IllustrationAUTO WAS PARKED. APPROXIMATELY ONE HALF LATER, ACCORDING TO THE FIRE DEPARTMENT REPORT, A FIRE WAS REPORTED COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD OF THE VEHICLE. FIRE GUTTED OUT THE ENTIRE MOTOR AND THE CAR WAS TOTALED. NO INJURIES. THERE WAS NO PREVIOUS INDICATION OF ANY ELECTRICAL PROBLEM. MR
1991 Mercury Sable
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
Similar to other model years
Owner complaints for the 1991 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 221 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.
- Power Train. Review the 101 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 56 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Steering. Review the 27 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
11 crash reports9 fire reports5 injury reports
Electrical System complaints
16 reportsI HAVE LOCATED WHAT APPEARS TO BE A REPETITIVE SEVERE PROBLEMWHERE THE WIRE HARNESS IS RUBBING AGAINST A SHARP BENT METAL EDGE NEXT TO THE FUSE BOX AND AFTER TRYING TO LOCATE PARTS TO REPAIR I OBSERVED SEVERAL BURNED OUT TAURUS AND SABLE VEHICLES WHERE IT APPEARED TO HAVE STARTED AT OR UNDER THE DASH. ALSO A SIMILAR YEAR MK 7 B…
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I HAVE LOCATED WHAT APPEARS TO BE A REPETITIVE SEVERE PROBLEMWHERE THE WIRE HARNESS IS RUBBING AGAINST A SHARP BENT METAL EDGE NEXT TO THE FUSE BOX AND AFTER TRYING TO LOCATE PARTS TO REPAIR I OBSERVED SEVERAL BURNED OUT TAURUS AND SABLE VEHICLES WHERE IT APPEARED TO HAVE STARTED AT OR UNDER THE DASH. ALSO A SIMILAR YEAR MK 7 BURNED THE SAME WAY. QUITE UNNERVING. ALSO HAVE A SECOND TAURUS WAGON I'VE HAD FOR SEVERAL YEARS AND EXAMINED IT WIRING AND SAME PROBLEM CHAFFED WIRE HARNESS APPROXIMATELY 3" FROM FUSE BOX. ALSO MY WIRES INTO BOX LOOSE ENOUGH TO COMPLETELY SHUT DOWN VEHICLE ELECTRICAL FUNCTION, FIRST TIME HAPPENED GOING 65 ON FREEWAY. ALSO SHIFT LEVER ON COLUMN POORLY DESIGNED TILL 93 WHEN IT APPEARS TO HAVE BEEN REDESIGNED TO CORRECT PROBLEM I HAD WHERE SHIFTS OUT OF GEAR BECAUSE OF SLOP AND WEAR. PREVIOUS OWNER SPENT FORTUNE REPLACING TRANS AND IT WASN'T PROBLEM LINKAGE COULDN'T BE PROPERLY LOCATED BECAUSE OF SLOP IN SHIFT LEVER DUE TO UNUSUAL WEAR. OTHERWISE MY CARS CANNOT BE TOLD FROM NEAR NE. *AK
VEHICLE WAS ON THE ENTRANCE RAMP TO A MAJOR HIGHWAY WHEN ENGINE POWER WAS SUDDENLY LOST. CAR WAS RESTARTED AFTER A TEN MINUTE COOL DOWN. DROVE FOR ANOTHER 10 MINUTES WHEN ENGINE POWER WAS LOST FOR A SECOND TIME. CAR WAS UNABLE TO START AFTER THE SECOND FAILURE. ROOT CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS A CORRODED GROUND CONNECT, ITENTIF…
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VEHICLE WAS ON THE ENTRANCE RAMP TO A MAJOR HIGHWAY WHEN ENGINE POWER WAS SUDDENLY LOST. CAR WAS RESTARTED AFTER A TEN MINUTE COOL DOWN. DROVE FOR ANOTHER 10 MINUTES WHEN ENGINE POWER WAS LOST FOR A SECOND TIME. CAR WAS UNABLE TO START AFTER THE SECOND FAILURE. ROOT CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS A CORRODED GROUND CONNECT, ITENTIFIED AS C112 (FORD #). THIS CONNECTOR PROVIDES THE GROUND (NEGATIVE) FOR MAJOR ENGINE AND INSTRUMENTATION COMPONENTS (INSTRUMENT CLUSTER, INTEGRATED CONTROL MODULE, POWER STEERING MODULE, COOLING FAN, ELECTRONIC ENGINE CONTROL MODULE, OXYGEN SENSORS). THE LOCATION OF THIS GROUND CONNECTOR NEXT TO THE BATTERY, INCREASES ITS SUSCEPTABILITY TO ACCELERATED CORROSION. THE GROUND PLUG IS NOT A WATER TIGHT DESIGN. SEVERE CORROSION OF THE CONNECTOR BLADES WERE FOUND UPON DISASSEMBLY . CONNECTOR SHOULD BE REPLACED WITH A TYPE LESS SUSCEPTABLE TO CORROSION. FAILURES ARE MORE LIKELY WHEN THE CAR IS OPERATING IN HOT DRY WEATHER AND WITH HIGHER ELECTRICAL LOADS.
TRANSMISSION WENT OUT WHILE DRIVING AT 50 MPH WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING, CAUSING VEHICLE TO STALL AND SHUT OFF COMPLETELY. ALSO, THERE WAS VIBRATION WITHIN THE STEERING WHEEL. ALSO, LOSS OF CRUISE CONTROL, CAUSING VEHICLE TO ACCELERATE. IN ADDITION,SMOKE CAME FROM UNDERHOOD. *AK
HEAD GASKET FAILED.
WHEN STARTING THE VEHICLE UP, VEHICLE LOST ALL POWER , SMOKE STARTED COMING UP BY WINDSHIELD, WHEN DRIVER AND PASSENGER GOTOUT OF VEHICLE, FLAMES WERE COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD OF FRONT OF VEHICLE. THE FIRE TOTALED THE VEHICLE. *AK
LIGHTING SYSTEM BULBS HAVE ALL FAILED, CONSUMER REPLACES BULBS EVERY FEW MONTHS.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM IS MESSING UP, THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS DON'T WORK HALF OF THE TIME, HALF OF THE TIIME THE ELECTRICL SYSTEM DOES NOT WORK. *AK
ENGINE MOUNTS FAILED TWICE.
AXLES FAILED.
Official recalls
498V323000 · 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.
97V025000 · Vehicle Speed Control
Feb 26, 1997
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 3.8L ENGINES AND ORIGINALLY SOLD OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE FOLLOWING STATES: ALASKA, COLORADO, IOWA, IDAHO, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, KANSAS, MASSACHUSETTS, MAINE, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA, MISSOURI, MONTANA, NORTH DAKOTA, NEBRASKA, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW YORK, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, SOUTH DAKOTA, VERMONT, WISCONSIN, AND WYOMING. WATER CAN ACCUMULATE WITHIN THE SPEED CONTROL CABLE CONDUIT. IF ENOUGH WATER ACCUMULATES, IT COULD FREEZE WITHIN A LOW AREA OF THE CABLE ROUTING WHEN EXPOSED TO A LONG TERM COLD SOAK AT TEMPERATURES AT LEAST SEVERAL DEGREES BELOW FREEZING.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: DRIVER CONTROL OF VEHICLE SPEED USING THE SPEED CONTROL SYSTEM OR THE ACCELERATOR CONTROL SYSTEM WOULD BE DIMINISHED INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL ADD A BOOT TO THE SPEED CONTROL CABLE.
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.
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
11EA96024 · Engine Cooling Fan Fires
Opened Sep 30, 1996 · Closed Apr 15, 1997
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Engine And Engine Cooling
There is no summary currently available
PE96033 · Engine Cooling Fan Fires
Opened May 2, 1996 · Closed Sep 30, 1996
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Engine And Engine Cooling
IN DECEMBER 1995, FORD RECALLED 119,313 VEHICLES IN CANADA TO REMEDY THE SUBJECT CONDITION IN CERTAIN 1992-95 TAURUS, SABLE, TEMPO, TOPAZ AND CONTINENTAL VEHICLES.FORD IS AWARE OF SIMILAR INCIDENTS OCCURRING IN NORTHERN REGIONS OF THE UNITED STATES, BUT MAINTAINS THAT THE FREQUENCIES DO NOT WARRANT A FINDING OF AN UNREASONABLE RISK TO MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY.
DP95004 · 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
PE93070 · Failure Of Wheel Studs
Opened Jul 27, 1993 · Closed Nov 22, 1993
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
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