1989 Mercury Sable Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 19about this part
- Share
- 8%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 19 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 1989 Mercury Sable, 8% of the 238 complaints for this model year.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“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“While driving could smell like a burning rubber inside of vehicle. Transmission stopped working in forward position, and only gear that was working was reverse for a number of months.”
NHTSA complaint #877441, filed 2001-01“While driving at approx. 60 MPH experienced sudden and abrupt transmission failure when transmission malfunctioned and shut vehicle down without prior warning.”
NHTSA complaint #802874, filed 1996-09Transmission 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 1989 Mercury Sable
58 complaintsEngine cooling
49 complaintsSeat belts
44 complaintsBody and structure
23 complaintsSteering
22 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 30, 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