IllustrationAIR BAG LIGHT FLASHES ON AND OFF, INDICTATING A DEFECT. CONSUMER HAS NOT TAKEN VEHICLE TO DEALER. *AK
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
What owners actually said
221 reportsTRANSMISSION HAS BEEN REPLACED TWICE, AND CURRENT TRANSMISSION WAS SLIPPING OUT OF GEAR AT ANY SPEED. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION/ATTACHMENTS.*AK
CONSUMER HAS CONTACTED MANUFACTURER REGARDING TRANSMISSION ,AND WAS TOLD THERE WERE NO RECALLS ON "TRANSMISSIONS" FOR THIS VEHICLE... VEHICLE REGISTERED IN NEBRASKA WHERE THERE WAS RECALL 98V323000 REGARDING SUBFRAME CORROSION WHICH COULD EFFECT TRANSMISSION/ENGINE. CONSUMER WAS GOING TO HAVE TO HAVE TRANSMISSION REPLAC…
Read full complaint
CONSUMER HAS CONTACTED MANUFACTURER REGARDING TRANSMISSION ,AND WAS TOLD THERE WERE NO RECALLS ON "TRANSMISSIONS" FOR THIS VEHICLE... VEHICLE REGISTERED IN NEBRASKA WHERE THERE WAS RECALL 98V323000 REGARDING SUBFRAME CORROSION WHICH COULD EFFECT TRANSMISSION/ENGINE. CONSUMER WAS GOING TO HAVE TO HAVE TRANSMISSION REPLACED. *AK
THIS IS VERY SERIOUS AND DANGEROUS AFTER ADDING OIL TO THE ENGINE OF THIS VEHICLE YESTERDAY I MADE SURE THE HOOD WAS SECURLY LATCHED ( BECAUSE IT HAS COME OPEN ON ME PREVIOUSLY WHILE IN MOTION ) I PULLED UP ON THE HOOD AND IT WOULD NOT OPEN. I LEFT THE GAS STATION AND GOT ON THE INTERSTATE. WHILE IN THE FAST LANE DOING APPROXAM…
Read full complaint
THIS IS VERY SERIOUS AND DANGEROUS AFTER ADDING OIL TO THE ENGINE OF THIS VEHICLE YESTERDAY I MADE SURE THE HOOD WAS SECURLY LATCHED ( BECAUSE IT HAS COME OPEN ON ME PREVIOUSLY WHILE IN MOTION ) I PULLED UP ON THE HOOD AND IT WOULD NOT OPEN. I LEFT THE GAS STATION AND GOT ON THE INTERSTATE. WHILE IN THE FAST LANE DOING APPROXAMATLY 70 MPH THE HOOD CAME COMPLETELY OPEN BENT BACK AND SMASHED THE FRONT WINDSHIELD. I WAS TOTALY BLINDED BY IT. I WAS LUKY TO GET THE CAR STOPED WITH OUT GETTING KILLED IN THE PROCESS. I WOULD LIKE THIS CHECKED OUT TO SEE IF IT IS A DEFAULT. I WOULD HATE TO SEE ANYONE DYE OVER THIS TYPE OF THING. *AK
THERE WAS NO HEAT AND ENGINE OVERHEATED, CAUSING TEMPARATURE TO RISE. CONSUMER HADTO TURN OFF CAR WHEN THIS HAPPENED TO AVOID OVER HEATING. WHITE SMOKE CAME OUT OF TAIL PIPE. *AK
THE TRANSMISSION FAILED PRIOR TO SERVICE PROGRAM #94M84 IN SEPT OF 1994, IN 2000 THE TRANSMISSION FAILED AGAIN, CONSUMER BELIEVES FORD REPLACED THE INITIAL TRANSMISSION WITH ANOTHER TRANSMISSION CONTAINING THE SAME INHERENT DEFECT. NLM
REAR BRAKES RUSTED THROUGH THE DRUMS. *SLC
IT APPEARS THAT THE HEAD GASKETS ARE PREMATURELY FAILING ON THE 3.8 LITRE ENGINES MANUFACTURED BY FORD ON MODELS 1988 TO PRESENT. THEY ARE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM AND HAVE A SERVICE BULLETIN TSB #98-4-9 EXPLAINING THE COMPLAINT BUT HAVE FAILED TO REPAIR THIS KNOW PROBLEM OR MAKE RESOLUTION TO THE COMPLAINTS. *AK
HEAD GASKETS FAILED WITH ONLY 57,000 MILES ON CAR. VEHICLE IS A 1991 MERCURY SABLE WAGON WITH A 3.8 L 6 CYLINDER ENGINE. CAR HAS ALLWAYS BEEN WELL MAINTAINED. I THINK FORDS WARRANTY SHOULD BE FOR ANY 3.8 LITER 6 CYL. VEHICLE PERIOD!!!!!!!. *AK
BEFORE CONSUMER PURCHASED VEHICLE THEY NOTICED THAT THE AIR BAG LIGHT WAS ON, THE DEALER TOLD THE CONSUMER THEY COULD NOT FIX THE LIGHT DUE TO A FEDERAL LAW AND NEVER SAID THE AIR BAGS DID NOT WORK, THERE WAS AN ACCIDENT WHERE THE AIR BAGS EXPERIENCED NO DEPLOYMENT AND 2 OF THE OCCUPANTS INJURIES WERE SORENESS. *SLC
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