Model year record

1994 Mercury Sable

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

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.