RecallRepo

1988 Mercury Sable Recalls

Recalls on record Updated July 2026

The 1988 Mercury Sable has 5 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting an estimated 5,564,000 vehicles. Recall repairs are always free at any authorized dealer. Owners have filed 189 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the engine and engine cooling. 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 THIS RECALL CAMPAIGN HAS BEEN SUPERSEDED BY RECALL 98V-323.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.

SEATS 91V036000 1991-03-04 278,000 affected
Defect

THE POWER SEAT SWITCH WIRING IS ROUTED OVER RATHER THAN UNDER THE FRONT SEAT SUPPORT BRACE, ALLOWING DAMAGE BY SEAT CUSHION SPRING ENDS WHEN SEAT IS OCCUPIED.

Consequence

POWER SEAT SWITCH WIRING INSULATION MAY BECOME ABRADED,OR PUNCTURED, AND AN ELECTRICAL SHORT COULD OCCUR THAT COULD RESULT IN A FIREIN THE SEAT CUSHION MATERIAL.

Remedy

REVISE ROUTING OF POWER SEAT WIRING TO PREVENT DAMAGE FROM SEAT CUSHION SPRING CONTACT.

Complaints by component

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
20
2fires
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
17
1fires
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
13
8fires
STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST:HOSE, PIPING, AND CONNECTIONS
9
4fires
STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS
8
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
6
4fires
EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER
6
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY
6
STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR
6
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
6
1crashes
Total complaints189

What owners report

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

“Transmission has failed twice. Currently in the vehicle radio light and dome light intermittenly comes on. Horn also honks as I drive . Steering wheel feels wobbly and there are popping noises come from around the steering column. Front passenger seat lumbar button is stuck. Tires have been…”

STEERING: STEERING WHEEL/HANDLE BAR · reported 2002-09-25

“Transmission has failed twice. Currently in the vehicle radio light and dome light intermittenly comes on. Horn also honks as I drive . Steering wheel feels wobbly and there are popping noises come from around the steering column. Front passenger seat lumbar button is stuck. Tires have been…”

TIRES · reported 2002-09-25

“Transmission has failed twice. Currently in the vehicle radio light and dome light intermittenly comes on. Horn also honks as I drive . Steering wheel feels wobbly and there are popping noises come from around the steering column. Front passenger seat lumbar button is stuck. Tires have been…”

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM · reported 2002-09-25

“Transmission has failed twice. Currently in the vehicle radio light and dome light intermittenly comes on. Horn also honks as I drive . Steering wheel feels wobbly and there are popping noises come from around the steering column. Front passenger seat lumbar button is stuck. Tires have been…”

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION · reported 2002-09-25

“Transmission has failed twice. Currently in the vehicle radio light and dome light intermittenly comes on. Horn also honks as I drive . Steering wheel feels wobbly and there are popping noises come from around the steering column. Front passenger seat lumbar button is stuck. Tires have been…”

UNKNOWN OR OTHER · reported 2002-09-25

“Transmission has failed twice. Currently in the vehicle radio light and dome light intermittenly comes on. Horn also honks as I drive . Steering wheel feels wobbly and there are popping noises come from around the steering column. Front passenger seat lumbar button is stuck. Tires have been…”

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DRUM · reported 2002-09-25

“Power assist hose is too close to exhaust manifold. Heat is burning a hole through rubber hose, causing fluid leakages and loss of power steering assist. Also, can lead to a possible fire. Dealer was notified and informed consumer that they have a heat service shield kit available at a cost to the…”

STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST:HOSE, PIPING, AND CONNECTIONS · reported 2001-07-18

“Power assist hose is too close to exhaust manifold. Heat is burning a hole through rubber hose, causing fluid leakages and loss of power steering assist. Also, can lead to a possible fire. Dealer was notified and informed consumer that they have a heat service shield kit available at a cost to the…”

STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM · reported 2001-07-18

Defect investigations

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

ALLEGED DEFECTIVE TIE RODS

ALLEGED DEFECTIVE TIE RODS

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

HEAD REST DROPS

===

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 PE92014 Opened 1992-02-04 · closed 1992-06-25

ENGINE MOUNT FAILURE

There is no summary currently available

Investigation PE92044 Opened 1992-04-27 · closed 1992-08-31

POWER STEERING LEAKS/FIRES

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 PE93065 Opened 1993-07-15 · closed 1993-11-30

UNDERBODY FUEL LINE FAILS

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 1988 Mercury Sable as of July 5, 2026. Complaint narratives are consumer-submitted and unverified. This page contains ads and affiliate links. Full methodology.