Recalls (2)
NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for the 1998 Mercury Sable. Check whether yours was repaired with NHTSA's free VIN lookup ↗
Only NHTSA and your automaker know whether your specific car was repaired. PlainVIN shows every recall campaign listed for a model year, with the official text and how many cars have been fixed so far.
Check on NHTSA ↗FORD/SEAT BELT BUCKLE ATTACHMENT
- Summary
- VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH MANUAL SEAT TRACKS. 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.
- Consequence
- 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.
- Remedy
- DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE SEAT BELT BUCKLE MOUNTING BRACKET AND STUD ASSEMBLY.
FORD/FMVSS 108
- Summary
- VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. 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."
- Consequence
- 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.
- Remedy
- OWNER GUIDES CONTAINING REVISED AIMING INSTRUCTIONS WILL BE MAILED TO OWNERS OF THESE VEHICLES.
PlainVIN shows public government records for education. It isn't a vehicle inspection or legal advice. Check your own VIN with NHTSA or your dealer.
Owner complaints (190)
190 complaints filed with NHTSA (owner reports, not verified findings). The vehicle speed control is mentioned most often.
As reported by owners in their complaints. These are reports, not NHTSA findings.
Most-reported components
| Component | Complaints | % of 190 |
|---|---|---|
| Vehicle speed control | 32 | 16.8% |
| Service brakes | 29 | 15.3% |
| Power train | 25 | 13.2% |
| Suspension | 22 | 11.6% |
| Engine and engine cooling | 19 | 10% |
| Electrical system | 16 | 8.4% |
| Air bags | 14 | 7.4% |
| Structure | 10 | 5.3% |
| Visibility | 10 | 5.3% |
| Seat belts | 9 | 4.7% |
How 1998 compares with other Sable years
Best and worst Sable years →| Model year | Complaints | Recall campaigns |
|---|---|---|
| 1994 | 387 | 4 |
| 1995 | 350 | 5 |
| 1996 | 304 | 5 |
| 1997 | 228 | 3 |
| 1998 | 190 | 2 |
| 1999 | 258 | 5 |
| 2000 | 464 | 7 |
| 2001 | 430 | 8 |
| 2002 | 440 | 3 |
| 2003 | 201 | 3 |
Counts are owner reports, not failure rates. Higher sales years tend to draw more reports. Owners are still filing reports for recent model years, so these counts will grow. Source: NHTSA ODI, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.
Fuel economy: up to 20 mpg combined
- EPA annual fuel cost
- $3,350
- CO₂ tailpipe
- 444 g/mi
- EPA class
- Midsize Cars
What it costs you to run
Miles ÷ 20 mpg × $4.354 (EIA US average regular, week of Oct 5, 2026, all taxes included). Source: EPA · EIA.
EPA label estimates from lab tests; your mileage will vary.
Specs by configuration
| Engine · transmission | Drive | City / Hwy / Comb | EPA $/yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 L 6-cyl · 4-speed automatic | Front-Wheel Drive | 17 / 26 / 20 | $3,350 | 444 |
| 3 L 6-cyl · 4-speed automatic | Front-Wheel Drive | 16 / 25 / 19 | $3,550 | 468 |
| 3 L 6-cyl · 4-speed automatic | Front-Wheel Drive | 16 / 24 / 19 | $3,550 | 468 |
| 3 L 6-cyl · 4-speed automatic | Front-Wheel Drive | 16 / 23 / 18 | $3,700 | 494 |
Source: EPA fuel economy data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026. Configurations are listed when EPA and NHTSA records match.
Looking at a 1998 Sable for sale?
Print a one-page buyer's checklist: each recall campaign with a box to tick when the seller shows proof of repair, the top complaint areas to inspect, crash stars, MPG, and a link back to this page.
Where to next
1998 Mercury Sable FAQ
How many recalls does the 1998 Mercury Sable have?
NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns: 98V198000 (seat belt), 98V028000 (lighting). Use NHTSA's VIN lookup to see whether a specific car was repaired.
What are the most common 1998 Mercury Sable problems?
Owners filed 190 complaints with NHTSA. Vehicle speed control (32), Service brakes (29), Power train (25) are mentioned most. These are owner reports, not verified findings.
What mpg does the 1998 Mercury Sable get?
EPA rates the 3 L 6-cyl · 4-speed automatic version at 17 city, 26 highway and 20 combined mpg. Other configurations are listed in the fuel economy section.
How does the 1998 Sable compare with other years?
Among the 1994–2003 Mercury Sable model years at least five years old, the 1998 drew the fewest complaints (190) and the 2000 the most (464). The 1998 drew 190. Counts are owner reports, not failure rates.
How this page was madeSources, processing, limits, review and changes
Data sources
- NHTSA recalls by vehicle
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - US DOT recall completion rates (data.transportation.gov)
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - NHTSA ODI owner complaints
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - NHTSA NCAP 5-Star Safety Ratings
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - EPA fuel economy data (licence confirmation pending)
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - EIA weekly retail gasoline prices
Weekly, all taxes included
Processing
- Complaints are counted per component. One complaint can list several, so component totals add up to more than the total.
- Fuel cost = miles per year ÷ EPA combined mpg × EIA weekly price for your region.
Limitations
- Complaint counts are owner reports, not verified findings or failure rates. There is no sales denominator.
- Recall campaigns are listed for the model year. Only NHTSA and the automaker know whether a specific car was repaired.
- Recent model years are still collecting reports.
Review
Data compiled automatically from the official files listed here.
Changelog
- 2026-10-06 Data refreshed from the official files.