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1991 Mercury Sable

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 1991 Mercury Sable do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 201.

About this comparison →

How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

Compare all Sable years →

Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

All reported categories

Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

Limited mileage data: 4 of 221 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Power Train. Review the 101 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 56 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Steering. Review the 27 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

11 crash reports9 fire reports5 injury reports

Engine And Engine Cooling complaints

56 reports
Clear category filter
Mileage unknown · Jan 15, 2004
Engine And Engine CoolingFuel System, GasolinePower Train

OTHER THAN THE REST OF MY PROBLEMS WITH THE ABOVE MY NEWEST COMPLAINT IS THAT I JUST FOUND OUT THAT DUE TO THE FACT FORD INSTALLED AN ALUMINIM PISTON WHERE THERE SHOULD HAVE BEEN A STEEL ONE WHICH IS THE ONLY ONE AVAILABLE NOW SINCE YOU DISCOVERED YOUR PROBLEMS. MY CAR IS IN THE SHOP RIGHT NOW AND I'M BEING TOLD IT WILL COST BE…

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OTHER THAN THE REST OF MY PROBLEMS WITH THE ABOVE MY NEWEST COMPLAINT IS THAT I JUST FOUND OUT THAT DUE TO THE FACT FORD INSTALLED AN ALUMINIM PISTON WHERE THERE SHOULD HAVE BEEN A STEEL ONE WHICH IS THE ONLY ONE AVAILABLE NOW SINCE YOU DISCOVERED YOUR PROBLEMS. MY CAR IS IN THE SHOP RIGHT NOW AND I'M BEING TOLD IT WILL COST BETWEEN $1200.00 - $1500.00 TO FIX DUE TO FORD'S POOR DESIGN. THIS IS NOT MY FIRST SABLE WAGON. THE FIRST ONE HAD ALL KINDS OF A/C PROBLEMS AND I'M GETTING TIRED OF PAYING FOR YOUR MISTAKES. MY A/C IS OUT NOW, I REPLACE BRAKE PADS ALL THE TIME.

NHTSA ODI #10070144

Mileage unknown · Aug 2, 2002
Engine And Engine Cooling

VEHICLE WOULD OVERHEAT WHILE DRIVING, VEHICLE TAKEN TO A REPAIR SHOP, AND INFORMED OF A BLOWN HEAD GASKET. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK

NHTSA ODI #8015406

Mileage unknown · Nov 1, 2001
Engine And Engine Cooling

WHILE STARTING VEHICLE, THE ENGINE DID NOT TURN OVER. VEHICLE WAS SERVICED AND TECHNICIAN STATED HEAD GASKET HAD BLOWN. *AK *SLC

NHTSA ODI #898648

Mileage unknown · Aug 29, 2001
Engine And Engine Cooling

ENGINE MOTOR MOUNTS HAVE BROKEN AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. PROBLEM HAS NOT BEEN EXAMINED BY DEALERSHIP. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION/ATTACHMENTS.*AK

NHTSA ODI #895376

Mileage unknown · Jan 4, 2001
Engine And Engine Cooling

THERE WAS NO HEAT AND ENGINE OVERHEATED, CAUSING TEMPARATURE TO RISE. CONSUMER HADTO TURN OFF CAR WHEN THIS HAPPENED TO AVOID OVER HEATING. WHITE SMOKE CAME OUT OF TAIL PIPE. *AK

NHTSA ODI #877440

Mileage unknown · Nov 13, 2000
Engine And Engine Cooling

IT APPEARS THAT THE HEAD GASKETS ARE PREMATURELY FAILING ON THE 3.8 LITRE ENGINES MANUFACTURED BY FORD ON MODELS 1988 TO PRESENT. THEY ARE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM AND HAVE A SERVICE BULLETIN TSB #98-4-9 EXPLAINING THE COMPLAINT BUT HAVE FAILED TO REPAIR THIS KNOW PROBLEM OR MAKE RESOLUTION TO THE COMPLAINTS. *AK

NHTSA ODI #736219

Mileage unknown · Nov 9, 2000
Engine And Engine Cooling

HEAD GASKETS FAILED WITH ONLY 57,000 MILES ON CAR. VEHICLE IS A 1991 MERCURY SABLE WAGON WITH A 3.8 L 6 CYLINDER ENGINE. CAR HAS ALLWAYS BEEN WELL MAINTAINED. I THINK FORDS WARRANTY SHOULD BE FOR ANY 3.8 LITER 6 CYL. VEHICLE PERIOD!!!!!!!. *AK

NHTSA ODI #736083

Mileage unknown · Oct 24, 2000
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train

MY 1991 SABLE TRANSMISSION HAD TO BE REPAIRED DUE TO THE FRONT ENGINE MOUNT BOLT FELL-OUT, OR BREAKAGE. AFTER REPAIRS WAS MADE THE FRONT ENGINE MOUNT BOLT CAME OUT OR BREAK OUT TWO OTHER TIMES AS OF 23 OCTOBER 2000. MY SABLE WAS PURCHASED IN WASHINGTON STATE AND REGISTERED IN ALASKA, HOWEVER IT IS LOCATED IN MARYLAND WHERE I LIV…

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MY 1991 SABLE TRANSMISSION HAD TO BE REPAIRED DUE TO THE FRONT ENGINE MOUNT BOLT FELL-OUT, OR BREAKAGE. AFTER REPAIRS WAS MADE THE FRONT ENGINE MOUNT BOLT CAME OUT OR BREAK OUT TWO OTHER TIMES AS OF 23 OCTOBER 2000. MY SABLE WAS PURCHASED IN WASHINGTON STATE AND REGISTERED IN ALASKA, HOWEVER IT IS LOCATED IN MARYLAND WHERE I LIVE FOR THE PASSED TWO YEARS. *AK

NHTSA ODI #735057

Mileage unknown · Oct 17, 2000
Engine And Engine Cooling

REPLACED HEAD GASKET AND O2 SENSORS. THIS IS THE SAME FLAWED ENGINE DESIGN AS THOSE THAT FORD ISSUED AN EXTENDED WARRANTY. FOR SOME UNKNOWN REASON FORD HAS NOT INCLUDED THE '91 ENGINES.

NHTSA ODI #734502

Mileage unknown · Jul 17, 2000
Engine And Engine Cooling

RECALL FOR THE ENGINE MOUNT BOLTS WAS ISSUED, DEALER TOLD CONSUMER THAT VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL BECAUSE HE DIDN'T LIVE IN AN AREA WHERE THERE IS HEAVY SALTING OF THE ROADS IN THE WINTER. NLM

NHTSA ODI #784050

Official recalls

4

98V323000 · Structure:frame And Members

Dec 16, 1998

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 WISCONSIN. THE REAR LOWER SUBFRAME MOUNT PLATE NUT CAN EXPERIENCE STRESS CORROSION CRACKING IF SUBJECTED TO LONG TERM EXPOSURE TO ROAD SALTS. THIS CAN RESULT IN FRACTURE AND LOSS OF THE STRUCTURAL INTEGRITY OF THE SUBFRAME MOUNT ATTACHMENT. DETACHMENT OF THE BODY MOUNTS AT THE REAR CORNERS OF THE SUBFRAME, WHICH SUPPORTS THE ENGINE AND TRANSMISSION, ALLOWS THE REAR CORNERS OF THE SUBFRAME TO DROP.

Consequence & remedy

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.

97V025000 · Vehicle Speed Control

Feb 26, 1997

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 3.8L ENGINES AND ORIGINALLY SOLD OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE FOLLOWING STATES: ALASKA, COLORADO, IOWA, IDAHO, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, KANSAS, MASSACHUSETTS, MAINE, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA, MISSOURI, MONTANA, NORTH DAKOTA, NEBRASKA, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW YORK, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, SOUTH DAKOTA, VERMONT, WISCONSIN, AND WYOMING. WATER CAN ACCUMULATE WITHIN THE SPEED CONTROL CABLE CONDUIT. IF ENOUGH WATER ACCUMULATES, IT COULD FREEZE WITHIN A LOW AREA OF THE CABLE ROUTING WHEN EXPOSED TO A LONG TERM COLD SOAK AT TEMPERATURES AT LEAST SEVERAL DEGREES BELOW FREEZING.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: DRIVER CONTROL OF VEHICLE SPEED USING THE SPEED CONTROL SYSTEM OR THE ACCELERATOR CONTROL SYSTEM WOULD BE DIMINISHED INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL ADD A BOOT TO THE SPEED CONTROL CABLE.

92V065000 · Wheels

May 11, 1992

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 & remedy

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.

91V134000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:foundation Components:disc:rotor

Aug 6, 1991

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 & remedy

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 RESULTING IN AN ACCIDENT.

Remedy: REPLACE FRONT BRAKE ROTORS WITH FULL CAST FRONT BRAKE ROTORS.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

11

EA96024 · Engine Cooling Fan Fires

Opened Sep 30, 1996 · Closed Apr 15, 1997

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Engine And Engine Cooling

There is no summary currently available

PE96033 · Engine Cooling Fan Fires

Opened May 2, 1996 · Closed Sep 30, 1996

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Engine And Engine Cooling

IN DECEMBER 1995, FORD RECALLED 119,313 VEHICLES IN CANADA TO REMEDY THE SUBJECT CONDITION IN CERTAIN 1992-95 TAURUS, SABLE, TEMPO, TOPAZ AND CONTINENTAL VEHICLES.FORD IS AWARE OF SIMILAR INCIDENTS OCCURRING IN NORTHERN REGIONS OF THE UNITED STATES, BUT MAINTAINS THAT THE FREQUENCIES DO NOT WARRANT A FINDING OF AN UNREASONABLE RISK TO MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY.

DP95004 · Alleged Defective Tie Rods

Opened Aug 8, 1995 · Closed Aug 30, 1995

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Unknown Or Other

ALLEGED DEFECTIVE TIE RODS

EA94008 · Broken Tie Rods

Opened Feb 16, 1994 · Closed Feb 27, 1995

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Steering

There is no summary currently available

PE93100 · Polycast Road Wheel Cracks

Opened Dec 2, 1993 · Closed Jun 30, 1994

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Suspension

There is no summary currently available

PE93070 · Failure Of Wheel Studs

Opened Jul 27, 1993 · Closed Nov 22, 1993

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Suspension

There is no summary currently available

PE93065 · Underbody Fuel Line Fails

Opened Jul 15, 1993 · Closed Nov 30, 1993

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Vehicle Speed Control:linkages

There is no summary currently available

PE93058 · Broken Tie Rods

Opened Jun 15, 1993 · Closed Feb 16, 1994

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Steering

There is no summary currently available

EA92040 · SUB-FRM/UNIBODY Absor.fail

Opened Nov 30, 1992 · Closed Jun 30, 1993

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Structure

There is no summary currently available

Additional source detail variants (2)

Structure

There is no summary currently available

Structure

There is no summary currently available

EA91042 · Storage Compar Suffocation

Opened Oct 28, 1991 · Closed May 21, 1992

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Structure

===

PE91108 · Storage Compar Suffocation

Opened Aug 1, 1991 · Closed Oct 28, 1991

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Structure

There is no summary currently available