IllustrationMY WIFE'S FINGER WAS COUGHT IN THE ELECTRIC WINODW WHEN SHE INADVERTANTLY PRESSED THE "UP" BUTTON!*AK
1994 Mercury Sable
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
Similar to other model years
Owner complaints for the 1994 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: 27 of 387 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 142 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Power Train. Review the 95 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Electrical System. Review the 29 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
16 crash reports9 fire reports13 injury reports
Visibility complaints
25 reportsMULTI FUNCTION SWITCH IS DEFECTIVE. WHEN USING THE RIGHT TURN SIGNAL IT MAKES THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS TURN OFF, AND THE WINDSHIELD WIPER FLUID WILL NOT COME OUT. *AK
THE KEY INSERT DOES NOT ALIGN, HAVE HAD 2 TRANSMISSIONS IN 5 YEARS. (I KNOW TO CHECK MY FLUIDS) NEW ENGINE, & THE PAINT IS AWFUL. ENGINE, MOTOR, GAS, GASPS AND JERKS WITH ME. HAVE HAD MOTOR MOUNTS REPLACED, NOTHING HELPS. HEATER COIL(?) WENT OUT, I HAVE NO HEAT NOW. WE HAD TO BYPASS. THE REST I HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO AFFORD TO RE…
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THE KEY INSERT DOES NOT ALIGN, HAVE HAD 2 TRANSMISSIONS IN 5 YEARS. (I KNOW TO CHECK MY FLUIDS) NEW ENGINE, & THE PAINT IS AWFUL. ENGINE, MOTOR, GAS, GASPS AND JERKS WITH ME. HAVE HAD MOTOR MOUNTS REPLACED, NOTHING HELPS. HEATER COIL(?) WENT OUT, I HAVE NO HEAT NOW. WE HAD TO BYPASS. THE REST I HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO AFFORD TO REPAIR. I HATE THIS CAR. I AM WORRIED EVERYTIME I GET IN IT THAT MY MOTHER AND I ARE NOT GOING TO GET HOME. I HAVE HAD THE CAR TOWED SO MANY TIMES, THE MAN WHO DOES THE TOWING KNOWS ME AND MY CAR ON SIGHT. I WILL NOT GO MORE THAN 30 MILES FROMT HE HOUSE. MY MECHANIC EVEN HATES THE CAR. I CALL HIM AN ANGEL, BECAUSE HE HAS KEPT IT RUNNING.
I HAVE HAD CONSTANT OVERHEATING PROBLEMS WITH THS CAR. THE PROBLEMS RANGE FROM CRACKED FLUSH/FILL VALVES, TO HOSES,TO WATER PUMP FAILURE. 03/30/2002 TRANSMISSION STARTED SLIPPING. A MECHANIC AT A LOCAL SHOP RECOMMENDED ADDING FLUID. THE PROBLEM CONTINUED AND EACH TIME THE MECHANIC RECOMMENDED ADDING FLUID. NO LEAK WAS DETERM…
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I HAVE HAD CONSTANT OVERHEATING PROBLEMS WITH THS CAR. THE PROBLEMS RANGE FROM CRACKED FLUSH/FILL VALVES, TO HOSES,TO WATER PUMP FAILURE. 03/30/2002 TRANSMISSION STARTED SLIPPING. A MECHANIC AT A LOCAL SHOP RECOMMENDED ADDING FLUID. THE PROBLEM CONTINUED AND EACH TIME THE MECHANIC RECOMMENDED ADDING FLUID. NO LEAK WAS DETERMINED. PROBLEM CONTINUED UNTIL THE TRANSMISSION WENT OUT IN 07/2003.
CONSUMER STATES THAT WHILE DRIVING IN THE RAIN THE WINDSHEILD WHIPER STOPPED WORKING.THEY WILL COME ON AND GO BACK OFF.THIS WILL COINCIDE WITH THE HEADLIGHTS.
IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE PURCHASE OF THE VEHICLE, THE HEATER FAILED. THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONSUMER OF A PREVIOUS RECALL REGARDING THE ENGINE AND ADVISED THAT THE VEHICLE SHOULD NOT BE DRIVEN UNTIL ENGINE WAS REPLACED, CONSUMER FEELS THE RECALL INFORMATION SHOULD HAVE BEEN GIVEN PRIOR TO PURCHASE OF VEHICLE. *SLC *SCC
PRIOR TO PURCHASE THE DEALER NEVER DISCLOSED TO THE CONSUMER THAT THE VEHICLE HAD A REMANUFACTURED ENGINE INSTALLED IN IT, WITHIN THE FIRST WEEK OF OWNING THE VEHICLE THE CONSUMER NOTICED THAT THE VEHICLE REQUIRED ABOUT TOW QUARTS OF OIL EVERY SEVERAL DAYS AND THE OIL LIGHT WAS CONSTANTLY ILLUMINATING WHILE DRIVING, THE DEALER R…
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PRIOR TO PURCHASE THE DEALER NEVER DISCLOSED TO THE CONSUMER THAT THE VEHICLE HAD A REMANUFACTURED ENGINE INSTALLED IN IT, WITHIN THE FIRST WEEK OF OWNING THE VEHICLE THE CONSUMER NOTICED THAT THE VEHICLE REQUIRED ABOUT TOW QUARTS OF OIL EVERY SEVERAL DAYS AND THE OIL LIGHT WAS CONSTANTLY ILLUMINATING WHILE DRIVING, THE DEALER REFUSED TO PROVIDE ANY ASSISTANCE STATING THAT THE VEHICLE WAS SOLD AS IS. NLM
BOUGHT CAR USED, AS IS. INQUIRED ABOUT RECALLS, ETC. TOLD THERE WERE NONE. SALESMAN SAID HE RAN CARFAX & NOTHING SHOWED UP. ASKED IF ENGINE WAS ORIGINAL ENGINE, ANY MAJOR MECHANICAL PROBLEMS, ETC. WAS TOLD "NO". PURCHASED CAR @ BILL PENNEY TOYOTA. FIRST DAY DOOR HANDLE CAME OFF, UNDERSIDE DRIVER'S SEAT TRACK COVER CAME …
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BOUGHT CAR USED, AS IS. INQUIRED ABOUT RECALLS, ETC. TOLD THERE WERE NONE. SALESMAN SAID HE RAN CARFAX & NOTHING SHOWED UP. ASKED IF ENGINE WAS ORIGINAL ENGINE, ANY MAJOR MECHANICAL PROBLEMS, ETC. WAS TOLD "NO". PURCHASED CAR @ BILL PENNEY TOYOTA. FIRST DAY DOOR HANDLE CAME OFF, UNDERSIDE DRIVER'S SEAT TRACK COVER CAME OFF & SUNROOF CAME OPEN & WOULDN'T SHUT. PANELING FELL OFF. 1ST WEEK THE OIL LIGHT CAME ON - CAR BEGAN USING 2 QTS OF OIL EVERY 2-3 DAYS. TOOK BACK TO DEALERSHIP. TOLD IT HAD A NEW ENGINE & SHOULDN'T BE HAVING PROBLEMS. OIL CONSUMPTION TEST RUN. BEGAN CHECKING CAR'S HISTORY. FOUND PREVIOUS OWNER BOUGHT THE CAR 4-2000 & THE DEALERSHIP BOUGHT IT BACK 6-2000. HEAD GASKET CHANGED 3X. THE DEALERSHIP SENT CAR TO WOODY ANDERSON FORD. HAD A NEW ENGINE PUT IN IT (THEY SAY). BILL PENNEY KEPT CAR 1 WEEK. SAID PROBLEM WAS UNDER A MFG. WARRANTY ON THE ENGINE ALTHOUGH THEY SOLD ME A WARRANTY FOR $1,000 FOR WHAT WAS ALREADY UNDER WARRANTY. THEY SENT CAR TO WOODY ANDERSON FORD; FORD KEPT IT FOR A WEEK. THEN CALLED & TOLD ME TO PICK IT UP; THERE WASN'T ANYTHING WRONG W/IT. HAD TO RENT A CAR. WARRANTY STS THEY PROVIDE ONE. CAR IS NOT FIXED. IT'S A RECURRING PROBLEM FROM ORIGINAL OWNER. ENGINE PUT IN CAR NEVER PUT ON RECORD. 4 VIN #'S HAVE BEEN USED ON PAPERWORK. MET WITH PREVIOUS OWNER. ALL FAULTS I HAD W/CAR SHE HAD AS WELL. DEALERSHIP SAYS MY TOUGH LUCK; MAYBE I LEARNED A LESSON. MFG. WON'T FIX. DENIES PROBLEM. *AK
KNOCK WHEN ACCELERATING AFTER COASTING. AUTO IS 100% DEALER SERVICED. ENTIRE VEHICLE CHECKED FOR 4 DAYS AND CAUSE CANNOT BE DETERMINED. I WAS ADVISED THE FACTORY REPRESENTATIVE WOULD NOT RESPOND AS AUTO PAST WARRANTY PERIOD. *AK
COMPRESSOR LOCK UP,BROKE SURPENTINE BELT,WRAP AROUND DAMPER DAMAGED OIL SEAL &DAMPER BROKE OR CRACK A/C LINES. REPLACED A/C COMPRESSOR A/C MUFFLER ASSY & O RINGS & EVAC & RECHARGE SYSTEM....REAR PASSENGER DOOR, REPLACED WINDOW MOTOR , PASSENGER DOOR , REPLACED WINDOW MOTOR & SWITCH. STEERING HANGS UP OR GETS STUCK,MAKES WINING …
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COMPRESSOR LOCK UP,BROKE SURPENTINE BELT,WRAP AROUND DAMPER DAMAGED OIL SEAL &DAMPER BROKE OR CRACK A/C LINES. REPLACED A/C COMPRESSOR A/C MUFFLER ASSY & O RINGS & EVAC & RECHARGE SYSTEM....REAR PASSENGER DOOR, REPLACED WINDOW MOTOR , PASSENGER DOOR , REPLACED WINDOW MOTOR & SWITCH. STEERING HANGS UP OR GETS STUCK,MAKES WINING NOISE, FRONT END RATTLES,POPS &MAKES CRACKING NOISE,REAR AXLE SOUNDS LIKE ITS GOING TO FALL OUT,WORSE CAR I'VE EVER OWNED!
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.
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.
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
4RQ99017 · Front Suspension Spring
Opened Aug 9, 1999 · Closed Feb 16, 2000
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Suspension
There is no summary currently available
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.