1998 Mercury SABLE: complaints, problems and recalls
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.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10002358 · 2003-01-08 (January 8, 2003)
CONSUMER STATED THAT WHEN AT A STOP AND WITHOUT WARNING THE ENGINE WOULD START RACING AND IT WILL BE HARD FOR THE CONSUMER TO CONTROL THE VEHICLE. DEALER NOTIFIED. TS
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10002358 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 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 10018076 · 2003-05-02 (May 2, 2003)
WHILE DRIVING THERE WAS A LOUD NOISE COMING FROM UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE. *NLM
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10018076 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 10019791 · 2003-05-14 (May 14, 2003)
WHILE DRIVING AT 20 MPH, THE FRONT COIL SPRING FAILED, AND PUNCTURED THE PASSENGER SIDE TIRE. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 51,800 miles reported. Look up ODI 10019791 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10021717 · 2003-05-28 (May 28, 2003)
NAR 05/28/2003 *MR FAILURE IN THE ANTILOCK BRAKE SYSTEM. *CB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10021717 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10024519 · 2003-06-19 (June 19, 2003)
ALL FOUR SEATBELTS WILL NOT CLICK IN/ RETRACT AND WILL NOT HOLD. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10024519 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
2 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
98V028000 · Exterior Lighting:Headlights
Reported: 1998-02-10 (February 10, 1998)
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."
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.
Remedy: OWNER GUIDES CONTAINING REVISED AIMING INSTRUCTIONS WILL BE MAILED TO OWNERS OF THESE VEHICLES.
NHTSA campaign record ↗98V198000 · Seat Belts:Front:Anchorage
Reported: 1998-08-25 (August 25, 1998)
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.
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.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE SEAT BELT BUCKLE MOUNTING BRACKET AND STUD ASSEMBLY.
NHTSA campaign record ↗