RoadVitals

1991 Mercury Sable Steering Problems

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.
27
Latest Jan 15, 2004
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.
12%
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.
1
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 steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage. 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. 27 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

The 25 most recent of 27, in the owner's own words

BrakesEngineFuel system+3 more
Filed Jan 15, 2004

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.

NHTSA ID
10070144
Incident
Mar 15, 2003
SteeringSuspension
Filed Jul 2, 2003

CONSUMER STATES THAT THE VEHICLE BUSHINGS ARE MADE OF A VIBER MATERIAL THAT WEARS OUT, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO STEER IMPROPERLY. *AK

NHTSA ID
10026456
Steering
Filed May 19, 2003

THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP WHEN THE CONSUMER MADE LEFT TURNS. *NLM

NHTSA ID
10020062
Incident
Apr 12, 2003
Steering
Filed Nov 24, 2001

REPAIR IMMEDIATELY AFTER PURCHASE WAS POWER STEERING LINE - REPORTED TO SELLER IMMEDIATELY THE NEXT WEEK AFTER PURCHASE. *AK

NHTSA ID
754852
Incident
Nov 17, 2001
Steering
Filed Dec 16, 1999

JUST MAKING A TURN ONTO THE HIGHWAY, TRAVELING AT APPROXIMATELY 10MPH AND SUDDENLY CAR CAME TO A STOP BECAUSE OF THE POSITON OF THE LEFT FRONT WHEEL. HAD TO STRAIGHTEN WHEEL MANUALLY, AND MOVE IT OFF THE ROAD. HAD IT TOWED TO A SERVICE STATION. INNER TIE ROD BROKE. *AK

NHTSA ID
853194
Incident
Aug 4, 1999
EngineSteeringTransmission
Filed Sep 16, 1999

WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED STEERING WHEEL LOCKS UP, AND THE VEHICLE IS HARD TO TURN. VEHICLE WILL GO ANY OTHER WAY BESIDES THE WAY CONSUMER IS TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL. ALSO, AND THERE IS A LEAKAGE WITHIN THE ENGINE HEAD GASKET AND TRANSMISSION, AND SMOKE IS COMING FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. *AK

NHTSA ID
847888
Incident
Oct 1, 1991
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
Fuel systemSteering
Filed Mar 24, 1999

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

NHTSA ID
836101
Steering
Filed Mar 12, 1999

WHEN DRIVING AT 10 MPH THE LEFT TIE ROD WENT OUT, AND THEN THE RIGHT TIE ROD WENT OUT. CONSUMER IS HAVING DIFFERENT KINDS OF PROBLEMS WITH VEHICLE. *AK

NHTSA ID
835780
Incident
Jan 1, 1998
Steering
Filed Mar 11, 1999

I WAS VERY ALARMED WHEN MY CAR LOST ALL STEERING CAPABILITY. WHY WOULD SOMETHING JUST BRAKE LIKE THAT. I HAD 4 CHILDREN IN THE CAR WITH ME AND HAD TO FIGURE OUT HOW TO GET BACK TO MY HOME TOWN WHICH WAS 45 MINUTES AWAY. I FEEL THAT OTHERS ARE AT RISK IF MY CAR COULD DO THAT TO ME WITH NO PRIOR WARNING. IF I WOULD HAVE BEEN ON THE HIGHWAY TRAVELING AT THE SPEED LIMIT WE PROBABLY WOULD OF BEEN IN A MAJOR ACCIDENT. I FEEL A RECALL FOR THE RACK AND PINION NEEDS TO BE INVESTIGATED. I ENDED UP SPENDING 895.74 PLUS AN ADDITIONAL 45.00 FOR TOWING TO FIX THIS CAR. I HAVE HAD NOTHING BUT PROBLEMS WITH IT. WHAT A DISAPOINTMENT IT WAS!

NHTSA ID
704300
Incident
Sep 14, 1998
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
BrakesElectricalEngine+2 more
Filed Nov 13, 1998

HEAD GASKET FAILED.

NHTSA ID
542576
Incident
Jan 20, 1997
SteeringTires & wheelsTransmission
Filed Oct 20, 1997

POWER STEERING FLUID LINES FAILED. YH

NHTSA ID
604670
EngineSteeringTransmission
Filed Oct 9, 1997

AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FAILED. IN ADDITION, REPLACED HEAD GASKET/POWER STEERING LINE/ENGINE/THERMOSTAT. *AK

NHTSA ID
523872
Incident
Nov 1, 1996
Steering
Filed Jan 15, 1997

REPLACED THE INNER TIE ROD END BECAUSE THE TIE ROD BROKE WHEN COMING TO A STOP. PLEASE DESCRIBE DETAILS. *AK

NHTSA ID
807685
EngineSteering
Filed Oct 30, 1996

WHILE DRIVING RACK AND PINION STEERING FAILED COMPLETELY, SNAPPING W/WHEELS FACING OUTWARD. OWNER HAS RETURNED SOME PARTS BACK TO FORD MFG, LSO REPLACED ENGINE MOUNTS. *AK

NHTSA ID
803441
Incident
Oct 9, 1996
Steering
Filed Oct 30, 1996
Fire reported

POWER STEERING HOSE FLUID LEAK, CAUSING FIRE.

NHTSA ID
510832
Incident
Aug 17, 1995
SteeringTransmission
Filed Oct 15, 1996

POWER STEERING FAILURE.

NHTSA ID
509878
Incident
Oct 15, 1996
Steering
Filed Aug 20, 1996

FAILURE OF RACK AND PINION STEERING, ALSO WHEN MAKING A LEFT TURN, THE STEERING WHEEL TIE ROD BROKE, CAUSING THE CONSUMER TO LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE.*AK

NHTSA ID
801101
Incident
Aug 18, 1996
Steering
Filed Feb 1, 1996

WHEN TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL THERE IS A NOISE . TT

NHTSA ID
978557
Heating & air conditioningEngineSteering+1 more
Filed Jan 15, 1996

AIR CONDITIONER FAILED FOUR TIMES, ONCE DUE TO COMPRESSOR, ONCE DUE TO A SWITCH, AND TWICE DUE TO VACUUM LINES.

NHTSA ID
500933
Incident
Jan 15, 1996
Steering
Filed Aug 4, 1995

BENT LEFT INNER/LEFT OUTER AND RIGHT OUTER TIE RODS, CAUSING VIBRATION/POOR DIRECTION. *AK

NHTSA ID
483188
Incident
Jul 28, 1995
ElectricalEngineSteering+1 more
Filed Apr 10, 1995

STARTER FAILURE.

NHTSA ID
489312
Incident
Mar 9, 1993
Powertrain (other)Steering
Filed Mar 1, 1995

NOISE IN FRONT END TIE ROD,AXLE,AND CV BOOT EXHIBITED WEAR. PLEASE DESCRIBE OTHER PROBLEMS. TT

NHTSA ID
960861
Incident
Jan 1, 1995
Steering
Filed Feb 9, 1995

LEFT INNER TIE ROD BROKE. TT

NHTSA ID
959818
Incident
Aug 1, 1994

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 .