1991 Mercury Sable Steering Problems
- Complaints
- 27about this part
- Share
- 12%of 221 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 27 complaints about the steering of the 1991 Mercury Sable, 12% of the 221 complaints for this model year. 1 a fire, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“Other than the rest of my problems with the above my newest complaint is that I just found out that due to the fact ford installed an aluminim piston where there should have been a steel one which is the only one available now since you discovered your problems. My car is in the shop right now and I'm being told it will cost between $1200.00 - $1500.00 to fix due to ford's poor design. This is not my first Sable wagon. The first one had all kinds of A/C problems and I'm getting tired of paying for your mistakes. My A/C is out now, I replace brake pads all the time.”
NHTSA complaint #10070144, filed 2004-01“I was very alarmed when my car lost all steering capability. Why would something just brake like that. I had 4 children in the car with me and had to figure out how to get back to my home town which was 45 minutes away. I feel that others are at risk if my car could do that to me with no prior warning. If I would have been on the highway traveling at the speed limit we probably would of been in a major accident. I feel a recall for the rack and pinion needs to be investigated. I ended up spending 895.74 plus an additional 45.00 for towing to fix this car. …”
NHTSA complaint #704300, filed 1999-03“While driving at any speed steering wheel locks up, and the vehicle is hard to turn. Vehicle will go any other way besides the way consumer is turning the steering wheel. Also, and there is a leakage within the engine head gasket and transmission, and smoke is coming from the engine compartment.”
NHTSA complaint #847888, filed 1999-09“Just making a turn onto the highway, traveling at approximately 10mph and suddenly car came to a stop because of the positon of the left front wheel. Had to straighten wheel manually, and move it off the road. Had it towed to a service station. Inner tie rod broke.”
NHTSA complaint #853194, filed 1999-12“Inner tie rod broke, causing a fuel line to be severed. Currently,fuel is being pumped into the engine compartment. Mechanic has replaced the rack and pinion and fuel line.”
NHTSA complaint #836101, filed 1999-03Steering: 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 1991 Mercury Sable
101 complaintsEngine cooling
56 complaintsBody and structure
20 complaintsBrakes
19 complaintsElectrical system
16 complaintsAir bags
10 complaintsSuspension
10 complaintsEquipment
8 complaintsTires
7 complaintsVehicle speed control
7 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
7 complaintsFuel system
6 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1991 Mercury Sable
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 29, 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