1999 Mercury Sable: problems, recalls and reliability
5 recalls and 258 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is suspension (18% of complaints).
Data updated weekly · latest recall Jul 2004
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 258 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“I bought a used 1999 mercury sable gs with the u type 3.0l v6 engine 2 months ago. Just recently I noticed the car wanting to lunge forward while holding the brake at stops. Then a few days later whenever I start the car it lunges forward. Nothing dramatic but definitely noticeable. I started looking online to see about a recall and 1 was present a long time ago. Is it to late to get my car checked or how to see if it was ever serviced or called for the recall.”Owner report · Power Train · Nov 2020
“Tl* the contact owns a 1999 mercury sable wagon. While driving 40 mph, the steering wheel became loose and was unable to control the vehicle. There were no warning indicators illuminated. The contact was able to depress the brake pedal to stop the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to the contact's residence and then to an independent mechanic who stated that the rack and pinion needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The dealer and manufacturer were not notified. The failure mileage was 149,000. The VIN was not available.”Owner report · Steering · Dec 2019
“While driving the steering wheel became loose and made it very hard to steer almost causing me to have a accident after coming to a stop the steering wheel was off center and very hard to turn had to get car towed.I find this to be a complete rip off because I see numerous complaints of steering problems of the same matter”Owner report · Steering · Dec 2019
Show 7 more owner reports
“Rear subframe connection passenger side rusted through due to factory put air conditioner condensate line so that it constantly dumps condensate on this area instead of draining condensate beyond and to the ground. The result is a rusted out severed connection thereby causing the engine and transmission to be held by only three of the four connections needed to safely hold engine and transmission as designed from the factory.”Owner report · Structure · Aug 2016
“Tl* the contact owns a 1999 mercury sable. While driving various speeds, the brakes hesitated to stop the vehicle. In addition, the vehicle independently accelerated without warning. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 155,000.”Owner report · Vehicle Speed Control · Jun 2016
“The steering is horible, about 3years ago changed rack appion steering, and just a week ago, put new steering pump on, still.”Owner report · Steering · Dec 2015
“Even after replacing the second power steering pump , it is horrible turning the steering wheel most of the time. Also, it is noisy while I'm driving it. It had a new rack and pinion on it when I bought it . Parking in a parking lot is awful as it is almost impossible to maneuver around other cars. Turning corners ,sometimes it's okay and other times really hard. Not sure if this complaint belongs here, but heater doesn't work ,either. Feels like a/c is on . Had a friend check it and he is having a hard time figuring it out. Don't know how to answer "date happened" as it has been doing this since I bought it in august.”Owner report · Steering · Aug 2015
“Vehicle spring fractured breaking the bottom part off the coil spring on the front left drivers side of the car.the left front is now lower and tires show wear. I have stopped driving as a result. *tr”Owner report · Suspension · Apr 2013
“1999 mercury sable. Consumer writes in regards to total brake system failure in vehicle. *smd the consumer stated the brake line needed to be replaced.”Owner report · Service Brakes, Hydraulic · Dec 2012
“Tl* the contact owns a 1999 mercury sable. The contact stated that the passenger seat belt does not retract or properly secure the passenger. The manufacturer stated that the VIN was not included in (NHTSA campaign id number: 99v250000 seat belts: front: anchorage); the vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 125,000. The current mileage was not available.”Owner report · Seat Belts · Jul 2012
When filing, owners marked a crash in 22 of these complaints and injuries in 24 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 5 campaigns
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.
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.
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.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THESE VEHICLES TO ENSURE PROPER INSTALLATION OF THE ACCELERATOR CABLE CLIP, AND RE-INSTALL IF NEEDED.
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.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL THE APPROPRIATE TRANSMISSION OIL COOLER LINE.
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.
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.
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.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE SEAT BELT BUCKLE MOUNTING BRACKET AND STUD ASSEMBLY.
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 1999 Mercury Sable reliable?
NHTSA has 258 owner complaints and 5 recall campaigns on record for the 1999 Mercury Sable. The most complained-about area is suspension (18% of complaints).
At what mileage do 1999 Mercury Sable problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 67,850 miles or less.
Does the 1999 Mercury Sable have open recalls?
5 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning seat belts:front:anchorage. 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.