1987 Mercury Sable
This year had at least 30% fewer complaints than this model's typical year.
This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.
- Complaints
- 78
- Recalls
- 9
- Investigations
- 22
- Top problem
- Structure
Campaigns on file for 1987
Opened by NHTSA
22% of complaints
Complaints per year
1987: 78 complaints
View as data table
| Year | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 1984 | 1 |
| 1985 | 0 |
| 1986 | 47 |
| 1987 | 78 |
| 1988 | 129 |
| 1989 | 242 |
| 1990 | 168 |
| 1991 | 229 |
| 1992 | 372 |
| 1993 | 678 |
| 1994 | 388 |
| 1995 | 350 |
| 1996 | 304 |
| 1997 | 228 |
| 1998 | 190 |
| 1999 | 258 |
| 2000 | 464 |
| 2001 | 430 |
| 2002 | 440 |
| 2003 | 201 |
| 2004 | 52 |
| 2005 | 83 |
| 2006 | 1 |
| 2008 | 61 |
| 2009 | 20 |
Known problem areas
Percentages can add to more than 100% — a complaint can name more than one system.
Structure
22% · 17 reportsMost commonly citing frame and members and door.
Electrical system
19% · 15 reportsMost commonly citing switch and ignition.
Engine and engine cooling
14% · 11 reportsMost commonly citing engine and gasoline.
Steering
13% · 10 reportsMost commonly citing rack and pinion and pump.
Show complaint excerpts
Defective tie rods caused excessive wear on tires.
NHTSA ODI report, 1994-03-21
Power train
12% · 9 reportsMost commonly citing automatic transmission and axle assembly.
Show complaint excerpts
Transmission has failed, will not go forward or backwards. Tt
NHTSA ODI report, 1995-09-27
Safety timeline
9 recalls · 22 investigations · oldest first
To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →
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1986-10-19Steering86V144000 Steering shaft assemblies contain lower shafts of insufficient length for proper attachment to the shaft insulator flange.
Remedy: Replace steering shaft assembly, as necessary.
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1986-10-28Suspension86V148000 Left and/or right rear spindle assemblies may have been improperly heat treated.
Remedy: Replace rear spindle.
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1987-02-17Visibility87V017000 Road salt induced erosion of the wiper motor conductor strips could cause localized thermal stress within the glass.
Remedy: Apply sealant to conductor strips and protective tape to lower backlites.
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1987-10-12Fuel system, gasoline87V139000 Spring lock fuel line coupling may not be properly engaged.
Remedy: Install retainer clips over the couplings to prevent coupling separation and fuel leakage.
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1988-01-15Preliminary evaluationClosed 1988-05-26 High brake pedal effort
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1988-04-22Engineering analysisClosed 1990-01-12 Stalling
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1988-10-19Preliminary evaluationClosed 1989-06-26 Head rest drops
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1988-10-19Preliminary evaluationClosed 1989-05-25 Front seat bracket
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1989-02-17Preliminary evaluationClosed 1989-07-13 Exhaust gas intrusion
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1989-05-25Engineering analysisClosed 1990-05-22 Front seat bracket
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1989-11-27Preliminary evaluationClosed 1990-03-27 Speed control failure
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1990-03-27Preliminary evaluationClosed 1990-08-31 Throttle sticking
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1990-04-02Preliminary evaluationClosed 1990-06-28 Brake disc hub failure
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1990-08-31Engineering analysisClosed 1991-12-31 Throttle sticking
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1990-09-28Engineering analysisClosed 1991-09-12 Brake disc hub separations
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1991-01-22Preliminary evaluationClosed 1991-05-22 Door handles breakage
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1991-08-01Preliminary evaluationClosed 1991-10-28 Storage compar suffocation
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1991-09-17Preliminary evaluationClosed 1992-01-27 Fires in ignition switch
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1991-09-26Service brakes, hydraulic91V134000 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.
Remedy: Replace front brake rotors with full cast front brake rotors.
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1991-10-28Engineering analysisClosed 1992-05-21 Storage compar suffocation
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1992-05-15Wheels92V065000 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…
Remedy: Replace the self-latching assembly currently used in the rear storage compartment with a latch assembly that can only be closed with a key.
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1992-07-01Preliminary evaluationClosed 1992-11-30 Sub-frm/unibody absor.fail
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1992-11-30Engineering analysisClosed 1993-06-30 Sub-frm/unibody absor.fail
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1993-06-15Preliminary evaluationClosed 1994-02-16 Broken tie rods
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1993-07-22Structure93V106000 Vehicle description: taurus and sables built from 10-14-85 through 8-19-88, and Lincoln continentals built from 11-4-87 through 9-30-88 (Except 1989 - 1991 2.5L taurus and 1989 - 1992 sho). The…
Remedy: Install a corrosion-resistant reinforcing plate and a new bolt on both rear subframe mounts. This recall campaign has been superseded by recall 98V-323.
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1993-12-02Preliminary evaluationClosed 1994-06-30 Polycast road wheel cracks
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1994-02-16Engineering analysisClosed 1995-02-27 Broken tie rods
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1994-12-15Suspension94E036000 The arc welds on the sway bar bracket, where it attaches to the strut reserve tube, did not fuse properly.
Remedy: Monroe dealers will replace the strut free of charge.
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1995-08-08Defect petitionClosed 1995-08-30 Alleged defective tie rods
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1997-08-29Recall queryClosed 1999-02-16 Rear lower subframe assembly
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1999-01-18Structure98V323000 Vehicle description: passenger vehicles originally sold or currently registered in Connecticut, Delaware, district of columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland…
Remedy: Dealers will install subframe rear mount bolts, reinforcement plates, and plate nuts.
Buy-smart checklist
1987 Mercury Sable — pre-purchase inspection
Inspect
- Structure: 17 reports on file for this year.
- Electrical system: 15 reports on file for this year.
- Engine and engine cooling: 11 reports on file for this year.
Verify these recalls were completed
- Recall 86V144000 · Steering
- Recall 86V148000 · Suspension
- Recall 87V017000 · Visibility
- Recall 87V139000 · Fuel system, gasoline
- Recall 91V134000 · Service brakes, hydraulic
- Recall 92V065000 · Wheels
- Recall 93V106000 · Structure
- Recall 94E036000 · Suspension
- Recall 98V323000 · Structure
Other years of this model
See all years ranked →FAQ
- Is the 1987 Mercury Sable reliable?
- Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 1987 Mercury Sable is rated "better than typical".
- What are the most common problems with the 1987 Mercury Sable?
- The most-reported component is structure, accounting for 22% of complaints on file.
- How many recalls does the 1987 Mercury Sable have?
- 9 recalls on file for this model year.
Data updated 2026-10-31 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.