1998 Mercury Sable Body and structure Problems
- Complaints
- 10about this part
- Share
- 5%of 190 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 122,750miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 10 complaints about the body and structure of the 1998 Mercury Sable, 5% of the 190 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 122,750 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. While the vehicle was at the shop for an oil change, the mechanic noticed a small hole under the frame. The contact took the vehicle to have the brakes repaired and was informed that there were several small holes near the subframe by the engine. The vehicle has not been repaired. The current mileage was 180,000 and failure mileage was 160,000.”
NHTSA complaint #10223134, filed 2008-04, 160,000 miles“The contact owns a 1998 Mercury Sable. The contact stated that he would hear a rattling noise from under the hood and assumed that the motor mounts needed to be replaced. The contact repaired the vehicle but the failure recurred. The contact inspected under the vehicle and noticed that the frame was rusted. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and stated that the frame needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified. The failure mileage was 85,500.”
NHTSA complaint #10489301, filed 2012-12, 85,500 miles“Consumer was driving over 50 MPH on highway, and in between two 18 wheelers.the 18 wheeler on right hand side hit vehicle on side. Then, pushed vehicle into another 18 wheeler on left side. Then consumer's vehicle hit a pickup truck with front end. Upon hitting median, bumper broke in half. Also, dual airbags did not deploy,causing injuries”
NHTSA complaint #858570, filed 2000-03“Door ajar light stays even though all doors are shut which causes dome and interior light to stay on. This can result in battery draining. When the door ajar light illuminates, the power window and power door locks fail.”
NHTSA complaint #883906, filed 2001-03“Top of the door handle has sliced the consumer's daughter finger,and ripped the tip of the finger on the very sharp edges twice. Contacted the manufacturer, and they told the consumer to take the vehicle to a dealer.”
NHTSA complaint #829196, filed 1998-10Body and structure: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2009 | 1 | 5% |
| 2008 | 2 | 3% |
| 2005 | 3 | 4% |
| 2004 | 1 | 2% |
| 2003 | 20 | 10% |
| 2002 | 13 | 3% |
| 2001 | 11 | 3% |
| 2000 | 8 | 2% |
| 1999 | 10 | 4% |
| 1998 | 10 | 5% |
| 1997 | 8 | 4% |
| 1996 | 29 | 10% |
| 1995 | 25 | 7% |
| 1994 | 20 | 5% |
| 1993 | 34 | 5% |
| 1992 | 29 | 8% |
| 1991 | 20 | 9% |
| 1990 | 23 | 14% |
| 1989 | 23 | 10% |
| 1988 | 14 | 11% |
| 1987 | 17 | 22% |
| 1986 | 11 | 24% |
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 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
10 complaintsSeat belts
9 complaintsFuel system
8 complaintsTires
8 complaintsInterior lighting
6 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