Model year record

1992 Mercury Sable

4 recall campaigns on file for this model year. 517 owner complaints on file.

Mercury Sable, 1992–1995 generation
Pictured: the 1992–1995 generation. Cutlass, CC0 · Wikimedia Commons

Recalls

Recall campaignNHTSA 98V323000

Structure: frame and members

Component
Structure: frame and members
Manufacturer
FORD MOTOR COMPANY
Vehicles affected
2,697,000
Reported to NHTSA
1998-12-16
Owners notified
1999-01-18

Defect description

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.

Safety risk

IF BOTH REAR CORNERS DROP, STEERING WOULD BECOME SUDDENLY VERY DIFFICULT, AFFECTING VEHICLE CONTROL AND INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL INSTALL SUBFRAME REAR MOUNT BOLTS, REINFORCEMENT PLATES, AND PLATE NUTS.

Recall campaignNHTSA 97V025000

Vehicle speed control

Component
Vehicle speed control
Manufacturer
FORD MOTOR COMPANY
Vehicles affected
212,700
Reported to NHTSA
1997-02-26
Owners notified
1997-04-23

Defect description

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.

Safety risk

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.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL ADD A BOOT TO THE SPEED CONTROL CABLE.

Recall campaignNHTSA 97V019000

Engine and engine cooling: cooling system: fan

Component
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system: fan
Manufacturer
FORD MOTOR COMPANY
Vehicles affected
75,200
Reported to NHTSA
1997-02-25
Owners notified
1997-03-31

Defect description

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.

Safety risk

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.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL INSTALL AN ELECTRICAL JUMPER HARNESS CONTAINING AN AUTOMATIC RESETTING CIRCUIT BREAKER TO PROTECT THE FAN MOTOR LOW SPEED CIRCUITRY FROM OVERHEATING.

Recall campaignNHTSA 92V065000

Wheels

Component
Wheels
Manufacturer
FORD MOTOR COMPANY
Vehicles affected
654,000
Reported to NHTSA
1992-05-11
Owners notified
1992-05-15

Defect description

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.

Safety risk

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.

Manufacturer 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.

Owner complaints

A complaint is one person's report to a federal agency. It is not a finding.

ComponentComplaintsMedian mileage
Engine and engine cooling: engine11247,000 mi
Power train: automatic transmission50—
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline29—
Structure: frame and members2388,000 mi
Vehicle speed control19—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: rotor11—
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system10—
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system: radiator assembly9—
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip9—
Electrical system: ignition: switch8—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components8—
Service brakes, hydraulic: power assist: vacuum8—
Air bags7—
Air bags: frontal7146,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: emission control7—
Electrical system: ignition6—
Steering: rack and pinion683,983 mi
Equipment: appliance: air conditioner5—
Tires5124,600 mi
Engine and engine cooling422,161 mi
Exterior lighting: headlights4—
Fuel system, gasoline: carburetor system4—
Power train: manual transmission4—
Steering485,591 mi
Steering: steering wheel/handle bar4—
Steering: hydraulic power assist system4—
Steering: hydraulic power assist: hose, piping, and connections4—
Steering: linkages: tie rod assembly4—
Structure: body: door4—
Suspension485,591 mi
Suspension: front4—
Suspension: rear4—
Tires: tread/belt4—
Visibility: windshield wiper/washer4—
Visibility: windshield wiper/washer: motor4—
Electrical system: horn3—
Electrical system: ignition: module3—
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system: fan3—
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: emission control: catalytic convertor3—
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: emission control: gas recirculation valve (EGR valve)3—
Exterior lighting: tail lights3—
Power train: automatic transmission: torque converter3—
Seat belts: front: buckle assembly3—
Seats3—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: caliper3—
Steering: linkages3—
Suspension: front: macpherson strut3—
Unknown or other3—
Electrical system2—
Electrical system: starter assembly2—
Electrical system: wiring: front underhood2—
Electrical system: wiring: interior/under dash2—
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline: belts and associated pulleys2—
Exterior lighting: brake lights2—
Exterior lighting: headlights: switch2—
Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly2—
Latches/locks/linkages: doors: latch2—
Power train2—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: pads2—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: drum2—
Service brakes, hydraulic: pedals and linkages2—
Steering: rack and pinion: rack2—
Vehicle speed control: cables2—
Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system: heater core2—
Visibility: windshield2—
Electrical system: alternator/generator/regulator1—
Electrical system: wiring1—
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system1—
Equipment1131,254 mi
Exterior lighting1—
Exterior lighting: brake lights: switch1—
Exterior lighting: headlights: high/low beam dimmer switch1—
Exterior lighting: turn signal: switch1—
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings1—
Interior lighting1—
Power train: automatic transmission: cooling unit and lines1—
Power train: automatic transmission: gear position indication (PRNDL)1—
Power train: automatic transmission: park/neutral start interlock switch1—
Power train: axle assembly: axle shaft1—
Power train: driveline: constant velocity joint1—
Power train: driveline: driveshaft1—
Seat belts1—
Seat belts: front: anchorage1—
Seats: front assembly: power adjust1—
Seats: front assembly: seat heater/cooler1—
Service brakes, air: disc: rotor1—
Service brakes, hydraulic1114,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc1—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: drum: drum1—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: drum: shoes/linings1—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings1180,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: master cylinder1—
Structure: body1—
Structure: body: bumpers1—
Structure: body: door: hinge and attachments1—
Suspension: front: shock absorber1—
Suspension: front: springs: coil springs1—
Suspension: front: stabilizer bar1100,000 mi
Suspension: front: wheel bearing1—
Suspension: rear: shock absorber1—
Suspension: rear: springs: leaf spring assembly1—
Tires: sidewall1—
Vehicle speed control: cruise control1131,254 mi
Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system1—
Visibility: glass, side/rear1—
Wheels1—

The 1991 model has about 1.5 times as many complaints as this one. The 1993 model has about half as many complaints as this one. These figures reflect raw complaint counts, not failure rates. Higher-selling model years naturally receive more complaints.

Other Mercury Sable model years

All Mercury Sable recalls by year

Safety recall repairs are provided free of charge by franchised dealers, regardless of vehicle age or mileage. This page displays aggregated data for the model year. To check recall status for a specific vehicle, search its VIN at nhtsa.gov.