1988 Mercury Sable
US · Wagon · Midsize-Large Station Wagons
The 1988 Mercury Sable is listed in the US market as a wagon with gasoline power. Every figure below carries the source it came from, and anything our sources do not publish is left out rather than estimated.
- Engine
- Varies by configuration: 3.0L 6-cylinder (FFS), 3.8L 6-cylinder (FFS)
- Transmission
- 4-speed automatic
- Drivetrain
- FWD
- Fuel
- Gasoline
- Economy
- 18 mpg (13.1 L/100 km) to 21 mpg (11.2 L/100 km) combined
Key Figures
Engine
| Specification | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Engine | Varies by configuration: 3.0L 6-cylinder (FFS), 3.8L 6-cylinder (FFS) | |
| Displacement | 3.0 L to 3.8 L | |
| Cylinders | 6 | |
| Fuel type | Gasoline | EPA fueleconomy.gov |
Transmission and drivetrain
| Specification | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Transmission | Automatic | EPA fueleconomy.gov |
| Gears | 4 | |
| Drivetrain | FWD | EPA fueleconomy.gov |
Fuel economy and range
| Specification | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Combined | 18 mpg (13.1 L/100 km) to 21 mpg (11.2 L/100 km) | EPA fueleconomy.gov |
| City | 15 mpg (15.7 L/100 km) to 18 mpg (13.1 L/100 km) | |
| Highway | 22 mpg (10.7 L/100 km) to 27 mpg (8.7 L/100 km) |
Our sources do not publish these for this vehicle: Aspiration, Power, Torque, Electric range, Battery capacity. We leave them out instead of estimating.
Trims and configurations
6 configurations listed by our sources. Engines, drivetrains and fuel economy can differ between them.
Recalls
NHTSA lists 6 recall campaigns for this model year. Last checked November 8, 2026.
98V323000: 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…
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL SUBFRAME REAR MOUNT BOLTS, REINFORCEMENT PLATES, AND PLATE NUTS.
Reported December 16, 1998. View on NHTSA
94E036000: SUSPENSION:FRONT:SHOCK ABSORBER
THE ARC WELDS ON THE SWAY BAR BRACKET, WHERE IT ATTACHES TO THE STRUT RESERVE TUBE, DID NOT FUSE PROPERLY.
Remedy: MONROE DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE STRUT FREE OF CHARGE.
Reported November 25, 1994. View on NHTSA
93V106000: 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,…
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.
Reported June 23, 1993. View on NHTSA
92V065000: 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.
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.
Reported May 11, 1992. View on NHTSA
91V134000: 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.
Remedy: REPLACE FRONT BRAKE ROTORS WITH FULL CAST FRONT BRAKE ROTORS.
Reported August 6, 1991. View on NHTSA
91V036000: 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.
Remedy: REVISE ROUTING OF POWER SEAT WIRING TO PREVENT DAMAGE FROM SEAT CUSHION SPRING CONTACT.
Reported March 4, 1991. View on NHTSA
Data sources
- EPA fueleconomy.gov · retrieved October 22, 2026 · US Government public data
- NHTSA vPIC · retrieved October 22, 2026 · US Government public data
Source checked: October 22, 2026
Data verified: October 23, 2026
Specifications can vary by market, trim, configuration and production date. Confirm with the manufacturer before buying parts or making safety decisions. Report an error.
Compare
Related vehicles
- 1987 Mercury Sable
Gasoline
3.0L 6-cylinder ((FFS)) · FWD
20 mpg (11.8 L/100 km) to 19 mpg (12.4 L/100 km) - 1989 Mercury Sable
Gasoline
Varies by configuration: 3.0L 6-cylinder ((FFS)), 3.8L 6-cylinder ((FFS)) · FWD
21 mpg (11.2 L/100 km) to 18 mpg (13.1 L/100 km) - 1988 Mcevoy Motors 240 DL/240 GL Wagon
Wagon, Gasoline
2.3L 4-cylinder ((FFS)) · RWD
19 mpg (12.4 L/100 km) - 1988 Oldsmobile Custom Cruiser
Wagon, Gasoline
5.0L 8-cylinder ((307) (FFS)) · RWD
18 mpg (13.1 L/100 km) - 1988 Oldsmobile Cutlass Cruiser
Wagon, Gasoline
Varies by configuration: 2.5L 4-cylinder ((FFS)), 2.8L 6-cylinder ((FFS)), 3.8L 6-cylinder ((FFS)) · FWD
22 mpg (10.7 L/100 km) to 20 mpg (11.8 L/100 km)
Frequently asked questions
What engine does the 1988 Mercury Sable have?
Varies by configuration: 3.0L 6-cylinder ((FFS)), 3.8L 6-cylinder ((FFS)). Engines can differ by trim, so check the trim list below.
What is the fuel economy of the 1988 Mercury Sable?
Combined fuel economy is 18 mpg (13.1 L/100 km) to 21 mpg (11.2 L/100 km), as published by the source shown in the specification table.
Is the 1988 Mercury Sable front-wheel, rear-wheel or all-wheel drive?
Drivetrain: FWD.
Are there recalls for the 1988 Mercury Sable?
NHTSA lists 6 recall campaigns for this model year (last checked November 8, 2026). Details are in the Recalls section.