IllustrationNO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK
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
Power Train complaints
61 reportsTHE HEAD GASKET FAILED CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO BACKFIRE WHEN STOPPING. NLM
TRANSMISSION FAILED. *SLC
DANGER!!!! ALMOST CRASH !!!!! --WHILE I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY 90 IN CHICAGO AT 60M/H, THE TRANSMISSION SUDDENLY SHUT DOWN!! SPEED DROPS IMMEDIATELLY!! I WAS SURROUNDED BY HEAVY TRAFFIC MOVING AT 60-80 M/P...LUCKILY, BEFORE MY CAR DROPS TO 25M/H, I MANAGED TO STOP AT THE ROADSIDE. WHAT A HELL! I CAN'T CONTROL THE STEERING WH…
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DANGER!!!! ALMOST CRASH !!!!! --WHILE I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY 90 IN CHICAGO AT 60M/H, THE TRANSMISSION SUDDENLY SHUT DOWN!! SPEED DROPS IMMEDIATELLY!! I WAS SURROUNDED BY HEAVY TRAFFIC MOVING AT 60-80 M/P...LUCKILY, BEFORE MY CAR DROPS TO 25M/H, I MANAGED TO STOP AT THE ROADSIDE. WHAT A HELL! I CAN'T CONTROL THE STEERING WHEEL, IT DOESN'T MOVE. AFTER 1 HR, I WAS SAVED BY A TOW TRUCK. THE CAR LOOKS GOOD, AND HAS ONLY 64500 MILES. WHAT KIND OF PRODUCT FORD IS MAKING! WHENEVER I THOUGHT OF THAT DAY, I FEEL I AM SO SAVED..
WHILE DRIVING AT 65 MPH, THE TRANSMISSION SUDDENLY LOCKED. THE '!@#$% QUALITY METAL USED IN THE MAIN GEAR SET CRUMBLED TO POWDER. FORD QUALITY SCORES AGAIN! *AK
TRANSMISSION FAILED, COSTING $2000 IN REPAIRS. NOW HEAD GASKET HAS FAILED WITH ESTIMATED REPAIR IN EXCESS OF $1200. I HAVE NOT DRIVEN THIS VEHICLE FOR 10,000 MILES YET. I AM NOW READING ABOUT MANY SIMILAR PROBLEMS WITH THE FORD 3.8L ENGINE & DRIVETRAIN. I UNDERSTAND THAT FORD HAS BEEN AWARE OF THESE PROBLEMS FOR AT LEAST 10 YEAR…
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TRANSMISSION FAILED, COSTING $2000 IN REPAIRS. NOW HEAD GASKET HAS FAILED WITH ESTIMATED REPAIR IN EXCESS OF $1200. I HAVE NOT DRIVEN THIS VEHICLE FOR 10,000 MILES YET. I AM NOW READING ABOUT MANY SIMILAR PROBLEMS WITH THE FORD 3.8L ENGINE & DRIVETRAIN. I UNDERSTAND THAT FORD HAS BEEN AWARE OF THESE PROBLEMS FOR AT LEAST 10 YEARS & HAS FAILED TO CORRECT THEM. I THINK THE WHOLE SITUATION IS A DISGUSTING INDICTMENT OF THE LACK OF CARING ON FORD'S PART. I WILL NEVER PURCHASE ANOTHER FORD PRODUCT & WILL TELL EVERYONE I KNOW ABOUT THIS HORRENDOUS SITUATION. *AK
WHILEDRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY APPROACHED A TOLL BOOTH, PAID THE TOLL, AND VEHICLE FAILED TO MOVE. ENGINE WAS VERY HOT. PUT 5 QUARTS OF OIL IN THE VEHICLE. TRANSMISSION OVERHEATED AND THE FLUID EVAPORATED. HAD THE VEHICLE SERVICED, AND NO EXTERNAL LEAKS WERE PRESENT. *AK
TRANSMISSION REPLACE PER FORD DEALER RECOMMENDATION
I BOUGHT THE CAR LESS THAN A YEAR AGO AND HAVE PAID OVER A $1,000 IN REPAIRS. THE DAY I LEFT THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. THE DEALER RE-BUILT THE TRANSMISSION TWICE, BUT I'M STILL HAVING PROBLEMS. RECENTLY I HAD FULL FRONT & BACK BRAKE JOB. WHEN I BOUGHT THE CAR THE BRAKES WERE FINE. IN LESS THAN A YEAR I HAD ONLY 10% BR…
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I BOUGHT THE CAR LESS THAN A YEAR AGO AND HAVE PAID OVER A $1,000 IN REPAIRS. THE DAY I LEFT THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. THE DEALER RE-BUILT THE TRANSMISSION TWICE, BUT I'M STILL HAVING PROBLEMS. RECENTLY I HAD FULL FRONT & BACK BRAKE JOB. WHEN I BOUGHT THE CAR THE BRAKES WERE FINE. IN LESS THAN A YEAR I HAD ONLY 10% BRAKES LEFT. THE DAY I LEFT I LOST ALL BACK BRAKES. A MONTH LATER IT HAPPENED AGAIN. NOW THEY ARE SAYING FORD HAS RECALLED THE ANTI LOCK SYSTEM AND MASTER CYLINDER. PLEASE HELP.
TRANSMISSION WAS RECALLED ON THIS VEHICLE TYPE BUT WE RECEIVED NO NOTICE. MECHANIC SAID RECALL HAD "EXPIRED" AND THAT FORD WOULD NOT PAY FOR IT. TRANSMISSION WAS REPAIRED WITH GENUINE FORD KIT. IS FORD CO. RESPONSIBLE FOR REIMBURSING ME FOR THIS REPAIR? *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