Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (service brakes, ABS, rotors and pads, parking brake).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 1998 Mercury Sable owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
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 was towed to an independent mechanic. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 179,000.
In 1998 I purchased a new Mercury Sable. Stopping distance has been inadequate since new. Returned to dealer 3 times, checked and stated everything was fine. In panic stops it feels as if only the rear wheels are braking. Now, after 95,000 miles I have changed the rear brake pads 3 times and rear rotors once, but the original front pads are still on the car - just now needing replacement. Front rotors excellent - no outer ridge. Obviously, front brakes are not working effectively - normally front brakes provide about 60% of braking power. On November 19 2004 I rear-ended another car in a chain-reaction panic stop. Body damage is now repaired, but I hesitate to put it back in service without determining and repairing the brake problem that has existed since the car was new. I wrote Ford about the problem years ago but received no answer. …
In 1998 I purchased a new Mercury Sable. Stopping distance has been inadequate since new. Returned to dealer 3 times, checked and stated everything was fine. In panic stops it feels as if only the rear wheels are braking. Now, after 95,000 miles I have changed the rear brake pads 3 times and rear rotors once, but the original front pads are still on the car - just now needing replacement. Front rotors excellent - no outer ridge. Obviously, front brakes are not working effectively - normally front brakes provide about 60& of braking power. On November 19 I rear-ended another car in a chain-reaction panic stop. Body damage is now repaired, but I hesitate to put it back in service without determining and repairing the brake problem that has existed since the car was new. I wrote Ford about the problem years ago but received no answer. …
I hit sand that is on the road to help you from sliding on black ice,but in my case it made my car go sliding and I hit curb on right side of me,which knocked my hands off steering wheel.by the time I had my hands back on the wheel and braking I was on left side of road.at this point I was off the road and on the mud, which my brakes didn't do me any good I just keep going up and over into the canyon where I went down about 15-20 where I hit an oak tree head on.the back of my car went up in the air and went side ways slammed down on the drivers side of car.during all this neither of the air bags deployed.I received 31 stitches in face and separated ribs and bruised wrest and bumps and bruises.
While exiting ramp from a highway onto a main street, the explorer in front of us stopped before entering the main street. We were driving slowly when we tried to stop behind the other vehicle. My husband put his foot on the brake and it went to the floor. He continued a number of times, but could not stop or even slow down. We knew we would hit the vehicle in front of us, which prevented our car from going onto the main street of traffic. From trying to stop many times, my husband suffered a siatica injury, which he currently being treated by an orthopedist, chiropracter, physical therapist and primary care doctor.
My brake line[metal],rusted completely through. 1.no indication of brake failure. 2.several of my family members drove my car to the grocery store,thankfully this is where the brakes gave out. 3.Mercury dealership replaced line for about $275.
Consumer's vehicle rearended another vehicle due to brake failure. Pedal wentdown to the floor, and vehicle failed to stop. Was traveling 40mph. Air bags deployed. Blown 5 amp fuse (radio,rcc,ipc circute) were found after the accident.
I rotate tires every 6000 mi. During rotation I inspect brake pads for wear. At 18000 mi I found excessive wear on rear pads, to the point that they needed to be replaced fairly soon. I took the car to the dealer for replacement under warranty. They advised that thos wear was "normal" and was not covered under warranty. That's nonsense. I've never had a car that needed rear pad replacement at lesss than 50000 mi. No professionls I spoke with thought this was "normal" wear. This is made worse by the fact that, when the car was new, I had brought it in for correction of brake vibration. The dealer machined the rotors and the tech said he "didn't like the looks of the rear pads so he replaced them." that's at 1500 mi. Which means the replacment set only lasted 16500 mi. The owner service guide only says to inspect front and rear brakes at 30000 mi. …
My car made a low roaring noise from the rear end after about 3 months, since the first incident didn't occur again for a few weeks I didn't worry about it, however, after I had it for about 6 months the noise got worse and I was told I needed new brake pads, these were installed the same day, a few weeks later the same noise occurred again and this time I was told I needed new tie rod ends, these were installed that day, then it was my brake pads later it was the rotors, brake pads and shoes, I still have the noise in the rear of the car and now my brakes are still not right, I came down a hill last week and when I hit my brakes there were none, the dealer is saying it is the fact that I drive a lot Ford motor co is saying they aren't responsible and bud shell is saying it is my fault can you help me I have had this car in the shop for this same problem about 10 times since sept 1999 I …
The problem was identical in both instances, the rear calipers on those two occasions failed to fully release resulting in rapid and premature pad wear. On both occassions the problem was not noticable until there was metal to metal contact. At that point the failure caused extreme heat to be generated to the point of scorching the wheel . The shop that did the last repair , they are very good at what they do, checked the front brakes and the only work done was to machine the the rotors to eliminate a slight shimmy. I am very easy on my car and that I did not need front pads at 75000 mi seems to indicate so.
Brake complaints in other Sable years
Frequently asked questions
How common are brake problems on the 1998 Mercury Sable?
NHTSA has 29 complaints about the brakes of the 1998 Mercury Sable, 15% of the model year's 190 complaints. The component named most often is antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip (11 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1998 Mercury Sable brake problems?
No. NHTSA lists no brakes recall for the 1998 Mercury Sable, though it has 2 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 1998 Mercury Sable brake problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 85,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 7 crashes, 0 fires and 5 injuries to brakes problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.