- 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
1992 Mercury Sable Problems, complaints & recalls
Owners have filed 377 complaints about the 1992 Mercury Sable with NHTSA, most often about the engine & cooling (140) and the transmission & drivetrain (51). Those complaints describe 12 crashes, 6 fires, 7 injuries and 4 deaths. It is covered by 5 recalls, the latest in December 1998 for the frame and members. For comparison, the 1991 has 230 and the 1993 has 677.
NHTSA data checked
DMore problems than a typical Sable year, for its age
#4 most complained-about 1992 vehicle
- Complaints
- 377
- Recalls
- 5
- Crashes
- 12
- Fires
- 6
- Injuries
- 7
- Deaths
- 4
Most common 1992 Mercury Sable problems
Share of all 377 complaints. One complaint can name more than one area. Tap an area for its complaints and recalls.
1992 Mercury Sable recalls 5
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
- 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.
- The risk
- 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.
- The fix
- Dealers will add a boot to the speed control cable.
- The problem
- 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.
- The risk
- 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.
- The fix
- Dealers will install an electrical jumper harness containing an automatic resetting circuit breaker to protect the fan motor low speed circuitry from overheating.
- 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
- 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.
What owners say
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377 complaints about the 1992 Mercury Sable
Newest first, as filed with NHTSA by owners. Page 1 of 16.
The tire valve on my right rear tire failed while the car was garaged. This was the second valve failure in a pair of tires installed on 04/27/2007. The first valve failed (on the other tire in the pair) on 04/26/2009 while the car was also parked, but about 30 miles from home (see odi number 10279930). *Tr
While at a destination about 30 miles from home, my left-front tire valve failed just as I was about to enter the parked car to head home. The air whooshed loudly out of the tire as I watched it deflate before my eyes. I called aaa for assistance in changing the tire and took the flat tire to my dealer the following day for replacement of the defective tire valve. The valve was installed as part of a new-tire installation on 04/24/2007 by my ford dealer. *Tr
Tl*the contact owns a 1992 mercury sable. When the contact took his vehicle to a local mechanic, corrosion was discovered in the steering column. He also discovered that he was experiencing the same failure listed in nhtsa campaign id number 98v323000 (structure:frame and members). The manufacturer was unable to provide assistance; however, they stated that because it had exceeded ten years, the parts were unavailable. The vehicle has not been repaired. The failure and current mileages were 85,591. Updated 10/16/08. *Lj the vehicle would pull to the side. Updated 10/17/08. *Jb
Tl*the contact owns a 1992 mercury sable. While driving approximately 30 mph, the contact heard a loud thumping noise. Approximately thirty seconds later, the vehicle shut off. He pushed the vehicle to the side of the road and noticed that the front frame failed. Two days later, the vehicle was towed to aaa. A local mechanic arrived a week later and stated that there was wear and tear on the front frame bushing sway bar, which caused the front frame to fail. He notified the manufacturer and they stated that...
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there was a recall for the rear frame, but not the front. The manufacturer would not provide any financial assistance with the repairs and stated that the vehicle was not worth repairing. The vehicle has not been repaired. The vin was unknown. The current and failure mileages were 100,000. Updated 11/06/07 *tr
Dt*: the contact stated while driving at low speeds down a hill and trying to stop the vehicle stalled. All the lights on the dashboard illuminated prior to the vehicle stalling. The brakes did not work when this occurred. The parking brake must be used to stop the vehicle. An independent repair shop has been unable to duplicate the problem.*Ak updated 1/25/2006 - the manufacturer indicated there were not recalls related to the failure. *Nm
The consumer's general tires developed separation between the tread and the core. *Ts *sc
Dt: the contact stated while driving at night the consumer struck a deer and experienced difficulty stopping with the brakes. There was damage to the front hood and headlights. No police report was taken. He drove the vehicle home. Upon inspection there was corrosion on brake lines. He suspected this was due to dissimilar metal corrosion and road salts. The vehicle has not been repaired at this time. *Ak updated 12/27/05. *Jb the brake line burst.
Mercury sable 1992 power steering leaked. *Bf the leak was coming from the rack and pinion. *Nm
The vehicle had been in a frontal crash at 35-40 mph and none of the air bags deployed. No injuries were reported and the dealer was notified. *Jb
While driving 30 mph rear sub frame mount bushing separated from the vehicle. Recall 98v323000 for the sub frame mount bolts was issued. Dealer refused to repair the vehicle because it was not included in the recall due to vin. *Ak
I was on the highway so I put on the cruise control, when I hit the brakes the car slowed down, then when I reasled the brakes the car radily speed up, and it is hard to shut it off.*Ak
While driving transmission made a loud noise. Then it completely failed. *Ak
Sub frame rusted due to the problem as described in the sub frame corrosion recall 98v323000. However, this vehicle was not involved in the recall due to vin. *Ak
Corrosion of passenger side rear sub frame, alowing engine to drop down, causing a possible fatal driving condition. Sub frame bolts replaced in a recall. Entire sub frame was replaced with a new original part from ford, at a $1,100 cost to myself. *Ak
My head gaskets keep blowing .. I realize this is a older model car however just b/c im a single female who didnt even know what a recall was/is doesnt mean that I shouldnt be entitled to perhaps a reembursment or to have my car fixed properly I have been out so much money on this car and the motor and I always always do as directed with oil changes and water checkings I just dont understand why I wasnt ever notified of the dangers of my cooling systems and my motor. I am a widow with 3 children and I cant afford to keep having my heads done or my motor worked on please guide me in the direction of someone that could perhaps fix this problem once and for all. *Ak
The car is a 1992 mercury sable 3.8L v-6 engine with 93,000 miles. The head gaskets need to be replaced. I have been quoted an estimate of $1,000 to fix the problem. I am the second owner of the automobile and it has been well maintained. The car broke down on june 25, 2003 and is currently parked at the mechanic's shop.
1St one remove & replace timing cover/pump, housing, replace studs, water pump, renew coolant. Cost $1,079.60 2Nd r&r headgaskets/ $1,304.10. I would like for someone to let me know if I could get some of my money back because this was a recall a bad part which I had no knowledge of. Until I had to have it repaired. Ford said that I was 9 months to late under warranty. I am the second owner of this car how would I have known that ford had a problm with this kind of car. Any type of help would be appreciated. ...
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I'm a single mom and I can't afford to have this kind of car repair. I had to use my rent money inorder to get my car out of the shop. I just want somekind of repayment a head gasket is suppose to last the life of the car. It will be just three years this october for me that I have had the car. It's not my problem that they put in bad parts and knew that they needed to be taken care of. But no one wanted to pay the cost so a lot of customers didn't get recall letters inorder to take care of the problem. I'm sure that if anyone that owned this car would have had the repairs done at the cost of the company. Why would there be a time limit set on major part like that. So people don't experience the problem until years and that's what happened to me. I just want some kind of response toward this problem. Thank you ms. Patricia reese p.O. Box 59 shirley, ny 11967-0059
Severe paint erosion/flaking/discoloration....Has been noticeable and progressing worse since about 1997.
When braking hard, the pedal went to the floor resulting in loss of brakes. I had to use the e-brake and pump the regular pedal to stop. Brake fluid was leaking from line located in engine compartment next to driver side front wheel well. *La
While driving under normal conditions steering wheel suddenly locked up without warning. Consumer stopped vehicle, turned on hazards, and noticed transmission and motor had dropped. It was later determined that the subframe rusted around both rear bushings. *Ak *nlm
THE TRANSMISSION FAILED TO GO INTO GEAR. *JB
Headlights blinking on and off when he turns them on. Took the auto to his private mechanic and had this repaired. This particular problem is listed as a recall # 8105 98v 00 9000 for the 93 mercury sable. Ph
While driving, vehicle started running hot, overheating. Consumer had vehicle towed to dealership, who indicated that the cause of the problem was the water pump. Dealership replaced the pump, but the problem recurred 3 times within a small period of time. Please provide more details. Ts
Both coil springs failed due to corrosion. Pieces of spring almost fell out and contacted tire. Could have resulted in puncture at high speed. Dt
The motor mounts were replaced in 1999 which has failed again. While driving 45 mph the owner heard something drop/break. *Mr
Mercury Sable: every year compared
| Year | Complaints | Recalls | Grade |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1996 | 309 | 5 | D |
| 1995 | 354 | 6 | D |
| 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 |
1992 Mercury Sable vs rivals
| Vehicle | Complaints | Recalls | Grade | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1992 Mercury Sable | 377 | 5 | D | |
| 1992 Mercury Grand Marquis | 289 | 3 | F | Compare |
| 1992 Mercury Cougar | 97 | 3 | F | Compare |
| 1992 Mercury Topaz | 62 | 2 | D | Compare |
| 1992 Mercury Tracer | 24 | 2 | C | Compare |
| 1992 Mercury Capri | 7 | 1 | D | Compare |
| 1992 Mercury Villager | 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 1992 Mercury Sable
Does the 1992 Mercury Sable have any recalls?
Yes - NHTSA lists 5 recalls for the 1992 Mercury Sable: frame and members (December 1998); vehicle speed control (February 1997); fan (February 1997); shock ABSorber (November 1994) 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 1992 Mercury Sable?
By the complaints owners filed with NHTSA, the most common problem areas are the engine & cooling (140), transmission & drivetrain (51), brakes (38).
How many complaints has the 1992 Mercury Sable had?
377 complaints have been filed with NHTSA, the first on October 10, 1994 and the latest on June 28, 2010. Of these, 12 describe a crash and 6 a fire, and together they report 7 injuries and 4 deaths.
Is the 1992 Mercury Sable a reliable vehicle?
Its Safety Index is 33 out of 100 (grade D: more problems than 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 1992 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