1989 Mercury Sable Steering Problems
- Complaints
- 22about this part
- Share
- 9%of 238 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 100,000miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 22 complaints about the steering of the 1989 Mercury Sable, 9% of the 238 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 100,000 miles. 2 of these say a crash was involved and 12 a fire, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“While making a left hand u-turn at 30 MPH steering wheel locked up. This caused consumer to hit a curve. Dealership was notified, but did not resolve the problem. Vehicle also jumped up into a curve and dented the left fender by a tree.”
NHTSA complaint #10064604, filed 2004-05, 100,000 miles“Parked & turned vehicle off. Exhaust fumes entered vehicle. Got out & lifted hood. A lot of smoke billowed out. Later noticed flames. Fire department was called & put flames out. Fire was was caused by steering hoses rubbing against each other & causing a leak which dripped fluid onto engine and causing a fire.”
NHTSA complaint #837483, filed 1999-05“Consumer only owned vehicle for a month and a half, when problems started to arise, vehicle was taken in for inspection and c0nsumer was told that transmission was slipping, she then took vehicle into another delaer to get a second opinion and she was advised of the same thing.”
NHTSA complaint #785003, filed 2001-05“Failure of the power steering high pressure line, the high pressure line is leaking fluid, causing loss of power steering. Consumer also contacted the dealer on several occasions and the dealer replaced the pressure line.”
NHTSA complaint #806332, filed 1996-12“Defect/power steering hose caused fire; while parking, heard popping sound;steering wheel froze;smoke started pouring from engine;opened hood, saw flames/smoke.”
NHTSA complaint #969392, filed 1995-07Steering: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2009 | 1 | 5% |
| 2008 | 16 | 26% |
| 2005 | 7 | 8% |
| 2003 | 3 | 1% |
| 2002 | 4 | 1% |
| 2001 | 7 | 2% |
| 2000 | 5 | 1% |
| 1999 | 33 | 13% |
| 1998 | 6 | 3% |
| 1997 | 19 | 8% |
| 1996 | 36 | 12% |
| 1995 | 6 | 2% |
| 1994 | 13 | 3% |
| 1993 | 26 | 4% |
| 1992 | 28 | 8% |
| 1991 | 27 | 12% |
| 1990 | 24 | 14% |
| 1989 | 22 | 9% |
| 1988 | 23 | 18% |
| 1987 | 8 | 11% |
| 1986 | 1 | 2% |
Other parts of the 1989 Mercury Sable
58 complaintsEngine cooling
49 complaintsSeat belts
44 complaintsBody and structure
23 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