1990 Mercury Sable: problems, recalls and reliability
7 recalls and 166 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is engine and engine cooling (15% of complaints).
Data updated weekly · latest recall Dec 1998
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 166 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“Vehicle -- 1990 mercury sable station wagon, 3.8 engine experienced loss of steering control due to failure of engine/transmission lower subframe mount failing. Subsequent motion also breached both rear brake lines with major loss of braking power. With significant effort, I was able to maintain control of the vehicle. *tr”Owner report · Structure · Jul 2008
“Car cruised just fine 25 miles to town, got all my stuff done in town, pulled up to a stop sign on a hill and the car would not move, engine ran just fine, the transmission would not shift into gear, car only has 110k on it, had to roll back off the road and stop, park gear worked, after an hour car still would not shift into gear, 4 days later I went out to try it again and the thing went into all gears and took off. *tr”Owner report · Power Train · Apr 2008
“Dt*: the contact stated upon entering a highway at 40 mph, the passenger front rim fractured causing the partial rim and tire to separate from the vehicle. It was maneuvered off the road and later towed to the contact's residence. The dealer was alerted.”Owner report · Wheels · Dec 2006
Show 7 more owner reports
“The transmission slips bucking the car out of control when idling along with the aluminum pistons being damaged. The car jumps forward which causes unneccesary accidents and causes the car to stall on busy streets. A new transmission was needed and all new pistons due to a bad design. There is a website www.visi.com/~bruns/results2.html that contains about 50 complaints about the transmission on this car. Ford should take responsibility for this, it was a bad design and they should take the heat for it. Thank you.”Owner report · Power Train · Mar 2005
“While driving 20 mph, the vehicle suddenly accelerated without the pedal being applied. The brake pedal was immediately applied in an attempt to stop the acceleration, but failed to do so. The vehicle had to be turned off and the keys removed from the ignition before the vehicle started decelerating. *nm when the vehicle was started and changed from park to drive the vehicle went off without applying the accelerator pedal. The engine made a loud noise. When the consumer released the brake pedal the vehicle went faster. *sc *jb”Owner report · Vehicle Speed Control · Jul 2004
“While traveling on a side street heard a noise coming from driver's side wheel. Rear coil spring broke. Dealership was aware of problem.*ak”Owner report · Suspension · Jul 2002
“Vehicle was at an intersection at a light and was about to move when another vehicle hit consumer's vehicle. When consumer lifted foot from brakes vehicle started to drift into another lane. Started to turn vehicle left and right, but steering wouldn't turn. Mechanic stated that a subframe broke dealership was aware of problem.*ak”Owner report · Structure · Sep 2001
“Front subframe bolts broke due to corrision . Recall was issued but only for rear.*ak the bolt was replaced and the consumer was asking the manufacturer to pay for repair since the defect was essentially the same as that of the recall. *yh”Owner report · Structure · Apr 2001
“Transmission operates normally when engine is cold/cool. However, when engine warms up, it fails to shift gears (aluminum - forward clutch piston). A transmission shop informed consumer that this piston will crack. Replacement part sent out by manufacturer is steel. Please provide any additional information/attachments.*ak”Owner report · Power Train · Apr 2001
“Consumer was following a right curve at 40 mph when steering froze up, halfway around, could not turn or move steering. Consumer continued off road, and applied brakes in order to stop vehicle. Defect was due to faulty rack and pinion steering. Also, midas told him that there was a specific problem with rack and pinion. Consumer was aware of another sable 1990 that was involved in a crash due to failure of rack and pinion, and killed the passenger in other vehicle. Consumer was told by professional mechanic that this model and year of vehicle should have been put on recall for this defect because it was a known defect. *ak *slc”Owner report · Steering · Feb 2001
When filing, owners marked a crash in 12 of these complaints and injuries in 8 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 7 campaigns
THREADED INFLATOR COMPONENTS MAY HAVE BEEN DAMAGED DURING ASSEMBLY WHICH MAY ALLOW COMPONENTS TO SEPARATE WHEN INFLATOR RECEIVES A SIGNAL TO DEPLOY THE AIR BAG.
Remedy: REPLACE AIR BAG MODULES CONTAINING POTENTIALLY DEFECTIVE INFLATORS.
AN INCORRECT TRANSISTOR MAY CAUSE AUTOLAMP SYSTEM LIGHT SENSOR MODULE MALFUNCTION.
Remedy: REPLACE LIGHT SENSOR MODULES.
THE ARC WELDS ON THE SWAY BAR BRACKET, WHERE IT ATTACHES TO THE STRUT RESERVE TUBE, DID NOT FUSE PROPERLY.
Remedy: MONROE DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE STRUT FREE OF CHARGE.
CHILDREN CAN ACCIDENTALLY LOCK THEMSELVES IN THE FOOTWELL AREA OF THE REAR-FACING THIRD SEAT, OR IN THE STORAGE COMPARTMENT IN STATION WAGONS NOT EQUIPPED WITH AN OPTIONAL THIRD SEAT. ONCE THE COMPARTMENT IS CLOSED IT CANNOT BE OPENED FROM THE INSIDE.
Remedy: REPLACE THE SELF-LATCHING ASSEMBLY CURRENTLY USED IN THE REAR STORAGE COMPARTMENT WITH A LATCH ASSEMBLY THAT CAN ONLY BE CLOSED WITH A KEY.
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.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL SUBFRAME REAR MOUNT BOLTS, REINFORCEMENT PLATES, AND PLATE NUTS.
THE RIGID MOUNTED SAFETY BELT BUCKLES ARE DEFECTIVE IN THREE WAYS. FIRST, A FASTENED SAFETY BELT BUCKLE WILL NOT UNLATCH WHEN THE RELEASE BUTTON IS DEPRESSED. THIS RESULTS FROM INTERFERENCE BETWEEN THE BUCKLE EJECTOR FINGER AND THE BUCKLE TONGUE WINDOW. THE SECOND DEFECT IS THE SAFETY BELT BUCKLE MAY NOT LATCH. THE THIRD POSSIBLE DEFECT IS THAT THE TONGUE MAY BE RETAINED BY THE BUCKLE, BUT IT MAY NOT BE LATCHED SUFFICIENTLY TO PROVIDE OCCUPANT PROTECTION.
Remedy: FORD WILL REPLACE THE RIGID MOUNTED SAFETY BELT BUCKLES WITH END RELEASE SAFETY BELT BUCKLES DESIGNED TO PREVENT LATCH PROBLEMS.
FRONT DISC BRAKE ROTORS OF THE SUBJECT VEHICLES MAY EXPERIENCE SEVERE CORROSION IF OPERATED IN AREAS WHERE CALCIUM CHLORIDE AND SODIUM CHLORIDE ARE USED EXTENSIVELY.
Remedy: REPLACE FRONT BRAKE ROTORS WITH FULL CAST FRONT BRAKE ROTORS.
How other years compare
Check your exact Sable by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 1990 Mercury Sable reliable?
NHTSA has 166 owner complaints and 7 recall campaigns on record for the 1990 Mercury Sable. The most complained-about area is engine and engine cooling (15% of complaints).
At what mileage do 1990 Mercury Sable problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 79,500 miles or less.
Does the 1990 Mercury Sable have open recalls?
7 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning air bags:frontal. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.