MYRModel Year Report

1998 Mercury Sable

● Typical for this model
1998 Mercury Sable
RENDERED 2026-08-02T12:55:22.257Z

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, 1998 highlighted. 1984: 1 complaints 1984 1985: 0 complaints 1986: 46 complaints 1987: 76 complaints 1988: 126 complaints 1988 1989: 238 complaints 1990: 166 complaints 1991: 221 complaints 1992: 364 complaints 1992 1993: 674 complaints 1994: 387 complaints 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 2003: 201 complaints 2004: 52 complaints 2004 2005: 83 complaints 2006: 1 complaints 2008: 61 complaints 2009: 20 complaints 2009
1998: 190 complaints
View as data table
YearComplaints
19841
19850
198646
198776
1988126
1989238
1990166
1991221
1992364
1993674
1994387
1995350
1996304
1997228
1998190
1999258
2000464
2001430
2002440
2003201
200452
200583
20061
200861
200920

KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL 12%

12% of complaints: vehicle speed control — 23 distinct reports on file.

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, 20120403

STOPPING AT INTERSECTION WITH BRAKES APPLIED, ENGINE BEGAN THROTTLING AND CAUSED RACING AND SUBSEQUENT COLLISION WITH ANOTHER VEHICLE IN FRONT.

NHTSA ODI report, 19990416

POWER TRAIN 10%

10% of complaints: power train — 19 distinct reports on file.

SUSPENSION 8%

8% of complaints: suspension — 15 distinct reports on file.

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC 6%

6% of complaints: service brakes, hydraulic — 11 distinct reports on file.

CRASH INJURY
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC 4%

4% of complaints: service brakes, hydraulic — 7 distinct reports on file.

SAFETY TIMELINE

R 19980323 — exterior lighting

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 REQUIR

Remedy: OWNER GUIDES CONTAINING REVISED AIMING INSTRUCTIONS WILL BE MAILED TO OWNERS OF THESE VEHICLES.

Campaign 98V028000 — check if this car was fixed

R 19980904 — seat belts

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 C

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE SEAT BELT BUCKLE MOUNTING BRACKET AND STUD ASSEMBLY.

Campaign 98V198000 — check if this car was fixed

BUY-SMART CHECKLIST

1998 Mercury Sable — pre-purchase inspection

  • Test/inspect for vehicle speed control issues (23 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for power train issues (19 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for suspension issues (15 reports on file for this year).
  • Verify recall 98V028000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 98V198000 (seat belts) 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 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 12% of complaints on file.

How many recalls does the 1998 Mercury Sable have?

2 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-07-11 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.