1986 Mercury Sable
Safety record from NHTSA: recalls, owner complaints, investigations and service bulletins.
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Vehicles › Mercury › Sable › 1986
These records cover every 1986 Mercury Sable. To see whether one car still needs a recall repair, decode its VIN or check it with NHTSA.
Recalls
9 recalls name the 1986 Mercury Sable. Newest first.
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…
Risk and remedy
Risk
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.
The arc welds on the sway bar bracket, where it attaches to the strut reserve tube, did not fuse properly.
Risk and remedy
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.
Remedy
Monroe dealers will replace the strut free of charge.
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, massachusetts, michigan, new hampshire…
Risk and remedy
Risk
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 accident.
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 this recall campaign has been superseded by recall 98v-323.
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 and remedy
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.
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.
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 and remedy
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.
Remedy
Replace front brake rotors with full cast front brake rotors.
Spring lock fuel line coupling may not be properly engaged.
Risk and remedy
Risk
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.
Road salt induced erosion of the wiper motor conductor strips could cause localized thermal stress within the glass.
Risk and remedy
Risk
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.
The right quarter windows may contain glass which was improperly tempered. this glass may yield pieces larger than the maximum allowed by fmvss 205, glazing material. consequence of defect: in case of an accident these large…
Risk and remedy
Risk
If the car IS left unattended with the key removed and the ignition switch not in lock position, the car can be easily stolen. studies have shown that stolen cars are frequently involved in accidents.
Remedy
Ignition lock switch cylinder will be replaced.
Owner complaints
46 complaints6 involved a fire2 injuries
What owners report most
Latest complaints
- Power train › Automatic transmission
After driving and coming to a stop the automatic transmission goes into neutral. stepping on the gas pedal caused the transmission to rev up quite high while still staying in neutral until, suddenly the transmission will kick into gear and "burn rubber" causing the car to lurch forward in an "uncontrolled" way at high speed. *nlm
- Service brakes, hydraulic › Foundation components › Disc › Caliper
Brake caliper IS hanging out, causing hub cap to melt onto the tire.*ak
- Structure › Frame and members
Subframe welds broke and frame dropped while driving 30 mph. No injuries. there IS a recall but this vehicle IS not affected.*jbsubframe mounting bolts/brackets broke on both sides of the rear mounts causing the engine and transaxle to fall backward and make steering impossible. *jg
- Electrical system › Ignition
No summary listed for above vehicle. *Ak
- Seats
Bolt intact, mount failed, metal failure. *Ak
- Visibility › Power window devices and controls
While sitting on driver's side with children sitting in rear seat, a person alerted consumer that one of the children got stuck between window of vehicle, where power window could not be activated. *ak
- Vehicle speed control
While traveling without any indication rmps would run high. Then, soon after vehicle would stall. please provide further information.*ak
- Electrical system › Ignition
When driving vehicle became very hot/stalled and came to a complete stop due to the tfi ignition module being too close and mounted on the side of the distributor. consumer has contacted the dealer. Please provide any further details. *ak
- Visibility › Windshield
Windshield IS cracked on the driver's side. consumer stated she bought vehicle as it IS, and she wants to fill out a safety complaint. *ak
- Seat belts › Integrated child seat
Re century infant seat smartfit plu model # 4529stc, baby's head swings from side to side while sleeping because angle of seat IS more of a sitting position; as a result, baby has pinched nerve in neck area and receiving medical treatment; also baby's cheeks have bruises from plastic buckles. *ak
- Structure › Frame and members
Rear subframe bolts and nuts failed prior to recall notice. nlm (recall #98s36) 98v-323.
- Structure › Frame and members
Recall 98s36 front body mounts on the rear corner of the subframe not yet repaired due to dealer scheduling problem.
- Structure › Frame and members
Recall component of subframe mounts possibly caused loss of control and vehicle rollover and injury, consumer notified after incident of recall.(attorney for consumer).
- Structure › Frame and members
Difficulty having subframe mount nuts repaired under recall, due to dealership/manufacturer problems. (98V-323)
- Structure › Frame and members
Rear subframe broke away at the lower body mounts with no previous indication. the driver was unable to steer. The dealer IS aware of recall notice 92s61 with ford manufacturer, which IS the same problem. dealer IS replacing the bolts to the body of the car. *ak
- Seat belts › Front › Buckle assembly
The driver's and passenger's side shoulder seat belts are inoperative due to the buckle separating. consumer has contacted the dealer. *Ak *slc
- Engine and engine cooling › Engine · Power train › Automatic transmission › Cooling unit and lines
While driving transmission malfunctioned due to a leak from transmission's cooling unit and lines. also, motor mounts failed, causing vehicle to vibrate/shake and stall. consumer had to put vehicle in repair shop for repairs. *ML
- Structure › Frame and members
The engine and transmission separated from each other, making it impossible to steer the vehicle. There IS a recall on vehicle. *Ak
- Power train › Automatic transmission
Transmission IS going out, causing transmission not to shift into gear and the vehicle vibrates/stalls and shuts down while driving. *ak
- Seats
Bolt in the seat IS broken, causing the consumer's seat to move forward when driving. When consumer stops the seat will move, and can hear some noise coming from the seat, as if the motor in the seat IS running, but the seat IS broke. *ak
- Engine and engine cooling › Engine › Gasoline · Steering · Structure › Frame and members
While driving at 25 to 30 mph the vehicle shut down. the sub-frame separated from the rear corner of the vehicle which supports the transmission. also, poor steering. *ak
- Seat belts › Front › Anchorage
Seat seat fell apart.
- Structure › Body
Paint IS faded.
- Engine and engine cooling › Engine › Gasoline
While driving the vehicle loses all power. This has happened several times. *ak after vehicle stalls, it starts right up, dealer can not find problem. *slc
- Equipment › Electrical · Power train
The digital computer went dim on the speed odometer. consumer states speed can not be read during the day and at night it IS very difficult to read. *slc
Defect investigations
NHTSA’s Office of Defects Investigation opened these reviews into vehicles including this one.
- 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
- Polycast road wheel cracks
There is no summary currently available
- Sub-frm/unibody absor.fail
There is no summary currently available
- Sub-frm/unibody absor.fail
There is no summary currently available
- Storage compar suffocation
===
- Fires in ignition switch
There is no summary currently available
- Storage compar suffocation
There is no summary currently available
- Door handles breakage
There is no summary currently available
- Brake disc hub separations
===
- Throttle sticking
There is no summary currently available
- Brake disc hub failure
There is no summary currently available
- Throttle sticking
There is no summary currently available
- Speed control failure
There is no summary currently available
- Front seat bracket
Summary:the loss of vehicle control appears to be the potentialconsequence of a seat bracket failure.===
- 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.===
- 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===
- Head rest drops
===
- Stalling
===
- High brake pedal effort
===
- Steering binding
Based on an odi failure report analysis showing 6 complaints, 4 accidentsand 3 inujuries, a preliminary evaluation was opened and an informationrequest was sent to ford.subsequently, odi received 4 additional com-plaints.further information was developed which led to deletion of 4complaints and the accidents and…
Based on an odi failure report analysis showing 6 complaints, 4 accidentsand 3 inujuries, a preliminary evaluation was opened and an informationrequest was sent to ford.subsequently, odi received 4 additional com-plaints.further information was developed which led to deletion of 4complaints and the accidents and injuries.in one of the accidents, thepolice report cited the driver for inattention to driving and in anotherthe police report cited the driver for following too closely.in thethird report it was noted that the allegation was for steering separationand not binding.two other complaints were evaluated as not being relatedto the steering binding which IS the subject of this inquiry.ford's response to the information request disclosed that the company hadbeen aware of a condition described as temporary loss of assistance(tla) in steering in early production of the taurus/sable nameplates.significantly, ford field representatives sent 167 reports to ford's===
Service bulletins
Technical service bulletins and other communications the manufacturer sent dealers about this vehicle. Ask a dealer for the full document by its number.
- 6090087Information on identifying non-approved / alternate refrigerants which could cause safety, and performance concerns if installed in ford a/c systems.
- 6090051Service tip information on revised oil pan gasket replacement procedure.
- 6089681Subject on a wire harness terminal repair kit available for repairing electrical wiring harnesses.
- 3031400Unknown
- 623988Information regarding transmission fluid usage charts. *Slc
- 623944Some vehicles may exhibit heater core leaks. *Slc
- 622665On some vehicles, engine oil may continue to leak from the engine oil pan gasket area after an engine oil pan gasket repair has been performed.
- 612203Information regarding the new transmission cooler flusher- service tip. *Mjs
- 608431Information on the new flush and fill tool available through rotunda.
- 604059Ford motor company has released a new electrical grease ( F8AZ - 19g208-aa ) to reduce the possibility of moisture corrosion at the terminals.
- 603573A revised forward clutch inner seal for the axod, axode, AX4S & AX4N transaxle IS available with improved sealing and reduced chance of the seal rolling during installation.
- 601343A new silicone gasket and sealant.
- 601312Information on a buzzing or rattle noise from the exhaust system.
- 601290Information on tire company telephone numbers for customer assistance.
- 601269Announcing the ford oem air conditioning retrofit kit availability.
- 601238Information on a new transmission fluid usage chart.
- 601012The use of petroleum-based grease as a lubricant in servicing disc brakes IS no longer acceptable.
- 600591Transaxles use a new transmission fluid.
- 600586Front and rear bumpers made of xenoy plastic have had the conductive primer removed from service parts.
- 53660Vehicles exhibiting a "squeaking" or "chirping" from the blower motor at low blower motor speeds.
- 51990Blower motor- "chirping" or "squeaking" from blower motor at low speeds.
- 51945Fluid- transmission fluid usage charts.
- 51682Blower motor- "chirp" or "squeak" from blower motor at low speeds.
- 50997Transaxle - torque converter replacement guidelines and torque converter/transaxle cooling system cleaning procedures - service tip.
- 50940Windshield and interior glass - fog/film.
- 50908Torque converter - leak test procedure - service tip.
- 50905Wiring - electrical diode identification and service replacements.
- 50542Procedure for updating the calibration from R-11 to R-12 for stalling on decel & misfire codes on 3.0L vehicles.
- 50503Information for concerns of grunt or groan during wheel return from full right turn.
- 46478The use of petroleum-based grease as a lubricant in servicing disc brakes IS no longer acceptable because it may be incompatible with the rubber material used in the disc brake system. If petroleum-based grease IS used to lubricate any part of the disc brake system, it could cause rubber parts to swell if lubricant contacts the rubber material.
- 45937The torque converter identification codes have been revised as of 3/1/95.
- 42077Unknown
- 39903Chirp or squeak noise from blower motor at low speeds.
- 39900Roughness concern during brake application.
- 39884Chirp or squeak from blower motor.
- 39880Premature wear on inner edges of rear tires may be caused by rear camber and toe settings that are not within specification.
- 39127Premature wear on the inner edges of rear tires.
- 39119Erratic distance-to-empty and fuel gauge readings.
- 37891Some axod chain covers were overdrilled in the overdrive servo apply circuit, causing the overdrive band to be applied at all times.
- 37756Vehicles may exhibit a clicking noise from the front struts.
Every Mercury Sable model year
Bars are owner complaints, dots mark years with recalls. Select a year to open its report.