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
What owners actually said
387 reports
31,900 miles · May 11, 2005
Structure
ON MAY 10, 2005, I WAS DRIVING TO AN APPT. AFTER I GOT OFF THE HIGHWAY, I WAS DRIVING DOWN TARKILN HILL ROAD AND MY CAR STARTED TO MAKE A LOUD CLUNKING SOUND AND THE STEERING WAS OFF. I APPLIED MY BRAKE AT THE RED LIGHT AND MY BRAKE PEDAL WENT DOWN TO THE FLOOR. I WAS ABLE TO STOP THE CAR. I WENT TO THE APPT. WHICH WAS TWO B…
Read full complaint
ON MAY 10, 2005, I WAS DRIVING TO AN APPT. AFTER I GOT OFF THE HIGHWAY, I WAS DRIVING DOWN TARKILN HILL ROAD AND MY CAR STARTED TO MAKE A LOUD CLUNKING SOUND AND THE STEERING WAS OFF. I APPLIED MY BRAKE AT THE RED LIGHT AND MY BRAKE PEDAL WENT DOWN TO THE FLOOR. I WAS ABLE TO STOP THE CAR. I WENT TO THE APPT. WHICH WAS TWO BLOCKS AWAY VERY SLOWLY. WHEN I GOT OUT OF THE APPT. TO COME HOME, THE CAR STARTED AND THE NOISE WAS GONE. I DROVE SLOWLY HOME AND WHEN I GOT HOME, I LOOKED ON THE INTERNET TO SEE IF ANYONE HAD THIS PROBLEM. I CAME ACROSS A COMPLAINT PAGE WHERE SOMEONE IS COMPLAINING OF THE SAME ISSUE AND STATED THAT HIS STEERING WENT. HE SAID IT WAS DUE TO A SAFETY RECALL. I LOOKED UP THE RECALL AND CAME ACROSS A PAGE THAT HAD THE RECALLS FOR MY VEHICLE WHICH IS A 1994 MERCURY SABLE. THE CAMPAIGN ID # IS 98V323000. IT GOES ON TO SAY: SUMMARY: 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. IF BOTH REAR CORNERS DROP, STEERING WOULD BECOME SUDDENLY VERY DIFFICULT, AFFECTING VEHICLE CONTROL AND INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH. I CONTACTED THE DEALER ON CHURCH STREET IN NEW BEDFORD, SENTURY LINCOLN/MERCURY. THEY TOLD ME TO BRING THE CAR IN. WHEN I GOT THERE, THEY TOLD ME THERE WOULD BE A $75.00 CHARGE TO SEE IF THAT IS THE PROBLEM, AND IF IT IS, I WOULD HAVE TO PAY, BECAUSE THE RECALL WAS NOT ON THEIR COMPUTER. I CALLED THE FORD COMPANY'S 800 NUMBER AND WAS TOLD THE SAME THING. I THEN CALLED A MERCURY NUMBER, THAT I GOT OFF THE INTERNET AND WAS TOLD BY THAT GENTLEMAN THAT THE ID # OF THE RECALL IS FROM A VENDOR AND THE FORD COMPANY HAS A RIGHT TO NOT CONSIDER IT A RECALL AND IF THEY DO NOT SUPPORT IT, WHICH THEY DO NOT, I WOULD HAVE TO FILE A COMPLAINT WITH YOU, WHICH IS WHAT I AM DOING.
NHTSA ODI #10120713
157,000 miles · May 3, 2005
Exterior Lighting
MY HEADLIGHT SWITCH WENT OUT AND I REPLACED IT. I WAS WONDERING IF I COULD GET COMPANSATION FOR BUYING IT MYSELF, AS IT APPEARS TO BE A RECALL. ALSO THERE SEEMS TO BE A PROBLEM WITH MY HOME COMPUTER AND I AM NOT ABLE TO VIEW ANY DETAILED INFORMATION ABOUT MY VEHICLE. IF SOMEONE COULD E-MAIL ME, I WOULD GREATLY APPRECIATE THE …
Read full complaint
MY HEADLIGHT SWITCH WENT OUT AND I REPLACED IT. I WAS WONDERING IF I COULD GET COMPANSATION FOR BUYING IT MYSELF, AS IT APPEARS TO BE A RECALL. ALSO THERE SEEMS TO BE A PROBLEM WITH MY HOME COMPUTER AND I AM NOT ABLE TO VIEW ANY DETAILED INFORMATION ABOUT MY VEHICLE. IF SOMEONE COULD E-MAIL ME, I WOULD GREATLY APPRECIATE THE INFORMATION THAT I NEED TO KNOW ABOUT MY CAR, OR ANYTHING THAT I QUALIFY FOR. I DON'T KNOW ANY OF MY VEHICLES PAST HISTORY, SO IT WOULD ALSO BE APPRECIATED IF I COULD RECIEVE IT.
NHTSA ODI #10119571
195,000 miles · May 3, 2005
Power TrainSuspension
CONTACT STATED: WHEN SHIFTING FROM REVERSE TO DRIVE ENGINE MAKES A LOUD NOISE. ALSO, THE FRONT SUSPENSION SPRINGS BROKE WHILE DRIVING.*AK
NHTSA ODI #10119465
85,000 miles · Oct 3, 2004
VisibilityInjury
MY WIFE'S FINGER WAS COUGHT IN THE ELECTRIC WINODW WHEN SHE INADVERTANTLY PRESSED THE "UP" BUTTON!*AK
NHTSA ODI #10093539
84,600 miles · Oct 3, 2004
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
THE LEFT REAR BRAKE LINE BECAME CLOGGED WITH COROSION DEBRIS AND THE BRAKE LOCKED.*AK
NHTSA ODI #10093538
85,000 miles · Oct 3, 2004
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
REAR STEEL BRAKE PIPE FAILED DUE TO CORROSION.*AK
NHTSA ODI #10093536
94,000 miles · Aug 31, 2004
Visibility
MULTI FUNCTION SWITCH IS DEFECTIVE. WHEN USING THE RIGHT TURN SIGNAL IT MAKES THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS TURN OFF, AND THE WINDSHIELD WIPER FLUID WILL NOT COME OUT. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10090105
Mileage unknown · May 21, 2004
Suspension
WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED STEERING WHEEL FEELS LOOSE, AND MAKES A LOUD NOISE. DEALER NOTIFIED. INDEPENDENT SHOP INDICATED THE SWAY BAR FAILED. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10074047
90,000 miles · Mar 23, 2004
Suspension
I HAVE A 1994' SABLE IN WHICH THE FRONT LEFT COIL SPRING IS JUST ABOUT TO BREAK DUE TO FRACTURES IN METAL. MY 93' SABLE IN WHICH HAVE SOLD, HAD SAME PROBLEM.WHEN IT BROKE I WAS TURNING AT THE TIME.LUCKLY I DID NOT WRECK BUT HAD NO CONTROL OF CAR SINCE THE SPRING RUPTURED MY TIRE,AND FRAME OF CAR WAS SCRAPING THE BLACKTOP. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10063673
Mileage unknown · Mar 5, 2004
Exterior Lighting
LOSS OF HEADLIGHTS DURING VEHICLE OPERATION. HEADLIGHTS GO OUT WHILE DRIVING.THERE WAS RECALL OF THIS PROBLEM IN 1998 AND I WAS NEVER NOTIFIED. RECALL ID NUMBER 98VOO9000I. I BOUGHT AUTO FROM DEALER BEFORE RECALL. THE ABOVE CONDITION HAPPENS ALL THE TIME. UNABLE TO DRIVE AT NIGHT. *AK
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.
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.
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.
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
4
RQ99017 · 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.
1994 Mercury Sable Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year
Illustration