1993 Mercury Sable: problems, recalls and reliability
8 recalls and 673 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is engine and engine cooling (47% of complaints); the 1991 and 1992 and 1994 and 1995 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 673 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“While driving down rd gas pedal stuck my daughter road the brake until she could get off road .she called I work the linkage for the gas by hand that freed it up took it to my mechanic he took it for a test drive said its not releasing fast enough he tried a couple things vacuum hoses and some other parts that did not solve the problem he went on line and found there has been problems with the cable and told me to call ford. *tr”Owner report · Vehicle Speed Control · Dec 2012
“Tl* the contact owns a 1993 mercury sable. The contact stated that the headlights stopped illuminating and could cause a crash. The dealer and manufacturer were notified, but stated that the vehicle was not included in the recall associated with NHTSA campaign id number 98v009000 (exterior lighting:headlights:switch). The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was unavailable and the current mileage was 50,000. Updated 05/08/12*lj”Owner report · Exterior Lighting · Apr 2012
“I don't understand what it is the car shuts off at random I've replaced the brain no luck oh well the problem is the car shuts off at random sitting driving 1-100 miles an hour oh yeah I got pulled over for doing 85 car shut off at that speed but that's not all shuts off cold warm 1 min 10 min doesn't matter when ever it feels the need it does it im so afraid of the car I want to give it back to ford so it can kill them I will no longer even touch this vehicle I want some one to take it away its been sitting for almost 6 months I have no idea the particular date but like I said im afraid of the vehicle... *tr”Owner report · Fuel System, Other · Sep 2008
Show 7 more owner reports
“Dt*: the contact stated after bringing the vehicle to a halt at a stop sign, acceleration was attempted, and the bolts that held the motor frame fell off. The vehicle had to be towed back to the residence. The manufacturer was notified and determined that the vehicle's VIN# did not fit under any recall. The vehicle was not examined or repaired.”Owner report · Structure · Oct 2006
“Dt*: the contact stated while driving 5 mph as the contact was turning left onto the highway; the contact heard a loud popping sound and the steering became very difficult. There is an NHTSA recall, # 98v323000, regarding the structure: frame and members. The VIN was not included in the recall.”Owner report · Structure · May 2006
“Dt*: the contact stated while driving speeds over 50 mph, the vehicle vibrated. The driver side front tire had visible wires and the tire dealership determined there was a knot in the tire. The tire was replaced. Three thousand miles later, the tread on both front tires was completely worn and the tires were replaced. The tread has worn on the front tires again, and the tires have not been replaced. The vehicle was taken to an independent repair shop, which determined there was no problem with the vehicle to cause the abnormal wear of the front tires.”Owner report · Tires · Mar 2006
“Defective brake system. *bf the consumer stated the ABS was as non- effective as a normal hydraulic braking system. The consumer stated there was a recall regarding the issue, however the local dealer questioned authenticity of the notice.*jb”Owner report · Service Brakes, Hydraulic · Oct 2004
“Dt: last summer while driving down the road at night the lights started flashing on and off. This happened every time the car was driven at night. The problem became worse with time. The headlights would flash on and off when they were on dim or bright. The problem was reported to ford, and there was recall 98v009000. However, this vehicle was not included. The consumer has not taken the car for diagnosis. There have been no other major problems with the vehicle. *ak”Owner report · Exterior Lighting · May 2004
“My 1993 mercury sable was subject to a front suspension recall in 1998 (NHTSA item # 615138). The problem has happened again on my car, same problem, same reason (corrosion). The original recall has expired so I have no options to resolve the issue. Ford did not fix the problem, they simply repaired the damage with parts subject to the same defects. They will not help me so I'm lodging this complaint.*ak”Owner report · Suspension · Jan 2004
“While driving at 5 mph and without any warning the automatic transmission failed. Towed vehicle to the dealer and the technician determined the vehicle needed a new transmission. *ak *jb”Owner report · Power Train · Jan 2004
When filing, owners marked a crash in 21 of these complaints and injuries in 16 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 8 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.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES ORIGINALLY SOLD OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE STATES OF NEW YORK, MICHIGAN, OHIO, ILLINOIS, WISCONSIN, PENNSYLVANIA, MASSACHUSETTS, INDIANA, NEW JERSEY, MAINE, CONNECTICUT, NEW HAMPSHIRE, RHODE ISLAND, VERMONT, MINNESOTA, IOWA, MISSOURI, KENTUCKY, MARYLAND, DELAWARE, AND WEST VIRGINIA. THE FRONT COIL SPRINGS CAN FRACTURE AS A RESULT OF CORROSION IN COMBINATION WITH SMALL CRACKS IN THE SPRINGS.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A SPRING CATCHER BRACKET WHICH WILL PREVENT A FRACTURED SPRING FROM CONTACTING A TIRE.
THIS IS NOT A SAFETY RECALL IN ACCORDANCE WITH FEDERAL REGULATION 573. HOWEVER, IT IS DEEMED A SAFETY IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN BY THE AGENCY. VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES ORIGINALLY SOLD OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE STATES OF NEW YORK, MICHIGAN, OHIO, ILLINOIS, WISCONSIN, PENNSYLVANIA, MASSACHUSETTS, INDIANA, NEW JERSEY, MAINE, CONNECTICUT, NEW HAMPSHIRE, RHODE ISLAND, VERMONT, MINNESOTA, IOWA, MISSOURI, KENTUCKY, MARYLAND, DELAWARE, AND WEST VIRGINIA. FORD IS PROVIDING AN EXTENDED WARRANTY THROUGH THE YEAR 2001 FOR REPLACEMENT OF FRON TSPRINGS DUE TO FRACTURE. THE FRONT COIL SPRINGS CAN FRACTURE AS A RESULT OF CORROSION IN COMBINATION WITH SMALL CRACKS IN THE SPRINGS.
Remedy: CUSTOMERS WITH VEHICLES THAT HAVE BROKEN SPRINGS ARE TO RETURN THEIR VEHICLE FOR SPRING REPLACEMENT. BOTH SPRINGS WILL BE REPLACED EVEN IF ONLY ONE SPRING IS FRACTURED.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE HEADLIGHTS CAN FLASH INTERMITTENTLY AS A RESULT OF THE CIRCUIT BREAKER OPENING. THE VEHICLE'S HEADLIGHTS CAN GO OUT FOR BRIEF INTERVALS.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A HEADLIGHT SWITCH THAT INCORPORATES A CRICUIT BREAKER OF REVISED DESIGN AND INSTALLATION OF A WIRING HARNESS CONNECTOR AND WIRING, IF NEEDED.
ANTI-LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM CONTROLLERS DESIGNED FOR REAR WHEEL DRIVE CARS MAY HAVE BEEN INSTALLED ON THESE FRONT WHEEL DRIVE CARS..
Remedy: REPLACE THE REAR WHEEL DRIVE ABS CONTROLLER WITH A FRONT WHEEL DRIVE ABS CONTROLLER.
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.
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: 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 1993 Mercury Sable reliable?
NHTSA has 673 owner complaints and 8 recall campaigns on record for the 1993 Mercury Sable. The most complained-about area is engine and engine cooling (47% of complaints).
At what mileage do 1993 Mercury Sable problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 86,921 miles or less.
Does the 1993 Mercury Sable have open recalls?
8 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.