1990 Mercury Sable Electrical system Problems
- Complaints
- 21about this part
- Share
- 13%of 166 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 21 complaints about the electrical system of the 1990 Mercury Sable, 13% of the 166 complaints for this model year. 1 of these say a crash was involved and 9 a fire, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“Problem started with a siezed ignition switch in september 1998. Replaced switch. In augaust 1999 switch begain to fail. I had to wiggle the key to get my digital instruments to function (intermittant). On about 14 aug. 99 I wiggled the switch and smoke rolled up from under the dash. I was able to turn off the ignition switch before the wireing ignited. When I checked to see what smoked I saw a purple/white wire to the ignition switch with its insulation melted off. I could see it melted through the wireing bundle up to the fire wall under the dash. …”
NHTSA complaint #710655, filed 1999-08Electrical 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 1990 Mercury Sable
30 complaintsSteering
24 complaintsBody and structure
23 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
17 complaintsAir bags
14 complaintsSeat belts
12 complaintsVehicle speed control
12 complaintsSuspension
11 complaintsBrakes
10 complaintsExterior lighting
8 complaintsFuel system
6 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
6 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1990 Mercury Sable
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 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