2002 Mercury Sable Complaint Log

AFTER ACCUMULATING 56,118 MILES ON MY 2002 MERCURY SABLE, THE LEFT FRONT COIL SPRING FRACTURED, PUNCTURED THE TIRE AND DAMAGED THE SWAY BAR LINK. A FORD DEALER REPLACED BOTH FRONT SPRINGS AND THE LINK. A FIRESTONE DEALER REPLACED THE TIRE. I DO NOT HAVE THE OLD PARTS. *JB

ON MY 2002 MERCURY SABLE GS THE SUSPENSION COIL SPRING ON THE PASSENGER REAR OF THE VEHICLE BROKE WHILE DRIVING ON A SMOOTH HIGHWAY. WAS TOLD BY DEALER THAT IT IS NOT COVERED. LUCKILY, THE TIRE WAS NOT PUNCTURED... I NOTICED THAT YOU ARE INVESTIGATING IT SO I WANTED TO REPORT IT. *JB

2002 SABLE FRONT SPRING BROKE AND PUNCTURED A HOLE IN THE TIRE, IN THE DRIVEWAY. THE FRONT OF THE CAR HIT THE GROUND WITH A LOUD NOISE. FORD CHARGED ME $795.92 TO FIX IT. *JB

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MERCURY SABLE. TWO YEARS AGO, THE COIL SPRING ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE OF THE VEHICLE FAILED AND THE FRONT TIRE EXPLODED WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN THE GARAGE. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE PASSENGER SIDE COIL SPRING ALSO FAILED AND PUNCTURED THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE TIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A MECHANIC AND REPAIRED. THE DEALER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 83,650. UPDATED 04/21/09. *LJ UPDATED 04/24/09.*JB

I HAVE A 2002 MERCURY SABLE THAT WHEN EVER IT RAINED STARTED TO GET WATER LEAKAGE ON THE PASSENGER SIDE. AS A RESULT OF THE LEAK MY FAN BLOWER BURNT OUT COSTING $180.00. AFTER DOING SOME RESEARCH I FOUND OUT THERE WAS A SILENT RECALL. THEY CLAIMED THE FIX WAS FREE UNDER THE BUMPER TO BUMPER WARRANTY COVERAGE UNDER TSB-03-15-6. I TOOK MY VEHICLE TO INTO THE DEALER AND HE DID A WATER LEAK TEST AND IT SHOWED THAT I NEEDED A "RAIN HAT ASSEMBLY AND WEATHER STRIPS" AT A COST TO ME OF $289.00 AND IT WOULD NOT BE COVERED UNDER THE BULLETINS. I DISAGREED WITH HIM, HOWEVER WHAT CHOICE WOULD I HAVE IF IT RAINED AGAIN I WOULD BE OUT ANOTHER $180.00 FOR A BLOWER MOTOR. REFERENCE RECALL NUMBER 03V087000 AND COMPLAINTS ALSO REPORTED WILLIAM FORD, 10184014 AND JIM COLLINS, 10184756. *JB

A FRONT SPRING BROKE AND SLASHED MY DRIVER'S SIDE FRONT TIRE. FORTUNATELY, THE CAR WAS PARKED AT THE TIME. I HAVE THE SLASHED TIRE, THE SPRINGS, AND REPAIR RECEIPTS. *NM

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MERCURY SABLE. WHILE DRIVING 2 MPH, THE FRONT SUSPENSION SPRING CRACKED AND AS A RESULT, IT PUNCTURED THE RIGHT FRONT TIRE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SUSPENSION SPRING WAS REPLACED LAST YEAR. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 93,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 100,000.

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE FRONT LEFT COIL SPRING FRACTURED AND PIERCED THE FRONT LEFT TIRE ON 1/5/2006. THE COIL SPRING WAS REPLACED AT THE SALES/SERVICE DEALER. ON 12/6/2006, THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A NATIONAL CHAIN TO REPLACE THE TIRES AND THE TWO REAR COIL SPRINGS WERE FOUND TO BE FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS RETURNED TO THE SALES/SERVICE DEALER FOR REPLACEMENT OF BOTH REAR COIL SPRINGS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED.

VEHICLE: 2002 MERCURY SABLE PROBLEM: AUTOMATIC HEADLIGHTS UNEXPECTEDLY SHUT OFF FOR NO APPARENT REASON LEAVING DRIVER TEMPORARILY DRIVING IN DARKNESS UNTIL DRIVER CAN SWITCH HEADLIGHTS TO THE MANUAL MODE. THIS HAS OCCURRED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS SINCE EARLY DECEMBER 2006. *JB

TL*- THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MERCURY SABLE. WHILE DRIVING 15 MPH AND DUE TO HEAVY TRAFFIC THE CRUISE CONTROL CABLE JUMPED OUT OF ITS SOCKET AND THE VEHICLE STARTED TO ACCELERATE. THE CONTACT APPLIED THE BRAKES, BUT THE VEHICLE DID NOT RESPOND. THE DRIVER HAD TO TURN THE VEHICLE'S POWER OFF COMPLETELY TO STOP IT FROM ACCELERATING. THE CONTACT SCHEDULED AN APPOINTMENT WITH A REPAIR FACILITY. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000. *AK THE CONSUMER STATED HE EXPERIENCED UNWANTED ACCELERATION. UPDATED 02.27.07.*JB

BROKEN REAR SPRING. BROKEN IN TWO PLACES. DISCOVERED DURING ROUTINE SERVICING. *JB

MY 2002 MERCURY SABLE HAS BROKEN ALL FOUR COIL SPRINGS, BOTH SETS IN MULTIPLE FRACTURES IN EACH SPRING. ALTHOUGH THEY ADMIT THIS IS FREQUENT (THE LOCAL DEALER SERVICE GARAGE SAID THAT THEY HAD SEEN HUNDREDS OF 02S WITH THIS PROBLEM, I BELIEVE THAT THE 450 OR SO SHOWN ON THIS SITE ON THIS SITE IS VERY FAR OFF) THE FRONT PAIR BROKE AROUND THE 50,000 MARK, IT TOOK ABOUT FIVE VISITS TO THE DEALER TO GET EVEN LIMITED CREDIT TOWARD REPLACEMENT. THE FAILURE WAS PROGRESSIVE, SAG WAS ONLY NOTICED WHEN IT GOT EXTREME. INTERESTINGLY THEY DID BREAK IN PAIRS. TIRE DAMAGE OCCURRED WHEN ONE EDGE OF THE SPRING PROTRUDED INTO THE TIRE. THEY REFUSED TO ALLOW ME TO KEEP THE SPRING/STRUT COMBO(THE STRUTS WERE LEAKING FROM THE ADDED ABUSE AND TRAVEL) THE SPRING LOOKED TO HAVE BROKEN THROUGH INCLUSIONS IN THE STEEL, FROM MY AUTO INDUSTRY CONNECTIONS, I FOUND THESE HAD BEEN SOURCED IN CHINA, AND WERE HOLD-OVERS FROM THE 2001 MODEL. AT ABOUT THE 80,000 MILE MARK, THE REAR SPRINGS WERE OBVIOUSLY FAILED, AGAIN MULTIPLE CRACK POINTS, ONE TIRE WAS GOUGED OUT BY THE PROTRUDING SPRING. DEALER SERVICE AGAIN INDICATED THAT NO HELP WAS BEING ISSUED, DESPITE AGAIN IN THEIR WORDS HUNDREDS OF COMPLAINTS I STILL HAVE BOTH THE DAMAGED TIRE AND SPRING/STRUT COMBOS. AGAIN, THE FRACTURE SURFACE WAS MARKED WITH INCLUSIONS, AND VOIDS, CORROSION LOOKED TO BE SECONDARY. I HAVE RUN INTO AT LEAST FIVE ADDITIONAL OWNERS WHO HAVE A FRACTURE AND WERE DENIED ANY SATISFACTION FROM FORD. FORD ZONE AND REGIONAL PEOPLE UNDERPLAY THE PROBLEM AS IF TRYING TO CONVINCE IT IS RARE, YET BOTH TIMES THE SERVICE PEOPLE INDICATE IT TO BE COMMON. THIS HAS BEEN VERY FRUSTRATING. THERE ARE ALSO UNSCRUPULOUS REPAIR FACILITIES, ONE OF WHICH INITIALLY REFUSED TO TAKE MY CAR DOWN FROM THE LIFT SAYING IT WAS DEADLY, WHILE TRYING TO EXTORT OVER $1,200 TO REPAIR SAME. I HAD TO THREATEN TO CALL THE LOCAL POLICE BEFORE THEY WOULD LET ME HAVE MY OWN CAR. *TR

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE REVERSING AND SLIGHTLY TURNING THE WHEEL, THE REAR COIL SPRING DETACHED AND PUNCTURED THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE TIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A SERVICE DEALER, WHERE IT WAS DETERMINED THAT A FRACTURED COIL SPRING CAUSED THE SPRING TO RUB AGAINST THE TIRE. THE DEALER REPLACED ALL 4 COIL SPRINGS AND 2 TIRES AS A RESULT OF THE FRACTURED COIL SPRING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. UPDATED 09/13/06. *JB

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE JERKED FORWARD AT AN ALARMING RATE OF SPEED WHENEVER THE ACCELERATOR WAS DEPRESSED. THE SUDDEN ACCELERATION CAUSED AN ACCIDENT WITH ANOTHER VEHICLE AND A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY THE SERVICE DEALER WHO DETERMINED THAT THE TRANSMISSION WAS THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM. THE TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED. THE CONTACT ASKED FOR THE OLD PARTS AND THE SERVICE DEALER REFUSED TO SUPPLY THOSE PARTS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND REFUSED ASSISTANCE BECAUSE THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT.

REAR SPRINGS ON MY MERCURY 2002 SABLE PURCHASED IN DECEMBER 2001 NEEDED REPLACEMENT AND I HAVE DISCOVERED THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE ISSUE ON 2001 SABLES. *NM

THE KOST TIRE STORE TOLD ME THAT MY RIGHT REAR SPRING APPEARED TO HAVE BEEN BROKEN FOR SOME TIME, AND THE LEFT REAR SPRING HAD A CRACK IN IT, ON MY '02 SABLE WITH 50K MILES THEY INFORMED ME THE CAR WAS A DANGER TO DRIVE, AND THAT IT NEEDED NEW STRUTS AND SPRINGS. I RETURNED IT TO THE DEALER IMMEDIATELY, AND WAS TOLD THERE WAS NO KNOWN PROBLEM WITH SPRINGS ON THAT YEAR SABLE. THE DEALER REPLACED BOTH SPRINGS FOR $350, NOT COVERED UNDER THE FORD EXTENDED WARRANTY, AND INFORMED ME THAT THERE WAS NO NEED TO REPLACE THE STRUTS. I PICKED UP THE CAR ON JULY 6, AND REALIZED THERE WAS A FURTHER PROBLEM BECAUSE OF THE LOUD RUMBLING GOING OVER BUMPS, AND A LOUD BANG WHEN HITTING A BUMP AT HIGHWAY SPEED. IT WENT BACK TO THE DEALER JULY 7, AND THEY DETERMINED THE STRUTS NEEDED REPLACING. BY THEN, THE CAR HAD BOUNCED ON THE REAR TIRE SO MUCH THAT IT HAD TWO BULGES AND ALSO HAD TO BE REPLACED. *JB

2002 MERCURY SABLE LEFT REAR COIL SPRING BROKE. *KB THE SPRING APPEARED TO HAVE BEEN CORRODED. *NM

I OWN A 2002 MERCURY SABLE WITH 58,000 MILES ON IT. THE RIGHT REAR SPRING BROKE WHILE THE CAR WAS PARKED. THE END OF THE SPRING WAS NOW RUBBING THE SIDEWALL OF THE TIRE WHICH MADE A LOUD NOISE SO I DIDN'T DRIVE IT. THE REPAIR SHOP ESTIMATES $400 FOR REPAIR. THERE IS A RECALL ON OTHER FORD SPRINGS, INCLUDING 2001 SABLE, BUT NOT THIS CAR. I THINK THEY HAVE A LARGER PROBLEM. *JB

MY CAR (2002 MERCURY SABLE) CONTINUES TO FAIL SMOG INSPECTION DUE TO FAULTY OXYGEN SENSORS. I HAVE TAKEN IT TO THE DEALER AND IT COSTS AT LEAST $200 EACH TIME I TAKE IT IN AND THEY NEVER COMPLETELY FIX IT STATING IT IS AN ONGOING PROBLEM WITH THIS CAR. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS ALWAYS ON. *NM

RIGHT FRONT SPRING FAILED WITHOUT WARNING CAUSING TIRE AND STRUT DAMAGE WHILE BACKING UP. CAR TOWED TO NEAREST REPAIR SHOP BOTH FRONT SPRINGS AND STRUTS WERE REPLACED. TIRE WAS REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY. GARAGE REPAIR MAN NOTED THAT THIS WAS A COMMON PROBLEM. *JB

1. DRIVING IN HOT WEATHER 2. A/C AND FANS INOPERABLE, SLIGHT SMELL OF SMOKE 3. REPLACE FAN MOTOR, RESISTOR,COWEL PANEL AND RAIN HAT SEAL. THIS FAILURE WAS ADDRESSED IN THE NHTSA ITEM# 10011149. *NM

REAR PASSENGER SIDE COIL SPRING BROKE AND HAS DAMAGED MY NEW TIRE DEALER SAID I WOULD NEED TO BRING IT IN. IS NOT COVERED BY WARRANTY THIS NEEDS INVESTIGATED I READ 2 OTHER COMPLAINTS OF THIS OCCURRING ON 2002 SABLES AS WITH EARLIER YEARS. *NM

MY CAR WAS RUNNING FINE, I PURCHASED THE CAR JUNE 2003, I HAVE KEPT UP WITH TYPICAL VEHICLE MAINTENANCE. MY LAST OIL CHANGE THE MECHANIC SAID IT WAS LOW, CHECKED FOR LEAKS AND DID NOT FIND ANYTHING. I WAS DRIVING HOME FROM WORK THE ENGINE LIGHT STARTED TO BLINK AND THE CAR WOULD NOT ACCELERATE. I PULLED OVER, TURNED THE CAR OFF. I LET THE CAR REST FOR 10 MINUTES TRIED TO START AGAIN AND THE ENGINE WOULD RUN BUT CHUGGED AND VIBRATED. HAD THE CAR TOWED TO THE FAMILY MECHANIC AND FOUND OUT THE CAMSHAFT BROKE. MY SABLE HAS 72,000 MILES, I PURCHASED THE CAR WITH 21,000 MILES FROM COLUMBIA FORD IN COLUMBIA CT. MY MECHANIC SAID THE ENGINE WAS BUILT POORLY BECAUSE THIS SHOULD NOT HAVE HAPPENED, IT IS VERY RARE. SO HERE I AM, THREE YEARS INTO MY LOAN AND THREE YEARS TO GO--$8000 LEFT TO PAY AND IT IS GOING TO COST $3000+ TO PUT IN A NEW ENGINE. ANYONE WANT A CAR FOR $8000 WITHOUT AN ENGINE? I WOULD NEVER BY A FORD OR A MERCURY AGAIN!! *JB

ON MAY 1, 2006 MY DAUGHTER AND I WERE INVOLVED IN A HEAD ON COLLISION WITH A DUMP TRUCK. THE AIR BAGS (DRIVER AND PASSENGER) DID NOT DEPLOY ON IMPACT. MY DAUGHTER (WHO IS 15 YEARS OLD AND DRIVING WITH A PERMIT) WAS TRAPPED IN THE CAR. SHE RECEIVED MULTIPLE LACERATIONS, INCLUDING A TORN EAR WHICH WILL REQUIRE SURGERY TO REPAIR IT TO LOOK NORMAL AGAIN. I RECEIVED KNEE AND NECK INJURIES. I CALLED MERCURY CUSTOMER CARE CENTER TO MAKE THE COMPANY AWARE OF THIS SITUATION. I OFFERED TO GIVE THEM THE LOCATION OF MY CAR, IF THEY WISHED TO LOOK AT IT. THE PERSON I SPOKE TO SAID THEY WOULD NOT BE LOOKING AT THE CAR AND HE WOULD MAKE A NOTE OF MY NEGATIVE COMMENT. *NM

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE PULLING INTO A DRIVEWAY AT 5MPH THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE COIL SPRING FRACTURED. THE COIL SPRING RIPPED THE DRIVER SIDE TIRE APART. THE DEALERSHIP AND MANUFACTURER HAVE BEEN ALERTED WHO DETERMINED THERE WAS A RECALL, #04V332000 CONCERNING THE SUSPENSION: FRONT: SPRINGS: COIL SPRINGS HOWEVER, THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE CONTACT IS CONCERNED ABOUT THE SAFETY OF THE VEHICLE AND FEARS THIS COULD HAVE OCCURRED AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS.

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE STOPPED AT A STOP SIGN, THE RIGHT FRONT TIRE BLEW WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP. UPON INITIAL INSPECTION, IT WAS DETERMINED THE FRONT COIL SPRING FRACTURED AND PUNCTURED THE TIRE. THERE IS A NHTSA RECALL, # 04V332000, REGARDING THE FRONT COIL SPRINGS. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL.

DRIVING WITH MY FAMILY EASTBOUND ON THE MASSACHUSETTS TURNPIKE AT A SPEED OF APPROXIMATELY 60 MILES PER HOUR THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE COIL SPRING EXPLODED WITH NO WARNING. LUCKILY WE WERE ABLE TO PULL OVER EVEN THOUGH AS WE LEARNED LATER, THE COIL SPRING HAD EXPLODED DOWNWARD BREAKING THE AXLE AND SLICING THE TIRE REPAIRS WERE REPLACEMENT OF LEFT FRONT STRUT SPRING AND AXLE ASSEMBLY, TOP STRUT MOUNTING ASSEMBLY,LEFT FRONT TIRE, WE WERE ENCOURAGED BY FORD DEALER SERVICE TO ALSO REPLACE THE RIGHT FRONT COIL SPRING! GEE I WONDER WHY!!! ALTHOUGH WE CONSIDER OURSELVES VERY LUCKY NOT TO HAVE BEEN SERIOUSLY HURT BY THE SUDDEN FAILURE OF THE FRONT COIL SPRING ON OUR 2002 MERCURY SABLE WITH BUILD DATE OF 2001,AND EVEN THOUGH FORD HAS BEEN AWARE OF FRONT COIL SPRING FAILURE IN NORTHEASTERN STATES. FORD WHEN CONTACTED FELT THERE WAS NO PROBLEM WITH SUDDEN FAILURE OF THE FRONT COIL SPRING ON OUR VEHICLE. I HAVE OWNED FORDS FOR THE LAST 20 YEARS, AFTER THIS EXPERIENCE I DO NOT KNOW IF I WILL BUY ANOTHER FORD. *JB

REAR SPRINGS BROKE. ABOUT 1 YEAR AGO I REPLACED THE FRONT SPRINGS. ALTHOUGH MY CAR IS A 2002 THIS SHOULD HAVE BEEN INVOLVED IN THE 2001 RECALL RELATED TO SUSPENSION. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE THAT FORD SHOULD TAKE CARE OF BEFORE ANYONE DOES GET HURT. *NM

ENGINE CUT OFF WHILE AT A LIGHT. *NM

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE IN THE DRIVEWAY, THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE SPRING BROKE AND PUNCTURED A TIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP WERE THE SPRING WAS REPLACED. THE DEALER SUGGESTED REPLACING BOTH SIDES AT THE SAME TIME. UPDATED 03/22/06. *JB

AFTER STOPPING AT INTERSECTION, TRAFFIC LIGHT, ETC., UNEXPLAINED ENGINE SURGE AND ENGINE NOISE, MAKES CAR LURCH FORWARD EVEN WHEN APPLYING ALL POSSIBLE PRESSURE TO BRAKES. SURGE CEASES ONLY WHEN TRANSMISSION PUT IN NEUTRAL. TOWED TO DEALER FIRST TIME, DRIVEN SEVERAL TIMES. THIS HAS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES. DEALER CAN FIND NOTHING WRONG. I AM ALWAYS APPREHENSIVE WHEN DRIVING THIS VEHICLE. *JB

ON THURSDAY, JANUARY 26TH, I WAS DRIVING HOME AND HAD A FLAT ON THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE TIRE. I REPLACED THE TIRE. TWO WEEKS LATER ON FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 10 I HAD ANOTHER FLAT (REAR PASSENGER) TIRE. BOTH OF THESE TIRES WERE CONTINENTAL TOURING CONTACT AS P215 S60/16. MY CONCERN IS WHETHER OR NOT THERE WAS A RECALL ON THESE TIRES. I HAVE 2 MORE LEFT. I PURCHASED THE CAR FROM CARMAX IN RICHMOND, VA IN JULY 2005 (2002 MERCURY SABLE LS). CURRENTLY THERE ARE 39,981 MILES ON THE CAR. *JB

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHEN PULLING OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY, THE LEFT FRONT COIL SPRING FRACTURED AND PUNCTURED THE TIRE. THERE IS A NHTSA RECALL, # 04V332000, REGARDING THE FRONT COIL SPRING. THE VEHICLE HAS THE SAME PROBLEMS AS INDICATED IN THE RECALL; HOWEVER IT IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO THE VIN. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR REPAIRS. *NM UPDATED 2/7/2006 - *NM

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE PULLING OUT THERE WAS A LOUD NOISE THAT CAME FROM THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE. THE FRONT END DROPPED AND THE LEFT FRONT TIRE BLEW OUT. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR INSPECTION. THEY REPLACED THE LEFT AND RIGHT FRONT COIL SPRINGS, LEFT FRONT TIRE AND STRUTS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED. LEFT FRONT SPRING FRACTURED WHILE PULLING OUT OF DRIVEWAY. IF THIS TYPE OF FAILURE WOULD HAVE OCCURRED ON A 2002 VEHICLE AT SPEED IT WOULD HAVE LED TO A SERIOUS INJURY OR FATALITY. *AK

THE FRONT DRIVERS SIDE COIL SPRING FRACUTURED AND CAUSED THE PLASTIC STABILIZER ARM TO BREAK. THE STABILIZER ARM THEN CUT INTO THE TIRE. FORD REPLACED THE COIL AND ARM UNDER MY EXTENDED COVERAGE PLAN BUT REFUSED TO CHANGE THE TIRE. THIS HAPPENED WHILE PULLING OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY IN A SNOW STORM AND THE CAR WAS BACKED INTO THE DRIVEWAY AND TOWED VIA A FLATBED TO THE DEALER. I AM CONVINCED THAT IF IT HAD HAPPENED AT HIGHWAY SPEED THE TIRE WOULD HAVE BLOWN AND IT WOULD HAVE CAUSED MUCH BIGGER PROBLEMS. *NM

DT*: THE CONTACT STATES THERE IS A NHTSA RECALL, CAMPAIGN 04V332000 REGARDING THE FRONT COIL SPRINGS. THE VEHICLE HAS THE SAME PROBLEMS AS INDICATED IN THE RECALL; HOWEVER, IT IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO THE VIN. *AK UPDATED 1/25/2006 - WHILE PULLING OUT OF A DRIVEWAY ONE OF THE TIRES ON THE VEHICLE BLEWOUT. THE TIRE WAS REPLACED WITH THE SPARE AND THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE NEAREST GARAGE. IT WAS DETERMINED AT THAT TIME THAT THE COIL SPRING BROKE AND PUNCTURED THE TIRE. THE STRUT AND SWAY BAR WERE ALSO DAMAGED. THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONSUMER THAT A RECALL WAS NOT ISSUED BUT RATHER AN EXTENDED WARRANTY PROGRAM. *NM

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE BACKING OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY THE DRIVER'S SIDE FRONT TIRE WENT FLAT. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP. THE DEALERSHIP DETERMINED THE FRONT COIL SPRING BROKE, PUNCTURING THE TIRE. THE TWO FRONT COIL SPRINGS, AND THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE TIRE WERE REPLACED. *AK

CAR LIGHTER DEFECTIVE....IT POPPED OUT AND FELL UNDERNEATH SEAT AND STARTED A FIRE....IT IS DEFECTIVE. *JB

2002 SABLE SL -PURCHASED MAY 2005 - W/14,000 MILES- NOV. DROVE ON FREEWAY- EXITED TO RESTAURANT- WITH IN 4 MINUTES OF EXITING CAR FRONT END WAS ENGULFED W/FLAMES REACHING INTO DASH- FIRE DEPT. ON SEEN- WHEN CAR WAS PLACED ON TOW 5 MINUTES LATER CAR STARTED FIRE AGAIN- HAD TO GET FIRE DEPT. AGAIN- ENGINE COMPLETELY MELTED- TOW YARD AND VARSITY DEALER REP. STATED A VERY SUSPICIOUS FIRE SEEING THERE IS ONLY 16,000-17,000 MILES. FORD WILL NOT INVESTIGATE AND REFUSES TO GIVE ME AN ANSWER TO WHY AND HOW I ALMOST DIED IN A SEVERE CAR FIRE - THERE IS NOT MUCH LEFT TO THE VEHICLE- IT IS SITTING AT STU EVANS FORD MERCURY, GARDEN CITY, MICHIGAN- YOUR HELP WOULD BE GREATLY APPRECIATED. I ONLY HAD LIMITED INSURANCE AND COULD NOT AFFORD FIRE AND THEFT FOR I JUST GRADUATED FROM COLLEGE TRYING TO FIND A JOB. 1 WEEK BEFORE THIS INCIDENT I RETAINED A JOB AND NOW HAVE NO VEHICLE. MY MOTHER PURCHASED IT FOR 12,000.00 FOR A GRAD. GIFT FOR ME SO I WOULDN'T HAVE A CAR PAYMENT TO WORRY ABOUT. NOW I HAVE NOTHING. THE CAR WAS RUNNING FINE, NO NOISES OR ANYTHING,. AN OIL CHANGE WAS DONE 4 WEEKS PRIOR TO THE INCIDENT. *NM

DT: THE CONTACT STATES WATER WENT INTO THE BLOWER MOTOR FROM THE WINDSHIELD AND CAUSED THE BLOWER MOTOR TO RUST. AS A RESULT OF THE RUST, THE DEFROSTER NO LONGER WORKED. IT WAS NOT REPAIRED UNDER WARRANTY BECAUSE IT WAS CAUSED BY WATER DAMAGE. *AK

WATER LEAK ONTO THE PASS SIDE FLOOR. WAS TOLD BY THE SERVICE PERSON THAT THIS WAS AN ON GOING PROBLEM WITH FORD TAURUS AND MERCURY SABLES. THAT IT APPEARS TO BE THE WAY THE VEHICLES WERE PUT TOGETHER IN THE FACTORY. *NM

2002 MERCURY SABLE BOTH FRONT & BOTH REAR SPRINGS/ CORRODED & SNAPPED. FRONT LEFT TIRE PUNCTURED. NO OFFICIAL RECALL FOR 2002. MY FATHER HAS A 2000 WITH SAME EXACT PROBLEM WHICH WAS COVERED BY RECALL MY CAR NEEDS REAR STRUTS/REAR SPRINGS /SWAY BAR LINKS/FRONT STRUTS/& SPRINGS WITH LINK KITS BASICALLY THE WHOLE FRONT & REAR SUSPENSION. TRANSMISSION FAILED A JUST OVER 80,000 MILES. *JB

WE HAVE A LOT OF HUMIDITY HERE WHERE I LIVE, AND I NEEDED TO USE THE DEFROST MODE ON MY 2002 MERCURY SABLE WITH 41K MILES, BUT I WASN'T ABLE TO GET WARM AIR TO COME OUT. I TRIED A FEW DIFFERENT DAYS BEFORE I REPORTED IT TO MY DEALER FOR SERVICE. WHEN I TOOK IT IN, THE MECHANIC REPLACED THE THERMOSTAT AND GASKET AND THE BLEND AIR DOOR MOTOR. IT COST ME $237. I TRIED IT THE NEXT MORNING--NO DEFROST. THEY HAD TO ORDER ANOTHER MOTOR. *NM

HAD BURNT OUT BLOWER MOTOR REPLACED ON MY 2002 MERCURY SABLE AUG 30, 2005. I WAS TOLD BY DEALER THAT THEY JUST GO SOMETIMES. ON OCTOBER 26, 2005 I BROUGHT CAR BACK TO DEALER DUE TO WATER LEAKING ONTO FLOOR ON THE PASSENGER SIDE BELOW THE BLOWER MOTOR. I WAS THEN TOLD THEY HAD A "SERVICE BULLETIN" ON THAT AND IT WAS CAUSED BY A DESIGN DEFECT IN THE CABIN AIR FILTER AND WATER CHANNELS INTO THE BLOWER MOTOR WHICH CAUSES THEM TO BURN OUT. THEY THEN SAID THEY HAVE TO INSTALL A RAIN HAT AND RESEAL THE AREA FOR A COST OF ABOUT 300.00. WHILE REPLACING THE RAIN HAT , THE TECH. PULLED OUT THE NEW BLOWER MOTOR (WHICH WAS FULL OF WATER) TO BLOW THE WATER OUT OF IT AND THEN REPLACED IT. OBVIOUSLY THIS IS WHAT CAUSED THE FIRST BLOWER MOTOR TO GO WHICH COST 270.00 TO REPLACE. I'M SURE THE DEALER KNEW WHAT CAUSED THE BLOWER MOTOR TO BURN OUT BECAUSE THEY HAD THAT "SERVICE BULLETIN" AND SHOULD OF TOLD ME ABOUT THE DESIGN DEFECT THEN AND FIXED THE PROBLEM THEN. I ENDED UP PAYING DOUBLE FOR LABOR. THIS PROBLEM SHOULD BE A RECALL AND THE MANUFACTURER SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE. IT'S A DEFECT IN THE DESIGN OF THE VEHICLE AND THE CONSUMER SHOULD NOT HAVE TO PAY. HOW MANY OTHER SABLE/TAURUS OWNERS HAVE THIS PROBLEM? *NM

THE AIR BLEND DOOR ON MY 2002 MERCURY SABLE BROKE FOR THE THIRD TIME THIS WEEK. IT IS MY UNDERSTANDING THAT THIS HAPPENS TO MANY FORD CUSTOMERS. THIS TIME WHEN IT BROKE, THE HVAC SYSTEM WAS STUCK ON HEATING. HOWEVER, IT CAN ALSO BECOME STUCK IN A/C MODE WHICH WOULD PRESENT A PROBLEM IN THE WINTER IF ATTEMPTING TO DEFOG OR DEFROST THE WINDSHIELD. MY DEALER FIXED THE DEFECTIVE PART THE LAST TWO TIMES, AND I'M SURE THEY'LL FIX IT AGAIN.

FRONT COIL SPRING BROKE PUNCTURING A TIRE.

MERCURY SABLE, 2002, TOTAL BRAKE FAILURE WHILE DRIVING AT ABOUT 55 MPH ON FREEWAY 101, I-5 I-10 INTERCHANGE IN HEAVY MORNING TRAFFIC IN LOS ANGELES, AROUND 10: O'CLOCK. NO COLLISION. REQUIRED ABOUT TWO MILES TO COME TO A STOP. CHP REPORT: NCIC # 9590. VIN: 1MEFM55S2G626338. *NM

THE REAR COIL SPRING ON MY 2002 MERCURY SABLE IS BROKEN AND NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. MY SON ALSO HAS A 2002 MERCURY SABLE AND HE HAD A SIMILAR PROBLEM WITH A BROKEN REAR COIL SPIRNG. PLEASE CHECK THE REPLACEMENTS ON THE FORD TARAUS AND MERCURY SABLES AND I AM SURE YOU WILL FIND THERE IS A DEFECT PROBLEM. THIS IS A SAFTEY DEFECT AND NEDS TO BE ADDRESSED. THANK YOU!

2002 MERCURY SABLE LEFT REAR COIL SPRING BROKE. *TS THE REAR COIL SPRING FAILURE ALSO CAUSED DAMAGED TO A NEW TIRE AND THE LEFT REAR STRUT. *JB

I HAVE A 2002 MERCURY SABLE WITH 54,000 MILES. SUDDENLY & W/O WARNING, MY ALTERNATOR STOPPED WORKING AND DRAINED MY BATTERY. I HAVE HAD 3 FORD PRODUCTS WITH SOME LASTING 160,000 MILES W/O EVER HAVING PROBLEMS WITH ALTERNATORS. I TALKED W/THE CUSTOMER SERVICE REP. AT THE REPAIR SHOP ABOUT HAVING TO REPLACE AN ALTERNATOR ON A 3 YEAR OLD VEHICLE, AND HE INDICATED THAT THEY HAD HAD A FAIRLY LARGE NO. OF MERCURY SABLE & FORD TAURUS REPLACEMENT OF ALTERNATORS. IS THIS A DESIGN DEFECT IN THE ALTERNATORS?