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1990 Mercury SableProblems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 166 owner complaints about the 1990 Mercury Sable, most often about the engine and engine cooling. It is covered by 5 safety recalls.

53
CarFlaw IndexSolid year12% below the Sable median · #14 of 22 years by complaints
Safety recalls5Free fix at dealersOwner complaints16641 with a crash, fire or injuryTop problem30Engine and engine cooling

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through February 16, 2010. Updated daily.

Complaints by system

Where the 1990 Mercury Sable has problems

166 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
Engine and engine cooling305
Steering244
Structure231
Electrical system2111
Power train171
Air bags149
Seat belts122
Vehicle speed control123
Suspension110
9 other systems434

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

5 recalls

1990 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 1 more recall
–no report yet

Headlights: switch

Recall 89V-171 · Oct 13, 1989 · 2,900 vehicles

Risk. HEADLAMPS COULD TURN OFF WHILE VEHICLE IS BEING DRIVEN ORREMAIN ON AFTER VEHICLE IS PARKED.

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

1990 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
NHTSA crash tests

1990 Mercury Sable safety ratings

1990 Mercury Sable 4-DR. in NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program. Photos are from NHTSA's crash tests.

  • Stability control: No
  • Forward collision warning: No
  • Lane departure warning: No
11 investigations

NHTSA defect investigations

Federal investigations that included the 1990 Mercury Sable, and the recalls they led to.

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

What Sable owners report

Recent engine and engine cooling complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.

AFTER DRIVING AUTO FOR ABOUT 20-25 MINUTES AND PARKING, AUTO SMELLED SMOKE THEN AFTER CUTTING AUTO OFF SMOKE GOT WORSE DOORS WOULD NOT OPEN-AUTO EXPLODED. *AK
Complaint 987128 · Jul 18, 1996
BOTH ENGINE MOUNTS BROKE; OWNER NOTICED CLUNKING NOISE ON ACCELERATING AND MAKING TURNS FOR 6 TO 8 MONTHS; CAUSED MILD JERKING. TT
Complaint 958330 · Jan 6, 1995
WHENEVER TRAVELING AT VARIOUS SPEED VEHICLE WOULD STALL OUT. VEHICLE CAN BE RESTARTED. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALERSHIP, AND MECHANIC COULD GIVE NO INDICATION OF THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM.*AK
Complaint 894220 · Aug 13, 2001

Own a 1990 Sable?

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