Model year record

1998 MERCURY Sable

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

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.

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.