1990 Mercury Sable
Safety record from NHTSA: recalls, owner complaints, investigations and service bulletins.
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Vehicles › Mercury › Sable › 1990
These records cover every 1990 Mercury Sable. To see whether one car still needs a recall repair, decode its VIN or check it with NHTSA.
Recalls
7 recalls name the 1990 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.
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 third possible defect IS that the tongue…
Risk and remedy
Risk
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.
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.
Threaded inflator components may have been damaged during assembly which may allow components to separate when inflator receives a signal to deploy the air bag.
Risk and remedy
Risk
Inflator component separation allows hot combustion gases to escape into the passenger compartment which could result in injuries to vehicle occupants.
Remedy
Replace air bag modules containing potentially defective inflators.
An incorrect transistor may cause autolamp system light sensor module malfunction.
Risk and remedy
Risk
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.
Owner complaints
166 complaints13 involved a crash19 involved a fire10 injuries
What owners report most
Latest complaints
- Vehicle speed control
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…
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 takes off so quickly it could cause an accident. There was several occasions then the car accelerated while driving normally down the road. I was able to put the car in neutral and then brake to a safe stop. We found that the drivers side floor mat was part of the problem getting up under the gas pedal. We removed the floor mat but the car still has a sticky gas pedal. We took the car to a certified auto repair shop to complain about the gas pedal, but they found nothing wrong. I'm telling you this doesn't happen every time, but more often then not the gas pedal sticks. Its just a matter of time before my wife would get into an accident, unless we find a way to fix this. She has not driven the car for over 6 months now because she IS afraid of it. We don't feel comfortable with trying to sell the car as it could cause someone else an injury. *Tr
- Structure › Frame and members
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 control of the vehicle. *tr
- Power train › Automatic transmission
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…
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 car still would not shift into gear, 4 days later I went out to try it again and the thing went into all gears and took off. *tr
- Wheels › Rim
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.
- Power train › Automatic transmission
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…
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 website www.visi.com/~bruns/results2.html that contains about 50 complaints about the transmission on this car. Ford should take responsibility for this, it was a bad design and they should take the heat for it. Thank you.
- Vehicle speed control
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…
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 decelerating. *Nm when the vehicle was started and changed from park to drive the vehicle went off without applying the accelerator pedal. the engine made a loud noise. when the consumer released the brake pedal the vehicle went faster. *sc *jb
- Engine and engine cooling › Engine
Engine problems. *ak
- Steering › Steering wheel/handle bar
Consumer can hear noise in steering column which can result in loss of steering. Cause unknown. Dealer notified.*ak
- Suspension › Rear › Springs
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
- Steering › Linkages › Tie rod assembly
Heard a clicking noise in front of vehicle. While backing out of driveway inner tie rod broke off. tie rod ball was rusted in the socket. Contacted dealer, and dealer replaced tire rod.*ak
- Suspension › Front › Springs › Coil springs
Front left coil spring broke . Vehicle not included in recall 98i002000. please give any further details. *ak
- Structure › Frame and members
Vehicle was at an intersection at a light and was about to move when another vehicle hit consumer's vehicle. when consumer lifted foot from brakes vehicle started to drift into another lane. started to turn vehicle left and right, but steering wouldn't turn. mechanic stated that a subframe broke dealership was aware of problem.*ak
- Engine and engine cooling › Engine
Whenever traveling at various speed vehicle would stall out. Vehicle can be restarted . Took vehicle to dealership, and mechanic could give no indication of the cause of the problem.*ak
- Engine and engine cooling › Engine
Head gasket failure, causing low oil pressure and connecting rod failure. *Ak
- Power train › Automatic transmission
Transmission operates normally when engine IS cold/cool. however, when engine warms up, it fails to shift gears (aluminum - forward clutch piston). a transmission shop informed consumer that this piston will crack. replacement part sent out by manufacturer IS steel. please provide any additional information/attachments.*ak
- Structure › Frame and members
Front subframe bolts broke due to corrision . Recall was issued but only for rear.*ak the bolt was replaced and the consumer was asking the manufacturer to pay for repair since the defect was essentially the same as that of the recall. *yh
- Engine and engine cooling › Engine
Timing cover and head gaskets leaking - ford service recomended new motor. *ak
- Steering › Rack and pinion
Consumer was following a right curve at 40 mph when steering froze up, halfway around, could not turn or move steering. Consumer continued off road, and applied brakes in order to stop vehicle. Defect was due to faulty rack and pinion steering. also, midas told him that there was a specific…
Consumer was following a right curve at 40 mph when steering froze up, halfway around, could not turn or move steering. Consumer continued off road, and applied brakes in order to stop vehicle. Defect was due to faulty rack and pinion steering. also, midas told him that there was a specific problem with rack and pinion. Consumer was aware of another sable 1990 that was involved in a crash due to failure of rack and pinion, and killed the passenger in other vehicle. Consumer was told by professional mechanic that this model and year of vehicle should have been put on recall for this defect because it was a known defect. *ak *slc
- Tires › Tread/belt
While driving about 50 mph front tires were making noise like rubbing wire to metal of vehicle. Then, consumer stopped and found out that front tires had a tread separation. Vehicle had to be towed. consumer had filed a complaint before.*ak
- Vehicle speed control
While driving about 65-70 mph, all of sudden vehicle accelerated. rpms increased by 3000. In order to stop vehicle applied as much pressure as possible to the brakes, shifted into neutral or park, and shut off ignition. This happened without cruise control being engaged. Please provide any further information.*ak
- Engine and engine cooling › Engine · Vehicle speed control
Motor mounts failed several times. *Et
- Suspension
When slowing down from 50 mph vehicle will vibrate, consumer has been back and forth to dealer.*ak
- Suspension
When going down a hill it vibrates when going to speed up to 50mph.*ak
- Structure › Body › Hatchback/liftgate › Hinge and attachments
The dealer was very helpful. however ford customer service/zone rep. Was not even interested in this problem. if I had not taken the trim off to clean, I would have never seen the failure. this striker IS needed to keep the door/tailgate closed. childen can ride in the rear facing seat of this…
The dealer was very helpful. however ford customer service/zone rep. Was not even interested in this problem. if I had not taken the trim off to clean, I would have never seen the failure. this striker IS needed to keep the door/tailgate closed. childen can ride in the rear facing seat of this vehicle. if something should happen to cause this tailgate to open suddenly, the failed metal that holds the striker in place woiuld be virtually useless. the tailgate would likely fly open. the structure of this vehicle has not been comprimised, by the way. there has not been an accident to cause this sort of failure. ford's lack of interest IS cerainly alarming for this safety issue. *ak
- Structure › Frame and members
Please help me I am mentally disabled with a family and this IS what IS happening to me -please help me. The frame on my car broke and fell down while my wife was coming home from work. The dealer verified the recall and got us a loaner but said it would cost 25.00 a day its been 10 days and…
Please help me I am mentally disabled with a family and this IS what IS happening to me -please help me. The frame on my car broke and fell down while my wife was coming home from work. The dealer verified the recall and got us a loaner but said it would cost 25.00 a day its been 10 days and monday august 7TH I was told that my car wasn't fixable because of the excess corrosion and it was fifty fifty that I would have no car and a rental bill please help me im at the point where I just can't stand even thinking about it. We have sat by the phone four nine days and called ourselves after that long they say I may get nothin, no car and a rental bill please help. *Ak
Defect investigations
NHTSA’s Office of Defects Investigation opened these reviews into vehicles including this one.
- Alleged defective tie rods
Alleged defective tie rods
- Broken tie rods
There is no summary currently available
- Polycast road wheel cracks
There is no summary currently available
- Underbody fuel line fails
There is no summary currently available
- Broken tie rods
There is no summary currently available
- Sub-frm/unibody absor.fail
There is no summary currently available
- Power steering leaks/fires
There is no summary currently available
- Engine mount failure
There is no summary currently available
- Storage compar suffocation
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- Storage compar suffocation
There is no summary currently available
- Brake disc hub separations
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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.
- 6091815Some vehicles may exhibit front outer tie rods squeak and / or pop noise over bumps and / or turning.
- 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
- 636080Transfer service tips for the front wiper motor mount bracket and depressed park output arm.
- 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.
- 622660This information IS a supplement to the wiper system service information provided in the workshop manuals. This service information IS intended as an aid to assist in diagnosis and repair of erratic wiper system conditions.
- 613234Information regarding tsb 98-5a-12 (transaxle/transmission/transfer case-vehicles towed behind recreational vehicles-recommended guidelines) does not list towing information for certain model vehicles. *Mjs
- 612203Information regarding the new transmission cooler flusher- service tip. *Mjs
- 608431Information on the new flush and fill tool available through rotunda.
- 607497Information regarding the the availability of the revised headgasket for coolant loss conditions on some engines.
- 606460Experiencing a whine / buzz type noise in the speakers of the entertainment radio or two-way radio on vehicles with an in-tank electric fuel pump.
- 606420Ford motor company now recommends sae 5W-30 viscosity grade for servicing any ford gasoline-powered vehicle regardless of model year.
- 605294Concerns with reverse clutch that could become sheared or torn in extremely cold temperatures.
- 605254Experiencing a squeaking and / or popping noise from the front outer tire rods.
- 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.
- 601341Experiencing a whining / buzzing noise in the speakers of the entertainment radio or two-way radio.
- 601312Information on a buzzing or rattle noise from the exhaust system.
- 601290Information on tire company telephone numbers for customer assistance.
- 601270Concerns with coolant may leak from the head gaskets and / or the vehicle may overheat.
- 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.
- 601004Some vehicles may cycle when brakes are applied on rough roads or on an incline while making a sharp turn.
- 600591Transaxles use a new transmission fluid.
- 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.
- 51987Fuel economy- customer expectations versus vehicle usage.
- 51945Fluid- transmission fluid usage charts.
- 51682Blower motor- "chirp" or "squeak" from blower motor at low speeds.
- 51361Some power steering hoses have been replaced with a revised design and should no longer be used for service.
- 51184Verify the transaxle installed in the vehicle IS the correct model and model year for the vehicle.
- 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.
Every Mercury Sable model year
Bars are owner complaints, dots mark years with recalls. Select a year to open its report.