- The problem
- 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.
- The risk
- If both rear corners drop, steering would become suddenly very difficult, affecting vehicle control and increasing the risk of a crash.
- The fix
- Dealers will install subframe rear mount bolts, reinforcement plates, and plate nuts.
Vehicle safety record
1990 Mercury Sable Problems, complaints & recalls
Owners have filed 169 complaints about the 1990 Mercury Sable with NHTSA, most often about the body, doors & structure (25) and the engine & cooling (24). Those complaints describe 13 crashes, 18 fires and 9 injuries. It is covered by 7 recalls, the latest in December 1998 for the frame and members. For comparison, the 1989 has 242 and the 1991 has 230.
NHTSA data checked
CAbout as many problems as a typical Sable year, for its age
#9 most complained-about 1990 vehicle
- Complaints
- 169
- Recalls
- 7
- Crashes
- 13
- Fires
- 18
- Injuries
- 9
- Deaths
- 0
Most common 1990 Mercury Sable problems
Share of all 169 complaints. One complaint can name more than one area. Tap an area for its complaints and recalls.
1990 Mercury Sable recalls 7
Recall repairs are free. Your dealer fixes them whether or not you bought the car there - check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see if yours is done. What to do
- The problem
- The arc welds on the sway bar bracket, where it attaches to the strut reserve tube, did not fuse properly.
- The risk
- Over time, a portion of the bracket can tear away from the strut, falling into and puncturing the tire or causing damage to the wheel, which could result in an accident.
- The fix
- Monroe dealers will replace the strut free of charge.
- The problem
- The rigid mounted safety belt buckles are defective in three ways. First, a fastened safety belt buckle will not unlatch when the release button is depressed. This results from interference between the buckle ejector finger and the buckle tongue window. The second defect is the safety belt buckle may not latch. The third possible defect is that the tongue may be retained by the buckle, but it may not be latched sufficiently to provide occupant protection.
- The risk
- An insufficiently latched or unlatched safety beltincreases the risk of injury to seat occupants in the event of a sudden stop oraccident. If the safety belt buckle will not unlatch, it will not allow theoccupant to get out of the vehicle in an emergency situation.
- The fix
- Ford will replace the rigid mounted safety belt buckles with end release safety belt buckles designed to prevent latch problems.
- The problem
- Children can accidentally lock themselves in the footwell area of the rear-facing third seat, or in the storage compartment in station wagons not equipped with an optional third seat. Once the compartment is closed it cannot be opened from the inside.
- The risk
- There is a danger of air deprivation, hyperthermia,and/or panic response to a child who has locked himself or herself into thecompartment, with the possibility of asphyxiation.
- The fix
- Replace the self-latching assembly currently used in the rear storage compartment with a latch assembly that can only be closed with a key.
- The problem
- Front disc brake rotors of the subject vehicles may experience severe corrosion if operated in areas where calcium chloride and sodium chloride are used extensively.
- The risk
- Severely corroded rotors may fracture or separate nearthe inner edges of the brake discs resulting in reduced braking effectiveness,higher than normal pedal efforts, loud grinding noises, and moderate pulls whenthe brakes are applied. Reduced braking effectiveness may increase minimumstopping distances, possibly resulting in an accident.
- The fix
- Replace front brake rotors with full cast front brake rotors.
- The problem
- Threaded inflator components may have been damaged during assembly which may allow components to separate when inflator receives a signal to deploy the air bag.
- The risk
- Inflator component separation allows hot combustion gases to escape into the passenger compartment which could result in injuries to vehicle occupants.
- The fix
- Replace air bag modules containing potentially defective inflators.
- The problem
- An incorrect transistor may cause autolamp system light sensor module malfunction.
- The risk
- Headlamps could turn off while vehicle is being driven orremain on after vehicle is parked. Loss of headlights while driving at nightcould be hazardous to the driver and other trafific.
- The fix
- REPLACE LIGHT SENSOR MODULES.
What owners say
Be the first Sable owner to share.
Problems or none - your experience is exactly what the next buyer is looking for. Write it now
169 complaints about the 1990 Mercury Sable
Newest first, as filed with NHTSA by owners. Page 1 of 7.
My wife owns a 1990 mercury sable. She as well has complained about a sticky gas pedal. I myself have drove the car when the gas pedal was sticking and the car accelerated. Sometimes when we have put our foot on the gas pedal the car will not accelerate until we push alittle harder then the car takes off so quickly it could cause an accident. There was several occasions then the car accelerated while driving normally down the road. I was able to put the car in neutral and then brake to a safe stop. We found that...
Read the full complaint
the drivers side floor mat was part of the problem getting up under the gas pedal. We removed the floor mat but the car still has a sticky gas pedal. We took the car to a certified auto repair shop to complain about the gas pedal, but they found nothing wrong. I'm telling you this doesn't happen every time, but more often then not the gas pedal sticks. Its just a matter of time before my wife would get into an accident, unless we find a way to fix this. She has not driven the car for over 6 months now because she is afraid of it. We don't feel comfortable with trying to sell the car as it could cause someone else an injury. *Tr
Vehicle -- 1990 mercury sable station wagon, 3.8 Engine experienced loss of steering control due to failure of engine/transmission lower subframe mount failing. Subsequent motion also breached both rear brake lines with major loss of braking power. With significant effort, I was able to maintain control of the vehicle. *Tr
Car cruised just fine 25 miles to town, got all my stuff done in town, pulled up to a stop sign on a hill and the car would not move, engine ran just fine, the transmission would not shift into gear, car only has 110k on it, had to roll back off the road and stop, park gear worked, after an hour car still would not shift into gear, 4 days later I went out to try it again and the thing went into all gears and took off. *Tr
Dt*: the contact stated upon entering a highway at 40 mph, the passenger front rim fractured causing the partial rim and tire to separate from the vehicle. It was maneuvered off the road and later towed to the contact's residence. The dealer was alerted.
The transmission slips bucking the car out of control when idling along with the aluminum pistons being damaged. The car jumps forward which causes unneccesary accidents and causes the car to stall on busy streets. A new transmission was needed and all new pistons due to a bad design. There is a website www.Visi.Com/~bruns/results2.Html that contains about 50 complaints about the transmission on this car. Ford should take responsibility for this, it was a bad design and they should take the heat for it. Thank you.
While driving 20 mph, the vehicle suddenly accelerated without the pedal being applied. The brake pedal was immediately applied in an attempt to stop the acceleration, but failed to do so. The vehicle had to be turned off and the keys removed from the ignition before the vehicle started decelerating. *Nm when the vehicle was started and changed from park to drive the vehicle went off without applying the accelerator pedal. The engine made a loud noise. When the consumer released the brake pedal the vehicle went faster. *Sc *jb
ENGINE PROBLEMS. *AK
Consumer can hear noise in steering column which can result in loss of steering. Cause unknown. Dealer notified.*Ak
While traveling on a side street heard a noise coming from driver's side wheel. Rear coil spring broke. Dealership was aware of problem.*Ak
Heard a clicking noise in front of vehicle. While backing out of driveway inner tie rod broke off. Tie rod ball was rusted in the socket. Contacted dealer, and dealer replaced tire rod.*Ak
Front left coil spring broke . Vehicle not included in recall 98i002000. Please give any further details. *Ak
Vehicle was at an intersection at a light and was about to move when another vehicle hit consumer's vehicle. When consumer lifted foot from brakes vehicle started to drift into another lane. Started to turn vehicle left and right, but steering wouldn't turn. Mechanic stated that a subframe broke dealership was aware of problem.*Ak
Whenever traveling at various speed vehicle would stall out. Vehicle can be restarted . Took vehicle to dealership, and mechanic could give no indication of the cause of the problem.*Ak
Head gasket failure, causing low oil pressure and connecting rod failure. *Ak
Transmission operates normally when engine is cold/cool. However, when engine warms up, it fails to shift gears (aluminum - forward clutch piston). A transmission shop informed consumer that this piston will crack. Replacement part sent out by manufacturer is steel. Please provide any additional information/attachments.*Ak
Front subframe bolts broke due to corrision . Recall was issued but only for rear.*Ak the bolt was replaced and the consumer was asking the manufacturer to pay for repair since the defect was essentially the same as that of the recall. *Yh
Consumer was following a right curve at 40 mph when steering froze up, halfway around, could not turn or move steering. Consumer continued off road, and applied brakes in order to stop vehicle. Defect was due to faulty rack and pinion steering. Also, midas told him that there was a specific problem with rack and pinion. Consumer was aware of another sable 1990 that was involved in a crash due to failure of rack and pinion, and killed the passenger in other vehicle. Consumer was told by professional mechanic that this model and year of vehicle should have been put on recall for this defect because it was a known defect. *Ak *slc
Timing cover and head gaskets leaking - ford service recomended new motor. *Ak
While driving about 50 mph front tires were making noise like rubbing wire to metal of vehicle. Then, consumer stopped and found out that front tires had a tread separation. Vehicle had to be towed. Consumer had filed a complaint before.*Ak
While driving about 65-70 mph, all of sudden vehicle accelerated. Rpms increased by 3000. In order to stop vehicle applied as much pressure as possible to the brakes, shifted into neutral or park, and shut off ignition. This happened without cruise control being engaged. Please provide any further information.*Ak
When slowing down from 50 mph vehicle will vibrate, consumer has been back and forth to dealer.*Ak
When going down a hill it vibrates when going to speed up to 50mph.*Ak
Please help me I am mentally disabled with a family and this is what is happening to me -please help me. The frame on my car broke and fell down while my wife was coming home from work. The dealer verified the recall and got us a loaner but said it would cost 25.00 A day its been 10 days and monday august 7th I was told that my car wasn't fixable because of the excess corrosion and it was fifty fifty that I would have no car and a rental bill please help me im at the point where I just can't stand even thinking about it. We have sat by the phone four nine days and called ourselves after that long they say I may get nothin, no car and a rental bill please help. *Ak
The dealer was very helpful. However ford customer service/zone rep. Was not even interested in this problem. If I had not taken the trim off to clean, I would have never seen the failure. This striker is needed to keep the door/tailgate closed. Childen can ride in the rear facing seat of this vehicle. If something should happen to cause this tailgate to open suddenly, the failed metal that holds the striker in place woiuld be virtually useless. The tailgate would likely fly open. The structure of this vehicle has not been comprimised, by the way. There has not been an accident to cause this sort of failure. Ford's lack of interest is cerainly alarming for this safety issue. *Ak
The car made a lurching motion-twice. When the car was put into nuteral and coasted to a parking spot, it wouldn't move when put in gear. My mechanic reported that the transmission had frozen between two gears.*Ak
Mercury Sable: every year compared
| Year | Complaints | Recalls | Grade |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1994 | 392 | 5 | D |
| 1993 | 677 | 8 | F |
| 1992 | 377 | 5 | D |
| 1991 | 230 | 5 | C |
| 1990 | 169 | 7 | C |
| 1989 | 242 | 8 | D |
| 1988 | 129 | 6 | B |
| 1987 | 78 | 9 | A |
| 1986 | 47 | 9 | A |
1990 Mercury Sable vs rivals
| Vehicle | Complaints | Recalls | Grade | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1990 Mercury Sable | 169 | 7 | C | |
| 1990 Mercury Cougar | 87 | 3 | F | Compare |
| 1990 Mercury Grand Marquis | 58 | 1 | B | Compare |
| 1990 Mercury Topaz | 48 | 2 | D | Compare |
| 1990 Mercury Marquis | 6 | 0 | D | Compare |
| 1990 Mercury Tracer | 2 | 0 | A | Compare |
| 1990 Mercury Colony Park | 1 | 0 | A | Compare |
More sales usually means more complaints, so compare similar vehicles of the same year. The grade compares each vehicle with its own model's other years.
Questions about the 1990 Mercury Sable
Does the 1990 Mercury Sable have any recalls?
Yes - NHTSA lists 7 recalls for the 1990 Mercury Sable: frame and members (December 1998); shock ABSorber (November 1994); buckle assembly (August 1992); wheels (May 1992) and more. Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether yours has been fixed.
What are the most common problems with the 1990 Mercury Sable?
By the complaints owners filed with NHTSA, the most common problem areas are the body, doors & structure (25), engine & cooling (24), steering (24).
How many complaints has the 1990 Mercury Sable had?
169 complaints have been filed with NHTSA, the first on August 29, 1994 and the latest on February 16, 2010. Of these, 13 describe a crash and 18 a fire, and together they report 9 injuries and 0 deaths.
Is the 1990 Mercury Sable a reliable vehicle?
Its Safety Index is 54 out of 100 (grade C: about as many problems as a typical Mercury Sable year, for its age). The index weighs complaints, crashes, fires, injuries, deaths and recalls against how long the vehicle has been on the road, compared with the same model's other years. It is not a measure of every repair - read the complaints and owner experiences, and have any used vehicle inspected before you buy.
Which Mercury Sable years have the most complaints?
1993 (677), 2000 (465), 2002 (457). See every Mercury Sable year compared.
What should I do if my 1990 Mercury Sable has a problem?
If it is a safety problem, stop driving it if it is unsafe and contact your dealer. Report it to NHTSA at nhtsa.gov/report-a-safety-problem - enough reports start investigations and recalls - and share your experience here so other owners know what to look for.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) complaints and recalls, checked . Complaints are owners' own reports and are not verified. How we use the data