IllustrationHEAD GASKET BLEW OUT. LOST COOLANT, HEAD CRACKED. THIS IS A KNOWN DEFECT ON THIS 3.8 ENGINE. FORD REFUSE TO PAY FOR REPAIRS BECAUSE THE CAR IS MORE THAN 5 YEARS OLD EVEN THOUGH IT ONLY HAS 56,123 MILES ON IT.( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: 15 )
1994 Mercury Sable
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
Similar to other model years
Owner complaints for the 1994 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: 27 of 387 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 142 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Power Train. Review the 95 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Electrical System. Review the 29 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
16 crash reports9 fire reports13 injury reports
Engine And Engine Cooling complaints
142 reportsI HAVE EXPERIENCED NUMEROUS RECENT FAILURES WITH THIS VEHICLE THAT I BELIEVE ARE DUE TO DEFECTIVE DESIGN, MATERIALS, AND WORKMANSHIP BY FORD. SOME OF THESE CAN RESULT IN A SERIOUS ACCIDENT IF NOT ADDRESSED. I HAVE LEARNED THAT THE HEAD GASKET, TIMING COVER GASKET, ENGINE MOUNTS, AND A/C FAILURES ARE QUITE COMMON ON THIS VEHICLE.…
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I HAVE EXPERIENCED NUMEROUS RECENT FAILURES WITH THIS VEHICLE THAT I BELIEVE ARE DUE TO DEFECTIVE DESIGN, MATERIALS, AND WORKMANSHIP BY FORD. SOME OF THESE CAN RESULT IN A SERIOUS ACCIDENT IF NOT ADDRESSED. I HAVE LEARNED THAT THE HEAD GASKET, TIMING COVER GASKET, ENGINE MOUNTS, AND A/C FAILURES ARE QUITE COMMON ON THIS VEHICLE. THIS TENDS TO SUPPORT THE NEED FOR AN INVESTIGATION BY YOUR OFFICE AND SUBSEQUENT RECALL OF THESE VEHICLES. THE COST TO REPAIR ALL OF THESE ITEMS IS APPROXIMATELY $3500. I HAVE CONTACTED FORD WHO IN TURN OFFERED ME A MERE $500. TOWARDS THE HEAD GASKET REPAIR. FORD HAD INSTITUTED AN "INTERNAL RECALL" ON THESE HEAD GASKETS (ESSENTIALLY ADMITTING THAT THEY ARE DEFECTIVE), BUT MY VEHICLE IS NOW NOT COVERED UNDER THIS PROGRAM. PLEASE INVESTIGATE AND FORCE A RECALL ON THESE OBVIOUSLY DEFECTIVE VEHICLES. PLEASE CONTACT ME IF YOU NEED FURTHER INFORMATION. THANK YOU, JOHN MACIEL.
HEAD GASKET FAILED PRIOR TO RECALL NOTICE (97V-019). MJS
FORD ISSUED A NOTICE, NOT A RECALL AS I FEEL THEY SHOULD HAVE DONE, BECAUSE OF THE PREMATURE FAILURE OF THE HEAD GASKETS. THE FAILURE COULD HAVE RESULTED IN A SAFETY CONCERN FOR MY FAMILY IF THEY FAILED AT A TIME OR PLACE THAT WOULD HAVE BEEN DANGEROUS. IN THE NOTICE FORD SAID THEY WOULD PROVIDE COVERAGE NO CHARGE COVERAGE FOR 5…
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FORD ISSUED A NOTICE, NOT A RECALL AS I FEEL THEY SHOULD HAVE DONE, BECAUSE OF THE PREMATURE FAILURE OF THE HEAD GASKETS. THE FAILURE COULD HAVE RESULTED IN A SAFETY CONCERN FOR MY FAMILY IF THEY FAILED AT A TIME OR PLACE THAT WOULD HAVE BEEN DANGEROUS. IN THE NOTICE FORD SAID THEY WOULD PROVIDE COVERAGE NO CHARGE COVERAGE FOR 5 YEARS OR 60,000 MILES. NO MENTION WAS MADE ABOUT "WHICHEVER COMES FIRST." IT WAS A CLEAR STATEMENT OF 5 YEARS OR 60,000 MILES. I FEEL FORD IS TRYING TO TAKE THE EASY & CHEAP WAY OUT AND NOT ACTING IN A RESPONSIBLE MANNER AS A MANUFACTURER SHOULD.
NO SUMMARY
I HAVE HAD OTHER PROBLEMS WITH THIS CAR FEUL PUMP REPLACED , NEW HEAD PUT ON CAR, TRANSMISSION SCREEN AND FILTER REPLACED BECAUSE OF LEAKAGE, BRAKES REPLACED ROTORS TURNED, BROKEN MOTOR MOUNT, REAR AXLE LOOSE. SQUEALING NOISE ON PASSANGER SIDE WHEN TURNING OR GOING AROUND A CURVE. THE TRANSMISSION ON THIS CAR ALSO I THINK HAS A…
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I HAVE HAD OTHER PROBLEMS WITH THIS CAR FEUL PUMP REPLACED , NEW HEAD PUT ON CAR, TRANSMISSION SCREEN AND FILTER REPLACED BECAUSE OF LEAKAGE, BRAKES REPLACED ROTORS TURNED, BROKEN MOTOR MOUNT, REAR AXLE LOOSE. SQUEALING NOISE ON PASSANGER SIDE WHEN TURNING OR GOING AROUND A CURVE. THE TRANSMISSION ON THIS CAR ALSO I THINK HAS A PROBLEM IT HESITATES WHEN YOU FIRST CRANK UP THE CAR IT WON' T GO IT ACTS LIKE YOU ARE IN NEUTRAL FOR A FEW SECONDS THEN IT GOES. I HAVE ALSO HAD SOME TYPE OF COLLANT RING AROUND THE TIMING CHAIN REPLACED THE ENGINE WOULD GET HOT AND START SMOKING IT SMELLED LIKE ANTI-FREEZE . MOST OF THE REPAIR WORK HAS BEEN DONE UNDER THE EXTENDED WARRENTY BUT THIS CAR DOES HAVE PROBLEMS.
MOTOR MOUNTS AND TRANSMISSION MOUNTS FAILED CAUSING NOISE, PRIOR TO RECALL NOTICE OF THE SUB-FRAME MOUNTS (26-FEB-99) (98S36). MJS
HEADGASKET BLEW OUT, CAUSING VEHICLE TO OVERHEAT. ALSO, TEMPERATURE GAUGE FLUCTUATED BETWEEN ON/OFF. *AK
WAS TAKING VEHICLE OFF ROAD & NOTICED THE INFLUCUATION OF HEAT. HAD THE THERMOSTAT CHANGED & FLUCUATION HEAT STILL EXISTED. TOOK VEHICLE TO LOT TO BE SOLD & THE MECHANIC INFORMED OWNER THE HEAD GASKETS HAD BLOWN. THE VEHICLE COULD NOT BE SOLD. MANUFACTURER INFORMED OWNER THE TSB ON HEAD GASKETS HAD EXPIRED. *AK
NO SUMARY LISTED FOR THIS VEHICLE. *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.
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.
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
4RQ99017 · Front Suspension Spring
Opened Aug 9, 1999 · Closed Feb 16, 2000
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Suspension
There is no summary currently available
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.