1991 Mercury Sable: Recalls, Problems & MPG
Here are the deets on the 1991 Mercury Sable: 4 recalls, 221 owner complaints and up to 21 mpg combined.
Recalls
4 vehicle recalls from the manufacturer, plus 1 equipment/tire recall that can apply. Repairs are free. Check your VIN to see if one is still open on your car.
Brakes (hydraulic) Vehicle recall #91V134000 · 1991 · 325,000 vehicles
What's wrong: 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.
Why it matters: 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…
The fix: Replace front brake rotors with full cast front brake rotors.
Wheels Vehicle recall #92V065000 · 1992 · 654,000 vehicles
What's wrong: 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.
Why it matters: 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.
The fix: Replace the self-latching assembly currently used in the rear storage compartment with a latch assembly that can only be closed with a key.
Speed control / throttle Vehicle recall #97V025000 · 1997 · 212,700 vehicles
What's wrong: 8l engines and originally sold or currently registered in the following states: alaska, colorado, iowa, idaho, illinois, indiana, kansas, massachusetts, maine, michigan, minnesota, missouri, montana, north dakota, nebraska, new hampshire, new york, ohio, pennsylvania, south dakota, vermont, wisconsin, and wyoming. Water can accumulate within the speed control cable conduit. If enough water accumulates, it could…
Why it matters: 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.
The fix: Dealers will add a boot to the speed control cable.
Body & structure Vehicle recall #98V323000 · 1998 · 2,697,000 vehicles
What's wrong: The rear lower subframe mount plate nut can experience stress corrosion cracking if subjected to long term exposure to road salts. This can result in fracture and loss of the structural integrity of the subframe mount attachment. Detachment of the body mounts at the rear corners of the subframe, which supports the engine and transmission, allows the rear corners of the subframe to drop.
Why it matters: If both rear corners drop, steering would become suddenly very difficult, affecting vehicle control and increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will install subframe rear mount bolts, reinforcement plates, and plate nuts.
1 aftermarket equipment / tire recall replacement parts sold to fit this car, not the car itself
Suspension Equipment recall #94E036000 · 1994 · 98,000 vehicles
What's wrong: The arc welds on the sway bar bracket, where it attaches to the strut reserve tube, did not fuse properly.
Why it matters: 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.
The fix: Monroe dealers will replace the strut free of charge.
Most-reported problems
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component. One complaint can list several components. 9 mention a fire, 8 injuries and 0 deaths were reported.
What owners describe
- Transmission & drivetrain (101): the most common themes are hard / delayed shifting (15), noise or vibration (7), stalls / loses power (6).
- Engine & cooling (56): the most common themes are fire / smoke (6), stalls / loses power (5).
- Steering (27): the most common themes are steering problems (17), leaks (4), noise or vibration (4).
- Body & structure (20): the most common themes are door / lock issues (2), rust / corrosion (2).
The 1991 Mercury Sable has 221 owner complaints, ranking #11 of 19 Sable model years for complaints (about average; the typical year has 258). Complaints peaked in 1999 (53 filed that year). The typical problem showed up when the car was about 6 years old, at a median of 90,000 miles. Neighboring years: 1990 (166 complaints, 5 recalls), 1992 (364 complaints, 4 recalls).
Engines & fuel economy (EPA)
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.0 L 6-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 18 | 26 | 21 | Regular |
| 3.8 L 6-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 16 | 26 | 19 | Regular |
Want the full repair deets? Get the factory manual.
Recall and complaint data tells you what goes wrong. A service manual tells you how to fix it: torque specs, wiring diagrams, fluid capacities and step-by-step procedures for the 1991 Mercury Sable.
Closest thing to the factory manual for most years. Pay once, keep it.
Most $25–$78, one-timePro-shop repair procedures, wiring diagrams and TSBs for your exact car.
From $19.99/mo · $39.99/yrOEM procedures, specs and recall/TSB info, the same source many shops use.
From $19.99/mo · $59.99/yrStep-by-step photos written from a real teardown. Great for first-timers.
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FAQ
Does the 1991 Mercury Sable have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 4 vehicle recalls for the 1991 Mercury Sable, plus 1 equipment or tire recalls that can apply. Recall repairs are free at any dealer, no matter how old the car is. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What are the most common 1991 Mercury Sable problems?
Owners have filed 221 complaints with NHTSA. The most-reported areas are transmission & drivetrain (101), engine & cooling (56), steering (27).
What gas mileage does the 1991 Mercury Sable get?
EPA ratings run up to 21 mpg combined (3.0 L, Automatic 4-spd), across 2 engine and transmission combos.
Where can I get a 1991 Mercury Sable repair manual?
eManualOnline sells downloadable manuals, Mitchell 1 DIY and ALLDATAdiy sell online access to factory repair data, and Haynes sells printed guides and online access. Pick a download if you want to keep it, or a subscription for wiring diagrams and TSBs.