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1989 Mercury SableProblems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 238 owner complaints about the 1989 Mercury Sable, most often about the electrical system. It is covered by 6 safety recalls.

41
CarFlaw IndexUse caution1.4× the Sable median · #8 of 22 years by complaints
Safety recalls6Free fix at dealersOwner complaints23885 with a crash, fire or injuryTop problem58Electrical system

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through April 28, 2007. Updated daily.

Complaints by system

Where the 1989 Mercury Sable has problems

238 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.

Box size = number of complaints naming that system. Darker = larger share. One complaint can name more than one system.
Complaints by system
SystemComplaintsCrash, fire or injury
Electrical system5833
Engine and engine cooling4918
Seat belts443
Structure232
Steering2214
Power train190
Service brakes, hydraulic133
Vehicle speed control135
Fuel system, gasoline96
8 other systems231

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.

6 recalls

1989 Mercury Sable recalls and how many were fixed

Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

–no report yet

Structure: frame and members

Recall 98V-323 · Dec 16, 1998 · 2,697,000 vehicles

Risk. IF BOTH REAR CORNERS DROP, STEERING WOULD BECOME SUDDENLY VERY DIFFICULT, AFFECTING VEHICLE CONTROL AND INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

–no report yet

Front: buckle assembly

Recall 92V-113 · Aug 17, 1992 · 565,000 vehicles

Risk. AN INSUFFICIENTLY LATCHED OR UNLATCHED SAFETY BELTINCREASES THE RISK OF INJURY TO SEAT OCCUPANTS IN THE EVENT OF A SUDDEN STOP ORACCIDENT.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

–no report yet

Wheels

Recall 92V-065 · May 11, 1992 · 654,000 vehicles

Risk. THERE IS A DANGER OF AIR DEPRIVATION, HYPERTHERMIA,AND/OR PANIC RESPONSE TO A CHILD WHO HAS LOCKED HIMSELF OR HERSELF INTO THECOMPARTMENT, WITH THE POSSIBILITY…

Problem, fix and repair progress →

–no report yet

Disc: rotor

Recall 91V-134 · Aug 6, 1991 · 325,000 vehicles

Risk. SEVERELY CORRODED ROTORS MAY FRACTURE OR SEPARATE NEARTHE INNER EDGES OF THE BRAKE DISCS RESULTING IN REDUCED BRAKING EFFECTIVENESS,HIGHER THAN NORMAL PEDAL…

Problem, fix and repair progress →

Show 2 more recalls
–no report yet

Seats

Recall 91V-036 · Mar 4, 1991 · 278,000 vehicles

Risk. POWER SEAT SWITCH WIRING INSULATION MAY BECOME ABRADED,OR PUNCTURED, AND AN ELECTRICAL SHORT COULD OCCUR THAT COULD RESULT IN A FIREIN THE SEAT CUSHION…

Problem, fix and repair progress →

Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with Mercury.

Best & worst years

1989 vs. every other Sable year

Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the Sable median. How we score

'86'87'88'89'90'91'92'93'94'95'96'97'98'99'00'01'02'03'04'05'06'08'09
  • Avoid
  • Caution
  • Solid
  • Best
  • Not rated
16 investigations

NHTSA defect investigations

Federal investigations that included the 1989 Mercury Sable, and the recalls they led to.

  1. ALLEGED DEFECTIVE TIE RODSDP95004 · closed Aug 30, 1995
    No recall
  2. THROTTLE STICKINGEA90042 · closed Dec 31, 1991
    No recall
  3. BRAKE DISC HUB SEPARATIONSEA90045 · closed Sep 12, 1991
    Led to recall 91V-134
  4. STORAGE COMPAR SUFFOCATIONEA91042 · closed May 21, 1992
    Led to recall 92V-065
  5. SUB-FRM/UNIBODY ABSOR.FAILEA92040 · closed Jun 30, 1993
    Led to recall 93V-106
  6. BROKEN TIE RODSEA94008 · closed Feb 27, 1995
    No recall
  7. THROTTLE STICKINGPE90066 · closed Aug 31, 1990
    No recall
  8. BRAKE DISC HUB FAILUREPE90071 · closed Jun 28, 1990
    No recall
  9. STORAGE COMPAR SUFFOCATIONPE91108 · closed Oct 28, 1991
    No recall
  10. FIRES IN IGNITION SWITCHPE91128 · closed Jan 27, 1992
    No recall
  11. ENGINE MOUNT FAILUREPE92014 · closed Jun 25, 1992
    No recall
  12. POWER STEERING LEAKS/FIRESPE92044 · closed Aug 31, 1992
    No recall
  13. SUB-FRM/UNIBODY ABSOR.FAILPE92056 · closed Nov 30, 1992
    No recall
  14. BROKEN TIE RODSPE93058 · closed Feb 16, 1994
    No recall
  15. UNDERBODY FUEL LINE FAILSPE93065 · closed Nov 30, 1993
    No recall
  16. POLYCAST ROAD WHEEL CRACKSPE93100 · closed Jun 30, 1994
    No recall
In owners' words

What Sable owners report

Recent electrical system complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.

THIS MORNING (7-8-04) I WAS PULLED OVER FOR THE FIRST TIME EVER AND THE OFFICER SAID I WAS DOING 75 IN A 55 WHEN MY SPEEDOMETER READ 65. I ASKED THE GENTLEMAN IF THERE WAS SOMEWAY HE COULD FORGET THE TICKET SINCE IT WAS MY FIRST TIME EVER AND HE SAID NO. HE DID NOT EXPLAIN TO ME EVERYTHING ON THE…
Complaint 10065801 · Apr 8, 2004
WE PARKED IN THE DRIVEWAY, GATHERED OUR THINGS AND WENT IN TO THE HOUSE. THE NEXT MORNING I WENT TO BRUSH THE SNOW OFF OF THE CAR AND NOTICED THE WINDSHIELD WAS BROKEN, I OPENED THE DRIVER DOOR AND DISCOVERED THE WHOLE DASHBOARD WAS MELTED LIKE A CANDLE, WE HAD JUST FILLED UP THE TANK THE PREVIOUS…
Complaint 10054774 · Jan 23, 2004
VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE UNDERHOOD WHILE PARKED, ACCORDING TO INSURANCE CO, COULD HAVE STARTED FROM ALTERNATOR OR LEAKING POWER STEERING FLUID. *AK
Complaint 986190 · Jun 26, 1996

Own a 1989 Sable?

Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.