IllustrationTRANSMISSION GEARS OVERHEATED DUE TO LACK OF LUBRICATION, DAMAGED TRANSMISSION. MJS
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
Power Train complaints
101 reportsTHIS TRANSMISSION FAILED COMPLETELY WITHOUT WARNING WITH 76,000 MILES. I HAD HAD THE VEHICLE INTO THE DEALER AT 66,000 MILES TO HAVE THE TRANSMISSION SERVICED & CHECKED AND NOTHING WAS SAID ABOUT THE POSSIBILITY OF ANYTHING GOING WRONG. *AK
FORD INFORMED ME THAT THEY REPLACED THE DEFECTIVE TRANSMISSION FOR THE PREVIOUS OWNER IN 1996 IN A VOLUNTARY RECALL FOR TRANSMISSIONS; NEVERTHELESS THE TRANSMISSION IS LEAKY AND ALWAYS DOWN A QUART, AND FORD REFUSES TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT THE TRANSMISSION REPAIRS NOW (NHTSA NEEDS TO RECALL FORD/MERCURY TRANSMISSIONS NOW!). *AK
WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH WHEN THE VEHICLE STARTED TO SLOW DOWN TO A STOP. THE ENGINE WAS RUNNING BUT THE TRANSMISSION WAS NOT FUNCTIONING. LEE MYLES AUTO-TRANSMISSION--FLUSHING QUEENS , NEW YORK. SAYS THIS WAS DUE TO INADEQUATE LUBRICATION. *AK
BODY MOUNTS REPLACED PRIOR TO RECALL. (98V-323), ALSO REPLACED INNER/OUTER TIE ROD AND THE DRIVE AXLE.
TRANSMISSION FAILED. (MJS)
THE TRANSMISSION WAS GOING IN TO NEUTRAL AT DIFFERENT SPEEDS. THE FIRST TIME THE TRASNMISSION WAS REBUILT WAS AROUND 40,000 MILES. THEN 4 MONTHS AGO THE TRANSMISSON WAS REBUILT AGAIN, AT AROUND 85,000. THE TRANSMISSION IS STILL GOING INTO NEUTRAL, WHILE DRIVING AT SPEEDS OF 25-55 MPH OR MORE. WHEN I TAKE THE CAR BACK TO THE …
Read full complaint
THE TRANSMISSION WAS GOING IN TO NEUTRAL AT DIFFERENT SPEEDS. THE FIRST TIME THE TRASNMISSION WAS REBUILT WAS AROUND 40,000 MILES. THEN 4 MONTHS AGO THE TRANSMISSON WAS REBUILT AGAIN, AT AROUND 85,000. THE TRANSMISSION IS STILL GOING INTO NEUTRAL, WHILE DRIVING AT SPEEDS OF 25-55 MPH OR MORE. WHEN I TAKE THE CAR BACK TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS ORIGINALLY PURCHASED; THEY SAY THEY CAN FIND NOTHING WRONG WITH THE TRANSMISSION. THIS HAS BEEN AN ON-GOING PROBLEM FOR THE PAST SEVERAL YEARS (HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP OFF AND ON) AND WE ARE CONCERNED THAT IT COULD RESULT IN AN ACCIDENT. WE ARE CONCERNED NOW FOR THE SAFETY OF OUR TEENAGE SONS WHEN THEY DRIVE IT AS WELL AS OURSELVES. WE ALSO REQUESTED A MAINTANCE REPORT ON THE CAR SINCE WE HAD IT, BUT STILL HAVE NOT RECEIVED IT FROM THE DEALER. ADDITIONALLY, THEY HAVE CHANGED OVER COMPUTER SYSTEMS SEVERAL TIMES AND HAVE ALSO COMMUNICATED THAT SERVICE CODES HAVE BEEN CHANGED SO THAT THEY CANNOT EVEN PROVIDE US WITH AN ACCURATE ACCOUNT OF EACH VISIT AND WHAT WAS SPECIFICALLY DONE TO THE CAR. ANY SUGGESTIONS ON ADDITIONAL STEPS WE CAN TAKE? THE CAR WAS DROPPED OFF AGAIN TONIGHT, 3/3/99 BECAUSE OF SEVERAL INCIDENTS LAST NIGHT WITH IT. THANK YOU.
DUE TO DEFECTIVE TRANSMISSION, THE VEHICLE STALLED UNEXPECTEDLY WHICH ALMOST CAUSED AN ACCIDENT. DEALER REPLACED TRANSMISSION. *AK
CONSUMER EXPRIENCING ONGOING PROBLEM WITH TRANSMISSION FAILURE. TRANSMISSION WAS REBUILT TWICE AND LOST REVERSE AS OF NOW, ALL WITHIN 9,000 MILE OF WEAR. DEALER NOTIFIED, AND REFUSE TOD REPAIR UNLESS COST GOEST O CONSUMER. ASKING IF NHTSA CAN HELP IN THIS MATTER. *AK
FAILED CLUTCH PISTON, POOR DESIGN,4000 MILES ABOVE EXT. WARR. AND THEY WOULDNT COVER.FAILED TWICE, ONCE IN TRAFFIC STOP, AND ONCE AT HIGH SPEED HIGHWAY. *AK
Official recalls
498V323000 · 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
11EA96024 · 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