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.
10
Latest Jan 7, 2017
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.
4%
of 258 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.
2
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
4
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 1999 Mercury Sable submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 10 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 Jan 7, 2017
REAR SUBFRAME CONNECTION PASSENGER SIDE RUSTED THROUGH DUE TO FACTORY PUT AIR CONDITIONER CONDENSATE LINE SO THAT IT CONSTANTLY DUMPS CONDENSATE ON THIS AREA INSTEAD OF DRAINING CONDENSATE BEYOND AND TO THE GROUND. THE RESULT IS A RUSTED OUT SEVERED CONNECTION THEREBY CAUSING THE ENGINE AND TRANSMISSION TO BE HELD BY ONLY THREE OF THE FOUR CONNECTIONS NEEDED TO SAFELY HOLD ENGINE AND TRANSMISSION AS DESIGNED FROM THE FACTORY.
NHTSA ID
10940302
Incident
Aug 3, 2016
Mileage
115,000 mi
Body & structure
Filed May 8, 2014
AFTER RAINS THE CAR GOT A WET FLOOR ON THE PASSENGER SIDE ,NO WET SPOTS ON ROOF OR WINDOWS. IT WAS LEAKING WATER FROM THE DASH BOARD COMPARTMENT BOTTOM.WHILE DRIVING ,THE HEATER WAS ON AND IT STARTED SMOKING FROM UNDER THE DASHBOARD COMPARTMENT BY PASSENGER SIDE I TURNED EVERYTHING OFF . I TOOK IT FOR REPAIR AND NOW, ON MAY IT RAINED HEAVY AGAIN AND IT HAS A PUDDLE IN THE PASSENGER SIDE AGAIN ,SAME SITUATION AS BEFORE, WATER CAME FROM INSIDE.IS THIS A SAFETY HAZARD? I BOUGHT THIS CAR ON NOVEMBER 2013 ,AND I KNEW TOO LATE ABOUT THE HEATING SYSTEM RECALL ,I DON'T KNOW IF IT WAS EVER REPAIRED ON THAT RECALL.FORD DEALER IN COLORADO SAYS THERE IS NO WAY TO CHECK IT.ACCORDING TO SOME WEBSITES IT NEEDS SOMETHING TO HAVE A PROTECTION UNDER THE WIPERS VENTS(COWL) AND IT IS A FACTORY MISTAKE. I HAVE HAD THE HEATING SYSTEM REPAIRED 2 TIMES,TOO EXPENSIVE FOR ME.I AM UNDER EMPLOYED. I WANT TO KNOW IF THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD. IT IS THE ONLY WAY I COULD MAKE FORD TO FIX THIS RECALLED IF THE CAR WAS NEVER FIXED FOR THIS BEFORE.THANKS FOR YOUR HELP. *TR
NHTSA ID
10587324
Incident
Dec 9, 2013
Mileage
65,988 mi
Body & structureSuspension
Filed Apr 24, 2011
SUB FRAME RUSTED THROUGH AROUND FRONT LOWER CONTROL ARM BOLTS CAUSING EXCESSIVE PLAY IN STEERING AND POSSIBLE SEPARATION OF CONTROL ARM FROM SUB FRAME. FRONT MOUNT BOLT IS RECESSED 1/2 INCH IN TO THE SUB FRAME WHERE WATER/SALT CAN COLLECT AND HAS NO WHERE TO DRAIN. *TR
NHTSA ID
10397231
Incident
Apr 15, 2011
Mileage
151,000 mi
Body & structure
Filed Jan 4, 2011
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 MERCURY SABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT EXCESSIVE RUST CAUSED THE STEERING COLUMN TO SNAP WHILE HE WAS DRIVING 45 MPH. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT THE FRAME HAD NOT BEEN COATED CORRECTLY AT PRODUCTION. THE MECHANIC REPAIRED THE FRAME AND STEERING COLUMN. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER WHO OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 15,700. UPDATED 2/22/11 *CN UPDATED 12/06/2011 *LN
NHTSA ID
10374107
Incident
Nov 18, 2010
Mileage
15,700 mi
Body & structure
Filed Jan 1, 2011
SUBFRAME OF VEHICLE IS SEVERELY RUSTED TO THE POINT WHERE IT IS STRUCTURALLY UNSOUND. MOST OF THE BODY ROT IS COVERED BY THE PLASTIC MOLDING UNDER THE DOORS, AND IS NOT VISIBLE UNTIL THE MOLDING IS REMOVED. IT SEEMS THAT WATER AND ROAD SALT MUST GET TRAPPED BETWEEN THE MOLDING AND METAL LEADING TO THE EXTENSIVE RUST. THE FRAME BREAKING WHILE DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS WOULD LEAD TO A CATASTROPHIC FAILURE WHICH COULD CAUSE A POTENTIALLY FATAL ACCIDENT. *TR
NHTSA ID
10373703
Incident
Jan 1, 2011
Mileage
140,000 mi
Body & structure
Filed Jan 8, 2009
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 MERCURY SABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ROCKER PANELS WERE RUSTED AND ROTTED BEYOND REPAIR. THE ONLY THING HOLDING THE VEHICLE TOGETHER WAS THE ROOF OF THE VEHICLE. SHE NOTICED THE ISSUE AFTER THE VEHICLE FAILED INSPECTION. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT NOTHING COULD BE DONE BECAUSE THE CONTACT DID NOT PURCHASE AN EXTENDED SERVICE PLAN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 135,030.
NHTSA ID
10254225
Incident
Dec 30, 2008
Mileage
135,030 mi
Body & structureBrakesEngine+4 more
Filed Aug 1, 2003
Crash reported3 injuries reported
PROBLEMS WITH ABS. *MR THE VEHICLE WAS IN TWO ACCIDENTS DUE TO THE INABILITY TO CONTROL THE VEHICLE DURING NORMAL DRIVING CONDITIONS, WHERE THE ABS DID NOT WORK. THE VEHICLE WAS IN FOR REPAIR 7 TIMES. THE FOLLOWING ARE REPAIRS AND OR PROBLEMS THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED: TORQUE CONVERTER REPLACED AFTER TRANSMISSION FLUID WAS FOUND LOW, EXHAUST LEAK FIXED, WASHER FLUID WOULD SPRAY WHEN THE TURN SIGNAL AND LIGHTS WERE ON, SHAKING WHEN THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED/RESURFACED ROTORS, TRUNK LEAKED WATER, REPLACED MULTI-FUNCTION SWITCH TO FIX WASHER FLUID PROBLEM, ABS NOT WORKING WHEN THERE WAS A PANIC STOP, LEFT AND RIGHT SPINDLE ASSEMBLY WAS REPLACED, FRONT END ROTORS WERE REPLACED AGAIN, WHEEL ALIGNMENT, THE ABS DID NOT ENGAGE AND CAUSED AN ACCIDENT, AND REPLACED LEFT SIDE OUTER TIE ROD END. *SCC *JB
NHTSA ID
10031939
Incident
Jun 12, 2002
Body & structure
Filed May 20, 2003
ORIGINALLY THE PROBLEM BEGAN AS A SMALL LEAK INTO THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT DURING RAINFALL. NOW IS A MAJOR LEAK DURING SMALLEST RAINFALL. COOLING/HEATING DUCTS BEGAN TO EMIT STRONG MUSTY ODOR. NOW AIR WILL NOT PASS THROUGH ANY DUCTS OTHER THAN FLOOR OR DEFROST (A/C ONLY PASSES THROUGH DEFROST OUTLET). LEAK DOES NOT OCCUR GOING THROUGH CAR WASH WHICH MAY BE REASON DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE PROBLEM. THEY TOLD ME "THERE IS NO LEAK, YOU MUST BE BRINGING THE WATER INTO THE CAR SOME OTHER WAY." THE AMOUNT OF WATER ENTERING IS SIGNIFICANT! *NLM
NHTSA ID
10018974
Incident
May 1, 2000
Mileage
2,000 mi
AirbagsBody & structure
Filed Jul 10, 2002
Crash reported1 injury reported
VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A FRONTAL COLLISION AT 40 MPH, AND NEITHER AIR BAG DEPLOYED. DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT NOTIFIED AT THIS TIME. *AK CONSUMER STATED THAT THE ASH TRY WOULD NOT STAY INPLACE DUE TO CENTER COSOLE FAILURE AND WAS REPLACED. *YH
NHTSA ID
8013584
Incident
Jul 4, 2002
Body & structure
Filed May 1, 2000
WAS DRIVING ALONG WHEN THE DOOR CAME OPEN BY ITSELF. AFTER THE DOOR WAS SHUT THE LOCKS "LOCKED " AGAIN. THE DOOR AND OTHERS WERE ALREADY "LOCKED". THE SAME THING HAPPEND THIS MORNING EXCEPT THE DOOR WAS JUST AJAR IT DIDN'T COMPLETELY OPEN. I WAS TRAVELING ABOUT 25 MPH WHEN IT HAPPENED TODAY. WHEN I STOPPED AND SHUT THE DOOR, THE LOCKS DIDN'T RESET OR CLICK AS THEY DID LAST NIGHT. *AK
NHTSA ID
722153
Incident
Apr 30, 2000
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