1988 Mercury Sable Wagon GS 3.0
All photo credits
- Photo: 1988 Mercury Sable GS Sedan in Medium Cabernet, Front Left, 05-09-2023 by Elise240SX, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
- Photo: 1st Mercury Sable LS wagon front by IFCAR, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
- Photo: 1st-Mercury-Sable-wagon by IFCAR, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
- Photo: Mercury Sable GS 1986 (8777534804) by order_242 from Chile, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
- Photo: 1988 Mercury Sable GS Sedan in Medium Cabernet, Rear Left, 05-09-2023 by Elise240SX, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
The 1988 Mercury Sable Wagon GS 3.0 is a 140-hp V6 wagon with a 4-speed axod automatic and front-wheel drive. It starts at $14,407 MSRP and is rated at 21 mpg combined.
It makes 140 horsepower at 4,800 rpm and 160 lb-ft of torque at 3000 rpm. EPA fuel-economy estimates are 18 mpg city and 27 mpg highway (21 mpg combined).
The Sable Wagon measures 191.9 inches long on a 106.0-inch wheelbase.
| Spec | Value |
|---|---|
| Vehicle | |
| Body Type | Wagon |
| Powertrain | Gas |
| Price | |
| MSRP | $14,407 ($39,580 *) |
| Engine | |
| Engine Type | 3.0L OHV Vulcan V6, SFI, naturally aspirated |
| Horsepower | 140 hp @ 4,800 rpm |
| Torque | 160 lb-ft @ 3000 rpm |
| Valvetrain | OHV, 12-valve, cam-in-block |
| Bore and Stroke | 89.0 x 80.0 |
| Compression Ratio | 9.3:1 |
| Injection Type | Sequential multi-point fuel injection |
| Drivetrain | |
| Drive Type | Front-Wheel Drive |
| Transmission | |
| Transmission | 4-speed AXOD automatic |
| Fuel Economy | |
| City | 18 MPG |
| Highway | 27 MPG |
| Combined | 21 MPG |
| Recommended Fuel | Regular unleaded |
| Tank Capacity | 16 gal |
| Suspension | |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson strut with stabilizer bar |
| Rear Suspension | Coil-spring short/long-arm (double wishbone) with stabilizer bar |
| Front Stabilizer Bar | Yes |
| Rear Stabilizer Bar | Yes |
| Tires & Wheels | |
| Wheels Front | 14 in |
| Wheels Rear | 14 in |
| Tires Front | P205/70R14 |
| Tires Rear | P205/70R14 |
| Dimensions & Weight | |
| Length | 191.9 in |
| Width | 70.8 in |
| Height | 55.1 in |
| Wheelbase | 106 in |
| Cargo Volume | 83.1 ft³ |
Similar cars
Rivals to the 1988 Mercury Sable Wagon GS 3.0 with similar size, power and price from around the same years.
Safety & Recalls
NCAP safety ratings
Not crash-tested by NHTSA for this model year.
Recalls
6 recalls on file with NHTSA for the 1988 Mercury SABLE. Not every recall applies to every trim or VIN — check yours at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Dec 16, 1998 · STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES ORIGINALLY SOLD OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, IOWA, KANSAS, KENTUCKY, MAINE, MARYLAND, MASSACHUSETTS, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA, MISSOURI, NEBRASKA, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW JERSEY, NEW YORK, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, RHODE ISLAND, VERMONT, VIRGINIA, WEST VIRGNIA, AND WISCONSIN. THE REAR LOWER SUBFRAME MOUNT PLATE NUT CAN EXPERIENCE STRESS CORROSION CRACKING IF SUBJECTED TO LONG TERM EXPOSURE TO ROAD SALTS. THIS CAN RESULT IN FRACTURE AND LOSS OF THE STRUCTURAL INTEGRITY OF THE SUBFRAME MOUNT ATTACHMENT. DETACHMENT OF THE BODY MOUNTS AT THE REAR CORNERS OF THE SUBFRAME, WHICH SUPPORTS THE ENGINE AND TRANSMISSION, ALLOWS THE REAR CORNERS OF THE SUBFRAME TO DROP.
Consequence: IF BOTH REAR CORNERS DROP, STEERING WOULD BECOME SUDDENLY VERY DIFFICULT, AFFECTING VEHICLE CONTROL AND INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL SUBFRAME REAR MOUNT BOLTS, REINFORCEMENT PLATES, AND PLATE NUTS.
NHTSA campaign 98V323000
Nov 25, 1994 · SUSPENSION:FRONT:SHOCK ABSORBER
THE ARC WELDS ON THE SWAY BAR BRACKET, WHERE IT ATTACHES TO THE STRUT RESERVE TUBE, DID NOT FUSE PROPERLY.
Consequence: OVER TIME, A PORTION OF THE BRACKET CAN TEAR AWAY FROM THE STRUT, FALLING INTO AND PUNCTURING THE TIRE OR CAUSING DAMAGE TO THE WHEEL, WHICH COULD RESULT IN AN ACCIDENT.
Remedy: MONROE DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE STRUT FREE OF CHARGE.
NHTSA campaign 94E036000
Jun 23, 1993 · STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: TAURUS AND SABLES BUILT FROM 10-14-85 THROUGH 8-19-88, AND LINCOLN CONTINENTALS BUILT FROM 11-4-87 THROUGH 9-30-88 (EXCEPT 1989 - 1991 2.5L TAURUS AND 1989 - 1992 SHO). THE AFFECTED CARS WERE ORIGINALLY SOLD OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE FOLLOWING STATES: CONNECTICUT, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, MAINE, MASSACHUSETTS, MICHIGAN, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW JERSEY, NEW YORK, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, RHODE ISLAND, VERMONT, AND WISCONSIN. THE BODY MOUNTS AT THE REAR CORNERS OF THE SUBFRAME, WHICH SUPPORTS THE ENGINE AND TRANSMISSION, MAY BECOME DETACHED DUE TO CORROSION OF THE SUBFRAME MOUNT RETAINING PLATE. THIS WOULD ALLOW THE REAR CORNERS OF THE SUBFRAME TO DROP.
Consequence: IF ONE OF THE REAR CORNERS DROPS, ONLY MINOR INDICATIONS OF A MALFUNCTION SUCH AS A CLUNKING NOISE OR SLIGHT CHANGE IN STEERING WHEEL ALIGNMENT ARE NOTICEABLE. HOWEVER, IF BOTH REAR CORNERS OF THE SUBFRAME DROP, STEERING BECOMES VERY DIFFICULT, WHICH COULD ADVERSELY AFFECT VEHICLE CONTROL AND POSSIBLY RESULT IN AN ACCIDENT.
Remedy: INSTALL A CORROSION-RESISTANT REINFORCING PLATE AND A NEW BOLT ON BOTH REAR SUBFRAME MOUNTS. THIS RECALL CAMPAIGN HAS BEEN SUPERSEDED BY RECALL 98V-323.
NHTSA campaign 93V106000
May 11, 1992 · WHEELS
CHILDREN CAN ACCIDENTALLY LOCK THEMSELVES IN THE FOOTWELL AREA OF THE REAR-FACING THIRD SEAT, OR IN THE STORAGE COMPARTMENT IN STATION WAGONS NOT EQUIPPED WITH AN OPTIONAL THIRD SEAT. ONCE THE COMPARTMENT IS CLOSED IT CANNOT BE OPENED FROM THE INSIDE.
Consequence: THERE IS A DANGER OF AIR DEPRIVATION, HYPERTHERMIA,AND/OR PANIC RESPONSE TO A CHILD WHO HAS LOCKED HIMSELF OR HERSELF INTO THECOMPARTMENT, WITH THE POSSIBILITY OF ASPHYXIATION.
Remedy: REPLACE THE SELF-LATCHING ASSEMBLY CURRENTLY USED IN THE REAR STORAGE COMPARTMENT WITH A LATCH ASSEMBLY THAT CAN ONLY BE CLOSED WITH A KEY.
NHTSA campaign 92V065000
Aug 6, 1991 · SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR
FRONT DISC BRAKE ROTORS OF THE SUBJECT VEHICLES MAY EXPERIENCE SEVERE CORROSION IF OPERATED IN AREAS WHERE CALCIUM CHLORIDE AND SODIUM CHLORIDE ARE USED EXTENSIVELY.
Consequence: SEVERELY CORRODED ROTORS MAY FRACTURE OR SEPARATE NEARTHE INNER EDGES OF THE BRAKE DISCS RESULTING IN REDUCED BRAKING EFFECTIVENESS,HIGHER THAN NORMAL PEDAL EFFORTS, LOUD GRINDING NOISES, AND MODERATE PULLS WHENTHE BRAKES ARE APPLIED. REDUCED BRAKING EFFECTIVENESS MAY INCREASE MINIMUMSTOPPING DISTANCES, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN AN ACCIDENT.
Remedy: REPLACE FRONT BRAKE ROTORS WITH FULL CAST FRONT BRAKE ROTORS.
NHTSA campaign 91V134000
Mar 4, 1991 · SEATS
THE POWER SEAT SWITCH WIRING IS ROUTED OVER RATHER THAN UNDER THE FRONT SEAT SUPPORT BRACE, ALLOWING DAMAGE BY SEAT CUSHION SPRING ENDS WHEN SEAT IS OCCUPIED.
Consequence: POWER SEAT SWITCH WIRING INSULATION MAY BECOME ABRADED,OR PUNCTURED, AND AN ELECTRICAL SHORT COULD OCCUR THAT COULD RESULT IN A FIREIN THE SEAT CUSHION MATERIAL.
Remedy: REVISE ROUTING OF POWER SEAT WIRING TO PREVENT DAMAGE FROM SEAT CUSHION SPRING CONTACT.
NHTSA campaign 91V036000
129 owner complaints to NHTSA for the 1988 Mercury SABLE
Owner Complaints
129 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 1988 Mercury SABLE (3 mention a crash, 27 a fire, 1 an injury). See all on nhtsa.gov
| Electrical System | 25 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 24 |
| Steering | 20 |
| Power Train | 19 |
| Structure | 14 |
| Fuel System | 8 |
Complaints are unverified reports submitted to NHTSA by owners. They cover the whole model year, not a specific trim, and a count alone doesn't show how common a problem is.
Source: US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (nhtsa.gov), matched as 1988 MERCURY SABLE. US-market vehicles only; data cached for up to 7 days.