE. *AK
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
WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT THE VEHICLE'S HEADLIGHTS FAILED WITHOUT WARNING. THE DEALER STATES THE HEAD LAMP SENSOR SWITCH BURNED. A RECALL WAS ISSUED, HOWEVER THE VIN NUMBER IS OUTSIDE OF THE REMEDY SCOPE. *MR
SIGNAL LIGHT LENSES ARE POORLY DESIGNED.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Seat belts
Reports naming seat belts, buckles, retractors and pretensioners.
From owner reports, verbatim
DRIVER'S AND PASSENGER'S SIDE SEAT BELT BUCKLES BECOME UNLATCHED ON THEIR OWN. *AK
FRONT PASSENGER'S/REAR PASSENGER'S SEAT BELT BUCKLE CLIP WON'T LATCH. *AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Interior & seats
Reports naming seats, latches, locks, linkages and interior fittings.
From owner reports, verbatim
I HAVE LOCATED WHAT APPEARS TO BE A REPETITIVE SEVERE PROBLEMWHERE THE WIRE HARNESS IS RUBBING AGAINST A SHARP BENT METAL EDGE NEXT TO THE FUSE BOX AND AFTER TRYING TO LOCATE PARTS TO REPAIR I OBSERVED SEVERAL BURNED OUT TAURUS AND SABLE VEHICLES WHERE IT APPEARED TO HAVE STARTED AT OR UNDER THE DASH. ALSO A SIMILAR YEAR MK 7 BURNED THE SAME WAY. QUITE UNNERVING. ALSO HAVE A SECOND TAURUS WAGON I'VE HAD FOR SEVERAL YEARS AND EXAMINED IT WIRING AND SAME PROBLEM CHAFFED WIRE HARNESS APPROXIMATELY 3" FROM FUSE BOX. ALSO MY WIRES INTO BOX LOOSE ENOUGH TO COMPLETELY SHUT DOWN VEHICLE ELECTRICAL FUNCTION, FIRST TIME HAPPENED GOING 65 ON FREEWAY. ALSO SHIFT LEVER ON COLUMN POORLY DESIGNED TILL 93 WHEN IT APPEARS TO HAVE BEEN REDESIGNED TO CORRECT PROBLEM I HAD WHERE SHIFTS OUT OF GEAR BECAUSE OF SLOP AND WEAR. PREVIOUS OWNER SPENT FORTUNE REPLACING TRANS AND IT WASN'T PROBLEM LINKAGE COULDN'T BE PROPERLY LOCATED BECAUSE OF SLOP IN SHIFT LEVER DUE TO UNUSUAL WEAR. OTHERWISE MY CARS CANNOT BE TOLD FROM NEAR NE. *AK
THIS IS VERY SERIOUS AND DANGEROUS AFTER ADDING OIL TO THE ENGINE OF THIS VEHICLE YESTERDAY I MADE SURE THE HOOD WAS SECURLY LATCHED ( BECAUSE IT HAS COME OPEN ON ME PREVIOUSLY WHILE IN MOTION ) I PULLED UP ON THE HOOD AND IT WOULD NOT OPEN. I LEFT THE GAS STATION AND GOT ON THE INTERSTATE. WHILE IN THE FAST LANE DOING APPROXAMATLY 70 MPH THE HOOD CAME COMPLETELY OPEN BENT BACK AND SMASHED THE FRONT WINDSHIELD. I WAS TOTALY BLINDED BY IT. I WAS LUKY TO GET THE CAR STOPED WITH OUT GETTING KILLED IN THE PROCESS. I WOULD LIKE THIS CHECKED OUT TO SEE IF IT IS A DEFAULT. I WOULD HATE TO SEE ANYONE DYE OVER THIS TYPE OF THING. *AK
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 .