IllustrationCONSUMER STATES THE ENGINE RUNS ROUGH, HOWEVER THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM.*JB
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 reportsAIR BAG LIGHT ON INSTRUMENT PANEL FLASHES ON AND OFF WHILE VEHICLE IS IN OPERATION. DEALERSHIP EXAMINED VEHICLE AND DETERMINED THAT A CONTROL MODULE IN STEERING COLUMN NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION/ATTACHMENTS.*AK
RECEIVED ABRASIONS/BURNS FROM AIRBAG.SEATBELT NOT SECURED. *AK
ENTIRE VEHICLE STARTS TO VIBRATE UNCONTROLLABLY. DEALER DENIED PROBLEM. AK SCC ***DIMSII IVOQ ENTRY POSTED AFTER 12/12/02 CUT-OVER TO ARTEMIS****751026
THE CAR STALLS BOTH WHEN BEING DRIVEN AND WHEN STOPPED IN TRAFFIC OR AT A STOP LIGHT. THERE IS NO ADVANCED WARNING AND THE CAR DOES NOT SEEM TO BE OVERHEATING WHEN THE PROBLEM OCCURS, BUT IT OCCURS MORE FREQUENTLY ON HOT DAYS.*AK
THE ENGINE OVERHEATED..HAD THE CAR TOWED TO THE DEALER.THEY FINALLY FOUND A LEAK IN THE HEADGASKET.THEY DID NOT MENTION THAT THIS WAS A RECURRING PROBLEM WITH THE 3.8 ENGINE. I LATER WROTE TO FORD MOTOR CO. DIRECTOR OF VEHICLE SERVICE,STATING THE PROBLEM I HAD WITH THE ENGINE REFERED TO A NEWS ITEM THAT SAID FORD WAS EXTENDING …
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THE ENGINE OVERHEATED..HAD THE CAR TOWED TO THE DEALER.THEY FINALLY FOUND A LEAK IN THE HEADGASKET.THEY DID NOT MENTION THAT THIS WAS A RECURRING PROBLEM WITH THE 3.8 ENGINE. I LATER WROTE TO FORD MOTOR CO. DIRECTOR OF VEHICLE SERVICE,STATING THE PROBLEM I HAD WITH THE ENGINE REFERED TO A NEWS ITEM THAT SAID FORD WAS EXTENDING THE ENGINE WARRANTY ON THE 3.8 ENGINES TO INCLUDE THE 1994 AND 1995 MODELS. I WAS INFORMED THAT THE 1993 MODELS WERE NOT INCLUDED. SINCE THAT TIME I HAVE READ THE LONG LIST OF COMPLAINTS FROM 1993 MERCURY OWNERS ON YOUR WEBSITE....THERE IS OBVIOUSLY A PROBLEM WITH THE 1993 3.8 ENGINE! A MECHANIC TOLD ME THAT HE BELIEVED THAT FORD (MERCURY) WAS NOW TAKING CARE OF THE PROBLEM(REIMBURSING REAIR COSTS)......IS THIS TRUE? I WOULD APPRECIATE ANY UPDATED INFORMATION YOU COULD SEND ME ABOUT THIS PROBLEM.*AK
THIS VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED USED FROM A MERCURY DEALERSHIP AND HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP FOR REPAIRS OVER 30 TIMES. THE ENGINE HAS ALWAYS RAN HOT WITH THE TEMPERATURE NEAR OR AT THE RED LINE. DEALERSHIP SAYS THIS IS NORMAL AND NOT A PROBLEM. HOWEVER, THE EXCESSIVE HEAT CONSTANTLY BOILS OUT THE ENGINE COOLANT AND HAS CAUSED EXCESSIV…
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THIS VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED USED FROM A MERCURY DEALERSHIP AND HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP FOR REPAIRS OVER 30 TIMES. THE ENGINE HAS ALWAYS RAN HOT WITH THE TEMPERATURE NEAR OR AT THE RED LINE. DEALERSHIP SAYS THIS IS NORMAL AND NOT A PROBLEM. HOWEVER, THE EXCESSIVE HEAT CONSTANTLY BOILS OUT THE ENGINE COOLANT AND HAS CAUSED EXCESSIVE WEAR INSIDE THE COOLANT LINES WITH FAILIURES ABOVE THE THERMOSTAT, AND ABOVE THE ENGINE AT THE FIREWALL, AND OF THE UPPER AND LOWER HOSES, AS WELL AS TWO THERMOSTATS. THE EXCESSIVE HEAT HAS ALSO PREVENTED PROPER COOLING OF THE TRANSMISSION FLUID WHICH HAS RESULTED IN SHIFTING PROBLEMS AND EVENTUAL FAILURE OF THE TRANSMISSION. THE MOTOR MOUNTS ON THIS VEHICLE HAVE BEEN REPLACED AT LEAST 8 TIMES (WE HAVE AN INTERNAL LETTER FROM FORD THAT INDICATES THEY KNOW THE MOUNTS ARE DEFECTIVE AND WILL REPLACE THEM FOR FREE IF THE OWNER HAS THIS LETTER). THE ENGINE OIL LIGHT IS NOW BEGINNING TO FLICKER AND THE TRANSMISSION IS NOT SHIFTING PROPERLY, AGAIN. THE VALVE COVER AND TIMING COVER GASKETS WERE REPLACED 5,000 MILES AGO BECAUSE THEY WERE LEAKING OIL ONTO THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER AND EXHAUST SYSTEM, WHICH CAUSED CONSTANT BURNING ODOR AND SMOKE. I BELIEVE THIS VEHICLE, AND ALL MODELS OF IT WITH THE SAME ENGINE, POSES A SERIOUS FIRE AND ACCIDENT HAZARD DUE TO THE CONSTANT HIGH ENGINE TEMPERATURES WHICH ARE NOT NORMAL, REGARDLESS OF WHAT THE MANUFACTURER SAYS. THE HIGH TEMPS ARE CAUSING TRANSMISSION FAILURES, GASKET FAILURES, COOLANT LINE FAILURES, AND SENSOR FAILURES (SEVERAL HAVE HAD TO BE REPLACED ON OUR CAR). YOUR DATABASE SHOWS HUNDREDS OF SIMILAR COMPLAINTS. THE SABLE/TAURUS NEEDS TO BE RECALLED FOR ALL VERSIONS WITH THE 3.8 LITER ENGINE, NOT JUST A FEW SELECT YEARS, AND FORD NEEDS TO REIMBURSE ALL EXPENSES INCURRED BY THE OWNERS FOR ENGINE AND ENGINE COMPONENT REPAIRS. WE HAVE ALSO HAD WATER PUMP FAILURES, COMPUTER FAILURE, BRAKE FAILURE, STRUT FAILURE, REAR SUSPENSION FAILURE, CRUISE CONTROL LOCKUP WHICH PLACED THE ENGINE IN HIGH SPEED.
WHENEVER VEHICLE WAS IN OVERDRIVE, IT WOULD JERK AND THEN STALL OUT WHEN TURNING CORNERS. THIS CAUSED POWER STEERING TO LOCK UP. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALERSHIP, AND WAS INFORMED NOTHING COULD BE DONE ABOUT IT. VEHICLE WAS NOT RECALLED.*AK CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THAT HIS VEHICLES VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN RECALL, SO CONSUMER HAD …
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WHENEVER VEHICLE WAS IN OVERDRIVE, IT WOULD JERK AND THEN STALL OUT WHEN TURNING CORNERS. THIS CAUSED POWER STEERING TO LOCK UP. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALERSHIP, AND WAS INFORMED NOTHING COULD BE DONE ABOUT IT. VEHICLE WAS NOT RECALLED.*AK CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THAT HIS VEHICLES VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN RECALL, SO CONSUMER HAD THE HEAD GASKET AND THERMOSTAT REPLACED AND PAID FOR REPAIRS. TRANSMISSION IS NOW GOING OUT. RIGHT OUTER TIE ROD END REPLACED, WAS CAUSING A SQUEAKING NOISE WHEN TURNING STEERING WHEEL. WINDSHIELD WASHER PUMP FAILED AND CAUSED A LEAK. HEADLIGHT SWITCH FAILED. *SLC
SOMETIMES THE ABS BRAKES SEEM TO ACTUATE EVEN THOUGH THE ROAD IS DRY AND THE BRAKES ARE NOT APPLIED HARD. THE RATE OF ABS APPLICATION SEEMS MUCH LESS THAN NORMAL, 2-3/SEC RATHER THAN THE NORMAL 10/SEC. THE STOPPING DISTANCE IS INCREASED SO THAT THERE IS AN INCREASE IN CHANCE FOR AN ACCIDENT. I HAVE DISCONNECTED THE ABS SO THA…
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SOMETIMES THE ABS BRAKES SEEM TO ACTUATE EVEN THOUGH THE ROAD IS DRY AND THE BRAKES ARE NOT APPLIED HARD. THE RATE OF ABS APPLICATION SEEMS MUCH LESS THAN NORMAL, 2-3/SEC RATHER THAN THE NORMAL 10/SEC. THE STOPPING DISTANCE IS INCREASED SO THAT THERE IS AN INCREASE IN CHANCE FOR AN ACCIDENT. I HAVE DISCONNECTED THE ABS SO THAT THE BRAKES ACT NORMALLY BUT WITHOUT THE BENEFIT OF ABS WHICH MAY BE OK FOR THE SUMMER BUT HAVING ABS ON ICY WINTER ROADS WILL BE CRUCIAL TO AVOIDING ACCIDENTS.*AK
ENGINE BLEW HEAD GASKET.
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