MYRModel Year Report

1999 Mercury Sable

● Typical for this model
1999 Mercury Sable
BUILT 2026-10-10

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
258
Recalls
5

Campaigns on file for 1999

Investigations
2

Opened by NHTSA

Top problem
Suspension

19% 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 1996 1997: 228 complaints 1998: 190 complaints 1999: 258 complaints 1999 258 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 1999: 258 complaints 1999 258 2000: 464 complaints 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 1999: 258 complaints 1999 258 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

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% · 49 reports

Most commonly citing coil springs and front.

CRASHINJURY
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.

NHTSA ODI report, 2013-05-01

Steering

13% · 34 reports

Most commonly citing rack and pinion and hydraulic power assist system.

CRASHINJURY
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, 1999-07-02

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, 2019-12-17

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, 2019-12-17

Service brakes

11% · 29 reports

Most commonly citing hydraulic and air.

CRASHINJURY

Power train

11% · 28 reports

Most commonly citing automatic transmission and park/neutral start interlock switch.

CRASHINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

Consumer stated when put in park the vehicle rolled bakwards about 4-6 in. Caused damages. Ts

NHTSA ODI report, 2002-12-09

Vehicle rolled on a slight incline while in park , resulting in a minor collision. The dealer has been notified.

NHTSA ODI report, 1999-06-04

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, 2020-12-14

Engine and engine cooling

9% · 23 reports

Most commonly citing gasoline and engine.

CRASHFIREINJURY

Safety timeline

5 recalls · 2 investigations · oldest first

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

  1. 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 →

  2. R
    1998-09-21Vehicle speed control98V204000 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…

    Remedy: Dealers will inspect these vehicles to ensure proper installation of the accelerator cable clip, and re-install if needed.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  3. R
    1998-11-25Power train98V288000 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…

    Remedy: Dealers will install the appropriate transmission oil cooler line.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  4. R
    1999-10-11Seat belts99V250000 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…

    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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  5. I
    2002-10-22Preliminary evaluationClosed 2003-04-29 Front suspension coil spring fracture
  6. I
    2004-05-24Preliminary evaluationClosed 2004-08-16 Front suspension coil spring fracture
  7. R
    2005-01-10Suspension04V332000 On certain passenger vehicles originally sold in or currently registered in the states of Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan…

    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…

    Check if this car was fixed →

Buy-smart checklist

1999 Mercury Sable — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

  • Suspension: 49 reports on file for this year.
  • Steering: 34 reports on file for this year.
  • Service brakes: 29 reports on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

  • Recall 98V198000 · Seat belts
  • Recall 98V204000 · Vehicle speed control
  • Recall 98V288000 · Power train
  • Recall 99V250000 · Seat belts
  • Recall 04V332000 · Suspension
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

Other years of this model

See all years ranked →

Best years3 years

Worst years3 years

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 2026-10-09 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.