IllustrationSUDDENLY LOST POWER STEERING.AFTER PUMP REPLACED HOSES BLEW.2000 MILES LATER,HEAD GASKET BLEW.
1992 Mercury Sable
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
Similar to other model years
Owner complaints for the 1992 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: 15 of 364 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.
- Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 151 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Power Train. Review the 61 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Service Brakes, Hydraulic. Review the 40 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
12 crash reports6 fire reports5 injury reports
Engine And Engine Cooling complaints
151 reportsI UNDERSTAND THERE IS A RECALL FOR A HEAD GASKET REPLACEMENT ON 94 & 95 TARUS & SABLES WITH 3.8 L ENGINES, I HAD THE SAME PROBLEM WITH MY 92 3.8L SABLE, THE HEAD GASKET HAD TO BE REPLACED BY A MECHANIC THIS PAST SUMMER. FORD REFUSE TO ACKNOWLEDGE AND OR SERVICE PROBLEM WHEN NOTIFY. WHAT RECOURSE AS A CONSUMER DO I HAVE ? *AK
I AM AWARE OF THE PROBLEMS WITH THE FORD 3.4 L EARLY HEAD GASKET FAILURE, NOW THAT IT HAS HAPPENED TO ME. I HAD TO SPEND OVER $900 TO GET THE REPAIR DONE. THIS HAS IN TURN PUT ME AND MY FAMILY INTO A SERIOUS FINANCIAL SITUATION. I HAVE SINCE LEARNED THAT THERE WAS AN EXTENDED WARRANTY ON MANY OF THESE ENGINES, BUT IT WAS FOR 7…
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I AM AWARE OF THE PROBLEMS WITH THE FORD 3.4 L EARLY HEAD GASKET FAILURE, NOW THAT IT HAS HAPPENED TO ME. I HAD TO SPEND OVER $900 TO GET THE REPAIR DONE. THIS HAS IN TURN PUT ME AND MY FAMILY INTO A SERIOUS FINANCIAL SITUATION. I HAVE SINCE LEARNED THAT THERE WAS AN EXTENDED WARRANTY ON MANY OF THESE ENGINES, BUT IT WAS FOR 7 YEARS, LEAVING MY CAR OUT OF THAT. HOWEVER, SINCE IT HAS ONLY 65,000 MILES ON IT, I THINK FORD SHOULD RETHINK THEIR POLICY. I ALSO HAVE LEARNED THAT THERE IS A POTENTIAL FOR THE HEAD GASKET TO BLOW AGAIN. HOW CAN FORD BE ALLOWED TO LET THIS GO ON AND ON AND ON FOR THE OWNERS OF THESE VEHICLES? SURE, YOU CAN GET IT FIXED IF IT IS UNDER THE WARRANTY, EXTENDED OR REGULAR, BUT WHAT ABOUT THE PEOPLE WHO HAVE THE FAILURE LATER AND THEN EVEN AGAIN AT SOME POINT. I THINK THE SITUATION IS FAR WORSE THAT FORD IS ADMITTING, THAT THERE ARE MANY, MANY MORE CARS WITH THIS PROBLEM AND THAT IT WILL CONTINUE TO BE A PROBLEM LONG AFTER THE 7 YEAR EXTENDED WARRANTY FOR MANY OF THE CARS AFFECTED. HOW CAN I HAVE MY 17 YEAR OLD CHILD GO OUT IN THE CAR AND GET STRANDED WHO KNOWS WHERE. WE LIVE IN AN AREA THAT CAN HAVE SOME LONG, DARK ROADS. SO, EVEN THOUGH THE CAR ITSELF MAY NOT BE A SAFETY HAZARD DUE TO THE HEAD GASKET PROBLEM, IT IS A POTENTIAL SAFETY THREAT IF SOMEONE BREAKS DOWN IN A BAD AREA. IT COULD BE VERY DANGEROUS. WHAT IS BEING DONE ABOUT THIS?? IS FORD BEING ALLOWED TO COVER THIS UP LIKE THEY DID WITH THE TIRES AND LIE ABOUT HOW MANY VEHICLES ARE REALLY AFFECTED AND TO WHAT EXTENT? AT THE EXPENSE OF ALL OF US WHO CANNOT AFFORD TO PAY FOR A REPAIR THAT SHOULD NOT BE NECESSARY IN THE FIRST PLACE. WHY SHOULD I HAVE TO BE AFRAID TO DRIVE SOMEWHERE AT NIGHT, BEING A WOMAN, WITH THE RISK OF BREAKING DOWN ON A DARK ROAD SOMEWHERE? WHY SHOULD I HAVE TO PAY FOR THE REPAIR EVEN ONCE, NO MATTER WHEN IT HAPPENS, ESPECIALLY WITH 65,000 MILES ON IT. I DO NOT EVEN KNOW IF THIS IS THE FIRST TIME FOR THIS VEHICLE TO HAVE THIS PROBLEM SINCE I PURCHASED IT USED.*AK
I BOUGHT MY MERCURY SABLE IN MARCH OF 98, WITH ONLY 18,000 MILES ON IT. IT WAS PAID OFF IN MARCH OF 2000. IN OCTOBER, IT HIT THAT DEADLY MILEAGE WHERE LOTS OF SABLES AND TAURUSES BLOW THEIR HEAD GASKETS...AND YES THAT'S JUST WHAT MINE HAS DONE. I CONTACTED THE FORD DEALERSHIP IN MY TOWN AND THEY OF COURSE INSTANTLY SAID "SORR…
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I BOUGHT MY MERCURY SABLE IN MARCH OF 98, WITH ONLY 18,000 MILES ON IT. IT WAS PAID OFF IN MARCH OF 2000. IN OCTOBER, IT HIT THAT DEADLY MILEAGE WHERE LOTS OF SABLES AND TAURUSES BLOW THEIR HEAD GASKETS...AND YES THAT'S JUST WHAT MINE HAS DONE. I CONTACTED THE FORD DEALERSHIP IN MY TOWN AND THEY OF COURSE INSTANTLY SAID "SORRY, YOUR MODEL YEAR IS NOT INCLUDE IN THE SABLE HEAD GASKET RECALL." SO WHAT NOW. AS A SINGLE MOTHER OF TWO, EARNING $200 A WEEK, I DON'T EXPECT TO HAVE ANY SPARE MONEY UNTIL INCOME TAX RETURN TIME. RIGHT NOW I'M BORING A FRIENDS CAR. OBVIOUSLY THAT CAN'T GO ON FOREVER. THANKS FORD, FOR THE DEPENDABLE CAR!*AK
HEAD GASKETS FAILED AT APPROX 93000 MILES. THERE HAVE BEEN EXTENDED WARRANTIES ON MANY FORD MODELS WITH 3.8L ENGINES BUT NOT 1992 (YET). I CONTACTED FORD AND THEY BASICALLY TOLD ME THERE WAS NOTHING THEY WERE WILLING TO DO TO HELP DEFRAY THE EXPENSE ($1300) OF REPLACING THE HEAD GASKETS EVEN THOUGH IT IS A KNOWN PROBLEM.*AK
HEAD GASKET FAILED CAUSING COMPLETE FAILURE OF THE ENGINE, POWER STEERING AND POWER BRAKES. *MJS
ENGINE MOUNTS REPLACED UNDER RECALL 92M77 IN 1/96. I WAS ADVISED BY FORD THAT ONE REPAIR IS ALL THAT IS PERFORMED. I DON'T SEE WHY THEY SHOULDN'T REPAIR AGAIN AS OBVIOUSLY THE PROBLEM STILL EXISTS FOR ENGINE MOUNTS TO FAIL EVERY 4 YEARS.
NO SUMMARY
HEAD GASKET HAS BLOWN AT 100,000 MILES. IS NOT AWARE OF EXTENEDED WARRANTY FOR HEAD GASKET.*AK
I GOT IN MY CAR TO TAKE MY CHILD TO SCHOOL AND ME TO WORK LIKE EVERY OTHER DAY WE STARTED DOWN THE ROAD AND SMOKE WAS COMING OUT MY EXHAUST THAT SMELLED LIKE ANTI FREEZE, THEN MY THERMOSTAT PEGGED ITSELF ALL THE WAY HOT. *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.
97V019000 · Engine And Engine Cooling:cooling System:fan
Feb 25, 1997
THESE VEHICLES ARE ORIGINALLY SOLD OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE FOLLOWING STATES: ALASKA, IOWA, MINNESOTA, NEBRASKA, NORTH DAKOTA, AND SOUTH DAKOTA. THE VEHICLES INVOLVED ARE 1992-1994 TEMPO/TOPAZ VEHICLES WITH 3.0L ENGINES; 1994 TEMPO/TOPAZ WITH 2.3L ENGINES; 1992-1995 TAURUS/SABLE WITH 3.8L ENGINES; 1994-1995 TAURUS/SABLE WITH 3.0L ENGINES AND 1992-1994 LINCOLN CONTINENTAL VEHICLES WITH 3.8L ENGINES. DURING HIGH WINDS, HEAVY, BLOWING AND DRIFTING SNOW, AND LOW TEMPERATURES, THE ENGINE COOLING FAN CAN BECOME BLOCKED OR FROZEN WITH SNOW. THE FAN MOTOR MAY NOT ROTATE AND COULD OVERHEAT.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THIS CONDITION CAN CAUSE SMOKE OR FLAMES FROM THE FAN AND/OR SHROUD, THE FAN ELECTRICAL WIRING, OR THE FAN MOTOR RESULTING IN A VEHICLE FIRE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL AN ELECTRICAL JUMPER HARNESS CONTAINING AN AUTOMATIC RESETTING CIRCUIT BREAKER TO PROTECT THE FAN MOTOR LOW SPEED CIRCUITRY FROM OVERHEATING.
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.
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
EA96019 · Headlight Failure
Opened Jul 31, 1996 · Closed Jan 26, 1998
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Exterior Lighting
EXCESSIVE HEAT IN AN IMPROPERLY MANUFACTURED CIRCUIT BREAKER WITHIN THE HEADLIGHT SWITCH CAUSED THAT CIRCUIT BREAKER TO OPEN FOR TIME PERIODS OF VARYING LENGTH TO COOL OFF.OPENING OF THE CIRCUIT BREAKER IN THIS MANNER INTERRUPTS ELECTRIC CURRENT FLOW TO THE HEADLIGHTS, SHUTTING THEM OFF.HEADLIGHT OUTAGES HAVE RANGER FROM BRIEF FLICKERS (LESS THAN ONE SECOND) TO GREATER THAN 20 SECONDS.OVER TIME, THE OUTAGES GROW IN LENGTH AND DURATION BECAUSE OF HEAT-INDUCED DETERIORATION OF THE SWITCH AND ASSOCIATED WIRING.RECALL 98V-009 WILL APPLY TO APPROXIMATELY 506,000 TAURUS, SABLE, MARK VIII, AND CONTINENTAL VEHICLES PRODUCED FROM 1-DEC.-92 THROUGH 30-SEP-93 AT THE ATLANTA, CHICAGO,AND WIXOM ASSEMBLY PLANTS.87% OF MY 1992-1995 TAURUS/SABLE AND 97% OF MY 1993-1995 MARK VIII WARRANTY REPAIRS (HEADLIGHT SWITCH REPLACEMENT) INVOLVED VEHICLES BUILT DURING THE DEC. 92 - OCT. 93 BUILD RANGE.
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
EA93022 · Idle Air Spd Ctrl Vlv Malf
Opened Jul 30, 1993 · Closed Aug 31, 1994
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Engine And Engine Cooling
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
PE93010 · Idle Air Spd Ctrl Vlv Malf
Opened Mar 2, 1993 · Closed Jul 30, 1993
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Engine And Engine Cooling
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