1988 Mercury Sable

Percentages can add to more than 100% — a complaint can name more than one system.

6 recalls · 20 investigations · oldest first

To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →

1. I
   1988-10-19Preliminary evaluationClosed 1989-06-26 Head rest drops
2. I
   1989-11-27Preliminary evaluationClosed 1990-03-27 Speed control failure
3. I
   1990-03-27Preliminary evaluationClosed 1990-08-31 Throttle sticking
4. I
   1990-04-02Preliminary evaluationClosed 1990-06-28 Brake disc hub failure
5. I
   1990-08-31Engineering analysisClosed 1991-12-31 Throttle sticking
6. I
   1990-09-28Engineering analysisClosed 1991-09-12 Brake disc hub separations
7. I
   1991-01-22Preliminary evaluationClosed 1991-05-22 Door handles breakage
8. R
   1991-05-10Seats91V036000 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.

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9. I
   1991-08-01Preliminary evaluationClosed 1991-10-28 Storage compar suffocation
10. I
    1991-09-17Preliminary evaluationClosed 1992-01-27 Fires in ignition switch
11. R
    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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12. I
    1991-10-28Engineering analysisClosed 1992-05-21 Storage compar suffocation
13. I
    1992-02-04Preliminary evaluationClosed 1992-06-25 Engine mount failure
14. I
    1992-04-27Preliminary evaluationClosed 1992-08-31 Power steering leaks/fires
15. R
    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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16. I
    1992-07-01Preliminary evaluationClosed 1992-11-30 Sub-frm/unibody absor.fail
17. I
    1992-11-30Engineering analysisClosed 1993-06-30 Sub-frm/unibody absor.fail
18. I
    1993-06-15Preliminary evaluationClosed 1994-02-16 Broken tie rods
19. I
    1993-07-15Preliminary evaluationClosed 1993-11-30 Underbody fuel line fails
20. R
    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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21. I
    1993-12-02Preliminary evaluationClosed 1994-06-30 Polycast road wheel cracks
22. I
    1994-02-16Engineering analysisClosed 1995-02-27 Broken tie rods
23. R
    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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24. I
    1995-08-08Defect petitionClosed 1995-08-30 Alleged defective tie rods
25. I
    1997-08-29Recall queryClosed 1999-02-16 Rear lower subframe assembly
26. R
    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.

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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, accounting for 26% of complaints on file.

How many recalls does the 1988 Mercury Sable have?

6 recalls on file for this model year.