IllustrationWHEN VEHICLE WASI NVOLVED IN A FRONT END CRASH, TRAVELING ABOUT 35 MPH, DRIVER'S SIDE AND PASSENGER SIDE SEAT BELTS FAILED TO RESTRAIN OCCUPANTS. BOTH SEAT BELTS CAME UNBUCKLED UPON IMPACT. VEHICLE WAS TOTALLED. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK
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 VEHICLE AT 35MPH VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE AT THE FUEL INJECTION LINE. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER & HAD THE FUEL PUMP CHANGED DUE TO BEING WEAK. *AK
THE ORIGENAL AND REPLACEMENT OIL FILLED MOTOR MOUNTS FAILED ABOUT YEAR APART FROM EACH OTHER. THE SECOND TIME CAUSED THE POWERSTEERING LINE TO RUPTURE SQURITING POWERSTEERING FLUID ON TO THE EXHAUST SYSTEM WHICH SENT SMOKE INTO THE PASSENGER CARPARTMENT. THIS CAUES TEMPORARY OBSTRUCTION OF MY DRIVING VEIW. THIS COULD HAVE EASILY…
Read full complaint
THE ORIGENAL AND REPLACEMENT OIL FILLED MOTOR MOUNTS FAILED ABOUT YEAR APART FROM EACH OTHER. THE SECOND TIME CAUSED THE POWERSTEERING LINE TO RUPTURE SQURITING POWERSTEERING FLUID ON TO THE EXHAUST SYSTEM WHICH SENT SMOKE INTO THE PASSENGER CARPARTMENT. THIS CAUES TEMPORARY OBSTRUCTION OF MY DRIVING VEIW. THIS COULD HAVE EASILY CAUSED A CRASH. MY UNDERSTANDING THAT MOTOR MOUNTS FAILURE IS VERY HIGH AFTER REPLACEMENTS. THE REPLACEMENT MOTOR MOUNTS WHERE NOT PURCHASED FROM A FORD DEALER BUT SUPPOSABLY THEY ALSO ARE FAILING.
MOTOR MOUNTS HAVE FAILED X2 AND MECHANICS HAVE BEEN UNABLE TO FIND OUT WHY THEY FAIL FORD HAS RECALLED A REAR FRAME BRACKET IN WHICH I THINK HAS SOMETHING TO DO WITH FAILED MOTOR MOUNTS,IN TTHE RECALL ON THE REAR FRAME MOUNTS IT SAID THERE WOULD BE A CLUNKING NOISE IN THE REAR AND THIS CAR HAS HAD IT SINCE I BOUGHT IT ALSO WHEN …
Read full complaint
MOTOR MOUNTS HAVE FAILED X2 AND MECHANICS HAVE BEEN UNABLE TO FIND OUT WHY THEY FAIL FORD HAS RECALLED A REAR FRAME BRACKET IN WHICH I THINK HAS SOMETHING TO DO WITH FAILED MOTOR MOUNTS,IN TTHE RECALL ON THE REAR FRAME MOUNTS IT SAID THERE WOULD BE A CLUNKING NOISE IN THE REAR AND THIS CAR HAS HAD IT SINCE I BOUGHT IT ALSO WHEN THESE MOUNTS HAVE FAILED THE POWER STEERING HOSE COMES OUT AND NO POWER STEERING THE FLUID SPRAYS EVERWHERE THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS IF THE REAR FRAME BRACKETS HAVE NOTHING TO DO WITH THE MOTOR MOUNTS FAILING THERE HAS TO BE SOME KIND OF DEFECT WITH THE DESIGN OF THE MOTOR OR THE MOUNTS THEM SELFS THEY HAVE FAILED X2 WITHOUT MORE THAN 5 MI DRIVEN BECAUSE I COULD FEEL IT WHEN I DROVE NO MORE THAN 1MI.I SPOKE WITH A FORD DEALER AND THEY SAID THE FAILURE OF THE MOTOR MOUNT IS VERY COMMON ON THESE CARS WHEN ASKED IF THEY THOUGHT THE REAR BRACKET HAD SOMETHING TO DO WITH THE MOTOR MOUNTS FAILING THEY TOLD ME TO CALL FORD MANUFACTURER NO COMMENT
RECALL (98V-323) FAILED SEVERAL TIMES PRIOR TO RECALL NOTICE, FINAL FAILURE RESULTED IN ENGINE FIRE WHEN THE MOUNTS FAILED CAUSING STRESS AND BREAKAGE OF THE POWER STEERING HOSE WHICH LEAKED ONTO HOT ENGINE (FIRE). MJS
BRAKE ROTORS DEFECTIVE, NOT ABLE TO BE TURNED DUE TO DEFECT. MJS
CONCLUSION: THE FIRE DAMAGE AROUND THE FUEL DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM (NEAR THE FIRE WALL) WAS FOUND TO BE THE AREA OF ORIGIN. THERE WAS NO INDICATIONS OF ELECTRICAL MALFUNTIONS. THE CAUSE OF THIS FIRE IS DETERMINED TO BE ACCIDENTAL DUE TO MECHANICAL FAILURE. PER COLUMBIA, MO. FIRE MARSHALL'S REPORT NO. 99-03407
HAVE OTHER FORD OR MERCURY VEHICLES EXPERIENCED SIMILAR PROBLEMS? WERE THESE VEHICLES RECALLED FOR THIS ISSUE? NO SAFETY DEFECTS LISTED WITHIN SUMMARY. *AK
RECALL 98V323000: RECEIVED NOTICE IN MAIL & CONTACTED DEALER FOR APPOINTMENT. WAS INFORMED BY SERVICE MANAGER THAT NO PARTS WERE AVAILBLE FOR SUBFRAME. THE PARTS WERE ON BACK ORDER & WOULD CALL WHEN THEY ARE IN. OWNER NOT PLEASED. *AK
CAR HAD BEEN PARKED IN CUSTOFOAM CORPORATION, MAUSTON, WI., PARKING LOT FOR ONE AND A HALF DAYS. RECEIVED CALL ON FRIDAY, APRIL 30, 1999 AT 2:30 PM THAT THE OFFICE MANAGER AND OTHER EMPLOYEES HAD TO BREAK THE DRIVER'S SIDE FRONT WINDOW IN ORDER TO OPEN THE HOOD AND DISCONNECT THE BATTERY CABLES. INTERIOR OF CAR WAS FILLING WIT…
Read full complaint
CAR HAD BEEN PARKED IN CUSTOFOAM CORPORATION, MAUSTON, WI., PARKING LOT FOR ONE AND A HALF DAYS. RECEIVED CALL ON FRIDAY, APRIL 30, 1999 AT 2:30 PM THAT THE OFFICE MANAGER AND OTHER EMPLOYEES HAD TO BREAK THE DRIVER'S SIDE FRONT WINDOW IN ORDER TO OPEN THE HOOD AND DISCONNECT THE BATTERY CABLES. INTERIOR OF CAR WAS FILLING WITH HEAVY SMOKE AND CAR WAS TRYING TO START ITSELF. INVESTIGATION REVEALED THE IGNITION SWITCH AND WIRING WAS BADLY BURNED. *AK
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