Model year record

1998 Mercury Sable

2 recall campaigns on file for this model year. 243 owner complaints on file.

Mercury Sable, 1996–1999 generation
Pictured: the 1996–1999 generation. IFCAR, Public domain · Wikimedia Commons

Recalls

Recall campaignNHTSA 98V198000

Seat belts: front: anchorage

Component
Seat belts: front: anchorage
Manufacturer
FORD MOTOR COMPANY
Vehicles affected
7,000
Reported to NHTSA
1998-08-25
Owners notified
1998-09-04

Defect description

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH MANUAL SEAT TRACKS. THE FRONT SEAT BELT BUCKLE ATTACHING STUD MAY HAVE BEEN IMPROPERLY HEAT TREATED. THIS HEAT TREATMENT MAY HAVE RESULTED IN CRACKS DEVELOPING IN THE STUD.

Safety risk

IF THE STUD IS CRACKED, IN THE EVENT OF A VEHICLE CRASH, THE OCCUPANT MAY NOT BE PROPERLY RESTRAINED, INCREASING THE RISK OF PERSONAL INJURY.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE SEAT BELT BUCKLE MOUNTING BRACKET AND STUD ASSEMBLY.

Recall campaignNHTSA 98V028000

Exterior lighting: headlights

Component
Exterior lighting: headlights
Manufacturer
FORD MOTOR COMPANY
Vehicles affected
571,800
Reported to NHTSA
1998-02-10
Owners notified
1998-03-23

Defect description

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE TEXT AND/OR GRAPHICS FOR THE VEHICLE HEADLAMP AIMING INSTRUCTIONS PROVIDED IN THE OWNER GUIDES ARE NOT SUFFICIENTLY CLEAR. THIS DOES NOT MEET THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT."

Safety risk

IF THE HEADLAMP ASSEMBLIES ARE REPLACED, CUSTOMERS MAY BE CONFUSED BY THE AIMING INSTRUCTIONS PROVIDED IN THE OWNER GUIDES CAUSING THE HEADLAMPS TO BE IMPROPERLY AIMED.

Manufacturer remedy

OWNER GUIDES CONTAINING REVISED AIMING INSTRUCTIONS WILL BE MAILED TO OWNERS OF THESE VEHICLES.

Owner complaints

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

ComponentComplaintsMedian mileage
Vehicle speed control2473,273 mi
Power train: automatic transmission2089,000 mi
Suspension: front: springs: coil springs1591,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip1194,950 mi
Air bags: frontal7—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc7—
Air bags692,000 mi
Interior lighting660,000 mi
Unknown or other6101,000 mi
Electrical system554,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine5—
Visibility: windshield5—
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline460,000 mi
Structure: body: door4—
Tires4143,000 mi
Vehicle speed control: cruise control451,000 mi
Electrical system: 12V/24V/48V battery3—
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system3—
Seat belts: front: retractor3—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components3—
Suspension394,100 mi
Suspension: rear: springs: coil springs3107,305 mi
Tires: tread/belt3143,000 mi
Vehicle speed control: linkages3—
Electrical system: horn289,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling2—
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system: radiator assembly258,000 mi
Equipment: electrical: radio/tape deck/CD etc.2—
Fuel system, gasoline2—
Fuel system, gasoline: fuel injection system2—
Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly2—
Seat belts2—
Seat belts: front: buckle assembly2—
Service brakes, hydraulic259,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: pads2—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings257,234 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: pedals and linkages230,000 mi
Steering27,000 mi
Structure: body285,500 mi
Suspension: front2143,000 mi
Vehicle speed control: accelerator pedal2—
Visibility: power window devices and controls2—
Air bags: on-off switch assembly1—
Electrical system: alternator/generator/regulator196,764 mi
Electrical system: ignition1—
Electrical system: ignition: module134,000 mi
Electrical system: wiring1—
Electrical system: wiring: front underhood1—
Electrical system: wiring: interior/under dash1—
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system1—
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: emission control1—
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: emission control: catalytic convertor1—
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe1100,000 mi
Exterior lighting1148,000 mi
Exterior lighting: brake lights1—
Exterior lighting: headlights1—
Exterior lighting: headlights: concealment devices1—
Exterior lighting: turn signal1—
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: fuel pump134,000 mi
Fuel system, other: delivery1—
Fuel system, other: storage: tank assembly: filling/charging1—
Latches/locks/linkages: doors: latch1—
Power train1—
Power train: automatic transmission: cooling unit and lines1—
Power train: automatic transmission: gear position indication (PRNDL)1—
Power train: automatic transmission: torque converter1—
Power train: axle assembly1—
Power train: manual transmission1—
Seat belts: front192,000 mi
Seat belts: front: anchorage1—
Seat belts: rear/other1—
Seats: front assembly: power adjust1—
Service brakes1179,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: rotor1—
Service brakes, hydraulic: power assist1—
Steering: steering wheel/handle bar1—
Steering: gear box (other than rack and pinion)1—
Steering: hydraulic power assist system1—
Steering: linkages: tie rod assembly1—
Structure: body: bumpers1—
Structure: body: trunk lid1—
Structure: frame and members1—
Structure: frame and members: underbody shields1160,000 mi
Suspension: front: control arm1143,000 mi
Suspension: front: shock absorber1143,000 mi
Suspension: rear1—
Suspension: rear: springs: leaf spring assembly: leaf1—
Tires: bead1—
Tires: sidewall1—
Visibility191,000 mi
Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system1—
Visibility: rearview mirrors/devices: exterior1—

The 1997 model has about half as many complaints as this one. The 1999 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.