1991 Mercury Sable Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 101about this part
- Share
- 46%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 101 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 1991 Mercury Sable, 46% of the 221 complaints for this model year.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“My 1991 Sable transmission had to be repaired due to the front engine mount bolt fell-out, or breakage. After repairs was made the front engine mount bolt came out or break out two other times as of 23 october 2000. My Sable was purchased in washington state and registered in alaska, however it is located in maryland where I live for the passed two years.”
NHTSA complaint #735057, filed 2000-10“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 know there have been a lot of transmissions going out on the sables, but when mine went out it jerked with so much force that I could barely hold the steering wheel.”
NHTSA complaint #717819, filed 2000-01“The transmission was going in to neutral at different speeds. The first time the trasnmission was rebuilt was around 40,000 miles. Then 4 months ago the transmisson was rebuilt again, at around 85,000. The transmission is still going into neutral, while driving at speeds of 25-55 MPH or more. When I take the car back to the dealer where it was originally purchased; they say they can find nothing wrong with the transmission. This has been an on-going problem for the past several years (has been in the shop off and on) and we are concerned that it could result in an accident. …”
NHTSA complaint #704001, filed 1999-03“Consumer has contacted manufacturer regarding transmission ,and was told there were no recalls on transmissions for this vehicle... Vehicle registered in nebraska where there was recall 98v323000 regarding subframe corrosion which could effect transmission/engine. Consumer was going to have to have transmission replaced.”
NHTSA complaint #881694, filed 2001-02Transmission 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 1991 Mercury Sable
56 complaintsSteering
27 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 31, 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