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SteeringPart report

1998 Mercury Sable Steering Problems

Complaints
6about this part
Share
3%of 190 total for the year
Median mileage
91,000miles
Trend
Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.

NHTSA recorded 6 complaints about the steering of the 1998 Mercury Sable, 3% of the 190 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 91,000 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.

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.

“The contact owns a 1998 Mercury Sable gs. She stated that while turning the vehicle it swerved to the opposite direction. The vehicle to crash into a pole, which caused the vehicle to roll over two times. The vehicle was destroyed. The contact sustained swelling and sharp pains. The crash was reported to the police. The current and failure mileages were 175,000. The powertrain and purchase date was unavailable.”

NHTSA complaint #10198209, filed 2007-08, 175,000 miles

“The contact owns a 1998 Mercury Sable. The contact stated that the vehicle would accelerate independently when driving at various speeds. In addition, the horn would sound independently. The contact further inspected the vehicle and stated that there was a buildup of corrosion found on an unknown pin inside of the steering column. The contact believed the failure was caused by the corrosion of the steering column components. The vehicle was not repaired. The VIN was unavailable. The failure mileage was 7,000 and the current mileage was 12,000.”

NHTSA complaint #10377898, filed 2011-01, 7,000 miles

“My car made a low roaring noise from the rear end after about 3 months, since the first incident didn't occur again for a few weeks I didn't worry about it, however, after I had it for about 6 months the noise got worse and I was told I needed new brake pads, these were installed the same day, a few weeks later the same noise occurred again and this time I was told I needed new tie rod ends, these were installed that day, then it was my brake pads later it was the rotors, brake pads and shoes, I still have the noise in the rear of the car and now my brakes are still not right, I came down a…”

NHTSA complaint #736761, filed 2000-11

“While driving vehicle pulls to the right or left due to a spring within steering box. Consumer lists property damage and an injury, however does not mention any accident.”

NHTSA complaint #898286, filed 2001-10

Steering: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
200915%
20081626%
200578%
200331%
200241%
200172%
200051%
19993313%
199863%
1997198%
19963612%
199562%
1994133%
1993264%
1992288%
19912712%
19902414%
1989229%
19882318%
1987811%
198612%

Other parts of the 1998 Mercury Sable

Vehicle speed control
32 complaints
Brakes
29 complaints
Transmission and drivetrain
25 complaints
Suspension
22 complaints
Engine cooling
19 complaints
Electrical system
16 complaints
Air bags
14 complaints
Body and structure
10 complaints
Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
10 complaints
Seat belts
9 complaints
Fuel system
8 complaints
Tires
8 complaints

← All problems reported for the 1998 Mercury Sable

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 28, 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