Safety ratings
1990 Mercury Sable 4-DR.
- Lane departure warningNo
- Forward collision warningNo
- Electronic stability controlNo
Crash test videos & photos
No public crash-test footage is available for this vehicle.
Recalls (7)
- AIR BAGS:FRONTALCampaign 90E043001 · 30/10/1990
THREADED INFLATOR COMPONENTS MAY HAVE BEEN DAMAGED DURING ASSEMBLY WHICH MAY ALLOW COMPONENTS TO SEPARATE WHEN INFLATOR RECEIVES A SIGNAL TO DEPLOY THE AIR BAG.
Risk: INFLATOR COMPONENT SEPARATION ALLOWS HOT COMBUSTION GASES TO ESCAPE INTO THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT WHICH COULD RESULT IN INJURIES TO VEHICLE OCCUPANTS.
Fix: REPLACE AIR BAG MODULES CONTAINING POTENTIALLY DEFECTIVE INFLATORS.
- SUSPENSION:FRONT:SHOCK ABSORBERCampaign 94E036000 · 25/11/1994
THE ARC WELDS ON THE SWAY BAR BRACKET, WHERE IT ATTACHES TO THE STRUT RESERVE TUBE, DID NOT FUSE PROPERLY.
Risk: OVER TIME, A PORTION OF THE BRACKET CAN TEAR AWAY FROM THE STRUT, FALLING INTO AND PUNCTURING THE TIRE OR CAUSING DAMAGE TO THE WHEEL, WHICH COULD RESULT IN AN ACCIDENT.
Fix: MONROE DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE STRUT FREE OF CHARGE.
- SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLYCampaign 92V113000 · 17/08/1992
THE RIGID MOUNTED SAFETY BELT BUCKLES ARE DEFECTIVE IN THREE WAYS. FIRST, A FASTENED SAFETY BELT BUCKLE WILL NOT UNLATCH WHEN THE RELEASE BUTTON IS DEPRESSED. THIS RESULTS FROM INTERFERENCE BETWEEN THE BUCKLE EJECTOR FINGER AND THE BUCKLE TONGUE WINDOW. THE SECOND DEFECT IS THE SAFETY BELT BUCKLE MAY NOT LATCH. THE THIRD POSSIBLE DEFECT IS THAT THE TONGUE MAY BE RETAINED BY THE BUCKLE, BUT IT MAY NOT BE LATCHED SUFFICIENTLY TO PROVIDE OCCUPANT PROTECTION.
Risk: AN INSUFFICIENTLY LATCHED OR UNLATCHED SAFETY BELTINCREASES THE RISK OF INJURY TO SEAT OCCUPANTS IN THE EVENT OF A SUDDEN STOP ORACCIDENT. IF THE SAFETY BELT BUCKLE WILL NOT UNLATCH, IT WILL NOT ALLOW THEOCCUPANT TO GET OUT OF THE VEHICLE IN AN EMERGENCY SITUATION.
Fix: FORD WILL REPLACE THE RIGID MOUNTED SAFETY BELT BUCKLES WITH END RELEASE SAFETY BELT BUCKLES DESIGNED TO PREVENT LATCH PROBLEMS.
- STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERSCampaign 98V323000 · 16/12/1998
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES ORIGINALLY SOLD OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, IOWA, KANSAS, KENTUCKY, MAINE, MARYLAND, MASSACHUSETTS, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA, MISSOURI, NEBRASKA, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW JERSEY, NEW YORK, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, RHODE ISLAND, VERMONT, VIRGINIA, WEST VIRGNIA, AND WISCONSIN. THE REAR LOWER SUBFRAME MOUNT PLATE NUT CAN EXPERIENCE STRESS CORROSION CRACKING IF SUBJECTED TO LONG TERM EXPOSURE TO ROAD SALTS. THIS CAN RESULT IN FRACTURE AND LOSS OF THE STRUCTURAL INTEGRITY OF THE SUBFRAME MOUNT ATTACHMENT. DETACHMENT OF THE BODY MOUNTS AT THE REAR CORNERS OF THE SUBFRAME, WHICH SUPPORTS THE ENGINE AND TRANSMISSION, ALLOWS THE REAR CORNERS OF THE SUBFRAME TO DROP.
Risk: IF BOTH REAR CORNERS DROP, STEERING WOULD BECOME SUDDENLY VERY DIFFICULT, AFFECTING VEHICLE CONTROL AND INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Fix: DEALERS WILL INSTALL SUBFRAME REAR MOUNT BOLTS, REINFORCEMENT PLATES, AND PLATE NUTS.
- EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS:SWITCHCampaign 89V171000 · 13/10/1989
AN INCORRECT TRANSISTOR MAY CAUSE AUTOLAMP SYSTEM LIGHT SENSOR MODULE MALFUNCTION.
Risk: HEADLAMPS COULD TURN OFF WHILE VEHICLE IS BEING DRIVEN ORREMAIN ON AFTER VEHICLE IS PARKED. LOSS OF HEADLIGHTS WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHTCOULD BE HAZARDOUS TO THE DRIVER AND OTHER TRAFIFIC.
Fix: REPLACE LIGHT SENSOR MODULES.
- WHEELSCampaign 92V065000 · 11/05/1992
CHILDREN CAN ACCIDENTALLY LOCK THEMSELVES IN THE FOOTWELL AREA OF THE REAR-FACING THIRD SEAT, OR IN THE STORAGE COMPARTMENT IN STATION WAGONS NOT EQUIPPED WITH AN OPTIONAL THIRD SEAT. ONCE THE COMPARTMENT IS CLOSED IT CANNOT BE OPENED FROM THE INSIDE.
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 OF ASPHYXIATION.
Fix: REPLACE THE SELF-LATCHING ASSEMBLY CURRENTLY USED IN THE REAR STORAGE COMPARTMENT WITH A LATCH ASSEMBLY THAT CAN ONLY BE CLOSED WITH A KEY.
- SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTORCampaign 91V134000 · 06/08/1991
FRONT DISC BRAKE ROTORS OF THE SUBJECT VEHICLES MAY EXPERIENCE SEVERE CORROSION IF OPERATED IN AREAS WHERE CALCIUM CHLORIDE AND SODIUM CHLORIDE ARE USED EXTENSIVELY.
Risk: SEVERELY CORRODED ROTORS MAY FRACTURE OR SEPARATE NEARTHE INNER EDGES OF THE BRAKE DISCS RESULTING IN REDUCED BRAKING EFFECTIVENESS,HIGHER THAN NORMAL PEDAL EFFORTS, LOUD GRINDING NOISES, AND MODERATE PULLS WHENTHE BRAKES ARE APPLIED. REDUCED BRAKING EFFECTIVENESS MAY INCREASE MINIMUMSTOPPING DISTANCES, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN AN ACCIDENT.
Fix: REPLACE FRONT BRAKE ROTORS WITH FULL CAST FRONT BRAKE ROTORS.
Owner complaints
Most-reported areas
- ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING26
- STEERING23
- STRUCTURE22
- ELECTRICAL SYSTEM16
- POWER TRAIN15
- VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL11
- AIR BAGS11
- SEAT BELTS11
Read individual complaints (50 most recent)
These are unverified consumer reports filed with NHTSA, shown as submitted.
- 12/19/1997· STEERING,FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
OUTER TIE ROD FAILED. ALSO, FUEL LEAK. *AK
- 12/17/1996· VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
GAS PEDAL STICKS.
- 12/16/1996· LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES
REAR HATCH LATCH CRACKED DUE TO METAL FATIGUE.
- 12/15/1997· VISIBILITY
POWER WINDOWS NOT DESIGNED TO BE MANUALLY ADJUSTED DURING EMERGENCY SITUATIONS.
- 12/11/1998· STEERING
WHEN WIFE WAS DRIVING VEHICLE SHE TRIED TO MAKE A LEFT TURN AND AT THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD WITH ONCOMING TRAFIC, THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP AND DID NOT TURN, FORCING THE VEHICLE TO GO STRAIGHT, BUT AT THE LAST MINUTE THE CONSUMER'S WIFE PULLED TO LEFT AND HANDLED VEHICLE. DEALER WAS CONTACTED. *AK
- 12/08/1999· STRUCTURE
CLEAR FINISHING COAT OF PAINT IS CRACKING AND FLAKING OFF. DEALER IS NOT ACCEPTING RESPONSIBILITY. *AK *ML
- 12/05/2006· WHEELS
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED UPON ENTERING A HIGHWAY AT 40 MPH, THE PASSENGER FRONT RIM FRACTURED CAUSING THE PARTIAL RIM AND TIRE TO SEPARATE FROM THE VEHICLE. IT WAS MANEUVERED OFF THE ROAD AND LATER TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE DEALER WAS ALERTED.
- 12/05/1995· AIR BAGS
AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT KEEPS GOES ON AND OFF. *SD
- 12/04/1996· STEERING
TIE ROD SNAPPED, CAUSING STEERING DIFFICULTY.
- 12/04/1996· AIR BAGSCrash
VEHICLE INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT, HIT A FENCE THEN A TREE HEAD-ON, THERE WAS NO DEPLOYMENT OF THE DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG. VEHICLE WAS TOTALED; ALSO, VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT ON 1/26/96 AND THE AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY PRIOR TO RECALL (90E-043). *AK
- 12/04/1996· AIR BAGSCrash
NO DEPLOYMENT OF AIR BAG DURING TWO MAJOR COLLISIONS.
- 12/01/1995· ELECTRICAL SYSTEMFire
FIRE UNDER THE HOOD. TT
- 11/26/1996· STRUCTURE
RECALL RELATED, 93V106, STRUCTURE MOTOR MOUNTS/REAR SUB-FRAME, BROKE. *AK
- 11/22/1996· AIR BAGS
OTHER: AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATES.
- 11/18/1998· SEAT BELTS
THE DRIVER'S AND PASSANGER'S SIDE SEAT BELTS COME UNLATCHED UNEXPECTEDLY WHEN IN USE. TOOK VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND THEY SAID IT'S NOTHING THEY COULD DO ABOUT THE PROBLEM. *AK
- 11/12/1996· ELECTRICAL SYSTEMFire
WHILE PARKED, AN ELECTRICAL SHORT IN THE DASH, CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO CATCH ON FIRE. *AK
- 11/06/1996· POWER TRAIN
TRANSMISSION FAILED TWICE.
- 11/05/1996· FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINEFire
WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE DUE TO A FUEL LINE LEAK. *AK
- 11/04/1996· POWER TRAIN
THE VEHICLE WAS IN THE PARK POSITION AND THE CONSUMER PLACED THE VEHICLE FROM PARK INTO REVERSE AND THE VEHICLE JUMPED FORWARD. *AK
- 11/03/1998· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,EXTERIOR LIGHTING,INTERIOR LIGHTING
RECALL 89V171000. THE INTERIOR AND HEADLIGHTS GET DIM, AND INTERMITTENTLY GO ON AND OFF, THE ALTERNATOR WAS REPLACED AND THE PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. *AK
- 11/03/1998· POWER TRAIN
THE SPEEDOMETER'S RPMS GO UP, AND THE CAR SEEMS TO ROAR AND STAY IN NEUTRAL GEAR OR ANOTHER GEAR. IT WON'T SHIFT GEARS. AFTER A WHILE THE CAR JUST TAKES OFF, NO WARRANTY, DEALER CANNOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. *AK
- 11/03/1998· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
BRAKE FRONT PADS AND REAR DISCS MAKE NOISE WHEN PEDAL IS APPLIED, EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE OCCURS. DEALER CONTACTED, AND ROTORS WERE REPLACED THREE TIMES. ALSO, THE BRAKES WERE REPLACED SIX TIMES IN THREE YEARS. BRAKE LIGHT STAYS ON, AND PROBLEM STILL EXISTS.*AK
- 11/03/1998· SEAT BELTS
SEAT BELTS HARNESS LAP AND SHOULDER BELTS ARE LOOSE, THEY WILL NOT TIGHTEN ALL THE WAY. DEALER CONTACTED, AND REPAIR WORK WAS, DONE BUT THE PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. THE LIGHT INTERMITTENTLY COMES ON AND OFF. *AK
- 11/03/1998· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
THE PANEL LIGHT WIRING IS DEFECTIVE, CAUSING THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT/AIR BAG LIGHT/BRAKE LIGHT, AND SOMETIMES THE SEAT BELT LIGHTS TO WORK INTERMITTENTLY. SOMETIMES THEY STAY ON AND WON'T GO OFF. DEALER NOT AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. *AK
- 11/03/1998· POWER TRAINCrash
VEHICLE WHEN WAS IN PARK, THE KEY WAS RELEASED AND PUT BACK INTO THE IGNITION, BEFORE CONSUMER COULD GET BACK INTO THE CAR, IT ROLLED BACKWARD AND HIT A TREE. WHEN HITTING THE BRAKE PEDAL THE VEHICLE DID NOT STOP, OCCURRENCE ON LEVEL PAVEMENT, NO INJURIES INVOLVED. *AK
- 11/01/1999· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
TEMPERATURE GUAGE INDICATED THE VEHICLE WAS HEATING AND LOSING ANTI-FREEZE. OWNER ADDED ANTI-FREEZE. HEAD GASKET WENT OUT. DEALER HAS NOT SEEN VEHICLE. *AK
- 10/30/1999· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
ENGINE MOTOR MOUNTS ARE BROKEN. THIS PROBLEM OCCURED AFTER THE SUBFRAME BOLTS HAD BROKEN SEVERAL MONTHS EARLIER. I WAS TOLD BY OTHER OWNERS OF THIS TYPE OF VEHICLE THAT THEY HAD A RECALL FOR MOTOR MOUNTS, I HAVE NEVER RECEIVED NOTICE OF THIS PROBLEM NOR DO I FIND ANY INFO ON YOUR WEBSITE. THANK YOU.
- 10/30/1998· STRUCTURE
REAR SUB-FRAME MOUNTS CAME UNATTACHED ALLOWING MOTOR AND TRANSMISSION TO FALL ONTO THE GROUND WITH NEAR HEAD ON COLLISION DUE TO LOSS OF CONTROL AND DAMAGING OTHER COMPONENTS. COMPONENT WAS REPAIRED PRIOR DUE TO RECALL HOWEVER RECALL REPAIR FAILED.
- 10/29/1998· STRUCTURE
WHILE DRIVING THE BODY MOUNTS SUPPORTING TRANSMISSION & ENGINE BROKE. THIS CAUSED THE TRANSMISSION/ENGINE TO FALL. THE ENGINE FELL ON THE STEERING BINDING. HAD NO CONTROL OVER THE STEERING. *AK
- 10/24/1995· AIR BAGSCrash
VEHICLE BACKED INTO FRONT OF CAR, AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY. PLEASE GIVE MORE DETAILS. TT
- 10/23/1997· STRUCTURE
IN REFERENCE TO 93V106, THE VEHICLE'S DEFECTIVE REAR SUBFRAME CORRODED, CAUSING THE SUBFRAME TO DROP AND ALMOST CAUSED AN ACCIDENT. VEHICLE HAD EXACT PROBLEM AS THE RECALL, BUT NOT INCLUDED. *AK
- 10/20/1995· STEERINGFire
LEAK FROM POWER STEERING HOSE RESULTING IN VEHICLE FIRE WHILE DRIVING. PLEASE DESCRIBE DETAILS. TT
- 10/19/2000· VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
WHILE DRIVING ABOUT 65-70 MPH, ALL OF SUDDEN VEHICLE ACCELERATED. RPMS INCREASED BY 3000. IN ORDER TO STOP VEHICLE APPLIED AS MUCH PRESSURE AS POSSIBLE TO THE BRAKES, SHIFTED INTO NEUTRAL OR PARK, AND SHUT OFF IGNITION. THIS HAPPENED WITHOUT CRUISE CONTROL BEING ENGAGED. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK
- 10/18/1996· EXTERIOR LIGHTING
BRAKE LIGHTS FAILED ON THREE OCCASSIONS.
- 10/17/2001· SUSPENSION
FRONT LEFT COIL SPRING BROKE . VEHICLE NOT INCLUDED IN RECALL 98I002000. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *AK
- 10/16/1997· POWER TRAIN
WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE WILL INTERMITTENTLY STALL AND CUT OFF, GIVING THE DRIVER NO INDICATION . OWNER HAS HAD THE VEHICLE REPAIRED BY AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP. THE DEALER HAS NOT BEEN NOTIFIED. *AK
- 10/15/1998· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
MOTOR MOUNTS/CRUISE CONTROL FAILED.
- 10/15/1998· VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
AUTO SPEED CONTROL IS NOT DEACTIVATED BY BRAKING. *ET
- 10/15/1997· STEERING
TIE ROD BROKE WHILE DRIVING CAUSING LOSS OF CONTROL. MJS
- 10/15/1997· SEAT BELTS
FVRONT PASSENGER'S SEAT B ELT BUCKLES FAILED PRIOR TO/AFTER RECALL REPAIRS 93V-113. *AK
- 10/13/1999· STEERING
THE SUBFRAME BOLTS HAVE TO BE REPLACED BECAUSE THEY HAVE WORN DOWN. *AK
- 10/13/1995· STEERING
BOTH FRONT TIE RODS FAILED W/POOR HANDLING AND SEVERE WEAR OF RIGHT FRONT TIRE. PLEASE DESCRIBE DETAILS. TT
- 10/09/1997· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
WHILE DRIVING ELECTRICAL SYSTEM WILL PARTIALLY SHUT DOWN.
- 10/09/1996· ELECTRICAL SYSTEMFire
THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE WHILE BEING DRIVEN. THE FLAMES STARTED IN THE IGNITION AREA. *AK
- 10/07/1996· FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
THE LINE UNDER THE FUEL SYSTEM LEAKED AND THE FUEL WAS SPRAYING OUT LIKE IT HAD A HOLE IN IT. *AK
- 10/07/1994· STEERING
BROKEN TIE ROD. *AK
- 09/29/1998· STRUCTURE
RECALL SERVICE ON SUBFRAME MOUNTS DENIED, MOUNTS FAILED CAUSING STEERING LOCK UP.
- 09/25/1995· SUSPENSION
FRONT STABILIZER LINKS.
- 09/22/2000· SUSPENSION
WHEN SLOWING DOWN FROM 50 MPH VEHICLE WILL VIBRATE, CONSUMER HAS BEEN BACK AND FORTH TO DEALER.*AK
- 09/21/1998· STEERING
WAS DRIVING VEHICLE ABOUT 35MPH, STARTED TO TURNING LEFT, WAS UNABLE TO RETURN STEERING WHEEL TO ORIGINAL POSITION. HAD TO BE FORCED BACK. TOOK TO DEALER FOR REPAIRS. *AK