1987 Mercury SABLE problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
41 owner complaints analyzed
8 distinct recall campaigns
131,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1987 model year. Data snapshot: . 1 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Electrical System:Ignition:Switch is the most frequently named component, appearing in 9 of 41 complaints (22.0%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Steering behavior | 6 | 14.6% |
| Transmission and shifting | 3 | 7.3% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 3 | 7.3% |
| Braking behavior | 2 | 4.9% |
| Engine operation | 1 | 2.4% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Electrical System:Ignition:Switch | 9 |
| Structure:Frame And Members | 4 |
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission | 3 |
| Structure:Body:Door | 3 |
| Electrical System:Ignition | 2 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 2 |
| Seat Belts:Front:Anchorage | 2 |
| Seat Belts:Front:Buckle Assembly | 2 |
Electrical System:Ignition:Switch: 9; Structure:Frame And Members: 4; Power Train:Automatic Transmission: 3; Structure:Body:Door: 3; Electrical System:Ignition: 2; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine: 2; Seat Belts:Front:Anchorage: 2; Seat Belts:Front:Buckle Assembly: 2
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 0 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 0 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 0 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 0 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 1 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 0; 25,000 to 49,999: 0; 50,000 to 74,999: 0; 75,000 to 99,999: 0; 100,000 to 149,999: 1; 150,000 and above: 0
100,000 to 149,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (1). 40 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 1995 | 12 |
| 1996 | 20 |
| 2000 | 3 |
| 2001 | 1 |
| 2002 | 2 |
| 2004 | 2 |
| 2006 | 1 |
1995: 12; 1996: 20; 2000: 3; 2001: 1; 2002: 2; 2004: 2; 2006: 1
Pattern summary
Electrical System:Ignition:Switch leads the component reports. Steering behavior appears in 6 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 3 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 3 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10159162 · 2006-06-06 (June 6, 2006)
VEHICLE EXPERIENCED SAME PROBLEM AS NHTSA 98V323000. SUBFRAME BUSHINGS BROKE LOOSE CAUSE NEAR ACCIDENT AND LOSS OF STEERING. LOCAL FORD MOTOR COMPANY DENIED TO FIX BECAUSE OF VIN NUMBER.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10159162 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 504601 · 1996-05-03 (May 3, 1996)
SUB FRAME MOUNTS CORRODED, CAUSING SUB FRAME TO DROP/LOSS OF STEERING. *DSH
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 504601 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 481151 · 1995-02-01 (February 1, 1995)
TRANSMISSION FAILED AND LEAKED AFTER REPAIRS. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 481151 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 967395 · 1995-06-21 (June 21, 1995)
WHILE DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEED, HEARD SINGLE POP SOUND; VEHICLE CAME TO COMPLETE HALT WITHOUT WARNING DUE T0 TRANSMISSION FAILURE. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 967395 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 800046 · 1996-07-26 (July 26, 1996)
ELECTRICAL SHORT OR SHOCK IN THE IGNITIONS SWITCH CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO CATCH FIRE IN THE STEERING COLUMN.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 800046 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 985139 · 1996-06-03 (June 3, 1996)
IGNITION SWITCH BURNED OUT INTERNALLY, CAUSING WIRE IN STEERING COLUMN TO BURN; DIAGNOSED BY MECHANIC PERFORMING OTHER ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS. *AK *JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 985139 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10083215 · 2004-07-19 (July 19, 2004)
WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH AND WHEN DEPRESSING THE BRAKES CONSUMER WAS UNABLE TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THIS CAUSED A REAR END COLLISION. DRIVERS SIDE SEAT BELT UNLATCHED, AND DRIVER SUSTAINED INJURIES. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10083215 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 874670 · 2000-11-08 (November 8, 2000)
WHILE GOING 30-35 MPH SMELLED SMOKE. AFTER PULLING OVER CONSUMER NOTICED FRONT LEFT WHEEL HUB BASE COVER MELTED. CONTACTED DEALER. PROBLEM MAY BE LINKED TO BRAKE VACUUM PLATE. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 874670 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 958136 · 1995-01-03 (January 3, 1995)
CAR STALLS FOR NO APPARENT REASON. TT
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 958136 at NHTSA ↗