MYRModel Year Report

1998 Mercury Sable

● Typical for this model
1998 Mercury Sable
RENDERED 2026-11-01T16:58:00.081Z

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
190
Recalls
2

Campaigns on file for 1998

Investigations
0

None on file

Top problem
Vehicle speed control

17% 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 1991: 229 complaints 1992: 372 complaints 1993: 678 complaints 1993 1994: 388 complaints 1995: 350 complaints 1996: 304 complaints 1997: 228 complaints 1998: 190 complaints 1998 190 1999: 258 complaints 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 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 190 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 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 190 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

1998: 190 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.

Vehicle speed control

17% · 32 reports

Most commonly citing cruise control and linkages.

CRASH
Show complaint excerpts

Tl* the contact owns a 1998 Mercury Sable. The contact had been parked for two hours in the parking lot of a small community park. As the contact was driving approximately 5-10 MPH, the vehicle suddenly accelerated at a high speed.

NHTSA ODI report, 2012-04-03

Stopping at intersection with brakes applied, engine began throttling and caused racing and subsequent collision with another vehicle in front.

NHTSA ODI report, 1999-04-16

Service brakes

17% · 32 reports

Most commonly citing hydraulic.

CRASHINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

Tl* the contact owns a 1998 Mercury Sable. While driving 35 MPH, the brakes failed. Due to the brake failure, the vehicle was involved in a crash at an intersection with an oncoming vehicle. The air bags failed to deploy.

NHTSA ODI report, 2015-10-13

Also filed under Air bags

Suspension

14% · 27 reports

Most commonly citing coil springs and front.

Power train

13% · 25 reports

Most commonly citing automatic transmission and manual transmission.

Engine and engine cooling

11% · 20 reports

Most commonly citing engine and gasoline.

CRASH
Show complaint excerpts

Automobile 1998 Mercury Sable engine RPM surges fixed several times at dealer replacing sensors and other parts still surges periodically in 2002 the engine surged and the brakes did not hold collision with another vehicle the car...

NHTSA ODI report, 2003-05-26

Safety timeline

2 recalls · 0 investigations · oldest first

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

  1. R
    1998-03-23Exterior lighting98V028000 Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. The text and/or graphics for the vehicle headlamp aiming instructions provided in the owner guides are not sufficiently clear. This does not meet the…

    Remedy: Owner guides containing revised aiming instructions will be mailed to owners of these vehicles.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  2. R
    1998-09-04Seat belts98V198000 Vehicle description: passenger vehicles equipped with manual seat tracks. The front seat belt buckle attaching stud may have been improperly heat treated. This heat treatment may have resulted in…

    Remedy: Dealers will replace the seat belt buckle mounting bracket and stud assembly.

    Check if this car was fixed →

Buy-smart checklist

1998 Mercury Sable — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

  • Vehicle speed control: 32 reports on file for this year.
  • Service brakes: 32 reports on file for this year.
  • Suspension: 27 reports on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

  • Recall 98V028000 · Exterior lighting
  • Recall 98V198000 · Seat belts
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

Other years of this model

See all years ranked →

Best years3 years

Worst years3 years

FAQ

Is the 1998 Mercury Sable reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 1998 Mercury Sable is rated "typical".
What are the most common problems with the 1998 Mercury Sable?
The most-reported component is vehicle speed control, accounting for 17% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 1998 Mercury Sable have?
2 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.