Known Recalls

Model year record

1999 MERCURY Sable

5 recall campaigns on file for this model year. 302 owner complaints on file.

Recalls

Recall campaignNHTSA 04V332000

Suspension: front: springs: coil springs

Component
Suspension: front: springs: coil springs
Manufacturer
FORD MOTOR COMPANY
Vehicles affected
899,060
Reported to NHTSA
2004-07-15
Owners notified
2005-01-10

Defect description

ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES ORIGINALLY SOLD IN OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE STATES OF CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, IOWA, KENTUCKY, MAINE, MARYLAND, MASSACHUSETTS, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA, MISSOURI, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW JERSEY, NEW YORK, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, RHODE ISLAND, VERMONT, WEST VIRGINIA, WISCONSIN, AND THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, THE FRONT COIL SPRINGS COULD FRACTURE DUE TO CORROSION ASSOCIATED WITH SALT USED ON THE ROADWAYS DURING THE WINTER. A FRACTURED SPRING COULD MOVE PAST THE SPRING SEAT AND CONTACT A FRONT TIRE.

Safety risk

IF THIS OCCURS, THE TIRE MAY RUPTURE RESULTING IN A RAPID AIR LOSS, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL INSTALL PROTECTIVE SPRING SHIELDS. IN ADDITION, FORD IS EXTENDING THE WARRANTY COVERAGE OF THE FRONT COIL SPRINGS IN ALL OTHER STATES, FOR FRACTURE ONLY, UP TO 10 YEARS OF SERVICE OR 150,000 MILES, WHICHEVER OCCURS FIRST. IF THE VEHICLE HAS ALREADY ACCUMULATED MORE THAN 150,000 MILES, THIS COVERAGE WILL LAST UNTIL JULY 31, 2005. IF EITHER FRONT COIL SPRING FRACTURES, DEALERS WILL REPLACE BOTH FRONT SPRINGS AT NO CHARGE TO THE OWNER. AN INTERIM NOTICE WAS SENT TO OWNERS ON AUGUST 2, 2004. PARTS ARE NOW AVAILABLE FOR THE 2000-2001 MY VEHICLES AND OWNERS WERE SENT A LETTER ON JANUARY 10, 2005, ADVISING THEM TO BRING IN THEIR VEHICLES FOR REPAIR PARTS ARE EXPECTED TO BE AVAILABLE FOR THE 1999 MY VEHICLES BY THE END OF FEBRUARY 2005 AND OWNERS OF THESE VEHICLES WILL BE NOTIFIED THEN. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-392-3673.

Recall campaignNHTSA 99V250000

Seat belts: front: anchorage

Component
Seat belts: front: anchorage
Manufacturer
FORD MOTOR COMPANY
Vehicles affected
25,306
Reported to NHTSA
1999-09-20
Owners notified
1999-10-11

Defect description

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE SEAT BELT RETRACTOR MAY HAVE A PIN SHAFT IN THE SWITCHABLE ELR/ALR MECHANISM THAT IS INCORRECTLY FORMED. IN SOME CIRCUMSTANCES, THE SWITCHING MECHANISM COULD BECOME NONFUNCTIONAL, PREVENTING THE SEAT BELT WEBBING FROM BEING EXTRACTED FROM THE RETRACTOR. IT IS ALSO POSSIBLE THAT MALFUNCTION OF THE MECHANISM COULD PREVENT THE BELT FROM BEING SWITCHED INTO THE ALR MODE. THE ELR MECHANISM IS NOT AFFECTED BY THIS CONDITION.

Safety risk

IF THE MECHANISM MALFUNCTIONS AND DOES NOT ALLOW THE WEBBING TO BE EXTRACTED, THE LAP AND SHOULDER BELT COULD NOT BE WORN BY A VEHICLE OCCUPANT. IN THE EVENT THAT THE MECHANISM DOES NOT ALLOW THE ALR MODE TO BE ENGAGED, THE OPERATOR MAY BE UNABLE TO PROPERLY INSTALL A CHILD SEAT IN THAT SEATING POSITION.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE LAP AND SHOULDER BELT ASSEMBLIES. ASSEMBLIES WITH JULIAN DATE CODES OF 200 THROUGH 223 ARE SUSPECT AND WILL BE REPLACED.

Recall campaignNHTSA 98V288000

Power train: automatic transmission: cooling unit and lines

Component
Power train: automatic transmission: cooling unit and lines
Manufacturer
FORD MOTOR COMPANY
Vehicles affected
1,800
Reported to NHTSA
1998-11-09
Owners notified
1998-11-25

Defect description

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUPPED WITH THE "CALIFORNIA" EMISSIONS PACKAGE. AN INCORRECT TRANSMISSION OIL COOLER LINE WAS INSTALLED. THE LINE CONTACTS THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKING SYSTEM MODULE SUPPORT BRACKET AND OVER TIME, CAN WEAR AND DEVELOP A LEAK.

Safety risk

TRANSMISSION FLUID LEAKAGE ONTO THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD OR CATALYTIC CONVERTER CAN RESULT IN A FIRE.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL INSTALL THE APPROPRIATE TRANSMISSION OIL COOLER LINE.

Recall campaignNHTSA 98V204000

Vehicle speed control

Component
Vehicle speed control
Manufacturer
FORD MOTOR COMPANY
Vehicles affected
6,000
Reported to NHTSA
1998-09-01
Owners notified
1998-09-21

Defect description

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. A DASH INSULATOR RETAINER CLIP WAS NOT FULLY ASSEMBLED TO THE ACCELERATOR CABLE DASH FITTING. THE CLIP CAN DISENGAGE FROM THE ACCELERATOR CABLE AND FALL INTO THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL ARM PIVOT AREA.

Safety risk

IF THIS CONDITION OCCURS, THE ENGINE MAY NOT FULLY RETURN TO IDLE. ALSO, THE INSULATOR MAY NOT STAY IN THE INTENDED LOCATION AND COULD INTERFERE WITH THE ACCELERATOR CABLE.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL INSPECT THESE VEHICLES TO ENSURE PROPER INSTALLATION OF THE ACCELERATOR CABLE CLIP, AND RE-INSTALL IF NEEDED.

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.

Owner complaints

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

ComponentComplaintsMedian mileage
Suspension: front: springs: coil springs3668,000 mi
Power train: automatic transmission1321,000 mi
Steering: rack and pinion1366,765 mi
Air bags: frontal11—
Vehicle speed control11155,000 mi
Visibility: windshield wiper/washer950,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip834,526 mi
Steering8102,641 mi
Seat belts: front: retractor758,000 mi
Steering: hydraulic power assist system737,800 mi
Unknown or other791,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline6—
Seat belts6110,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components542,685 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: rotor525,000 mi
Suspension: front559,000 mi
Air bags491,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system470,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine453,000 mi
Equipment: appliance: air conditioner4—
Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly442,000 mi
Power train4108,000 mi
Power train: automatic transmission: park/neutral start interlock switch4—
Seat belts: front: anchorage480,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic459,900 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline: belts and associated pulleys350,448 mi
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system3—
Exterior lighting: turn signal: switch3—
Power train: automatic transmission: cooling unit and lines3—
Power train: automatic transmission: lever and linkage: column shift3—
Seat belts: front: buckle assembly386,000 mi
Steering: linkages: tie rod assembly3—
Structure365,988 mi
Suspension341,100 mi
Tires3—
Visibility: windshield wiper/washer: motor324,000 mi
Wheels: rim360,000 mi
Air bags: side/window2—
Electrical system297,101 mi
Exterior lighting: headlights2—
Interior lighting2—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: master cylinder2—
Structure: body2115,000 mi
Structure: frame and members215,700 mi
Vehicle speed control: accelerator pedal2—
Vehicle speed control: linkages239,000 mi
Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system2104,000 mi
Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system: heater core243,000 mi
Visibility: windshield wiper/washer: switch/wiring294,000 mi
Wheels235,000 mi
Electrical system: alternator/generator/regulator169,000 mi
Electrical system: ignition118,000 mi
Electrical system: starter assembly1—
Electrical system: wiring: fuses and circuit breakers1—
Electrical system: wiring: interior/under dash1—
Engine and engine cooling1—
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system: hoses/lines/piping/fittings112,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: emission control: crankcase (PCV)1—
Equipment: electrical: radio/tape deck/CD etc.1—
Equipment: mechanical: accessory scissor/screw/bottle jack/lift1—
Equipment: other: labels1—
Exterior lighting: brake lights1—
Exterior lighting: turn signal: flasher unit1—
Fuel system, gasoline1—
Fuel system, gasoline: carburetor system1—
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery1—
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings150,000 mi
Fuel system, other: delivery: fuel pump1—
Latches/locks/linkages: doors: latch1—
Power train: axle assembly134,526 mi
Seat belts: front140,300 mi
Seat belts: rear/other1110,000 mi
Seats1—
Service brakes1155,000 mi
Service brakes, air: antilock: ABS warning light165,000 mi
Service brakes, air: disc: rotor1—
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip: control unit/module147,651 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc1—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings1—
Steering: steering wheel/handle bar1—
Steering: electric power assist system140,000 mi
Steering: rack and pinion: rack166,000 mi
Structure: body: door1—
Structure: body: trunk lid1—
Structure: frame and members: underbody shields1151,000 mi
Suspension: front: hub190,000 mi
Suspension: front: springs: air suspension system173,000 mi
Suspension: front: wheel bearing1—
Suspension: rear1161,504 mi
Suspension: rear: springs: coil springs196,600 mi
Tires: sidewall1—
Tires: tread/belt1—
Tires: valve1—
Vehicle speed control: cables1—
Visibility112,000 mi
Visibility: glass, side/rear167,700 mi
Visibility: windshield1—

The 1998 model has roughly the same number of complaints as this one. The 2000 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.