1998 Mercury Sable: Recalls, Problems & MPG
Here are the deets on the 1998 Mercury Sable: 2 recalls, 190 owner complaints and up to 20 mpg combined.
Recalls
2 vehicle recalls from the manufacturer. Repairs are free. Check your VIN to see if one is still open on your car.
Exterior lights Vehicle recall #98V028000 · 1998 · 571,800 vehicles
What's wrong: The text and/or graphics for the vehicle headlamp aiming instructions provided in the owner guides are not sufficiently clear. This does not meet the requirements of fmvss no. 108, "lamps, reflective devices, and associated equipment."
Why it matters: If the headlamp assemblies are replaced, customers May be confused by the aiming instructions provided in the owner guides causing the headlamps to be improperly aimed.
The fix: Owner guides containing revised aiming instructions will be mailed to owners of these vehicles.
Seat belts Vehicle recall #98V198000 · 1998 · 7,000 vehicles
What's wrong: The front seat belt buckle attaching stud May have been improperly heat treated. This heat treatment May have resulted in cracks developing in the stud.
Why it matters: If the stud is cracked, in the event of a vehicle crash, the occupant May not be properly restrained, increasing the risk of personal injury.
The fix: Dealers will replace the seat belt buckle mounting bracket and stud assembly.
Most-reported problems
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component. One complaint can list several components. 3 mention a fire, 18 injuries and 0 deaths were reported.
What owners describe
- Speed control / throttle (32): the most common themes are sudden acceleration (8).
- Brakes (hydraulic) (28): the most common themes are brake failure / soft pedal (8), noise or vibration (5).
- Transmission & drivetrain (25): the most common themes are hard / delayed shifting (6), noise or vibration (3).
- Suspension (22): the most common themes are noise or vibration (5), rust / corrosion (2).
The 1998 Mercury Sable has 190 owner complaints, ranking #13 of 19 Sable model years for complaints (about average; the typical year has 258). Complaints peaked in 1999 (35 filed that year). The typical problem showed up when the car was about 4 years old, at a median of 91,000 miles. Neighboring years: 1997 (228 complaints, 3 recalls), 1999 (258 complaints, 5 recalls).
Engines & fuel economy (EPA)
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.0 L 6-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 17 | 26 | 20 | Regular |
| 3.0 L 6-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 16 | 25 | 19 | Regular |
Want the full repair deets? Get the factory manual.
Recall and complaint data tells you what goes wrong. A service manual tells you how to fix it: torque specs, wiring diagrams, fluid capacities and step-by-step procedures for the 1998 Mercury Sable.
Closest thing to the factory manual for most years. Pay once, keep it.
Most $25–$78, one-timePro-shop repair procedures, wiring diagrams and TSBs for your exact car.
From $19.99/mo · $39.99/yrOEM procedures, specs and recall/TSB info, the same source many shops use.
From $19.99/mo · $59.99/yrStep-by-step photos written from a real teardown. Great for first-timers.
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FAQ
Does the 1998 Mercury Sable have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 2 vehicle recalls for the 1998 Mercury Sable. Recall repairs are free at any dealer, no matter how old the car is. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What are the most common 1998 Mercury Sable problems?
Owners have filed 190 complaints with NHTSA. The most-reported areas are speed control / throttle (32), brakes (hydraulic) (28), transmission & drivetrain (25).
What gas mileage does the 1998 Mercury Sable get?
EPA ratings run up to 20 mpg combined (3.0 L, Automatic 4-spd), across 2 engine and transmission combos.
Where can I get a 1998 Mercury Sable repair manual?
eManualOnline sells downloadable manuals, Mitchell 1 DIY and ALLDATAdiy sell online access to factory repair data, and Haynes sells printed guides and online access. Pick a download if you want to keep it, or a subscription for wiring diagrams and TSBs.