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1992 Mercury SableProblems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 364 owner complaints about the 1992 Mercury Sable, most often about the engine and engine cooling. It is covered by 4 safety recalls.

41
CarFlaw IndexUse caution1.5× the Sable median · #7 of 22 years by complaints
Safety recalls4Free fix at dealersOwner complaints36424 with a crash, fire or injuryTypical failure mileage47kEngine and engine cooling, median miles

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through June 28, 2010. Updated daily.

Complaints by system

Where the 1992 Mercury Sable has problems

364 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 cooling1514
Power train612
Service brakes, hydraulic401
Structure291
Steering282
Electrical system280
Vehicle speed control223
Suspension170
Exterior lighting130
11 other systems607

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

4 recalls

1992 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

Vehicle speed control

Recall 97V-025 · Feb 26, 1997 · 212,700 vehicles

Risk. DRIVER CONTROL OF VEHICLE SPEED USING THE SPEED CONTROL SYSTEM OR THE ACCELERATOR CONTROL SYSTEM WOULD BE DIMINISHED INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE CRASH.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

–no report yet

Cooling system: fan

Recall 97V-019 · Feb 25, 1997 · 75,200 vehicles

Risk. THIS CONDITION CAN CAUSE SMOKE OR FLAMES FROM THE FAN AND/OR SHROUD, THE FAN ELECTRICAL WIRING, OR THE FAN MOTOR RESULTING IN A VEHICLE FIRE.

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 →

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

1992 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

1992 Mercury Sable safety ratings

1992 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 1992 Mercury Sable, and the recalls they led to.

  1. ALLEGED DEFECTIVE TIE RODSDP95004 · closed Aug 30, 1995
    No recall
  2. SUB-FRM/UNIBODY ABSOR.FAILEA92040 · closed Jun 30, 1993
    Led to recall 93V-106
  3. IDLE AIR SPD CTRL VLV MALFEA93022 · closed Aug 31, 1994
    No recall
  4. BROKEN TIE RODSEA94008 · closed Feb 27, 1995
    No recall
  5. HEADLIGHT FAILUREEA96019 · closed Jan 26, 1998
    Led to recall 98V-009
  6. ENGINE COOLING FAN FIRESEA96024 · closed Apr 15, 1997
    Led to recall 97V-019
  7. IDLE AIR SPD CTRL VLV MALFPE93010 · closed Jul 30, 1993
    No recall
  8. BROKEN TIE RODSPE93058 · closed Feb 16, 1994
    No recall
  9. UNDERBODY FUEL LINE FAILSPE93065 · closed Nov 30, 1993
    No recall
  10. POLYCAST ROAD WHEEL CRACKSPE93100 · closed Jun 30, 1994
    No recall
  11. ENGINE COOLING FAN FIRESPE96033 · closed Sep 30, 1996
    Led to recall 97V-019
In owners' words

What Sable owners report

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

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…
Complaint 10147352 · Jan 10, 2006 · 47,000 miles
THE CAR IS A 1992 MERCURY SABLE 3.8L V-6 ENGINE WITH 93,000 MILES. THE HEAD GASKETS NEED TO BE REPLACED. I HAVE BEEN QUOTED AN ESTIMATE OF $1,000 TO FIX THE PROBLEM. I AM THE SECOND OWNER OF THE AUTOMOBILE AND IT HAS BEEN WELL MAINTAINED. THE CAR BROKE DOWN ON JUNE 25, 2003 AND IS CURRENTLY PARKED…
Complaint 10070531 · Jan 15, 2004 · 93,000 miles
1ST ONE REMOVE & REPLACE TIMING COVER/PUMP, HOUSING, REPLACE STUDS, WATER PUMP, RENEW COOLANT. COST $1,079.60 2ND R&R HEADGASKETS/ $1,304.10. I WOULD LIKE FOR SOMEONE TO LET ME KNOW IF I COULD GET SOME OF MY MONEY BACK BECAUSE THIS WAS A RECALL A BAD PART WHICH I HAD NO KNOWLEDGE OF. UNTIL I HAD TO…
Complaint 10070057 · Jan 15, 2004 · 22,161 miles

Own a 1992 Sable?

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