1999 Mercury Sable

Above average

Owners filed 258 complaints about this vehicle with federal regulators, most often about the suspension › front › springs › coil springs. It has been recalled 5 times.

When it fails
020k40k60k90k120k200k
68,000 milesMedian miles at failure

98 complaints record an odometer reading. Failures cluster around 60,00075,000 miles.

What fails
ComponentReportsCrashesFiresInjuries
Suspension › Front › Springs › Coil Springs35
000
Steering › Rack and Pinion12
000
Power Train › Automatic Transmission10
100
Air Bags › Frontal10
907
Visibility › Windshield Wiper/Washer9
000
Vehicle Speed Control9
102
Steering7
102
Seat Belts › Front › Retractor7
001
Steering › Hydraulic Power Assist System6
000
Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip6
205

5 safety recalls

Part 573 reports
Suspension › Front › Springs › Coil Springs04V332000
Filed Jul 15, 2004899,060 vehiclesFord Motor Company

Defect. ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES ORIGINALLY SOLD IN OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE STATES OF CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, IOWA, KENTUCKY, MAINE, MARYLAND, MASSACHUSETTS, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA, MISSOURI, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW JERSEY, NEW YORK, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, RHODE ISLAND, VERMONT, WEST VIRGINIA, WISCONSIN, AND THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, THE FRONT COIL SPRINGS COULD FRACTURE DUE TO CORROSION ASSOCIATED WITH SALT USED ON THE ROADWAYS DURING THE WINTER. A FRACTURED SPRING COULD MOVE PAST THE SPRING SEAT AND CONTACT A FRONT TIRE.

Risk. IF THIS OCCURS, THE TIRE MAY RUPTURE RESULTING IN A RAPID AIR LOSS, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.

Remedy. DEALERS WILL INSTALL PROTECTIVE SPRING SHIELDS. IN ADDITION, FORD IS EXTENDING THE WARRANTY COVERAGE OF THE FRONT COIL SPRINGS IN ALL OTHER STATES, FOR FRACTURE ONLY, UP TO 10 YEARS OF SERVICE OR 150,000 MILES, WHICHEVER OCCURS FIRST. IF THE VEHICLE HAS ALREADY ACCUMULATED MORE THAN 150,000 MILES, THIS COVERAGE WILL LAST UNTIL JULY 31, 2005. IF EITHER FRONT COIL SPRING FRACTURES, DEALERS WILL REPLACE BOTH FRONT SPRINGS AT NO CHARGE TO THE OWNER. AN INTERIM NOTICE WAS SENT TO OWNERS ON AUGUST 2, 2004. PARTS ARE NOW AVAILABLE FOR THE 2000-2001 MY VEHICLES AND OWNERS WERE SENT A LETTER ON JANUARY 10, 2005, ADVISING THEM TO BRING IN THEIR VEHICLES FOR REPAIR PARTS ARE EXPECTED TO BE AVAILABLE FOR THE 1999 MY VEHICLES BY THE END OF FEBRUARY 2005 AND OWNERS OF THESE VEHICLES WILL BE NOTIFIED THEN. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-392-3673.

Seat Belts › Front › Anchorage99V250000
Filed Sep 20, 199925,306 vehiclesFord Motor Company

Defect. VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE SEAT BELT RETRACTOR MAY HAVE A PIN SHAFT IN THE SWITCHABLE ELR/ALR MECHANISM THAT IS INCORRECTLY FORMED. IN SOME CIRCUMSTANCES, THE SWITCHING MECHANISM COULD BECOME NONFUNCTIONAL, PREVENTING THE SEAT BELT WEBBING FROM BEING EXTRACTED FROM THE RETRACTOR. IT IS ALSO POSSIBLE THAT MALFUNCTION OF THE MECHANISM COULD PREVENT THE BELT FROM BEING SWITCHED INTO THE ALR MODE. THE ELR MECHANISM IS NOT AFFECTED BY THIS CONDITION.

Risk. IF THE MECHANISM MALFUNCTIONS AND DOES NOT ALLOW THE WEBBING TO BE EXTRACTED, THE LAP AND SHOULDER BELT COULD NOT BE WORN BY A VEHICLE OCCUPANT. IN THE EVENT THAT THE MECHANISM DOES NOT ALLOW THE ALR MODE TO BE ENGAGED, THE OPERATOR MAY BE UNABLE TO PROPERLY INSTALL A CHILD SEAT IN THAT SEATING POSITION.

Remedy. DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE LAP AND SHOULDER BELT ASSEMBLIES. ASSEMBLIES WITH JULIAN DATE CODES OF 200 THROUGH 223 ARE SUSPECT AND WILL BE REPLACED.

Power Train › Automatic Transmission › Cooling Unit and Lines98V288000
Filed Nov 9, 19981,800 vehiclesFord Motor Company

Defect. VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUPPED WITH THE "CALIFORNIA" EMISSIONS PACKAGE. AN INCORRECT TRANSMISSION OIL COOLER LINE WAS INSTALLED. THE LINE CONTACTS THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKING SYSTEM MODULE SUPPORT BRACKET AND OVER TIME, CAN WEAR AND DEVELOP A LEAK.

Risk. TRANSMISSION FLUID LEAKAGE ONTO THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD OR CATALYTIC CONVERTER CAN RESULT IN A FIRE.

Remedy. DEALERS WILL INSTALL THE APPROPRIATE TRANSMISSION OIL COOLER LINE.

Vehicle Speed Control98V204000
Filed Sep 1, 19986,000 vehiclesFord Motor Company

Defect. VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. A DASH INSULATOR RETAINER CLIP WAS NOT FULLY ASSEMBLED TO THE ACCELERATOR CABLE DASH FITTING. THE CLIP CAN DISENGAGE FROM THE ACCELERATOR CABLE AND FALL INTO THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL ARM PIVOT AREA.

Risk. IF THIS CONDITION OCCURS, THE ENGINE MAY NOT FULLY RETURN TO IDLE. ALSO, THE INSULATOR MAY NOT STAY IN THE INTENDED LOCATION AND COULD INTERFERE WITH THE ACCELERATOR CABLE.

Remedy. DEALERS WILL INSPECT THESE VEHICLES TO ENSURE PROPER INSTALLATION OF THE ACCELERATOR CABLE CLIP, AND RE-INSTALL IF NEEDED.

Seat Belts › Front › Anchorage98V198000
Filed Aug 25, 19987,000 vehiclesFord Motor Company

Defect. VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH MANUAL SEAT TRACKS. THE FRONT SEAT BELT BUCKLE ATTACHING STUD MAY HAVE BEEN IMPROPERLY HEAT TREATED. THIS HEAT TREATMENT MAY HAVE RESULTED IN CRACKS DEVELOPING IN THE STUD.

Risk. IF THE STUD IS CRACKED, IN THE EVENT OF A VEHICLE CRASH, THE OCCUPANT MAY NOT BE PROPERLY RESTRAINED, INCREASING THE RISK OF PERSONAL INJURY.

Remedy. DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE SEAT BELT BUCKLE MOUNTING BRACKET AND STUD ASSEMBLY.

What owners reported

Newest filings
Power Train
Filed Dec 14, 2020152,000 milesOH

I BOUGHT A USED 1999 MERCURY SABLE GS WITH THE U TYPE 3.0L V6 ENGINE 2 MONTHS AGO. JUST RECENTLY I NOTICED THE CAR WANTING TO LUNGE FORWARD WHILE HOLDING THE BRAKE AT STOPS. THEN A FEW DAYS LATER WHENEVER I START THE CAR IT LUNGES FORWARD. NOTHING DRAMATIC BUT DEFINITELY NOTICEABLE. I STARTED LOOKING ONLINE TO SEE ABOUT A RECALL AND 1 WAS PRESENT A LONG TIME AGO. IS IT TO LATE TO GET MY CAR CHECKED OR HOW TO SEE IF IT WAS EVER SERVICED OR CALLED FOR THE RECALL.

Steering
Filed Dec 17, 2019149,000 milesTN

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 MERCURY SABLE WAGON. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME LOOSE AND WAS UNABLE TO CONTROL THE VEHICLE. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO DEPRESS THE BRAKE PEDAL TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE AND THEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT THE RACK AND PINION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 149,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

Steering
Filed Dec 17, 2019149,000 milesTN

WHILE DRIVING THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME LOOSE AND MADE IT VERY HARD TO STEER ALMOST CAUSING ME TO HAVE A ACCIDENT AFTER COMING TO A STOP THE STEERING WHEEL WAS OFF CENTER AND VERY HARD TO TURN HAD TO GET CAR TOWED.I FIND THIS TO BE A COMPLETE RIP OFF BECAUSE I SEE NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS OF STEERING PROBLEMS OF THE SAME MATTER

Structure › Body
Filed Jan 7, 2017115,000 milesNY

REAR SUBFRAME CONNECTION PASSENGER SIDE RUSTED THROUGH DUE TO FACTORY PUT AIR CONDITIONER CONDENSATE LINE SO THAT IT CONSTANTLY DUMPS CONDENSATE ON THIS AREA INSTEAD OF DRAINING CONDENSATE BEYOND AND TO THE GROUND. THE RESULT IS A RUSTED OUT SEVERED CONNECTION THEREBY CAUSING THE ENGINE AND TRANSMISSION TO BE HELD BY ONLY THREE OF THE FOUR CONNECTIONS NEEDED TO SAFELY HOLD ENGINE AND TRANSMISSION AS DESIGNED FROM THE FACTORY.

Service Brakes
Filed Jun 30, 2016155,000 milesIL

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 MERCURY SABLE. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE BRAKES HESITATED TO STOP THE VEHICLE. IN ADDITION, THE VEHICLE INDEPENDENTLY ACCELERATED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 155,000.

Air Bags
Filed Feb 18, 2016MI

THE STEERING IS HORIBLE, ABOUT 3YEARS AGO CHANGED RACK APPION STEERING, AND JUST A WEEK AGO, PUT NEW STEERING PUMP ON, STILL.

Steering
Filed Nov 25, 2015TX

EVEN AFTER REPLACING THE SECOND POWER STEERING PUMP , IT IS HORRIBLE TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL MOST OF THE TIME. ALSO, IT IS NOISY WHILE I'M DRIVING IT. IT HAD A NEW RACK AND PINION ON IT WHEN I BOUGHT IT . PARKING IN A PARKING LOT IS AWFUL AS IT IS ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO MANEUVER AROUND OTHER CARS. TURNING CORNERS ,SOMETIMES IT'S OKAY AND OTHER TIMES REALLY HARD. NOT SURE IF THIS COMPLAINT BELONGS HERE, BUT HEATER DOESN'T WORK ,EITHER. FEELS LIKE A/C IS ON . HAD A FRIEND CHECK IT AND HE IS HAVING A HARD TIME FIGURING IT OUT. DON'T KNOW HOW TO ANSWER "DATE HAPPENED" AS IT HAS BEEN DOING THIS SINCE I BOUGHT IT IN AUGUST.

Structure
Filed May 8, 201465,988 milesCO

AFTER RAINS THE CAR GOT A WET FLOOR ON THE PASSENGER SIDE ,NO WET SPOTS ON ROOF OR WINDOWS. IT WAS LEAKING WATER FROM THE DASH BOARD COMPARTMENT BOTTOM.WHILE DRIVING ,THE HEATER WAS ON AND IT STARTED SMOKING FROM UNDER THE DASHBOARD COMPARTMENT BY PASSENGER SIDE I TURNED EVERYTHING OFF . I TOOK IT FOR REPAIR AND NOW, ON MAY IT RAINED HEAVY AGAIN AND IT HAS A PUDDLE IN THE PASSENGER SIDE AGAIN ,SAME SITUATION AS BEFORE, WATER CAME FROM INSIDE.IS THIS A SAFETY HAZARD? I BOUGHT THIS CAR ON NOVEMBER 2013 ,AND I KNEW TOO LATE ABOUT THE HEATING SYSTEM RECALL ,I DON'T KNOW IF IT WAS EVER REPAIRED ON THAT RECALL.FORD DEALER IN COLORADO SAYS THERE IS NO WAY TO CHECK IT.ACCORDING TO SOME WEBSITES IT NEEDS SOMETHING TO HAVE A PROTECTION UNDER THE WIPERS VENTS(COWL) AND IT IS A FACTORY MISTAKE. I HAVE HAD THE HEATING SYSTEM REPAIRED 2 TIMES,TOO EXPENSIVE FOR ME.I AM UNDER EMPLOYED. I WANT TO KNOW IF THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD. IT IS THE ONLY WAY I COULD MAKE FORD TO FIX THIS RECALLED IF THE CAR WAS NEVER FIXED FOR THIS BEFORE.THANKS FOR YOUR HELP. *TR

Suspension
Filed May 1, 201341,100 milesNH

VEHICLE SPRING FRACTURED BREAKING THE BOTTOM PART OFF THE COIL SPRING ON THE FRONT LEFT DRIVERS SIDE OF THE CAR.THE LEFT FRONT IS NOW LOWER AND TIRES SHOW WEAR. I HAVE STOPPED DRIVING AS A RESULT. *TR

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components › Hoses, Lines/Piping, and Fittings
Filed Dec 3, 2012RI

1999 MERCURY SABLE. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO TOTAL BRAKE SYSTEM FAILURE IN VEHICLE. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED THE BRAKE LINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED.

Seat Belts
Filed Aug 31, 2012125,000 milesNY

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 MERCURY SABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PASSENGER SEAT BELT DOES NOT RETRACT OR PROPERLY SECURE THE PASSENGER. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN (NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 99V250000 SEAT BELTS: FRONT: ANCHORAGE); THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 125,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

Vehicle Speed Control
Filed Sep 28, 2011109,000 milesOH

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS 1999 MERCURY SABLE WAGON. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKE WAS DEPRESSED WHEN THE VEHICLE UNEXPECTEDLY ACCELERATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO HAVE THE FAILURE DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 109,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

Suspension › Rear
Filed Jun 28, 2011161,504 milesIL

MY 99 SABLE GS HAS A RECALL ON THE FRONT COIL SPRINGS AND FORD WILL NOT REPLACE THEM BECAUSE IT HAS EXCEEDED THE TIME FRAME. WHICH IS RIDICULOUS! I NEVER EVEN RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE ON THE CAR WE FOUND THE RECALL ONLINE. ALSO THE REAR COIL SPRINGS ARE BROKEN AND THE TIRES ARE MESSED UP AND FORD WON'T RECALL THEM IF SALT IS GOING TO GET IN THE FRONT COIL SPRINGS AND MAKE THEM CRACK THEN WHAT MAKES YOU THINK THAT IT WON'T GET IN THE REAR? WE HAVE SMALL CHILDREN AND ARE WORRIED ABOUT THEIR SAFETY. WE WILL BE GETTING A LAWYER AND FILE A COMPLAINT THROUGH HIM BECAUSE THIS CAR IS NOT SAFE FOR ANYONE TO BE IN LET ALONE CHILDREN. I THINK THEY SHOULD WORRY ABOUT SAFETY AND NOT MASS PRODUCTION. *TR

Suspension › Front
Filed Apr 24, 2011151,000 milesMN

SUB FRAME RUSTED THROUGH AROUND FRONT LOWER CONTROL ARM BOLTS CAUSING EXCESSIVE PLAY IN STEERING AND POSSIBLE SEPARATION OF CONTROL ARM FROM SUB FRAME. FRONT MOUNT BOLT IS RECESSED 1/2 INCH IN TO THE SUB FRAME WHERE WATER/SALT CAN COLLECT AND HAS NO WHERE TO DRAIN. *TR

Structure › Frame and Members
Filed Jan 4, 201115,700 milesMI

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 MERCURY SABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT EXCESSIVE RUST CAUSED THE STEERING COLUMN TO SNAP WHILE HE WAS DRIVING 45 MPH. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT THE FRAME HAD NOT BEEN COATED CORRECTLY AT PRODUCTION. THE MECHANIC REPAIRED THE FRAME AND STEERING COLUMN. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER WHO OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 15,700. UPDATED 2/22/11 *CN UPDATED 12/06/2011 *LN

Structure › Frame and Members
Filed Jan 1, 2011140,000 milesPA

SUBFRAME OF VEHICLE IS SEVERELY RUSTED TO THE POINT WHERE IT IS STRUCTURALLY UNSOUND. MOST OF THE BODY ROT IS COVERED BY THE PLASTIC MOLDING UNDER THE DOORS, AND IS NOT VISIBLE UNTIL THE MOLDING IS REMOVED. IT SEEMS THAT WATER AND ROAD SALT MUST GET TRAPPED BETWEEN THE MOLDING AND METAL LEADING TO THE EXTENSIVE RUST. THE FRAME BREAKING WHILE DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS WOULD LEAD TO A CATASTROPHIC FAILURE WHICH COULD CAUSE A POTENTIALLY FATAL ACCIDENT. *TR

Seat Belts › Front › Anchorage
Filed Jun 16, 201098,000 milesIL

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 MERCURY SABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE ATTEMPTING TO OPERATE THE VEHICLE SHE NOTICED THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE SEAT BELT WAS STUCK IN THE ANCHORAGE AND WOULD NOT PULL OUT OR RETRACT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL ASSOCIATED WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 99V250000 (SEAT BELTS: FRONT: ANCHORAGE). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT SERVICED FOR THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 98,000. UPDATED 10/27/10. *LJ

Wheels › RimCrash
Filed Oct 1, 2009122,000 milesIN

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 MERCURY SABLE LS. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH THE VEHICLE DRIFTED OFF OF THE ROAD AND INTO A WOODED AREA. HE SUSTAINED MINOR INJURIES. UPON FURTHER INSPECTION HE NOTICED THAT THE CORROSION ON THE CHROME PLATED WHEEL CAUSED THE PASSENGER FRONT TIRE TO LOSE PRESSURE. ALL FOUR WHEELS WERE REPLACED WITH ALLOYED WHEELS. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 122,000. UPDATED 04/01/10 *BF THE TIRE LOST AIR PRESSURE AS A RESULT OF CHROMING OF THE TIRE SEALING AREA. UPDATED 07/19/*JB

Service Brakes, Hydraulic
Filed Jul 8, 200997,000 milesNY

COMPLETE BRAKE FAILURE. PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR AND CAR WOULD NOT STOP. I USED THE EMERGENCY BRAKE TO SAFELY STOP THE VEHICLE. THIS HAPPENED ONCE BEFORE ABOUT THREE YEARS AGO AND A REPAIR CENTER WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE. BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *TR

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine › Gasoline › Belts and Associated Pulleys
Filed May 20, 2009140,000 milesIN

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 MERCURY SABLE. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE CONSUMER DROVE OVER A SMALL PUDDLE OF WATER, WHICH CAUSED THE POWER STEERING TO LOCK UP. A FEW SECONDS LATER, THE POWER STEERING RETURNED. THE CONTACT BELIEVES THAT THE STEERING FAILS WHENEVER THE SERPENTINE BELT GETS WET. THE BELT MUST DRY OFF BEFORE HE CAN GAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED. THE FAILURE HAS OCCURRED BETWEEN FIVE AND SIX TIMES. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 140,000. UPDATED 07/17/09. *LJ UPDATED 07/20/09.*JB

20 of 258 complaints, reproduced as filed.

Across model years

Worst on record: 1993
YearComplaintsRecallsFiresDeathsAssessment
200920000Routine
200861130Routine
20061000Routine
200583100Routine
200452200Routine
2003201410Above average
2002440451Fatalities reported
2001430970Above average
2000464780Above average
1999 — this page258540Above average
1998190230Routine
1997228350Above average
19963045100Above average
19953506140Above average
1994387590Above average
1993674871Fatalities reported
1992364564Fatalities reported
1991221590Above average
19901667180Routine

Compare every Sable year →

Reading this record

Complaint volume is well above typical for a single model year.

Complaint counts track how many cars were sold and how long they have been on the road as much as they track quality. A common model from 2013 has had a decade to accumulate reports; a rare one from last year has not. The signal worth weighing is in the severity columns, in whether the same component keeps appearing, and in whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.

Recall repairs are free for as long as the recall stands. Check whether a specific car still has open work at NHTSA's VIN lookup.

Most recent recall on file: Jul 15, 2004. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.