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1999 Mercury SableProblems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 258 owner complaints about the 1999 Mercury Sable, most often about the suspension. It is covered by 5 safety recalls.

45
CarFlaw IndexSolid year1.2× the Sable median · #10 of 22 years by complaints
Safety recalls5Free fix at dealersOwner complaints25841 with a crash, fire or injuryTypical failure mileage73kSuspension, median miles

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through December 14, 2020. Updated daily.

Complaints by system

Where the 1999 Mercury Sable has problems

258 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
Suspension481
Steering332
Power train283
Service brakes, hydraulic263
Engine and engine cooling222
Visibility210
Seat belts203
Air bags1713
Vehicle speed control163
13 other systems558

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

5 recalls

1999 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

Springs: coil springs

Recall 04V-332 · Jul 15, 2004 · 899,060 vehicles

Risk. IF THIS OCCURS, THE TIRE MAY RUPTURE RESULTING IN A RAPID AIR LOSS, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

–no report yet

Front: anchorage

Recall 99V-250 · Sep 20, 1999 · 25,306 vehicles

Risk. IF THE MECHANISM MALFUNCTIONS AND DOES NOT ALLOW THE WEBBING TO BE EXTRACTED, THE LAP AND SHOULDER BELT COULD NOT BE WORN BY A VEHICLE OCCUPANT.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

–no report yet

Automatic transmission: cooling unit and lines

Recall 98V-288 · Nov 9, 1998 · 1,800 vehicles

Risk. TRANSMISSION FLUID LEAKAGE ONTO THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD OR CATALYTIC CONVERTER CAN RESULT IN A FIRE.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

Show 1 more recall
–no report yet

Front: anchorage

Recall 98V-198 · Aug 25, 1998 · 7,000 vehicles

Risk. IF THE STUD IS CRACKED, IN THE EVENT OF A VEHICLE CRASH, THE OCCUPANT MAY NOT BE PROPERLY RESTRAINED, INCREASING THE RISK OF PERSONAL INJURY.

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.

Mileage at failure

When do suspension problems start?

73kmiles, median

Based on the odometer reading in 25 suspension complaints. 76% were reported before 100,000 miles.

Only 38% of complaints for this model year include a mileage.

median0k50k100k150k200k+
1under 30k miles19under 100k miles6100k miles or more
Best & worst years

1999 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

1999 Mercury Sable safety ratings

1999 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
2 investigations

NHTSA defect investigations

Federal investigations that included the 1999 Mercury Sable, and the recalls they led to.

  1. FRONT SUSPENSION COIL SPRING FRACTUREPE02080 · closed Apr 29, 2003
    No recall
  2. FRONT SUSPENSION COIL SPRING FRACTUREPE04044 · closed Aug 16, 2004
    Led to recall 04V-332
In owners' words

What Sable owners report

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

THE VEHICLE FRONT COILS SPRING FAILED 5 MONTHS PRIOR TO RECALL NOTIFICATION. *NM THE CONSUMER REQUESTED REIMBURSEMENT. RECALL# 04V332000. *SC *JB
Complaint 10851823 · Sep 28, 2004
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
Complaint 10510308 · May 1, 2013 · 41,100 miles
MY 99 SABLE GS HAS A RECALL ON THE FRONT COIL SPRINGS AND FORD WILL NOT REPLACE THEM BECAUSE IT HAS EXCEEDED THE TIME FRAME. WHICH IS RIDICULOUS! I NEVER EVEN RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE ON THE CAR WE FOUND THE RECALL ONLINE. ALSO THE REAR COIL SPRINGS ARE BROKEN AND THE TIRES ARE MESSED UP AND FORD…
Complaint 10409255 · Jun 28, 2011 · 161,504 miles

Own a 1999 Sable?

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