Total Complaints
189 filings
MERCURY SABLE · model year
1988 MERCURY SABLE
189 NHTSA complaints, 5 crash reports for this specific cohort.
NHTSA overall rating
Not crash-tested
New Car Assessment Program
The 1988MERCURYSABLE carries 189 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 5 crashes, 34 fires, 2 injuries, and 0 fatalities. No NCAP 5-star crash-test rating is available for this model year in the federal database.
Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 1988 SABLE is engine and engine cooling:engine with 20 filings, followed by power train:automatic transmission (17) and electrical system:ignition:switch (13). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability.
NHTSA currently has 22 investigation files overlapping the 1988 SABLE. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page — a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.
189
Complaints
5
Crashes
34
Fires
2
Injuries
0
Deaths
Crashes Reported
5 reports
Source
NHTSA ODI
Federal complaints database
Complaints vs. fleet median (215)
At or below the fleet median complaint volume.
Complaints by Component
| Component | Count |
|---|---|
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE | 20 |
| POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION | 17 |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH | 13 |
| STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST:HOSE, PIPING, AND CONNECTIONS | 9 |
| STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS | 8 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE | 6 |
| VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL | 6 |
| SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY | 6 |
| STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR | 6 |
| EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER | 6 |
| POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:CONSTANT VELOCITY JOINT | 4 |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:INTERIOR/UNDER DASH | 4 |
| SEATS | 4 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM | 4 |
| STEERING: STEERING WHEEL/HANDLE BAR | 4 |
Recent Complaints
20031205SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR
INITIALLY THE GEARS WERE SLIPPING WHILE DRIVING. CURRENTLY, THE CONSUMER CANNOT SHIFT THE VEHICLE INTO ANY GEAR. THE DEALER DETERMINED THAT THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION MUST BE REBUILT. *AK . THE CONSUMER IS SEEKING ASSISTANCE TO CORRECT HIS VEHICLE BECAUSE OF THE FAULTY DEFECT DESIGN IN THE TRANSMISSION WHICH CAUSED SLIPPAGE WHILE OPERATING. *CB SEVERAL YEARS AGO THE DISC BRAKE SEPARATED FROM THE ROTOR RING WHILE DRIVING. AFTER SEEKING ASSISTANCE, THE CONSUMER DISCOVERED THERE WAS A RECALL REGARDING THE ROTOR, HOWEVER HIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED.*JB
Mileage: 144,000
20031205POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
INITIALLY THE GEARS WERE SLIPPING WHILE DRIVING. CURRENTLY, THE CONSUMER CANNOT SHIFT THE VEHICLE INTO ANY GEAR. THE DEALER DETERMINED THAT THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION MUST BE REBUILT. *AK . THE CONSUMER IS SEEKING ASSISTANCE TO CORRECT HIS VEHICLE BECAUSE OF THE FAULTY DEFECT DESIGN IN THE TRANSMISSION WHICH CAUSED SLIPPAGE WHILE OPERATING. *CB SEVERAL YEARS AGO THE DISC BRAKE SEPARATED FROM THE ROTOR RING WHILE DRIVING. AFTER SEEKING ASSISTANCE, THE CONSUMER DISCOVERED THERE WAS A RECALL REGARDING THE ROTOR, HOWEVER HIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED.*JB
Mileage: 144,000
20021015STEERING: STEERING WHEEL/HANDLE BAR
TRANSMISSION HAS FAILED TWICE. CURRENTLY IN THE VEHICLE RADIO LIGHT AND DOME LIGHT INTERMITTENLY COMES ON. HORN ALSO HONKS AS I DRIVE . STEERING WHEEL FEELS WOBBLY AND THERE ARE POPPING NOISES COME FROM AROUND THE STEERING COLUMN. FRONT PASSENGER SEAT LUMBAR BUTTON IS STUCK. TIRES HAVE BEEN CHANGED 4 TIMES IN THE FRONT. ELECTRIC WINDOWS FAILED THE FIRST DAY I BOUGHT THE CAR. THE MOST DANGEROUS PART OF THE WHOLE DEAL IS THAT THE CAR WILL STOP RUNNING WHEN YOUR DRIVING AT55 MPH; THIS HAPPENED TO ME TWICE. MR
20021015TIRES
TRANSMISSION HAS FAILED TWICE. CURRENTLY IN THE VEHICLE RADIO LIGHT AND DOME LIGHT INTERMITTENLY COMES ON. HORN ALSO HONKS AS I DRIVE . STEERING WHEEL FEELS WOBBLY AND THERE ARE POPPING NOISES COME FROM AROUND THE STEERING COLUMN. FRONT PASSENGER SEAT LUMBAR BUTTON IS STUCK. TIRES HAVE BEEN CHANGED 4 TIMES IN THE FRONT. ELECTRIC WINDOWS FAILED THE FIRST DAY I BOUGHT THE CAR. THE MOST DANGEROUS PART OF THE WHOLE DEAL IS THAT THE CAR WILL STOP RUNNING WHEN YOUR DRIVING AT55 MPH; THIS HAPPENED TO ME TWICE. MR
20021015ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM
TRANSMISSION HAS FAILED TWICE. CURRENTLY IN THE VEHICLE RADIO LIGHT AND DOME LIGHT INTERMITTENLY COMES ON. HORN ALSO HONKS AS I DRIVE . STEERING WHEEL FEELS WOBBLY AND THERE ARE POPPING NOISES COME FROM AROUND THE STEERING COLUMN. FRONT PASSENGER SEAT LUMBAR BUTTON IS STUCK. TIRES HAVE BEEN CHANGED 4 TIMES IN THE FRONT. ELECTRIC WINDOWS FAILED THE FIRST DAY I BOUGHT THE CAR. THE MOST DANGEROUS PART OF THE WHOLE DEAL IS THAT THE CAR WILL STOP RUNNING WHEN YOUR DRIVING AT55 MPH; THIS HAPPENED TO ME TWICE. MR
20021015POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
TRANSMISSION HAS FAILED TWICE. CURRENTLY IN THE VEHICLE RADIO LIGHT AND DOME LIGHT INTERMITTENLY COMES ON. HORN ALSO HONKS AS I DRIVE . STEERING WHEEL FEELS WOBBLY AND THERE ARE POPPING NOISES COME FROM AROUND THE STEERING COLUMN. FRONT PASSENGER SEAT LUMBAR BUTTON IS STUCK. TIRES HAVE BEEN CHANGED 4 TIMES IN THE FRONT. ELECTRIC WINDOWS FAILED THE FIRST DAY I BOUGHT THE CAR. THE MOST DANGEROUS PART OF THE WHOLE DEAL IS THAT THE CAR WILL STOP RUNNING WHEN YOUR DRIVING AT55 MPH; THIS HAPPENED TO ME TWICE. MR
20021015UNKNOWN OR OTHER
TRANSMISSION HAS FAILED TWICE. CURRENTLY IN THE VEHICLE RADIO LIGHT AND DOME LIGHT INTERMITTENLY COMES ON. HORN ALSO HONKS AS I DRIVE . STEERING WHEEL FEELS WOBBLY AND THERE ARE POPPING NOISES COME FROM AROUND THE STEERING COLUMN. FRONT PASSENGER SEAT LUMBAR BUTTON IS STUCK. TIRES HAVE BEEN CHANGED 4 TIMES IN THE FRONT. ELECTRIC WINDOWS FAILED THE FIRST DAY I BOUGHT THE CAR. THE MOST DANGEROUS PART OF THE WHOLE DEAL IS THAT THE CAR WILL STOP RUNNING WHEN YOUR DRIVING AT55 MPH; THIS HAPPENED TO ME TWICE. MR
20021015SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DRUM
TRANSMISSION HAS FAILED TWICE. CURRENTLY IN THE VEHICLE RADIO LIGHT AND DOME LIGHT INTERMITTENLY COMES ON. HORN ALSO HONKS AS I DRIVE . STEERING WHEEL FEELS WOBBLY AND THERE ARE POPPING NOISES COME FROM AROUND THE STEERING COLUMN. FRONT PASSENGER SEAT LUMBAR BUTTON IS STUCK. TIRES HAVE BEEN CHANGED 4 TIMES IN THE FRONT. ELECTRIC WINDOWS FAILED THE FIRST DAY I BOUGHT THE CAR. THE MOST DANGEROUS PART OF THE WHOLE DEAL IS THAT THE CAR WILL STOP RUNNING WHEN YOUR DRIVING AT55 MPH; THIS HAPPENED TO ME TWICE. MR
20011010ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
ONGOING PROBLEM WITH ENGINE STALLING AT ANY SPEED. VEHICLE BEEN INTO DEALER SHOP ON FOUR OCCASIONS, AND DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. *AK *YH
20010822STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST:HOSE, PIPING, AND CONNECTIONS
POWER ASSIST HOSE IS TOO CLOSE TO EXHAUST MANIFOLD. HEAT IS BURNING A HOLE THROUGH RUBBER HOSE, CAUSING FLUID LEAKAGES AND LOSS OF POWER STEERING ASSIST. ALSO, CAN LEAD TO A POSSIBLE FIRE. DEALER WAS NOTIFIED AND INFORMED CONSUMER THAT THEY HAVE A HEAT SERVICE SHIELD KIT AVAILABLE AT A COST TO THE CONSUMER. ASKING NHTSA TO LOOK INTO THIS MATTER. *AK *SLC
20010822STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM
POWER ASSIST HOSE IS TOO CLOSE TO EXHAUST MANIFOLD. HEAT IS BURNING A HOLE THROUGH RUBBER HOSE, CAUSING FLUID LEAKAGES AND LOSS OF POWER STEERING ASSIST. ALSO, CAN LEAD TO A POSSIBLE FIRE. DEALER WAS NOTIFIED AND INFORMED CONSUMER THAT THEY HAVE A HEAT SERVICE SHIELD KIT AVAILABLE AT A COST TO THE CONSUMER. ASKING NHTSA TO LOOK INTO THIS MATTER. *AK *SLC
20010502ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
WHILE TRAVELING 65MPH VEHICLE SUDDENLY STALLED IN MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC. WAS NOT ABLE TO RESTART IT. TOWED TO DEALERSHIP, AND HAD DISTRIBUTOR/ ROTOR, AND CAP REPLACED.*AK
20010427POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:CONSTANT VELOCITY JOINT
CV JOINT WHICH IS A PART OF AXLE ASSEMBLY BROKE, CAUSING LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS.*AK
20010306POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
AXOD TRANSMISSION HAS FAILED DUE TO FAULTY MANUFACTURING.PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK
20010131ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:MODULE
WHILE DRIVING, VEHICLE STALLED, A GARAGE MAN FOUND THE PROBLEM TO BE A FAULTY IGNITION MODULE. *SLC
20010118SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR
DISC BRAKE ROTORS HAVE RUSTED OUT DUE TO LACK OF CORROSION PROTECTION ON 2 PIECES OF METAL, CAUSING LOSS OF BRAKES. *AK THE COMPOSITE DISK BRAKES ROTOR'S BOND BETWEEN THE DISK BRAKE PAD CONTACT AREA FRACTURED FROM THE SHEET METAL HUB CAUSEING THE BRAKE. *YH
20001219SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR
THE ROTOR DISC RUSTED THROUGH AND BROKE AT THE HUB, THIS IS LIKE RECALL 91V134, HOWEVER THE CONSUMER'S STATE OF MISSOURI IS NOT INCLUDED. *SLC
20001114TIRES:TREAD/BELT
EA00023; TIRE TREAD SEPARATION: WHILE DRIVING ABOUT 65 MPH TREAD ON THE REAR PASSENGER'S SIDE TIRE PEELED OFF. DRIVER WAS ABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF VEHICLE. TIRE SIXE P20570R14. TIRE ON A 1988, MERCURY, SABLE. FIRESTONE WAS CONTACTED ABOUT THE TIRE. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK FIRESTONE TIRE DOT # E2T9F5A065, THE TREAD SEPARATION CAUSED THE BUMPER TO SEPARATE FROM THE VEHICLE. *SLC
20000823ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
WHILE TEST DRIVING SLIDE CONTACTS WENT OUT, THEN 2 MONTHES LATER THEY WENT OUT AGAIN THEN 10 MONTHES LATER WENT OUT AGAIN. THEN HEAD GASKET WENT OUT. CRUISE DOSN'T WORK OR HORN. FORD DEALERSHIP SAID THEY COULDN'T FIND REPLACEMENT SO I HAVE TO JUST LIVE WITHOUT HORN AND CRUISE. I THINK I HAVE SHORT BECAUSE OF HORN NOW BUT WANT TO CHARGE ME TO LOOK AT IT, AND IT CAN NO LONGER BE DRIVEN BECAUSE OF HEAD GASKET. *AK
20000316FireELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:INTERIOR/UNDER DASH
FIVE HOURS AFTER LAST USE HORN WENT OFF,WHEN I WENT TO SEE THE PROBLEM SMOKE POURIHG OUT CRACK MADE IN WINDSHIELD FROM FIRE.BATTERY DISCONNECTED STOPPED FIRE,HOWEVER POLICE STILL HAD FIRE DEPT. GIVE IT A GOOD HOSING.
Compare 1988MERCURYSABLE to Similar Vehicles
NHTSA Investigations
Frequently Asked Questions
How many complaints does the 1988 MERCURY SABLE have?▼
The 1988 MERCURY SABLE has 189 NHTSA complaints, 5 crashes, 34 fires, 2 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
What are the most common problems with the 1988 MERCURY SABLE?▼
The most-complained component for the 1988 MERCURY SABLE is ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE with 20 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION and ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH.
Is the 1988 MERCURY SABLE safe to buy?▼
Review the complaint history, crash and fire reports, safety ratings, and recall status on this page to make an informed decision. No NHTSA crash test rating is available for this model year. Compare with other model years using the links above.
Where does this data come from?▼
All complaint, recall, and safety rating data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaints are filed by vehicle owners through NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation.
Vehicle Safety Guides
Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.
Read our methodology — how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.