1991 Mercury Sable: problems, recalls and reliability
5 recalls and 221 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is power train (38% 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 221 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“I hit a small pothole and the steering wheel suddenly moved to a one o'clock position while the wheels were pointing straight ahead. My alignment shop inspected the car and found that the cause was a failure of the passenger side sub-frame mounting bolt anchor. The local dealer said my car is not included in the recall (98s36) I demand an answer as why my car is not included. *tr”Owner report · Structure · Jun 2008
“The consumer vehicle experienced symptoms of NHTSA recall # 98-v-323-000 which was related to the rear lower subframe mount plate nut. The consumer vehicle was not included in the recall due to VIN. *nlm”Owner report · Structure · May 2003
“While driving at night the vehicle's headlights failed without warning. The dealer states the head lamp sensor switch burned. A recall was issued, however the VIN number is outside of the remedy scope. *mr”Owner report · Exterior Lighting · Apr 2003
Show 7 more owner reports
“Other than the rest of my problems with the above my newest complaint is that I just found out that due to the fact ford installed an aluminim piston where there should have been a steel one which is the only one available now since you discovered your problems. My car is in the shop right now and I'm being told it will cost between $1200.00 - $1500.00 to fix due to ford's poor design. This is not my first sable wagon. The first one had all kinds of a/c problems and I'm getting tired of paying for your mistakes. My a/c is out now, I replace brake pads all the time.”Owner report · Fuel System, Gasoline · Mar 2003
“Dt*: the contact stated while driving 55 mph on normal road conditions, there was a noticeable delay to disengaged the speed control. The brake pedal had to be pumped several times until the driver regained control over the vehicle's speed. The contact received a recall letter # 97v025000 but misplaced it. The manufacturer was contacted who refused to produce a new letter because the recall was too old. The contact expressed concern because the speed control malfunctioning entailed a serious safety risk.”Owner report · Vehicle Speed Control · Dec 2002
“Plnhts#6954-94-e-036-000: sway bar bracket where it attaches to the strut reserve tube did not fuse property. Consumer states has the same problem (making some noise). Dealer has been notifed. Please provide further information. Ts”Owner report · Suspension · Nov 2002
“Auto was parked. Approximately one half later, according to the fire department report, a fire was reported coming from under the hood of the vehicle. Fire gutted out the entire motor and the car was totaled. No injuries. There was no previous indication of any electrical problem. Mr”Owner report · Electrical System · Oct 2002
“Vehicle would overheat while driving, vehicle taken to a repair shop, and informed of a blown head gasket. Feel free to provide any further information.*ak”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · Jul 2002
“Repair immediately after purchase was power steering line - reported to seller immediately the next week after purchase. *ak”Owner report · Steering · Nov 2001
“Left/rear cooper tire, size: p205/65r15, dot: u9urek7139 experienced tread separation while traveling at an unknown speed. There were approximately 10,000 miles on the tire, and it was not original equipment on 1991, mercury, sable. *ak”Owner report · Tires · Nov 2001
When filing, owners marked a crash in 11 of these complaints and injuries in 8 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 5 campaigns
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: 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.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL ADD A BOOT TO THE SPEED CONTROL CABLE.
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.
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 1991 Mercury Sable reliable?
NHTSA has 221 owner complaints and 5 recall campaigns on record for the 1991 Mercury Sable. The most complained-about area is power train (38% of complaints).
At what mileage do 1991 Mercury Sable problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 90,000 miles or less.
Does the 1991 Mercury Sable have open recalls?
5 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning suspension:front:shock absorber. 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.