IllustrationVEHICLE WAS PARKED INSIDE OF GARAGE, AND HEARD AN EXPLOSION COMING FROM GARAGE. WHEN HE WENT TO SEE WHAT WAS GOING ON, WINDOWS OF VEHICLE HAD SHATTERED ALL OVER GARAGE . VEHICLE WAS ON FIRE COMING FROM DASHBOARD. VEHICLE WAS TOTALED. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. *AK
1993 Mercury Sable
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
More warning signs than most Sable years
Owner complaints for the 1993 Mercury Sable are substantially higher than 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: 27 of 674 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 357 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Exterior Lighting. Review the 63 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Suspension. Review the 52 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
21 crash reports7 fire reports15 injury reports
What owners actually said
674 reportsENGINE MOUNT FAILURE AT 20,000 MILES. MANUFACTURER NOTIFIED AND INFORMED CONSUMER THAT THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT COVERED UNDER A RECALL. PLEASE FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS ON THIS MATTER. *AK
APPROACHING PARKING LOT VEHICLE BEGAN TO RATTLE AND SMOKE, VEHICLE TOWED TO MECHANIC, VEHICLE FOUND TO HAVE BLOWN HEAD GASKET(S). CJ
BLOWN HEAD GASKET PER DEALER LADIN LINCOLN MERCURY. *AK
I PURCAHSED A 1993 MECURY SABLE WITH 60,000 MILES IN OCT 99 IN ORANGEBURG SOUTH CAROLINA. ABOUT 6 MONTHS THE TEMPERATURE BEGAN TO FLUXUATE AND THE THERMOSTAT WAS REPLACED. IT SEEMED TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM FOR ABOUT THREE MONTH AND THEN THE OVERHEATING PROBLEM STARTED AGAIN. IN OCT 200 THE VEHILCE WAS USING WATER AND THEN RAD…
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I PURCAHSED A 1993 MECURY SABLE WITH 60,000 MILES IN OCT 99 IN ORANGEBURG SOUTH CAROLINA. ABOUT 6 MONTHS THE TEMPERATURE BEGAN TO FLUXUATE AND THE THERMOSTAT WAS REPLACED. IT SEEMED TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM FOR ABOUT THREE MONTH AND THEN THE OVERHEATING PROBLEM STARTED AGAIN. IN OCT 200 THE VEHILCE WAS USING WATER AND THEN RADIATOR WAS REPPLACED AT A COST OF $475.00. AND AFTER THE REPAIR THE MECHANIC NOTIFIED ME THAT THE HEADGSKETS WERE BLOWN. I PARKED THE CAR BECAUSE I NO MONEY TO REPAIR IT. I HEARD FROM A FREIND THAT THE 3.8 ENGINE IS NOTORIOUS FOR HEADGASKETS IN THE 3.8L ENGINE IN THE 1993 SABLE. AFTER GOING TO POMOCO MECURY AND CONTACTING FORD THEY STATE THERE IS NO RECALL FOR THIS ENGINE. HOW CAN THEY SEEL A DEFECTIVE ENGINE AND NOT OWN UP TO IT. THERE ARE JUST TOO MANY REPORTS AND COMPLAINTS ON THIS PIECE OR CRAP ENGINE. I STILL OWE $4,000.00 ON THIS CAR AND REPAIRS WILL RUN FROM $1,000 TO $2,000 DEPENDING ON THE DAMAGE. THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE FROM A AUTO COMPNAY THAT MAKES BILLIONS OF DOLLARS AND DIDN'T SPEND DIME ON RESEARCH. I AM STEAMED, JUST LIKE THE STEAM COMING OUT OF MY HEADGASKETS!!!! AND I AM READY TO BLOW!!!!!FURIUOS .*AK
CONSUMER HAD FOUND OUT A STRONG SMELL OF OIL JUST LIKE A FRYING PAN. HADN'T TAKEN VEHICLE TO A DEALER, BUT BELIEVED THAT VEHICLE HAD A BLOWN HEAD GASKET.*AK
A LACK OF HEAT IN VEHICLE WHEN NEEDED. TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP, AND INFORMED CONSUMER THAT 3.8L ENGINE EXPERIENCED A HEAD GASKET FAILURE. MANUFACTURER NOTIFIED. MANUFACTURER INFORMED CONSUMER THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT COVERED UNDER AN EXTENDED WARRANTY. *AK *SLC
ENGINE HEAD GASKET WENT OUT AFTER CONSUMER HAD STARTED VEHICLE. TEMPERATURE GAUGE STARTED TO GO UP ,AND ENGINE CHECK LIGHT KEPT COMING ON, BUT ENGINE WAS NOT TOTALLY WARMED UP.CONTACTED DEALER, AND DEALER WAS NOT WILLING TO DO ANYTHING BECAUSE IT WAS NOT INCLUDED IN A RECALL. *AK SHORTLY AFTER REPLACING OF HEAD GASKET, …
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ENGINE HEAD GASKET WENT OUT AFTER CONSUMER HAD STARTED VEHICLE. TEMPERATURE GAUGE STARTED TO GO UP ,AND ENGINE CHECK LIGHT KEPT COMING ON, BUT ENGINE WAS NOT TOTALLY WARMED UP.CONTACTED DEALER, AND DEALER WAS NOT WILLING TO DO ANYTHING BECAUSE IT WAS NOT INCLUDED IN A RECALL. *AK SHORTLY AFTER REPLACING OF HEAD GASKET, THE OXYGEN SENSORS FAILED. THE MANUFACTURER HAD ADMITTED THAT THE HEAD GASKET WAS DEFECTIVE, AND THE CONSUMER WAS ASKING FOR REIMBURSEMENT. *YH
I TOOK THE CAR IN TO BE CHECKED FOR A COOLANT LEAK AND WAS TOLD THE HEAD GASKETS HAD BLOWN. THE LOCAL FORD DEALERSHIP TOLD US THERE WAS A WARRANTY EXTENSION FOR '94-'95 3.8L ENGINES. SINCE IT IS THE SAME ENGINE AND THE SAME PROBLEM SEEMS TO PLAGUE ALMOST ALL 3.8L ENGINES, WHY DIDN'T FORD FIX THE PROBLEM WITH ALL THE 3.8 L ENGINE…
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I TOOK THE CAR IN TO BE CHECKED FOR A COOLANT LEAK AND WAS TOLD THE HEAD GASKETS HAD BLOWN. THE LOCAL FORD DEALERSHIP TOLD US THERE WAS A WARRANTY EXTENSION FOR '94-'95 3.8L ENGINES. SINCE IT IS THE SAME ENGINE AND THE SAME PROBLEM SEEMS TO PLAGUE ALMOST ALL 3.8L ENGINES, WHY DIDN'T FORD FIX THE PROBLEM WITH ALL THE 3.8 L ENGINES? AS FOR THE MOTOR MOUNTS I WAS TOLD BY THE SAME FORD DEALERSHIP THAT THERE WAS SOME SORT OF M PAPER SENT OUT BUT SINCE I DIDN'T OWN THE CAR AT THAT TIME, AGAIN IT WAS TOO LATE FOR THE CORRECTIONS TO BE MADE BY FORD. SO IN THE END IT HAS COST ME AND MY HUSBAND OVER $2,000 TO REPAIR THESE THINGS THAT SHOULD HAVE BEEN COVERED BY FORD. ONE MORE THING ABOUT THE MOTOR MOUNTS, THERE IS NO MECHANICAL SFETY DEVICE TO KEEP THINGS 'TOGETHER' WHEN THE RUBBER BLADDER SLPITS OR COMES APART. THIS COULD ALLOW THE NEGINE TO RAISE UP OUT OF THE WELL AND INTO THE FIRE WALL OR OUT OF THE WELL ALL TOGETHER, NOT TO MENTION PUTTING ALMOST EVERYTHING ELSE ATTACHED TO IT, IN A POWERFUL BIND.*AK
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK
Official recalls
698V323000 · 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.
98V094000 · Suspension:front:springs:coil Springs
May 6, 1998
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES ORIGINALLY SOLD OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE STATES OF NEW YORK, MICHIGAN, OHIO, ILLINOIS, WISCONSIN, PENNSYLVANIA, MASSACHUSETTS, INDIANA, NEW JERSEY, MAINE, CONNECTICUT, NEW HAMPSHIRE, RHODE ISLAND, VERMONT, MINNESOTA, IOWA, MISSOURI, KENTUCKY, MARYLAND, DELAWARE, AND WEST VIRGINIA. THE FRONT COIL SPRINGS CAN FRACTURE AS A RESULT OF CORROSION IN COMBINATION WITH SMALL CRACKS IN THE SPRINGS.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THE FRONT TIRE COULD DEFLATE DUE TO A BROKEN FRONT COIL SPRING CONTACTING THE TIRE, INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A SPRING CATCHER BRACKET WHICH WILL PREVENT A FRACTURED SPRING FROM CONTACTING A TIRE.
98V009000 · Exterior Lighting:headlights:switch
Jan 21, 1998
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE HEADLIGHTS CAN FLASH INTERMITTENTLY AS A RESULT OF THE CIRCUIT BREAKER OPENING. THE VEHICLE'S HEADLIGHTS CAN GO OUT FOR BRIEF INTERVALS.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: LOSS OF HEADLIGHTS DURING VEHICLE OPERATION CAN AFFECT A DRIVER'S ABILITY TO NAVIGATE THE ROADWAY AND REDUCE THE VISIBILITY OF THE VEHICLE, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A HEADLIGHT SWITCH THAT INCORPORATES A CRICUIT BREAKER OF REVISED DESIGN AND INSTALLATION OF A WIRING HARNESS CONNECTOR AND WIRING, IF NEEDED.
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.
93V023000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:antilock/traction Control/electronic Limited Slip
Jan 4, 1993
ANTI-LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM CONTROLLERS DESIGNED FOR REAR WHEEL DRIVE CARS MAY HAVE BEEN INSTALLED ON THESE FRONT WHEEL DRIVE CARS..
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THIS COULD RESULT IN REDUCED BRAKING ABILITY AND POSSIBLEVEHICLE ACCIDENT.
Remedy: REPLACE THE REAR WHEEL DRIVE ABS CONTROLLER WITH A FRONT WHEEL DRIVE ABS CONTROLLER.
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
11RQ99017 · Front Suspension Spring
Opened Aug 9, 1999 · Closed Feb 16, 2000
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Suspension
There is no summary currently available
EA99023 · Windshield Wiper
Opened Aug 6, 1999 · Closed Jun 12, 2001
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Visibility
ODI has received 50 additional complaiints on MY 1993 Ford Taurus and Mercury Sable vehicles alleging malfunction of the windshield wiper system including; intermittent or complete stoppage of wiper sweeping; inadequate sweep speed; and other general complaints of poor performace.In some cases, the owner alleges havingto leave the roadway or roll down the window and manually restart the sweeping motion of the wiper arms.Other complaints allege that the wiper sweeps too slowly at the maximum speed setting resulting in inadequate vision during heavy precipition.Some complaints allge repeated wiper system malfunctions despirt having their vehicles serviced at Ford dealerships of replacement of the multi-function switch and/or wiper motor.Ford provided its response to an Information Request Letter indicating that the same wiper motor is used on the MY 1987-1993 Taurus and Sable; however, warranty and complaint data show that the MY 1993 is over represented and may warrant particular attention.An Engineering Ananlysis is necessary to determine if a potential safety defect exists.
PE99015 · Windshield Wiper
Opened Feb 24, 1999 · Closed Aug 6, 1999
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Visibility
ALLEGED THAT THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS FAIL WITHOUT WARNING
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
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.
PE96018 · Headlights Failure
Opened Mar 5, 1996 · Closed Jul 31, 1996
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Exterior Lighting:headlights
There is no summary currently available
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
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