IllustrationSWAY BAR FAILED. MJS
1993 Mercury Sable
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
More warning signs than most Sable years
Owner complaints for the 1993 Mercury Sable are substantially higher than 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: 27 of 674 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 357 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Exterior Lighting. Review the 63 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Suspension. Review the 52 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
21 crash reports7 fire reports15 injury reports
Electrical System complaints
46 reportsNO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK
RECALL 98V-009 000 / HEADLIGHT CIRCUIT BREAKER: ONGOING / INTERMITTENT PROBLEM WITH HEADLIGHTS GOING OFF/ON. DEALER NOTIFIED AND INFORMED CONSUMER THAT VEHICLE WAS NOT PART OF THAT RECALL DUE TO VIN. CAN NHTSA HELP IN THIS MATTER. *AK
MY 1993 MERCURY SABLE STALLED ON FOUR SEPARATE INSTANCES IN HIGH-SPEED TRAFFIC DURING HOT WEATHER CONDITIONS; (1) IN AUG98 ON RT97 IN MD AFTER A TRIP OF 340 MILES IN HOT WEATHER NEIGHBORHOOD GARAGE REPLACED O2 SENSORS. (2) IN JUN99 CAR STALLED ON RT 3 MD AFTER TRIP OF APPROX 50 MILES FROM BALTIMORE CITY; (3) ON 31JUL99 CAR STAL…
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MY 1993 MERCURY SABLE STALLED ON FOUR SEPARATE INSTANCES IN HIGH-SPEED TRAFFIC DURING HOT WEATHER CONDITIONS; (1) IN AUG98 ON RT97 IN MD AFTER A TRIP OF 340 MILES IN HOT WEATHER NEIGHBORHOOD GARAGE REPLACED O2 SENSORS. (2) IN JUN99 CAR STALLED ON RT 3 MD AFTER TRIP OF APPROX 50 MILES FROM BALTIMORE CITY; (3) ON 31JUL99 CAR STALLED IN HIGH SPEED TRAFFIC ON RT 17 NY AFTER TRIP FROM MD. MERCURY DEALER DID COMPUTER DIAGNOSTICS AND FOUND NO PROBLEM. HE REPLACED FUEL FILTER. (4) CAR STALLED AGAIN IN TRAFFIC ON 7AUG99 ON RETURN TRIP FROM NY STATE. AFTER RESEARCHING YOUR SITE AND OTHERS I CALLED THE FORD CAC HOTLINE AND REPORTED THE PROBLEM ASKING IF THIS IS RELATED TO THE NUMEROUSLY REPORTED PROBLEMS WITH SABLE/TAURUS TFI IGNITION MODULES BEING MOUNTED CLOSTE TO THE ENGINE AND SUBJECT TO HIGH TEMPERATURES. I UNDERSTAND THERE ARE CLASS ACTION SUITS PENDING ON THIS ISSUE AND THAT NHTSA HAS INVESTIGATED THE PROBLEM. FORD CAC HAD NO RESPONSE AND STATED THAT ANY FURTHER COSTS RELATED TO THIS PROBLEM WOULD BE BORNE BY ME AND THAT THERE COULD BE NO REIMBURSEMENT FOR THE APPARENT MISDIAGNOSIS PERFORMED BY THE DEALERSHIP. I WISH TO MAKE THREE POINTS: ONE, THIS PROBLEM HAS BEEN KNOWN FOR A LONG TIME WITHIN THE FORD COMMUNITY, YET A MERCURY DEALER DID NOTHING TO REPAIR THE PROBLEM, DID BOGUS REPAIR, AND SENT ME AND MY FAMILY ON A RETURN TRIP TO MD IN HOT WEATHER WHILE APPARENTLY KNOWING THAT THIS VERY SERIOUS SAFETY DEFECT COULD CAUSE AN ACCIDENT; TWO, THIS APPARENTLY IS AN ONGOING UNRESOLVED SAFETY DEFECT THAT, BASED ON MY EXPERIENCE, IS A TICKING TIME BOMB FOR OWNERS AND THEIR FAMILIES WHO ARE UNAWARE THAT THIS MAY HAPPEN TO THEM; THREE, IF FORD IS IN A STONE-WALL MODE BECAUSE OF THE SUITS AND REFUSES A RECALL THEN NHTSA SHOULD GET OFF THE SIDELINE AND GET IN THE GAME. IT IS DISCONCERTING TO ME THAT THERE IS SO LITTLE INFORMATION ON THIS ISSUE AVAILABLE FROM NHTSA.
AT APPROXIMATELY 51,000 MILES, THE ENGINE HEAD GASKET BLEW OUT. THE ACTUATOR RODS BROKE, AND THE OTHER ONE CRACKED, CAUSING VEHICLE TO STAY ON, IT WOULD NOT SHUT OFF. *YC
HEADLIGHTS OVERHEATED, BURNNING UP THE WIRE HARNESS LOCATED BEHIND IT. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. *AK
HORN BUTTONS ARE NEARLY IMPOSSIBLE TO FIND IN AN EMERGENCY DUE TO THEIR SIZE AND LOCATION. THERE ARE 2 BUTTONS. AT APPROXIMATELY THE 10 O'CLOCK AND 2 O'CLOCK POSITIONS ON THE INSIDE OF THE STEERING WHEEL. IT REPRESENTS A REAL DANGER WHEN THE DRIVER IS UNABLE TO LOCATE THE BUTTONS TO ALERT ANOTHER DRIVER OR PEDESTRIAN. IT IS E…
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HORN BUTTONS ARE NEARLY IMPOSSIBLE TO FIND IN AN EMERGENCY DUE TO THEIR SIZE AND LOCATION. THERE ARE 2 BUTTONS. AT APPROXIMATELY THE 10 O'CLOCK AND 2 O'CLOCK POSITIONS ON THE INSIDE OF THE STEERING WHEEL. IT REPRESENTS A REAL DANGER WHEN THE DRIVER IS UNABLE TO LOCATE THE BUTTONS TO ALERT ANOTHER DRIVER OR PEDESTRIAN. IT IS EXCEPTIONALLY DIFFICULT TO LOCATE THE BUTTONS,ESPECIALLY IF AN EMERGENCY SITUATION CALLS FOR TURNING THE WHEEL IN AN EVASIVE ACTION. WHILE I HAVE NOT HAD AN ACCIDENT CAUSED BY THIS PROBLEM, I HAVE HAD SEVERAL CLOSE CALLS. *AK
VEHICLE WAS RUNNING FINE AT 60MPH WHEN ENGINE STARTED TO RUN ROUGH AND SMOKE CAME OUT OF EXHAUST. SMELL OF COOLANT IN EXHAUST ALSO. THE ENGINE HAD BLOWN A HEAD GASKET WITHOUT WARNING. AFTER TURNING VEHICLE OFF, ENGINE WOULD NOT START AGAIN SINCE FLUID HAD FILLED UP THE CYLINDERS. TRYING TO START THE CAR CAUSED A SECONDARY PROBLE…
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VEHICLE WAS RUNNING FINE AT 60MPH WHEN ENGINE STARTED TO RUN ROUGH AND SMOKE CAME OUT OF EXHAUST. SMELL OF COOLANT IN EXHAUST ALSO. THE ENGINE HAD BLOWN A HEAD GASKET WITHOUT WARNING. AFTER TURNING VEHICLE OFF, ENGINE WOULD NOT START AGAIN SINCE FLUID HAD FILLED UP THE CYLINDERS. TRYING TO START THE CAR CAUSED A SECONDARY PROBLEM, I.E.,THE STARTER BROKE.
WHILE DRIVING THE INSTRUMENT PANEL MALFUNCTIONED, CAUSING THE GAS GAUGE/SPEEDOMETER AND TEMPERATURE GAUGE TO GO OUT. ALSO HAD A SMOKING SMELL WHEN THIS HAPPENED. *AK
VEHICLE HAS BROKEN DOWN FIVE TIMES IN FIVE WEEKS DUE TO TRANSMISSION MOUNT BREAKING. ALSO, ENERTIA SWITCH FAILURE/VEHICLE PULLING AND SHAKING AFTER RIGHT FRONT TIRE CHANGED/IGNITION SWITCH STUCK. *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.
98V094000 · Suspension:front:springs:coil Springs
May 6, 1998
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES ORIGINALLY SOLD OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE STATES OF NEW YORK, MICHIGAN, OHIO, ILLINOIS, WISCONSIN, PENNSYLVANIA, MASSACHUSETTS, INDIANA, NEW JERSEY, MAINE, CONNECTICUT, NEW HAMPSHIRE, RHODE ISLAND, VERMONT, MINNESOTA, IOWA, MISSOURI, KENTUCKY, MARYLAND, DELAWARE, AND WEST VIRGINIA. THE FRONT COIL SPRINGS CAN FRACTURE AS A RESULT OF CORROSION IN COMBINATION WITH SMALL CRACKS IN THE SPRINGS.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THE FRONT TIRE COULD DEFLATE DUE TO A BROKEN FRONT COIL SPRING CONTACTING THE TIRE, INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A SPRING CATCHER BRACKET WHICH WILL PREVENT A FRACTURED SPRING FROM CONTACTING A TIRE.
98V009000 · Exterior Lighting:headlights:switch
Jan 21, 1998
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE HEADLIGHTS CAN FLASH INTERMITTENTLY AS A RESULT OF THE CIRCUIT BREAKER OPENING. THE VEHICLE'S HEADLIGHTS CAN GO OUT FOR BRIEF INTERVALS.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: LOSS OF HEADLIGHTS DURING VEHICLE OPERATION CAN AFFECT A DRIVER'S ABILITY TO NAVIGATE THE ROADWAY AND REDUCE THE VISIBILITY OF THE VEHICLE, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A HEADLIGHT SWITCH THAT INCORPORATES A CRICUIT BREAKER OF REVISED DESIGN AND INSTALLATION OF A WIRING HARNESS CONNECTOR AND WIRING, IF NEEDED.
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.
97V019000 · Engine And Engine Cooling:cooling System:fan
Feb 25, 1997
THESE VEHICLES ARE ORIGINALLY SOLD OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE FOLLOWING STATES: ALASKA, IOWA, MINNESOTA, NEBRASKA, NORTH DAKOTA, AND SOUTH DAKOTA. THE VEHICLES INVOLVED ARE 1992-1994 TEMPO/TOPAZ VEHICLES WITH 3.0L ENGINES; 1994 TEMPO/TOPAZ WITH 2.3L ENGINES; 1992-1995 TAURUS/SABLE WITH 3.8L ENGINES; 1994-1995 TAURUS/SABLE WITH 3.0L ENGINES AND 1992-1994 LINCOLN CONTINENTAL VEHICLES WITH 3.8L ENGINES. DURING HIGH WINDS, HEAVY, BLOWING AND DRIFTING SNOW, AND LOW TEMPERATURES, THE ENGINE COOLING FAN CAN BECOME BLOCKED OR FROZEN WITH SNOW. THE FAN MOTOR MAY NOT ROTATE AND COULD OVERHEAT.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THIS CONDITION CAN CAUSE SMOKE OR FLAMES FROM THE FAN AND/OR SHROUD, THE FAN ELECTRICAL WIRING, OR THE FAN MOTOR RESULTING IN A VEHICLE FIRE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL AN ELECTRICAL JUMPER HARNESS CONTAINING AN AUTOMATIC RESETTING CIRCUIT BREAKER TO PROTECT THE FAN MOTOR LOW SPEED CIRCUITRY FROM OVERHEATING.
93V023000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:antilock/traction Control/electronic Limited Slip
Jan 4, 1993
ANTI-LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM CONTROLLERS DESIGNED FOR REAR WHEEL DRIVE CARS MAY HAVE BEEN INSTALLED ON THESE FRONT WHEEL DRIVE CARS..
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THIS COULD RESULT IN REDUCED BRAKING ABILITY AND POSSIBLEVEHICLE ACCIDENT.
Remedy: REPLACE THE REAR WHEEL DRIVE ABS CONTROLLER WITH A FRONT WHEEL DRIVE ABS CONTROLLER.
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
11RQ99017 · Front Suspension Spring
Opened Aug 9, 1999 · Closed Feb 16, 2000
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Suspension
There is no summary currently available
EA99023 · Windshield Wiper
Opened Aug 6, 1999 · Closed Jun 12, 2001
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Visibility
ODI has received 50 additional complaiints on MY 1993 Ford Taurus and Mercury Sable vehicles alleging malfunction of the windshield wiper system including; intermittent or complete stoppage of wiper sweeping; inadequate sweep speed; and other general complaints of poor performace.In some cases, the owner alleges havingto leave the roadway or roll down the window and manually restart the sweeping motion of the wiper arms.Other complaints allege that the wiper sweeps too slowly at the maximum speed setting resulting in inadequate vision during heavy precipition.Some complaints allge repeated wiper system malfunctions despirt having their vehicles serviced at Ford dealerships of replacement of the multi-function switch and/or wiper motor.Ford provided its response to an Information Request Letter indicating that the same wiper motor is used on the MY 1987-1993 Taurus and Sable; however, warranty and complaint data show that the MY 1993 is over represented and may warrant particular attention.An Engineering Ananlysis is necessary to determine if a potential safety defect exists.
PE99015 · Windshield Wiper
Opened Feb 24, 1999 · Closed Aug 6, 1999
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Visibility
ALLEGED THAT THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS FAIL WITHOUT WARNING
EA96024 · 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
EA96019 · Headlight Failure
Opened Jul 31, 1996 · Closed Jan 26, 1998
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Exterior Lighting
EXCESSIVE HEAT IN AN IMPROPERLY MANUFACTURED CIRCUIT BREAKER WITHIN THE HEADLIGHT SWITCH CAUSED THAT CIRCUIT BREAKER TO OPEN FOR TIME PERIODS OF VARYING LENGTH TO COOL OFF.OPENING OF THE CIRCUIT BREAKER IN THIS MANNER INTERRUPTS ELECTRIC CURRENT FLOW TO THE HEADLIGHTS, SHUTTING THEM OFF.HEADLIGHT OUTAGES HAVE RANGER FROM BRIEF FLICKERS (LESS THAN ONE SECOND) TO GREATER THAN 20 SECONDS.OVER TIME, THE OUTAGES GROW IN LENGTH AND DURATION BECAUSE OF HEAT-INDUCED DETERIORATION OF THE SWITCH AND ASSOCIATED WIRING.RECALL 98V-009 WILL APPLY TO APPROXIMATELY 506,000 TAURUS, SABLE, MARK VIII, AND CONTINENTAL VEHICLES PRODUCED FROM 1-DEC.-92 THROUGH 30-SEP-93 AT THE ATLANTA, CHICAGO,AND WIXOM ASSEMBLY PLANTS.87% OF MY 1992-1995 TAURUS/SABLE AND 97% OF MY 1993-1995 MARK VIII WARRANTY REPAIRS (HEADLIGHT SWITCH REPLACEMENT) INVOLVED VEHICLES BUILT DURING THE DEC. 92 - OCT. 93 BUILD RANGE.
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.
PE96018 · Headlights Failure
Opened Mar 5, 1996 · Closed Jul 31, 1996
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Exterior Lighting:headlights
There is no summary currently available
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
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