Complaints
55
Crashes
0
Fires
6
Injuries
2
Fatalities
—
Recalls
0
Worst 1986 Mercury Sable Problems
Top 3 most-reported issues with average mileage at failure.
#18 complaints
Structure:Frame And Members
#27 complaints
Automatic Transmission
Avg mileage:111,000 mi
#34 complaints
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine
Considering a 1986 Mercury Sable?
Check the actual VIN — every car is different.
This page shows the model year's reputation. The VIN tells you about this specific car — accidents, title issues, odometer rollbacks. Full report just $8.99 (vs. Carfax $44.99).
All Problems by Category
Every NHTSA complaint category for the 1986 Mercury Sable.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Avg Mileage | Volume |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Structure:Frame And Members | 8 | — | — | — | |
| Automatic Transmission | 7 | — | — | 111,000 mi | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 4 | — | — | — | |
| Electrical System:Ignition | 3 | — | 1 | — | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline | 3 | — | 1 | — | |
| Seat-Related Issues | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Seat Belts:Front:Buckle Assembly | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Seat Belts:Front:Webbing | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Structure:Body:Door | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Unintended Acceleration | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Electrical System:Ignition:Switch | 1 | — | 1 | — | |
| Electrical System:Wiring:Front Underhood | 1 | — | 1 | — | |
| Electrical System:Wiring:Interior/Under Dash | 1 | — | 1 | — | |
| Equipment:Electrical | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Gasoline Fuel System | 1 | — | 1 | — | |
| Fuel Pump | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Transmission / Drivetrain | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission:Cooling Unit And Lines | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Seat Belts:Front:Anchorage | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Seat Belts:Front:Retractor | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Seat Belts:Integrated Child Seat | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Seats:Front Assembly:Recliner | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Caliper | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Rotor | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Steering Defects | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Body Structure | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Visibility:Power Window Devices And Controls | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Visibility:Windshield | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Wheels:Hubcap/Cover | 1 | — | — | — |
Structure:Frame And Members
8
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Automatic Transmission
7
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
111,000
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine
4
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Electrical System:Ignition
3
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
1
Avg Miles
—
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline
3
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
1
Avg Miles
—
Seat-Related Issues
3
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Seat Belts:Front:Buckle Assembly
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Seat Belts:Front:Webbing
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Structure:Body:Door
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Unintended Acceleration
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Electrical System:Ignition:Switch
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
1
Avg Miles
—
Electrical System:Wiring:Front Underhood
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
1
Avg Miles
—
Electrical System:Wiring:Interior/Under Dash
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
1
Avg Miles
—
Equipment:Electrical
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Gasoline Fuel System
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
1
Avg Miles
—
Fuel Pump
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Transmission / Drivetrain
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Power Train:Automatic Transmission:Cooling Unit And Lines
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Seat Belts:Front:Anchorage
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Seat Belts:Front:Retractor
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Seat Belts:Integrated Child Seat
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Seats:Front Assembly:Recliner
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Caliper
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Rotor
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Steering Defects
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Body Structure
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Visibility:Power Window Devices And Controls
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Visibility:Windshield
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Wheels:Hubcap/Cover
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Search Owner Complaints
Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 1986 Mercury Sable. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.
Other Mercury Sable Years
1986 Mercury Sable — FAQ
Answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this specific model year.
Is the 1986 Mercury Sable reliable?
Verdict: Below Average Complaints. The 1986 Mercury Sable has 55 NHTSA complaints, 0 crash-related, and 0 recall campaigns. The most common issue is Structure:Frame And Members with 8 complaints. Source: NHTSA via VinItel.
What are common problems with the 1986 Mercury Sable?
Top reported problems: Structure:Frame And Members (8 complaints); Automatic Transmission (7 complaints, avg 111,000 mi); Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine (4 complaints). Every complaint is filed by an owner with NHTSA — this is raw reported data, not editorial opinion.
At what mileage do problems start on the 1986 Mercury Sable?
The weighted average mileage at time of complaint is about 111,000 miles. Some components fail earlier, some later — check the "All Problems by Category" table above for per-issue averages.
How safe is the 1986 Mercury Sable?
NHTSA complaints for the 1986 Mercury Sable include 0 crash-related reports, 6 fire reports, 2 injuries, and 0 fatalities. These are owner-reported incidents, not official crash-test ratings — a complaint being filed doesn't confirm a defect, but clusters around specific components are worth investigating.
Does the 1986 Mercury Sable have any recalls?
No NHTSA recall campaigns have been issued for the 1986 Mercury Sable as of the latest data sync. Verify by VIN for the most current status — new recalls can be issued years after a model year ships.
Should I buy a 1986 Mercury Sable?
Fewer complaints than typical for this model. That's a good sign, but every individual car is different — the VIN still tells you what happened to this specific one.
Source: NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) complaint and recall databases, aggregated by VinItel.
Wider context: See the full Mercury Sable reliability report with year-by-year comparison and generation analysis.
Check Your Specific 1986 Mercury Sable
Real owner complaints tell you about the model. The VIN tells you about your specific car — accidents, title issues, odometer fraud.
Check Any VIN — $8.99