Volkswagen Atlas vs Mercury Sable
Both cars' complete complaint records, side by side.
Read the totals carefully. NHTSA publishes no sales figures, so the car that sold more collects more complaints regardless of quality. The rows worth weighing are the proportions — the share of complaints that involved harm, and which part dominates.
| Measure | Volkswagen Atlas | Mercury Sable |
|---|---|---|
| Complaints on file | 2,991 | 7,190 |
| Model years covered | 2018–2026 | 1984–2009 |
| Worst model year | 2018 | 2000 |
| Best model year | 2026 | 2005 |
| Crashes reported | 68 | 406 |
| Fires reported | 9 | 252 |
| Injuries reported | 66 | 264 |
| Deaths reported | 0 | 5 |
| Most complained-about part | Electrical System | Engine & Cooling |
| Share of complaints involving harm | 4.8% | 12.9% |
Volkswagen Atlas by year
What breaks
Electrical System
472
15.8%
Driver Assist & Collision Avoidance
373
12.5%
Engine & Cooling
371
12.4%
Airbags
370
12.4%
Brakes
359
12.0%
Other & Unspecified
292
9.8%
Fuel & Propulsion
147
4.9%
Lights
115
3.8%
Mercury Sable by year
What breaks
Engine & Cooling
1,423
19.8%
Suspension
988
13.7%
Transmission & Drivetrain
844
11.7%
Acceleration & Cruise Control
520
7.2%
Brakes
499
6.9%
Electrical System
472
6.6%
Body & Structure
341
4.7%
Steering
337
4.7%