IllustrationFRONT DRIVER'S SIDE AND PASSENGER'S SIDE SEAT BELT BUCKLES WON'T STAY LOCKED IN, AND EVERYTIME CONSUMER SNAPPED THE BUCKLES IN, THEY WILL POP OPEN. *AK
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
What owners actually said
166 reportsI HAVE OWNED A 1989 FORD TAURUS WHICH HAD THE SAME SEAT BELT FAILURE AND A RECALL WAS ISSUED FOR THE SEAT BELT ASSEMBLY THAT FAILED. I WAS TOLD BY A FORD REPRESENTATIVE THAT THE MERCURY USES THE SAME PART AS THE FORD BUT NO RECALL IS PLANNED. THE SEAT BELT RELEASES WITHOUT WARNING WHILE THE CAR IS IN MOTION AND WOULD NOT RESTR…
Read full complaint
I HAVE OWNED A 1989 FORD TAURUS WHICH HAD THE SAME SEAT BELT FAILURE AND A RECALL WAS ISSUED FOR THE SEAT BELT ASSEMBLY THAT FAILED. I WAS TOLD BY A FORD REPRESENTATIVE THAT THE MERCURY USES THE SAME PART AS THE FORD BUT NO RECALL IS PLANNED. THE SEAT BELT RELEASES WITHOUT WARNING WHILE THE CAR IS IN MOTION AND WOULD NOT RESTRAIN A PASSENGER IN THE EVENT OF A COLLISION. THIS OCCURS ON BOTH THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE SEAT BELT ASSENBLYS. I HAVE NOTED WHEN RIDING IN OTHER SABLES OF THE SAME AGE THAT THEY ALSO HAVE THIS DEFECT.. THE RECALL THAT WAS DONE ON MY TAURUS FIXED THE PROBLEM. THIS DEFECT IS OF PARTICULAR CONCERN TO ME AS IT AFFECTS THE PRIMARY RESTRAINT SYSTEM AND MANY OWNERS WILL NEVER REALIZE THAT THE SYSTEM WILL NOT RESTRAIN THEM IN A COLLISION AS SOMETIMES THE BELT REMAINS PLUGGED INTO THE CLASP, BUT IS NOT SECURED AND CAN BE PULLED OUT BY THE SLIGHTEST PRESSURE
OUTER CV BOOTS FAILED.
WHEN TURNING TO THE LEFT THEIR IS A CLICKING NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT OF VEHICLE . *AK
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION SEIZED ON FREEWAY AT 50 MPG WITH NO WARNING OR PRIOR PROBLEMS. TRANSMISSION SERVICED IN 1996 AT APPROXIMATELY 80,000. TRANSMISSION FLUILD CHECKED AND OIL CHANGED EVERY 3,000 MILES . VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION, CAR LEFT INOPERATIBLE ON BUSY FREEWAY. *AK( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: 70/205/15 )
VEHICLE HAS HAD A HISTORY OF ENGINE MOUNT FAILURES. TWO WERE REPLACED BY PREVIOUS OWNER, AND CURRENTLY ONE BY CONSUMER . DEALER NOTIFIED AND INFORMED CONSUMER THAT VEHICLE WAS NOT UNDER A RECALL. *AK
WHEN WIFE WAS DRIVING VEHICLE SHE TRIED TO MAKE A LEFT TURN AND AT THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD WITH ONCOMING TRAFIC, THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP AND DID NOT TURN, FORCING THE VEHICLE TO GO STRAIGHT, BUT AT THE LAST MINUTE THE CONSUMER'S WIFE PULLED TO LEFT AND HANDLED VEHICLE. DEALER WAS CONTACTED. *AK
THE DRIVER'S AND PASSANGER'S SIDE SEAT BELTS COME UNLATCHED UNEXPECTEDLY WHEN IN USE. TOOK VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND THEY SAID IT'S NOTHING THEY COULD DO ABOUT THE PROBLEM. *AK
VEHICLE WHEN WAS IN PARK, THE KEY WAS RELEASED AND PUT BACK INTO THE IGNITION, BEFORE CONSUMER COULD GET BACK INTO THE CAR, IT ROLLED BACKWARD AND HIT A TREE. WHEN HITTING THE BRAKE PEDAL THE VEHICLE DID NOT STOP, OCCURRENCE ON LEVEL PAVEMENT, NO INJURIES INVOLVED. *AK
RECALL 89V171000. THE INTERIOR AND HEADLIGHTS GET DIM, AND INTERMITTENTLY GO ON AND OFF, THE ALTERNATOR WAS REPLACED AND THE PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. *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
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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
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Additional source detail variants (2)
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
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Service Brakes, Hydraulic
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