2003 Mercury Sable Complaint Log

The contact owns a 2003 Mercury Sable. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle lost motive power. The vehicle coasted to the side of the road and was towed to the residence. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 83,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MERCURY SABLE. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE VEHICLE DECELERATED INDEPENDENTLY. THE CONTACT STATED NO WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT PARKED ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DRIVABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. A DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER HAD BEEN INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 30,000.

IDRIVING UNDER NORMAL CONDITIONS ON A CITY STREET IN 2003 MERC SABLE WITH 33K MILES. WHILE IN MOTION, THE TRANSMISSION FAILS WITH NO FORWARD OR REVERSE WORKING OR ANY OTHER MECHANICAL WARNINGS.( NO TRANSMISSION CODES ON OBDII. I WAS IMMEDIATELY ABLE TO COAST INTO A DRUGSTORE PARKING LOT. CAR TOWED TO LOCAL FORD DEALER. DEALER INFORMED THAT THE TORQUE CONVERTER SPLINES HAVE FAILED AND TORQUE CONVERTER NEEDS TO REPLACED FOR $ 1726.00. DEALER REPAIRED VEHICLE, REPLACED WITH FORD RE-MANUAFACTURED TORQUE CONVERTER. SEARCHED INTERN NET AND FOUND SAME NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS OF FORD TORQUE CONVERTERS SPLINE FAILURES. BASED ON THE TYPE AND NUMBER OF COMPLAINTS THIS APPEARS TO WARRANT AN AUDIT OF THIS SAFETY PROBLEM. THERE ARE OTHER REPORTED COMPLAINTS THAT VEHICLES WERE TRAVELING ON HIGHWAYS AND SUFFERED TRANSMISSION FAILURES WHILE IN MOTION WITHOUT ANY WARNINGS. *TR

SO SORRY TO BOTHER YOU. I HAVE A MERCURY SABLE 03 WHICH HAS BEEN ACCELERATING BY ITSELF BECAUSE THE THROTTLE CABLE GETS STUCK. I SAW AN ARTICLE THAT SAID MY YEAR TAURUS AND SABLE HAVE THIS PROBLEM AS WELL AS SAW THAT ALL THOSE IN THE JUNK YARD HAVE THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM. IN THE ARTICLE IT SAID FORD AGREED TO FIX THOSE TO STOP FURTHER INVESTIGATION. HOW WOULD I GO ABOUT GETTING THIS FIXED? PLEASE AND THANK YOU. MY VEHICLE STARTED GOING 79 AND WOULDN'T STOP. EVEN IN NEUTRAL IT WENT 4000 RPM UNTIL THE THROTTLE CABLE WAS UNJAMMED. AND CONTINUES TO DO SO

I WAS DRIVING MY CAR ON A CITY STREET AND THE CAR STARTED ACCELERATING ON ITS OWN AND I TRIED TO BRAKE BUT MY BRAKES WOULD NOT WORK. I HAD TO PUT BOTH FEET ON THE BREAK TO SLAM HARD ENOUGH TO TRY TO GET IT TO SLOW DOWN EVEN A LITTLE. I FOUND OUT THAT THE THROTTLE CABLE GOT STUCK AND COULD NOT GO BACK IN CAUSING THE CAR TO KEEP ACCELERATING.

WHY WAS I CHARGED $249.90 LABOR CHARGES WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS ONLY IN MY HANDS FOR A COUPLE OF DAYS AFTER BEING PURCHASED FROM KING BUICK BUT NOT FOR PARTS, SHOP MATERIALS AND USE OF A LOANER CAR. I SHOULD HAVE PAID NOTHING UNDER A WARRANTY AND WOULD LIKE TO KNOW IF FORD HAS RESPONSIBILITY FOR THAT. PLEASE FEEL FREE TO CALL MY CALL ON [XXX](C) OR [XXX](H) IF YOU NEED MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THIS. I WAS RIGHT ACROSS THE STREET FROM THE COMMUNITY WHERE I RESIDE AND DROVE THE CAR TO KING BUICK GMC IMMEDIATELY. INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

2003 MERCURY SABLE. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO BEING CHARGED FOR VEHICLE REPAIRS THAT WERE UNDER WARRANTY. *LD *JS

1. THE HOOD CLOSES APPARENTLY FINE, IT DOES NOT OPEN IF I TRY TO, HOWEVER KEEPS OPENING EVERY 20 MINUTES AFTER DRIVING. I COULD NOT FIND THE CAUSE. 2. VERY STRONG SMELL OF GAS KEEPS OCURRING, NO SIGNS OR DROPS OR VIISUAL LEAK PUDDLE.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MERCURY SABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION FAILED. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE VEHICLE LOST ACCELERATION. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO DOM'S GETTY STATION (HEIGHTSTOWN, NJ 08520, PHONE (609) 448-4146) FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING, WHICH LOCATED THE FAILURE AT THE TRANSMISSION INPUT SHAFT AND TORQUE CONVERTER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 57,000.

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.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MERCURY SABLE. WHILE STATIONARY, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED RAPIDLY ON ITS OWN WITHOUT WARNING. IN ADDITION, THE "CHECK ENGINE" INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. FAIRWAY FORD IN SAN BERNARDINO, CALIFORNIA DETERMINED THAT THE SPEED CONTROL CABLE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 170,000. ...UPDATED 10/23/17 *BF UPDATED 11/1/2017*JS

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.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MERCURY SABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKE LIGHTS REMAINED ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE LAMP SWITCH MALFUNCTIONED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 04V106000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING). THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 60,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MERCURY SABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE GEAR SHIFTER WAS STUCK AND COULD NOT MOVE OUT OF THE PARK POSITION. IN ADDITION, THE BRAKE LIGHTS FAILED TO ILLUMINATE WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE BRAKE WIRING HAD TO BE PUSHED DOWN TO OVERRIDE THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE OCCURRED CONSTANTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 04V106000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE VIN AND FAILURE MILEAGE WERE UNKNOWN.

THE VEHICLES STOCK JACKING LOCATIONS ARE NO LONGER CONSIDERED AS SAFE. THEY HAVE DETERIORATED DUE TO CORROSION AND RUSTING AWAY. SHOULD SOMEONE DECIDE TO TRUST ANY ONE OF THE AFFECTED JACKING LOCATIONS, THE STRUCTURAL INTEGRITY OF THE FRAME MAY CRUMPLE AND BREAK CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO DROP ONTO ANYONE PERFORMING WORK UNDERNEATH, WHICH MAY RESULT IN SEVERE INJURY, OR EVEN DEATH.

PASSENGER FLOOR RUSTED OUT COMPLETELY IN TWO SPOTS ON THE FRONT RIGHT OF FLOOR. TWO MAJOR HOLES. THE REMAINDER OF THE FLOOR IS SHOWING SIGNS THAT IT TOO IS DETERIORATING. THIS IS A SAFETY CONCERN AS THE STRUCTURAL INTEGRITY OF THE FLOOR HAS BEEN COMPROMISED AND CAN ALLOW SOMEONE TO FALL THROUGH SHOULD EXCESS WEIGHT BE PLACED IN ANY OF THESE WEAK PLACES AND OR HOLES.

THIS CAR WAS REPAIRED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN 04V106000. THE RECALL WORK FAILED, CAUSING THE BRAKE LIGHTS TO NOT COME ON, AND THE VEHICLE TO NOT SHIFT OUT OF PARK.

NO ACCIDENT, BUT THE SEAT BELT ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE HAS STARTED "LATCHING" ONLY ON SPORADIC OCCASIONS. IT DOESN'T LATCH MORE TIMES THAN IT DOES LATCH. THE ARE TIMES WHEN YOU HAVE SUCCESSFULLY LATCHED THE SEATBELT, IT WILL COME UNLATCH END WHILE THE CAR IS MOVING. THIS HAS NOW BEEN OCCURRING FOR ABOUT A MONTH.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MERCURY SABLE EQUIPPED WITH DOUGLAS X-TRAC 2 TIRES, SIZE: P215/60/R16. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE TIRE BLEW OUT. AS A RESULT, THE VEHICLE VEERED BUT THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO REGAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE AND TIRE WERE NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE DOT NUMBER AND VIN WERE UNKNOWN. THE VEHICLE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 105,029 AND THE TIRE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 5,159.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MERCURY SABLE. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO DECELERATE; HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO STOP. THE CONTACT IMMEDIATELY SHIFTED THE VEHICLE INTO NEUTRAL AND AVOIDED A COLLISION. THE CONTACT BROUGHT THE VEHICLE TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND WAS INFORMED OF A CUSTOMER SERVICE CAMPAIGN. THE MANUFACTURER AND DEALER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED BECAUSE IT WAS MANUFACTURED IN ANOTHER PLANT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 123,000.

I WAS DRIVING EAST ON I-70 FROM KANSAS CITY MO. CRUISE WAS SET AT 78. 4 LANES. WAS IN LEFT PASSING LANE AND HAD TO SLOW DOWN QUICKLY BECAUSE OF VEHICLE IN FRONT WAS DOING ABOUT 50MPH. THE RIGHT WAS CLEAR AND I STARTED MOVING TO THE RIGHT TO PASS. THE CAR INSTANTLY ACCELERATED AS I STARTED TO TURN RIGHT. THE ACCELERATION ACTUALLY PULL THE CAR FORWARD SO FAST THE REAR END SLID TO THE LEFT. CAR MOVED A CROSSED THE RIGHT 3 LANES OF TRAFFIC AT ABOUT A 60 DEG ANGLE. I MANAGED TO TURN THE CAR INTO THE SKID TO AVOID THE GUARD RAILS AND STARTED BACK ACROSS THE LANES WITH COMPLETE LOSS OF CONTROL OF THE CAR AS IT DID A COMPLETE 360. AS I WAS RETURNED TO FACING EAST AGAIN I PULLED OFF INTO THE MEDIAN AS I WAS AGAIN IN THE FAR LEFT LANE NOW IN FRONT OF THE VEHICLE I HAD STARTED TO PASS. HAVING BEEN IN MANY EMERGENCY SITUATION IN MY 67 YEARS. I JUST ROAD OUT THE TURN. I WAS NO FUN WATCHING THE VEHICLE I WAS TRYING TO PASS APPROACH ME WHILE I WAS COMPLETING THE 360. WITH SO MANY VEHICLES SURROUNDING THE GAP I WAS IN, I AM STILL AMAZED NO ONE WAS KILLED, AND NO COLLISION OF ANY SORT OCCURRED. TOOK TO THE DEALER AND IT WAS SUGGESTED THE PCV VALVE WAS PLUGGED. REPLACED. AROUND FEB 2 2016 I WAS DRIVING I 95 TO FLORIDA. I NOTICED THE CRUISE DROPPING OUT TWICE WITHOUT BRAKING AND ONCE ACCELERATING WITHOUT RESETTING. I UNDERSTOOD NOW THAT THE I-70 INCIDENT WAS ACTUALLY THE CRUISE CONTROL. I WILL HAVE IT DISCONNECTED SO THAT IT CAN NOT BE USED AGAIN. HOW I SURVIVED IS BEYOND BELIEF. I AM EXTREMELY GLAD NO ONE WAS WITH ME.

I OWN A 2003 MERCURY SABLE, I REPLACED THE BRAKES , AND AN ASSORTMENT OF PROBLEMS FOLLOWED. FIRST THEY BEGAN LOCKING , THEN THE CAR WOULD NOT STOP AT ALL. I REPLACED PADS.ROTORS.TIRES ,BLEED THE BREAKS ALL IN AN EFFORT TO FIND THE PROBLEM. I COULD NOT, SO THE CAR HAS BEEN SITTING ABOUT A YEAR. THEN I RECEIVED THE RECALL ON THE BREAKS , NOW EVERYTHING MAKES SENSE.

CAR WAS COMPLETELY STOPPED. WHEN ENGAGED INTO REVERSE, CAR MADE LOUD NOISE, TIRES SQUEALED, ENGINE RACED AND CRASHED INTO PARKED CAR BEHIND IT AT HIGH RATE OF SPEED. PARKED VEHICLE THAT WAS STRUCK THEN STRUCK CAR NEXT TO IT SINCE IMPACT WAS SO GREAT. CAR WAS UNCONTROLLABLE, COULD NOT BE STOPPED VIA BRAKES.

THE FLOOR BOARDS ON MY VEHICLE ARE RUSTED THROUGH. *TR

ORIGINALLY, 2 DAYS PRIOR, CAR FELT LIKE I WAS DRAGGING SOMETHING UNDERNEATH. GOT OUT AND LOOKED AROUND CAR, DIDN'T SEE ANYTHING. LEFT CAR FOR 2 DAYS, THEN STARTED TO HEAD TO WORK. WAS GOING ONLY ABOUT 20MPH WHEN SMOKE POURED OUT FROM UNDER MY CAR. A MOMENT LATER MY FRONT PASSENGER SIDE TIRE BLEW. HAD A FRIEND COME TO HELP ME CHANGE TO THE SPARE. HE DROVE THE CAR ABOUT 2 MINUTES BACK TO MY HOUSE AND AS SOON AS HE PARKED IT, HE TOOK THE SPARE OFF BECAUSE WE HEARD A WEIRD POPPING NOISE WHEN HE WAS JACKING THE CAR BACK UP. LOOKED AND THE COIL SPRING ON THE PASSENGER SIDE HAD BROKEN AND RUBBED SO VIOLENTLY AGAINST THE TIRE THAT IT HAD TORN A 10-14" LONG HOLE IN THE TIRE AND HAD BURNT A RING AROUND THE INSIDE OF THE TIRE. THANKFULLY I HAD 2 FRIENDS TO REPLACE THE WHOLE UNIT. I ALSO WAS ABLE TO TAKE MY GOODYEAR TIRE BACK TO SAM'S AND THEY PRORATED MY TIRE (HAD LESS THAN 6,000 MILES ON THEM!!) AND REPLACED IT. TIME WILL TELL IF THE OTHER ONE WILL GO OUT BUT NHTSA NEEDS TO LOOK AT THIS PROBLEM. IF I HAD BEEN GOING FASTER, I MOST CERTAINLY WOULD HAVE BEEN IN A VERY BAD ACCIDENT. I AM VERY THANKFUL I HAD FRIENDS WHO WERE ABLE TO CHANGE THE WHOLE COIL SPRING FOR ME. BUT IF THIS WERE TO HAPPEN WHILE TRAVELING AT A HIGH RATE OF SPEED, THE END RESULT COULD BE CATASTROPHIC. *TR

FLOORBOARDS RUSTED THROUGH, I WAS GETTING SPLASHED WHILE DRIVING THROUGH AN UNAVOIDABLE PUDDLE IN THE ROAD. LOOKS TO BE FOUR SEPARATE SPOTS, ALL FOUR SEATING AREAS AFFECTED. *TR

MY CAR IS TRYING TO KILL ME! I WAS DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, WHEN I STARTED TO BRAKE FOR A STOP BEFORE TURNING . THE CAR SLOWED DOWN, AS I HELD MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE, BUT SUDDENLY THE CAR STARTED TO ACCELERATE. I ALREADY HAD MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE, AND THE BRAKE HELD, BUT I HAD TO TAKE THE CAR OUT OF GEAR, AND SHUT THE ENGINE OFF. THE ENGINE WAS RACING AT A SPEED I WOULD ESTIMATE AT 80 MPH. IT WAS A FRIGHTENING AND DANGEROUS EXPERIENCE. I CHECKED TO SEE IF A FLOOR MAT WAS PRESSING ON THE GAS PEDAL. IT WAS NOT. THE SAME INCIDENT HAPPENED ON TWO MORE OCCASIONS. MY MECHANIC HAS NOT FOUND THE PROBLEM. I NO LONGER DRIVE THE CAR. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MERCURY SABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKE LIGHTS FAILED TO ILLUMINATE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 04V106000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 151,000.

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. *TR

THROTTLE CABLE STUCK, ENGINE AT 1800 TPM, ENGINE REVVED TO 2600 RPM, INABILITY TO SLOW VEHICLE, SURGING. REQUIRED HARD BREAKING. ONCE CAR STOPPED, IDLE DROPPED TO 900 RPM AFTER 15-30 SECONDS. HAPPENS WITH INCREASING FREQUENCY. ENGINE SURGES AT START, REVS TO 2100 THEN TO 2600. INSPECTED CABLE, THROTTLE AND CRUISE CONTROL CABLE POINT OF ENTRY TO SUPPORTING BRACKET PLASTIC SHATTERED. CABLE EMITS SOUND FROM BINDING. TOOK TO FORD DEALER, THEY INDICATED MY VEHICLE WAS NOT PART OF THE RECALL ALTHOUGH THE PROBLEM HAS BEEN CLEARLY DOCUMENTED WITH THE SAME MAKE, MODEL, YEAR AND ENGINE. *TR

VEHICLE ACCELERATES ON IT'S OWN. HAVE HAD MULTIPLE PROBLEMS WHERE I GO TO STOP AND CAR ACCELERATES AT A STOP SIGN OR LIGHT. I HAVE ALMOST REAR ENDED MULTIPLE CARS BECAUSE OF THIS. WHILE GOING FROM A RED TO GREEN LIGHT ON A HILL MY SABLE STALLED AND BEGAN TO ROLL BACKWARDS, ALMOST CRASHING INTO THE CAR BEHIND ME, IF IT HADN'T BEEN FOR MY QUICK REACTION. VEHICLE WILL IDLE VERY HIGH, 2.5RPMS AT THE LOWEST, WHILE SITTING IN PARK AFTER STARTUP. AFTER A 5 MINUTES IT WILL SOMETIMES DROP DOWN TO 750-1000RPMS, OTHER TIMES IT WILL CONTINUE TO IDLE HIGH. DURING DRIVE IT WILL CONTINUALLY ACCELERATE TO AROUND 40 MPH ON IT'S OWN. WHEN I BRAKE IT WILL IDLE HIGH AND LURCH FORWARD, UNTIL I'M FORCED TO PUSH THE BRAKE ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR. THEN CAR WILL EITHER CONTINUE TO IDLE HIGH OR DROP SO LOW THAT IT STALLS. USUALLY I DRIVE WITH TWO FEET AT LIGHTS OR SIGNS TO BE ABLE TO REV ENGINE FROM STALKING. ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON, CODE READ IDLE AIR CONTROL VALVE, SO IT WAS REPLACED. PROBLEM CONTINUED. TOOK TO GARAGE AND IT LOOKS LIKE THE INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET. ALL VACUUM LINES WERE REPLACED AS WELL. AM GOING TO FIX THE GASKET AND SELL. CAR SCARES ME TOO MUCH TO DRIVE. MULTIPLE PANIC AND ANXIETY ATTACKS. PLEASE RECALL THIS, EXTREMELY UNSAFE. *TR

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. *TR

IN 2014,. MY POWER TRAIN (TRANSMISSION) STOPPED PROPELLING MY CAR. SEVERAL YEARS EARLIER, MY FRIEND WHO OWNED A MERCURY SABLE (THE SAME TYPE CAR AS I AM WRITING TO YOU ABOUT), HAD THE SAME TRANSMISSION FAILURE WHILE ON AN INTERSTATE HIGHWAY. HE HAD APPROXIMATELY THE SAME MILEAGE ON HIS CAR THAT I HAD WHEN OUR TRANSMISSIONS FAILED. THIS TYPE OF FAILURE IS DANGEROUS YET THE FORD MOTOR CO. ADVISED ME THERE HAD NOT BEEN A RECALL. PLEASE ADVISE.

I LEFT HOME FOR WORK. ALL PARTS OF VEHICLE WORKING FINE. I PUT MY BLINKERS ON TO MAKE A LEFT TURN, WHICH I EXECUTED. HALF-WAY DOWN THE STREET, THE CAR BEGAN TO LOSE POWER, BUT WAS STILL RUNNING. I TRIED SHIFTING TO ANOTHER GEAR - NOTHING. THERE WAS NO WARNING, NO SOUND, JUST NOTHING. I ATTEMPTED TO GET THE CAR TO THE SIDE OF THE ONE WAY STREET WITH PARKING ON BOTH SIDES. I COULD NOT MOVE THE CAR. THANKFULLY THIS DID NOT OCCUR ON AN INTERSTATE, OR I WOULD HAVE BEEN KILLED. HAD TO CALL AAA, GET THE VEHICLE TOWED. MY GARAGE SAID IT WAS CATASTROPHIC TORQUE CONVERTER LOSS. HE HAS DONE 5 2003 VEHICLES JUST THIS YEAR. MY HUSBAND JUST HAD MAJOR HEART SURGERY; IS NOT WORKING, AND NOW I HAVE TO COME UP WITH OVER $2,000 TO GET A REBUILT TRANSMISSION. FORD/MERCURY HAS KNOWN ABOUT THESE CATASTROPHIC FAILURES FOR YEARS NOW -- AND NOTHING IS DONE. DOES IT TAKE SOMEONE BEING KILLED BEFORE THERE IS ACTION? THIS IS NOT FAIR THE AMERICAN CONSUMERS WHO TRY TO BUY AMERICAN PRODUCTS AND GET SCREWED IN THE END! MY NEXT CAR...JUST MAY BE FROM ANOTHER COUNTRY. *TR

2003 MERCURY SABLE. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO VEHICLE FRONT SPRING BROKE AND SLASHED TIRE WHICH CAUSED AN IMMEDIATE FLAT TIRE. *SMD

MY 2003 MERCURY SABLE HAS A FAULTY BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH WHICH CAUSES THE BRAKE LIGHTS TO REMAIN ON. I FOUND THE RECALL NOTICE ONLINE AND CONTACTED FORD WHO DO NOT ACKNOWLEDGE THE RECALL FOR MY VIN NUMBER. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MERCURY SABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED INDEPENDENTLY TO 25 MPH AFTER SHIFTING FROM PARK TO DRIVE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO STATED THAT THE IDLE IAC VALVE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 155,000.

I STARTED MY CAR TO TAKE IT FOR AN OIL CHANGE. WITH THE ENGINE WARMED UP I SHIFTED INTO GEAR TO GO. WITHOUT ANY WARNING SYMPTOMS (NO CLUNKING, NO GRINDING GEARS, NO LOSS OF FLUIDS,...) THE TRANSMISSION DECIDED TO COMPLETELY FAIL. THE CAR WOULD NOT GO FORWARD NOR BACKWARDS AS NO GEARS WERE WORKING. AS THIS IS NOW THE THIRD COMPLETE FAILURE OF THE TRANSMISSION ON THIS CAR, I AM TRYING TO DECIDE IF I SHOULD TRY TO GET IT REPAIRED AGAIN. IN ALL MY YEARS OF DRIVING, THIS IS THE ONLY CAR THAT I HAVE OWNED THAT HAS HAD TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS. THERE ARE KNOWN DESIGN FLAWS - THE TORQUE CONVERTER SPLINES ARE NOT BEEFY ENOUGH AND THE VENT FITTING WITH A CHECK VALVE ON THE TRANS HOUSING MALFUNCTIONS CLOSED AND CAUSES THE TRANS FLUID TO SHOOT BACK OUT OF THE DIPSTICK TUBE, AND THERE ARE OTHER ISSUES WITH THIS TRANSMISSION AS WELL... THE SAME FORD/MERCURY TRANSMISSION MODEL WAS RECALLED IN ANOTHER FORD VEHICLE. I REPEAT, THE SAME FAILURE PRONE PART IN ANOTHER VEHICLE WAS RECALLED. THERE ARE THOUSANDS OF COMPLAINTS ONLINE ABOUT THIS PARTICULAR TRANSMISSION IN SABLES AND TAURUS VEHICLES IT IS A SERIOUS PROBLEM AS THE INSTANTANEOUS COMPLETE TRANSMISSION FAILURE CAN EASILY OCCUR IN DANGEROUS TRAFFIC SITUATIONS. IT PREVIOUSLY FAILED WITH MY CAR IN MOTION ON A HIGHWAY! IT'S NOT CLEAR AS TO WHY THERE IS NO RECALL NOR WARNING. AN INVESTIGATION ON THE INTERNET WILL CLEARLY REVEAL THOUSANDS OF FAILURES AND DATA IS AVAILABLE AT TRANSMISSION AND GARAGE SHOPS. DO SOMETHING PLEASE. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MERCURY SABLE. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, A LOUD NOISE EMITTED OUTSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED THAT THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE TIRE EXPLODED DUE TO A FRACTURED COIL SPRING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT BOTH FRONT CLOCK SPRINGS, THE COIL SPRINGS, AND THE STABILIZER SPRING BAR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE FAILURE OCCURRED ON THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE SEVERAL MONTHS LATER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WERE 91,000.

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.

MY WIFE WAS ACCELERATING AT ABOUT 10 MPH WHEN THE VEHICLE COMPLETELY WENT OUT OF GEAR. THE ENGINE WAS RUNNING BUT THE CAR FAILED TO MOVE QUICKLY COMING TO A DEAD STOP. IT TURNS OUT IT IS THE TORQUE CONVERTER. I UNDERSTAND THAT MERCURY SABLES HAVE THIS PROBLEM. IT IS THE SAME TRANSMISSION AS IS IN A FORD WINDSTAR THAT DID HAVE A RECALL TO REPLACE THESE DEFECTIVE TRANSMISSIONS. IF THIS HAD OCCURRED ON THE INTERSTATE DURING RUSH HOUR IN OUR AREA SHE COULD HAVE BEEN HURT AND IN AN ACCIDENT. WHY NO RECALL?? *TR

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*JS

THE SPEED CONTROL CABLE COLLAR BROKE, LEAVING THE THROTTLE STUCK OPEN AT ABOUT 27%. THIS CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO ACCELERATE ON IT'S OWN, AND REQUIRED EXTRA EFFORT TO STOP THE VEHICLE. I HAVE A RECEIPT FOR THE REPAIR MADE BY PEPBOYS. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MERCURY SABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH, A LOUD NOISE EMITTED OUTSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE TIRE EXPLODED DUE TO THE FRACTURED COIL SPRING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT BOTH FRONT COIL SPRINGS, THE DRIVER SIDE TIRE, AND SWAY BAR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 100,000. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MERCURY SABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER SHIFTING INTO DRIVE, A LOUD NOISE EMITTED OUTSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER'S SIDE TIRE EXPLODED DUE TO THE FRACTURED COIL SPRING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE BOTH FRONT COIL SPRINGS WERE REPLACED. ALSO, THE FRONT PASSENGER'S SIDE TIRE WAS REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 72,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MERCURY SABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE TRAVELING APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH, THE PASSENGER SIDE FRONT COIL SPRING FAILED AND PUNCTURED THE TIRE, CAUSING A BLOW OUT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A PRIVATE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE COIL SPRING HAD FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE FAILURE OCCURRED ON THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE SEVERAL MONTHS LATER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED ABOUT THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 154,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 156,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

WHILE DRIVING AT 40 MPH TRANSMISSION SUDDENLY FAILED, NO ABILITY TO MOVE CAR OUT OF TRAFFIC. DRIVER AND PASSENGERS ALMOST WERE REAR ENDED BY FOLLOWING TRAFFIC. UNABLE TO MOVE CAR OFF OF ROADWAY. ENGINE RAN BUT CAR WOULD NOT MOVE. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MERCURY SABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE ATTEMPTED TO ACCELERATE FROM A COMPLETE STOP HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT RESPOND. THE VEHICLE WAS LATER TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED THAT THE TORQUE CONVERTER FAILED AND DEPOSITED METAL SHAVINGS INTO THE TRANSMISSION. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BY REBUILDING THE TRANSMISSION. THE TORQUE CONVERTER WAS ALSO REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 70,000.

I PULLED UP TO A STOPLIGHT. WHEN IT TURNED GREEN, I DEPRESSED THE ACCELERATOR AND THE VEHICLE'S ENGINE REVVED AS THOUGH IT WERE IN NEUTRAL. WHEN SHIFTED INTO ANY FORWARD GEAR OR REVERSE GEAR, IT WOULD NOT MOVE. IT WAS AS THOUGH IT WERE STUCK IN NEUTRAL. THE TRANSMISSION SPECIALIST SAID IT WAS A COMMON PROBLEM, KNEW EXACTLY WHAT IT WAS, AND QUIPPED THAT HE WAS SURPRISED MINE HAD LASTED THIS LONG. UPON RESEARCHING ONLINE, IT APPEARS THAT THIS IS AN INCREDIBLY WIDESPREAD PROBLEM. IN FACT, FORD KNOWS IT IS A PROBLEM AS IT HAS RECALLED TWO OF THEIR MINIVANS THAT CONTAIN THE VERY SAME TRANSMISSION. IT IS THE SAME PART FAILING. WHY DOES IT WARRANT A RECALL IN ONE VEHICLE BUT NOT ANOTHER?? *TR

WHEN I ACCELERATED MY VEHICLE THE THROTTLE STUCK IN THE OPEN POSITION. MY CAR ACCELERATED TO OVER 40MPH IN A RESIDENTIAL ZONE. I PUT THE CAR IN NEUTRAL AND THE ENGINE REVVED UP TO THE CUTOUT RPM LIMIT. I IMMEDIATELY SHUT THE VEHICLE OFF. WHEN I OPENED THE HOOD TO INSPECT THE PROBLEM I SAW THAT THE PLASTIC COLLAR HOLDING THE CABLE IN PLACE BROKE OFF, CAUSING THE ENTIRE CABLE TO MOVE FREELY. ONE PIECE OF THE CABLE WAS STUCK OUTSIDE OF THE COLLAR CAUSING THE THROTTLE TO ENGAGE WITHOUT THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL BEING PUSHED. *TR