IllustrationVEHICLE FAILED PRIOR TO RECALL 98S36, WHEN CONSUMER RECEIVED RECALL NOTICE, THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER TO PERFORM RECALL, DEALER REPAIRED, BUT WOULD NOT REIMBURSE CONSUMER FOR PRIOR FAILURE *SLC
1989 Mercury Sable
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
Similar to other model years
Owner complaints for the 1989 Mercury Sable do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 201.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Sable years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
Limited mileage data: 2 of 238 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
- Electrical System. Review the 58 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 49 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Seat Belts. Review the 44 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
13 crash reports62 fire reports8 injury reports
What owners actually said
238 reportsWHILE DRIVING COULD SMELL LIKE A BURNING RUBBER INSIDE OF VEHICLE. TRANSMISSION STOPPED WORKING IN FORWARD POSITION, AND ONLY GEAR THAT WAS WORKING WAS REVERSE FOR A NUMBER OF MONTHS.*AK
EXPERIENCED CONTINUOUS OVERHEATING PROBLEMS, COOLING SYSTEM REPAIRS AT 62539,72,913 WITH NO IMPROVEMENTS. *AK
WHILE HAVING VEHICLE SERVICED TECHNICIAN NOTICED ENGINE MONTS WERE BROKEN. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK
THIS IS A SECOND IDENTICAL INCIDENT DURING THE LAST 2 YEARS. WHEN STARTING THE CAR THE STARTER RELAY GOT STUCK AND CONTINUED TO CRANK THE ENGINE EVEN AFTER TAKING THE KEY OUT OF IGNITION. I STOPPED IT BY DICONNECTING THE BATTERY, BUT MEANWHILE THE BATTERY STARTED BOILING AND LEAKING. THE INCIDENT OCCURED 4-5 TIMES DURING 3 DA…
Read full complaint
THIS IS A SECOND IDENTICAL INCIDENT DURING THE LAST 2 YEARS. WHEN STARTING THE CAR THE STARTER RELAY GOT STUCK AND CONTINUED TO CRANK THE ENGINE EVEN AFTER TAKING THE KEY OUT OF IGNITION. I STOPPED IT BY DICONNECTING THE BATTERY, BUT MEANWHILE THE BATTERY STARTED BOILING AND LEAKING. THE INCIDENT OCCURED 4-5 TIMES DURING 3 DAYS. I REPLACED THE STARTER RELAY AND THE BATTERY. AFTER THIS, THE INCIDENT OCCURED ONLY ONE MORE TIME, ABOUT 5 DAYS AFTER THE STARTER RELAY WAS REPLACED. THE SAME INCIDENT OCCURED FOR THE FIRST TIME TWO YEARS BEFORE (1998), WITH THE ORIGINAL STARTER RELAY. I THAT TIME I REPLACED THE RELAY, AND FOR 2 YEARS EVERYTING SEEMD OK. THIS IS A MATTER OF CONCERN BECAUSE IT ALSO HAPPENED WITH A NEW STARTER RELAY INSTALLED, WHICH SEEMS TO INDICATE SOME OTHER PROBLEM IN THE IGNITION SYSTEM.
BOLTS ON REAR BODY MOUNTS ARE LOOSE, AND MAKE NOISE WHEN TURNING. DEALER COULD NOT FIND THE CAUSE. *AK *ML
CLIENT STARTED CAR AND IT STARTED TO ACCELERATE BEYOND CONTROL, CAR THEN HIT TREE COULD NOT BRAKE.*AK
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK
CONSUMER RECEIVED RECALLS ON ENGINE MOUNTS, AND SEATBELTS. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER, AND THEY SAID THEY CORRECTED RECALLS. BUT WHEN CONSUMER TOOK CAR TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC, CONSUMER WAS TOLD THAT WORK HAD NEVER BEEN DONE. *AK
WON'T PASS SMOG AND EGR PLUG AND WIRE ARE NOT AVAILABLE TO PURCHASE FROM DEALER OR ANY OTHER AUTO PARTS STORE. HOW DO I GET IT SMOGGED WHEN PARTS ARE MELTED AND I CAN'T GET THE PARTS TO REPLACE THE BURNED ONES?
Official recalls
698V323000 · Structure:frame And Members
Dec 16, 1998
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.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IF BOTH REAR CORNERS DROP, STEERING WOULD BECOME SUDDENLY VERY DIFFICULT, AFFECTING VEHICLE CONTROL AND INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL SUBFRAME REAR MOUNT BOLTS, REINFORCEMENT PLATES, AND PLATE NUTS.
92V113000 · Seat Belts:front:buckle Assembly
Aug 17, 1992
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.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: 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.
Remedy: FORD WILL REPLACE THE RIGID MOUNTED SAFETY BELT BUCKLES WITH END RELEASE SAFETY BELT BUCKLES DESIGNED TO PREVENT LATCH PROBLEMS.
92V065000 · Wheels
May 11, 1992
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.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: 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.
Remedy: REPLACE THE SELF-LATCHING ASSEMBLY CURRENTLY USED IN THE REAR STORAGE COMPARTMENT WITH A LATCH ASSEMBLY THAT CAN ONLY BE CLOSED WITH A KEY.
91V134000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:foundation Components:disc:rotor
Aug 6, 1991
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.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: 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.
Remedy: REPLACE FRONT BRAKE ROTORS WITH FULL CAST FRONT BRAKE ROTORS.
91V036000 · Seats
Mar 4, 1991
THE POWER SEAT SWITCH WIRING IS ROUTED OVER RATHER THAN UNDER THE FRONT SEAT SUPPORT BRACE, ALLOWING DAMAGE BY SEAT CUSHION SPRING ENDS WHEN SEAT IS OCCUPIED.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: POWER SEAT SWITCH WIRING INSULATION MAY BECOME ABRADED,OR PUNCTURED, AND AN ELECTRICAL SHORT COULD OCCUR THAT COULD RESULT IN A FIREIN THE SEAT CUSHION MATERIAL.
Remedy: REVISE ROUTING OF POWER SEAT WIRING TO PREVENT DAMAGE FROM SEAT CUSHION SPRING CONTACT.
88V190000 · Exterior Lighting
Dec 12, 1988
FRONT SIDE MARKER LAMPS WERE UNINTENTIONALLY EQUIPPED WITH CLEAR BULBS, INSTEAD OF AMBER COLORED BULBS AS SPECIFIED IN FMVSS 108.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: VEHICLES WOULD NOT COMPLY WITH STANDARD.
Remedy: REPLACE CLEAR BULBS WITH AMBER COLORED BULBS.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
16DP95004 · Alleged Defective Tie Rods
Opened Aug 8, 1995 · Closed Aug 30, 1995
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Unknown Or Other
ALLEGED DEFECTIVE TIE RODS
EA94008 · Broken Tie Rods
Opened Feb 16, 1994 · Closed Feb 27, 1995
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Steering
There is no summary currently available
PE93100 · Polycast Road Wheel Cracks
Opened Dec 2, 1993 · Closed Jun 30, 1994
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Suspension
There is no summary currently available
PE93065 · Underbody Fuel Line Fails
Opened Jul 15, 1993 · Closed Nov 30, 1993
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Vehicle Speed Control:linkages
There is no summary currently available
PE93058 · Broken Tie Rods
Opened Jun 15, 1993 · Closed Feb 16, 1994
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Steering
There is no summary currently available
EA92040 · SUB-FRM/UNIBODY Absor.fail
Opened Nov 30, 1992 · Closed Jun 30, 1993
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Structure
There is no summary currently available
Additional source detail variants (2)
Structure
There is no summary currently available
Structure
There is no summary currently available
PE92056 · SUB-FRM/UNIBODY Absor.fail
Opened Jul 1, 1992 · Closed Nov 30, 1992
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Structure
There is no summary currently available
PE92044 · Power Steering Leaks/fires
Opened Apr 27, 1992 · Closed Aug 31, 1992
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Steering
There is no summary currently available
PE92014 · Engine Mount Failure
Opened Feb 4, 1992 · Closed Jun 25, 1992
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Engine And Engine Cooling
There is no summary currently available
EA91042 · Storage Compar Suffocation
Opened Oct 28, 1991 · Closed May 21, 1992
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Structure
===
PE91128 · Fires In Ignition Switch
Opened Sep 17, 1991 · Closed Jan 27, 1992
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Electrical System
There is no summary currently available
PE91108 · Storage Compar Suffocation
Opened Aug 1, 1991 · Closed Oct 28, 1991
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Structure
There is no summary currently available
EA90045 · Brake Disc Hub Separations
Opened Sep 28, 1990 · Closed Sep 12, 1991
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Service Brakes, Hydraulic
===
Additional source detail variants (2)
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
===
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
===
EA90042 · Throttle Sticking
Opened Aug 31, 1990 · Closed Dec 31, 1991
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Vehicle Speed Control:linkages
There is no summary currently available
PE90071 · Brake Disc Hub Failure
Opened Apr 2, 1990 · Closed Jun 28, 1990
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Engine And Engine Cooling
There is no summary currently available
PE90066 · Throttle Sticking
Opened Mar 27, 1990 · Closed Aug 31, 1990
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Vehicle Speed Control:linkages
There is no summary currently available