Equal-exposure complaint evidence and changes in the reported problem mix
1990 vs 1991 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 431 months on market for each model year
Exposure window calculated through Aug 22, 2026
Age-matched reports
▲ 32.1% more reports in the equal exposure window
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 | 1990 share | 1991 share | Share change |
|---|---|---|---|
| POWER TRAIN | 7.9% | 37.2% | ▲ 29.3 pts larger share |
| STRUCTURE | 13.3% | 6.0% | ▼ 7.4 pts smaller share |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 9.7% | 4.1% | ▼ 5.6 pts smaller share |
| SEAT BELTS | 6.7% | 1.4% | ▼ 5.3 pts smaller share |
| STEERING | 11.5% | 6.9% | ▼ 4.6 pts smaller share |
| ENGINE | 15.2% | 19.7% | ▲ 4.6 pts larger share |
| VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL | 6.1% | 2.8% | ▼ 3.3 pts smaller share |
| SUSPENSION | 4.9% | 1.8% | ▼ 3.0 pts smaller share |
| FUEL SYSTEM | 3.6% | 1.4% | ▼ 2.3 pts smaller share |
| AIR BAGS | 6.1% | 4.6% | ▼ 1.5 pts smaller share |
| WHEELS | 1.2% | not reported | ▼ 1.2 pts smaller share |
| VISIBILITY | 3.0% | 1.8% | ▼ 1.2 pts smaller share |
| TIRES | 1.2% | 1.8% | ▲ 0.6 pts larger share |
| SERVICE BRAKES | 3.6% | 4.1% | ▲ 0.5 pts larger share |
| EXTERIOR LIGHTING | 1.8% | 1.4% | ▼ 0.4 pts smaller share |
| UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 72.7% | 76.2% | ▲ 3.4 pts larger share |
NHTSA Safety Recalls recalls · snapshot 2026-08-22
Recall campaigns
Campaign components: AIR BAGS, EXTERIOR LIGHTING, SEAT BELTS, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC, STRUCTURE, and SUSPENSION
Campaign components: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC, STRUCTURE, and SUSPENSION
NHTSA Consumer Complaints complaints · snapshot 2026-08-21
Safety signals
- ◆ Fires
- 18 → 9
- ◆ Injuries
- 8 → 6