1986 Mercury Sable Problems
- Complaints
- 46filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- 111,000miles, 1 complaints with mileage
- Recalls
- 8campaigns on record
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
- NHTSA crash rating
- —overall rating starts with 2011 models
- EPA fuel economy
- 20 mpgcombined, 2.5L 4-cyl FWD · 18 city / 24 hwy
Sources: NHTSA records for the 1986 Mercury Sable (complaints, recalls, investigations), EPA fuel economy. Report an error
NHTSA recorded 46 consumer complaints for the 1986 Mercury Sable. The part named most often is body and structure, with 11 complaints (24% of the total), followed by transmission and drivetrain (8) and engine cooling (7). 1 of the complaints include a mileage, and 0% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 111,000 miles. Of all complaints, 6 a fire, 2 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 8 recall campaigns and 0 technical service bulletins for this model year. Body and structure complaints overlap with 2 recall campaigns filed under the same part.
Not compared (before 2008). Model years 2008–2023 of the same vehicle that have at least 25 complaints are compared, and a model needs at least 3 of them.
Which parts are reported most
Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.
- Body and structure11 24%
- Engine cooling7 15%
- Electrical system6 13%
- Seat belts6 13%
- Seats4 8.7%
- Brakes2 4.3%
- Fuel system2 4.3%
- Vehicle speed control2 4.3%
Also reported: Equipment (1), Steering (1), Wheels (1).
Example complaints
Body and structure: “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.”
NHTSA complaint #8009024, filed 2002-05Transmission and drivetrain: “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 uncontrolled way at high speed.”
NHTSA complaint #10023181, filed 2003-06, 111,000 milesEngine cooling: “While driving transmission malfunctioned due to a leak from transmission's cooling unit and lines. Also, motor mounts failed, causing vehicle to vibrate/shake and stall. Consumer had to put vehicle in repair shop for repairs.”
NHTSA complaint #834470, filed 1999-02Electrical system: “When driving vehicle became very hot/stalled and came to a complete stop due to the tfi ignition module being too close and mounted on the side of the distributor. Consumer has contacted the dealer. Please provide any further details.”
NHTSA complaint #861484, filed 2000-05Mileage when problems were reported
0% of the 1 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 111,000 and 111,000 miles.
Complaints by year filed
Trend: stable. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
Fuel economy and running cost
EPA ratings for each 1986 Mercury Sable version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).
| Version | Engine | Transmission | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sable FWD | 2.5L 4-cyl | 3-speed automatic | 18 | 24 | 20 | $3,350 |
| Sable FWD | 3.0L 6-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 18 | 26 | 20 | $3,350 |
| Sable Wagon FWD | 3.0L 6-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 18 | 26 | 20 | $3,350 |
| Sable Wagon FWD | 3.0L 6-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 16 | 23 | 19 | $3,550 |
Source: U.S. EPA and Department of Energy, fueleconomy.gov. Ratings are for comparing vehicles; real-world mileage varies with driving and conditions.
Recalls and investigations
- 98V323000Dec 16, 1998Structure › Frame and membersCovers: Mercury Sable 1986–1995, Ford Taurus 1986–1995, Lincoln Continental 1988–1994
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…
- 93V106000Jun 23, 1993Structure › Frame and membersCovers: Mercury Sable 1986–1988, Ford Taurus 1986–1988, Lincoln Continental 1988
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…
- 92V065000May 11, 1992WheelsCovers: Mercury Sable 1986–1992, Ford Taurus 1986–1992
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.
- 91V134000Aug 6, 1991Service brakes, hydraulic › Foundation components › Disc › RotorCovers: Mercury Sable 1986–1991, Ford Taurus 1986–1991, Lincoln Continental 1988–1991
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.
- 87V139000Sep 4, 1987Fuel system, gasoline › Delivery › Hoses, lines/piping, and fittingsCovers: Mercury Sable 1986–1987, Ford Escort 1986–1988, Lincoln Town CAR 1986–1988 +18 more
Spring lock fuel line coupling may not be properly engaged.
- 87V017000Feb 19, 1987Visibility › Windshield wiper/washer › MotorCovers: Mercury Sable 1986–1987, Ford Taurus 1986–1987
Road salt induced erosion of the wiper motor conductor strips could cause localized thermal stress within the glass.
See all 8 recalls for the 1986 Mercury Sable → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls
Technical service bulletins
No technical service bulletins are on record for the 1986 Mercury Sable.
Other model years of the Mercury Sable
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | Crash ★ | MPG | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2009 | 20 | 34,450 | 0 | — | 21 | — | Falling |
| 2008 | 61 | 48,000 | 1 | — | 22 | Not compared (fewer than 3 comparable model years) | Falling |
| 2005 | 83 | 80,000 | 0 | — | 19 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2004 | 52 | 73,897 | 1 | — | 20 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2003 | 201 | 70,000 | 3 | — | 20 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2002 | 440 | 75,000 | 3 | — | 20 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2001 | 430 | 65,000 | 8 | — | 19 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2000 | 464 | 64,122 | 7 | — | 20 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 1999 | 258 | 67,850 | 5 | — | 20 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 1998 | 190 | 91,000 | 2 | — | 19 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1997 | 228 | 78,000 | 3 | — | 20 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1996 | 304 | 95,000 | 5 | — | 20 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1995 | 350 | 81,545 | 5 | — | 21 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1994 | 387 | 96,000 | 4 | — | 21 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1993 | 674 | 86,921 | 6 | — | 21 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1992 | 364 | 103,603 | 4 | — | 21 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1991 | 221 | 90,000 | 4 | — | 21 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1990 | 166 | 79,500 | 5 | — | 20 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1989 | 238 | 123,615 | 6 | — | 20 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1988 | 126 | 144,000 | 5 | — | 19 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1987 | 76 | 131,000 | 8 | — | 20 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1986 | 46 | 111,000 | 8 | — | 20 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
All Mercury Sable model years · Best and worst years by complaints
Frequently asked questions
How many NHTSA complaints does the 1986 Mercury Sable have?
NHTSA recorded 46 consumer complaints for the 1986 Mercury Sable as of Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 1986 Mercury Sable is reported most often?
Body and structure is named most often, in 11 complaints (24% of the total), followed by transmission and drivetrain with 8.
Has the 1986 Mercury Sable been recalled?
NHTSA lists 8 recall campaigns for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 1986 Mercury Sable get?
The EPA rates the 1986 Mercury Sable (Sable, 2.5L 4-cyl) at 20 mpg combined, 18 city and 24 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,350 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.
At what mileage are problems with the 1986 Mercury Sable reported?
Among the 1 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 111,000 miles and the middle half falls between 111,000 and 111,000 miles; 0% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Fuel economy is from the EPA and DOE (fueleconomy.gov).
Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.