MYRModel Year Report

1990 Mercury Sable

● Typical for this model
1990 Mercury Sable
RENDERED 2026-09-16T18:20:52.481Z

This year's complaint volume is within 30% of 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, 1990 highlighted. 1984: 1 complaints 1984 1985: 0 complaints 1986: 47 complaints 1987: 78 complaints 1988: 129 complaints 1988 1989: 242 complaints 1990: 168 complaints 1990 1991: 229 complaints 1992: 372 complaints 1992 1993: 678 complaints 1994: 388 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
1990: 168 complaints
View as data table
YearComplaints
19841
19850
198647
198778
1988129
1989242
1990168
1991229
1992372
1993678
1994388
1995350
1996304
1997228
1998190
1999258
2000464
2001430
2002440
2003201
200452
200583
20061
200861
200920

KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS

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

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 18%

18% of complaints: engine and engine cooling — 30 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing engine and gasoline.

CRASH FIRE INJURY
Show complaint excerpts

ENGINE PROBLEMS. *AK

NHTSA ODI report, 20030602

STEERING 15%

15% of complaints: steering — 26 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing tie rod assembly and pump.

FIRE
Show complaint excerpts

BROKEN TIE ROD. *AK

NHTSA ODI report, 19941007

STEERING RACK AND PINION REPLACED 3 TIMES. *SD

NHTSA ODI report, 19940829

STRUCTURE 14%

14% of complaints: structure — 23 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing frame and members and body.

CRASH
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 13%

13% of complaints: electrical system — 21 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing interior/under dash and ignition.

CRASH FIRE INJURY
Show complaint excerpts

DURING ACCIDENT AT 35 MPH HEAD ON, AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY. TT

NHTSA ODI report, 19950209

Also filed under AIR BAGS and VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

POWER TRAIN 12%

12% of complaints: power train — 20 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing automatic transmission and differential unit.

CRASH
Show complaint excerpts

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.

NHTSA ODI report, 20050324

SAFETY TIMELINE

R 19891004 — exterior lighting

AN INCORRECT TRANSISTOR MAY CAUSE AUTOLAMP SYSTEM LIGHT SENSOR MODULE MALFUNCTION.

Remedy: REPLACE LIGHT SENSOR MODULES.

Campaign 89V171000 — check if this car was fixed

I 19900928 — EA (closed 19910912)

BRAKE DISC HUB SEPARATIONS

R 19901105 — air bags

THREADED INFLATOR COMPONENTS MAY HAVE BEEN DAMAGED DURING ASSEMBLY WHICH MAY ALLOW COMPONENTS TO SEPARATE WHEN INFLATOR RECEIVES A SIGNAL TO DEPLOY THE AIR BAG.

Remedy: REPLACE AIR BAG MODULES CONTAINING POTENTIALLY DEFECTIVE INFLATORS.

Campaign 90E043001 — check if this car was fixed

I 19910801 — PE (closed 19911028)

STORAGE COMPAR SUFFOCATION

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

R 19921030 — seat belts

THE RIGID MOUNTED SAFETY BELT BUCKLES ARE DEFECTIVE IN THREE WAYS. FIRST, A FASTENED SAFETY BELT BUCKLE WILL NOT UNLATCH WHEN THE RELEASE BUTTON IS DEPRESSED. THIS RESULTS FROM INTERFERENCE BETWEEN TH

Remedy: FORD WILL REPLACE THE RIGID MOUNTED SAFETY BELT BUCKLES WITH END RELEASE SAFETY BELT BUCKLES DESIGNED TO PREVENT LATCH PROBLEMS.

Campaign 92V113000 — check if this car was fixed

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

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

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

1990 Mercury Sable — pre-purchase inspection

  • Test/inspect for engine and engine cooling issues (30 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for steering issues (26 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for structure issues (23 reports on file for this year).
  • Verify recall 89V171000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 90E043001 (air bags) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 91V134000 (service brakes, hydraulic) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 92V065000 (wheels) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 92V113000 (seat belts) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 94E036000 (suspension) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 98V323000 (structure) has been completed.
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL

BEST YEARS

▲ 1986 ▲ 2004 ▲ 2008

WORST YEARS

■ 1993 ■ 2000 ◆ 2002

See all years ranked →

FAQ

Is the 1990 Mercury Sable reliable?

Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 1990 Mercury Sable is rated "typical".

What are the most common problems with the 1990 Mercury Sable?

The most-reported component is engine and engine cooling, accounting for 18% of complaints on file.

How many recalls does the 1990 Mercury Sable have?

7 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-09-16 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.