RoadVitals

1992 Mercury Sable Owner Complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers, shown in full

Data refreshed

Complaints on fileComplaints 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.
364
Latest Jun 28, 2010
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.
18
Filed in the last 12 monthsReports filed with NHTSA in the trailing 365 days. Recent volume reflects attention and vehicle age as much as anything else.
0
Reports on file since Jan 4, 1995

What this page shows

Our database holds 364 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1992 Mercury Sable. Each one is a report filed by an owner or driver and published by NHTSA without most of them being verified. A complaint is not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. Narratives are shown exactly as filed.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

Complaints, most recent first

Showing 1–25 of 364 · page 1 of 15

Tires & wheels
Filed Jun 28, 2010

THE TIRE VALVE ON MY RIGHT REAR TIRE FAILED WHILE THE CAR WAS GARAGED. THIS WAS THE SECOND VALVE FAILURE IN A PAIR OF TIRES INSTALLED ON 04/27/2007. THE FIRST VALVE FAILED (ON THE OTHER TIRE IN THE PAIR) ON 04/26/2009 WHILE THE CAR WAS ALSO PARKED, BUT ABOUT 30 MILES FROM HOME (SEE ODI NUMBER 10279930). *TR

NHTSA ID
10340451
Incident
Jun 15, 2010
Mileage
132,300 mi
Tires & wheels
Filed Aug 10, 2009

WHILE AT A DESTINATION ABOUT 30 MILES FROM HOME, MY LEFT-FRONT TIRE VALVE FAILED JUST AS I WAS ABOUT TO ENTER THE PARKED CAR TO HEAD HOME. THE AIR WHOOSHED LOUDLY OUT OF THE TIRE AS I WATCHED IT DEFLATE BEFORE MY EYES. I CALLED AAA FOR ASSISTANCE IN CHANGING THE TIRE AND TOOK THE FLAT TIRE TO MY DEALER THE FOLLOWING DAY FOR REPLACEMENT OF THE DEFECTIVE TIRE VALVE. THE VALVE WAS INSTALLED AS PART OF A NEW-TIRE INSTALLATION ON 04/24/2007 BY MY FORD DEALER. *TR

NHTSA ID
10279930
Incident
Apr 26, 2009
Mileage
124,600 mi
Body & structureSteeringSuspension
Filed Sep 4, 2008

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1992 MERCURY SABLE. WHEN THE CONTACT TOOK HIS VEHICLE TO A LOCAL MECHANIC, CORROSION WAS DISCOVERED IN THE STEERING COLUMN. HE ALSO DISCOVERED THAT HE WAS EXPERIENCING THE SAME FAILURE LISTED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 98V323000 (STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS). THE MANUFACTURER WAS UNABLE TO PROVIDE ASSISTANCE; HOWEVER, THEY STATED THAT BECAUSE IT HAD EXCEEDED TEN YEARS, THE PARTS WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 85,591. UPDATED 10/16/08. *LJ THE VEHICLE WOULD PULL TO THE SIDE. UPDATED 10/17/08. *JB

NHTSA ID
10240898
Incident
Sep 4, 1992
Mileage
85,591 mi
Suspension
Filed Oct 4, 2007

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1992 MERCURY SABLE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD THUMPING NOISE. APPROXIMATELY THIRTY SECONDS LATER, THE VEHICLE SHUT OFF. HE PUSHED THE VEHICLE TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND NOTICED THAT THE FRONT FRAME FAILED. TWO DAYS LATER, THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AAA. A LOCAL MECHANIC ARRIVED A WEEK LATER AND STATED THAT THERE WAS WEAR AND TEAR ON THE FRONT FRAME BUSHING SWAY BAR, WHICH CAUSED THE FRONT FRAME TO FAIL. HE NOTIFIED THE MANUFACTURER AND THEY STATED THAT THERE WAS A RECALL FOR THE REAR FRAME, BUT NOT THE FRONT. THE MANUFACTURER WOULD NOT PROVIDE ANY FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE WITH THE REPAIRS AND STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT WORTH REPAIRING. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 100,000. UPDATED 11/06/07 *TR

NHTSA ID
10204862
Incident
Sep 24, 2007
Mileage
100,000 mi
Engine
Filed Jan 10, 2006

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT LOW SPEEDS DOWN A HILL AND TRYING TO STOP THE VEHICLE STALLED. ALL THE LIGHTS ON THE DASHBOARD ILLUMINATED PRIOR TO THE VEHICLE STALLING. THE BRAKES DID NOT WORK WHEN THIS OCCURRED. THE PARKING BRAKE MUST BE USED TO STOP THE VEHICLE. AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP HAS BEEN UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM.*AK UPDATED 1/25/2006 - THE MANUFACTURER INDICATED THERE WERE NOT RECALLS RELATED TO THE FAILURE. *NM

NHTSA ID
10147352
Incident
Nov 10, 2005
Mileage
47,000 mi
Tires & wheels
Filed Nov 29, 2005

THE CONSUMER'S GENERAL TIRES DEVELOPED SEPARATION BETWEEN THE TREAD AND THE CORE. *TS *SC

NHTSA ID
10144281
Incident
Nov 1, 2005
Brakes
Filed Nov 14, 2005
Crash reported

DT: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT THE CONSUMER STRUCK A DEER AND EXPERIENCED DIFFICULTY STOPPING WITH THE BRAKES. THERE WAS DAMAGE TO THE FRONT HOOD AND HEADLIGHTS. NO POLICE REPORT WAS TAKEN. HE DROVE THE VEHICLE HOME. UPON INSPECTION THERE WAS CORROSION ON BRAKE LINES. HE SUSPECTED THIS WAS DUE TO DISSIMILAR METAL CORROSION AND ROAD SALTS. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED AT THIS TIME. *AK UPDATED 12/27/05. *JB THE BRAKE LINE BURST.

NHTSA ID
10142623
Incident
Nov 9, 2005
Mileage
180,000 mi
Steering
Filed Mar 2, 2005

MERCURY SABLE 1992 POWER STEERING LEAKED. *BF THE LEAK WAS COMING FROM THE RACK AND PINION. *NM

NHTSA ID
10113594
Incident
Sep 2, 2004
Mileage
83,983 mi
Airbags
Filed Dec 17, 2004
Crash reported

THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN IN A FRONTAL CRASH AT 35-40 MPH AND NONE OF THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. NO INJURIES WERE REPORTED AND THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED. *JB

NHTSA ID
10105027
Incident
Nov 17, 2004
Mileage
146,000 mi
Body & structure
Filed Nov 3, 2004

WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH REAR SUB FRAME MOUNT BUSHING SEPARATED FROM THE VEHICLE. RECALL 98V323000 FOR THE SUB FRAME MOUNT BOLTS WAS ISSUED. DEALER REFUSED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE BECAUSE IT WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO VIN. *AK

NHTSA ID
10099297
Incident
Oct 27, 2004
Mileage
88,000 mi
Driver assistanceOther / unspecified
Filed Nov 3, 2004

I WAS ON THE HIGHWAY SO I PUT ON THE CRUISE CONTROL, WHEN I HIT THE BRAKES THE CAR SLOWED DOWN, THEN WHEN I REASLED THE BRAKES THE CAR RADILY SPEED UP, AND IT IS HARD TO SHUT IT OFF.*AK

NHTSA ID
10098210
Incident
Jul 31, 2004
Mileage
131,254 mi
Transmission
Filed Sep 1, 2004

WHILE DRIVING TRANSMISSION MADE A LOUD NOISE. THEN IT COMPLETELY FAILED. *AK

NHTSA ID
10090173
Incident
Sep 1, 2004
Body & structure
Filed Jul 29, 2004

SUB FRAME RUSTED DUE TO THE PROBLEM AS DESCRIBED IN THE SUB FRAME CORROSION RECALL 98V323000. HOWEVER, THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INVOLVED IN THE RECALL DUE TO VIN. *AK

NHTSA ID
10083743
Incident
Feb 15, 2003
Mileage
114,000 mi
Body & structure
Filed Jun 6, 2004

CORROSION OF PASSENGER SIDE REAR SUB FRAME, ALOWING ENGINE TO DROP DOWN, CAUSING A POSSIBLE FATAL DRIVING CONDITION. SUB FRAME BOLTS REPLACED IN A RECALL. ENTIRE SUB FRAME WAS REPLACED WITH A NEW ORIGINAL PART FROM FORD, AT A $1,100 COST TO MYSELF. *AK

NHTSA ID
10074902
Incident
Mar 5, 2004
Mileage
103,603 mi
Engine
Filed Jan 21, 2004
4 deaths reported

MY HEAD GASKETS KEEP BLOWING .. I REALIZE THIS IS A OLDER MODEL CAR HOWEVER JUST B/C IM A SINGLE FEMALE WHO DIDNT EVEN KNOW WHAT A RECALL WAS/IS DOESNT MEAN THAT I SHOULDNT BE ENTITLED TO PERHAPS A REEMBURSMENT OR TO HAVE MY CAR FIXED PROPERLY I HAVE BEEN OUT SO MUCH MONEY ON THIS CAR AND THE MOTOR AND I ALWAYS ALWAYS DO AS DIRECTED WITH OIL CHANGES AND WATER CHECKINGS I JUST DONT UNDERSTAND WHY I WASNT EVER NOTIFIED OF THE DANGERS OF MY COOLING SYSTEMS AND MY MOTOR. I AM A WIDOW WITH 3 CHILDREN AND I CANT AFFORD TO KEEP HAVING MY HEADS DONE OR MY MOTOR WORKED ON PLEASE GUIDE ME IN THE DIRECTION OF SOMEONE THAT COULD PERHAPS FIX THIS PROBLEM ONCE AND FOR ALL. *AK

NHTSA ID
10054584
Incident
Jan 1, 2004
Engine
Filed Jan 15, 2004

THE CAR IS A 1992 MERCURY SABLE 3.8L V-6 ENGINE WITH 93,000 MILES. THE HEAD GASKETS NEED TO BE REPLACED. I HAVE BEEN QUOTED AN ESTIMATE OF $1,000 TO FIX THE PROBLEM. I AM THE SECOND OWNER OF THE AUTOMOBILE AND IT HAS BEEN WELL MAINTAINED. THE CAR BROKE DOWN ON JUNE 25, 2003 AND IS CURRENTLY PARKED AT THE MECHANIC'S SHOP.

NHTSA ID
10070531
Incident
Jul 15, 2003
Mileage
93,000 mi
Engine
Filed Jan 15, 2004

1ST ONE REMOVE & REPLACE TIMING COVER/PUMP, HOUSING, REPLACE STUDS, WATER PUMP, RENEW COOLANT. COST $1,079.60 2ND R&R HEADGASKETS/ $1,304.10. I WOULD LIKE FOR SOMEONE TO LET ME KNOW IF I COULD GET SOME OF MY MONEY BACK BECAUSE THIS WAS A RECALL A BAD PART WHICH I HAD NO KNOWLEDGE OF. UNTIL I HAD TO HAVE IT REPAIRED. FORD SAID THAT I WAS 9 MONTHS TO LATE UNDER WARRANTY. I AM THE SECOND OWNER OF THIS CAR HOW WOULD I HAVE KNOWN THAT FORD HAD A PROBLM WITH THIS KIND OF CAR. ANY TYPE OF HELP WOULD BE APPRECIATED. I'M A SINGLE MOM AND I CAN'T AFFORD TO HAVE THIS KIND OF CAR REPAIR. I HAD TO USE MY RENT MONEY INORDER TO GET MY CAR OUT OF THE SHOP. I JUST WANT SOMEKIND OF REPAYMENT A HEAD GASKET IS SUPPOSE TO LAST THE LIFE OF THE CAR. IT WILL BE JUST THREE YEARS THIS OCTOBER FOR ME THAT I HAVE HAD THE CAR. IT'S NOT MY PROBLEM THAT THEY PUT IN BAD PARTS AND KNEW THAT THEY NEEDED TO BE TAKEN CARE OF. BUT NO ONE WANTED TO PAY THE COST SO A LOT OF CUSTOMERS DIDN'T GET RECALL LETTERS INORDER TO TAKE CARE OF THE PROBLEM. I'M SURE THAT IF ANYONE THAT OWNED THIS CAR WOULD HAVE HAD THE REPAIRS DONE AT THE COST OF THE COMPANY. WHY WOULD THERE BE A TIME LIMIT SET ON MAJOR PART LIKE THAT. SO PEOPLE DON'T EXPERIENCE THE PROBLEM UNTIL YEARS AND THAT'S WHAT HAPPENED TO ME. I JUST WANT SOME KIND OF RESPONSE TOWARD THIS PROBLEM. THANK YOU MS. PATRICIA REESE P.O. BOX 59 SHIRLEY, NY 11967-0059

NHTSA ID
10070057
Incident
Feb 15, 2003
Mileage
22,161 mi
Filed Jan 15, 2004

SEVERE PAINT EROSION/FLAKING/DISCOLORATION....HAS BEEN NOTICEABLE AND PROGRESSING WORSE SINCE ABOUT 1997.

NHTSA ID
10068992
Incident
Jun 15, 1997
Brakes
Filed Nov 18, 2003

WHEN BRAKING HARD, THE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR RESULTING IN LOSS OF BRAKES. I HAD TO USE THE E-BRAKE AND PUMP THE REGULAR PEDAL TO STOP. BRAKE FLUID WAS LEAKING FROM LINE LOCATED IN ENGINE COMPARTMENT NEXT TO DRIVER SIDE FRONT WHEEL WELL. *LA

NHTSA ID
10047094
Incident
Oct 21, 2003
Mileage
114,000 mi
Body & structure
Filed Oct 1, 2003

WHILE DRIVING UNDER NORMAL CONDITIONS STEERING WHEEL SUDDENLY LOCKED UP WITHOUT WARNING. CONSUMER STOPPED VEHICLE, TURNED ON HAZARDS, AND NOTICED TRANSMISSION AND MOTOR HAD DROPPED. IT WAS LATER DETERMINED THAT THE SUBFRAME RUSTED AROUND BOTH REAR BUSHINGS. *AK *NLM

NHTSA ID
10034245
Powertrain (other)
Filed Jun 5, 2003

THE TRANSMISSION FAILED TO GO INTO GEAR. *JB

NHTSA ID
10022501
Incident
Jun 5, 2003
Exterior lighting
Filed Jan 29, 2003

HEADLIGHTS BLINKING ON AND OFF WHEN HE TURNS THEM ON. TOOK THE AUTO TO HIS PRIVATE MECHANIC AND HAD THIS REPAIRED. THIS PARTICULAR PROBLEM IS LISTED AS A RECALL # 8105 98V 00 9000 FOR THE 93 MERCURY SABLE. PH

NHTSA ID
10005939
Incident
Jan 29, 2003
Engine
Filed Dec 17, 2002

WHILE DRIVING, VEHICLE STARTED RUNNING HOT, OVERHEATING. CONSUMER HAD VEHICLE TOWED TO DEALERSHIP, WHO INDICATED THAT THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM WAS THE WATER PUMP. DEALERSHIP REPLACED THE PUMP, BUT THE PROBLEM RECURRED 3 TIMES WITHIN A SMALL PERIOD OF TIME. PLEASE PROVIDE MORE DETAILS. TS

NHTSA ID
10001051
Incident
Dec 17, 2001
Suspension
Filed Oct 24, 2002

BOTH COIL SPRINGS FAILED DUE TO CORROSION. PIECES OF SPRING ALMOST FELL OUT AND CONTACTED TIRE. COULD HAVE RESULTED IN PUNCTURE AT HIGH SPEED. DT

NHTSA ID
768804
Incident
Oct 22, 2002
Engine
Filed Oct 7, 2002

THE MOTOR MOUNTS WERE REPLACED IN 1999 WHICH HAS FAILED AGAIN. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH THE OWNER HEARD SOMETHING DROP/BREAK. *MR

NHTSA ID
8020320

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.

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