1991 Mercury Sable

● Typical for this model

1991 Mercury Sable
BUILT 2026-09-02

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

1991: 229 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.

POWER TRAIN 48%

48% of complaints: power train — 109 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing automatic transmission and manual transmission.

INJURY

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 29%

29% of complaints: engine and engine cooling — 67 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing engine and gasoline.

CRASH FIRE

Show complaint excerpts

BROKEN MOTOR MOUNTS.

NHTSA ODI report, 19931110

STEERING 13%

13% of complaints: steering — 30 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing hose, piping, and connections and rack and pinion.

FIRE

SERVICE BRAKES 12%

12% of complaints: service brakes — 28 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing hydraulic.

CRASH

STRUCTURE 9%

9% of complaints: structure — 20 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing frame and members and tailgate.

Show complaint excerpts

THE CONSUMER VEHICLE EXPERIENCED SYMPTOMS OF NHTSA RECALL # 98-V-323-000 WHICH WAS RELATED TO THE REAR LOWER SUBFRAME MOUNT PLATE NUT. THE CONSUMER VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO VIN. *NLM

NHTSA ODI report, 20030513

SAFETY TIMELINE

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

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 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 19930727 — PE (closed 19931122)

FAILURE OF WHEEL STUDS

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 19960502 — PE (closed 19960930)

ENGINE COOLING FAN FIRES

I 19960930 — EA (closed 19970415)

ENGINE COOLING FAN FIRES

R 19970423 — vehicle speed control

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 3.8L ENGINES AND ORIGINALLY SOLD OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE FOLLOWING STATES: ALASKA, COLORADO, IOWA, IDAHO, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, KANSAS, MASSACHUSETTS

Remedy: DEALERS WILL ADD A BOOT TO THE SPEED CONTROL CABLE.

Campaign 97V025000 — check if this car was fixed

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

1991 Mercury Sable — pre-purchase inspection

Test/inspect for power train issues (109 reports on file for this year).
Test/inspect for engine and engine cooling issues (67 reports on file for this year).
Test/inspect for steering issues (30 reports on file for this year).
Verify recall 91V134000 (service brakes, hydraulic) has been completed.
Verify recall 92V065000 (wheels) has been completed.
Verify recall 94E036000 (suspension) has been completed.
Verify recall 97V025000 (vehicle speed control) 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 1991 Mercury Sable reliable?

Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 1991 Mercury Sable is rated "typical".

What are the most common problems with the 1991 Mercury Sable?

The most-reported component is power train, accounting for 48% of complaints on file.

How many recalls does the 1991 Mercury Sable have?

5 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-09-01 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.