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1998 Mercury Sable problems

The most common problem on the 1998 Mercury Sable is acceleration and speed control, typically around 73,273 miles. It has 2.3 times the complaints of a typical Sable model year.

Typical year2.3x the typical complaints
Owner complaints
190
Recalls
2
Service bulletins
184
Worst area
Acceleration
Fuel economy
18-20mpg

The worst 1998 Mercury Sable problems

Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.

Problems by type

Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.

Specific symptoms reported on the 1998 Mercury Sable

Coil spring 16Sudden acceleration 8No deployment 7Brake failure 7Tire blowout 7Adaptive cruise 6Headlights 5

Recalls 2

Seat belts: front: anchorageReported August 25, 1998 · 7,000 vehicles affected
What is wrong
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.
Risk
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.

Recall number 98V198000 · Recall details

Exterior lighting: headlightsReported February 10, 1998 · 571,800 vehicles affected
What is wrong
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."
Risk
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.

Recall number 98V028000 · Recall details

See all 2 recalls for the 1998 Mercury Sable

Technical service bulletins for the 1998 Mercury Sable 184

Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.

See all 184 bulletins for the 1998 Mercury Sable

1998 Mercury Sable fuel economy

Official EPA estimates in miles per gallon (MPGe for electric). Ranges cover trims that share the same engine.

EngineDriveCityHighwayCombined
3.0L 6‑cylFWD16-1723-2618-20

What 1998 Mercury Sable owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed Apr 12, 2018 · 101,000 miles · MI

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.

Filed Jun 20, 2016 · Lights · 148,000 miles · UT

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 module".

Filed Oct 13, 2015 · Airbags, Brakes · 179,000 miles · IA · crash · 2 injuries

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 required medical attention. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 179,000.

Filed Dec 19, 2012 · Body · 85,500 miles · IN

Tl* the contact owns a 1998 mercury sable. The contact stated that he would hear a rattling noise from under the hood and assumed that the motor mounts needed to be replaced. The contact repaired the vehicle but the failure recurred. The contact inspected under the vehicle and noticed that the frame was rusted. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and stated that the frame needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified. The failure mileage was 85,500.

Filed Apr 3, 2012 · Acceleration · 93,300 miles · PA · crash

Tl* the contact owns a 1998 mercury sable. The contact had been parked for two hours in the parking lot of a small community park. As the contact was driving approximately 5-10 MPH, the vehicle suddenly accelerated at a high speed. The contact did not have time to check the speedometer before the turn was completed. The vehicle failed to slow down when engaging the brake pedal and because the turn had not been completed the contact veered off to the left of the road and then crossed the road to the right. As the contact tried to get back on the road, she drove over a two-foot boulder and several smaller boulders and then crashed into a fence of tall bushes and came to a stop approximately ten feet past the boulders that had been dragged in the middle of the driveway. The air bags deployed as the vehicle came to a stop. This all took place in a matter of seconds. There were no personal injuries. The vehicle was completely destroyed and towed to an authorized ford dealer. The manufacturer was not notified of the problem. The approximately failure mileage was 93,300

Filed Apr 6, 2011 · Suspension · 132,000 miles · NY

Tl*the contact owns a 1998 mercury sable. The contact was driving in reverse 3 MPH and in a residential driveway when the vehicle stopped moving. The engine was still running. While inspecting the vehicle, he found that the front coil spring had fractured and punctured the front driver side tire. The vehicle was not repaired and the manufacturer was not contacted. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 132,000. Updated 05/24/11*lj updated 05/26/11

Filed Jan 19, 2011 · Acceleration, Steering · 7,000 miles · GA

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 12,000.

Filed Aug 23, 2010 · Electrical · CA

My check engine light came on. I took my car to a repair shop to retrieve stored engine control codes po443 and po455. I replaced the part and there is still the same code po443 and po455. I keep my old part.

Filed Sep 9, 2009 · Suspension · 80,000 miles · NJ

Tl*the contact owns 1998 mercury sable. Several mechanics stated that the rear suspension and the rear coil springs failed. The dealer stated that the rear coil spring corroded and was related to a manufacturers recall; however, the VIN was not a part of the recall. The vehicle has not been repaired. The current and the failure mileages were 80,000. Updated 10/21/09 *bf the consumer was also informed the front coil springs were defective as well. Updated 10/23/09

Filed Feb 2, 2009 · Suspension · 94,100 miles · MA

Tl*the contact owns a 1998 mercury sable. While driving 45 MPH, the driver's side tire suddenly blew out. There was no crash as a result of the failure. An independent mechanic assisted the contact with placing the spare tire on the vehicle and then informed him that the coil spring was the cause of the blow out. The dealer stated that only 1999-2001 sables were included in the federal safety agency campaign id number 04v332000 (suspension:front:springs:coil springs). He spoke with the manufacturer and they confirmed that the VIN was not included in the recall. The current and failure mileages were approximately 94,100.

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Compare the 1998 Mercury Sable

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Questions about the 1998 Mercury Sable

Is the 1998 Mercury Sable reliable?

Owners have filed 190 complaints about the 1998 Mercury Sable, 2.3 times a typical Sable model year.

What is the most common problem with the 1998 Mercury Sable?

Acceleration and speed control, with 32 complaints, typically around 73,273 miles. Next is brakes (29).

How many recalls does the 1998 Mercury Sable have?

2 recalls, covering seat belts and exterior lighting.

What year does the Mercury Sable have the most acceleration problems?

The Mercury Sable model years with the most acceleration complaints are 2000 (71 complaints), 2001 (61 complaints) and 2002 (56 complaints).

What gas mileage does the 1998 Mercury Sable get?

Official estimates for the 1998 Mercury Sable range from 18 to 20 mpg combined. The most efficient version (3.0L 6-cyl, FWD) gets 16-17 city and 23-26 highway.

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