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

1991 vs 1992 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 419 months on market for each model year

Exposure window calculated through Aug 22, 2026

Age-matched reports

▲ 64.2% more reports in the equal exposure window

1991 218 complaints 1992 358 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 1991 share 1992 share Share change
POWER TRAIN 37.2% 13.4% ▼ 23.8 pts smaller share
ENGINE 19.7% 37.2% ▲ 17.4 pts larger share
SERVICE BRAKES 4.1% 8.4% ▲ 4.3 pts larger share
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 4.1% 6.7% ▲ 2.6 pts larger share
STEERING 6.9% 4.8% ▼ 2.1 pts smaller share
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL 2.8% 4.8% ▲ 2.0 pts larger share
SUSPENSION 1.8% 3.6% ▲ 1.8 pts larger share
AIR BAGS 4.6% 3.1% ▼ 1.5 pts smaller share
EXTERIOR LIGHTING 1.4% 2.8% ▲ 1.4 pts larger share
TIRES 1.8% 1.1% ▼ 0.7 pts smaller share
VISIBILITY 1.8% 2.5% ▲ 0.7 pts larger share
FUEL SYSTEM 1.4% 0.8% ▼ 0.5 pts smaller share
WHEELS not reported 0.3% ▲ 0.3 pts larger share
STRUCTURE 6.0% 6.2% ▲ 0.2 pts larger share
SEAT BELTS 1.4% 1.4% ▲ 0.0 pts larger share
UNKNOWN OR OTHER 76.2% 62.0% ▼ 14.1 pts smaller share

NHTSA Safety Recalls recalls · snapshot 2026-08-22

Recall campaigns

1991 5

Campaign components: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC, STRUCTURE, and SUSPENSION

1992 5

Campaign components: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING, STRUCTURE, and SUSPENSION

NHTSA Consumer Complaints complaints · snapshot 2026-08-21

Safety signals

◆ Fires
9 → 7
◆ Injuries
6 → 7