Reliability, what owners report, and what it costs to keep.
AVOIR's read: a solid ownership case with specific caveats below.
Owners have filed 52 complaints with NHTSA about the 1986 Mercury Sable, and it carries 9 recalls. These are owner allegations rather than confirmed defects, but the pattern of what people complain about is the most useful signal a used buyer has.
| Area | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Structure | 10 | 19% |
| Power train | 7 | 13% |
| Seat belts | 7 | 13% |
| Electrical system | 6 | 12% |
| Seats | 5 | 10% |
| Engine and engine cooling | 5 | 10% |
| Service brakes | 2 | 4% |
| Visibility | 2 | 4% |
| Vehicle speed control | 2 | 4% |
| Fuel system | 2 | 4% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
AFTER DRIVING AND COMING TO A STOP THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION GOES INTO NEUTRAL. STEPPING ON THE GAS PEDAL CAUSED THE TRANSMISSION TO REV UP QUITE HIGH WHILE STILL STAYING IN NEUTRAL UNTIL, SUDDENLY THE TRANSMISSION WIL
NHTSA complaint: Power train
BRAKE CALIPER IS HANGING OUT, CAUSING HUB CAP TO MELT ONTO THE TIRE.*AK
NHTSA complaint: Service brakes
SUBFRAME WELDS BROKE AND FRAME DROPPED WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH. NO INJURIES. THERE IS A RECALL BUT THIS VEHICLE IS NOT AFFECTED.*JBSUBFRAME MOUNTING BOLTS/BRACKETS BROKE ON BOTH SIDES OF THE REAR MOUNTS CAUSING THE ENGINE
NHTSA complaint: Structure
WHILE SITTING ON DRIVER'S SIDE WITH CHILDREN SITTING IN REAR SEAT, A PERSON ALERTED CONSUMER THAT ONE OF THE CHILDREN GOT STUCK BETWEEN WINDOW OF VEHICLE, WHERE POWER WINDOW COULD NOT BE ACTIVATED. *AK
NHTSA complaint: Visibility
WHILE TRAVELING WITHOUT ANY INDICATION RMPS WOULD RUN HIGH. THEN, SOON AFTER VEHICLE WOULD STALL. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK
NHTSA complaint: Vehicle speed control
WHEN DRIVING VEHICLE BECAME VERY HOT/STALLED AND CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP DUE TO THE TFI IGNITION MODULE BEING TOO CLOSE AND MOUNTED ON THE SIDE OF THE DISTRIBUTOR. CONSUMER HAS CONTACTED THE DEALER. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
WINDSHIELD IS CRACKED ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE. CONSUMER STATED SHE BOUGHT VEHICLE AS IT IS, AND SHE WANTS TO FILL OUT A SAFETY COMPLAINT. *AK
NHTSA complaint: Visibility
RE CENTURY INFANT SEAT SMARTFIT PLU MODEL # 4529STC, BABY'S HEAD SWINGS FROM SIDE TO SIDE WHILE SLEEPING BECAUSE ANGLE OF SEAT IS MORE OF A SITTING POSITION; AS A RESULT, BABY HAS PINCHED NERVE IN NECK AREA AND RECEIVING
NHTSA complaint: Seat belts
NHTSA lists 9 recall campaigns for the 1986 Mercury Sable. Recalls are free to have fixed at a franchised dealer regardless of who owns the car now, but only if they were never done, so check the VIN of the specific car rather than trusting the model.
THE ARC WELDS ON THE SWAY BAR BRACKET, WHERE IT ATTACHES TO THE STRUT RESERVE TUBE, DID NOT FUSE PROPERLY.
Risk: OVER TIME, A PORTION OF THE BRACKET CAN TEAR AWAY FROM THE STRUT, FALLING INTO AND PUNCTURING THE TIRE OR CAUSING DAMAGE TO THE WHEEL, WHICH COULD RESULT IN AN ACCIDENT.
Fix: MONROE DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE STRUT FREE OF CHARGE.
CHILDREN CAN ACCIDENTALLY LOCK THEMSELVES IN THE FOOTWELL AREA OF THE REAR-FACING THIRD SEAT, OR IN THE STORAGE COMPARTMENT IN STATION WAGONS NOT EQUIPPED WITH AN OPTIONAL THIRD SEAT. ONCE THE COMPARTMENT IS CLOSED IT CANNOT BE OPENED FROM THE INSIDE.
Risk: THERE IS A DANGER OF AIR DEPRIVATION, HYPERTHERMIA,AND/OR PANIC RESPONSE TO A CHILD WHO HAS LOCKED HIMSELF OR HERSELF INTO THECOMPARTMENT, WITH THE POSSIBILITY OF ASPHYXIATION.
Fix: REPLACE THE SELF-LATCHING ASSEMBLY CURRENTLY USED IN THE REAR STORAGE COMPARTMENT WITH A LATCH ASSEMBLY THAT CAN ONLY BE CLOSED WITH A KEY.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES ORIGINALLY SOLD OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, IOWA, KANSAS, KENTUCKY, MAINE, MARYLAND, MASSACHUSETTS, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA, MISSOURI, NEBRASKA, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW JERSEY, NEW YORK, OHIO, PENNSYLVANI
Risk: IF BOTH REAR CORNERS DROP, STEERING WOULD BECOME SUDDENLY VERY DIFFICULT, AFFECTING VEHICLE CONTROL AND INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Fix: DEALERS WILL INSTALL SUBFRAME REAR MOUNT BOLTS, REINFORCEMENT PLATES, AND PLATE NUTS.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: TAURUS AND SABLES BUILT FROM 10-14-85 THROUGH 8-19-88, AND LINCOLN CONTINENTALS BUILT FROM 11-4-87 THROUGH 9-30-88 (EXCEPT 1989 - 1991 2.5L TAURUS AND 1989 - 1992 SHO). THE AFFECTED CARS WERE ORIGINALLY SOLD OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE FOLLOWING STATES: CONNECTICUT, ILLINOIS
Risk: IF ONE OF THE REAR CORNERS DROPS, ONLY MINOR INDICATIONS OF A MALFUNCTION SUCH AS A CLUNKING NOISE OR SLIGHT CHANGE IN STEERING WHEEL ALIGNMENT ARE NOTICEABLE. HOWEVER, IF BOTH REAR CORNERS OF THE SU
Fix: INSTALL A CORROSION-RESISTANT REINFORCING PLATE AND A NEW BOLT ON BOTH REAR SUBFRAME MOUNTS. THIS RECALL CAMPAIGN HAS BEEN SUPERSEDED BY RECALL 98V-323.
| Reliability raw | 90 | excellent |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 82 | excellent |
| Maintenance | 88 | excellent |
| Depreciation | 60 | average |
| Performance | 50 | average |
| Efficiency | 38 | below average |
Percentile ranks against other midsize & large cars in the catalog.
What stands behind each score for this car:
Owners have filed 52 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and structure is the most reported area with 10 of them (19%). There are 9 recalls on record. Check any specific car against its VIN before buying.
AVOIR scores its reliability 90/100 (excellent) from NHTSA recall campaigns and complaint density. That figure is a raw complaint count, not yet adjusted for sales volume, so a high-volume model scores worse than it deserves.
AVOIR scores its longevity 82/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 1986 car has no 200,000-mile population to observe yet, so treat it as a prior rather than evidence.
AVOIR's read: worth a look, because a solid ownership case with specific caveats below. Its overall ownership score is 74/100. Condition, mileage and service history still matter more than any score, so get a pre-purchase inspection on the specific car.
Sources: NHTSA recalls and complaints, EPA fuel economy, IIHS awards, and live market listings. A score describes a model-year, not the individual car in front of you. Get a pre-purchase inspection.