Owners have filed 81 complaints
about the 2008 Mercury Sable with NHTSA between 2008 and 2025.
The largest single group is the steering.
Across this model's run it ranks 10 of 15 worst.
The letter says how bad. This says what kind — whether this year drew
an unusual number of complaints, unusually dangerous
ones, or failures that arrived unusually early.
The dashed ring is 50 — the national norm. Further out is worse.
Complaint volume — 11
Against the median year of the Mercury Sable. 50 means typical for this
model; 100 means roughly double.
Severity — 96
18.5% of these complaints
involved a crash, fire, injury or death, against a national rate of
9.7%.
Early failure — 53
31% of failures with a mileage on record happened under
36,000 miles, against a national rate of
29%.
Odometer readings owners gave when they filed. About half of all
complaints include one.
Under 1,000 miles
34.4%
1,000 – 9,999 miles
45.9%
10,000 – 24,999 miles
811.8%
25,000 – 49,999 miles
1522.1%
50,000 – 74,999 miles
2232.4%
75,000 – 99,999 miles
68.8%
100,000 – 149,999 miles
57.4%
150,000+ miles
57.4%
When owners complained
A spike years after the car went on sale usually means a part wearing
out on schedule across the whole fleet — the kind of pattern no single
owner can see from inside their own car.
Feb 2008peak 6Nov 2025
NHTSA investigations into the 2008 Mercury Sable
An investigation is the step before a recall: the agency has seen enough
complaints to look into a pattern itself. An open one means it thinks
something may be wrong and nothing has been fixed yet.
PE08060Opened 14 Oct 2008Closed 9 Apr 2009TIRES:VALVE
TIRE VALVE CRACKING
ON OCTOBER 14, 2008, ODI OPENED PE08-060 TO INVESTIGATE ALLEGATIONS OF CRACKED AND LEAKING SNAP-IN TIRE VALVES IN MODEL YEAR (MY) 2007 VEHICLES MANUFACTURED BY FORD MOTOR COMPANY.THE VALVES WERE SUPPLIED TO FORD BY TOPSEAL AUTO-PARTS, A SUBSIDIARY OF THE SHANGHAI BAOLONG AUTOMOTIVE CORPORATION IN CHINA.VALVES MADE BY TOPSEAL FOR AFTERMARKET SALE WERE THE SUBJECT OF TWO RECENT SAFETY RECALLS BY TECH INTERNATIONAL (08T-018) AND DILL AIR CONTROLS (08T-028), THE LATTER OF WHICH WAS INVESTIGATED BY ODI IN PE08-036 AND EA08-022.THE DEFECT CONDITIONS ADDRESSED BY THE AFTERMARKET TIRE VALVE RECALLS BO...
Recalls on the 2008 Mercury Sable
A complaint is one owner's allegation. A recall is the point at which
the manufacturer or a regulator agreed the defect is real and dangerous
enough to fix for free — however old the car is.
United States — NHTSA
16V247000
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2009-2012 Ford Flex, 2008 and 2010-2012 Ford Taurus, 2008-2009 Ford Taurus X, 2008 Mercury Sable, 2009 and 2011 Lincoln MKS vehicles. The driver frontal air bag may improperly inflate during second-stage deployment in the event of a high speed crash. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."
Risk: An improperly inflated air bag increases the risk of injury in the event of a crash.
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
at 64,241 milesStockton, CACrash1 injured
AIR BAGS
The contact owns a 2008 Mercury Sable. While the contact's son was driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle was involved in a crash. The contact's son was the only occupant in the vehicle during the crash. The contact stated that none of the air bags deployed. The contact stated that there were two impacts to the vehicle during the crash. The first impact was on the front passenger's side of the vehicle, in which the front passenger's side door and rear door were crushed. The contact stated that the second impact was when the vehicle drove through a fence and crashed into a house and the cement porch. The vehicle was towed to the residence. The contact stated that the vehicle was deemed total loss by her insurance provider and the insurance provider of the other driver who crashed into the vehicle. The paramedics arrived on the scene and performed a medical evaluation on the contact's son. The contact then arrived on the scene and took her son to the emergency room for further medical attention. The contact's son sustained injuries to the left side that struck the driver’s side window, and the front of the head from possibly striking the steering wheel, a slight concussion, injury to the left arm, neck and back. The contact's son was referred to a doctor who was a specialist with spinal cord injuries. A Police report was filed. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 64,241.
NHTSA complaint #11701277 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 160,000 milesCanton, MICrash
AIR BAGS
The contact owns a 2008 Mercury Sable. The contact stated their daughter was driving at 55 mph, when the driver was approaching an intersection at a red light the driver depressed on the brake pedal and the brake pedal went straight to the floor and the vehicle could not stop causing the vehicle to hit the vehicle in front of them in the rear. The air bags did not deploy. The driver does not remember if there was any warning light illuminated on the vehicle. The crash caused damage to the front bumper and pushed in the front grill and hit the radiator of the vehicle. There were no injuries reported. A police report was filed. The contact was a former mechanic and inspected the vehicle but could not diagnose the failure, but was concern that there was an issue with anti- lock brake system. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximate 160,000.
NHTSA complaint #11428852 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 160,000 milesCanton, MICrash
SERVICE BRAKES
The contact owns a 2008 Mercury Sable. The contact stated their daughter was driving at 55 mph, when the driver was approaching an intersection at a red light the driver depressed on the brake pedal and the brake pedal went straight to the floor and the vehicle could not stop causing the vehicle to hit the vehicle in front of them in the rear. The air bags did not deploy. The driver does not remember if there was any warning light illuminated on the vehicle. The crash caused damage to the front bumper and pushed in the front grill and hit the radiator of the vehicle. There were no injuries reported. A police report was filed. The contact was a former mechanic and inspected the vehicle but could not diagnose the failure, but was concern that there was an issue with anti- lock brake system. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximate 160,000.
NHTSA complaint #11428852 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 54,000 milesBlauvelt, NYCrash
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
UNINTENDED ACCELERATION RESULTING IN AN ACCIDENT CAR REV'D ON IT'S OWN AND BOLTED FORWARD WHILE AT A FULL STOP AT A RED LIGHT AND HIT THE CAR IN FRONT OF IT . CAR WAS DRIVEN IN TWICE AND TOWED IN ONCE TO THE LOCAL FORD DEALERSHIP ,OVER THE COURSE OF THE 2 YEARS PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT ,WITH THE SAME COMPLAINT. THEY HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH THE CAR. CAUSE UNKOWN. PROBLEM IS INTERMITTENT. AFTER DOING SOME ONLINE RESEARCH I'VE DISCOVERED THAT THERE HAVE BEEN SIMILAR COMPLAINTS. TRIED TO ATTACH REPAIR INVOICE AND INSURANCE CLAIM , BUT "SELECT IMAGE OR DOCUMENT LINK " BUTTON BELOW IS NOT WORKING.
NHTSA complaint #10787846 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 35,000 milesCharles Town, MACrash
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MERCURY SABLE. WHILE DRIVING AT A LOW SPEED, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED AND THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED INDEPENDENTLY. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO A LIGHT POLE AND THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED AND NO INJURIES WERE REPORTED. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO MULTIPLE DEALERS WHO WERE UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE OR REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 35,000.
NHTSA complaint #10715162 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 150,000 milesLuray, VACrash
AIR BAGS
ON FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 27TH, 2015 AT APPROXIMATELY 9:30AM, I WAS INVOLVED IN A CAR ACCIDENT ON A MAJOR INTERSTATE. THE INCIDENT INVOLVED TWO VEHICLES, MINE AND ANOTHER 4 DOOR CAR. I ENDED UP HITTING THE PERSON IN FRONT OF ME GOING APPROXIMATELY 74 MPH, NO ONE WAS SERIOUSLY INJURED, HOWEVER NO AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. UPON FURTHER INVESTIGATION, TWO LOCAL MECHANICS WHO ARE EVALUATING THE CAR HAVE STATED THAT THEY CANNOT UNDERSTAND WHY THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY, FOR THE SENSORS WERE ACTIVATED, AND THE AIRBAGS SHOULD HAVE CAME OUT.
NHTSA complaint #10691319 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
at 64,241 milesStockton, CACrash1 injured
AIR BAGS
The contact owns a 2008 Mercury Sable. While the contact's son was driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle was involved in a crash. The contact's son was the only occupant in the vehicle during the crash. The contact stated that none of the air bags deployed. The contact stated that there were two impacts to the vehicle during the crash. The first impact was on the front passenger's side of the vehicle, in which the front passenger's side door and rear door were crushed. The contact stated that the second impact was when the vehicle drove through a fence and crashed into a house and the cement porch. The vehicle was towed to the residence. The contact stated that the vehicle was deemed total loss by her insurance provider and the insurance provider of the other driver who crashed into the vehicle. The paramedics arrived on the scene and performed a medical evaluation on the contact's son. The contact then arrived on the scene and took her son to the emergency room for further medical attention. The contact's son sustained injuries to the left side that struck the driver’s side window, and the front of the head from possibly striking the steering wheel, a slight concussion, injury to the left arm, neck and back. The contact's son was referred to a doctor who was a specialist with spinal cord injuries. A Police report was filed. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 64,241.
NHTSA complaint #11701277 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Faribault, MN
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Car wheels rusted out
NHTSA complaint #11666648 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Faribault, MN
STRUCTURE:BODY
Car wheels rusted out
NHTSA complaint #11666648 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Burton, OH
POWER TRAIN
On April 12 I exited my drive onto the 55 mph highway in front of my house when suddenly the car began to shudder. I jammed the gas to get up to speed to prevent oncoming cars from hitting me which made the problem much worse. It was violently shuddering and wouldn’t accelerate. I took my foot off the gas which stopped the shaking. I gassed it slowly and I could accelerate to speed much slower than I would have liked. It wasn’t smooth. One half mile later it suddenly and violently began again. Taking my foot off the gas it smoothed out and I could accelerate again. I changed plans and went to the service garage to see what the problem was. It seems the problem is a known issue that hasn’t been addressed. I’m glad there were no cars coming from the opposite direction which could have impacted the drivers side while I was floundering out of my drive. I will enclose the garages assessment.
NHTSA complaint #11517410 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Burton, OH
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
On April 12 I exited my drive onto the 55 mph highway in front of my house when suddenly the car began to shudder. I jammed the gas to get up to speed to prevent oncoming cars from hitting me which made the problem much worse. It was violently shuddering and wouldn’t accelerate. I took my foot off the gas which stopped the shaking. I gassed it slowly and I could accelerate to speed much slower than I would have liked. It wasn’t smooth. One half mile later it suddenly and violently began again. Taking my foot off the gas it smoothed out and I could accelerate again. I changed plans and went to the service garage to see what the problem was. It seems the problem is a known issue that hasn’t been addressed. I’m glad there were no cars coming from the opposite direction which could have impacted the drivers side while I was floundering out of my drive. I will enclose the garages assessment.
NHTSA complaint #11517410 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Burton, OH
ENGINE
On April 12 I exited my drive onto the 55 mph highway in front of my house when suddenly the car began to shudder. I jammed the gas to get up to speed to prevent oncoming cars from hitting me which made the problem much worse. It was violently shuddering and wouldn’t accelerate. I took my foot off the gas which stopped the shaking. I gassed it slowly and I could accelerate to speed much slower than I would have liked. It wasn’t smooth. One half mile later it suddenly and violently began again. Taking my foot off the gas it smoothed out and I could accelerate again. I changed plans and went to the service garage to see what the problem was. It seems the problem is a known issue that hasn’t been addressed. I’m glad there were no cars coming from the opposite direction which could have impacted the drivers side while I was floundering out of my drive. I will enclose the garages assessment.
NHTSA complaint #11517410 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Dallas, TX
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Not sure, but it sounds like the springs. The air condition makes a stumping noise when I turn it on.
NHTSA complaint #11462153 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Dallas, TX
SUSPENSION
Not sure, but it sounds like the springs. The air condition makes a stumping noise when I turn it on.
NHTSA complaint #11462153 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 160,000 milesCanton, MICrash
AIR BAGS
The contact owns a 2008 Mercury Sable. The contact stated their daughter was driving at 55 mph, when the driver was approaching an intersection at a red light the driver depressed on the brake pedal and the brake pedal went straight to the floor and the vehicle could not stop causing the vehicle to hit the vehicle in front of them in the rear. The air bags did not deploy. The driver does not remember if there was any warning light illuminated on the vehicle. The crash caused damage to the front bumper and pushed in the front grill and hit the radiator of the vehicle. There were no injuries reported. A police report was filed. The contact was a former mechanic and inspected the vehicle but could not diagnose the failure, but was concern that there was an issue with anti- lock brake system. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximate 160,000.
NHTSA complaint #11428852 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 160,000 milesCanton, MICrash
SERVICE BRAKES
The contact owns a 2008 Mercury Sable. The contact stated their daughter was driving at 55 mph, when the driver was approaching an intersection at a red light the driver depressed on the brake pedal and the brake pedal went straight to the floor and the vehicle could not stop causing the vehicle to hit the vehicle in front of them in the rear. The air bags did not deploy. The driver does not remember if there was any warning light illuminated on the vehicle. The crash caused damage to the front bumper and pushed in the front grill and hit the radiator of the vehicle. There were no injuries reported. A police report was filed. The contact was a former mechanic and inspected the vehicle but could not diagnose the failure, but was concern that there was an issue with anti- lock brake system. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximate 160,000.
NHTSA complaint #11428852 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 104,000 milesAgawam, MA
SEATS
THE PASSENGER HEATED SEATS ARE NOT WORKING AND MAKING SHORT CIRCUIT AFFECTING THE WHILE CAR ELECTRIC SOMETIMES, A LOT OF REVIEWS ONLINE STATING THAT THIS HAPPENS DUE TO OVERLOAD ON THE GROUND WIRE IN THE MODULE PLUG WHICH TOASTS AND MAKE THE SHORT IN THE CIRCUIT , I JUST BOUGH THE CAR , THE PREVIOUS OWNERS DID NOT USE THIS FEATURE.
NHTSA complaint #11389570 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 158,000 milesGreenwood, WI
SUSPENSION
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MERCURY SABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE INSPECTING THE VEHICLE DOING BASIC MAINTENANCE, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE DRIVER'S SIDE REAR SPRING WAS FRACTURED AND THE REAR SUB FRAME BOLTS FAILED CAUSING THE SUBFRAME TO DROP. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE TOYCEN FORD (1000 CHIPPEWA CROSSING BLVD, CHIPPEWA FALLS, WI 54729, (715) 723-6060) WHERE THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED. THE TECHNICIAN DETERMINED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS UNREPAIRABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE HOWEVER, NO FURTHER ASSISTANCE WAS PROVIDED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 158,000.
NHTSA complaint #11388114 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
NEW York, NY
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
GOT MY CAR INSPECTED ON 12/3/20. WAS TOLD MY CAR HAS A RECALL.
NHTSA complaint #11386165 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 43,000 milesAtlanta, GA
STEERING
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MERCURY SABLE. WHILE DRIVING IN REVERSE, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE POWER STEERING PUMP FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS LATER TAKEN TO HENNESSY FORD LINCOLN ATLANTA (LOCATED AT 5675 PEACHTREE INDUSTRIAL BLVD, ATLANTA, GA 30341, (770) 624-0200) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE POWER STEERING SYSTEM NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED DUE TO THE REPAIR FEES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES AND REFERRED THE CONTACT TO NHTSA. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 43,000.
NHTSA complaint #11151501 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 57,590 milesTonawanda, NY
STEERING
STEERING FROZE UP AND COULD NOT TURN TO LEFT / WAS HARD TO STEER AND THEN WHEN TRYING TO TURN LEFT COULD NOT DO IT, HAD TO MAKE RIGHT HAND TURNS. TOOK IT TO THE FORD DEALER I BOUGHT THE CAR FROM (2015) THEY SAID THERE WAS NO RECALLS AND HAD TO REPLACE THE STEERING GEAR/ COST ,ME $600.00 THERE WERE NO COMPLAINTS ON THE CAR FAX OF TROUBLE. .BOUGHT THE CAR IN NOV 2015 AND HAD TO HAVE STEERING FIXED IN JUNE OF 2016. TODAY I WENT TO SEE IF THERE WAS ANY RECALLS LATELY AND FOUND 51 COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS CAR AND A LOT OF THEM WERE FOR STEERING AND POWER TRAIN. DON'T YOU THINK THIS SHOULD BE A RECALL. GOING TO LOOK FOR A NEW CAR AND NOT A FORD
NHTSA complaint #11073472 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 85,000 milesBowie, MD
POWER TRAIN
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MERCURY SABLE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE ENGINE, THROTTLE, WRENCH, AND AIR BAG INDICATORS REMAINED ILLUMINATED SIMULTANEOUSLY. THE VEHICLE WAS PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND THE ENGINE WAS TURNED OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED AND THE GEAR SHIFTER WAS PLACED IN REVERSE, AND THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD KNOCKING NOISE FROM THE TRANSMISSION. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO THE DEALER, BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 85,000.
NHTSA complaint #10898075 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 85,000 milesBowie, MD
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MERCURY SABLE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE ENGINE, THROTTLE, WRENCH, AND AIR BAG INDICATORS REMAINED ILLUMINATED SIMULTANEOUSLY. THE VEHICLE WAS PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND THE ENGINE WAS TURNED OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED AND THE GEAR SHIFTER WAS PLACED IN REVERSE, AND THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD KNOCKING NOISE FROM THE TRANSMISSION. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO THE DEALER, BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 85,000.
NHTSA complaint #10898075 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 85,000 milesBowie, MD
ENGINE
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MERCURY SABLE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE ENGINE, THROTTLE, WRENCH, AND AIR BAG INDICATORS REMAINED ILLUMINATED SIMULTANEOUSLY. THE VEHICLE WAS PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND THE ENGINE WAS TURNED OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED AND THE GEAR SHIFTER WAS PLACED IN REVERSE, AND THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD KNOCKING NOISE FROM THE TRANSMISSION. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO THE DEALER, BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 85,000.
NHTSA complaint #10898075 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 75 milesPleasant Valley, NY
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
WHILE ON CRUISE CONTROL ON A 6 LANE DIVIDED HIGHWAY THE CAR SUDDENLY ACCELERATED FROM 72 TO 85+ MPH. BRAKES DID NOT DISENGAGE CRUISE CONTROL AND COULD NOT SLOW DOWN CAR. I HAD TO SHUT THE ENGINE OFF TO REGAIN CONTROL AND WITH FLASHERS ON I MANAGED TO GET TO THE SHOULDER OF THE ROAD AND STOP THE CAR. TRIED TO RESTART THE CAR TO ESTABLISH IF CONDITION CLEARED UP, BUT COULD NOT. HAD CAR TOWED TO FORD DEALER WHO WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE CONDITION THE FOLLOWING MORNING. THEY CHANGED THE MASS AIR SENSOR BUT SAID IT WAS UNRELATED TO THE ACCELERATION PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #10850959 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 55,000 milesPuyallup, WA
POWER TRAIN
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MERCURY SABLE. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE WOULD SUDDENLY HESITATE TO ACCELERATE. THE CONTACT INDICATED THAT THE FAILURE OCCURRED ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 55,000.
NHTSA complaint #10809460 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 55,000 milesPuyallup, WA
ENGINE
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MERCURY SABLE. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE WOULD SUDDENLY HESITATE TO ACCELERATE. THE CONTACT INDICATED THAT THE FAILURE OCCURRED ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 55,000.
NHTSA complaint #10809460 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 61,159 milesBaton Rouge, LA
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
THE VEHICLE STARTED AND IMMEDIATELY SOMETHING WAS WRONG. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND IT WAS CONFUSING BECAUSE THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN RUNNING FLAWLESSLY WITH A PROBLEM-FREE START JUST HOURS BEFORE. BACKING IT OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY, ODD NOISES AND A PROBLEM JUST PUSHING THE GAS WAS EVIDENT THAT SOMETHING MAJOR WAS WRONG WITH THE CAR. SCARED TO DRIVE IT, I FOLLOWED MY HUSBAND TO THE REPAIR SHOP WE USE, JUST A FEW MILES AWAY. IT SEEMED LIKE A FEAT JUST TO GET THE WELL-KEPT CAR THERE. WE INHERITED THE 2008 SABLE WITH VERY LOW MILEAGE FROM MY HUSBAND'S GRANDPARENTS. REGULAR, RECOMMENDED MAINTENANCE WAS ROUTINELY DONE TO KEEP THE CAR IN TIP-TOP SHAPE. THIS PROBLEM CAME OUT OF NOWHERE. THE REPAIR SHOP CALLED US LATER ON IN THE AFTERNOON WITH A $2,500 ESTIMATE FOR THE NECESSARY REPAIRS. "REPAIRS FOR WHAT?!?" I YELLED, TO NO ONE IN PARTICULAR AND TO EVERYONE AROUND ME AT THE SAME TIME. THE FAMILY-OWNED SHOP HAS BEEN SO GOOD TO US AND WANTED TO EXPLAIN EVERYTHING. HE STARTED WITH A MENTION OF A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN (TSB 14-0059) FROM FORD - OUTLINING OUR PROBLEM EXACTLY, AND THE NEEDED REPAIRS. I ASKED IF THE CAR'S WARRANTY WOULD COVER THE DAMAGES AND THE ANSWER WAS, "NO." NO, BECAUSE THE TSB WAS ISSUED EXACTLY 14 DAYS AFTER THE WARRANTY WOULD HAVE LAPSED ON THE NEWEST MODEL CAR IT COVERED. WE WERE COVERED FOR 60,000 MILES AND BARELY MISSED THAT CUT-OFF (BY 1,159 MILES). NO DICE. WE'D HAVE TO PAY FOR FORD'S MISTAKE. THE PROBLEM: THE CAR'S ECM (ENGINE CONTROL MODULE) MALFUNCTIONED AND SENT TOO MUCH POWER TO EACH OF THE IGNITION COILS (6 TOTAL), BLOWING THEM OUT. IF THIS WAS AN ISOLATED INCIDENT, I'D PROBABLY CURSE, PAY THE BILL AND MOVE ON. BUT IT IS NOT. IT'S IS A WELL KNOWN ISSUE THAT RESULTS IN A VERY COSTLY REPAIR FOR THE OWNER. WE HAD TO REPLACE THE ECM, PROGRAM IT AND EACH OF THE IGNITION COILS AND SPARK PLUGS. ATTACHING THE TSB AND THE BILL. RECALL.
NHTSA complaint #10806671 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 202,200 milesWelch, WV
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
WE RECENTLY PURCHASED A 2008 MERCURY SABLE . WE LOVE THIS CAR AND ALL OF THE OPTIONS IT HAS TO OFFER,BUT THE VAPOR LOCK LIGHT COMES ON AND STAYS ON AND SPITS AND SPUTTERS WHEN IT DOES THIS. WHEN WE COMPLETELY FILL THE CAR WITH GAS IT STAYS ON FULL FOR DAYS THEN IT DROPS TO THE HALFWAY MARK AND THATS WHEN THE VAPOR LOCK LIGHT COMES ON AND STAYS ON TILL WE FILL IT UP 2 OR 3 TIMES.. SAME PROBLEM AS THE FORD RECALL ON 2008 MECURY SABLE FOR HAS JUST RECALLED. I WOULD LIKE THE OPTION TO HAVE MY CAR LOOKED AT BECAUSE I THINK IT IS THE SAME PROBLEM WITH THE OTHER FORD MAKES OF CARS! ONCE THE LIGHT COMES ON ITS LIKES IT HAS FLOODED ITSELF OR SOMETHING. BUT IT IS VERNOTICEABLE WHEN DRIVING.
NHTSA complaint #10806368 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 54,000 milesBlauvelt, NYCrash
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
UNINTENDED ACCELERATION RESULTING IN AN ACCIDENT CAR REV'D ON IT'S OWN AND BOLTED FORWARD WHILE AT A FULL STOP AT A RED LIGHT AND HIT THE CAR IN FRONT OF IT . CAR WAS DRIVEN IN TWICE AND TOWED IN ONCE TO THE LOCAL FORD DEALERSHIP ,OVER THE COURSE OF THE 2 YEARS PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT ,WITH THE SAME COMPLAINT. THEY HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH THE CAR. CAUSE UNKOWN. PROBLEM IS INTERMITTENT. AFTER DOING SOME ONLINE RESEARCH I'VE DISCOVERED THAT THERE HAVE BEEN SIMILAR COMPLAINTS. TRIED TO ATTACH REPAIR INVOICE AND INSURANCE CLAIM , BUT "SELECT IMAGE OR DOCUMENT LINK " BUTTON BELOW IS NOT WORKING.
NHTSA complaint #10787846 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 35,000 milesCharles Town, MACrash
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MERCURY SABLE. WHILE DRIVING AT A LOW SPEED, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED AND THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED INDEPENDENTLY. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO A LIGHT POLE AND THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED AND NO INJURIES WERE REPORTED. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO MULTIPLE DEALERS WHO WERE UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE OR REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 35,000.
NHTSA complaint #10715162 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.