2003 Mercury Sable engine problems

ENGINE

2003 MERCURY SABLE. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO BEING CHARGED FOR VEHICLE REPAIRS THAT WERE UNDER WARRANTY. *LD

NHTSA complaint #11061848 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MERCURY SABLE. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS OPERATED, IT LOST ENGINE POWER WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO DOM'S GETTY SERVICE STATION (308 MERCER ST, HIGHTSTOWN, NJ) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED AS A TRANSMISSION FAILURE. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 57,000.

NHTSA complaint #11022792 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MERCURY SABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE INDEPENDENTLY IDLED BETWEEN 3-4 RPMS AND THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE INTERIOR LIGHTING FAILED TO ILLUMINATE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO AUTO ZONE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND PROVIDED CASE NUMBER: 12281999. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED OF SERVICE BULLETIN NUMBER: SB-10052600-3673. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 164,000. THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE WAS UNDER RECALL BUT, SHE WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE CONSUMER WOULD LIKE FOR THE RECALL TO BE PERFORMED ON THE VEHICLE AT NO CHARGE. UPDATED 05/31/2017

NHTSA complaint #10992124 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MERCURY SABLE. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO ACCELERATE INDEPENDENTLY WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO STOP WITH THE BRAKE PEDAL BEING DEPRESSED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE MOTOR MOUNT AND RADIATOR HOSE FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 121,373.

NHTSA complaint #10972315 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE

THROTTLE CABLE STUCK, ENGINE AT 1800 TPM, ENGINE REVVED TO 2600 RPM, INABILITY TO SLOW VEHICLE, SURGING. REQUIRED HARD BREAKING. ONCE CAR STOPPED, IDLE DROPPED TO 900 RPM AFTER 15-30 SECONDS. HAPPENS WITH INCREASING FREQUENCY. ENGINE SURGES AT START, REVS TO 2100 THEN TO 2600. INSPECTED CABLE, THROTTLE AND CRUISE CONTROL CABLE POINT OF ENTRY TO SUPPORTING BRACKET PLASTIC SHATTERED. CABLE EMITS SOUND FROM BINDING. TOOK TO FORD DEALER, THEY INDICATED MY VEHICLE WAS NOT PART OF THE RECALL ALTHOUGH THE PROBLEM HAS BEEN CLEARLY DOCUMENTED WITH THE SAME MAKE, MODEL, YEAR AND ENGINE.

NHTSA complaint #10629987 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

VEHICLE ACCELERATES ON IT'S OWN. HAVE HAD MULTIPLE PROBLEMS WHERE I GO TO STOP AND CAR ACCELERATES AT A STOP SIGN OR LIGHT. I HAVE ALMOST REAR ENDED MULTIPLE CARS BECAUSE OF THIS. WHILE GOING FROM A RED TO GREEN LIGHT ON A HILL MY SABLE STALLED AND BEGAN TO ROLL BACKWARDS, ALMOST CRASHING INTO THE CAR BEHIND ME, IF IT HADN'T BEEN FOR MY QUICK REACTION. VEHICLE WILL IDLE VERY HIGH, 2.5RPMS AT THE LOWEST, WHILE SITTING IN PARK AFTER STARTUP. AFTER A 5 MINUTES IT WILL SOMETIMES DROP DOWN TO 750-1000RPMS, OTHER TIMES IT WILL CONTINUE TO IDLE HIGH. DURING DRIVE IT WILL CONTINUALLY ACCELERATE TO AROUND 40 MPH ON IT'S OWN. WHEN I BRAKE IT WILL IDLE HIGH AND LURCH FORWARD, UNTIL I'M FORCED TO PUSH THE BRAKE ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR. THEN CAR WILL EITHER CONTINUE TO IDLE HIGH OR DROP SO LOW THAT IT STALLS. USUALLY I DRIVE WITH TWO FEET AT LIGHTS OR SIGNS TO BE ABLE TO REV ENGINE FROM STALKING. ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON, CODE READ IDLE AIR CONTROL VALVE, SO IT WAS REPLACED. PROBLEM CONTINUED. TOOK TO GARAGE AND IT LOOKS LIKE THE INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET. ALL VACUUM LINES WERE REPLACED AS WELL. AM GOING TO FIX THE GASKET AND SELL. CAR SCARES ME TOO MUCH TO DRIVE. MULTIPLE PANIC AND ANXIETY ATTACKS. PLEASE RECALL THIS, EXTREMELY UNSAFE.

NHTSA complaint #10627245 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MERCURY SABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED INDEPENDENTLY TO 25 MPH AFTER SHIFTING FROM PARK TO DRIVE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO STATED THAT THE IDLE IAC VALVE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 155,000.

NHTSA complaint #10584953 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE

I PULLED UP TO A STOPLIGHT. WHEN IT TURNED GREEN, I DEPRESSED THE ACCELERATOR AND THE VEHICLE'S ENGINE REVVED AS THOUGH IT WERE IN NEUTRAL. WHEN SHIFTED INTO ANY FORWARD GEAR OR REVERSE GEAR, IT WOULD NOT MOVE. IT WAS AS THOUGH IT WERE STUCK IN NEUTRAL. THE TRANSMISSION SPECIALIST SAID IT WAS A COMMON PROBLEM, KNEW EXACTLY WHAT IT WAS, AND QUIPPED THAT HE WAS SURPRISED MINE HAD LASTED THIS LONG. UPON RESEARCHING ONLINE, IT APPEARS THAT THIS IS AN INCREDIBLY WIDESPREAD PROBLEM. IN FACT, FORD KNOWS IT IS A PROBLEM AS IT HAS RECALLED TWO OF THEIR MINIVANS THAT CONTAIN THE VERY SAME TRANSMISSION. IT IS THE SAME PART FAILING. WHY DOES IT WARRANT A RECALL IN ONE VEHICLE BUT NOT ANOTHER??

NHTSA complaint #10484963 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE

DRIVING ON I-25 NORTHBOUND, AT 50 MPH, THE VEHICLE STARTED TO ACCELERATE, WITH MY FOOT OFF THE ACCELERATOR. WENT FROM 50 TO 65...STEPPED ON BRAKE, BRAKES SLOWED/STOPPED THE ACCELERATION...PULLED OFF AT THE FIRST EXIT RAMP. LOOKED UNDER HOOD, FOR ANYTHING NOT CORRECT...NOTHING VISUALLY DETECTED. DID THIS ONE MORE TIME...3 DAYS LATER. HAVE NOT EXPERIENCED SINCE.

NHTSA complaint #10467560 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MERCURY SABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD INVOLUNTARILY ACCELERATE WHILE AT COMPLETE STOPS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS DUE TO A SENSOR THAT COULD NOT BE REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 1,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 65,000. UPDATED 04/10/12*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED WHEN THE ENGINE WAS STARTED, IT WOULD RUN AT A HIGH RATE ABOVE IDLE. IT WOULD CONTINUE UNTIL THE ENGINE WARMED UP. THE CONSUMER STATED THE IDLE SPEED CAN NOT BE REGULATED. UPDATED 04/13/12

NHTSA complaint #10451380 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

THE BLOWER MOTOR ON MY 2003 MERCURY SABLE WAS SITTING IN A POOL OF WATER, RUINING THE MOTOR. CAUSED BY FAULTY DESIGN BY FORD MOTOR CO. WATER GETS INTO THIS AREA BY IMPROPER DESIGN, ALLOWS WATER TO REACH AREA WHEN THE WIPER COWL EVENTUALLY WARPS, OR WHEN THE A/C DRAIN CLOGS OR WATER LEAKING THRU THE FIREWALL.

NHTSA complaint #10408622 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

I HAVE HAD MY COMPRESSOR IN DEC 2008 TO FIX THE AC PROBLEM I HAD THEN BUT IT NEVER WAS. THEN MY MECHANIC SUGGESTED THAT WAS THE CONDENSER CHANGED AND NOW THAT HASN'T SOLVED THE PROBLEM. I AM BEGINNING TO WONDER IF THIS IS NOT A PROBLEM THE MANUFACTURERS NEED TO LOOK AT. WITH THIS ECONOMY SPENDING THE MONEY A I AM NOT TO MENTION THAT I AM STILL MAKING PAYMENTS TO THE FINANCE COMPANY IS AN ADDED HEADACHE. PLEASE HELP!

NHTSA complaint #10266721 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

WHENEVER THE CAR IS RAINED UPON, WATER RUNS INTO THE FAN MOTOR AIR INTAKE, THEN INTO THE FAN BLOWER MOTOR, WHICH IS INSIDE THE CAR BEHIND THE GLOVE BOX, AND THEN RUNS OUT ONTO THE RIGHT FRONT PASSENGER FLOORBOARD. I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE ONE BLOWER MOTOR THAT SHORTED OUT FROM THE WATER IN IT, AND HAVE TO PULL THE CARPET UP SO IT CAN DRY OUT. ALSO, AFRAID OF THE POSSIBILITY OF MOLD GROWING EITHER IN THE AIR VENTS OR IN THE CARPET. I TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THE SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE TOLD ME HE HAS SEEN OTHER CARS LIKE MINE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM. THE DEALERSHIP SELLS A PART TO INSTALL UNDER THE HOOD OVER THE AIR BLOWER INTAKE TO CHANNEL WATER AWAY TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM.

NHTSA complaint #10227447 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:FAN

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MERCURY SABLE. THE FAN MOTOR CHIRPED WHEN THE FAN WAS ACTIVATED. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE FAN MOTOR WAS LEAKING WATER AND THEY MADE THE REPAIR. HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED AND THE AIR CONDITIONER MALFUNCTIONED. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE A/C BLOWER MOTOR WAS RUSTED DUE TO WATER LEAKAGE. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 03V087000 (VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 51,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 80,000.

NHTSA complaint #10210066 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:FAN

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MERCURY SABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE WINDOWS FOGGED UP AND THE DEFOGGER FAILED TO ACTIVATE. THE DRIVING VISIBILITY WAS REDUCED AS A RESULT. PRIOR TO THE DEFOGGER FAILING THE CONTACT NOTICED WATER ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE FLOOR. THE VEHICLE WAS STILL HAVING THIS FAILURE, AND VEHICLE HAS NOT YET BEEN INSPECTED BY THE DEALER. THERE WAS RECALL # 03V087000 CONCERNING VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD, BUT THE CONTACTS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 42,000, AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40,500. *AK THE CONSUMER STATED THE FAN MOTOR CAUSED BY CONSISTENT WATER INTRUSION INTO THE VENT. THE CONSUMER PROVIDED A COPY OF THE REPAIR INVOICE AND RECEIPT. UPDATED 07/06/07

NHTSA complaint #10189083 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE ENGINE WOULD JERK. THE DEALERSHIP DETERMINED THE ENGINE MOUNTS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED, BUT THE VEHICLE COULD STILL BE DRIVEN. A MONTH LATER, WHILE ATTEMPTING TO PROCEED AT A STOP SIGN, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT MOVE FORWARD. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP, WHERE IT WAS DETERMINED THE MOTOR MOUNTS CAUSED THE FAILURE.

NHTSA complaint #10159023 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:FAN

WATER LEAK IN THE FRONT PASSENGER COWL AND HAS CAUSED MY BLOWER MOTOR TO SHORT AND AM NO LONGER ABLE TO USE IT.

NHTSA complaint #10157887 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM

2003 MERCURY SABLE BLOWER MOTOR INOPERABLE. OCCURRED IN JANUARY AS AN INTERMITTENT ISSUE. MOTOR FAILED COMPLETELY IN MAR 2005. TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN ISSUED EFFECTIVE 7/16/2004 STATES: 2001-2004 TAURUS/SABLE: WATER IN BLOWER CASE-BLOWER MOTOR/RESISTOR FAILURE-VEHICLES BUILT BETWEEN 5/1/2003 TO 12/15/2003. SOME VEHICLES MAY EXHIBIT WATER IN BLOWER CASE, RESULTING IN LEAKAGE TO INTERIOR PASSENGER FLOOR. INSPECT AND SEAL COWL AREA AND INSTALL RAIN-HAT. INSPECT AND REPLACE BLOWER MOTOR. THE BLOWER MOTOR WAS REPLACED AS WAS THE RESISTOR. THE COWL LEAK IS NOT ON RECALL EVEN THOUGH IT CAUSES SIGNIFICANT WATER DAMGE TO ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS AND INTERIOR PASSENGER SPACE. THIS IS A MANUFACTURER DEFECT AND SHOULD NOT BE THE BURDEN OF THE CONSUMER.

NHTSA complaint #10118552 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:FAN

I FEEL THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE DUE TO THE TIME OF YEAR. THE VEHICLE DI NOT HAVE HEAT DUE TO A THE FAILURE OF THE HEATER FAN. THE VEHICLE IS ONLY A YEAR OLD AND THIS IS NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. I FEEL THAT SOMETHING LIKE THIS SHOULD BE LOOKED INTO DUE TO THE AGE OF THE CAR AND THE FACT THAT THIS COMPONENT SHOULD BE COVERED AT NO CHARGE.

NHTSA complaint #10105829 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

WHILE DRIVING IN HIGH SPEEDS CONSUMER HEARD A LOUD CLANKING NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT. CONSUMER APPLIED THE BRAKES, AND THE VEHICLE FAILED TO STOP COMPLETELY. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. *AK THERE WAS A GAS SMELL INSIDE OF THE VEHICLE, A STEERING VIBRATION AND THE OIL PAN GASKET WAS REPLACED.

NHTSA complaint #10087123 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

THE CONSUMER RECEIVED RECALL 04V105000 REGARDING AIR FILTER PAPER. THE DEALER CLAIMED THAT THE RECALL PART WAS REPLACED, BUT THE CONSUMER INSISTED THAT IT WASN'T REPLACED. THE CONSUMER FOUND THAT THE ORIGINAL AIR FILTER WAS STILL IN THE VEHICLE. *AK THE SERVICE DEALER FIXED THE AIR LEAK IN THE DRIVERS SIDE DOOR AND REPLACED THE AIR FILTER. *SC

NHTSA complaint #10067516 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

THE CONSUMER BELIEVED THE FIX FOR THE RECALL WOULD CAUSE A SAFETY PROBLEM IN THE FUTURE. *PH RECALL#04V105000. *SC

NHTSA complaint #10066885 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL

CONSUMER CONTACTED THE DEALER SEVERAL TIMES REGARDING AIR FILTER RECALL 04V105000 REPAIRS. DEALER STATED THE PARTS WERE UNAVAILABLE.

NHTSA complaint #10065095 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM

CONSUMER CONTACTED THE DEALER ON THREE OCCASIONS TO GET RECALL REPAIRS DONE. DEALER STATED THAT PARTS WERE UNAVAILABLE, AND THEY DID NOT KNOW WHEN THEY WILL BE AVAILABLE.

NHTSA complaint #10065102 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

NHTSA RECALL# 04V105000 SUBJECT:AIR FILTER PAPER/FIRE. THE CONSUMER CALLED THE DEALER TO MAKE AN APPOINTMENT FOR THE FREE REMEDY. THE DEALER ASSURED THE CONSUMER THAT THE PARTS WERE AVAILABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER ON 3/23/2004 AND THE DEALER DID NOT HAVE THE PARTS. *JB

NHTSA complaint #10064778 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

NHTSA RECALL 04V105000 CONCERNING AIR FILTER PAPER/FIRE. CONSUMER MADE AN APPOINTMENT ON 3/22/2004 FOR RECALL REPAIRS. DEALER DID NOT HAVE THE PARTS, BUT TOLD CONSUMER WHEN THE APPOINTMENT WAS MADE THAT THE PARTS WERE AVAILABLE. ALSO, DEALER PERFORMED THE RECALL FOR THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH WHICH THE CONSUMER HAD NO INFORMATION ON THIS RECALL. DEALER DID NOT KNOW WHEN THE PARTS WILL BE AVAILABLE TO REPAIR THE AIR FILTER PAPER.

NHTSA complaint #10063595 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

THE OIL PAN GASKET HAS BEEN REPLACED TWICE ON MY VEHICLE AND NOW IT IS LEAKING AGAIN. I SUSPECT THIS IS A MANUFACTURING DEFECT. HOW CAN I SOLVE THIS PROBLEM?

NHTSA complaint #10045158 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.