472 of the
7,190 complaints filed about the Mercury Sable
are about the electrical system —
7% of everything owners reported.
The worst model year for it is 1989.
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.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 MERCURY SABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE, THE HEATER FAILED TO BLOW HOT AIR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE WINDSHIELD DEFROSTER WAS INOPERABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO LB SMITH FORD LOCATED AT 1100 MARKET ST, LEMOYNE, PA 17043, (717)761-6700, TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE HEATER COIL WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 130,000.
NHTSA complaint #11322616 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
WHILE PARKED, TRIED TO PUT CAR IN REVERSE TO BACK OUT OF DRIVEWAY BUT CAR WILL NOT SHIFT OUT OF PARK. ONLY WAY TO GET CAR TO SHIFT OUT OF PARK IS TO APPLY EMERGENCY BRAKES THEN SHIFT CAR INTO NEUTRAL WHILE KEY TURNED TO OFF POSITION. BREAK LIGHTS WILL NOT ILLUMINATE WHEN BRAKE PEDAL APPLIED. I CHECKED ALL THE FUSES AND REPLACED THE BREAK LAMP BULBS TO TROUBLESHOOT ISSUE ACCORDING TO OWNERS MANUAL HOWEVER PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. WHEN RESEARCHING ONLINE I READ ABOUT THE SAME EXACT ISSUES OCCURRING IN SAME MODEL AND MAKE THAT WERE RECALLED. I WENT TO MY NEAREST FORD DEALERSHIP TO INFORM THEM ABOUT THIS ISSUE AND GET SOME ASSISTANCE IN FIXING THE PROBLEM. HOWEVER THEY WOULD NOT HELP IN THE MATTER, AND STATED THAT MY PARTICULAR VIN # AND YEAR MODEL 2004 HAD NO RECALLS. THE RECALL WAS ISSUED FOR FAULTY BREAK LIGHT SWITCHES IN 2003 AND PREVIOUS YEAR MODELS OF MERCURY SABLES. I'VE READ ABOUT NUMEROUS ISSUES OCCURRING WITH OTHER 2004 MERCURY SABLE OWNERS THAT ALSO CANNOT GET HELP WITH THIS MATTER. THIS IS OBVIOUSLY A SAFETY ISSUE AND IT IS MY HOPE THAT THE NHTSA INVESTIGATES TO FIND OUT WHY 2004 MODELS ARE ALSO EXHIBITING SAME RECALL SAFETY ISSUES. THE PROBLEM OBVIOUSLY LIES WITH THE PART (SAME BREAK LIGHT SWITCH) FORD INSTALLED ON THESE VEHICLES AND NOT NECESSARILY THE YEAR THE VEHICLE WAS MADE. IT HAS ALWAYS BEEN MY UNDERSTANDING THAT THE PRIMARY MISSION AND ROLE OF THE NHTSA IS TO HELP KEEP THE PUBLIC SAFE AND INFORMED ABOUT POTENTIAL SAFETY ISSUES. THEREFORE, I HOPE THEY NOT ONLY INVESTIGATE WHY FORD USED THE SAME FAULTY PART ON OTHER YEAR MODEL VEHICLES BUT ALSO ISSUE THE NECESSARY RECALL FOR SAID VEHICLES WITH THOSE PARTS. IF, WHILE TRAVELING WITH MY FAMILY, A CAR SLAMS INTO US BECAUSE NO BREAK LIGHTS WILL ENGAGE, WHOSE FAULT IS THAT? I'VE BROUGHT THIS SAFERY ISSUE CONCERN TO THE ATTENTION OF FORD AND NOW THE NHTSA. FAILURE TO ADDRESS THIS ISSUE PUTS THE PUBLIC IN DANGER!
NHTSA complaint #11119888 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
AUTOMATIC HEADLIGHTS RELAY SODDARD INTO BACKSIDE OF FUSE PANEL (GEM) WAS BAD LOCATION FOR A PERSON WITH NO EXPERIENCE TO FIX OR LOCATE MOST PEOPLE NEVER GOT IT FIXED BECAUSE OF NO EXPERIENCE AND AMOUNT OF MONEY TO HAVE AN ELECTRICAL MECHANIC TO FIX. I UNDERSTAND THERE WAS A FEW PEOPLE DID GET IT FIXED THROUGH A RECALL BUT I DIDN'T AND I NEVER GOT A RECALL FOR THIS IN THE MAIL. I WOULD LIKE FORD MOTOR COMPANY FIX THIS BECAUSE I WAS NEVER NOTIFIED OF THIS PROBLEM. MY CAR HAS HAD THIS PROBLEM FOR ABOUT 12 YEARS.
NHTSA complaint #11100705 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 MERCURY SABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, IT CAUGHT ON FIRE IN THE DASHBOARD AREA WITHOUT WARNING. THE FIRE WAS EXTINGUISHED BY NEIGHBORS. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY, THERE WAS NO POLICE REPORT FILED, AND THERE WERE NO INJURIES DUE TO THE FIRE. THE LOCAL DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 100,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
NHTSA complaint #11046636 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 MERCURY SABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SECURITY LIGHT RANDOMLY FLASHED AND THE ALARM RANDOMLY SOUNDED WITHIN LESS THAN THAN TWO DAYS OF OWNING THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
NHTSA complaint #10850737 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
MY CAR HAS BEEN A TERRIBLE LIABILITY SINCE DAY ONE,I AM AHNDICAPPED AND ON A PERMANENT BUDGET,,I NEED TO GET THIS LOOKED AT AND MY CAR TAKEN CARE OF SOON,IM SCARED I MAY SOON END UP ON FOOT IF THESE HORRID ISSUES RNT RECTIFIED,,I BOUGHT MY CAR FROM FIRST CLASS CARS IN SALT LAKE CITY UTAH,,IVE ASKED 4 TIMES TO GET IT TRADED IN,,MUCH TO MY SHOCK THEY WOULDNT EVEN TALK TO ME,,PLEASE HELP ME!MY CAR REVES AT TIMES THEN WHILE SITTING STIL IT WIL TRY TO DRIVE WITHOUT ME PUSHING THE EXCELIRATOR,,IM SCARED IT GONNA LEAP OUT AMY HANDS SOON,,IM TERIRFIED OF IT!!
NHTSA complaint #10837883 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
FOR OVER TEN (10) YEARS THE HEADLIGHTS (BUT NOT THE SIDE DRIVING LIGHTS) HAVE BEEN GOING OFF (FOR ABOUT 3 MINUTES) AND THEN COMING BACK ON. THIS DOES NOT OCCUR EVERY TIME THE LIGHTS COME ON AND SEEMS TO BE MORE FREQUENT IN THE SUMMER TIME WHEN IT IS WARM OR HOT OUTSIDE. THE DATE BELOW IS JUST APPROXIMATELY WHEN THIS PROBLEM STARTED AND IS NOT THE ONLY DATE/'TIME IT HAS OCCURRED, IT HAS OCCURRED SPORADICALLY BUT CONTINUOUSLY SINCE THAT DATE.
NHTSA complaint #10811845 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT KEEPS COMING ON. EACH TIME I HAVE THE PART REPAIRED OR REPLACE ONLY TO HAVE IT COME AGAIN WITH A NEW CODE. I HAVE REPLACED NUMEROUS PARTS AND HAVE SPENT OVER $2000 SO FAR. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT STILL KEEPS COMING ON. THE CAR RUNS GOOD. SOMETIMES THE TRANSMISSION ACTS UP BUT EVERYTHING SEEMS TO BE WORKING FINE. I JUST CANT STOP THE CHECK ENGINE LITE TO STAY OFF.
NHTSA complaint #10795341 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MERCURY SABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKE LIGHTS REMAINED ILLUMINATED AND CAUSED THE BATTERY TO DRAIN. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE BRAKE LIGHTS DIMMED WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 168,000.
NHTSA complaint #10767317 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
CAR WILL NOT COME OUT OF PARK, NOR WILL BRAKE LIGHTS OPERATE WHEN PEDAL DEPRESSED. EXACT SYMPTOMS AS DESCRIBED IN PREVIOUS MODEL YEAR RECALLS. ONLY WAYTO GET CAR OUT OF PARK IS TO PLACE IN NEUTRAL AFTER TURNING KEY IN IGNITION TO FIRST AVAIALBLE POSITION, THEN APPLYING BRAKE PEDAL TO RELEASE SHIFT LOCK. THIS IS A RECURRING PROBLEM W/ A FAILED BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH ASSEMBLY. IT'S TOO DANGEROUS OF A PROBLEM TO NOT HAVE A RECALL. MANY OTHER MODEL VEHICLES HAVE BEEN RECALLED FOR THE SAME EXACT PROBLEM. WHY NOT THIS MODEL?
NHTSA complaint #10717640 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MERCURY SABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE ATTEMPTING TO STOP, THE ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE COMPUTER SYSTEM FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BUT, THE FAILURE RECURRED. IN ADDITION, THE VEHICLE WAS DIAGNOSED WITH CORRODED WIRING AND IT WAS REPAIRED. HOWEVER, THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
NHTSA complaint #10672477 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ALARM SYSTEM GOES OFF AT WILL, SOUNDING HORN, FLASHING LIGHTS, CAUSING OTHER FLOWING TRAFFIC TO BE DISTRACTED. CONCERNED THAT THE ALARM SYSTEM MAY ACTIVATE WHILE IN MOTION. CONCERNED THAT IT MAY STOP THE VEHICLE IN TRAFFIC.
NHTSA complaint #10668599 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
CAR WILL NOT COME OUT OF PARK, NOR WILL BRAKE LIGHTS OPERATE WHEN PEDAL DEPRESSED. EXACT SYMPTOMS AS DESCRIBED IN PREVIOUS MODEL YEAR RECALLS. ONLY WAYTO GET CAR OUT OF PARK IS TO PLACE IN NEUTRAL AFTER TURNING KEY IN IGNITION TO FIRST AVAILABLE POSITION, THEN APPLYING BRAKE PEDAL TO RELEASE SHIFT LOCK.
NHTSA complaint #10663755 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
WE WERE STOPPED BEHIND TRAFFIC, AND AS WE SLOWLY STARTED TO PROCEED, THE CAR SURGED AT A HIGH RATE OF SPEED, AND AS THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED, THEY EITHER WERE NOT WORKING OR ELSE IT WAS THE ABS COMING ON. THIS WAS A DRY, SUNNY DAY-NO MOISTURE ON THE ROAD-OF COURSE THAT WOULD NOT HAVE HAD A BEARING ON WHY THE CAR SURGED/ACCELERATED. THEN THE CAR SHUT ITSELF OFF COMPLETELY. WE THEN GOT IT STARTED AGAIN, AND NOTHING HAPPENED GETTING IT BACK THE APROXX. 4 MILES BACK TO HOME-ALL WAS NORMAL AFTER THE INCIDENT ALL THE WAY TO HOME, THOUGH IT HAS NOT BEEN DRIVEN SINCE. IT HAS BEEN REPORTED TO FORD HQ'S AND TO THE DEALERSHIP WE PURCHASED FROM.
NHTSA complaint #10637091 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
DRIVING DOWN INTERSTATE 90 IN SOUTH DAKOTA WHEN THE ELECTRICAL JUST SHUT OFF AT NIGHT. WE HAD NO POWER, LIGHTS OR STEERING CONTROL GOING 75 MPH. THIS HAS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES A YEAR SINCE WE GOT THE VEHICLE IN 2009. AT THAT SPEED AND WITH NO ONE ABLE TO SEE US DUE TO NO LIGHTING WE BECOME A HAZARD TO OURSELVES AND OTHERS. I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW IF THIS IS AN ENDEMIC PROBLEM WITH THIS MODEL AND WHY NO ONE CAN SEEM TO FIND THE ISSUE. WE HAVE TAKEN IT TO 3 REPAIR PLACES INCLUDING A FORD DEALERSHIP AND NO ONE CAN FIND ANYTHING WRONG. WE WOULD LIKE FORD TO MAKE IT RIGHT.
NHTSA complaint #10617891 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
THE DRIVERS SIDE HEATED SEAT DIED SHORTLY AFTER I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE. THIS WAS ONE OF THE SELLING POINTS FOR ME, I HAD IT REPLACED AND THE REPLACEMENT DIDN'T MAKE IT THROUGH THE WINTER OF THAT YEAR. I DIDN'T REALIZE THIS WAS A PROBLEM COMMON WITH THE SABLE. I CANNOT AFFORD TO HAVE IT REPLACED AGAIN. IS THIS A FIRE HAZARD. I AM ALSO HAVING A TERRIBLE PEELING AND CHIPPING PROBLEM WITH THE PAINT.
NHTSA complaint #10615246 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
THIS WAS THE THIRD INCIDENT IN WHICH THE CAR STOPPED ON ME. ONCE BEFORE I WAS LEAVING MY APARTMENT AND ANOTHER TIME WHEN I WAS DRIVING ON MY WAY TO CHURCH. DURING ALL THREE INCIDENTS, I HAD TO COAST TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND TRY TO RESTART THE CAR. THE THIRD TIME I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY, THE DASH BOARD ALL OF A SUDDEN LITE UP AND ONE OF THE MESSAGES WAS "LOW PRESSURE". THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP AND SO DID THE GAS PEDAL. I HAD JUST ENOUGH TIMES TO COAST TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD (GOOD THING THERE SIDE STRIP. I HAD MY 5 YEAR GRANDSON IN THE CAR SO THAT WAS REALLY SCARY. THE CAR HAS BEEN PARKED EVER SINCE,I HAD IT TOWED TO A REPAIR SHOP, THE DIAGNOSTIC SUGGESTS REPLACEMENT OF THE IGNITION SWITCH, IGNITION CYLINDER, ANTI-THEFT AND IGNITION.
NHTSA complaint #10605961 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
THIS WAS THE THIRD INCIDENT IN WHICH THE CAR STOPPED ON ME. (ONE OTHER TIME WHEN I WAS LEAVING MY APARTMENT AND ONE WEDNESDAY EVENING ON MY WAY TO BIBLE STUDY; BOTH TIMES HAD TO COAST TO THE ROAD SIDE AND TRY AND GET IT TO START AGAIN). THE THIRD TIME I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY AT THE SPEED LIMIT OF 40 MPH. THE CAR'S DASH BOARD LITE UP; GAVE ME ONE MESSAGE THAT SAID "LOW PRESSURE. THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED AND THE GAS PEDAL LOCKED; I WAS ABLE TO COAST TO THE SIDE BEFORE IT COMPLETED LOCKED UP AND STOPPED ONE ME. HAD MY YEAR OLD GRANDSON IN THE CAR WITH ME. I LET THE CAR SIT FOR A WHILE AND WAS ABLE TO GET IT STARTED AGAIN. DROVE IT BACK TO MY APARTMENT AND PARKED IT. HAVE NOT DRIVEN IT SINCE THEN - HAD IT TOWED TO A REPAIR SHOP WHERE IT IS RIGHT NOW - THEY WANT TOO MUCH TO HAVE IT REPAIRED; THEY SAY THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THE CYLINDER INSIDE THE IGNITION AND THAT I ALSO NEED A NEW KEY - WANT $1200 TO REPAIR IT. I HAVE BEEN HAVING PROBLEMS TRYING TO GET IT TO STARTED FOR ABOUT THE PAST 6 MONTHS - HAVE TAKEN IT TO SEVERAL REPAIR SHOPS; PAID THEM BUT NO ONE HAS SOLVED THE ISSUE. FORD STATES THAT MY CAR IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL (OR THOUGH ONE LADY THERE SAID IT WAS). I BELIEVE THAT IF IT ISN'T, IT SHOULD ME. IS THERE ANYTHING ELSE I CAN DO TO GET THIS ISSUE SOLVED? HAS COST ME LOTS OF MONEY, TIME AND FRUSTRATION AND I AM STILL WALKING.
NHTSA complaint #10598879 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.