CarModelProblems.com

1992 Mercury Sable Problems & Recalls

Built from official NHTSA complaint and recall data · data through 07/12/2026

High complaint levelIts most-reported problem — Engine And Engine Cooling:engine — runs 3.5× the fleet median for that category across the 2583 model-years tracked on this site.
364Complaints
5Recalls
12Crashes
6Fires
7Injured
4Deaths

Source: U.S. NHTSA complaint & recall data. Complaints are unverified reports from vehicle owners — a complaint is not a confirmed defect.

Is this problem acknowledged?

The most-reported problem — Engine And Engine Cooling:engine (30.8% of complaints) — is covered by 1 NHTSA recall campaign.

Engine And Engine Cooling:engine complaints here are 3.5× the median for that category across the 2583 model-years tracked on this site.

Complaint categoryReportsOfficial statusReference
Engine And Engine Cooling:engine112 · 30.8%RecalledRecall 97V019000
Power Train:automatic Transmission50 · 13.7%not available
Engine And Engine Cooling:engine:gasoline29 · 8%RecalledRecall 97V019000
Structure:frame And Members23 · 6.3%RecalledRecall 98V323000
Vehicle Speed Control19 · 5.2%RecalledRecall 97V025000
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:foundation Components:disc:rotor11 · 3%not available

Recalled = an NHTSA safety recall covers this category, so a free repair exists. Under investigation = NHTSA has an open probe but no recall yet. Investigation closed = NHTSA examined it and closed the probe — this is not a defect finding; where a closed probe led to a recall we name the campaign. Not available = recall or investigation data could not be confirmed for this vehicle — it is not a “no”. Categories are matched by NHTSA's top-level component. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Complaints by component

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL19 · 5.2%
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR11 · 3%
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM10 · 2.7%
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP9 · 2.5%
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:RADIATOR ASSEMBLY9 · 2.5%
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:POWER ASSIST:VACUUM8 · 2.2%

Percentages are the share of the 364 complaints citing each component; one complaint can cite several components. “Unspecified / other” is NHTSA’s own catch-all category — we show it rather than hide it.

Recalls — 5 campaigns

Suspension:front:shock Absorber

NHTSA campaign 94E036000 · 1994 · reported 11/25/1994

OVER TIME, A PORTION OF THE BRACKET CAN TEAR AWAY FROM THE STRUT, FALLING INTO AND PUNCTURING THE TIRE OR CAUSING DAMAGE TO THE WHEEL, WHICH COULD RESULT IN AN ACCIDENT. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Vehicle Speed Control

NHTSA campaign 97V025000 · 1997 · reported 02/26/1997

DRIVER CONTROL OF VEHICLE SPEED USING THE SPEED CONTROL SYSTEM OR THE ACCELERATOR CONTROL SYSTEM WOULD BE DIMINISHED INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE CRASH. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Wheels

NHTSA campaign 92V065000 · 1992 · reported 05/11/1992

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. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Engine And Engine Cooling:cooling System:fan

NHTSA campaign 97V019000 · 1997 · reported 02/25/1997

THIS CONDITION CAN CAUSE SMOKE OR FLAMES FROM THE FAN AND/OR SHROUD, THE FAN ELECTRICAL WIRING, OR THE FAN MOTOR RESULTING IN A VEHICLE FIRE. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Structure:frame And Members

NHTSA campaign 98V323000 · 1998 · reported 12/16/1998

IF BOTH REAR CORNERS DROP, STEERING WOULD BECOME SUDDENLY VERY DIFFICULT, AFFECTING VEHICLE CONTROL AND INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Park it Park outside Specimen badges — shown on a recall card only when NHTSA sets the flag. None of the campaigns above carries either flag. Always check your own vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What owners report

“HEAD GASKET FAILED. ANTIFREEZE ENTERING ENTERING THE CYLINDERS ALSO RESULTED IN DAMAGE TO THE OXYGEN SENSORS, NECESSITATING THEIR REPLACEMENT ALSO.”NHTSA complaint 702215 — filed 01/14/1999 · ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
“THE ENGINE SUPPORT MOUNTS BROKE OFF, ALMOST CAUSING AN ACCIDENT. DEALER HAS PREVIOUSLY REPLACED 2 ENGINE MOUNTS WHICH BROKE. OWNER WANTS TO BE REIMBURSED FOR…”NHTSA complaint 831875 — filed 12/07/1998 · ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
“HEAD GASKET VALVE COVER FAILED CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO OVERHEAT.”NHTSA complaint 542847 — filed 12/03/1998 · ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

Excerpts are shortened and scrubbed of personal details; they are individual, unverified reports.

Complaint trend by year filed

7319966856199877962000372520024112004312006132008112010

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 1992 Mercury Sable?

Engine and engine cooling:engine issues are the most-reported category, cited in 112 of 364 NHTSA complaints (30.8%), followed by power train:automatic transmission (50), engine and engine cooling:engine:gasoline (29), structure:frame and members (23). Complaints are unverified owner reports.

How many complaints does the 1992 Mercury Sable have?

364 complaints were on file with NHTSA as of 07/12/2026. Of those, 12 involved a crash, 6 involved a fire, and 7 reported injuries. 4 deaths were reported.

Does the 1992 Mercury Sable have any recalls?

Yes — 5 NHTSA safety recall campaigns, including campaign 94E036000. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Has NHTSA acted on the 1992 Mercury Sable's reported problems?

Recall or investigation data is partly unavailable for this vehicle right now — check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls for the authoritative answer.

Is a complaint proof of a defect?

No. Complaints are reports submitted by consumers to NHTSA. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints, and a complaint is not proof that a defect exists.

About this data — Complaint figures on this page are consumer reports submitted to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), a U.S. government agency. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints; a complaint is not proof that a defect exists, and counts reflect what owners chose to report, not confirmed failure rates. Recall information comes from official NHTSA safety recall campaigns; recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Always check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. CarModelProblems.com is an independent site and is not affiliated with NHTSA or any vehicle manufacturer. Data through 07/12/2026.