1988 Mercury Sable

▲ Better than typical
1988 Mercury Sable
RENDERED 2026-08-02T12:55:35.649Z

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.

How is this computed?

COMPLAINTS PER YEAR

Complaints per year, Mercury Sable Bar chart of distinct NHTSA complaints filed per model year, 1988 highlighted. 1984: 1 complaints 1984 1985: 0 complaints 1986: 46 complaints 1987: 76 complaints 1988: 126 complaints 1988 1989: 238 complaints 1990: 166 complaints 1991: 221 complaints 1992: 364 complaints 1992 1993: 674 complaints 1994: 387 complaints 1995: 350 complaints 1996: 304 complaints 1996 1997: 228 complaints 1998: 190 complaints 1999: 258 complaints 2000: 464 complaints 2000 2001: 430 complaints 2002: 440 complaints 2003: 201 complaints 2004: 52 complaints 2004 2005: 83 complaints 2006: 1 complaints 2008: 61 complaints 2009: 20 complaints 2009
1988: 126 complaints
View as data table
YearComplaints
19841
19850
198646
198776
1988126
1989238
1990166
1991221
1992364
1993674
1994387
1995350
1996304
1997228
1998190
1999258
2000464
2001430
2002440
2003201
200452
200583
20061
200861
200920

KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 16%

16% of complaints: engine and engine cooling — 20 distinct reports on file.

FIRE
Show complaint excerpts

REPLACED LEAKING ENGINE VALVE COVER GASKET. *AK

NHTSA ODI report, 19950425

POWER TRAIN 13%

13% of complaints: power train — 17 distinct reports on file.

FIRE
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 10%

10% of complaints: electrical system — 12 distinct reports on file.

FIRE
STEERING 7%

7% of complaints: steering — 9 distinct reports on file.

FIRE
STRUCTURE 6%

6% of complaints: structure — 8 distinct reports on file.

SAFETY TIMELINE

I 19881019 — PE (closed 19890626)

HEAD REST DROPS

I 19891127 — PE (closed 19900327)

SPEED CONTROL FAILURE

I 19900327 — PE (closed 19900831)

THROTTLE STICKING

I 19900402 — PE (closed 19900628)

BRAKE DISC HUB FAILURE

I 19900831 — EA (closed 19911231)

THROTTLE STICKING

I 19900928 — EA (closed 19910912)

BRAKE DISC HUB SEPARATIONS

I 19910122 — PE (closed 19910522)

DOOR HANDLES BREAKAGE

R 19910510 — seats

THE POWER SEAT SWITCH WIRING IS ROUTED OVER RATHER THAN UNDER THE FRONT SEAT SUPPORT BRACE, ALLOWING DAMAGE BY SEAT CUSHION SPRING ENDS WHEN SEAT IS OCCUPIED.

Remedy: REVISE ROUTING OF POWER SEAT WIRING TO PREVENT DAMAGE FROM SEAT CUSHION SPRING CONTACT.

Campaign 91V036000 — check if this car was fixed

I 19910801 — PE (closed 19911028)

STORAGE COMPAR SUFFOCATION

I 19910917 — PE (closed 19920127)

FIRES IN IGNITION SWITCH

R 19910926 — service brakes, hydraulic

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.

Campaign 91V134000 — check if this car was fixed

I 19911028 — EA (closed 19920521)

STORAGE COMPAR SUFFOCATION

I 19920204 — PE (closed 19920625)

ENGINE MOUNT FAILURE

I 19920427 — PE (closed 19920831)

POWER STEERING LEAKS/FIRES

R 19920515 — wheels

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 COMPART

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.

Campaign 92V065000 — check if this car was fixed

I 19920701 — PE (closed 19921130)

SUB-FRM/UNIBODY ABSOR.FAIL

I 19921130 — EA (closed 19930630)

SUB-FRM/UNIBODY ABSOR.FAIL

I 19930615 — PE (closed 19940216)

BROKEN TIE RODS

I 19930715 — PE (closed 19931130)

UNDERBODY FUEL LINE FAILS

R 19930722 — structure

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 AFFEC

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.

Campaign 93V106000 — check if this car was fixed

I 19931202 — PE (closed 19940630)

POLYCAST ROAD WHEEL CRACKS

I 19940216 — EA (closed 19950227)

BROKEN TIE RODS

R 19941215 — suspension

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.

Campaign 94E036000 — check if this car was fixed

I 19950808 — DP (closed 19950830)

ALLEGED DEFECTIVE TIE RODS

I 19970829 — RQ (closed 19990216)

REAR LOWER SUBFRAME ASSEMBLY

R 19990118 — structure

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES ORIGINALLY SOLD OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, IOWA, KANSAS, KENTUCKY, MAINE, MARYLAND, MASSACHUSE

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL SUBFRAME REAR MOUNT BOLTS, REINFORCEMENT PLATES, AND PLATE NUTS.

Campaign 98V323000 — check if this car was fixed

BUY-SMART CHECKLIST

1988 Mercury Sable — pre-purchase inspection

  • Test/inspect for engine and engine cooling issues (20 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for power train issues (17 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for electrical system issues (12 reports on file for this year).
  • Verify recall 91V036000 (seats) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 91V134000 (service brakes, hydraulic) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 92V065000 (wheels) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 93V106000 (structure) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 94E036000 (suspension) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 98V323000 (structure) has been completed.

OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL

BEST YEARS

▲ 1986 ▲ 2004 ▲ 2008

WORST YEARS

■ 1993 ■ 2000 ◆ 2002

See all years ranked →

FAQ

Is the 1988 Mercury Sable reliable?

Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 1988 Mercury Sable is rated "better than typical".

What are the most common problems with the 1988 Mercury Sable?

The most-reported component is engine and engine cooling:engine, accounting for 16% of complaints on file.

How many recalls does the 1988 Mercury Sable have?

6 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-07-11 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.