1986 Mercury Sable Recalls
NHTSA lists 8 recall campaigns for the 1986 Mercury Sable. A recall applies only to vehicles built within the affected range, so check your own VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Repairs for recalls are free at a franchised dealer.
- Structure › Frame and membersCovers: Mercury Sable 1986–1995, Ford Taurus 1986–1995, Lincoln Continental 1988–1994
Reported issue: 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, new jersey, new york, ohio, pennsylvania, rhode island, vermont, virginia, west virgnia, and wisconsin. The rear lower subframe mount plate nut can experience…
Possible consequence: If both rear corners drop, steering would become suddenly very difficult, affecting vehicle control and increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will install subframe rear mount bolts, reinforcement plates, and plate nuts.
- Structure › Frame and membersCovers: Mercury Sable 1986–1988, Ford Taurus 1986–1988, Lincoln Continental 1988
Reported issue: 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 the following states: connecticut, illinois, indiana, maine, massachusetts, michigan, new hampshire, new jersey, new york, ohio, pennsylvania, rhode island…
Possible consequence: If one of the rear corners drops, only minor indications of a malfunction such as a clunking noise or slight change in steering wheel alignment are noticeable. However, if both rear corners of the subframe drop, steering becomes very difficult, which could adversely affect vehicle control and possibly result in an…
Remedy: Install a corrosion-resistant reinforcing plate and a new bolt on both rear subframe mounts. This recall campaign has been superseded by recall 98v-323.
- WheelsCovers: Mercury Sable 1986–1992, Ford Taurus 1986–1992
Reported issue: 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.
Possible consequence: 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.
Remedy: Replace the self-latching assembly currently used in the rear storage compartment with a latch assembly that can only be closed with a key.
- Service brakes, hydraulic › Foundation components › Disc › RotorCovers: Mercury Sable 1986–1991, Ford Taurus 1986–1991, Lincoln Continental 1988–1991
Reported issue: 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.
Possible consequence: 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 distances, possibly…
Remedy: Replace front brake rotors with full cast front brake rotors.
- Fuel system, gasoline › Delivery › Hoses, lines/piping, and fittingsCovers: Mercury Sable 1986–1987, Ford Escort 1986–1988, Lincoln Town CAR 1986–1988 +18 more
Reported issue: Spring lock fuel line coupling may not be properly engaged.
Possible consequence: Coupling could disengage due to fuel pressure,vibration, and engine movements; this would cause loss of fuel which, inpresence of an ignition source, creates a fire risk.
Remedy: Install retainer clips over the couplings to prevent coupling separation and fuel leakage.
- Visibility › Windshield wiper/washer › MotorCovers: Mercury Sable 1986–1987, Ford Taurus 1986–1987
Reported issue: Road salt induced erosion of the wiper motor conductor strips could cause localized thermal stress within the glass.
Possible consequence: Glass could fracture while station wagon is being drivenor parked, creating a risk of injury to occupants or sudden distraction to thedriver.
Remedy: Apply sealant to conductor strips and protective tape to lower backlites.
- Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)Covers: Mercury Sable 1986, Ford Taurus 1986
Reported issue: The right quarter windows may contain glass which was improperly tempered. This glass may yield pieces larger than the maximum allowed by fmvss 205, glazing material. Consequence of defect: in case of an accident these large pieces of glass may seriously injure the occupants of the car.
Remedy: Replace the quarter windows containing date code 5 af.
- Steering › Column locking › Anti-theft deviceCovers: Mercury Sable 1986, Ford Taurus 1986
Possible consequence: If the car is left unattended with the key removed and the ignition switch not in lock position, the car can be easily stolen. Studies have shown that stolen cars are frequently involved in accidents.
Remedy: Ignition lock switch cylinder will be replaced.
← All problems reported for the 1986 Mercury Sable
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 29, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.