The 1990 Mercury Sable has 7 safety recalls and 166 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is engine and engine cooling (30 complaints).
Recalls7safety recalls
Complaints166filed by owners
Crashes · fires12 · 18reported in complaints
Injuries · deaths8 · 0reported in complaints
Safety recalls
Structure › Frame and members
NHTSA recall 98V323000 · Dec 16, 1998 · 2,697,000 vehicles · opened after NHTSA action (ODI)
Problem: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES ORIGINALLY SOLD OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, IOWA, KANSAS, KENTUCKY, MAINE, MARYLAND, MASSACHUSETTS, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA, MISSOURI, NEBRASKA, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW JERSEY, NEW YORK, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, RHODE ISLAND, VERMONT, VIRGINIA, WEST VIRGNIA, AND WISCONSIN. THE REAR LOWER SUBFRAME MOUNT PLATE NUT CAN EXPERIENCE STRESS CORROSION CRACKING IF SUBJECTED TO LONG TERM EXPOSURE TO ROAD SALTS. THIS CAN RESULT IN FRACTURE AND LOSS OF THE STRUCTURAL INTEGRITY OF THE SUBFRAME MOUNT ATTACHMENT. DETACHMENT OF THE BODY MOUNTS AT THE REAR CORNERS OF THE SUBFRAME, WHICH SUPPORTS THE ENGINE AND TRANSMISSION, ALLOWS THE REAR CORNERS OF THE SUBFRAME TO DROP.
Risk: IF BOTH REAR CORNERS DROP, STEERING WOULD BECOME SUDDENLY VERY DIFFICULT, AFFECTING VEHICLE CONTROL AND INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Fix: DEALERS WILL INSTALL SUBFRAME REAR MOUNT BOLTS, REINFORCEMENT PLATES, AND PLATE NUTS.
Suspension › Front › Shock absorber
NHTSA recall 94E036000 · Nov 25, 1994 · 98,000 vehicles
Problem: THE ARC WELDS ON THE SWAY BAR BRACKET, WHERE IT ATTACHES TO THE STRUT RESERVE TUBE, DID NOT FUSE PROPERLY.
Risk: OVER TIME, A PORTION OF THE BRACKET CAN TEAR AWAY FROM THE STRUT, FALLING INTO AND PUNCTURING THE TIRE OR CAUSING DAMAGE TO THE WHEEL, WHICH COULD RESULT IN AN ACCIDENT.
Fix: MONROE DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE STRUT FREE OF CHARGE.
Seat belts › Front › Buckle assembly
NHTSA recall 92V113000 · Aug 17, 1992 · 565,000 vehicles · opened after NHTSA action (ODI)
Problem: THE RIGID MOUNTED SAFETY BELT BUCKLES ARE DEFECTIVE IN THREE WAYS. FIRST, A FASTENED SAFETY BELT BUCKLE WILL NOT UNLATCH WHEN THE RELEASE BUTTON IS DEPRESSED. THIS RESULTS FROM INTERFERENCE BETWEEN THE BUCKLE EJECTOR FINGER AND THE BUCKLE TONGUE WINDOW. THE SECOND DEFECT IS THE SAFETY BELT BUCKLE MAY NOT LATCH. THE THIRD POSSIBLE DEFECT IS THAT THE TONGUE MAY BE RETAINED BY THE BUCKLE, BUT IT MAY NOT BE LATCHED SUFFICIENTLY TO PROVIDE OCCUPANT PROTECTION.
Risk: AN INSUFFICIENTLY LATCHED OR UNLATCHED SAFETY BELTINCREASES THE RISK OF INJURY TO SEAT OCCUPANTS IN THE EVENT OF A SUDDEN STOP ORACCIDENT. IF THE SAFETY BELT BUCKLE WILL NOT UNLATCH, IT WILL NOT ALLOW THEOCCUPANT TO GET OUT OF THE VEHICLE IN AN EMERGENCY SITUATION.
Fix: FORD WILL REPLACE THE RIGID MOUNTED SAFETY BELT BUCKLES WITH END RELEASE SAFETY BELT BUCKLES DESIGNED TO PREVENT LATCH PROBLEMS.
Wheels
NHTSA recall 92V065000 · May 11, 1992 · 654,000 vehicles · opened after NHTSA action (ODI)
Problem: CHILDREN CAN ACCIDENTALLY LOCK THEMSELVES IN THE FOOTWELL AREA OF THE REAR-FACING THIRD SEAT, OR IN THE STORAGE COMPARTMENT IN STATION WAGONS NOT EQUIPPED WITH AN OPTIONAL THIRD SEAT. ONCE THE COMPARTMENT IS CLOSED IT CANNOT BE OPENED FROM THE INSIDE.
Risk: THERE IS A DANGER OF AIR DEPRIVATION, HYPERTHERMIA,AND/OR PANIC RESPONSE TO A CHILD WHO HAS LOCKED HIMSELF OR HERSELF INTO THECOMPARTMENT, WITH THE POSSIBILITY OF ASPHYXIATION.
Fix: REPLACE THE SELF-LATCHING ASSEMBLY CURRENTLY USED IN THE REAR STORAGE COMPARTMENT WITH A LATCH ASSEMBLY THAT CAN ONLY BE CLOSED WITH A KEY.
Service brakes, hydraulic › Foundation components › Disc › Rotor
NHTSA recall 91V134000 · Aug 6, 1991 · 325,000 vehicles · opened after NHTSA action (ODI)
Problem: FRONT DISC BRAKE ROTORS OF THE SUBJECT VEHICLES MAY EXPERIENCE SEVERE CORROSION IF OPERATED IN AREAS WHERE CALCIUM CHLORIDE AND SODIUM CHLORIDE ARE USED EXTENSIVELY.
Risk: SEVERELY CORRODED ROTORS MAY FRACTURE OR SEPARATE NEARTHE INNER EDGES OF THE BRAKE DISCS RESULTING IN REDUCED BRAKING EFFECTIVENESS,HIGHER THAN NORMAL PEDAL EFFORTS, LOUD GRINDING NOISES, AND MODERATE PULLS WHENTHE BRAKES ARE APPLIED. REDUCED BRAKING EFFECTIVENESS MAY INCREASE MINIMUMSTOPPING DISTANCES, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN AN ACCIDENT.
Fix: REPLACE FRONT BRAKE ROTORS WITH FULL CAST FRONT BRAKE ROTORS.
Air bags › Frontal
NHTSA recall 90E043001 · Oct 30, 1990 · 172,000 vehicles
Problem: THREADED INFLATOR COMPONENTS MAY HAVE BEEN DAMAGED DURING ASSEMBLY WHICH MAY ALLOW COMPONENTS TO SEPARATE WHEN INFLATOR RECEIVES A SIGNAL TO DEPLOY THE AIR BAG.
Risk: INFLATOR COMPONENT SEPARATION ALLOWS HOT COMBUSTION GASES TO ESCAPE INTO THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT WHICH COULD RESULT IN INJURIES TO VEHICLE OCCUPANTS.
Fix: REPLACE AIR BAG MODULES CONTAINING POTENTIALLY DEFECTIVE INFLATORS.
Exterior lighting › Headlights › Switch
NHTSA recall 89V171000 · Oct 13, 1989 · 2,900 vehicles
Problem: AN INCORRECT TRANSISTOR MAY CAUSE AUTOLAMP SYSTEM LIGHT SENSOR MODULE MALFUNCTION.
Risk: HEADLAMPS COULD TURN OFF WHILE VEHICLE IS BEING DRIVEN ORREMAIN ON AFTER VEHICLE IS PARKED. LOSS OF HEADLIGHTS WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHTCOULD BE HAZARDOUS TO THE DRIVER AND OTHER TRAFIFIC.
Fix: REPLACE LIGHT SENSOR MODULES.
Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. A recall listed here may already have been fixed on a particular car: enter its 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls.
Crash test ratings
1990 Mercury Sable 4-DR.
Overall
Not Rated
Frontal crash
Not Rated
Side crash
Not Rated
Rollover
Not Rated
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (New Car Assessment Program). Ratings are comparable only between vehicles of similar size and weight, and ratings from 2011 on use tougher tests than earlier years. Photos: NHTSA.
Fuel economy
Sable
21mpg combined
City / highway
18 / 26 mpg
Fuel
Regular Gasoline
3 L · 6 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $3,200/year to fuel
Sable Wagon
21mpg combined
City / highway
18 / 26 mpg
Fuel
Regular Gasoline
3 L · 6 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $3,200/year to fuel
Sable
20mpg combined
City / highway
17 / 26 mpg
Fuel
Regular Gasoline
3.8 L · 6 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $3,350/year to fuel
Sable Wagon V6 A/C
19mpg combined
City / highway
17 / 24 mpg
Fuel
Regular Gasoline
3 L · 6 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $3,550/year to fuel
Sable Wagon
18mpg combined
City / highway
16 / 23 mpg
Fuel
Regular Gasoline
3.8 L · 6 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $3,700/year to fuel
EPA estimates from fueleconomy.gov for each engine and transmission sold. Annual cost is the EPA's estimate for 15,000 miles a year at its current fuel and electricity price assumptions. Your results will vary.
What owners report
Problem area
Complaints
Crashes
Fires
Injuries
Typical mileage*
Engine and engine cooling Engine; Engine › Gasoline
30
1
4
2
—
Steering Linkages › Tie rod assembly; Hydraulic power assist › Hose, piping, and connections
24
0
4
0
—
Structure Frame and members; Body
23
1
0
0
—
Electrical system Ignition; Wiring › Interior/under dash
21
1
10
2
—
Power train Automatic transmission; Driveline › Differential unit
21
1
0
0
—
Air bags Frontal; Frontal › Sensor/control module
14
9
0
7
—
Service brakes, hydraulic Foundation components › Disc › Rotor; Foundation components
13
1
0
0
—
Vehicle speed control Cruise control; Accelerator pedal
13
3
0
1
—
Seat belts Front › Buckle assembly; Front › Anchorage
12
1
0
2
—
Suspension Front; Front › Control arm › Upper ball joint
11
0
0
0
—
Visibility Windshield wiper/washer › Switch/wiring; Windshield wiper/washer › Motor
8
0
0
0
—
Exterior lighting Headlights; Headlights › Switch
8
1
0
1
—
*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.
Recent owner complaints
Jun 1, 2009Vehicle speed control MY WIFE OWNS A 1990 MERCURY SABLE. SHE AS WELL HAS COMPLAINED ABOUT A STICKY GAS PEDAL. I MYSELF HAVE DROVE THE CAR WHEN THE GAS PEDAL WAS STICKING AND THE CAR ACCELERATED. SOMETIMES WHEN WE HAVE PUT OUR FOOT ON THE GAS PEDAL THE CAR WILL NOT ACCELERATE UNTIL WE PUSH ALITTLE HARDER THEN THE CAR TAKES OFF SO QUICKLY IT COULD CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. THERE WAS SEVERAL OCCASIONS THEN THE CAR ACCELERATED WHILE DRIVING NORMALLY DOWN THE ROAD. I WAS ABLE TO PUT THE CAR IN NEUTRAL AND THEN BRAKE TO A SAFE STOP. WE FOUND THAT THE DRIVERS SIDE FLOOR MAT WAS PART OF THE PROBLEM GETTING UP UNDER THE GAS PEDAL. WE REMOVED THE FLOOR MAT BUT THE CAR STILL HAS A STICKY GAS PEDAL. WE TOOK THE CAR TO A CERTIFIED…
Jul 1, 2008Structure › Frame and members VEHICLE -- 1990 MERCURY SABLE STATION WAGON, 3.8 ENGINE EXPERIENCED LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL DUE TO FAILURE OF ENGINE/TRANSMISSION LOWER SUBFRAME MOUNT FAILING. SUBSEQUENT MOTION ALSO BREACHED BOTH REAR BRAKE LINES WITH MAJOR LOSS OF BRAKING POWER. WITH SIGNIFICANT EFFORT, I WAS ABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. *TR
Apr 18, 2008 · 109,250 milesPower train › Automatic transmission CAR CRUISED JUST FINE 25 MILES TO TOWN, GOT ALL MY STUFF DONE IN TOWN, PULLED UP TO A STOP SIGN ON A HILL AND THE CAR WOULD NOT MOVE, ENGINE RAN JUST FINE, THE TRANSMISSION WOULD NOT SHIFT INTO GEAR, CAR ONLY HAS 110K ON IT, HAD TO ROLL BACK OFF THE ROAD AND STOP, PARK GEAR WORKED, AFTER AN HOUR CAR STILL WOULD NOT SHIFT INTO GEAR, 4 DAYS LATER I WENT OUT TO TRY IT AGAIN AND THE THING WENT INTO ALL GEARS AND TOOK OFF. *TR
Dec 4, 2006 · 60,000 milesWheels › Rim DT*: THE CONTACT STATED UPON ENTERING A HIGHWAY AT 40 MPH, THE PASSENGER FRONT RIM FRACTURED CAUSING THE PARTIAL RIM AND TIRE TO SEPARATE FROM THE VEHICLE. IT WAS MANEUVERED OFF THE ROAD AND LATER TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE DEALER WAS ALERTED.
Mar 10, 2005 · 50,000 milesPower train › Automatic transmission THE TRANSMISSION SLIPS BUCKING THE CAR OUT OF CONTROL WHEN IDLING ALONG WITH THE ALUMINUM PISTONS BEING DAMAGED. THE CAR JUMPS FORWARD WHICH CAUSES UNNECCESARY ACCIDENTS AND CAUSES THE CAR TO STALL ON BUSY STREETS. A NEW TRANSMISSION WAS NEEDED AND ALL NEW PISTONS DUE TO A BAD DESIGN. THERE IS A WEBSITE WWW.VISI.COM/~BRUNS/RESULTS2.HTML THAT CONTAINS ABOUT 50 COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE TRANSMISSION ON THIS CAR. FORD SHOULD TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THIS, IT WAS A BAD DESIGN AND THEY SHOULD TAKE THE HEAT FOR IT. THANK YOU.
Jul 12, 2004 · 99,000 milesVehicle speed control WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED WITHOUT THE PEDAL BEING APPLIED. THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS IMMEDIATELY APPLIED IN AN ATTEMPT TO STOP THE ACCELERATION, BUT FAILED TO DO SO. THE VEHICLE HAD TO BE TURNED OFF AND THE KEYS REMOVED FROM THE IGNITION BEFORE THE VEHICLE STARTED DECELERATING. *NM WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED AND CHANGED FROM PARK TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE WENT OFF WITHOUT APPLYING THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. THE ENGINE MADE A LOUD NOISE. WHEN THE CONSUMER RELEASED THE BRAKE PEDAL THE VEHICLE WENT FASTER. *SC *JB
Jun 2, 2003Engine and engine cooling › Engine ENGINE PROBLEMS. *AK
Jun 26, 2002Steering › Steering wheel/handle bar CONSUMER CAN HEAR NOISE IN STEERING COLUMN WHICH CAN RESULT IN LOSS OF STEERING. CAUSE UNKNOWN. DEALER NOTIFIED.*AK
Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.
NHTSA defect investigations
DP95004 · opened Aug 8, 1995 · closed Aug 30, 1995ALLEGED DEFECTIVE TIE RODS ALLEGED DEFECTIVE TIE RODS
EA94008 · opened Feb 16, 1994 · closed Feb 27, 1995BROKEN TIE RODS There is no summary currently available
PE93100 · opened Dec 2, 1993 · closed Jun 30, 1994POLYCAST ROAD WHEEL CRACKS There is no summary currently available
PE93065 · opened Jul 15, 1993 · closed Nov 30, 1993UNDERBODY FUEL LINE FAILS There is no summary currently available
PE93058 · opened Jun 15, 1993 · closed Feb 16, 1994BROKEN TIE RODS There is no summary currently available
EA92040 · opened Nov 30, 1992 · closed Jun 30, 1993 · led to recall 93V106001SUB-FRM/UNIBODY ABSOR.FAIL There is no summary currently available
PE92044 · opened Apr 27, 1992 · closed Aug 31, 1992POWER STEERING LEAKS/FIRES There is no summary currently available
PE92014 · opened Feb 4, 1992 · closed Jun 25, 1992ENGINE MOUNT FAILURE There is no summary currently available
EA91042 · opened Oct 28, 1991 · closed May 21, 1992 · led to recall 92V065000STORAGE COMPAR SUFFOCATION ===
PE91108 · opened Aug 1, 1991 · closed Oct 28, 1991STORAGE COMPAR SUFFOCATION There is no summary currently available
EA90045 · opened Sep 28, 1990 · closed Sep 12, 1991 · led to recall 91V134001BRAKE DISC HUB SEPARATIONS ===