Equal-exposure complaint evidence and changes in the reported problem mix
1998 vs 1999 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 335 months on market for each model year
Exposure window calculated through Aug 22, 2026
Age-matched reports
▲ 36.2% 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 | 1998 share | 1999 share | Share change |
|---|---|---|---|
| STEERING | 2.1% | 11.3% | ▲ 9.2 pts larger share |
| VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL | 14.4% | 6.3% | ▼ 8.1 pts smaller share |
| SUSPENSION | 10.6% | 17.2% | ▲ 6.6 pts larger share |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 6.9% | 2.7% | ▼ 4.2 pts smaller share |
| SEAT BELTS | 4.8% | 7.4% | ▲ 2.6 pts larger share |
| VISIBILITY | 4.8% | 7.4% | ▲ 2.6 pts larger share |
| TIRES | 3.7% | 1.2% | ▼ 2.6 pts smaller share |
| SERVICE BRAKES | 12.2% | 9.8% | ▼ 2.5 pts smaller share |
| WHEELS | not reported | 2.0% | ▲ 2.0 pts larger share |
| POWER TRAIN | 10.6% | 9.0% | ▼ 1.7 pts smaller share |
| EXTERIOR LIGHTING | 2.7% | 2.0% | ▼ 0.7 pts smaller share |
| FUEL SYSTEM | 3.7% | 3.1% | ▼ 0.6 pts smaller share |
| ENGINE | 7.5% | 7.8% | ▲ 0.4 pts larger share |
| STRUCTURE | 4.3% | 3.9% | ▼ 0.4 pts smaller share |
| AIR BAGS | 5.3% | 5.1% | ▼ 0.2 pts smaller share |
| UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 73.9% | 78.5% | ▲ 4.6 pts larger share |
NHTSA Safety Recalls recalls · snapshot 2026-08-22
Recall campaigns
Campaign components: EXTERIOR LIGHTING and SEAT BELTS
Campaign components: POWER TRAIN, SEAT BELTS, and SUSPENSION
NHTSA Consumer Complaints complaints · snapshot 2026-08-21
Safety signals
- ◆ Fires
- 3 → 4
- ◆ Injuries
- 17 → 24