RecallRepo

1986 Mercury Sable Recalls

Recalls on record Updated July 2026

The 1986 Mercury Sable has 8 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting an estimated 8,923,200 vehicles. Recall repairs are always free at any authorized dealer. Owners have filed 55 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the structure. Last updated July 5, 2026.

Recall campaigns

STRUCTURE 98V323000 1998-12-16 2,697,000 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,…

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.

STRUCTURE 93V106000 1993-06-23 1,610,000 affected
Defect

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: TAURUS AND SABLES BUILT FROM 10-14-85 THROUGH 8-19-88, AND LINCOLN CONTINENTALS BUILT FROM 11-4-87 THROUGH 9-30-88 (EXCEPT 1989 - 1991 2.5L TAURUS AND 1989 - 1992 SHO). THE AFFECTED CARS WERE ORIGINALLY SOLD OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE FOLLOWING STATES: CONNECTICUT, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, MAINE,…

Consequence

IF ONE OF THE REAR CORNERS DROPS, ONLY MINOR INDICATIONS OF A MALFUNCTION SUCH AS A CLUNKING NOISE OR SLIGHT CHANGE IN STEERING WHEEL ALIGNMENT ARE NOTICEABLE. HOWEVER, IF BOTH REAR CORNERS OF THE SUBFRAME DROP, STEERING BECOMES VERY DIFFICULT, WHICH COULD ADVERSELY AFFECT VEHICLE CONTROL AND POSSIBLY RESULT IN AN…

Remedy

INSTALL A CORROSION-RESISTANT REINFORCING PLATE AND A NEW BOLT ON BOTH REAR SUBFRAME MOUNTS. THIS RECALL CAMPAIGN HAS BEEN SUPERSEDED BY RECALL 98V-323.

WHEELS 92V065000 1992-05-11 654,000 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.

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC 91V134000 1991-08-06 325,000 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…

Remedy

REPLACE FRONT BRAKE ROTORS WITH FULL CAST FRONT BRAKE ROTORS.

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE 87V139000 1987-09-04 3,600,000 affected
Defect

SPRING LOCK FUEL LINE COUPLING MAY NOT BE PROPERLY ENGAGED.

Consequence

COUPLING COULD DISENGAGE DUE TO FUEL PRESSURE,VIBRATION, AND ENGINE MOVEMENTS; THIS WOULD CAUSE LOSS OF FUEL WHICH, INPRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, CREATES A FIRE RISK.

Remedy

INSTALL RETAINER CLIPS OVER THE COUPLINGS TO PREVENT COUPLING SEPARATION AND FUEL LEAKAGE.

VISIBILITY 87V017000 1987-02-19 28,000 affected
Defect

ROAD SALT INDUCED EROSION OF THE WIPER MOTOR CONDUCTOR STRIPS COULD CAUSE LOCALIZED THERMAL STRESS WITHIN THE GLASS.

Consequence

GLASS COULD FRACTURE WHILE STATION WAGON IS BEING DRIVENOR PARKED, CREATING A RISK OF INJURY TO OCCUPANTS OR SUDDEN DISTRACTION TO THEDRIVER.

Remedy

APPLY SEALANT TO CONDUCTOR STRIPS AND PROTECTIVE TAPE TO LOWER BACKLITES.

VISIBILITY 86V039000 1986-03-10 4,700 affected
Defect

THE RIGHT QUARTER WINDOWS MAY CONTAIN GLASS WHICH WAS IMPROPERLY TEMPERED. THIS GLASS MAY YIELD PIECES LARGER THAN THE MAXIMUM ALLOWED BY FMVSS 205, GLAZING MATERIAL. CONSEQUENCE OF…

Remedy

REPLACE THE QUARTER WINDOWS CONTAINING DATE CODE 5 AF.

STEERING 85V172000 1985-12-26 4,500 affected
Consequence

IF THE CAR IS LEFT UNATTENDED WITH THE KEY REMOVED AND THE IGNITION SWITCH NOT IN LOCK POSITION, THE CAR CAN BE EASILY STOLEN. STUDIES HAVE SHOWN THAT STOLEN CARS ARE FREQUENTLY INVOLVED IN ACCIDENTS.

Remedy

IGNITION LOCK SWITCH CYLINDER WILL BE REPLACED.

Complaints by component

STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS
8
1injuries
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
7
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
4
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
3
1fires
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
3
1fires
SEATS
3
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY
2
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:WEBBING
2
STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR
2
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
2
Total complaints55

What owners report

Verbatim reports filed with NHTSA, lightly edited for readability and with personal information removed.

“After driving and coming to a stop the automatic transmission goes into neutral. Stepping on the gas pedal caused the transmission to rev up quite high while still staying in neutral until, suddenly the transmission will kick into gear and "burn rubber" causing the car to lurch forward in an…”

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION · reported 2003-06-15

“Brake caliper is hanging out, causing hub cap to melt onto the tire.*ak”

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:CALIPER · reported 2002-05-17

“Subframe welds broke and frame dropped while driving 30 mph. No injuries. There is a recall but this vehicle is not affected.*jbsubframe mounting bolts/brackets broke on both sides of the rear mounts causing the engine and transaxle to fall backward and make steering impossible. *jg”

STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS · reported 2001-04-21

“While sitting on driver's side with children sitting in rear seat, a person alerted consumer that one of the children got stuck between window of vehicle, where power window could not be activated. *ak”

VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS · reported 2001-03-01

“Windshield is cracked on the driver's side. Consumer stated she bought vehicle as it is, and she wants to fill out a safety complaint. *ak”

VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD · reported 2000-04-01

“Bolt intact, mount failed, metal failure. *ak”

SEATS · reported 1999-11-30

“Difficulty having subframe mount nuts repaired under recall, due to dealership/manufacturer problems. (98v-323)”

STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS · reported 1999-03-08

“Bolt in the seat is broken, causing the consumer's seat to move forward when driving. When consumer stops the seat will move, and can hear some noise coming from the seat, as if the motor in the seat is running, but the seat is broke. *ak”

SEATS · reported 1999-01-28

Defect investigations

Investigation EA88032 Opened 1988-04-22 · closed 1990-01-12

STALLING

===

Investigation EA89023 Opened 1989-05-25 · closed 1990-05-22

FRONT SEAT BRACKET

SUMMARY:THE LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL APPEARS TO BE THE POTENTIALCONSEQUENCE OF A SEAT BRACKET FAILURE.===

Investigation EA90042 Opened 1990-08-31 · closed 1991-12-31

THROTTLE STICKING

There is no summary currently available

Investigation EA90045 Opened 1990-09-28 · closed 1991-09-12

BRAKE DISC HUB SEPARATIONS

===

Investigation EA90045 Opened 1990-09-28 · closed 1991-09-12

BRAKE DISC HUB SEPARATIONS

===

Investigation EA91042 Opened 1991-10-28 · closed 1992-05-21

STORAGE COMPAR SUFFOCATION

===

Investigation EA92040 Opened 1992-11-30 · closed 1993-06-30

SUB-FRM/UNIBODY ABSOR.FAIL

There is no summary currently available

Investigation EA92040 Opened 1992-11-30 · closed 1993-06-30

SUB-FRM/UNIBODY ABSOR.FAIL

There is no summary currently available

Investigation PE87030 Opened 1987-05-12 · closed 1987-08-24

STEERING BINDING

BASED ON AN ODI FAILURE REPORT ANALYSIS SHOWING 6 COMPLAINTS, 4 ACCIDENTSAND 3 INUJURIES, A PRELIMINARY EVALUATION WAS OPENED AND AN INFORMATIONREQUEST WAS SENT TO FORD.SUBSEQUENTLY, ODI RECEIVED 4 ADDITIONAL COM-PLAINTS.FURTHER INFORMATION WAS DEVELOPED WHICH LED TO DELETION OF 4COMPLAINTS AND THE ACCIDENTS AND…

Investigation PE88014 Opened 1988-01-15 · closed 1988-05-26

HIGH BRAKE PEDAL EFFORT

===

Investigation PE89006 Opened 1988-10-19 · closed 1989-06-26

HEAD REST DROPS

===

Investigation PE89007 Opened 1988-10-19 · closed 1989-05-25

FRONT SEAT BRACKET

BRIEFING NOTES ODISCUSSION OF THE REPORTED DEFECT & ITS CONSEQUENCES OFAILURE MILEAGE ANALYSIS OWARRANTY DATA ANALYSIS OFORD'S BODY & CHASSIS ENGINEERING REPORT OCOMPARISON WITH OTHER SEAT-TRACK ANALYSES===

Investigation PE89091 Opened 1989-02-17 · closed 1989-07-13

EXHAUST GAS INTRUSION

SUMMARY: OWNERS COMPLAIN OF EXHAUST GASES, INCLUDING HYDROGEN SULFIDE,LEAKING INTO THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT CAUSING NAUSEA, HEADACHES, ANDDISCOMFORT.HYDROGEN SULFIDE (H2S) IS A COLORLESS, FLAMMABLE, ANDVERY POISONOUS GAS.===

Investigation PE90019 Opened 1989-11-27 · closed 1990-03-27

SPEED CONTROL FAILURE

There is no summary currently available

Investigation PE90066 Opened 1990-03-27 · closed 1990-08-31

THROTTLE STICKING

There is no summary currently available

Investigation PE90071 Opened 1990-04-02 · closed 1990-06-28

BRAKE DISC HUB FAILURE

There is no summary currently available

Investigation PE91036 Opened 1991-01-22 · closed 1991-05-22

DOOR HANDLES BREAKAGE

There is no summary currently available

Investigation PE91108 Opened 1991-08-01 · closed 1991-10-28

STORAGE COMPAR SUFFOCATION

There is no summary currently available

Investigation PE91128 Opened 1991-09-17 · closed 1992-01-27

FIRES IN IGNITION SWITCH

There is no summary currently available

Investigation PE92056 Opened 1992-07-01 · closed 1992-11-30

SUB-FRM/UNIBODY ABSOR.FAIL

There is no summary currently available

Investigation PE93100 Opened 1993-12-02 · closed 1994-06-30

POLYCAST ROAD WHEEL CRACKS

There is no summary currently available

Investigation RQ97009 Opened 1997-08-29 · closed 1999-02-16

REAR LOWER SUBFRAME ASSEMBLY

TO DETERMINE WHETHER THE CARS THAT WERE NOT INCLUDED IN THE SAFETY RECALL 93V-106 SHOULD BE RECALLED DUE TO THE SAME FAILURE PHENOMENON, AND TO DETERMINE IF THERE IS REMEDY FAILURE ISSUE

Investigation RQ97009 Opened 1997-08-29 · closed 1999-02-16

REAR LOWER SUBFRAME ASSEMBLY

TO DETERMINE WHETHER THE CARS THAT WERE NOT INCLUDED IN THE SAFETY RECALL 93V-106 SHOULD BE RECALLED DUE TO THE SAME FAILURE PHENOMENON, AND TO DETERMINE IF THERE IS REMEDY FAILURE ISSUE

Sources & methodology

Recall, complaint, and investigation records from official NHTSA datasets (FLAT_RCL, FLAT_CMPL, FLAT_INV), synced weekly. Counts reflect NHTSA records for the 1986 Mercury Sable as of July 5, 2026. Complaint narratives are consumer-submitted and unverified. This page contains ads and affiliate links. Full methodology.