1990 MERCURY SABLE — Problems, Recalls & Safety Data
N/A
Safety Rating
220
Owner Complaints
7
Recalls
4
Service Bulletins
0
Investigations
Overview of the 1990 MERCURY SABLE
The 1990 MERCURY SABLE has received a total of 220 safety complaints filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). There have been 7 recall campaigns affecting this vehicle, covering issues with STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS, SUSPENSION:FRONT:SHOCK ABSORBER, SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY. 4 technical service bulletins have been issued by Ford Motor Company for this model year. The most commonly reported problems involve the Engine And Engine Coolingengine (25 complaints), Structureframe And Members (20 complaints), and Power Trainautomatic Transmission (15 complaints).
Recalls for the 1990 MERCURY SABLE
NHTSA has recorded 7 recalls for the 1990 MERCURY SABLE, potentially affecting up to 4,513,900 vehicles.
Recall 98V323000 — STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS
| 2,697,000 vehicles affected
Defect: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES ORIGINALLY SOLD OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, IOWA, KANSAS, KENTUCKY, MAINE, MARYLAND, MASSACHUSETTS, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA, MISSOURI, NEBRASKA, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW JERSEY, NEW YORK, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, RHODE ISLAND, VERMONT, VIRGINIA, WEST VIRGNIA, AND WISCONSIN. THE REAR LOWER SUBFRAME MOUNT PLATE NUT CAN EXPERIENCE STRESS CORROSION CRACKING IF SUBJECTED TO LONG TERM...
Consequence: IF BOTH REAR CORNERS DROP, STEERING WOULD BECOME SUDDENLY VERY DIFFICULT, AFFECTING VEHICLE CONTROL AND INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL SUBFRAME REAR MOUNT BOLTS, REINFORCEMENT PLATES, AND PLATE NUTS.
View full details →Recall 94E036000 — SUSPENSION:FRONT:SHOCK ABSORBER
| 98,000 vehicles affected
Defect: THE ARC WELDS ON THE SWAY BAR BRACKET, WHERE IT ATTACHES TO THE STRUT RESERVE TUBE, DID NOT FUSE PROPERLY.
Consequence: OVER TIME, A PORTION OF THE BRACKET CAN TEAR AWAY FROM THE STRUT, FALLING INTO AND PUNCTURING THE TIRE OR CAUSING DAMAGE TO THE WHEEL, WHICH COULD RESULT IN AN ACCIDENT.
Remedy: MONROE DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE STRUT FREE OF CHARGE.
View full details →Recall 92V113000 — SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY
| 565,000 vehicles affected
Defect: THE RIGID MOUNTED SAFETY BELT BUCKLES ARE DEFECTIVE IN THREE WAYS. FIRST, A FASTENED SAFETY BELT BUCKLE WILL NOT UNLATCH WHEN THE RELEASE BUTTON IS DEPRESSED. THIS RESULTS FROM INTERFERENCE BETWEEN THE BUCKLE EJECTOR FINGER AND THE BUCKLE TONGUE WINDOW. THE SECOND DEFECT IS THE SAFETY BELT BUCKLE MAY NOT LATCH. THE THIRD POSSIBLE DEFECT IS THAT THE TONGUE MAY...
Consequence: AN INSUFFICIENTLY LATCHED OR UNLATCHED SAFETY BELTINCREASES THE RISK OF INJURY TO SEAT OCCUPANTS IN THE EVENT OF A SUDDEN STOP ORACCIDENT. IF THE SAFETY BELT BUCKLE WILL NOT UNLATCH, IT WILL NOT ALLOW THEOCCUPANT TO GET OUT OF THE VEHICLE IN AN EMERGENCY SITUATION.
Remedy: FORD WILL REPLACE THE RIGID MOUNTED SAFETY BELT BUCKLES WITH END RELEASE SAFETY BELT BUCKLES DESIGNED TO PREVENT LATCH PROBLEMS.
View full details →Recall 92V065000 — WHEELS
| 654,000 vehicles affected
Defect: CHILDREN CAN ACCIDENTALLY LOCK THEMSELVES IN THE FOOTWELL AREA OF THE REAR-FACING THIRD SEAT, OR IN THE STORAGE COMPARTMENT IN STATION WAGONS NOT EQUIPPED WITH AN OPTIONAL THIRD SEAT. ONCE THE COMPARTMENT IS CLOSED IT CANNOT BE OPENED FROM THE INSIDE.
Consequence: THERE IS A DANGER OF AIR DEPRIVATION, HYPERTHERMIA,AND/OR PANIC RESPONSE TO A CHILD WHO HAS LOCKED HIMSELF OR HERSELF INTO THECOMPARTMENT, WITH THE POSSIBILITY OF ASPHYXIATION.
Remedy: REPLACE THE SELF-LATCHING ASSEMBLY CURRENTLY USED IN THE REAR STORAGE COMPARTMENT WITH A LATCH ASSEMBLY THAT CAN ONLY BE CLOSED WITH A KEY.
View full details →Recall 91V134000 — SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR
| 325,000 vehicles affected
Defect: FRONT DISC BRAKE ROTORS OF THE SUBJECT VEHICLES MAY EXPERIENCE SEVERE CORROSION IF OPERATED IN AREAS WHERE CALCIUM CHLORIDE AND SODIUM CHLORIDE ARE USED EXTENSIVELY.
Consequence: SEVERELY CORRODED ROTORS MAY FRACTURE OR SEPARATE NEARTHE INNER EDGES OF THE BRAKE DISCS RESULTING IN REDUCED BRAKING EFFECTIVENESS,HIGHER THAN NORMAL PEDAL EFFORTS, LOUD GRINDING NOISES, AND MODERATE PULLS WHENTHE BRAKES ARE APPLIED. REDUCED BRAKING EFFECTIVENESS MAY INCREASE MINIMUMSTOPPING DISTANCES, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN AN ACCIDENT.
Remedy: REPLACE FRONT BRAKE ROTORS WITH FULL CAST FRONT BRAKE ROTORS.
View full details →Recall 90E043001 — AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
| 172,000 vehicles affected
Defect: THREADED INFLATOR COMPONENTS MAY HAVE BEEN DAMAGED DURING ASSEMBLY WHICH MAY ALLOW COMPONENTS TO SEPARATE WHEN INFLATOR RECEIVES A SIGNAL TO DEPLOY THE AIR BAG.
Consequence: INFLATOR COMPONENT SEPARATION ALLOWS HOT COMBUSTION GASES TO ESCAPE INTO THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT WHICH COULD RESULT IN INJURIES TO VEHICLE OCCUPANTS.
Remedy: REPLACE AIR BAG MODULES CONTAINING POTENTIALLY DEFECTIVE INFLATORS.
View full details →Recall 89V171000 — EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS:SWITCH
| 2,900 vehicles affected
Defect: AN INCORRECT TRANSISTOR MAY CAUSE AUTOLAMP SYSTEM LIGHT SENSOR MODULE MALFUNCTION.
Consequence: HEADLAMPS COULD TURN OFF WHILE VEHICLE IS BEING DRIVEN ORREMAIN ON AFTER VEHICLE IS PARKED. LOSS OF HEADLIGHTS WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHTCOULD BE HAZARDOUS TO THE DRIVER AND OTHER TRAFIFIC.
Remedy: REPLACE LIGHT SENSOR MODULES.
View full details →Owner Complaints for the 1990 MERCURY SABLE
220 complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 1990 MERCURY SABLE. Below is a breakdown by vehicle component.
Most Recent Complaints
MY WIFE OWNS A 1990 MERCURY SABLE. SHE AS WELL HAS COMPLAINED ABOUT A STICKY GAS PEDAL. I MYSELF HAVE DROVE THE CAR WHEN THE GAS PEDAL WAS STICKING AND THE CAR ACCELERATED. SOMETIMES WHEN WE HAVE PUT OUR FOOT ON THE GAS PEDAL THE CAR WILL NOT ACCELERATE UNTIL WE PUSH ALITTLE HARDER THEN THE CAR TAKES OFF SO QUICKLY IT COULD CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. THERE WAS SEVERAL OCCASIONS THEN THE CAR ACCELERATED WHILE DRIVING NORMALLY DOWN THE ROAD. I WAS ABLE TO PUT THE CAR IN NEUTRAL AND THEN BRAKE TO A SAFE STOP. WE FOUND THAT THE DRIVERS SIDE FLOOR MAT WAS PART OF THE PROBLEM GETTING UP UNDER THE GAS PEDAL. WE REMOVED THE FLOOR MAT BUT THE CAR STILL HAS A STICKY GAS PEDAL. WE TOOK THE CAR TO A CERTIFIED AUTO REPAIR SHOP TO COMPLAIN ABOUT THE GAS PEDAL, BUT THEY FOUND NOTHING WRONG. I'M TELLING YOU THIS DOESN'T HAPPEN EVERY TIME, BUT MORE OFTEN THEN NOT THE GAS PEDAL STICKS. ITS JUST A MATTER OF TIME BEFORE MY WIFE WOULD GET INTO AN ACCIDENT, UNLESS WE FIND A WAY TO FIX THIS. SHE HAS NOT DRIVEN THE CAR FOR OVER 6 MONTHS NOW BECAUSE SHE IS AFRAID OF IT. WE DON'T FEEL COMFORTABLE WITH TRYING TO SELL THE CAR AS IT COULD CAUSE SOMEONE ELSE AN INJURY. *TR
VEHICLE -- 1990 MERCURY SABLE STATION WAGON, 3.8 ENGINE EXPERIENCED LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL DUE TO FAILURE OF ENGINE/TRANSMISSION LOWER SUBFRAME MOUNT FAILING. SUBSEQUENT MOTION ALSO BREACHED BOTH REAR BRAKE LINES WITH MAJOR LOSS OF BRAKING POWER. WITH SIGNIFICANT EFFORT, I WAS ABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. *TR
CAR CRUISED JUST FINE 25 MILES TO TOWN, GOT ALL MY STUFF DONE IN TOWN, PULLED UP TO A STOP SIGN ON A HILL AND THE CAR WOULD NOT MOVE, ENGINE RAN JUST FINE, THE TRANSMISSION WOULD NOT SHIFT INTO GEAR, CAR ONLY HAS 110K ON IT, HAD TO ROLL BACK OFF THE ROAD AND STOP, PARK GEAR WORKED, AFTER AN HOUR CAR STILL WOULD NOT SHIFT INTO GEAR, 4 DAYS LATER I WENT OUT TO TRY IT AGAIN AND THE THING WENT INTO ALL GEARS AND TOOK OFF. *TR
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED UPON ENTERING A HIGHWAY AT 40 MPH, THE PASSENGER FRONT RIM FRACTURED CAUSING THE PARTIAL RIM AND TIRE TO SEPARATE FROM THE VEHICLE. IT WAS MANEUVERED OFF THE ROAD AND LATER TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE DEALER WAS ALERTED.
THE TRANSMISSION SLIPS BUCKING THE CAR OUT OF CONTROL WHEN IDLING ALONG WITH THE ALUMINUM PISTONS BEING DAMAGED. THE CAR JUMPS FORWARD WHICH CAUSES UNNECCESARY ACCIDENTS AND CAUSES THE CAR TO STALL ON BUSY STREETS. A NEW TRANSMISSION WAS NEEDED AND ALL NEW PISTONS DUE TO A BAD DESIGN. THERE IS A WEBSITE WWW.VISI.COM/~BRUNS/RESULTS2.HTML THAT CONTAINS ABOUT 50 COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE TRANSMISSION ON THIS CAR. FORD SHOULD TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THIS, IT WAS A BAD DESIGN AND THEY SHOULD TAKE THE HEAT FOR IT. THANK YOU.
Safety Rating for the 1990 MERCURY SABLE
NHTSA has not yet tested the 1990 MERCURY SABLE in its New Car Assessment Program.
Technical Service Bulletins for the 1990 MERCURY SABLE
Ford Motor Company has issued 4 technical service bulletins (TSBs) for the 1990 MERCURY SABLE. TSBs are notices sent by manufacturers to their dealers describing a known issue and the recommended repair procedure.
9849 — ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM
CONCERNS WITH COOLANT MAY LEAK FROM THE HEAD GASKETS AND / OR THE VEHICLE MAY OVERHEAT. *YC
BC8890950401 — ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:MODULE
UNKNOWN
9559 — ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:MODULE
REVISED CALIBRATION IN POWER CONTROL MODULE. *TW
BC0270950103 — POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
SOME AXOD CHAIN COVERS WERE OVERDRILLED IN THE OVERDRIVE SERVO APPLY CIRCUIT, CAUSING THE OVERDRIVE BAND TO BE APPLIED AT ALL TIMES. *TW
NHTSA Investigations for the 1990 MERCURY SABLE
There are no NHTSA defect investigations on record for this vehicle.
Other Model Years of the MERCURY SABLE
- 1986 MERCURY SABLE — 55 complaints
- 1987 MERCURY SABLE — 105 complaints
- 1988 MERCURY SABLE — 189 complaints
- 1989 MERCURY SABLE — 300 complaints
- 1990 MERCURY SABLE (current)
- 1991 MERCURY SABLE — 346 complaints
- 1992 MERCURY SABLE — 517 complaints
- 1993 MERCURY SABLE — 981 complaints
- 1994 MERCURY SABLE — 534 complaints
- 1995 MERCURY SABLE — 485 complaints
Other MERCURY Models
- MERCURY GRAND MARQUIS — 4,949 total complaints
- MERCURY MILAN — 3,211 total complaints
- MERCURY COUGAR — 2,646 total complaints
- MERCURY MOUNTAINEER — 2,646 total complaints
- MERCURY VILLAGER — 2,205 total complaints
- MERCURY MARINER — 1,716 total complaints
- MERCURY MYSTIQUE — 1,510 total complaints
- MERCURY TRACER — 754 total complaints