1986 Mercury Sable Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 8about this part
- Share
- 17%of 46 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 111,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 8 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 1986 Mercury Sable, 17% of the 46 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 111,000 miles.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“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 miles“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 1999-02Transmission and drivetrain: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2009 | 3 | 15% |
| 2008 | 11 | 18% |
| 2005 | 26 | 31% |
| 2004 | 12 | 23% |
| 2003 | 30 | 15% |
| 2002 | 23 | 5% |
| 2001 | 22 | 5% |
| 2000 | 31 | 7% |
| 1999 | 28 | 11% |
| 1998 | 25 | 13% |
| 1997 | 43 | 19% |
| 1996 | 69 | 23% |
| 1995 | 93 | 27% |
| 1994 | 95 | 25% |
| 1993 | 48 | 7% |
| 1992 | 61 | 17% |
| 1991 | 101 | 46% |
| 1990 | 17 | 10% |
| 1989 | 19 | 8% |
| 1988 | 22 | 17% |
| 1987 | 9 | 12% |
| 1986 | 8 | 17% |
Other parts of the 1986 Mercury Sable
11 complaintsEngine cooling
7 complaintsElectrical system
6 complaintsSeat belts
6 complaintsSeats
4 complaintsBrakes
2 complaintsFuel system
2 complaintsVehicle speed control
2 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
2 complaintsEquipment
1 complaintsSteering
1 complaintsWheels
1 complaints
← 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.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology