Model year record

1994 MERCURY Sable

4 recall campaigns on file for this model year. 534 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 98V009000

Exterior lighting: headlights: switch

Component
Exterior lighting: headlights: switch
Manufacturer
FORD MOTOR COMPANY
Vehicles affected
506,000
Reported to NHTSA
1998-01-21
Owners notified
1998-04-15

Defect description

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.

Safety risk

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.

Manufacturer 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.

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.

Owner complaints

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

ComponentComplaintsMedian mileage
Engine and engine cooling: engine9665,500 mi
Power train: automatic transmission7279,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline33
Equipment: appliance: air conditioner17
Vehicle speed control16
Power train1385,000 mi
Structure: frame and members1386,239 mi
Exterior lighting: headlights: switch1148,658 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip11
Exterior lighting: headlights1098,000 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: fuel pump10
Unknown or other1085,000 mi
Air bags: frontal9
Engine and engine cooling962,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system9
Visibility: windshield wiper/washer994,000 mi
Electrical system: ignition7
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system: radiator assembly7
Suspension: front: springs: coil springs790,000 mi
Power train: manual transmission6
Tires6102,515 mi
Visibility: power window devices and controls685,000 mi
Structure: body: door5
Electrical system: alternator/generator/regulator4
Electrical system: wiring448,658 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline: belts and associated pulleys4
Fuel system, gasoline4
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components4
Steering4
Air bags3
Electrical system: wiring: fuses and circuit breakers3
Electrical system: wiring: interior/under dash348,658 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly3
Interior lighting3
Power train: automatic transmission: torque converter3
Power train: clutch assembly3
Seat belts: front: retractor3
Seats: front assembly: power adjust3
Steering: rack and pinion3
Structure3
Suspension: front3139,500 mi
Vehicle speed control: cables3
Visibility: rearview mirrors/devices: interior3
Visibility: sun/moon roof assembly3
Electrical system: 12V/24V/48V battery2
Electrical system: ignition: module2132,000 mi
Electrical system: ignition: switch2
Electrical system: starter assembly2
Electrical system: wiring: front underhood2
Exterior lighting: brake lights: switch2
Exterior lighting: tail lights: switch2
Parking brake: conventional2
Power train: clutch assembly: pedal/hand lever(motorcycle)2
Seat belts: front: buckle assembly2
Service brakes, air: antilock2
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc2
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: rotor2
Steering: hydraulic power assist: hose, piping, and connections2
Vehicle speed control: cruise control2
Visibility: windshield2
Wheels2
Electrical system1
Electrical system: starter assembly: solenoid1
Engine196,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system1
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: emission control1
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe1
Exterior lighting1
Exterior lighting: headlights: high/low beam dimmer switch1
Exterior lighting: tail lights1
Exterior lighting: turn signal: switch1
Fuel system, gasoline: fuel injection system1
Fuel system, gasoline: fuel injection system: injectors1
Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly: filler pipe and cap1
Fuel system, other: delivery: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings1
Power train: automatic transmission: cooling unit and lines1
Power train: automatic transmission: park/neutral start interlock switch1
Power train: driveline: differential unit1
Seat belts: front: anchorage1
Seat belts: front: webbing1
Seats1
Seats: front assembly: head restraint1
Service brakes, hydraulic1
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: caliper1
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings184,600 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: power assist: vacuum: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings185,000 mi
Steering: steering wheel/handle bar1
Steering: hydraulic power assist system1
Steering: hydraulic power assist: pump1
Steering: linkages1
Steering: linkages: tie rod assembly1
Suspension1
Suspension: front: control arm1
Suspension: front: control arm: lower arm1
Suspension: front: shock absorber1139,500 mi
Suspension: front: springs: torsion bar1
Suspension: rear1
Tires: tread/belt1
Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system1
Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system: heater core1

The 1993 model has about half as many complaints as this one. The 1995 model has roughly the same number of 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.