1,423 of the
7,190 complaints filed about the Mercury Sable
are about the engine —
20% of everything owners reported.
The worst model year for it is 1993.
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.
The contact owns a 2002 Mercury Sable. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle, the check engine warning light and transmission symbol remained illuminated. Additionally, while driving at various speeds, the vehicle would not properly accelerate. The contact stated that the vehicle shuddered and stalled occasionally. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The local dealer and manufacturer were notified of the failure but no assistance was offered. The failure mileage was unknown.
NHTSA complaint #11487204 — 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.
I AM HAVING PROBLEMS WITH IT STALLING CONSTANTLY WHEN I HAVE SAT AT A LIGHT I DONT JAVW THE MONEY TO FIX THIS DUE TO ON A FIXED INCOME WAS TOLD IT HAS A PROBLEM WITH THE THROTTLE CONTROL ISSUE AND THEY SAID THERE WAS A RECALL ON IT DUE THIS
NHTSA complaint #11267023 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 MERCURY SABLE. WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH ON THE HIGHWAY, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL SUDDENLY DROPPED DOWN AND THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED TO 120 MPH. THE CONTACT SHIFTED INTO NEUTRAL, BUT THE RPMS CONTINUED REVVING AT MAXIMUM CAPACITY. WHEN THE VEHICLE STARTED TO SLOW DOWN, THE CONTACT TURNED OFF THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE EVENTUALLY CAME TO A ROLLING STOP ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE CONTACT WAITED TEN MINUTES AND ATTEMPTED TO RESTART THE VEHICLE, BUT THE ENGINE REVVED UP AGAIN; THEREFORE, THE CONTACT QUICKLY TURNED THE VEHICLE BACK OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S HOME. FUTURE FORD OF SACRAMENTO (4625 MADISON AVE, SACRAMENTO, CA 95841, (916) 473-1047) STATED THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS ON THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 180,000.
NHTSA complaint #11180282 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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.
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.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MERCURY SABLE. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED, BUT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO STOP AS THE RPMS INCREASED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE WOULD OCCUR OCCASIONALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER, BUT THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE FAILURE OCCURRED PRIOR TO PURCHASING THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT REQUESTED THAT THE DEALER REPAIR THE VEHICLE BEFORE THE SALE WAS FINALIZED, BUT THE ISSUE PERSISTED. THE CONTACT WAS UNAWARE OF THE REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 80,000.
NHTSA complaint #10983133 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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.
MILES 70,290 (ACC) I WAS DRIVING OB THE HIGHWAY , TO AVOID A CRASH I HAD TO STOP QUICKLY. ALL INDICATOR LAMPS CAME ON BUT THE CAR DID NOT SHUT OFF. SMALL CLOUDS OF SMOKE FROM EXHAUST (WHITE-GREY). IT WAS PARKED FOR 2 DAYS , START UP WAS FINE DRIVING WAS FINE ALSO. ONCE AGAIN A( LEAD FOOT) DRIVER CUT ME AND ANOTHER CAR OFF. SAME THING AVOIDING A CRASH SLAMMING ON MY BREAK. AGAIN ALL INDICATOR LIGHTS ON BUT THE CUT SHUTS OFF COMPLETELY. TURN IT BACK ON ITS WAS HESITATION SMOKE AND SHAKING. AND MORE. A TSB WAS ISSUED FOR A PART/PIECE THAT WILL CAUSE PREMATURE ENGINE FAILURE.
NHTSA complaint #10938399 — 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 1994 MERCURY SABLE. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS OR IDLING, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO RESTART AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS. THE FAILURE OCCURRED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, BUT THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 96,000.
NHTSA complaint #10896925 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
PURCHASE VEHICLE USED IN JUNE OF 2015, ONE REPAIR AFTER ANOTHER. OWNED 1YR AND HERE ARE REPAIRS THAT WE HAVE HAD TO DO: DRAIN PLUG REPLACED, TRANS FILTER, ADDITIVE & FLUID, RE-BUILT TRANSMISSION, FLUID, REPLACE REAR BRAKE SHOES, REPLACE VALVE COVER GASKET, OIL PAN GASKET, EGR SENSOR. COST INCURRED $3,275.20 WAY MORE THAN ANY CAR SHOULD HAVE IN ONE YEAR! ANYBODY GOING TO REIMBURSE THESE EXPENSES?
NHTSA complaint #10883298 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
THROTTLE GOT STUCK FORCING CAR TO ACCELERATE EVEN WHEN NOT TOUCHING THE GAS PEDAL. THANKFULLY THE BRAKES WORKED AND I WAS ABLE TO STOP THE CAR AND PUT IT INTO PARK, AT WHICH POINT THE ENGINE REVVED TO 4000 RPM. ONCE THE CAR WAS TURNED OFF, IT LET OFF SOME WHITE SMOKE WITH A BURNING OIL SMELL. ACCORDING TO MY MECHANIC, THE SPEED CONTROL CABLE COLLAR FRACTURED. I WAS ON THE HIGHWAY WHEN THIS HAPPENED, DOING 65 MILES PER HOUR.
NHTSA complaint #10882952 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MERCURY SABLE. WHEN THE IGNITION WAS TURNED TO THE ON POSITION, THE VEHICLE REVVED TO 4,000 RPMS WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE ACCELERATOR CABLE ATTACHED TO A CLIP WAS STUCK IN THE UPRIGHT POSITION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 102,000.
NHTSA complaint #10873155 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
WHILE CRUISING ON INTERSTATE HIGHWAYS, ON THREE OCCASIONS, THE ENGINE HAS QUIT RUNNING. THE FIRST INCIDENT OCCURRED OCTOBER 12, 2012 WITH ABOUT 18,000 MILES ON ODOMETER.THE SECOND INCIDENT OCCURRED DURING MAY, 2014 WITH ABOUT 34,000 MILES ON ODOMETER. THE THIRD INCIDENT OCCURRED ON APRIL 20, 2016 WITH 40,665 MILES ON ODOMETER. IT IS INTERESTING TO NOTE THAT WHILE THIS VEHICLE IS USED PRIMARILY FOR OUT-OF-STATE TRAVEL, ALL 3 INCIDENTS HAVE OCCURRED WHILE RETURNING HOME FROM OUT OF STATE TRIPS AND WITHIN ABOUT A 70 MILE RADIUS IN CENTRAL ILLINOIS. THE ENGINE WILL READILY RESTART AFTER A SHUTDOWN. THE ENGINE RAN SMOOTHLY BOTH BEFORE AND FOLLOWING EACH SHUTDOWN, AS WELL AS ALL OTHER TIMES DURING THE LIFE OF THIS VEHICLE. THE FORD DEALER CHECKED THE ENGINE THIS WEEK AND FOUND NO CAUSE FOR ENGINE SHUTDOWN NOR VEHICLE RECALLS. I AM INCLINED TO BELIEVE THAT THIS ENGINE SHUTDOWN ISSUE IS NOT ISOLATED TO THIS ONE VEHICLE. I FEAR THAT SUCH ENGINE SHUTDOWNS WILL LEAD TO A CATASTROPHIC CRASH PARTICULARLY WHEN THE VEHICLE IS OPERATED ON CROWDED INTERSTATE HIGHWAYS IN LARGE METROPOLITAN AREAS IN RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC. WE TRAVEL ON THESE HIGHWAYS AROUND INDIANAPOLIS, CINCINNATI AND ST. LOUIS. (WE HAVE ALREADY EXPERIENCED AN ENGINE SHUTDOWN ON ANOTHER OF OUR VEHICLES WHILE TRAVELING ON A VERY CROWDED INTERSTATE DURING RUSH HOUR.)
NHTSA complaint #10864154 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 MERCURY SABLE. WHILE DRIVING AT HIGH SPEEDS, THE RPMS INCREASED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE SURGED FORWARD AND EXHIBITED RAPID ACCELERATION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 135,000.
NHTSA complaint #10820421 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 MERCURY SABLE. WHEN THE CONTACT TURNED THE STEERING WHEEL WHILE DRIVING 15 MPH, THE VEHICLE FELT AS IF IT WOULD STALL AND AN ABNORMAL NOISE WAS HEARD. THE TRACTION CONTROL WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER, BUT COULD NOT BE DIAGNOSED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 65,000.
NHTSA complaint #10776418 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.