MYRModel Year Report

1990 Mercury Sable

● Typical for this model
1990 Mercury Sable
RENDERED 2026-11-01T16:58:14.228Z

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
168
Recalls
7

Campaigns on file for 1990

Investigations
11

Opened by NHTSA

Top problem
Engine and engine cooling

18% of complaints

Complaints per year

1984: 1 complaint 1984 1985: 0 complaints 1986: 47 complaints 1987: 78 complaints 1987 1988: 129 complaints 1989: 242 complaints 1990: 168 complaints 1990 168 1991: 229 complaints 1992: 372 complaints 1993: 678 complaints 1993 1994: 388 complaints 1995: 350 complaints 1996: 304 complaints 1996 1997: 228 complaints 1998: 190 complaints 1999: 258 complaints 1999 2000: 464 complaints 2001: 430 complaints 2002: 440 complaints 2002 2003: 201 complaints 2004: 52 complaints 2005: 83 complaints 2005 2006: 1 complaint 2008: 61 complaints 2009: 20 complaints 2009
1984: 1 complaint 1984 1985: 0 complaints 1986: 47 complaints 1986 1987: 78 complaints 1988: 129 complaints 1988 1989: 242 complaints 1990: 168 complaints 1990 168 1991: 229 complaints 1992: 372 complaints 1992 1993: 678 complaints 1994: 388 complaints 1994 1995: 350 complaints 1996: 304 complaints 1996 1997: 228 complaints 1998: 190 complaints 1998 1999: 258 complaints 2000: 464 complaints 2000 2001: 430 complaints 2002: 440 complaints 2002 2003: 201 complaints 2004: 52 complaints 2004 2005: 83 complaints 2006: 1 complaint 2006 2008: 61 complaints 2009: 20 complaints 2009
1984: 1 complaint 1984 1985: 0 complaints 1985 1986: 47 complaints 1986 1987: 78 complaints 1987 1988: 129 complaints 1988 1989: 242 complaints 1989 1990: 168 complaints 1990 168 1991: 229 complaints 1991 1992: 372 complaints 1992 1993: 678 complaints 1993 1994: 388 complaints 1994 1995: 350 complaints 1995 1996: 304 complaints 1996 1997: 228 complaints 1997 1998: 190 complaints 1998 1999: 258 complaints 1999 2000: 464 complaints 2000 2001: 430 complaints 2001 2002: 440 complaints 2002 2003: 201 complaints 2003 2004: 52 complaints 2004 2005: 83 complaints 2005 2006: 1 complaint 2006 2008: 61 complaints 2008 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% · 30 reports

Most commonly citing engine and gasoline.

CRASHFIREINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

Engine problems.

NHTSA ODI report, 2003-06-02

Steering

15% · 26 reports

Most commonly citing tie rod assembly and pump.

FIRE
Show complaint excerpts

Broken tie rod.

NHTSA ODI report, 1994-10-07

Steering rack and pinion replaced 3 times.

NHTSA ODI report, 1994-08-29

Structure

14% · 23 reports

Most commonly citing frame and members and body.

CRASH

Electrical system

13% · 21 reports

Most commonly citing interior/under dash and ignition.

CRASHFIREINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

During accident at 35 MPH head on, air bag did not deploy. Tt

NHTSA ODI report, 1995-02-09

Also filed under Air bags and vehicle speed control

Power train

12% · 20 reports

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, 2005-03-24

Safety timeline

7 recalls · 11 investigations · oldest first

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

  1. R
    1989-10-04Exterior lighting89V171000 An incorrect transistor may cause autolamp system light sensor module malfunction.

    Remedy: Replace light sensor modules.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  2. I
    1990-09-28Engineering analysisClosed 1991-09-12 Brake disc hub separations
  3. R
    1990-11-05Air bags90E043001 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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  4. I
    1991-08-01Preliminary evaluationClosed 1991-10-28 Storage compar suffocation
  5. 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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  6. I
    1991-10-28Engineering analysisClosed 1992-05-21 Storage compar suffocation
  7. I
    1992-02-04Preliminary evaluationClosed 1992-06-25 Engine mount failure
  8. I
    1992-04-27Preliminary evaluationClosed 1992-08-31 Power steering leaks/fires
  9. 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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  10. R
    1992-10-30Seat belts92V113000 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…

    Remedy: Ford will replace the rigid mounted safety belt buckles with end release safety belt buckles designed to prevent latch problems.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  11. I
    1992-11-30Engineering analysisClosed 1993-06-30 Sub-frm/unibody absor.fail
  12. I
    1993-06-15Preliminary evaluationClosed 1994-02-16 Broken tie rods
  13. I
    1993-07-15Preliminary evaluationClosed 1993-11-30 Underbody fuel line fails
  14. I
    1993-12-02Preliminary evaluationClosed 1994-06-30 Polycast road wheel cracks
  15. I
    1994-02-16Engineering analysisClosed 1995-02-27 Broken tie rods
  16. 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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  17. I
    1995-08-08Defect petitionClosed 1995-08-30 Alleged defective tie rods
  18. 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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

Buy-smart checklist

1990 Mercury Sable — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

  • Engine and engine cooling: 30 reports on file for this year.
  • Steering: 26 reports on file for this year.
  • Structure: 23 reports on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

  • Recall 89V171000 · Exterior lighting
  • Recall 90E043001 · Air bags
  • Recall 91V134000 · Service brakes, hydraulic
  • Recall 92V065000 · Wheels
  • Recall 92V113000 · Seat belts
  • Recall 94E036000 · Suspension
  • Recall 98V323000 · Structure
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

Other years of this model

See all years ranked →

Best years3 years

Worst years3 years

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 2026-10-31 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.