1987 Mercury Sable Problems

What owners report

Complaints on this model year center on the body and subframe mounting points, aged electrical components, and intermittent stalling or loss of steering. Most reports come from cars with high mileage, often well over 100,000 miles, and many describe failures that develop with age rather than on newer cars: rusted subframe mounts, melting ignition switch wiring, sagging or broken seat mounts, and transmissions that slip or quit.

1. 1
   Engine cooling

   Engine stalling or cutting out while driving

   • 8 complaints (11%)
   • typically at 10.9 yrs old
   • filed 1995–1999

   Owners report the engine shutting off without warning at any speed, sometimes feeling like the car is running out of gas, and often losing power steering at the same time. Some describe repeated visits to the dealer with no lasting fix, while others link stalling to a transmission that drags or fails to shift out of first gear. Complaints mention stalling on the expressway and near-miss situations when the engine quit in traffic. Reported across a wide mileage range on older vehicles; one owner noted the problem had existed since purchase.

   Recall 87V139000

   What to check: Ask whether the stall has been diagnosed and what was replaced, and have a mechanic check the fuel delivery fittings, idle control and transmission shift behavior during a test drive.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “The stalling problem has existed since we bought the car. The dealer said they spoke to the manufacturer's engineer, but, he too was unable to correct the problem. The dealers washed his hands. The manufacturer too wouldn't response. So we gave up. But heard of a recent law suit in california. Would like your advice. Although the car has a lot of mileage but we have been involved in near misses several times. We try to avoid congested raods and roads where we could get trapped. Thank you for your anticipated prompt response.”

   NHTSA complaint #707663, filed 1999-06

   “While driving at any speed transmission is slipping and vehicle stalls. Also, there is a leakage within the vehicle, and there is a short in the wires. Vehicle has been in the shop for repair service, and they can't determine the problem.”

   NHTSA complaint #834774, filed 1999-02
2. 2
   Electrical system

   Ignition switch melting and electrical loss

   • 8 complaints (11%)
   • typically at 9.5 yrs old
   • 3 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 1996–2002

   Complaints describe the ignition switch overheating and burning internally, sometimes melting the wiring harness or steering column connector. Owners report losing turn signals, hazard lights, the heater fan and the rear defroster at the same time, often with a popping noise or burning smell. Several say the switch and harness had to be replaced, and one owner rigged a bypass switch after repeated failures. Reported across a wide mileage range, typically on older, high-mileage cars.

   What to check: Check that all lighting, the blower fan and the rear defroster work together, look for discoloration or a burnt smell at the ignition switch and column connector, and ask whether the switch or harness has been replaced.

3. 3
   Transmission and drivetrain

   Transmission slipping, harsh shifting or failure

   • 8 complaints (11%)
   • typically at 11.1 yrs old
   • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 1995–1999

   Complaints describe transmissions that slip, shift harshly, or fail to move out of first gear, sometimes after a loud noise or smoke from under the hood. In some cases the car came to a stop at highway speed with no warning, and dealers told owners the transaxle needed replacement. One owner reported a violent shift pattern alongside brake and throttle complaints. Reported on high-mileage cars, often after years of use.

   What to check: Test drive from cold through all gears, check for slipping, delayed engagement or harsh shifts, and ask about fluid service history or prior transaxle work.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Power steering pump malfunctioned, resulting in loss of control. In addition, transmission slips and shifts violently /brakes squeal and vehicle pulls to the right/throttle sticks and cruise control reactivates suddenly when pressing the off button.”

   NHTSA complaint #513697, filed 1997-10

   “While driving the vehicle uphill and applying gas there was a loud noise and smoke come from under the hood. Suddenly vehicle would not go into any gear. Dealer said the transaxle needed to be replaced.”

   NHTSA complaint #834024, filed 1999-02
4. 4
   Body and structure

   Rusted or broken rear subframe and body mounts

   • 8 complaints (11%)
   • typically at 11.7 yrs old
   • filed 1995–2006

   Owners describe subframe and body mounting points that have rusted through or broken away, sometimes producing a clunk or unusual noise and difficulty steering. Several complaints say the car was covered by a subframe-mount recall but was never repaired, either because the owner was told the vehicle was outside the program or because the repair was refused based on the VIN. In a few reports the mount failure happened while driving and affected steering control. Reported on cars with high mileage, mostly above 100,000 miles, often in states that use road salt.

   Recall 98V323000Recall 93V106000

   What to check: Inspect the rear subframe mounting points and the front body mounts for rust, cracking or separation, and ask whether recall 98V323000 or 93V106000 was completed on this specific vehicle.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Recall # 93v106000, the body mounts that support the transmission and engine broke, which may cause an accident. This vehicle is part of a recall, and has not been modified. Manufacturer said they were not repairing vehicles before 1988.”

   NHTSA complaint #832141, filed 1998-12

   “Vehicle experienced same problem as NHTSA 98v323000. Subframe bushings broke loose cause near accident and loss of steering. Local ford motor company denied to fix because of VIN number.”

   NHTSA complaint #10159162, filed 2006-06

Buying note. This is a high-mileage, older vehicle, so condition matters more than anything else: check the subframe and body mounts for rust and confirm whether the related recalls were completed, then test the electrical accessories, transmission and engine for the stalling and shifting symptoms owners describe.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 33 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.