IllustrationVEHICLE -- 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
1990 Mercury Sable
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
Similar to other model years
Owner complaints for the 1990 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: 4 of 166 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.
- Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 30 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Steering. Review the 24 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Structure. Review the 23 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
12 crash reports18 fire reports8 injury reports
Structure complaints
23 reportsVEHICLE WAS AT AN INTERSECTION AT A LIGHT AND WAS ABOUT TO MOVE WHEN ANOTHER VEHICLE HIT CONSUMER'S VEHICLE. WHEN CONSUMER LIFTED FOOT FROM BRAKES VEHICLE STARTED TO DRIFT INTO ANOTHER LANE. STARTED TO TURN VEHICLE LEFT AND RIGHT, BUT STEERING WOULDN'T TURN. MECHANIC STATED THAT A SUBFRAME BROKE DEALERSHIP …
Read full complaint
VEHICLE WAS AT AN INTERSECTION AT A LIGHT AND WAS ABOUT TO MOVE WHEN ANOTHER VEHICLE HIT CONSUMER'S VEHICLE. WHEN CONSUMER LIFTED FOOT FROM BRAKES VEHICLE STARTED TO DRIFT INTO ANOTHER LANE. STARTED TO TURN VEHICLE LEFT AND RIGHT, BUT STEERING WOULDN'T TURN. MECHANIC STATED THAT A SUBFRAME BROKE DEALERSHIP WAS AWARE OF PROBLEM.*AK
FRONT SUBFRAME BOLTS BROKE DUE TO CORRISION . RECALL WAS ISSUED BUT ONLY FOR REAR.*AK THE BOLT WAS REPLACED AND THE CONSUMER WAS ASKING THE MANUFACTURER TO PAY FOR REPAIR SINCE THE DEFECT WAS ESSENTIALLY THE SAME AS THAT OF THE RECALL. *YH
PLEASE HELP ME I AM MENTALLY DISABLED WITH A FAMILY AND THIS IS WHAT IS HAPPENING TO ME -PLEASE HELP ME. THE FRAME ON MY CAR BROKE AND FELL DOWN WHILE MY WIFE WAS COMING HOME FROM WORK. THE DEALER VERIFIED THE RECALL AND GOT US A LOANER BUT SAID IT WOULD COST 25.00 A DAY ITS BEEN 10 DAYS AND MONDAY AUGUST 7TH I WAS TOLD THAT MY…
Read full complaint
PLEASE HELP ME I AM MENTALLY DISABLED WITH A FAMILY AND THIS IS WHAT IS HAPPENING TO ME -PLEASE HELP ME. THE FRAME ON MY CAR BROKE AND FELL DOWN WHILE MY WIFE WAS COMING HOME FROM WORK. THE DEALER VERIFIED THE RECALL AND GOT US A LOANER BUT SAID IT WOULD COST 25.00 A DAY ITS BEEN 10 DAYS AND MONDAY AUGUST 7TH I WAS TOLD THAT MY CAR WASN'T FIXABLE BECAUSE OF THE EXCESS CORROSION AND IT WAS FIFTY FIFTY THAT I WOULD HAVE NO CAR AND A RENTAL BILL PLEASE HELP ME IM AT THE POINT WHERE I JUST CAN'T STAND EVEN THINKING ABOUT IT. WE HAVE SAT BY THE PHONE FOUR NINE DAYS AND CALLED OURSELVES AFTER THAT LONG THEY SAY I MAY GET NOTHIN, NO CAR AND A RENTAL BILL PLEASE HELP. *AK
THE DEALER WAS VERY HELPFUL. HOWEVER FORD CUSTOMER SERVICE/ZONE REP. WAS NOT EVEN INTERESTED IN THIS PROBLEM. IF I HAD NOT TAKEN THE TRIM OFF TO CLEAN, I WOULD HAVE NEVER SEEN THE FAILURE. THIS STRIKER IS NEEDED TO KEEP THE DOOR/TAILGATE CLOSED. CHILDEN CAN RIDE IN THE REAR FACING SEAT OF THIS VEHICLE. IF SOMETHING SHOULD H…
Read full complaint
THE DEALER WAS VERY HELPFUL. HOWEVER FORD CUSTOMER SERVICE/ZONE REP. WAS NOT EVEN INTERESTED IN THIS PROBLEM. IF I HAD NOT TAKEN THE TRIM OFF TO CLEAN, I WOULD HAVE NEVER SEEN THE FAILURE. THIS STRIKER IS NEEDED TO KEEP THE DOOR/TAILGATE CLOSED. CHILDEN CAN RIDE IN THE REAR FACING SEAT OF THIS VEHICLE. IF SOMETHING SHOULD HAPPEN TO CAUSE THIS TAILGATE TO OPEN SUDDENLY, THE FAILED METAL THAT HOLDS THE STRIKER IN PLACE WOIULD BE VIRTUALLY USELESS. THE TAILGATE WOULD LIKELY FLY OPEN. THE STRUCTURE OF THIS VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN COMPRIMISED, BY THE WAY. THERE HAS NOT BEEN AN ACCIDENT TO CAUSE THIS SORT OF FAILURE. FORD'S LACK OF INTEREST IS CERAINLY ALARMING FOR THIS SAFETY ISSUE. *AK
THE BODY STRUCTURE WHERE THE POST THAT HOLDS THE TAILGATE CLOSED FAILED. THE METAL IS CRACKED IN SEVERAL PLACES, NOT PERMITTING THE TAILGATE TO BE CLOSED PROPERLY. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN IN A REAR END SITUATION WHERE THE BODY STRUCTURE WOULD BE COMPROMISED. WE WERE LUCKY THAT WE REALIZED THAT THE TAILGATE WAS NOT CLOSING CO…
Read full complaint
THE BODY STRUCTURE WHERE THE POST THAT HOLDS THE TAILGATE CLOSED FAILED. THE METAL IS CRACKED IN SEVERAL PLACES, NOT PERMITTING THE TAILGATE TO BE CLOSED PROPERLY. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN IN A REAR END SITUATION WHERE THE BODY STRUCTURE WOULD BE COMPROMISED. WE WERE LUCKY THAT WE REALIZED THAT THE TAILGATE WAS NOT CLOSING COMPLETELY, AND CHECKED OUT THE LATCH ASSEMBLY. THE POST NOW JUST BENDS OVER WHEN THE TAILGATE IS CLOSED. THANK GOD THAT WE DISCOVERED THIS, AS I WOULD NOT ALLOW SOMEONE TO RIDE IN THE BACK OF THIS VEHICLE AND ITS COMPRIMISED SAFETY. *AK
CONSUMER CONTACTED DEALER IN REFERENCE TO RECALL 98V323000 CONCERNING SUBFRAME CORROSION. DEALER STATED THAT VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL, AND REFUSED TO DO RECALL WORK. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *AK
CLEAR FINISHING COAT OF PAINT IS CRACKING AND FLAKING OFF. DEALER IS NOT ACCEPTING RESPONSIBILITY. *AK *ML
VEHICLE WAS TRAVELING AT 15 MPH OR LESS WHEN BOTH REAR & FRONT SUBFRAMES DISCONNECTED. DEALER NOTIFED AND INFORMED CONSUME R THAT REAR SUBFRAMES WOULD BE REPAIRED UNDER MANUFACTURER'S RECLL, BUT FRONT WOULD BE REPAIRED AT CONSUMER'S EXPENSE. CONSUMER WOULD LIKE TO KNOW WHY CAN THE SAME RECALL ON THE REAR NO BE APPLIED TO THE FR…
Read full complaint
VEHICLE WAS TRAVELING AT 15 MPH OR LESS WHEN BOTH REAR & FRONT SUBFRAMES DISCONNECTED. DEALER NOTIFED AND INFORMED CONSUME R THAT REAR SUBFRAMES WOULD BE REPAIRED UNDER MANUFACTURER'S RECLL, BUT FRONT WOULD BE REPAIRED AT CONSUMER'S EXPENSE. CONSUMER WOULD LIKE TO KNOW WHY CAN THE SAME RECALL ON THE REAR NO BE APPLIED TO THE FRONT WHEN CONDITION ARE THE SAME. CAN NHTSA HELP IN THIS PROBLEM. *AK
WHILE TRAVELING 30-40 MPH THE SUBFRAME DROPPED ONTO THE AXLES DUE TO RETAINER WASHER RUSTING OUT, MAKING IT VERY DIFFICULT TO STEER THE VEHICLE. RECALL 98V32300 WAS LISTED FOR THE SAME TYPE OF PROBLEM. HOWEVER, THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED DUE TO VIN. *AK
Official recalls
598V323000 · 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.
89V171000 · Exterior Lighting:headlights:switch
Oct 13, 1989
AN INCORRECT TRANSISTOR MAY CAUSE AUTOLAMP SYSTEM LIGHT SENSOR MODULE MALFUNCTION.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: 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.
Remedy: REPLACE LIGHT SENSOR MODULES.
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
11DP95004 · 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
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
===
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
===