How many recalls does the 1990 Mercury Sable have?

The 1990 Mercury Sable has 5 NHTSA safety recall campaigns on record.

How do I check if my 1990 Mercury Sable has an open recall?

Enter your 17-character VIN at NHTSA's official recall lookup (nhtsa.gov/recalls) to see open, unrepaired recalls for your specific vehicle. Recall repairs are free.

What do owners complain about most on the 1990 Mercury Sable?

Of 220 NHTSA complaints on file, the most-reported component is engine and engine cooling.

1990 Mercury Sable Recalls

Recalls on record Updated July 2026

The 1990 Mercury Sable has 5 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting an estimated 4,243,900 vehicles. Recall repairs are always free at any authorized dealer. Owners have filed 220 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.

SEAT BELTS 92V113000 1992-08-17 565,000 affected

Defect

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…

Consequence

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.

Remedy

FORD WILL REPLACE THE RIGID MOUNTED SAFETY BELT BUCKLES WITH END RELEASE SAFETY BELT BUCKLES DESIGNED TO PREVENT LATCH PROBLEMS.

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.

EXTERIOR LIGHTING 89V171000 1989-10-13 2,900 affected

Defect

AN INCORRECT TRANSISTOR MAY CAUSE AUTOLAMP SYSTEM LIGHT SENSOR MODULE MALFUNCTION.

Consequence

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.

Remedy

REPLACE LIGHT SENSOR MODULES.

Complaints by component

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL

STEERING:LINKAGES:TIE ROD ASSEMBLY

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS

SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY

AIR BAGS

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION

111

Total complaints220

What owners report

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

“My wife owns a 1990 mercury sable. She as well has complained about a sticky gas pedal. I myself have drove the car when the gas pedal was sticking and the car accelerated. Sometimes when we have put our foot on the gas pedal the car will not accelerate until we push alittle harder then the car…”

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL · reported 2009-06-01

“Vehicle -- 1990 mercury sable station wagon, 3.8 engine experienced loss of steering control due to failure of engine/transmission lower subframe mount failing. Subsequent motion also breached both rear brake lines with major loss of braking power. With significant effort, I was able to maintain…”

STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS · reported 2008-07-01

“Car cruised just fine 25 miles to town, got all my stuff done in town, pulled up to a stop sign on a hill and the car would not move, engine ran just fine, the transmission would not shift into gear, car only has 110k on it, had to roll back off the road and stop, park gear worked, after an hour…”

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION · reported 2008-04-18

“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.”

WHEELS:RIM · reported 2006-12-04

“The transmission slips bucking the car out of control when idling along with the aluminum pistons being damaged. The car jumps forward which causes unneccesary accidents and causes the car to stall on busy streets. A new transmission was needed and all new pistons due to a bad design. There is a…”

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION · reported 2005-03-10

“While driving 20 mph, the vehicle suddenly accelerated without the pedal being applied. The brake pedal was immediately applied in an attempt to stop the acceleration, but failed to do so. The vehicle had to be turned off and the keys removed from the ignition before the vehicle started…”

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL · reported 2004-07-12

“Engine problems. *ak”

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE · reported 2003-06-02

“While traveling on a side street heard a noise coming from driver's side wheel. Rear coil spring broke. Dealership was aware of problem.*ak”

SUSPENSION:REAR:SPRINGS · reported 2002-07-07

Defect investigations

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

ALLEGED DEFECTIVE TIE RODS

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

BRAKE DISC HUB SEPARATIONS

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

BRAKE DISC HUB SEPARATIONS

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