Safety ratings
1994 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 (5)
- VEHICLE SPEED CONTROLCampaign 97V025000 · 26/02/1997
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 3.8L ENGINES AND ORIGINALLY SOLD OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE FOLLOWING STATES: ALASKA, COLORADO, IOWA, IDAHO, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, KANSAS, MASSACHUSETTS, MAINE, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA, MISSOURI, MONTANA, NORTH DAKOTA, NEBRASKA, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW YORK, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, SOUTH DAKOTA, VERMONT, WISCONSIN, AND WYOMING. WATER CAN ACCUMULATE WITHIN THE SPEED CONTROL CABLE CONDUIT. IF ENOUGH WATER ACCUMULATES, IT COULD FREEZE WITHIN A LOW AREA OF THE CABLE ROUTING WHEN EXPOSED TO A LONG TERM COLD SOAK AT TEMPERATURES AT LEAST SEVERAL DEGREES BELOW FREEZING.
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.
Fix: DEALERS WILL ADD A BOOT TO THE SPEED CONTROL CABLE.
- 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.
- ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:FANCampaign 97V019000 · 25/02/1997
THESE VEHICLES ARE ORIGINALLY SOLD OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE FOLLOWING STATES: ALASKA, IOWA, MINNESOTA, NEBRASKA, NORTH DAKOTA, AND SOUTH DAKOTA. THE VEHICLES INVOLVED ARE 1992-1994 TEMPO/TOPAZ VEHICLES WITH 3.0L ENGINES; 1994 TEMPO/TOPAZ WITH 2.3L ENGINES; 1992-1995 TAURUS/SABLE WITH 3.8L ENGINES; 1994-1995 TAURUS/SABLE WITH 3.0L ENGINES AND 1992-1994 LINCOLN CONTINENTAL VEHICLES WITH 3.8L ENGINES. DURING HIGH WINDS, HEAVY, BLOWING AND DRIFTING SNOW, AND LOW TEMPERATURES, THE ENGINE COOLING FAN CAN BECOME BLOCKED OR FROZEN WITH SNOW. THE FAN MOTOR MAY NOT ROTATE AND COULD OVERHEAT.
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.
Fix: DEALERS WILL INSTALL AN ELECTRICAL JUMPER HARNESS CONTAINING AN AUTOMATIC RESETTING CIRCUIT BREAKER TO PROTECT THE FAN MOTOR LOW SPEED CIRCUITRY FROM OVERHEATING.
- EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS:SWITCHCampaign 98V009000 · 21/01/1998
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE HEADLIGHTS CAN FLASH INTERMITTENTLY AS A RESULT OF THE CIRCUIT BREAKER OPENING. THE VEHICLE'S HEADLIGHTS CAN GO OUT FOR BRIEF INTERVALS.
Risk: LOSS OF HEADLIGHTS DURING VEHICLE OPERATION CAN AFFECT A DRIVER'S ABILITY TO NAVIGATE THE ROADWAY AND REDUCE THE VISIBILITY OF THE VEHICLE, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Fix: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A HEADLIGHT SWITCH THAT INCORPORATES A CRICUIT BREAKER OF REVISED DESIGN AND INSTALLATION OF A WIRING HARNESS CONNECTOR AND WIRING, IF NEEDED.
- 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.
Owner complaints
Most-reported areas
- ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING139
- POWER TRAIN92
- EXTERIOR LIGHTING25
- ELECTRICAL SYSTEM24
- VISIBILITY23
- SERVICE BRAKES23
- HYDRAULIC21
- VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL19
Read individual complaints (50 most recent)
These are unverified consumer reports filed with NHTSA, shown as submitted.
- 12/31/1999· SEAT BELTS
FAILURE OF PASSENGER SIDE SEAT BELT TO SECURE. *AK
- 12/30/1997· STEERING
STEERING WHEEL PROBLEMS.
- 12/30/1996· SEATS
DRIVER'S HEADREST GUIDE HEADS FAILED, PREVENTING HEADREST FROM BEING ADJUSTED.
- 12/29/1998· POWER TRAIN
THE PROBLEM STARTED ACCORDING TO MY RECORDS AROUND 77K. THE PROBLEM WAS FINNALLY DIAGNOSED AS TORQUE CONVERTER LOCK UP SHUTTER. CHANGING THE FLUID CORRECTS THE PROBLEM, BUT NOW ONLY LASTS ABOUT 4K MILES. I WOULD SAY THERE IS A MANUFACTURING PROBLEM WITH THE CONVERTER.
- 12/28/1999· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
FAILURE OF ENGINE HEAD GASKET LED TO ENGINE OVERHEATING AND FAILURE. *AK
- 12/26/2001· POWER TRAIN
WHEN APPROACHING A STOP SIGN OR LIGHT VEHICLE WILL STALL WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING. IN ORDER TO DRIVE FORWARD CONSUMER WOULD HAVE TO MOVE GEAR SHIFT TO REVERSE AND DRIVE. DEALERSHIP WAS AWARE OF PROBLEM. MECHANIC AT DEALERSHIP TOLD CONSUMER THAT SHE NEEDESD A TRANSMISSION REPLACEMENT.*AK
- 12/26/2000· POWER TRAIN
TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED AT ONLY 28500 MILES, CONSUMER IS REQUESTING A REFUND. *SLC
- 12/23/1998· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
THE MUFFLER CORRODED PREMATURELY, CAUSING THE CARBON MONOXIDE TO SPILL INTO THE VEHICLE. DEALER REFUSED TO REPLACE MUFFLER, RUST HOLE CAUSED BY METAL SUPPORT STRAP RUBBING INTO MUFFLER SHELL HOUSING. *AK.ET.
- 12/23/1997· POWER TRAIN
TRANSMISSION FAILED.
- 12/22/1998· EXTERIOR LIGHTING,INTERIOR LIGHTING
RECALL 98V009000/98S01. WHEN TURNING ON HEADLIGHT SWITCH, HEADLIGHTS INTERMITTENTLY COME ON. HOWEVER, WHEN PARKING HEADLIGHTS DON'T WORK. ALSO, THE TAIL AND DASH LIGHTS DON'T WORK. DEALER REPLACED HARNESS AND SWITCH, BUT VEHICLE DOES NOT COMPLY WITH THE RECALL. PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK
- 12/20/2000· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,UNKNOWN OR OTHER
VEHICLE STALLS INTERMITTENTLY AT ANY SPEED. HAS BEEN TO DEALER NUMEROUS TIMES, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON A LOT. *AK
- 12/20/2000· VISIBILITY
KNOCK WHEN ACCELERATING AFTER COASTING. AUTO IS 100% DEALER SERVICED. ENTIRE VEHICLE CHECKED FOR 4 DAYS AND CAUSE CANNOT BE DETERMINED. I WAS ADVISED THE FACTORY REPRESENTATIVE WOULD NOT RESPOND AS AUTO PAST WARRANTY PERIOD. *AK
- 12/20/1997· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
ENGINE GASKET FAILURE, A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS TYPE VEHICLE.
- 12/20/1997· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
BLOWN ENGINE GASKETS CAUSED COOLANT LOSS.
- 12/13/1996· POWER TRAIN
TRANSMISSION MALFUNCTIONED WHILE SITTING AT STOP SIGN, UPON PRESSING ACCELERATOR, VEHICLE HESITATED, THEN LURCHED FORWARD. TRANSMISSION SHOP INDICATES DEFECT IN TRANSMISSION PISTONS, MFR WON'T ASSIST, NOT FIXED. *AK
- 12/13/1995· AIR BAGSCrash
PASSENGERS AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY WHEN IN ACCIDENT. PLEASE DESCRIBE DETAILS. TT
- 12/12/2000· POWER TRAIN
TRANSMISSION FAILED. NLM
- 12/10/2001· EXTERIOR LIGHTING
TAIL LIGHTS ARE COMPLETELY OUT. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER, AND THE DEALER STATED THE A SWITCH FOR TAIL LIGHTS NEEDED REPLACING. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK
- 12/09/1997· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,POWER TRAIN
TRANSMISSION FAILED TWO TIMES, ENGINE MOUNTS FAILED.
- 12/08/1998· VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
CRUISE CONTROL FAILED TO DISENGAGE CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO STICK AT 73 MPH.
- 12/06/1999· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
NO SUMMARY
- 12/05/2001· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
WE PURCHASED VEHICLE IN OCT. OF 2000. WE NEVER RECEIVED ANY RECALL NOTICES. WHEN WE HAD HEAD GASKET FAILURE, WE CONTACTED FORD, AND THEY DENIED COVERAGE. SAID THE EXTENDED WARRANTY THAT THEY PROVIDED HAD EXPIRED. WERE UNWILLING TO RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. *AK
- 12/03/1997· POWER TRAIN
TRANSMISSION PISTONS FAILED PRIOR TO RECALL NOTIFICATION.
- 12/02/1997· EQUIPMENT
THE COMPRESSOR ON THE AIR CONDITIONER LOCKS UP.
- 12/01/1999· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
THE RIGHT FRONT ENGINE MOUNT HAS FAILED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. I DID NOT BUY EXTENDED WARRANTY COVERAGE WITH THIS CAR. THE FIRST FAILED 90 DAYS AFTER PURCHASE OF THE VEHICLE. I AM NOW ON THE FOURTH FAILED MOUNT. THESE ARE FLUID FILLED AND OBVIOUSLY NOT DESIGNED TO HANDLE THE TORQUE APPLIED. THEY START BY LEAKING AND THEN FOLLOW WITH ENGINE LIFT AND BUMP DURING ACCELERATION. ALL REPLACEMENTS HAVE BEEN PURCHASED THROUGH NAPA AUTO PARTS DEALERS IN MY AREA. I HAVE ASKED FOR A SOLID REPLACEMENT, BUT HAVE BEEN INFORMED THEY DO NOT EXIST.
- 11/30/2000· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
ACCORDING TO RECALL 00M09 AND A CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE, THE CONSUMER QUALIFIED FOR $4000 CUSTOMER FOCUS CERTIFICATE TOWARD THE PURCHASE OF A NEW OR LEASED LINCOLN/MERCURY, THE CONSUMER SPOKE WITH THE SERVICE MANAGER WHO STATED THAT HE DID NOT QUALIFY. *SLC
- 11/28/2000· STEERING
I HAVE HAD THE POWER STEERING PUMPS AND HOSES REPLACED TWO TIMES, THIS HAS COSTED ME OVER 600.00 DOLLARS AND IT IS STILL LEAKING FLUID ON MY EXHAUST CAUSING MY CAR TO SMOKE. *AK
- 11/28/1997· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
BRAKE CALIPERS LOCK UP CAUSING OVERHEATING, RESULTING IN DAMAGE TO ROTORS AND PADS.
- 11/26/1996· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
WHEN DRIVING ALONG AND TRYING TO STOP THE VEHICLE DRIVER HAS TO PUMP THE BRAKES HARD IN ORDER TO STOP THE VEHICLE. *AK
- 11/24/1999· POWER TRAIN
SPEEDOMETER MALFUNCTIONED REPEATEDLY. YH
- 11/23/1999· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
HAD THE VEHICLE SERVICED BY A LOCAL MECHANIC FOR HEATER PROBLEMS AND WAS TOLD THAT IT NEEDED A NEW ENGINE HEAD GASKET. IT LEAKS AIR INTO THE RADIATOR OR COOLING SYSTEM, AND THE WATER DOES CIRCULATE IN ORDER FOR THE HEATER TO WORK. CONTACTED THE DEALER. *AK
- 11/12/1999· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
ANTI- LOCK BRAKE FAILURE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. CAR WAS INSPECTED BY THE SERVICING DEALER AND WE WERE INSTRUCTED TO REPLACE THE ABS COMPUTER AT A COST OF $1,500. FAILURE TO DO SO, REPORTED THE SERVICE MANAGER, WOULD RESULT IN CONTINUING DEGRADATION OF THE BRAKING SYSTEM TO THE POINT OF COMPLETE FAILURE. I WILL PROVIDE VIN INFORMATION IF REQUIRED FOR FURTHER INVESTIGATION. WITH ONLY 29,000 MILES ON A WELL MAINTAINED CAR, FAILURE OF THE BRAKING SYSTEM WAS SHOCKING. *AK
- 11/12/1998· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
ENGINE CONTINUALLY STALLING, UNABLE TO DETERMINE CAUSE.
- 11/12/1997· POWER TRAIN
TRANSMISSION IS HAVING TROUBLE ENGAGING GEARS.
- 11/12/1997· FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
FUEL PUMP FAILED, CAUSING ENGINE TO STALL.
- 11/10/1997· POWER TRAIN
ALUMINUM CLUTCH PISTONS WORK PROPERLY UNTIL WARMED UP, THEN CONSUMER EXPERIENCES HESITATION/SUDDEN ACCELERATION. THE DEALERSHIP HAS REPLACED ALUMINUM PISTONS WITH STEEL PISTONS, CORRECTING THE FAILURE.
- 11/09/1999· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
WHILE DRIVING AT 45 MPH AND SHIFTING VEHICLE INTO GEAR THERE IS A KNOCKING NOISE DUE TO THE THREE OF THE MOTOR MOUNTS BREAKING. *AK
- 11/08/2001· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,POWER TRAIN
THE HEAD GASKETS ON MY CAR WHICH IS A 94 MERCURY SABLE W/ A 3.8 LITER V6 ENGINE. THE HEAD GASKET HAS FAILED ON MY CAR AND I WAS NOT INFORMED OF A EXTENDED WARRANTY NOT EVEN WHEN I CALLED MY DEALER AND ASKED FOR A QUOTE ON THE 94 SABLE WHICH I WAS QUOTED1350.00 , IF THE ENGINE IS GONE TO THEN 3000.00. I FEEL IT IS UNFAIR I AM BEING PENALIZED FOR A FAULTY PART I HAD NO KNOWLEDGE OF AND ONLY 300 MILES AFTER THE EXTENDED WARRANTY, THE COPY OF THE WARRANTY STATES TO HAVE THE HEAD GASKET CHANGED EVEN IF THERE IS NO PROBLEMS.*AK
- 11/05/1998· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
CONSUMER EXPERIENCING ONGOING PROBLEM WITH ROTORS GOING OUT OF ROUND. PROBLEM WOULD REOCCUR WITHIN 30000; DEALER NOTIFIED, AND INFORMED CONSUMER THAT THE VEHICLE IS OUT OF WARRANTY AND THE COST MUST GO TO CONSUMER. OWNER TOOK VEHICLE TO MECHANIC, ROTORS WERE TURNED DOWN. HE SAID THAT SOME FORD ROTORS ARE TOO SENSITIVE AND IF SOMEONE DOESN'T TIGHTEN THE LUG NUTS PROPERLY, THE ROTORS EASILY DISTORT. *AK *ML
- 11/05/1997· EXTERIOR LIGHTING,INTERIOR LIGHTING
EA96-019, WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE HEADLIGHTS AND DASHBOARD LIGHTS GO OFF INTERMITTENTLY, CAUSING A INCREASING RISK OF AN ACCIDENT. *AK
- 11/05/1997· POWER TRAIN
TORQUE CONVERTER SEAL BLEW.
- 11/04/1999· POWER TRAIN
THIS WILL BE THE THIRD TIME I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION AND I ALSO HAVE HAD TO REBUILD THE ENGINE. I ONLY HAD THE LAST TRANSMISSION REPLACED 14 MONTHS AGO. SOMETHING IS TERRIBLY WRONG TO HAVE TO REPLACE TRANSMISSION SO MANY TIMES.
- 11/04/1998· POWER TRAIN
WHEN LEAVING STOP LIGHT/SIGN & PRESSING ACCELERATOR PEDAL, VEHICLE WOULD JUMP OR JERK TO ANOTHER GEAR. TOOK TO DEALER & TOLD TRANSMISSION PISTON SEAL MADE OF ALUMINUM CAN BREAK & NOT STRONG ENOUGH FOR SABLE. *AK
- 11/02/2001· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
I HAVE EXPERINCED OVERHEATING W/ MY CAR FROM THE TIME OF PURCHASE THE ENGINE COOLING SYSTEM WAS INSPECTED AND SHOWED IT WAS FINE NOW I HAVE A BLOWN HEAD GASKET AT 90,000 MILES AFTER PAMPERING THE CAR FOR A YEAR AND A HALF. ONE DAY I WAS DRIVING AND AT A STOP LIGHT THE CAR STALLED , I RESTARTED AND A BLUE SMOKE CAME OUT OF THE REAR AFTER HAVEING A MECHANIC LOOK INTO IT , HE DTERMINED IT WAS THE HEAD GASKET.
- 11/02/2000· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
AFTER DRIVING FROM SOME TIME DURING HOT WEATHER, AND IN HEAVY TRAFFIC WITH SLOW SPEEDS, THE ENGINE LOSES POWER FOR NO APPARENT REASON. THE ENGINE WILL NOT RESTART UNTIL 1/2 TO 1 HOURS COOLDOWN TIME HAD PASSED. I BELEIVE THIS IS RELATED TO THE IMPROPER PLACEMENT OF THE TFI MODULE. MY FAMILY, INCLUDING 2 CHILDREN, WERE STUCK IN THE MIDDLE TURNING LANE IN BUSY TRAFFIC DUE TO THIS FAULTY MODULE. THIS OCCURED TWICE DURING OUR VACATION IN JUNE, BOTH DRIVING TO AND RETURNING FROM SUNRIVER, OREGON. I HAVE NOTIFIED FORD MOTOR COMPANY. THEY HAVE RESPONDED BY SIMPLY SAYING THAT THE GOVERNEMENT HAS NOT ISSUED A RECALL DUE TO THIS ITEM. I WOULD LIKE TO ADVISED YOU THAT THIS IS A DANGEROUS PROBLEM WHICH SHOULD BE CORRECTED.*AK
- 11/01/2001· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
WHILE PUTTING ON BRAKES THEY SQUEAK VERY LOUDLY. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK
- 11/01/1995· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
ABS: WHEN APPLYING BRAKES AND HITTING BUMP AT SAME TIME, PEDAL COMES UP IN AIR; PEDAL HARD CAUSING NO BRAKES. TT
- 10/30/1999· POWER TRAIN
I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW WHY A SAFETY ISSUE IS NOT CONSIDERED TO BE A PROBLEM BY FORD. IT IS A BIG SAFTEY ISSUE TO ME WHEN A CAR CAN CRASH OR INJURE/KILL A PEDESTRIAN
- 10/29/1997· AIR BAGSCrash
AIR BAG: DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 3OMPH, DEER RAN OUT IN FRONT OF CAR, SWERVED TO KEEP FROM HITTING DEER . CAR WENT DOWN AN ENBANKMENT ABOUT 20 FEET DEEP, HIT A HUMP AND CAR WENT AIRBORNE, LANDED NOSE DOWN, AND THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. *AK
- 10/26/1999· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
ENGINE HEAD GASKET BLEW OUT AT 30,000 MILES, CAUSING OIL TO GET INTO ENGINE, AND RESULTING IN VEHICLE STALLING. *AK