1992 Mercury Sable: problems, recalls and reliability
5 recalls and 364 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is engine and engine cooling (37% of complaints); the 1990 and 1991 model years look more trouble-free.
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 364 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“The tire valve on my right rear tire failed while the car was garaged. This was the second valve failure in a pair of tires installed on 04/27/2007. The first valve failed (on the other tire in the pair) on 04/26/2009 while the car was also parked, but about 30 miles from home (see odi number 10279930). *tr”Owner report · Tires · Jun 2010
“While at a destination about 30 miles from home, my left-front tire valve failed just as I was about to enter the parked car to head home. The air whooshed loudly out of the tire as I watched it deflate before my eyes. I called aaa for assistance in changing the tire and took the flat tire to my dealer the following day for replacement of the defective tire valve. The valve was installed as part of a new-tire installation on 04/24/2007 by my ford dealer. *tr”Owner report · Tires · Apr 2009
“Dt*: the contact stated while driving at low speeds down a hill and trying to stop the vehicle stalled. All the lights on the dashboard illuminated prior to the vehicle stalling. The brakes did not work when this occurred. The parking brake must be used to stop the vehicle. An independent repair shop has been unable to duplicate the problem.*ak updated 1/25/2006 - the manufacturer indicated there were not recalls related to the failure. *nm”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · Nov 2005
Show 7 more owner reports
“Dt: the contact stated while driving at night the consumer struck a deer and experienced difficulty stopping with the brakes. There was damage to the front hood and headlights. No police report was taken. He drove the vehicle home. Upon inspection there was corrosion on brake lines. He suspected this was due to dissimilar metal corrosion and road salts. The vehicle has not been repaired at this time. *ak updated 12/27/05. *jb the brake line burst.”Owner report · Service Brakes, Hydraulic · Nov 2005
“The vehicle had been in a frontal crash at 35-40 mph and none of the air bags deployed. No injuries were reported and the dealer was notified. *jb”Owner report · Air Bags · Nov 2004
“While driving 30 mph rear sub frame mount bushing separated from the vehicle. Recall 98v323000 for the sub frame mount bolts was issued. Dealer refused to repair the vehicle because it was not included in the recall due to VIN. *ak”Owner report · Structure · Oct 2004
“I was on the highway so I put on the cruise control, when I hit the brakes the car slowed down, then when I reasled the brakes the car radily speed up, and it is hard to shut it off.*ak”Owner report · Equipment · Jul 2004
“Corrosion of passenger side rear sub frame, alowing engine to drop down, causing a possible fatal driving condition. Sub frame bolts replaced in a recall. Entire sub frame was replaced with a new original part from ford, at a $1,100 cost to myself. *ak”Owner report · Structure · Mar 2004
“My head gaskets keep blowing .. I realize this is a older model car however just b/c im a single female who didnt even know what a recall was/is doesnt mean that I shouldnt be entitled to perhaps a reembursment or to have my car fixed properly I have been out so much money on this car and the motor and I always always do as directed with oil changes and water checkings I just dont understand why I wasnt ever notified of the dangers of my cooling systems and my motor. I am a widow with 3 children and I cant afford to keep having my heads done or my motor worked on please guide me in the direction of someone that could perhaps fix this problem once and for all. *ak”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · Jan 2004
“When braking hard, the pedal went to the floor resulting in loss of brakes. I had to use the e-brake and pump the regular pedal to stop. Brake fluid was leaking from line located in engine compartment next to driver side front wheel well. *la”Owner report · Service Brakes, Hydraulic · Oct 2003
When filing, owners marked a crash in 12 of these complaints and injuries in 7 - 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.
THESE VEHICLES ARE ORIGINALLY SOLD OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE FOLLOWING STATES: ALASKA, IOWA, MINNESOTA, NEBRASKA, NORTH DAKOTA, AND SOUTH DAKOTA. THE VEHICLES INVOLVED ARE 1992-1994 TEMPO/TOPAZ VEHICLES WITH 3.0L ENGINES; 1994 TEMPO/TOPAZ WITH 2.3L ENGINES; 1992-1995 TAURUS/SABLE WITH 3.8L ENGINES; 1994-1995 TAURUS/SABLE WITH 3.0L ENGINES AND 1992-1994 LINCOLN CONTINENTAL VEHICLES WITH 3.8L ENGINES. DURING HIGH WINDS, HEAVY, BLOWING AND DRIFTING SNOW, AND LOW TEMPERATURES, THE ENGINE COOLING FAN CAN BECOME BLOCKED OR FROZEN WITH SNOW. THE FAN MOTOR MAY NOT ROTATE AND COULD OVERHEAT.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL AN ELECTRICAL JUMPER HARNESS CONTAINING AN AUTOMATIC RESETTING CIRCUIT BREAKER TO PROTECT THE FAN MOTOR LOW SPEED CIRCUITRY FROM OVERHEATING.
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.
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 1992 Mercury Sable reliable?
NHTSA has 364 owner complaints and 5 recall campaigns on record for the 1992 Mercury Sable. The most complained-about area is engine and engine cooling (37% of complaints).
At what mileage do 1992 Mercury Sable problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 103,603 miles or less.
Does the 1992 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.