FaultScore

1994 Mercury Sable headlight problems

32 of the 534 complaints about the 1994 Mercury Sable are about the lighting — 6% of everything reported for this model year. Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before 98,000 miles.

B

32

Complaints

0

Crashes

2

Fires

0

Injuries

Exactly what failed

Switch 11 34.4%
Headlights 10 31.3%
Interior Lighting 3 9.4%
Switch 2 6.3%
Switch 2 6.3%
Exterior Lighting 1 3.1%
Switch 1 3.1%
Tail Lights 1 3.1%
High/Low Beam Dimmer Switch 1 3.1%

Lights across every Mercury Sable year

1990 10 3.5%
1992 16 5.6%
1993 73 25.4%
1994 32 11.1%
1995 10 3.5%
1996 15 5.2%
1997 15 5.2%
1998 11 3.8%
2000 60 20.9%
2001 17 5.9%
2002 14 4.9%
2003 14 4.9%

What owners said

Filed with NHTSA, in their own words.

at 98,000 miles Dunnellon, FL Fire

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1994 MERCURY SABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HER HEADLIGHTS WOULD FAIL INTERMITTENTLY AND THEN ILLUMINATE AGAIN. SHE NOTICED THAT THE FAILURE OCCURRED IN BRIEF INTERVALS AND SHE SMELLED A BURNING ODOR. THE DEALER INSTALLED A NEW HEADLIGHT SWITCH AND, CONSEQUENTLY, THE DASHBOARD SWITCH MELTED. THE DEALER STATED THAT NOTHING COULD BE DONE. FORD STATED THAT HER VIN WAS EXCLUDED FROM NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 98V009000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS:SWITCH). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 98,000.

NHTSA complaint #10226310 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 157,000 miles Wheatfield, IN

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS:SWITCH

MY HEADLIGHT SWITCH WENT OUT AND I REPLACED IT. I WAS WONDERING IF I COULD GET COMPANSATION FOR BUYING IT MYSELF, AS IT APPEARS TO BE A RECALL. ALSO THERE SEEMS TO BE A PROBLEM WITH MY HOME COMPUTER AND I AM NOT ABLE TO VIEW ANY DETAILED INFORMATION ABOUT MY VEHICLE. IF SOMEONE COULD E-MAIL ME, I WOULD GREATLY APPRECIATE THE INFORMATION THAT I NEED TO KNOW ABOUT MY CAR, OR ANYTHING THAT I QUALIFY FOR. I DON'T KNOW ANY OF MY VEHICLES PAST HISTORY, SO IT WOULD ALSO BE APPRECIATED IF I COULD RECIEVE IT.

NHTSA complaint #10119571 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Burlington, MA

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS:SWITCH

LOSS OF HEADLIGHTS DURING VEHICLE OPERATION. HEADLIGHTS GO OUT WHILE DRIVING.THERE WAS RECALL OF THIS PROBLEM IN 1998 AND I WAS NEVER NOTIFIED. RECALL ID NUMBER 98VOO9000I. I BOUGHT AUTO FROM DEALER BEFORE RECALL. THE ABOVE CONDITION HAPPENS ALL THE TIME. UNABLE TO DRIVE AT NIGHT.

NHTSA complaint #10060540 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 48,658 miles Reno, NV

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS:SWITCH

PROBLEMS WITH HEADLIGHT/ RUNNING LIGHT SWITCH, INTERMITTENT FAILURE, DOOR OPEN SAFETY LAMP FAILURE.

NHTSA complaint #10054228 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Smith Groves, KY

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS

LIGHT INSIDE OF VEHICLE COMES ON AND OFF INTERMITTENTLY. DEALERSHIP IS AWARE OF PROBLEM.

NHTSA complaint #8002906 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Damascus, MD

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TAIL LIGHTS:SWITCH

TAIL LIGHTS ARE COMPLETELY OUT. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER, AND THE DEALER STATED THE A SWITCH FOR TAIL LIGHTS NEEDED REPLACING. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.

NHTSA complaint #6900623 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Huntsville, AL

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS

THE HEADLIGHTS FAILED. NLM

NHTSA complaint #560730 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Stow, OH

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS

HEADLIGHTS COME ON AND OFF INTERMITTENTLY. DEALERSHIP IS AWARE OF PROBLEM. *AK RECALL 98S01 DEALS WITH THIS PROBLEM, HOWEVER CONSUMERS VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN RECALL, HEADLAMP SWITCH WAS REPLACED AND A SWITCH PLUG LEAD KIT WAS INSTALLED, THE OLD SWITCH HAD MELTED. *SLC

NHTSA complaint #891848 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Stow, OH

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS:SWITCH

HEADLIGHTS COME ON AND OFF INTERMITTENTLY. DEALERSHIP IS AWARE OF PROBLEM. *AK RECALL 98S01 DEALS WITH THIS PROBLEM, HOWEVER CONSUMERS VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN RECALL, HEADLAMP SWITCH WAS REPLACED AND A SWITCH PLUG LEAD KIT WAS INSTALLED, THE OLD SWITCH HAD MELTED. *SLC

NHTSA complaint #891848 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Hattiesburg, MS

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE STALLS, CAUSING POWER BRAKES AND POWER STEERING TO LOCK UP. DEALER HAS SEEN VEHICLE SEVERAL TIMES, AND CANT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM.*AK LIGHTS FLICKERING OFF WHILE DRIVEING AT NIGHT DUE TO SWITCH FAILURE BUT DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE.

NHTSA complaint #869514 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Vallejo, CA

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS

INTERMITTENTLY HEADLIGHTS BECAME INOPERABLE, RESULTING IN POOR VISIBLITY. RECALL HAS BEEN ISSUED ON VEHICLE'S MAKE/MODEL. HOWEVER, THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED DUE TO VIN. DEALER HAS REPAIRED VEHICLE, BUT PROBLEM STILL EXISTS.

NHTSA complaint #863320 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Reedsburg, WI

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TAIL LIGHTS:SWITCH

THE TAIL LIGHT SWITCH FAILED. NLM

NHTSA complaint #551885 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Balaton, MN

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS

WHILE VEHICLE WAS BEING CHECKED FOR ROUTINE MAINTENANCE SERVICE TECHNICIAN FOUND A MELTED HEAD LAMP SWITCH. THE SWITCH WAS REPLACED AT OWNER'S EXPENSE. THERE IS A SERVICE BULLETIN/ RECALL ABOUT THE HEAD LAMP SWITCH, HOWEVER VEHICLE IS NOT INCLUDED DUE TO DATE MANUFACTURED. *AK.ET.

NHTSA complaint #859729 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Lagrangevi, NY

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS:SWITCH

HIGH MOUNT BRAKE LAMP FAILED. MJS

NHTSA complaint #547724 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

River Fore, IL

INTERIOR LIGHTING

INDICATOR BULB FOR THE (PRNDL) FAILED, THE DESIGN IS POOR RESULTING IN REMOVAL OF THE STEERING COLUMN IN ORDER TO REPLACE BULB.MJS

NHTSA complaint #522277 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Webster, NY

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS

INSUFFICIENT HEADLIGHT DISTANCE LIGHTING, HIGH AND LOW BEAMS.

NHTSA complaint #705701 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Yorktown Heights, NY

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TURN SIGNAL:SWITCH

CONTROL SWITCH FOR WINDSHIELD WIPER SPEED IS INTERMITTENT. IF WIPER IS ON, ACTIVATING TURN SIGNAL CAN CAUSE WIPER TO SHUT OFF. SOME OF THE SPEED CONTROL POSITIONS ARE INACTIVE.

NHTSA complaint #704797 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Cincinnati, OH Fire

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS:HIGH/LOW BEAM DIMMER SWITCH

THIS IS THE SAME HEADLIGHT SWITCH INVOLVED IN A RECALL IN THE 1993 MODELS. HOWEVER, THE 1994 MODELS WERE NOT INCLUDED IN RECALL, AND SHOULD HAVE BEEN. CONSIDERING THEY USED THE SAME HEADLIGHT SWITCH. THE SWITCH OVERHEATED AND MELTED THE HARNESS AND ALMOST STARTED A FIRE. THE CAR FILLED WITH SMOKE AND ALMOST CAUSED MY WIFE TO HAVE AN ACCIDENT.

NHTSA complaint #703592 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Simsbury, CT

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS:SWITCH

RECALL 98V009000/98S01. WHEN TURNING ON HEADLIGHT SWITCH, HEADLIGHTS INTERMITTENTLY COME ON. HOWEVER, WHEN PARKING HEADLIGHTS DON'T WORK. ALSO, THE TAIL AND DASH LIGHTS DON'T WORK. DEALER REPLACED HARNESS AND SWITCH, BUT VEHICLE DOES NOT COMPLY WITH THE RECALL. PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION.

NHTSA complaint #832529 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Simsbury, CT

INTERIOR LIGHTING

RECALL 98V009000/98S01. WHEN TURNING ON HEADLIGHT SWITCH, HEADLIGHTS INTERMITTENTLY COME ON. HOWEVER, WHEN PARKING HEADLIGHTS DON'T WORK. ALSO, THE TAIL AND DASH LIGHTS DON'T WORK. DEALER REPLACED HARNESS AND SWITCH, BUT VEHICLE DOES NOT COMPLY WITH THE RECALL. PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION.

NHTSA complaint #832529 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Simsbury, CT

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TAIL LIGHTS

RECALL 98V009000/98S01. WHEN TURNING ON HEADLIGHT SWITCH, HEADLIGHTS INTERMITTENTLY COME ON. HOWEVER, WHEN PARKING HEADLIGHTS DON'T WORK. ALSO, THE TAIL AND DASH LIGHTS DON'T WORK. DEALER REPLACED HARNESS AND SWITCH, BUT VEHICLE DOES NOT COMPLY WITH THE RECALL. PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION.

NHTSA complaint #832529 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

LAS Vegas, NV

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS:SWITCH

HEADLIGHT SWITCH FAILED DUE TO OVERHEATING PRIOR TO RECALL, HOWEVER VEHICLE DENIED DUE TO VIN#.

NHTSA complaint #538023 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Billerica, MA

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS:SWITCH

HEADLAMP SWITCH AND CONNECTOR FAILED, RECALL ON THE 1993 MODEL YEAR HOWEVER 1994 NOT INCLUDED.

NHTSA complaint #537027 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Tilden, IL

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS

HEADLIGHTS FAIL INTERMITTENTLY.

NHTSA complaint #535307 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Lakehurst, NJ

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS:SWITCH

HEADLIGHT SWITCH FAILED.

NHTSA complaint #535690 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Tilden, IL

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS

HEAD LIGHTS FAIL INTERMITTENTLY.

NHTSA complaint #533432 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Hoffman ES, IL

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS:SWITCH

AFTER DRIVING FOR ONE HOUR OR MORE WITH HEADLIGHTS ON, THE HEADLIGHTS WILL TURN OFF FOR 10-15 SECONDS/EVERY 5 OR 10 MINUTES AND SOMETIMES WHEN THE TURN SIGNAL IS USED. SWITCH IS VERY WARM AND THERE IS A SMELL OF MELTING PLASTIC.

NHTSA complaint #531465 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Kenmore, NY

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS:SWITCH

HEADLIGHT SWITCH SHORTED OUT, CAUSING THE PLUG BLOCK TO BECOME PARTIALLY MELTED, RESULTIN GIN POOR VISIBILITY.

NHTSA complaint #523334 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Mahafey, PA

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS

EA96-019, WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE HEADLIGHTS AND DASHBOARD LIGHTS GO OFF INTERMITTENTLY, CAUSING A INCREASING RISK OF AN ACCIDENT.

NHTSA complaint #818328 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Mahafey, PA

INTERIOR LIGHTING

EA96-019, WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE HEADLIGHTS AND DASHBOARD LIGHTS GO OFF INTERMITTENTLY, CAUSING A INCREASING RISK OF AN ACCIDENT.

NHTSA complaint #818328 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Other 1994 Mercury Sable problems

← Full 1994 Mercury Sable report