Model year record

1992 MERCURY Sable

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

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.

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.