MYRModel Year Report

1998 Mercury Sable

● Typical for this model
1998 Mercury Sable
RENDERED 2026-09-16T16:41:08.018Z

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: 47 complaints 1987: 78 complaints 1988: 129 complaints 1988 1989: 242 complaints 1990: 168 complaints 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 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
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%

17% of complaints: vehicle speed control — 32 distinct reports on file, 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, 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

SERVICE BRAKES 17%

17% of complaints: service brakes — 32 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing hydraulic.

CRASH INJURY
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, 20151013

Also filed under AIR BAGS

SUSPENSION 14%

14% of complaints: suspension — 27 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing coil springs and front.

POWER TRAIN 13%

13% of complaints: power train — 25 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing automatic transmission and manual transmission.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 11%

11% of complaints: engine and engine cooling — 20 distinct reports on file, 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, 20030526

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 (32 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for service brakes issues (32 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for suspension issues (27 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 17% of complaints on file.

How many recalls does the 1998 Mercury Sable have?

2 recalls on file for this model year.

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