1998 Mercury SABLE problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
142 owner complaints analyzed
2 distinct recall campaigns
91,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1998 model year. Data snapshot: . 45 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Power Train:Automatic Transmission is the most frequently named component, appearing in 15 of 142 complaints (10.6%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 43 | 30.3% |
| Transmission and shifting | 12 | 8.5% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 9 | 6.3% |
| Steering behavior | 6 | 4.2% |
| Engine operation | 3 | 2.1% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission | 15 |
| Suspension:Front:Springs:Coil Springs | 15 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 15 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip | 11 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc | 7 |
| Air Bags | 6 |
| Interior Lighting | 6 |
| Air Bags:Frontal | 5 |
Power Train:Automatic Transmission: 15; Suspension:Front:Springs:Coil Springs: 15; Vehicle Speed Control: 15; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip: 11; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc: 7; Air Bags: 6; Interior Lighting: 6; Air Bags:Frontal: 5
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 1 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 3 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 12 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 15 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 10 |
| 150,000 and above | 4 |
Under 25,000: 1; 25,000 to 49,999: 3; 50,000 to 74,999: 12; 75,000 to 99,999: 15; 100,000 to 149,999: 10; 150,000 and above: 4
75,000 to 99,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (15). 97 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 |
|---|---|
| 2000 | 22 |
| 2001 | 25 |
| 2002 | 27 |
| 2003 | 19 |
| 2004 | 18 |
| 2005 | 8 |
| 2006 | 6 |
| 2007 | 5 |
| 2008 | 2 |
| 2009 | 2 |
| 2010 | 1 |
| 2011 | 2 |
| 2012 | 2 |
| 2015 | 1 |
| 2016 | 1 |
| 2018 | 1 |
2000: 22; 2001: 25; 2002: 27; 2003: 19; 2004: 18; 2005: 8; 2006: 6; 2007: 5; 2008: 2; 2009: 2; 2010: 1; 2011: 2; 2012: 2; 2015: 1; 2016: 1; 2018: 1
Pattern summary
Power Train:Automatic Transmission leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 43 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 12 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 9 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 10017865 · 2003-04-30 (April 30, 2003)
WHEN THE CONSUMER REMOVED HIS REMOVED HIS FOOT FROM THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL, THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE. ALSO, WHEN THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED THE ENGINE CONTINUED TO SURGE. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10017865 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10019284 · 2003-05-26 (May 26, 2003)
AUTOMOBILE 1998 MERCURY SABLE ENGINE RPM SURGES FIXED SEVERAL TIMES AT DEALER REPLACING SENSORS AND OTHER PARTS STILL SURGES PERIODICALLY IN 2002 THE ENGINE SURGED AND THE BRAKES DID NOT HOLD COLLISION WITH ANOTHER VEHICLE THE CAR WAS IN THE SHOP 5 TIMES BEFORE THE CRASH FOR THE SAME PROBLEM SINCE 2002 ANOTHER 4 TIMES AND THE PROBLEM IS STILL NOT FIXED ALSO AFTER SHUTTING OFF CAR, THE FAN STILL RUNS ALSO FIXED 4 TIMES NOW ONLY REASON WE DID NOT BUY A NEW, AND OTHER BRAND VEHICLE IS LACK OF FUNDS TO PURCHASE A NEW CAR …
Owner-reported narrative. 60,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10019284 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10011533 · 2003-03-12 (March 12, 2003)
THE TORQUE CONVERTER CLUTCH DID NOT ENGAGE AT TIMES, WHICH CAUSED A HARD SHIFT. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10011533 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10034599 · 2003-08-26 (August 26, 2003)
THE RADIATOR COOLANT SYSTEM HOSE COME OFF, AND LEAKED TRANSMISSION FLUID. THIS RESULTED IN THE TRANSMISSION FAILURE. THE SERVICE SHOP INDICATED THAT THE CAUSE OF THE HOSE COMING OFF COULD BE CAUSED BY PRESSURE BUILD UP. PLEASE PROVIDE MORE DETAILS.
Owner-reported narrative. 58,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10034599 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10141423 · 2005-11-01 (November 1, 2005)
1) VEHICLE WAS HAVING SHIFTING PROBLEMS WITH NOT EASILY COMING OUT OF THE 'PARK" POSITION. DEALER KEPT STATING THERE WAS NO PROBLEM. 2) OCT.30--TRAVELING AT 70 MPH HEADING FOR A DOWNHILL WITH RELATIVELY SHARP CURVE AT BOTTOM, BRAKED TO CANCEL CRUISE CONTROL WITH NO RESPONSE. AGAIN BRAKED HARD WITH NO RESPONSE. CANCELLED CRUISE CONTROL MANUALLY WITH STEERING WHEEL "OFF" BUTTON---JUST IN TIME TO AVOID A CERTAIN DISASTER! LATER, I ENGAGED THE CRUISE CONTROL AGAIN ON A STRAIGHT STRETCH OF ROAD AND AGAIN, THE BRAKE DID NOT CANCEL THE SYSTEM! 3) D…
Owner-reported narrative. 51,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10141423 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10174619 · 2006-11-28 (November 28, 2006)
FOR YEARS I HAVE HAD ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS ON 1998 MERCURY SABLE--THE DOME LIGHT, FLOOR LIGHTS AND DOOR LIGHTS CONSTANTLY ON. I KEEP THE DOME LIGHT OFF. THE FLOOR LIGHT BULBS WERE REMOVED. DOOR LIGHTS ARE CONSTANTLY ON. HOWEVER, 1.5 YEARS AGO, I LOST ALL HEADLIGHTS AT NIGHT UPON ENTERING A HIGHWAY. I COULD RISK USING HIGH BEAMS BY HOLDING IN PLACE. MULTIFUNCTION ARM WAS REPLACED AND THE DIAL ON DASHBOARD. THEN BOTH DIALS WERE REPLACED FOR FAN AND HEATING, DEFROST AND AIR CONDITIONER. THEN TOLD MY COMPUTER CHIP NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. I HAV…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10174619 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10377898 · 2011-01-19 (January 19, 2011)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 MERCURY SABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD ACCELERATE INDEPENDENTLY WHEN DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS. IN ADDITION, THE HORN WOULD SOUND INDEPENDENTLY. THE CONTACT FURTHER INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND STATED THAT THERE WAS A BUILDUP OF CORROSION FOUND ON AN UNKNOWN PIN INSIDE OF THE STEERING COLUMN. THE CONTACT BELIEVED THE FAILURE WAS CAUSED BY THE CORROSION OF THE STEERING COLUMN COMPONENTS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 7,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 12,0…
Owner-reported narrative. 7,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10377898 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10042690 · 2003-11-12 (November 12, 2003)
WHILE THE CRUISE CONTROL WAS SET AT 60 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED THEN RESTARTED BY ITSELF. THE DEALER COULD NOT DUPLICATE OR DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM. *AK THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM WAS IN THE SWITCH AND A LOOSE WIRE. THE VEHICLE RESTARTED ON IT'S OWN AND WAS SOMETIMES HARD TO START. (HARD TO START, HOT OR COLD) WHEN THE VEHICLE DIED AT LOW SPEEDS, IT DID NOT RESTART AND WAS HARD TO START IMMEDIATELY AFTER BUT WOULD START WITHIN 2-3 MINUTES. *SCC *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 54,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10042690 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 559208 · 2001-01-26 (January 26, 2001)
ENGINE STALLS, CAUSING LOSS OF STEERING AND POWER, VEHICLE HAS BEEN IN FOR REPAIR 13 TIMES WITHIN THE LAST 7 MONTHS. *SLC
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 559208 at NHTSA ↗