Reliability, what owners report, and what it costs to keep.
AVOIR's read: a solid ownership case with specific caveats below.
Owners have filed 180 complaints with NHTSA about the 1988 Mercury Sable, and it carries 6 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical system | 28 | 16% |
| Engine and engine cooling | 26 | 14% |
| Steering | 23 | 13% |
| Power train | 20 | 11% |
| Structure | 16 | 9% |
| Seat belts | 10 | 6% |
| Vehicle speed control | 7 | 4% |
| Seats | 6 | 3% |
| Fuel system | 6 | 3% |
| Service brakes | 4 | 2% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
INITIALLY THE GEARS WERE SLIPPING WHILE DRIVING. CURRENTLY, THE CONSUMER CANNOT SHIFT THE VEHICLE INTO ANY GEAR. THE DEALER DETERMINED THAT THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION MUST BE REBUILT. *AK . THE CONSUMER IS SEEKING ASSI
NHTSA complaint: Service brakes
TRANSMISSION HAS FAILED TWICE. CURRENTLY IN THE VEHICLE RADIO LIGHT AND DOME LIGHT INTERMITTENLY COMES ON. HORN ALSO HONKS AS I DRIVE . STEERING WHEEL FEELS WOBBLY AND THERE ARE POPPING NOISES COME FROM AROUND THE STEE
NHTSA complaint: Steering
ONGOING PROBLEM WITH ENGINE STALLING AT ANY SPEED. VEHICLE BEEN INTO DEALER SHOP ON FOUR OCCASIONS, AND DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. *AK *YH
NHTSA complaint: Engine and engine cooling
POWER ASSIST HOSE IS TOO CLOSE TO EXHAUST MANIFOLD. HEAT IS BURNING A HOLE THROUGH RUBBER HOSE, CAUSING FLUID LEAKAGES AND LOSS OF POWER STEERING ASSIST. ALSO, CAN LEAD TO A POSSIBLE FIRE. DEALER WAS NOTIFIED AND INF
NHTSA complaint: Steering
WHILE TRAVELING 65MPH VEHICLE SUDDENLY STALLED IN MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC. WAS NOT ABLE TO RESTART IT. TOWED TO DEALERSHIP, AND HAD DISTRIBUTOR/ ROTOR, AND CAP REPLACED.*AK
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
CV JOINT WHICH IS A PART OF AXLE ASSEMBLY BROKE, CAUSING LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS.*AK
NHTSA complaint: Power train
AXOD TRANSMISSION HAS FAILED DUE TO FAULTY MANUFACTURING.PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK
NHTSA complaint: Power train
DISC BRAKE ROTORS HAVE RUSTED OUT DUE TO LACK OF CORROSION PROTECTION ON 2 PIECES OF METAL, CAUSING LOSS OF BRAKES. *AK THE COMPOSITE DISK BRAKES ROTOR'S BOND BETWEEN THE DISK BRAKE PAD CONTACT AREA FRACTURED FROM TH
NHTSA complaint: Service brakes
NHTSA lists 6 recall campaigns for the 1988 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.
THE POWER SEAT SWITCH WIRING IS ROUTED OVER RATHER THAN UNDER THE FRONT SEAT SUPPORT BRACE, ALLOWING DAMAGE BY SEAT CUSHION SPRING ENDS WHEN SEAT IS OCCUPIED.
Risk: POWER SEAT SWITCH WIRING INSULATION MAY BECOME ABRADED,OR PUNCTURED, AND AN ELECTRICAL SHORT COULD OCCUR THAT COULD RESULT IN A FIREIN THE SEAT CUSHION MATERIAL.
Fix: REVISE ROUTING OF POWER SEAT WIRING TO PREVENT DAMAGE FROM SEAT CUSHION SPRING CONTACT.
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.
| Reliability raw | 88 | excellent |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 81 | excellent |
| Maintenance | 78 | good |
| Depreciation | 60 | average |
| Performance | 54 | average |
| Efficiency | 40 | below average |
Percentile ranks against other midsize & large cars in the catalog.
What stands behind each score for this car:
Owners have filed 180 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and electrical system is the most reported area with 28 of them (16%). There are 6 recalls on record. Check any specific car against its VIN before buying.
AVOIR scores its reliability 88/100 (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 81/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 1988 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 72/100. 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.