Equal-exposure complaint evidence and changes in the reported problem mix

1986 vs 1987 MERCURY SABLE

NHTSA Consumer Complaints complaints · snapshot 2026-08-21

Share shifts show how a vehicle's problem mix changed. They do not measure reliability, and complaint counts are not normalized for sales volume.

First 479 months on market for each model year

Exposure window calculated through Aug 22, 2026

Age-matched reports

▲ 63.0% more reports in the equal exposure window

1986 46 complaints 1987 75 complaints

NHTSA Consumer Complaints complaints · snapshot 2026-08-21

Component share shift

Bars start at the neutral midpoint. Left means a smaller share; right means a larger share.

View component share data as a table
Component 1986 share 1987 share Share change
VISIBILITY 4.4% not reported ▼ 4.4 pts smaller share
STEERING not reported 4.0% ▲ 4.0 pts larger share
POWER TRAIN 13.0% 9.3% ▼ 3.7 pts smaller share
SEAT BELTS 13.0% 9.3% ▼ 3.7 pts smaller share
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL 4.4% 1.3% ▼ 3.0 pts smaller share
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 13.0% 16.0% ▲ 3.0 pts larger share
ENGINE 10.9% 8.0% ▼ 2.9 pts smaller share
TIRES not reported 2.7% ▲ 2.7 pts larger share
SUSPENSION not reported 2.7% ▲ 2.7 pts larger share
FUEL SYSTEM 2.2% 4.0% ▲ 1.8 pts larger share
STRUCTURE 21.7% 20.0% ▼ 1.7 pts smaller share
EXTERIOR LIGHTING not reported 1.3% ▲ 1.3 pts larger share
SERVICE BRAKES 4.4% 5.3% ▲ 1.0 pts larger share
WHEELS 2.2% 2.7% ▲ 0.5 pts larger share
UNKNOWN OR OTHER 89.1% 92.0% ▲ 2.9 pts larger share

NHTSA Safety Recalls recalls · snapshot 2026-08-22

Recall campaigns

1986 9

Campaign components: FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC, STEERING, STRUCTURE, SUSPENSION, and VISIBILITY

1987 9

Campaign components: FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC, STEERING, STRUCTURE, SUSPENSION, and VISIBILITY

NHTSA Consumer Complaints complaints · snapshot 2026-08-21

Safety signals

◆ Fires
6 → 7
◆ Injuries
2 → 5