Built from official NHTSA complaint and recall data · data through 07/12/2026
High complaint levelIts most-reported problem — Vehicle Speed Control — runs 2.5× the fleet median for that category across the 1731 model-years tracked on this site.
190Complaints
2Recalls
28Crashes
3Fires
18Injured
0Deaths
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 — Vehicle Speed Control (12.6% of complaints) — recall and investigation status for this vehicle is currently unavailable.
Vehicle Speed Control complaints here are 2.5× the median for that category across the 1731 model-years tracked on this site.
Complaint category
Reports
Official status
Reference
Vehicle Speed Control
24 · 12.6%
not available
—
Power Train:automatic Transmission
20 · 10.5%
not available
—
Suspension:front:springs:coil Springs
15 · 7.9%
not available
—
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:antilock/traction Control/electronic Limited Slip
11 · 5.8%
not available
—
Air Bags:frontal
7 · 3.7%
not available
—
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:foundation Components:disc
7 · 3.7%
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.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP11 · 5.8%
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL7 · 3.7%
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC7 · 3.7%
Unspecified / other6 · 3.2%
INTERIOR LIGHTING6 · 3.2%
AIR BAGS6 · 3.2%
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD5 · 2.6%
Percentages are the share of the 190 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.
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. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
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. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
Park itPark 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
“WHEN VEHICLE IS IN PARK OR FOOT IS TAKING OF GAS PEDAL TO BRAKE, IT WILL ACCELERATE.HAS TO APPLY A LOT OF PRESSURE TO BRAKES…”NHTSA complaint 8014204 — filed 07/18/2002 · VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
“WHEN APPLYING BRAKES VEHICLE REVVED UP WHICH CAUSED VEHICLE TO SURGE FORWARD. CONSUMER HAD TO APPLY BRAKES EVEN HARDER TO STOP VEHICLE. DEALER CONTACTED.*AIK”NHTSA complaint 8008489 — filed 04/24/2002 · VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
“CONSUMER STATES THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD ACCELERATE WHILE IN PARK AND WOULD LURCH FORWARD WHEN SHIFTED INTO DRIVE. THE DEALER HAS NOT BEEN ABLE TO…”NHTSA complaint 8007946 — filed 04/18/2002 · VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Excerpts are shortened and scrubbed of personal details; they are individual, unverified reports.
Complaint trend by year filed
Frequently asked questions
What are the most common problems with the 1998 Mercury Sable?
Vehicle speed control issues are the most-reported category, cited in 24 of 190 NHTSA complaints (12.6%), followed by power train:automatic transmission (20), suspension:front:springs:coil springs (15), service brakes, hydraulic:antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip (11). Complaints are unverified owner reports.
How many complaints does the 1998 Mercury Sable have?
190 complaints were on file with NHTSA as of 07/12/2026. Of those, 28 involved a crash, 3 involved a fire, and 18 reported injuries. No deaths were reported.
Does the 1998 Mercury Sable have any recalls?
Yes — 2 NHTSA safety recall campaigns, including campaign 98V028000. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Has NHTSA acted on the 1998 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.
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