NHTSA vehicle safety data

1998 Mercury Sable Recalls, Ratings & Complaints

The 1998 Mercury Sable has 2 NHTSA recall campaigns and 190 owner complaints on file as of November 3, 2026. Recall repairs are usually free at an authorized Mercury dealer.

NHTSA recall and complaint data for the 1998 Mercury Sable, plus NCAP crash-test ratings. Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.

1998 Mercury Sable owner complaints

Owners have filed 190 complaints with NHTSA about the 1998 Mercury Sable, describing incidents dated January 4, 1998 to April 12, 2018.

Most-cited components

  • Vehicle Speed Control 32 complaints
  • Service Brakes 29 complaints
  • Suspension 22 complaints
  • Power Train 21 complaints
  • Engine 18 complaints
  • Electrical System 16 complaints

Of the 190 complaints on file, 28 report a crash and 3 a fire; across all 190 complaints, owners report 18 injuries (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).

Newest complaints

  • ODI #11084724 · Filed

    REAR COIL SPRINGS BROKEN ON BOTH SIDES. POOR DESIGN. I WAS TOLD THERE IS A RECALL ON THIS, BUT I DO NOT SEE IT. THIS IS UNSAFE, BECAUSE IT WILL THROW THE CAR AS IT GOES OVER A BUMP. IT CAN ALSO PUSH UP INTO THE TRUNK, IF NOT FIXED. VERY, VERY DANGEROUS.

  • ODI #10875217 · Filed

    THE HIGH BEAMS DO NOT FUNCTION, UNLESS THE LEVER (WHICH CHANGES THE BEAM FROM LOW TO HIGH) IS PULLED TOWARDS ME AND HELD CONSTANTLY IN THAT POSITION. WHEN THIS LEVER IS RELEASED THE HIGH BEAMS GO OFF, BUT THERE ARE NO LOW BEAMS. THE DEFECTIVE PART , ACCORDING TO MY MECHANIC, IS THE "LIGHTING CONTROL…

  • ODI #10781703 · Filed

    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. THE CONTACT AND PASSENGER SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE BACK AND FACE THAT…

Read all 190 complaints

FORD/SEAT BELT BUCKLE ATTACHMENT

NHTSA #98V198000 · Seat Belts — Front — Anchorage · NHTSA notice

Reported August 25, 1998 · FORD MOTOR COMPANY

Potentially affected: 7,000 vehicles

Owners notified September 4, 1998 · Vehicles built July 31, 1998 – August 7, 1998 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

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 CRACKS DEVELOPING IN THE STUD.

Safety consequence

IF THE STUD IS CRACKED, IN THE EVENT OF A VEHICLE CRASH, THE OCCUPANT MAY NOT BE PROPERLY RESTRAINED, INCREASING THE RISK OF PERSONAL INJURY.

Manufacturer remedy

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

Notes

OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN SEPTEMBER 4, 1998.OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-392-3673.ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).

FORD/FMVSS 108

NHTSA #98V028000 · Exterior Lighting — Headlights · NHTSA notice

Reported February 10, 1998 · FORD MOTOR COMPANY

Potentially affected: 571,800 vehicles

Owners notified March 23, 1998 · Vehicles built June 9, 1997 – February 12, 1998 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

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 REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT."

Safety consequence

IF THE HEADLAMP ASSEMBLIES ARE REPLACED, CUSTOMERS MAY BE CONFUSED BY THE AIMING INSTRUCTIONS PROVIDED IN THE OWNER GUIDES CAUSING THE HEADLAMPS TO BE IMPROPERLY AIMED.

Manufacturer remedy

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

Notes

OWNER NOTIFICATION IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN MARCH 23, 1998. OWNERS WHO DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE OWNER GUIDE WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-392-3673.ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).

Other Mercury Sable model years

Check your 1998 Mercury Sable VIN

Not every recall applies to every VIN in a given year. Enter the 17-character VIN from your Mercury Sable at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether your specific vehicle has an unrepaired recall.

Check a Mercury VIN