1998 Mercury Sable Exterior lighting Problems
- Complaints
- 5about this part
- Share
- 3%of 190 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 148,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 5 complaints about the exterior lighting of the 1998 Mercury Sable, 3% of the 190 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 148,000 miles. 1 recall campaign on record is filed under a similar system.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“No brake light appearing on light bulbs socket. Dealership is aware of problem. Brake light is only working when car is in reverse, there is no fuse information for brake light in the users manual and ford motor co can not find specs.”
NHTSA complaint #8009173, filed 2002-05“I have had a oil leak several times replaced oil pan and gasket 4 time,s still have problem, headlights work intermittently, and are now completely out.”
NHTSA complaint #10037546, filed 2003-09“Intermittently headlights become inoperable. Dealer has inspected and repaired vehicle several times, and has not been able to properly correct the vehicle.”
NHTSA complaint #858596, filed 2000-03Related recalls
- 98V028000Feb 10, 1998Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. The text and/or graphics for the vehicle headlamp aiming instructions provided in the owner guides are not…Covers: Mercury Sable 1997–1998, Ford Taurus 1997–1998, Contour 1998 +4 more
Exterior lighting: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2004 | 7 | 13% |
| 2003 | 12 | 6% |
| 2002 | 13 | 3% |
| 2001 | 13 | 3% |
| 2000 | 54 | 12% |
| 1999 | 7 | 3% |
| 1998 | 5 | 3% |
| 1997 | 8 | 4% |
| 1996 | 13 | 4% |
| 1995 | 9 | 3% |
| 1994 | 27 | 7% |
| 1993 | 63 | 9% |
| 1992 | 13 | 4% |
| 1991 | 4 | 2% |
| 1990 | 8 | 5% |
| 1989 | 4 | 2% |
| 1988 | 3 | 2% |
| 1987 | 1 | 1% |
Other parts of the 1998 Mercury Sable
32 complaintsBrakes
29 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
25 complaintsSuspension
22 complaintsEngine cooling
19 complaintsElectrical system
16 complaintsAir bags
14 complaintsBody and structure
10 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
10 complaintsSeat belts
9 complaintsFuel system
8 complaintsTires
8 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1998 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