MYRModel Year Report

1999 Mercury Sable

● Typical for this model
1999 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

Complaints per year, Mercury Sable Bar chart of distinct NHTSA complaints filed per model year, 1999 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 1999: 258 complaints 1999 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
1999: 258 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.

SUSPENSION 19%

19% of complaints: suspension — 49 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing coil springs and front.

CRASH INJURY
Show complaint excerpts

VEHICLE SPRING FRACTURED BREAKING THE BOTTOM PART OFF THE COIL SPRING ON THE FRONT LEFT DRIVERS SIDE OF THE CAR.THE LEFT FRONT IS NOW LOWER AND TIRES SHOW WEAR. I HAVE STOPPED DRIVING AS A RESULT. *TR

NHTSA ODI report, 20130501

STEERING 13%

13% of complaints: steering — 34 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing rack and pinion and hydraulic power assist system.

CRASH INJURY
Show complaint excerpts

WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY AT 55 MPH, SUDDENLY STEERING WHEEL WENT OUT OF CONTROL TO THE RIGHT, CAUSING VEHICLE TO DO A 180 DEGREE TURN, THEN ROLLED OVER TWO COMPLETE TURNS. UPON IMPACT, AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY, RESULTING IN MINOR INJURIES.

NHTSA ODI report, 19990702

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 MERCURY SABLE WAGON. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME LOOSE AND WAS UNABLE TO CONTROL THE VEHICLE. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED.

NHTSA ODI report, 20191217

WHILE DRIVING THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME LOOSE AND MADE IT VERY HARD TO STEER ALMOST CAUSING ME TO HAVE A ACCIDENT AFTER COMING TO A STOP THE STEERING WHEEL WAS OFF CENTER AND VERY HARD TO TURN HAD TO GET CAR TOWED.I FIND THIS TO BE A COMPLETE RIP...

NHTSA ODI report, 20191217

SERVICE BRAKES 11%

11% of complaints: service brakes — 29 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing hydraulic and air.

CRASH INJURY
POWER TRAIN 11%

11% of complaints: power train — 28 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing automatic transmission and park/neutral start interlock switch.

CRASH INJURY
Show complaint excerpts

CONSUMER STATED WHEN PUT IN PARK THE VEHICLE ROLLED BAKWARDS ABOUT 4-6 IN. CAUSED DAMAGES. TS *TT

NHTSA ODI report, 20021209

VEHICLE ROLLED ON A SLIGHT INCLINE WHILE IN PARK , RESULTING IN A MINOR COLLISION. THE DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. *AK *ADJ

NHTSA ODI report, 19990604

I BOUGHT A USED 1999 MERCURY SABLE GS WITH THE U TYPE 3.0L V6 ENGINE 2 MONTHS AGO. JUST RECENTLY I NOTICED THE CAR WANTING TO LUNGE FORWARD WHILE HOLDING THE BRAKE AT STOPS. THEN A FEW DAYS LATER WHENEVER I START THE CAR IT LUNGES FORWARD.

NHTSA ODI report, 20201214

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 9%

9% of complaints: engine and engine cooling — 23 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing gasoline and engine.

CRASH FIRE INJURY

SAFETY TIMELINE

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

R 19980921 — vehicle speed control

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. A DASH INSULATOR RETAINER CLIP WAS NOT FULLY ASSEMBLED TO THE ACCELERATOR CABLE DASH FITTING. THE CLIP CAN DISENGAGE FROM THE ACCELERATOR CABLE AND FALL I

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THESE VEHICLES TO ENSURE PROPER INSTALLATION OF THE ACCELERATOR CABLE CLIP, AND RE-INSTALL IF NEEDED.

Campaign 98V204000 — check if this car was fixed

R 19981125 — power train

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUPPED WITH THE "CALIFORNIA" EMISSIONS PACKAGE. AN INCORRECT TRANSMISSION OIL COOLER LINE WAS INSTALLED. THE LINE CONTACTS THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKING SYSTEM MOD

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL THE APPROPRIATE TRANSMISSION OIL COOLER LINE.

Campaign 98V288000 — check if this car was fixed

R 19991011 — seat belts

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE SEAT BELT RETRACTOR MAY HAVE A PIN SHAFT IN THE SWITCHABLE ELR/ALR MECHANISM THAT IS INCORRECTLY FORMED. IN SOME CIRCUMSTANCES, THE SWITCHING MECHANISM

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE LAP AND SHOULDER BELT ASSEMBLIES. ASSEMBLIES WITH JULIAN DATE CODES OF 200 THROUGH 223 ARE SUSPECT AND WILL BE REPLACED.

Campaign 99V250000 — check if this car was fixed

I 20021022 — PE (closed 20030429)

FRONT SUSPENSION COIL SPRING FRACTURE

I 20040524 — PE (closed 20040816)

FRONT SUSPENSION COIL SPRING FRACTURE

R 20050110 — suspension

ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES ORIGINALLY SOLD IN OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE STATES OF CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, IOWA, KENTUCKY, MAINE, MARYLAND, MASSACHUSETTS, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA,

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL PROTECTIVE SPRING SHIELDS. IN ADDITION, FORD IS EXTENDING THE WARRANTY COVERAGE OF THE FRONT COIL SPRINGS IN ALL OTHER STATES, FOR FRACTURE ONLY, UP TO 10 YEARS OF SERVICE OR 15

Campaign 04V332000 — check if this car was fixed

BUY-SMART CHECKLIST

1999 Mercury Sable — pre-purchase inspection

  • Test/inspect for suspension issues (49 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for steering issues (34 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for service brakes issues (29 reports on file for this year).
  • Verify recall 98V198000 (seat belts) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 98V204000 (vehicle speed control) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 98V288000 (power train) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 99V250000 (seat belts) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 04V332000 (suspension) 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 1999 Mercury Sable reliable?

Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 1999 Mercury Sable is rated "typical".

What are the most common problems with the 1999 Mercury Sable?

The most-reported component is suspension, accounting for 19% of complaints on file.

How many recalls does the 1999 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.