1998 Mercury Sable LS
1MEFM53S9WG652414
Vehicle history report for the 1998 Mercury Sable LS (VIN 1MEFM53S9WG652414). Gray, sedan/saloon, 3.0L 6-cyl 200 hp, gasoline. 118,529 mi reported. Registered in Pa. 2 open safety recalls. Unlock full title, salvage, lien & accident history.
At a glance
Vehicle identity & specifications
Full vehicle history report
What a full report checks for VIN 1MEFM53S9WG652414
A full report searches national title databases (NMVTIS) and licensed history providers for this VIN and shows whatever records are on file — not every vehicle has every record type. The decode, safety recalls and owner complaints above are always free.
Safety recalls 2
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
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."
Remedy: OWNER GUIDES CONTAINING REVISED AIMING INSTRUCTIONS WILL BE MAILED TO OWNERS OF THESE VEHICLES.
NHTSA Campaign #98V028000 · 10/02/1998SEAT BELTS:FRONT:ANCHORAGE
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.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE SEAT BELT BUCKLE MOUNTING BRACKET AND STUD ASSEMBLY.
NHTSA Campaign #98V198000 · 25/08/1998We'll email you the moment a new safety recall is issued — no spam, unsubscribe any time.
Common problems & what to inspect
Based on 206 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 1998 Mercury Sable, here are the most-reported problem areas — and exactly what to check before you buy.
💥 3 involved a crash 🚑 3 reported injuries
🔍 Listen for clunks over bumps, check the car sits level, and look for uneven tire wear and worn shocks or struts.
🔍 Test cruise control and throttle response, and watch for any hesitation or unintended acceleration.
🔍 Brakes should feel firm and quiet — no grinding, pulsing or pulling. Check for an ABS light and uneven pad/rotor wear.
🔍 Inspect for rust, fresh undercoating, mismatched paint, uneven panel gaps and any sign of prior collision or frame repair.
🔍 Steering should be tight and centered — no play, clunks or wandering. Test at low and highway speed; listen for power-steering whine.
🔍 Confirm all headlights, brake lights, turn signals and reverse lights work, with no moisture inside the housings.
Pre-purchase checklist
- Match the VIN on the dash, door jamb and title — they must be identical.
- Cold-start the engine; listen for knocks and check for blue or white exhaust smoke.
- Test-drive through all gears at low and highway speed — no slipping, shudder or pulling.
- Confirm every warning light clears at startup (none should stay on).
- Check fluids — oil, coolant, transmission — for level, color and leaks.
- Look underneath for rust, fresh undercoating or signs of collision repair.
- Always get an independent pre-purchase inspection from a trusted mechanic.
Owner complaints 206
Complaints filed with NHTSA by owners of the 1998 Mercury Sable.
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
REAR COIL SPRINGS BROKEN ON BOTH SIDES. POOR DESIGN. I WAS TOLD THERE IS A RECALL ON THIS, BUT I DO NOT SEE IT. THIS IS UNSAFE, BECAUSE IT WILL THROW THE CAR AS IT GOES OVER A BUMP. IT CAN ALSO PUSH UP INTO THE TRUNK, IF NOT FIXED. VERY, VERY DANGEROUS.
NHTSA ODI #11084724EXTERIOR LIGHTING
THE HIGH BEAMS DO NOT FUNCTION, UNLESS THE LEVER (WHICH CHANGES THE BEAM FROM LOW TO HIGH) IS PULLED TOWARDS ME AND HELD CONSTANTLY IN THAT POSITION. WHEN THIS LEVER IS RELEASED THE HIGH BEAMS GO OFF, BUT THERE ARE NO LOW BEAMS. THE DEFECTIVE PART , ACCORDING TO MY MECHANIC, IS THE "LIGHTING CONTROL MODULE".
NHTSA ODI #10875217AIR BAGS,SERVICE BRAKES
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 MERCURY SABLE. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE BRAKES FAILED. DUE TO THE BRAKE FAILURE, THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A CRASH AT AN INTERSECTION WITH AN ONCOMING VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE CONTACT AND PASSENGER SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE BACK AND FACE THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE …
Crash · 2 injured · NHTSA ODI #10781703STRUCTURE
TL* 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 …
NHTSA ODI #10489301VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 MERCURY SABLE. THE CONTACT HAD BEEN PARKED FOR TWO HOURS IN THE PARKING LOT OF A SMALL COMMUNITY PARK. AS THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5-10 MPH, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED AT A HIGH SPEED. THE CONTACT DID NOT HAVE TIME TO CHECK THE SPEEDOMETER BEFORE THE TURN WAS COMPLETED. THE VEHICLE FAILED TO SLOW DOWN WHEN ENGAG…
Crash · NHTSA ODI #10453901SUSPENSION
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 MERCURY SABLE. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING IN REVERSE 3 MPH AND IN A RESIDENTIAL DRIVEWAY WHEN THE VEHICLE STOPPED MOVING. THE ENGINE WAS STILL RUNNING. WHILE INSPECTING THE VEHICLE, HE FOUND THAT THE FRONT COIL SPRING HAD FRACTURED AND PUNCTURED THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE TIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CO…
NHTSA ODI #10394375STEERING,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 MERCURY SABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD ACCELERATE INDEPENDENTLY WHEN DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS. IN ADDITION, THE HORN WOULD SOUND INDEPENDENTLY. THE CONTACT FURTHER INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND STATED THAT THERE WAS A BUILDUP OF CORROSION FOUND ON AN UNKNOWN PIN INSIDE OF THE STEERING COLUMN. THE CONTACT BELIEVED TH…
NHTSA ODI #10377898ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. I TOOK MY CAR TO A REPAIR SHOP TO RETRIEVE STORED ENGINE CONTROL CODES PO443 AND PO455. I REPLACED THE PART AND THERE IS STILL THE SAME CODE PO443 AND PO455. I KEEP MY OLD PART. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10351299+ 198 more complaints on record.
