MERCURY SABLE · model year

1990 MERCURY SABLE

220 NHTSA complaints, 20 crash reports for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

Not crash-tested

New Car Assessment Program

The 1990MERCURYSABLE carries 220 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 20 crashes, 19 fires, 16 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 1990 SABLE is engine and engine cooling:engine with 25 filings, followed by structure:frame and members (20) and power train:automatic transmission (15). 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 1990 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.

220
Complaints
20
Crashes
19
Fires
16
Injuries
0
Deaths

Total Complaints

220 filings

Crashes Reported

20 reports

Source

NHTSA ODI

Federal complaints database

Complaints vs. fleet median (215)

Above median complaint volume — review patterns below.

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE25
STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS20
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION15
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL11
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL9
STEERING:LINKAGES:TIE ROD ASSEMBLY8
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS5
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY5
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION4
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR4
STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST:HOSE, PIPING, AND CONNECTIONS4
AIR BAGS4
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:INTERIOR/UNDER DASH4
STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST:PUMP4
EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER3

Recent Complaints

20100216VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

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 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

20080721STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS

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

20080421POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

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

Mileage: 109,250

20061205WHEELS:RIM

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.

Mileage: 60,000

20050324POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

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.

Mileage: 50,000

20040715VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

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

Mileage: 99,000

20030602ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

ENGINE PROBLEMS. *AK

20020716STEERING: STEERING WHEEL/HANDLE BAR

CONSUMER CAN HEAR NOISE IN STEERING COLUMN WHICH CAN RESULT IN LOSS OF STEERING. CAUSE UNKNOWN. DEALER NOTIFIED.*AK

20020715SUSPENSION:REAR:SPRINGS

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

20020102STEERING:LINKAGES:TIE ROD ASSEMBLY

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

20011017SUSPENSION:FRONT:SPRINGS:COIL SPRINGS

FRONT LEFT COIL SPRING BROKE . VEHICLE NOT INCLUDED IN RECALL 98I002000. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *AK

20010917CrashSTRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS

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

20010813ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

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

20010716ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

HEAD GASKET FAILURE, CAUSING LOW OIL PRESSURE AND CONNECTING ROD FAILURE. *AK

20010409STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS

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

20010409POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

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

20010313ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

TIMING COVER AND HEAD GASKETS LEAKING - FORD SERVICE RECOMENDED NEW MOTOR. *AK

20010228STEERING:RACK AND PINION

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

20010208TIRES:TREAD/BELT

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

20001019VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

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

Compare 1990MERCURYSABLE to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations

View all investigations

Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 1990 MERCURY SABLE have?
The 1990 MERCURY SABLE has 220 NHTSA complaints, 20 crashes, 19 fires, 16 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
What are the most common problems with the 1990 MERCURY SABLE?
The most-complained component for the 1990 MERCURY SABLE is ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE with 25 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS and POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION.
Is the 1990 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.