1989 Mercury Sable Electrical system Problems
- Complaints
- 58about this part
- Share
- 24%of 238 total for the year
- Median mileage
- —not reported
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 58 complaints about the electrical system of the 1989 Mercury Sable, 24% of the 238 complaints for this model year. 1 of these say a crash was involved and 32 a fire, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“Won't pass smog and EGR plug and wire are not available to purchase from dealer or any other auto parts store. How do I get it smogged when parts are melted and I can't get the parts to replace the burned ones?”
NHTSA complaint #723430, filed 2000-05“We parked in the driveway, gathered our things and went in to the house. The next morning I went to brush the snow off of the car and noticed the windshield was broken, I opened the driver door and discovered the whole dashboard was melted like a candle, we had just filled up the tank the previous day and were very lucky we didn't lose our home also. We figure the reason the car didn't become fully involved was because the windows were rolled up tight and it suffocated the flames, the car is still a complete loss. The wiring in that car had never been touched,cut or modified. …”
NHTSA complaint #10054774, filed 2004-01“This is a second identical incident during the last 2 years. When starting the car the starter relay got stuck and continued to crank the engine even after taking the key out of ignition. I stopped it by diconnecting the battery, but meanwhile the battery started boiling and leaking. The incident occured 4-5 times during 3 days. I replaced the starter relay and the battery. After this, the incident occured only one more time, about 5 days after the starter relay was replaced. The same incident occured for the first time two years before (1998), with the original starter relay. …”
NHTSA complaint #729630, filed 2000-08“The vehicle was parked, and the driver noticed that the vehicle was smoking. Driver called the fire department, and the steering column was on fire. The fire department opened the hood, and the wire was melted in the harness in the steering wheel. Everything was melted, and the vehicle did not start up with the key in. It was an electrical shortage in the vehicle.”
NHTSA complaint #823538, filed 1998-05“When driving at any speed and without prior warning vehicle cut off, causing loss of all power steering/brakes, making it very difficult to operate control vehicle. Consumer has contacted dealer, dealer unable to determine cause. Please provide any further details.”
NHTSA complaint #879172, filed 2001-01Electrical system: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 11 | 18% |
| 2005 | 6 | 7% |
| 2004 | 6 | 12% |
| 2003 | 10 | 5% |
| 2002 | 17 | 4% |
| 2001 | 26 | 6% |
| 2000 | 23 | 5% |
| 1999 | 7 | 3% |
| 1998 | 16 | 8% |
| 1997 | 19 | 8% |
| 1996 | 20 | 7% |
| 1995 | 32 | 9% |
| 1994 | 29 | 7% |
| 1993 | 46 | 7% |
| 1992 | 28 | 8% |
| 1991 | 16 | 7% |
| 1990 | 21 | 13% |
| 1989 | 58 | 24% |
| 1988 | 26 | 21% |
| 1987 | 15 | 20% |
| 1986 | 6 | 13% |
Other parts of the 1989 Mercury Sable
49 complaintsSeat belts
44 complaintsBody and structure
23 complaintsSteering
22 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
19 complaintsBrakes
13 complaintsVehicle speed control
13 complaintsFuel system
9 complaintsSuspension
5 complaintsExterior lighting
4 complaintsSeats
4 complaintsEquipment
3 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1989 Mercury Sable
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 28, 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