1987 Mercury Sable Recalls

Recalls on record Updated July 2026

The 1987 Mercury Sable has 8 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting an estimated 8,919,345 vehicles. Recall repairs are always free at any authorized dealer. Owners have filed 105 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the electrical system. Last updated July 5, 2026.

Recall campaigns

STRUCTURE 98V323000 1998-12-16 2,697,000 affected
Defect

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,…

Consequence

IF BOTH REAR CORNERS DROP, STEERING WOULD BECOME SUDDENLY VERY DIFFICULT, AFFECTING VEHICLE CONTROL AND INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL INSTALL SUBFRAME REAR MOUNT BOLTS, REINFORCEMENT PLATES, AND PLATE NUTS.

STRUCTURE 93V106000 1993-06-23 1,610,000 affected
Defect

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: TAURUS AND SABLES BUILT FROM 10-14-85 THROUGH 8-19-88, AND LINCOLN CONTINENTALS BUILT FROM 11-4-87 THROUGH 9-30-88 (EXCEPT 1989 - 1991 2.5L TAURUS AND 1989 - 1992 SHO). THE AFFECTED CARS WERE ORIGINALLY SOLD OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE FOLLOWING STATES: CONNECTICUT, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, MAINE,…

Consequence

IF ONE OF THE REAR CORNERS DROPS, ONLY MINOR INDICATIONS OF A MALFUNCTION SUCH AS A CLUNKING NOISE OR SLIGHT CHANGE IN STEERING WHEEL ALIGNMENT ARE NOTICEABLE. HOWEVER, IF BOTH REAR CORNERS OF THE SUBFRAME DROP, STEERING BECOMES VERY DIFFICULT, WHICH COULD ADVERSELY AFFECT VEHICLE CONTROL AND POSSIBLY RESULT IN AN…

Remedy

INSTALL A CORROSION-RESISTANT REINFORCING PLATE AND A NEW BOLT ON BOTH REAR SUBFRAME MOUNTS. THIS RECALL CAMPAIGN HAS BEEN SUPERSEDED BY RECALL 98V-323.

WHEELS 92V065000 1992-05-11 654,000 affected
Defect

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.

Consequence

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.

Remedy

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 91V134000 1991-08-06 325,000 affected
Defect

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.

Consequence

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…

Remedy

REPLACE FRONT BRAKE ROTORS WITH FULL CAST FRONT BRAKE ROTORS.

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE 87V139000 1987-09-04 3,600,000 affected
Defect

SPRING LOCK FUEL LINE COUPLING MAY NOT BE PROPERLY ENGAGED.

Consequence

COUPLING COULD DISENGAGE DUE TO FUEL PRESSURE,VIBRATION, AND ENGINE MOVEMENTS; THIS WOULD CAUSE LOSS OF FUEL WHICH, INPRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, CREATES A FIRE RISK.

Remedy

INSTALL RETAINER CLIPS OVER THE COUPLINGS TO PREVENT COUPLING SEPARATION AND FUEL LEAKAGE.

VISIBILITY 87V017000 1987-02-19 28,000 affected
Defect

ROAD SALT INDUCED EROSION OF THE WIPER MOTOR CONDUCTOR STRIPS COULD CAUSE LOCALIZED THERMAL STRESS WITHIN THE GLASS.

Consequence

GLASS COULD FRACTURE WHILE STATION WAGON IS BEING DRIVENOR PARKED, CREATING A RISK OF INJURY TO OCCUPANTS OR SUDDEN DISTRACTION TO THEDRIVER.

Remedy

APPLY SEALANT TO CONDUCTOR STRIPS AND PROTECTIVE TAPE TO LOWER BACKLITES.

SUSPENSION 86V148000 1986-11-07 631 affected
Defect

LEFT AND/OR RIGHT REAR SPINDLE ASSEMBLIES MAY HAVE BEEN IMPROPERLY HEAT TREATED. CONSEQUENCE OF DEFECT: IF SPINDLE STEM SEPARATES, LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL COULD OCCUR WITHOUT…

Remedy

REPLACE REAR SPINDLE.

STEERING 86V144000 1986-10-28 4,714 affected
Defect

STEERING SHAFT ASSEMBLIES CONTAIN LOWER SHAFTS OF INSUFFICIENT LENGTH FOR PROPER ATTACHMENT TO THE SHAFT INSULATOR FLANGE. CONSEQUENCE OF DEFECT: SHAFT COULD SEPARATE, RESULTING IN TOTAL LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL…

Remedy

REPLACE STEERING SHAFT ASSEMBLY, AS NECESSARY.

Complaints by component

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
10
5fires
STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS
10
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
8
1crashes1injuries
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
5
STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR
5
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
4
1fires
SEATS
4
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
3
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY
3
1crashes2injuries
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER
3
Total complaints105

What owners report

Verbatim reports filed with NHTSA, lightly edited for readability and with personal information removed.

“Vehicle experienced same problem as nhtsa 98v323000. Subframe bushings broke loose cause near accident and loss of steering. Local ford motor company denied to fix because of vin number.”

STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS · reported 2006-06-01

“While driving 65 mph and when depressing the brakes consumer was unable to stop the vehicle. This caused a rear end collision. Drivers side seat belt unlatched, and driver sustained injuries. *ak”

SEAT BELTS · reported 2004-07-09

“While driving 65 mph and when depressing the brakes consumer was unable to stop the vehicle. This caused a rear end collision. Drivers side seat belt unlatched, and driver sustained injuries. *ak”

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC · reported 2004-07-09

“Drivers seat broke loose from mount. Seat rocks forward and back. Door ajar light stays on all the time. Doors are closed. Fuel gauge inaccurate.*ak”

SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER · reported 2004-05-03

“Drivers seat broke loose from mount. Seat rocks forward and back. Door ajar light stays on all the time. Doors are closed. Fuel gauge inaccurate.*ak”

STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR · reported 2004-05-03

“Drivers seat broke loose from mount. Seat rocks forward and back. Door ajar light stays on all the time. Doors are closed. Fuel gauge inaccurate.*ak”

FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER:STORAGE:FUEL GAUGE SYSTEM · reported 2004-05-03

“While driving light for driver's door will illuminate. Driver's side door will then unlock on its own. Cause of problem is unknown. Dealer has not been contacted. Please provide any further information.*ak”

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM · reported 2002-01-29

“While driving light for driver's door will illuminate. Driver's side door will then unlock on its own. Cause of problem is unknown. Dealer has not been contacted. Please provide any further information.*ak”

STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR · reported 2002-01-29

Defect investigations

Investigation DP95004 Opened 1995-08-08 · closed 1995-08-30

ALLEGED DEFECTIVE TIE RODS

ALLEGED DEFECTIVE TIE RODS

Investigation EA88032 Opened 1988-04-22 · closed 1990-01-12

STALLING

===

Investigation EA89023 Opened 1989-05-25 · closed 1990-05-22

FRONT SEAT BRACKET

SUMMARY:THE LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL APPEARS TO BE THE POTENTIALCONSEQUENCE OF A SEAT BRACKET FAILURE.===

Investigation EA90042 Opened 1990-08-31 · closed 1991-12-31

THROTTLE STICKING

There is no summary currently available

Investigation EA90045 Opened 1990-09-28 · closed 1991-09-12

BRAKE DISC HUB SEPARATIONS

===

Investigation EA90045 Opened 1990-09-28 · closed 1991-09-12

BRAKE DISC HUB SEPARATIONS

===

Investigation EA91042 Opened 1991-10-28 · closed 1992-05-21

STORAGE COMPAR SUFFOCATION

===

Investigation EA92040 Opened 1992-11-30 · closed 1993-06-30

SUB-FRM/UNIBODY ABSOR.FAIL

There is no summary currently available

Investigation EA92040 Opened 1992-11-30 · closed 1993-06-30

SUB-FRM/UNIBODY ABSOR.FAIL

There is no summary currently available

Investigation EA94008 Opened 1994-02-16 · closed 1995-02-27

BROKEN TIE RODS

There is no summary currently available

Investigation PE88014 Opened 1988-01-15 · closed 1988-05-26

HIGH BRAKE PEDAL EFFORT

===

Investigation PE89006 Opened 1988-10-19 · closed 1989-06-26

HEAD REST DROPS

===

Investigation PE89007 Opened 1988-10-19 · closed 1989-05-25

FRONT SEAT BRACKET

BRIEFING NOTES ODISCUSSION OF THE REPORTED DEFECT & ITS CONSEQUENCES OFAILURE MILEAGE ANALYSIS OWARRANTY DATA ANALYSIS OFORD'S BODY & CHASSIS ENGINEERING REPORT OCOMPARISON WITH OTHER SEAT-TRACK ANALYSES===

Investigation PE89091 Opened 1989-02-17 · closed 1989-07-13

EXHAUST GAS INTRUSION

SUMMARY: OWNERS COMPLAIN OF EXHAUST GASES, INCLUDING HYDROGEN SULFIDE,LEAKING INTO THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT CAUSING NAUSEA, HEADACHES, ANDDISCOMFORT.HYDROGEN SULFIDE (H2S) IS A COLORLESS, FLAMMABLE, ANDVERY POISONOUS GAS.===

Investigation PE90019 Opened 1989-11-27 · closed 1990-03-27

SPEED CONTROL FAILURE

There is no summary currently available

Investigation PE90066 Opened 1990-03-27 · closed 1990-08-31

THROTTLE STICKING

There is no summary currently available

Investigation PE90071 Opened 1990-04-02 · closed 1990-06-28

BRAKE DISC HUB FAILURE

There is no summary currently available

Investigation PE91036 Opened 1991-01-22 · closed 1991-05-22

DOOR HANDLES BREAKAGE

There is no summary currently available

Investigation PE91108 Opened 1991-08-01 · closed 1991-10-28

STORAGE COMPAR SUFFOCATION

There is no summary currently available

Investigation PE91128 Opened 1991-09-17 · closed 1992-01-27

FIRES IN IGNITION SWITCH

There is no summary currently available

Investigation PE92056 Opened 1992-07-01 · closed 1992-11-30

SUB-FRM/UNIBODY ABSOR.FAIL

There is no summary currently available

Investigation PE93058 Opened 1993-06-15 · closed 1994-02-16

BROKEN TIE RODS

There is no summary currently available

Investigation PE93100 Opened 1993-12-02 · closed 1994-06-30

POLYCAST ROAD WHEEL CRACKS

There is no summary currently available

Investigation RQ97009 Opened 1997-08-29 · closed 1999-02-16

REAR LOWER SUBFRAME ASSEMBLY

TO DETERMINE WHETHER THE CARS THAT WERE NOT INCLUDED IN THE SAFETY RECALL 93V-106 SHOULD BE RECALLED DUE TO THE SAME FAILURE PHENOMENON, AND TO DETERMINE IF THERE IS REMEDY FAILURE ISSUE

Investigation RQ97009 Opened 1997-08-29 · closed 1999-02-16

REAR LOWER SUBFRAME ASSEMBLY

TO DETERMINE WHETHER THE CARS THAT WERE NOT INCLUDED IN THE SAFETY RECALL 93V-106 SHOULD BE RECALLED DUE TO THE SAME FAILURE PHENOMENON, AND TO DETERMINE IF THERE IS REMEDY FAILURE ISSUE

Sources & methodology

Recall, complaint, and investigation records from official NHTSA datasets (FLAT_RCL, FLAT_CMPL, FLAT_INV), synced weekly. Counts reflect NHTSA records for the 1987 Mercury Sable as of July 5, 2026. Complaint narratives are consumer-submitted and unverified. This page contains ads and affiliate links. Full methodology.