FaultScore

Mercury Sable seat problems

62 of the 7,190 complaints filed about the Mercury Sable are about the seats — 1% of everything owners reported. The worst model year for it is 1987.

62

Complaints

1%

Share of all complaints

4

Crashes

2

Fires

Seats complaints by model year

1986 Sable 4 6.5%
1987 Sable 7 11.3%

Median failure at 131,000 miles

1988 Sable 6 9.7%
1989 Sable 4 6.5%
1992 Sable 5 8.1%
1993 Sable 2 3.2%
1994 Sable 5 8.1%
1995 Sable 7 11.3%
1996 Sable 1 1.6%
1997 Sable 1 1.6%
1998 Sable 1 1.6%
1999 Sable 1 1.6%
2000 Sable 4 6.5%
2001 Sable 4 6.5%

Median failure at 121,000 miles

2004 Sable 4 6.5%

Median failure at 39,000 miles

2008 Sable 4 6.5%

Median failure at 79,550 miles

2009 Sable 2 3.2%

Median failure at 75,850 miles

What owners said

2009 Mercury Sable at 116,700 miles Laurel, MD

SEATS

I BOUGHT THIS CAR ABOUT FOUR MONTHS AGO. I USE THE HEATED DRIVER SEAT REGULARLY. SOMETIME BACK I STARTED TO NOTICE THAT IT SEEMED TO GET HOTTER ON THE LEFT SIDE OF THE SEAT AND ON THE RIGHT, AND THE LAST FEW WEEKS IT INTENSIFIED, WITH THE LEFT SIDE GETTING TOO HOT VERY QUICKLY SO I WOULD SIMPLY TURN THE SEAT OFF. THEN SEVERAL DAYS AGO I WAS DRIVING WITH THE SEAT ON AND WITHIN LESS THAN TWO MINUTES THE LEFT SIDE OF THE SEAT FELT SO HOT THAT I IMMEDIATELY TURNED IT OFF BECAUSE I FELT LIKE IT WAS BURNING ME. IT STILL WAS SO HOT THAT I HAD TO PULL THE CAR OVER AND GET OUT JUST TO GET OFF THE SEAT. THAT IS WHEN I SAW THAT THE HEATING ELEMENT ON THE LEFT SIDE HAD BURNED RIGHT THROUGH THE LEATHER. THIS IS A DEFINITE SAFETY HAZARD, BOTH FOR BODILY INJURY AND FOR A CAR FIRE. THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL.

NHTSA complaint #11396659 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2008 Mercury Sable at 104,000 miles Agawam, 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.

2004 Mercury Sable Monrovia, CA

SEATS

I CONTACTED KEN GRODY FORD IN BUENA PARK,CA 2-3 MONTHS AGO TO ASK IF THERE WERE ANY RECALLS ON MY CAR? THE MANAGER I SPOKE WITH TOLD ME "NO!" HE ALSO MAILED ME A COPY OF HIS "OASIS" SEARCH WHICH SHOWED NO RECALLS! HELP! [XXX] PLEASE MAIL ME RECALL ALERTS ON MY CAR! INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

NHTSA complaint #10874695 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2001 Mercury Sable at 121,000 miles Grayson, GA

SEATS

I WAS ON MY WAY HOME FROM WORK AROUND 9AM THE DRIVER SEAT SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED FOR ABSOLUTELY NO REASON.

NHTSA complaint #10732625 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2009 Mercury Sable at 35,000 miles West Bloomfield, MI

SEATS

DRIVER HEATED SEAT STOPPED HEATING!

NHTSA complaint #10652595 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2008 Mercury Sable at 63,000 miles Plover, WI

SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:SEAT HEATER/COOLER

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.

2008 Mercury Sable at 96,100 miles OAK Ridge, NJ

SEATS

NOT LONG AFTER I BOUGHT THIS CAR, THE ELEMENT ON THE DRIVERS SIDE HEATED SEAT STOPPED WORKING. IT WAS UNDER WARRANTY AND IT WAS REPAIRED. THEN IT WENT AGAIN AND IT WAS UNDER THE EXTENDED WARRANTY AND AGAIN IT WAS REPAIRED. NOW THIS WINTER, I WENT TO USE IT AND AGAIN THE ELEMENT WENT FOR THE THIRD TIME. I FEEL THAT SOMETHING HAS TO BE CAUSING THIS PROBLEM BECAUSE IT COULD POSSIBLY BE DANGEROUS AND START A FIRE. THE CAR DEALERSHIP SAYS THAT THEY WILL REPAIR IT FOR $429.00 (THIS IS A 10% DISCOUNT) BUT I FEEL THAT SINCE THIS HAS HAPPENED THREE TIMES ALREADY FORD SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE REPAIR AND ALSO FIND THE PROBLEM THAT IS CAUSING THIS ELEMENT TO FAIL IN THE FIRST PLACE.

NHTSA complaint #10567903 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2008 Mercury Sable at 23,000 miles Cherokee, IA Fire

SEATS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MERCURY SABLE. WHILE DRIVING AT SPEEDS OF 55 MPH, THE REAR PASSENGERS SEAT SUDDENLY CAUGHT FIRE WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE AND THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS NOT CALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER; HOWEVER, THERE WERE NO REPAIRS MADE TO THE VEHICLE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 23,000. UPDATED 05/11/10.

NHTSA complaint #10321732 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2004 Mercury Sable at 39,000 miles Denver, CO Crash 1 injured

SEATS

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH THE VEHICLE WAS HIT FROM BEHIND. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS HIT, THE DRIVER SEAT FELL BACKWARDS AND BENT TO THE LEFT SIDE. THE OCCUPANT WAS WEARING A SEATBELT AND WAS INJURED RECEIVING COMPRESSION FRACTURES IN THE SPINE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL BODY SHOP WHICH DETERMINED THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALED.

NHTSA complaint #10149128 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2004 Mercury Sable at 39,000 miles Denver, CO Crash 1 injured

SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH THE VEHICLE WAS HIT FROM BEHIND. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS HIT, THE DRIVER SEAT FELL BACKWARDS AND BENT TO THE LEFT SIDE. THE OCCUPANT WAS WEARING A SEATBELT AND WAS INJURED RECEIVING COMPRESSION FRACTURES IN THE SPINE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL BODY SHOP WHICH DETERMINED THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALED.

NHTSA complaint #10149128 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2004 Mercury Sable at 20,000 miles Kingspark, NY

SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER

DT: CONSUMER'S VEHICLE WAS REAR ENDED. WIFE WAS IN PASSENGER SEAT, AND THE SEAT BACK BROKE OF BUCKET ON LEFT OF SEAT, CAUSING WIFE TO TURN SLIGHTLY TOWARD THE DRIVER.

NHTSA complaint #10124890 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

1987 Mercury Sable at 131,000 miles Portage, WI

SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER

DRIVERS SEAT BROKE LOOSE FROM MOUNT. SEAT ROCKS FORWARD AND BACK. DOOR AJAR LIGHT STAYS ON ALL THE TIME. DOORS ARE CLOSED. FUEL GAUGE INACCURATE.

NHTSA complaint #10068472 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

1992 Mercury Sable Chicago, IL

SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:SEAT HEATER/COOLER

PROBLEMS WITH SUSPENSION, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, TIRES AND DRIVER SEAT. MR

NHTSA complaint #767782 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

1986 Mercury Sable Burlington, VT

SEATS

BOLT INTACT, MOUNT FAILED, METAL FAILURE.

NHTSA complaint #750736 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2001 Mercury Sable Saint Louis, MO

SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:HEAD RESTRAINT

DUE TO DESIGN OF HEAD RESTRAINT AND HEIGHT OF THE HEAD REST, WHEN BACKING VEHICLE OUT, CONSUMER NOTICED THERE WAS A BLIND SPOT, OBSTRUCTING DRIVER'S VISION ON ONE SIDE WHICH COULD CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. CONSUMER HAS CONTACTED DEALER. DEALER STATED THAT OTHER CONSUMER'S HAVE COMPLAINED ABOUT DESIGN OF THE HEAD REST.*AK CONSUMER STATES THERE IS ONLY 4 AND 1/2 INCHES BETWEEN SIDE OF HEADREST AND DOOR, THERE IS 5 INCHES BETWEEN TOP OF HEADREST AND CEILING AND CONSUMER CAN NOT SEE AROUND IT OR OVER IT, TOP OF CONSUMERS HEAD IS LEVEL WITH TOP OF HEADREST. *SLC

NHTSA complaint #891825 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

1999 Mercury Sable Brownfield, ME Crash

SEATS

WHEN A MOOSE IMPACTED FRONT AND RIGHT SIDE OF VEHICLE WHILE TRAVELING AT APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH REAR SEAT EXPERIENCED STRUCTURAL COLLAPSE IN FRAME OF BACK OF THE SEAT. THERE WERE NO INJURIES DURING THIS EVENT. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION/ATTACHMENTS.

NHTSA complaint #890816 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

1996 Mercury Sable Hudson, OH

SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER

TWO BOXES (ABOUT 30-40 LBS EACH) IN TRUNK SLID FORWARD UPON HARD, EMERGENCY BRAKING FROM ABOUT 25 MPH. BOXES SLAMMED INTO RIGHT REAR FOLD DOWN SEAT BACK, CAUSING SEAT BACK TO OPEN. BOXES ENTERED INTO RIGHT REAR SEATING AREA. TODDLER IN CHILD SEAT ON LEFT REAR SIDE. NO INJURIES.

NHTSA complaint #744736 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2001 Mercury Sable Mechanicburg, PA

SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:HEAD RESTRAINT

HEADREST IS TOO BIG, AND CONSUMER CANNOT SEE OUT OF REAR PASSENGER WINDOW WHEN PULLING OUT OF PARKING SPACES OR DRIVEWAY.*AK BOTH THE MANUFACTURER AND THE DEALER HAD NO SOLUTION. THE CONSUMER WAS TRYING TO REMOVE THE HEADREST BUT WAS UNABLE.

NHTSA complaint #885995 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2001 Mercury Sable Winnetka, IL

SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:SEAT HEATER/COOLER

WHILE DRIVING, CONSUMER TRIED TO MOVE THE FRONT SEAT BACK BY USING WHAT HE THOUGHT WAS THE POWER SEAT ADJUSTMENT SWITCH ON THE LEFT SIDE OF THE DRIVER'S SEAT, HOWEVER THE CONSUMER REALLY WAS ADJUSTING AN ELECTRIC PEDAL ADJUSTMENT SWITCH THAT MOVED BRAKE AND GAS PEDAL CLOSER TO CONSUMER CAUSING SUDDEN ACCELERATION, CONSUMER STATES THAT THESE TWO SWITCHES SHOULD NOT BE LOCATED NEAR EACH OTHER AND THAT THE PEDAL SWITCH SHOULD ONLY BE ABLE TO BE USED WHILE IN PARK. *SLC

NHTSA complaint #882798 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

1994 Mercury Sable Huntsville, AL

SEATS

BOUGHT CAR USED, AS IS. INQUIRED ABOUT RECALLS, ETC. TOLD THERE WERE NONE. SALESMAN SAID HE RAN CARFAX & NOTHING SHOWED UP. ASKED IF ENGINE WAS ORIGINAL ENGINE, ANY MAJOR MECHANICAL PROBLEMS, ETC. WAS TOLD "NO". PURCHASED CAR @ BILL PENNEY TOYOTA. FIRST DAY DOOR HANDLE CAME OFF, UNDERSIDE DRIVER'S SEAT TRACK COVER CAME OFF & SUNROOF CAME OPEN & WOULDN'T SHUT. PANELING FELL OFF. 1ST WEEK THE OIL LIGHT CAME ON - CAR BEGAN USING 2 QTS OF OIL EVERY 2-3 DAYS. TOOK BACK TO DEALERSHIP. TOLD IT HAD A NEW ENGINE & SHOULDN'T BE HAVING PROBLEMS. OIL CONSUMPTION TEST RUN. BEGAN CHECKING CAR'S HISTORY. FOUND PREVIOUS OWNER BOUGHT THE CAR 4-2000 & THE DEALERSHIP BOUGHT IT BACK 6-2000. HEAD GASKET CHANGED 3X. THE DEALERSHIP SENT CAR TO WOODY ANDERSON FORD. HAD A NEW ENGINE PUT IN IT (THEY SAY). BILL PENNEY KEPT CAR 1 WEEK. SAID PROBLEM WAS UNDER A MFG. WARRANTY ON THE ENGINE ALTHOUGH THEY SOLD ME A WARRANTY FOR $1,000 FOR WHAT WAS ALREADY UNDER WARRANTY. THEY SENT CAR TO WOODY ANDERSON FORD; FORD KEPT IT FOR A WEEK. THEN CALLED & TOLD ME TO PICK IT UP; THERE WASN'T ANYTHING WRONG W/IT. HAD TO RENT A CAR. WARRANTY STS THEY PROVIDE ONE. CAR IS NOT FIXED. IT'S A RECURRING PROBLEM FROM ORIGINAL OWNER. ENGINE PUT IN CAR NEVER PUT ON RECORD. 4 VIN #'S HAVE BEEN USED ON PAPERWORK. MET WITH PREVIOUS OWNER. ALL FAULTS I HAD W/CAR SHE HAD AS WELL. DEALERSHIP SAYS MY TOUGH LUCK; MAYBE I LEARNED A LESSON. MFG. WON'T FIX. DENIES PROBLEM.

NHTSA complaint #740400 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Other Mercury Sable problems