68 of the
578 complaints about the 2000 Mercury Sable are about the
braking system — 12% of everything
reported for this model year.
Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before
36,000 miles.
I WAS IN A PARKING LOT OF A STORE, STARTED MY CAR, HEADED OUT ONTO A CITY STREET, TURNED RIGHT. ALL OF A SUDDEN MY VEHICLE TOOK OFF, STARTED SPEEDING UP. I STEPPED ON THE BRAKE, IT SLOWED THE VEHICLE DOWN A LITTLE, BUT THE BRAKE FELT LIKE AIR AND DIDN'T FEEL LIKE IT WAS BRAKING CORRECTLY. LUCKILY, I HAD A GREEN LIGHT, WENT THROUGH THAT, KEPT BRAKING. THE CAR SLOWED DOWN A LITTLE BIT BUT THEN WOULD NOT STOP COMPLETELY, SURGED A LITTLE MORE; I WAS ABLE TO PULL INTO A PARKING LOT; BRAKED AGAIN, MY CAR KEPT GOING AT SLOW SPEED; I PULLED ON MY PARKING BRAKE, NOTHING HAPPENED. THEN, I PUT THE CAR INTO PARK, WHICH STOPPED IT. THEN I PULLED OUT THE KEY. I CALLED THE MECHANIC I USE. HE SENT A TOW TRUCK TO ME. MY CAR IS AT THE MECHANICS NOW.
NHTSA complaint #10809530 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 146,000 milesChristiansburg, VA
SERVICE BRAKES
THIS SABLE HAD THE STUCK THROTTLE PROBLEM RECALL PERFORMED IN OCTOBER 2013. YESTERDAY, A DANGEROUS ACCELERATION CONDITION OCCURRED. WHILE ACCELERATING FROM A STOP LIGHT, THE CAR KEPT ACCELERATING EVEN AFTER TAKING ALL PRESSURE FROM THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. I ENTERED AN ON RAMP AND ACCELERATED TO JOIN WITH TRAFFIC. EVEN AFTER COMPLETELY REMOVING MY FOOT FROM THE PEDAL THE CAR KEPT ACCELERATING TO OVER 75 MILES AN HOUR. I ATTEMPTED TO BRAKE, BUT HAD TO SHUT OFF THE IGNITION TO PULL TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. I RESTARTED THE ENGINE AND IT IMMEDIATELY WENT TO 5500 RPM AND STARTED CUTTING OUT (MISFIRING- I ASSUME WAS CAUSED BY A REV LIMITER). I SHUT THE ENGINE OFF AGAIN. AFTER TWO MORE TRIES STARTING, AND REVVING TO 5500 RPM, IT FINALLY STARTED AND IDLED AT 800 RPM. WHILE CLIMBING A HILL THE ACCELERATOR STUCK AGAIN, BUT AT 3000 RPM. I AGAIN HAD TO SHUT OFF THE ENGINE IN ORDER TO STOP. WHEN I RESTARTED, IT REVVED TO 3000 RPM. I SHUT IT OFF AGAIN AND OPENED THE HOOD. I MANUALLY PULLED ON THE THROTTLE CABLE TO INSURE IT WAS NOT APPLYING PRESSURE. I THEN STARTED THE ENGINE AND IT IDLED AT 800 RPM. THE RECALL WAS PERFORMED IN OCTOBER 2013I HAVE THE SABLE AT A DEALER AT PRESENT TO REPAIR THE THROTTLE PROBLEM. AT NO TIME WAS CRUISE CONTROL ENGAGED. HAD MY WIFE BEEN DRIVING, I'M NOT SURE SHE WOULD NOT HAVE HAD AN ACCIDENT. TURNING OFF THE IGNITION WAS THE ONLY WAY TO PREVENT ENGINE DAMAGE AND SLOW THE CAR TO AVOID A HIGH SPEED ACCIDENT. I JUST RECEIVED A CALL FROM THE DEALER. THE RECALL (AT A DIFFERENT DEALER) WAS PERFORMED INCORRECTLY. THE CLIP WAS INSTALLED INCORRECTLY ACCORDING TO THE DEALER WHO NOW INSTALLED AND COMPLETED THE RECALL CORRECTLY!
NHTSA complaint #10588947 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 120,000 milesCharolette, NC
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 MERCURY SABLE. THE CONTACT DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL, BUT THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE. IN ADDITION, THE RPM'S INCREASED. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT HER VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 02V266000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:PEDALS AND LINKAGES). THE CONTACT WOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE REPAIR COSTS. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 120,000.
NHTSA complaint #10233071 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 95,000 milesFarmington Hills, MI
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
COMPONENT: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK DETAILS: VEHICLE WOULD START TO SPONTANEOUSLY ACCELERATE ON ITS OWN POWER. AFTER ENGINE WAS TURNED ON AND THE GEAR CHANGED TO DRIVE, VEHICLE WOULD JUMP ON ITS OWN. WHILE VEHICLE ACCELERATED, BRAKES STARTED TO MALFUNCTION, AND VEHICLE COULD ONLY STOP WHEN THE COMPLETE ENGINE WAS TURNED OFF. THIS HAS HAPPENED ON TWELVE DIFFERENT OCCASIONS. DEFECT CAN CAUSE DRIVER TO LOSE CONTROL AND GET INTO AN ACCIDENT. THE ACCELERATOR AND BRAKE PEDALS ENGAGE SIMULTANEOUSLY. THE PEDALS ARE SET UNUSUALLY CLOSE TOGETHER. THE DRIVER HAS NO MEANS TO KNOW THE STATE OF PEDAL ADJUSTMENT.
NHTSA complaint #10215305 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 64,959 milesJesery City, NJ
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE
CHECK ENGINE LIGHT HAS BEEN GOING ON AND OFF ALONG WITH HE ABS LIGHT -BOTH SENSOR HAVE BEEN GOING ON AND OFF SINCE BROUGHT THE CAR IN MAY 2000 - I HAVE TAKEN IT BACK TO THE DEALER AT LEAST 10 TIMES FOR THE SAME PROBLEM THEY KEEP SAYING THERE WAS NOT THING WRONG - NOW I HAVE TAKEN TO MY OWN MECHANIC AND HE SAID THE ABS COMPUTER HAS BLOWN AND G IT WILL COST $2000.00 TO FIX.
NHTSA complaint #10156795 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 36,460 milesPiedmont, MO
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH CONSUMER APPLIED THE BRAKE PEDAL AND IT WENT TO THE FLOOR. CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, AND PULLED OVER. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION, AND MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE BRAKES NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *AK
NHTSA complaint #10097535 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 38,000 milesCrown Point, NY
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR
CONSUMER HEARD A NOISE COMING FROM THE LEFT REAR WHEEL. THE CONSUMER CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER, AND THEY ONLY IDENTIFIED THE FRONT COIL SPRING AS BEING A POSSIBLE PROBLEM WHICH WAS CURRENTLYBEING RECALLED. THE VEHICLE HAD 38,000 MILES WHEN THE DEFECT OCCURRED.*AK THE ROTORS AND WHEEL BEARING WERE REPLACED.
NHTSA complaint #10089924 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Albuquerque, NMCrash2 injured
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH CONSUMER APPLIED THE BRAKE PEDAL AND THE BRAKES FAILED, RESULTING IN A COLLISION. UPON IMPACT, BOTH FRONTAL AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. DRIVER AND PASSENGER SUSTAINED MAJOR INJURIES, AND WERE TRANSPORTED TO THE HOSPITAL. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. HOWEVER, THE DEALER REFUSED TO INSPECT THE VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #10079757 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 10,688 milesNorth Hollywood, CACrash1 injured
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
2000 MERCURY SABLE WITH ADJUSTABLE BRAKE AND GAS PEDALS WAS RECALLED FOR SPACING ISSUE. TOLD ON RECALL NO ADJUSTMENT NEEDED. HAD BAD CRASH. AFTER CRASH TOLD TWO MORE TIMES ADJUSTMENT NOT NEEDED. THIS CAR HAS A BRAKE PEDAL THAT WOBBLES SIDE TO SIDE 7 MM AND A GAS PEDAL THAT WOBBLES SIDE TO SIDE 1 CM. ODI IN WASHINGTON TOLD ME THAT AS BRAKE AND GAS PEDAL UNIT IS BROUGHT FORWARD THE 3 INCH DISTANCE FOR A SHORTER PERSON THE SIDE TO SIDE WOBBLE OF BRAKE PEDAL BECOMES WORSE CAUSING YOU TO HIT THE GAS. THEY ALSO SAID ADJUSTMENT SHOULD HAVE BEEN MADE ON THIS CAR. FORD REFUSES TO ACKNOWLEDGE PROBLEM AND TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT. THIS VEHICLE IS VERY, VERY DANGEROUS TO DRIVE.
NHTSA complaint #10070929 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Opelika, AL
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:ABS WARNING LIGHT
WHILE DRIVING ABS BRAKE LIGHT APPEARED ON THE DASHBOARD INTERMITTENTLY.
NHTSA complaint #10053355 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 36,000 milesWhitehouse Station, NJCrash
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:PEDALS AND LINKAGES
WHILE BRAKING, THE CONSUMER DISCOVERED THE PEDALS WERE DESIGNED TOO CLOSE TOGETHER, WHICH CAUSED THE CONSUMER TO DEPRESS THE BRAKE/ACCELERATOR PEDAL AT THE SAME TIME, WHICH CAUSED THE CONSUMER TO HAVE AN ACCIDENT. THE DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED, BUT THE PROBLEM WAS NOT RESOLVED. PLEASE PROVIDE MORE INFORMATION.
NHTSA complaint #10051605 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 10,000 milesNorth Hollywood, CACrash2 injured
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:PEDALS AND LINKAGES
PETITION TO OPEN AN IMMEDIATE INVESTIGATION INTO WHY THE MERCURY SABLE HAS EXCESSIVE MOVEMENT OF THE BRAKE PEDAL, SHE OWNS A 2000 MERCURY SABLE WITH A DEFECTIVE BRAKE PEDAL & AIRBAGS.*MR THE VEHICLE IS EQUIPPED WITH AN ADJUSTABLE BRAKE AND GAS PEDAL SYSTEM WHICH WAS RECALLED FOR THE SPACING BETWEEN THE PEDALS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THEY INDICATED THAT THE VEHICLE NEEDED NO ADJUSTMENT. ONE DAY THE DRIVER WAS TURNING INTO A PARKING SPACE WHEN THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED ONTO A GRASSY MEDIAN AND HIT A LIGHT POLE. THE VEHICLE CAME TO REST AFTER HITTING A VEHICLE HEAD ON. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY AND BOTH OCCUPANTS WERE INJURED. ON INSPECTION OF THE CAR IT WAS NOTED THAT THE BRAKE PEDAL HAD EXCESSIVE SIDE TO SIDE MOVEMENT. THE MANUFACTURER INDICATED THIS WAS A NORMAL CONDITION. *TS *NLM
NHTSA complaint #10044588 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Sacramento, CA
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:PEDALS AND LINKAGES
BRAKE PEDAL POSITION SWITCH FAILURES THAT CAUSED BRAKE LIGHTS TO FAIL.
NHTSA complaint #10045155 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 28,700 milesSacramento, CA
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:PEDALS AND LINKAGES
BRAKE PEDAL POSITION SWITCH FAILURES THAT CAUSED BRAKE LIGHTS TO FAIL.
NHTSA complaint #10045206 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Merrimack, NH
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR
WHILE DRIVING THERE IS PULSATION UPON PRESSING THE BRAKES. CONSUMER STATESTHAT ROTORS HAD BEEN CHANGED SEVERAL TIMES. BUT, PROBLEM STILL EXISTS.
NHTSA complaint #10038375 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 15 milesSapulpa, OK
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
WHILE DRIVING 15 MPH THE BRAKES FAILED TO STOP THE VEHICLE.VEHICLE JUMPED THE CURB, AND THE CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO STOP VEHICLE AFTER TRAVELING ANOTHER 30 FEET. AFTER ARRIVING HOME I FOUND THAT MY EMERGENCY BRAKE WAS PARTIALLY ON. I COULD SMELL HOT BRAKES.
NHTSA complaint #10037289 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 34,218 milesSapulpa, OKCrash
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
WHILE DRIVING 15 MPH THE BRAKES FAILED TO STOP VEHICLE. VEHICLE JUMPED ON THE CURB ,AND THE CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO STOP VEHICLE AFTER TRAVELING ANOTHER THIRTY FEET.
NHTSA complaint #10034580 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 10,000 milesNorth Hollywood, CACrash2 injured
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:PEDALS AND LINKAGES
WHILE PARKING MY VEHICLE I STEPPED ON THE BRAKE AND THE CAR TOOK OFF LIKE IT WAS POSSESSED. IT WENT UP ONTO A GRASSY MEDIAN RAN HEAD ON INTO AND OVER A LIGHT POLE AND CAME TO REST AFTER HITTING A PARKED CAR HEAD ON. THE BRAKES DID NOT STOP THE CAR AND THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY!! THE CAR HAD BEEN TAKEN IN FOR A RECALL ON THE ADJUSTABLE BRAKE AND GAS PEDAL EARLIER IN THE YEAR AND I WAS TOLD NO ADJUSTMENT WAS NECESSARY. SO FAR IT HAS BEEN FOUND THAT OUR BRAKE PEDAL HAS TOO MUCH PLAY ON IT (IN OTHER WORDS IT MOVES SIDE TO SIDE TO MUCH--IS LOOSE?) THE ADJUSTABLE BRAKE AND GAS PEDAL AND THE AIR BAGS NOT DEPLOYING ARE ISSUES THAT MUST BE ADDRESSED BY FORD ON THIS VEHICLE. *NLM
NHTSA complaint #10030965 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 132 milesVero Beach, FL
PARKING BRAKE
WHEN EMERGENCY PARKING BRAKES ARE ENGAGED THE REAR BRAKE LIGHTS COME ON AND STAY ON. THIS RESULTS IN THE BATTERY DYING OUT.
NHTSA complaint #10026646 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 24,000 milesDeltona, FL
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR
BRAKES SHUDDER WHEN APPLIED, BEEN CUT DOWN ONCE ALREADY STOPPED FOR ABOUT 5000 MILES THEN STARTED AGAIN INCREASING IN INTENSITY AS MILEAGE CLIMBED, ALSO CAR WILL SHUT OFF FOR A MOMENT OR TWO CAUSING LOSS OF ALL POWER, AND ALL DASH INDICATOR LIGHTS TO COME ON, ALSO HAD TO REPLACE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH TWICE NOW.
NHTSA complaint #10025517 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 47,000 milesRockford, MI
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:BRAKE FLUID LOW WARNING: LAMP
THE VEHICLES BRAKE LIGHT STAYED ON BECAUSE OF A FAULTY BRAKE SWITCH. *NLM
NHTSA complaint #10020279 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
NEW Hope, MN
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:PEDALS AND LINKAGES
NHTSA RECALL REPAIR OF THE ADJUSTABLE PEDALS FAILED. NHTSA RECALL # 01-V-078-000. *NLM
NHTSA complaint #10020320 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Winder, GA
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:PEDALS AND LINKAGES
THE BRAKE LIGHTS AND TAIL LIGHTS DID NOT FUNCTION WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS APPLIED. *JB. REPLACED WIRE LINE THAT CONNECTED BRAKE CONTROL SWITCH AT PEDAL.
NHTSA complaint #10014667 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Charlotte, NC
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
IF BRAKES ARE APPLIED ABRUPTLY, VEHICLE SKIDS AND REAR END (SHIFTS) AS IF TURNING AROUND. DEALER IS UNABLE TO DETERMINE CAUSE. PH
NHTSA complaint #10006640 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Charlotte, NC
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
WHEN ACCELERATING FROM A STOP, VEHICLE JERKED/SURGED INTO A GEAR AND SUDDENLY ACCELERATED. PH ABS POSSILBY CAUSED BRAKES TO PULSATE WHEN COMING TO A STOP.
NHTSA complaint #10006646 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Galesburg, IL
SERVICE BRAKES, AIR:DISC:ROTOR
CONSUMER STATES WHILE DRIVING 30MPH HAD EXTENDED STOPPING. TS
NHTSA complaint #8023361 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Wynnewood, PA
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
CONSUMER STATED THAT WHEN TRYING TO APPLY THE BRAKES THE BRAKE PEDAL WOULD GO TO THE FLOOR CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO HAVE EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. DEALER NOTIFIED TS
NHTSA complaint #8023027 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
FT Collins, CO
SERVICE BRAKES, AIR:ANTILOCK
RECALL 02S40 DID NOT ADDRESS MY PROBLEM. THE DEALER HAS INSPECTED THE BRAKE PEDAL AND RELEASED THE VEHICLE AS BEING "OK". MY PROBLEM IS EXCESSIVE BRAKE PEDAL TRAVEL (MORE THAN 2.5 INCHES WHEN DEPRESSED). WHEN BRAKES ARE APPLLIED THE PEDAL LEVEL IS MORE THAN 1/2 INCH BEYOND THE GAS PEDAL LEVEL. THE PROBLEM IS NOT A MATTER OF THE TWO PEDALS. IT IS A SITUATION OF TOO MUCH BRAKE PEDAL TRAVEL. A SHORTER STROKE IN THE BRAKE SYSTEM WOULD CORRECT THE PROBLEM. DT
NHTSA complaint #769463 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Lawrece, MA
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
WHILE TRAVELING ON THE HIGHWAY THE BRAKES WILL NOT HOLD PROPERLY. CAUSING A GRINDING NOISE COMING FROM THE LEFT FRONT SIDE WHEEL. PLEASE FURNISH ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. DEALER IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. MR
NHTSA complaint #8022288 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Springfield, PA
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
BRAKE LIGHT STAYS ON AND CRUISE CONTROL WON'T WORK, AND VEHICLE WILL NOT SHIFT OUT OF PARK. DEALERSHIP IS AWARE OF PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #8017828 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.