IllustrationSINCE 2000, THE CAR HAS BROKEN DOWN SEVERAL TIMES FOR THE SAME REASONS. WE HAVE JUST REPLACED THE WATER PUMP AND THE RADIATOR AND NOW WE HAVE TO COME UP WITH $800.00 TO GET THE HEAD GASKET FIXED. IF IN ANYWAY PLEASE E-MAIL ME BACK AT V23VJFD@VERIZON.NET OR CALL 757-854-4027
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
What owners actually said
387 reportsCONSUMER HAS BEEN COMPLAINING OF THE VEHICLE STALLING AND THERE HAS NOT BEEN A FIX FOR IT YET. THERE IS A REPORT THAT SUGGESTS THE PROBLEM IS LIKELY TO BE WITH THE IGNITION DEVICE, THE TFI(THICK FILM IGNITION) MODULE MOUNTED ON THE DISTRIBUTOR. THE VEHICLE WAS BROUGHT IN TO THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT AND NOTHING WAS FOUND TO BE WR…
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CONSUMER HAS BEEN COMPLAINING OF THE VEHICLE STALLING AND THERE HAS NOT BEEN A FIX FOR IT YET. THERE IS A REPORT THAT SUGGESTS THE PROBLEM IS LIKELY TO BE WITH THE IGNITION DEVICE, THE TFI(THICK FILM IGNITION) MODULE MOUNTED ON THE DISTRIBUTOR. THE VEHICLE WAS BROUGHT IN TO THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT AND NOTHING WAS FOUND TO BE WRONG. *JG
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
WHILE TRAVELING HEARD A LOUD GRINDING NOISE COMING FROM FRONT END OF VEHICLE. SOON AFTERWARDS VEHICLE DECELERATED. VEHICLE HAS BEEN SERVICED, TECHNICIAN NOTICED TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK
ROUGH IDLING YESTERDAY, HEAD GASKET BLEW TODAY. PUFF OF WHITE SMOKE AND USUAL ERUCTION OF ANTIFREEZE. AVOIDED ACCIDENT THOUGH I DID SWERVE INTO NEXT LANE BETWEEN 2 CARS.. *AK
FRONT PISTON IN TRANSMISSION CRACKED. THIS CAUSED THE TRANSMISSION TO LOSE PRESSURE AT SLOW SPEEDS AS IF IT WENT INTO NUETRAL. THIS WAS PARTICULARLY DANGEROUS WHEN STOPPED TO TURN LEFT. WHILE WAITING FOR ONCOMING TRAFFIC TO PASS THE TRANS WOULD LOSE PRESSURE RESULTING IN THE NUETRAL CONDITION. WHEN THE TRAFFIC PASSED AND THE…
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FRONT PISTON IN TRANSMISSION CRACKED. THIS CAUSED THE TRANSMISSION TO LOSE PRESSURE AT SLOW SPEEDS AS IF IT WENT INTO NUETRAL. THIS WAS PARTICULARLY DANGEROUS WHEN STOPPED TO TURN LEFT. WHILE WAITING FOR ONCOMING TRAFFIC TO PASS THE TRANS WOULD LOSE PRESSURE RESULTING IN THE NUETRAL CONDITION. WHEN THE TRAFFIC PASSED AND THERE WAS AN OPPORTUNITY TO TURN I WOULD STEP ON THE GAS BUT THE CAR WOULD NOT MOVE. THEN AFTER A COUPLE OF SECONDS, AND SINCE THE ENGINE SPEED HAD NOW INCREASED, THE TRANS PRESSURE WOULD INCREASE AND THE CAR WOULD SUDDENLY GO INTO GEAR AND LURCH INTO THE LEFT TURN. HOWEVER A FEW SECONDS OF TURNING OPPORTUNITY HAD NOW BEEN LOST AND THE ONCOMING TRAFFIC WAS A LITTLE CLOSER THAN I AM COMFORTABLE WITH. I WOULD NOT LET MY FAMILY DRIVE THE CAR UNTIL IT WAS FIXED. I TOOK IT TO THE FORD DEALER AND HE IMMEDIATLY KNEW THE CAUSE, WHICH INDICATES THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM. IN FACT HE HAD ANOTHER CUSTOMER WITH THE SAME PROBLEM, SAME KIND OF CAR, SAME TIME. IT COST ME $1,400 TO GET THE TRANS REBUILT. THE DEFECTIVE PART IS AND ALUMINUM RING THAT IS FORMED FROM SHEET METAL. DURING THE FORMING PROCESS THE METAL WAS STRETCHED TOO THIN. THIS WAS EVIDENT BY THE STRESS MARK OR SMILE ON THE DEFECTIVE PART. THE REPEATED APPLICATION OF PRESSURE EVENTUALLY RESULTED IN THE CRACK WHICH LET THE HYDRAULIC PRESSURE TO LEAK PAST THE PISTON. AGAIN THIS VERY DANGEROUS.*AK
3.8 V6 ENGINE WAS LOSING COOLANT AND OVERHEATING WHILE DRIVING, VEHICLE TAKEN TO THE DEALER, AND DEALER INFORMED CONSUMER OF A BLOWN HEAD GASKET. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK
WHEN PARKING BRAKE IS ENGAGED IT WILL DISENGAGES BY ITSELF. DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED.*AK
EMERGENCY BRAKE DISENGAGES BY ITSELF WHEN VEHICLE IS STARTED UP, CAUSING VEHICLE TO POSSIBLY ROLL BACK ON AN INCLINE. PROBLEM HAS PROGRESSED. DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED.*AK
THERE IS A SQUEAKING NOISE COMING FROM THE VEHICLE WHEN THE BRAKES ARE APPLIED WHILE DRIVING AT LOW SPEEDS. DEALERSHIP HAS EXAMINED VEHICLE AND REPLACED BRAKE PADS AND ROTORS BECAUSE OF NORMAL WEAR. . PLEASE PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION / DOCUMENTATION.*AK
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.