NHTSA Owner Complaint Log
This page lists owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2003 Mercury Sable. Complaints are unverified consumer reports submitted to NHTSA and do not by themselves prove a defect or defect rate.
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MERCURY SABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CRUISE CONTROL FAILED TO FUNCTION PROPERLY. A MECHANIC CONFIRMED THAT THE PLASTIC CRUISE MECHANISM FAILED AND CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO ACCELERATE UP TO 70 MPH. THE MECHANIC REPLACED THE LINKAGE COMPONENT THAT CONTROLLED THE CRUISE MECHANISM. CASE # 0539942409 WAS FILED WITH THE FORD MANUFACTURER REGARDING THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 39,000 MILES. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 41000. UPDATED 03/19/10. *LJ ACCORDING TO THE MECHANIC, THE SPEED CONTROL ACTUATOR CABLE FAILED. UPDATED 07/06/10.*JB
HEATER BLOWER MOTOR NOT WORKING IN 2003 MERCURY SABLE. MECHANIC STATED THAT THERE IS A LEAK IN THE FIREWALL. I NOTICED ONLINE THAT THIS HAPPENS TO A LOT OF FORD TAURUS AND MERCURY SABLE OWNERS. ANOTHER FORD OWNER IS TRACKING ALL THE COMPLAINTS HE CAN ( FORD RECALL NUMBER 03V087000 AND HIS COMPLAINT 10184014). DEALER WANTS $300 TO FIX LEAK. *TR
I JUST BOUGHT THIS CAR AND WAS HAVING A PROBLEM WITH MY BRAKE LIGHTS NOT WORKING AND THEN EVERY TIME I TRIED TO TAKE THE CAR OUT OF PARK IT GOT STUCK. MY BATTERY ALSO WENT DEAD. ALL WITHIN DAYS OF MY PURCHASE. I RESEARCHED ONLINE AND FOUND THAT THERE WAS A RECALL THAT HAD ALL OF THESE PROBLEMS AND THEY WERE CONNECTED. WHEN I WENT TO THE FORD DEALERSHIP THEY TOLD ME THERE WAS NO RECALL FOR THIS CAR WHICH I FIND HARD TO BELIEVE BECAUSE IT IS THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM AS LISTED IN THE RECALL. MY CAR IS A 2003 MERCURY SABLE. SEE RECALL INFO BELOW: ------------------------ MAKE: MERCURY MODEL: SABLE MODEL YEAR: 2003 MANUFACTURER: FORD MOTOR COMPANY MFR'S REPORT DATE: MAR 01, 2004 NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 04V106000 RQ03008 NHTSA ACTION NUMBER: RQ03008 COMPONENT: EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS:SWITCH FORD RECALL 04S12 SUMMARY: CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES ARE BEING RECALLED TO CORRECT A PROBLEM WITH A MALFUNCTIONING STOP LAMP SWITCH AND/OR ASSOCIATED WIRING. THIS MALFUNCTIONING COULD RENDER THE STOP LAMPS INOPERABLE OR CAUSE THEM TO STAY ON ALL THE TIME. THIS COULD CAUSE CONFUSION TO A FOLLOWING DRIVER, WHICH COULD LEAD TO A CRASH. CONSEQUENCE: IN ADDITION, IF THE SWITCH AND/OR ASSOCIATED WIRING FAIL IN THE OPEN POSITION, THE BRAKE LIGHTS WILL NOT ACTUATE AND THE DRIVER WILL NOT BE ABLE TO SHIFT THE VEHICLE OUT OF PARK. IF THEY FAIL IN THE CLOSED POSITION, THE BRAKE LIGHTS WILL REMAIN ON, WHICH WILL NOT ALLOW THE SPEED CONTROL TO BE ACTIVATED. THIS COULD ALSO CAUSE THE BATTERY TO DISCHARGE. *TR
DRIVER'S SIDE AIRBAG FAILED TO DEPLOY ON FRONT IMPACT CAR CRASH. THE CAR IS A 2003 MERCURY SABLE. THE PASSENGER AIR BAG DID DEPLOY (THOUGH THERE WAS NO PASSENGER). THE HIGHWAY PATROL CUT OPEN THE STEERING WHEEL COVER TO REVEAL THAT THERE WAS INDEED A DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG WITH THE NUMBER TGP037SPAEIT P5206000-00EE09. THE VIN NUMBER OF THE VEHICLE IS [XXX] MY DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING AND IS UNSURE OF THE SPEED OF THE CAR WHEN SHE LOST CONTROL OF THE CAR AND HIT THE WALL. I'M GUESSING IT WAS IN THE 35-45 MPH RANGE. HER INJURIES WERE MINOR - THANKS TO THE SEAT BELT - I AM VERY CONCERNED THAT THE AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY TO OFFER HER FURTHER PROTECTION AS EXPECTED. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MERCURY SABLE. THE CONTACT EXPERIENCED ISSUES WITH SHIFTING THE GEAR SHIFT INTO THE APPROPRIATE GEARS. HE COULD NOT MOVE THE GEAR SHIFT AT ALL, EVEN WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. HE ALSO NOTICED THAT THE BRAKE LIGHTS WERE INOPERABLE WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THE GEAR SHIFT WOULD NOT BUDGE FROM THE PARK POSITION. THE VIN WAS EXCLUDED FROM NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 04V106000. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE LESS THAN 157,000.
I WAS DRIVING ALONG, AND WITH NO WARNING, NO NOISE NO SQUEAK TRANSMISSION FAILURE AT 34,000 MILES, ALSO MASTER CYLINDER FAILURE. LAST MONTH. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MERCURY SABLE. WHILE DRIVING IN REVERSE, THE COIL SPRING BROKE AND PUNCTURED THE TIRE. HE HEARD A NOISE AS IF SOMETHING WAS SPLITTING ON THE FRONT LEFT SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL DEALER WHO CONFIRMED THAT THE FRONT COIL SPRING WAS BROKEN. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED AT THE OWNERS EXPENSE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 86,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 89,000.
AFTER REFUELING AT BUSY GAS STATION, STARTED THE CAR AND THE CAR WOULD NOT GO FORWARD OR BACKWARDS AS NO GEARS WERE WORKING. THE CAR ENGINE WAS WORKING FINE BUT THE TRANSMISSION DIED WITHOUT ANY WARNING SYMPTOMS - NO CLUNKING, NO GRINDING GEARS, NO LOSS OF FLUIDS,... IT JUST COMPLETELY FAILED. THE CAR WAS REPAIRED WITH A USED TRANSMISSION. THE SAME FORD/MERCURY TRANSMISSION MODEL WAS RECALLED IN ANOTHER FORD VEHICLE. 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 THE 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
WIFE WAS DRIVING VEHICLE ON HIGHWAY. THE CAR ENGINE KEPT RUNNING BUT THE TRANSMISSION DIED WITHOUT ANY WARNING SYMPTOMS - NO CLUNKING, NO GRINDING GEARS, NO LOSS OF FLUIDS,... IT JUST COMPLETELY FAILED WHILE IN MOTION. THANK GOD SHE WAS ABLE TO COAST TOWARDS THE SHOULDER AND AVOID BEING HIT. THE CAR WAS REPAIRED WITH A USED TRANSMISSION. THE SAME TRANSMISSION WAS RECALLED IN ANOTHER FORD VEHICLE. 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'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. *TR
ON JANUARY 17 WHILE BACKING OUT OF MY GARAGE, MY 2003 MERCURY SABLE WAS MAKING A HORRENDOUS NOISE. UPON INVESTIGATING, I DISCOVERED WHAT I THOUGHT WAS A FLAT TIRE. MY HUSBAND REMOVED THE TIRE TO TAKE IT FOR REPAIR AND DISCOVERED A MAJOR PROBLEM. THE INSIDE OF THE TIRE LOOKED LIKE IT WAS OPENED WITH A CAN OPENER. WE BOUGHT A NEW TIRE, PUT IT ON THE CAR BUT IT WAS STILL MAKING THAT AWFUL NOISE. THE TIRE WAS RUBBING THE WHEEL WELL. AT THAT TIME, WE KNEW THAT THERE WAS A BIGGER PROBLEM. AFTER REMOVING THE TIRE AGAIN, MY HUSBAND DISCOVERED THAT THE RIGHT FRONT COIL SPRING WAS BROKEN! IT HAPPENED WHILE SITTING IN THE GARAGE. I CALLED FORD MOTOR COMPANY AFTER RESEARCHING THIS ONLINE. THIS IS A BIG PROBLEM WITH THE FORD TAURUS AS WELL AS THE MERCURY SABLE. TO MY DISMAY, THEY WILL DO NOTHING ABOUT IT. I AM ONLY GLAD THAT THIS DID NOT HAPPEN WHILE TRAVELING AT A HIGH RATE OF SPEED. MY ONLY HOPE IS THAT THERE WILL BE SOME RECALL ON THIS PROBLEM SO THAT OTHER CAR OWNERS DO NOT HAVE TO GO THROUGH ALL OF THIS INCONVENIENCE. *TR
-DRIVER SIDE SUSPENSION COIL SPRING BROKE. FORTUNATELY THIS WAS WHEN CAR WAS SITTING STILL. COIL PUNCTURED TIRE AND BROKE THE STRUT & SOME KIND OF A LINKAGE. THERE WAS NO WARNING SIGN OF THIS PROBLEM. -REPLACED PARTS INCLUDING PASSENGER SIDE PARTS KNOWING THIS WAS A MATERIAL FATIGUE FAILURE & WOULD EVENTFULLY OCCUR ON OTHER SIDE TOO. -THIS PART IS THE SAME AS ON 2000 & 2001 SABLE THAT ARE NOW COVERED UNDER AN EXTENDED WARRANTY. -THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE & SHOULD BE A RECALL ITEM ! *TR
DAY 1 - FAILURE OR LEFT FRONT COIL SPRING - SPEED APPROX. 30MPH SPRING JUST POPPED WITH A LOUD JARRING BANG. HAD VEHICLE TOWED TO REPAIR FACILITY - REPAIRED AND REPLACED LEFT FRONT SPRING ASSEMBLY. NEXT MORNING - FAILURE - LEFT REAR COIL SPRING. RESULTING IN TIRE BLOW OUT SPEED 5 MPH. CURRENTLY BACK AT REPAIR FACILITY. FORD/MERCURY ARE KNOWN TO HAVE SPRING PROBLEMS BUT EVIDENTLY UNLESS SOMEONE DIES NOTHING WILL BE DONE ABOUT IT. CONTACTED FORD ABOUT THE PROBLEM THE SAID NO RECALL NOTHING WE CAN DO. JUST LOOK AT THE COMPLAINTS - OBVIOUSLY THIS IS NOT A FREAK OCCURRENCE. *TR
I HAVE HAD MY COMPRESSOR IN DEC 2008 TO FIX THE AC PROBLEM I HAD THEN BUT IT NEVER WAS. THEN MY MECHANIC SUGGESTED THAT WAS THE CONDENSER CHANGED AND NOW THAT HASN'T SOLVED THE PROBLEM. I AM BEGINNING TO WONDER IF THIS IS NOT A PROBLEM THE MANUFACTURERS NEED TO LOOK AT. WITH THIS ECONOMY SPENDING THE MONEY A I AM NOT TO MENTION THAT I AM STILL MAKING PAYMENTS TO THE FINANCE COMPANY IS AN ADDED HEADACHE. PLEASE HELP! *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MERCURY SABLE. AFTER SEVERE RAINY CONDITIONS, THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE FLOOR EXHIBITED AN EXCESSIVE ACCUMULATION OF WATER. THERE WERE NO PRIOR WARNINGS. THE CONTACT DISCOVERED NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 03V087000 (VISIBILITY, WINDSHIELD) WHICH IDENTIFIES THE WATER LEAKAGE. THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED THE FAILURES IDENTICAL TO THE RECALL; HOWEVER, IT HAS NOT BEEN DETERMINED IF THE VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER IS INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DEFECT. THE VEHICLE WILL BE TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 75,000.
2003 MERCURY SABLE SUSPENSION-FRONT:SPRINGS:COIL SPRING NHTSA ACTION # PE04044 CAMPAIGN ID #04V332000 THIS IS A OLD PROBLEM THAT IS STILL HERE AND ALIVE. MY 2003 MERCURY SABLE HAS BROKEN A SPRING AND DESTROYED THE DRIVER SIDE FRONT TIRE. I CALL THE LOCAL FORD DEALER SERVICE DEPARTMENT AND WAS TOLD THERE ARE NO RECALLS FOR THIS PROBLEM. I HAD MY CAR TOWED TO A REPAIR SHOP AND THEY SAID THIS IS A NORMAL PROBLEM WITH FORD & MERCURY. THEY REPLACED BOTH STRUTS AND COILS AND TIRE AND ALIGNMENT FOR $1366.00. THE CAR HAD JUST ARRIVED HOME AND WAS IN THE GARAGE WHEN THE TIRE BLOW. THIS COULD HAVE HAPPENED WHILE DRIVING AND CAUSED INJURY. I THINK THE RECALL SHOULD BE EXTENDED TO INCLUDE ALL FORD & MERCURY CARS UNTIL THIS PROBLEM GOES AWAY. I HAVE CUT OFF ABOUT ONE FOOT OF THE OLD COIL TO PROVE A FAULTY COIL BEFORE THE CAR WAS TOWED TO THE REPAIR SHOP AND TOOK PICTURES OF THE TIRE AND COIL SPRING WHILE STILL ON THE CAR.*TR
MY WIFE ASKED ME TO CHECK THE STRANGE NOISE IN HER CAR WHEN SHE STARTED TO BACK OUT OF OUR DRIVEWAY ON THE MORNING OF DECEMBER 8, 2008. I REMOVED THE RIGHT FRONT WHEEL EXPECTING TO SEE WORN OUT BRAKE PADS. INSTEAD, THE WHEEL STARTED TO MOVE TOWARD ME WHEN I BEGAN REMOVING THE LUG NUTS. THE COIL SPRING WAS BROKEN INTO TWO PARTS. FORTUNATELY, IT BROKE OVERNIGHT AND DOESN'T APPEAR TO HAVE DAMAGED THE TIRE. TIME WILL TELL WHETHER OR NOT IT WEAKENED THE INNER SIDEWALL OF THE RIGHT FRONT TIRE. FAILURE ANALYSIS OF THE 28 CM LENGTH OF SPRING BROKEN OFF FROM THE LOWER END OF THE SPRING IS AS FOLLOWS: THE BROKEN CROSS-SECTION OF THE SPRING HAS A DARK RUST SECTION, ABOUT 15 MM CIRCUMFERENTIALLY AND 2 MM RADIAL FROM THE EXTERIOR SURFACE. THE EXTERIOR SURFACE OF THE SPRING IS RUSTED WHERE THERE IS NO LONGER ANY PROTECTIVE BLACK COATING NEAR THE DEFECTIVE CROSS SECTION. THIS SURFACE AREA IS ABOUT 25 MM CIRCUMFERENTIALLY AND 15 MM LONG FROM THE FRACTURED CROSS SECTION. THERE ARE ABOUT 4 RADIAL FRACTURE LINES EMANATING FROM THE BOTTOM SIDE OF THE SPRING STARTING AT THE 15 MM X 2MM RUSTED AREA. THERE APPEARS TO BE PINPOINT RUST AREAS THROUGHOUT ABOUT 70 PER CENT OF THE REMAINING CROSS SECTION, BY MY NAKED EYE. I WILL BE REPLACING THE COIL SPRING TODAY OR TOMORROW, EITHER MYSELF OR AT A GARAGE. THIS APPEARS TO BE THE SAME TYPE OF FAILURE AS RECALL NUMBER 04N-332. THIS DEFECT IS ONE OF THE REASONS WHY I AM LAID OFF. I HAVE BEEN A FRICTION MATERIAL ENGINEER FOR OVER 25 YEARS. NO WONDER AMERICANS HAVE STOPPED BUYING AMERICAN AUTOMOBILES. THIS MERCURY VEHICLE HAS BEEN MUCH BETTER THAN MY DODGE VEHICLES UP UNTIL NOW. *TR
PUTTING CAR INTO REVERSE, I FELT THE AIR GO UT OF THE PASSENGER FRONT TIRE. UPON FURTHER INVESTIGATION IT WAS THE COIL SPRING THAT BROKE AND PUNCTURED THE TIRE. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MERCURY SABLE. WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH IN SLEETING CONDITIONS, COMING TO A STOP LIGHT THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE HEATER WAS GETTING COLDER. THE HEATER WAS SET AT 78 DEGREES AT THE TIME OF THE FAILURE AND, AS A RESULT, THE FRONT AND REAR GLASS FOGGED. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO SEE THROUGH THE GLASS AND THE DEFROSTER WOULD NOT CLEAR THE GLASS. THE CONTACT HAD TO DRIVE AND CLEAN THE WINDSHIELD WITH A CLOTH IN ORDER TO VIEW THE ROAD. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP FOR INSPECTION AND THEY STATED THAT THE COIL WAS FILLED WITH WATER, WHICH CAUSED THE HEATER TO FAIL. THEY FURTHER STATED THAT IT WAS DUE TO A MANUFACTURER DEFECT. THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY BEING REPAIRED BY A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP AT THE COST OF $500. THE DEALER HAS NOT BEEN NOTIFIED. THE CONTACT IS IN THE PROCESS OF NOTIFYING THE MANUFACTURER. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 17,800 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 18,175. UPDATED 12/17/08. *LJ
STUCK THROTTLE AND THE CAR SPEEDS UP... UPDATED 08/19/13 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED THE INCIDENT HAPPENED MULTIPLE TIMES.
I HAVE A 2003 SABLE UPON DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE, MY CAR JUST STOPPED GOING FORWARD. I HAD TO HAVE IT TOWED TO A GARAGE AND HAVE IT DIAGNOSED. COME TO FIND OUT THE TRANSMISSION FAILED AND WILL COST ME OVER $2700 TO REPLACE IT. I HAVE CONTACTED EVERY TRANSMISSION REPAIR SHOP IN A 75 MILE RADIUS AND THEY ALL GIVE ME THE SAME PRICE. THEY HAVE ALSO TOLD ME THAT EVERY SABLE THEY HAVE RUN ACROSS AROUND THAT YEAR OF PRODUCTION HAS HAD THE PUMP IN THE TRANSMISSION HAS FAILED. THERE IS ONLY 72,000 ON THIS CAR AND I DO NOT HAVE THE MONEY TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION. THIS IS AN ISSUE THAT SHOULD BE TAKEN CARE OF BY THE MANUFACTURER. *CN
I OWN A 2003 MERCURY SABLE, IN 2007, I NOTICED THE PAINT ON THE PASSENGER REAR WHEEL-WELL WAS STARTING TO BUBBLE RUST, MY HUSBAND AND I MADE NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS TO THE DEALERSHIP, AT THE TIME, THEY WERE UNDERGOING A BUYOUT AND WE HAD A DIFFICULT TIME GETTING ANY ANSWERS FROM ANYONE, ONCE THE BUYOUT HAPPENED, WE WERE THEN TOLD ALL THE COMPUTER FILES WERE BEING UPDATED, THEY DID NOT HAVE ANY RECORD OF THE ISSUES WE REPORTED TO THE PREVIOUS OWNERS, SO WE STARTED OVER...IN JULY OF 2008, FINALLY GOT THE MANUFACTURER TO SHARE IN THE EXPENSE OF THE REPAIRS AS THIS HAD NOW PASSED THE WARRANTY TIMEFRAME, HOWEVER, WHEN THE ORIGINAL PROBLEM WAS REPORTED, WE WERE QUOTED A REPAIR ESTIMATE OF $250.00, BY THE TIME WE RECEIVED APPROVAL FROM FORD TO GO AHEAD WITH THE REPAIRS AND THEY STATED THE REPAIR ESTIMATE HAD INCREASED TO $ 550.00 BECAUSE THE RUST AREA HAD WORSEN. IT IS NOW 8 MONTHS LATER, AND THE BUBBLING AND RUST IS STARTING TO APPEAR AGAIN. I HAVE READ SEVERAL ARTICLES ABOUT FORD HAVING ISSUES WITH THE PAINT USED ON THEIR VEHICLES DURING THE 200 - 2005 PERIOD.. APPARENTLY - NOT TOO MANY COMPLAINTS HAVE BEEN FILED TO WARRANT A RECALL, THIS IS THE BASIS FOR MY COMPLIANT NOW. MY CAR IS TAKEN CARE OF, GARAGED, ETC.... I HAVE NEVER HAD A RUSTING PROBLEM WITH AN VEHICLE I HAVE OWNED, AND THIS DOES NOT SEEM FAIR THAT THIS CAR SHOULD BE RUSTING, AND FOR A SECOND TIME WITHIN 8 MONTHS AFTER THE REPAIRS. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MERCURY SABLE. THE CONTACT STOPPED INTO A SERVICE STATION AND TURNED OFF THE VEHICLE. HE RESTARTED THE VEHICLE AND ATTEMPTED TO SHIFT INTO GEAR; HOWEVER, IT WOULD NOT SHIFT UNTIL APPROXIMATELY 20 MINUTES LATER. THE CONTACT DROVE HOME AND NOTICED THAT THE REAR BRAKE LIGHTS WERE NOT ILLUMINATING. THROUGH ONLINE RESEARCH, THE CONTACT DISCOVERED NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 04V106000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS:SWITCH); HOWEVER, HIS VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 101,000.
CAR WENT IN FOR STATE INSPECTION MECHANIC AT DEALERSHIP FOUND (DRIVERSIDE) LEFT REAR COIL SPRING ON STRUT BROKEN AND STRUT LEAKING, REPLACED SPRING AND STRUT UNDER EXTENDED WARRANTY AT 45,205 MILES ON 05/15/2008. THIS WAS THE FIRST SPRING ON THIS CAR TO BREAK, SECOND SPRING 02/21/2010 ODI NUMBER 10312550, I JUST WANT THIS DEFECT TO GET REPAIRED BEFORE IT KILLS SOMEONE. THIS IS BAD METAL YOU CAN SEE IT IS CRYSTALLIZED AT THE BREAK. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MERCURY SABLE. WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD POPPING SOUND COMING FROM THE FRONT PASSENGER WHEEL. SHE EXITED THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE TIRE WAS BLOWN. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP AND INSPECTED BY A TECHNICIAN, WHO DETERMINED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE COIL SPRING FAILED. AS A RESULT, THE DRIVER'S SIDE COIL SPRING ALSO FAILED; HOWEVER, THE TIRE WAS NOT PUNCTURED. THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE COILS SPRINGS AND TWO FRONT TIRES WERE REPLACED AT THE COST OF $720. THE CONTACT IS IN THE PROCESS OF NOTIFYING THE MANUFACTURER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 49,400 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 57,000.
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MERCURY SABLE. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO DEPRESS THE BRAKE PEDAL AND PLACE THE VEHICLE INTO DRIVE, THE CONTACT'S FOOT STRUCK THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL INSTEAD. THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED FORWARD AT A FAST PACE. THE CONTACT FEELS THAT THE ACCELERATOR AND BRAKE PEDALS ARE TOO CLOSE TOGETHER AND COULD CAUSE A CRASH WHEN PRESSED INCORRECTLY. HE CALLED THE MANUFACTURER AND WAS ADVISED TO HAVE THE VEHICLE INSPECTED. WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE CONTACT HAD TO SLAM ON THE BRAKES IN ORDER TO AVOID A CRASH. HE NOTICED THAT THE STEERING COLUMN FAILED INTERMITTENTLY, BUT WAS ABLE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE SAFELY TO HIS DESTINATION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP AND INSPECTED BY A TECHNICIAN, WHO STATED THAT HE DOES NOT WORK ON STEERING FAILURES. THE CONTACT WAS INSTRUCTED TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO A DEALER. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT YET BEEN INSPECTED AND NO REPAIRS HAVE BEEN PERFORMED. THE CONTACT IS IN THE PROCESS OF NOTIFYING THE MANUFACTURER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 10,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 57,063.
DRIVERS SIDE COIL SPRING BROKE AND COLLAPSED WHEN CAR WAS PLACED IN GEAR. PROTRUDING EDGE OF SPRING PUNCTURED AND DEFLATED TIRE. SPRING AND TIRE WERE REPLACED BY MECHANIC AT SUBSTANTIAL EXPENSE. OLD TIRE AND SPRING WERE DISCARDED. *TR
I WAS HEADING TO CHURCH. I TURNED ON TO ANOTHER ROAD WHEN MY CAR STOPPED GOING. IT SOUNDED FINE BUT WHEN I TRIED TO PUSH THE GAS TO GO, THE CAR WOULD NOT GO. I'VE ONLY HAD THE CAR ABOUT 3 TO 4 YRS, AND HAVE ONLY PUT ABOUT 50,000 MILES ON THE CAR. I HAD THE CAR TOWED TO ECKENROD FORD IN CULLMAN, AL. WITH A LOT OF PERSISTENCE AND A BULLDOG ATTITUDE, THEY ARE CURRENTLY FIXING MY CAR. BUT, IT IS COSTING ME MONEY I DON'T HAVE SINCE I JUST HAD A BABY. WHO ,BY THE WAY, WAS WITH ME WHEN THE CAR FAILED TO DRIVE PROPERLY (ON A COLD SNOWY SAT. MORNING). THEY KNOW THEY HAVE THIS PROBLEM, I DON'T KNOW WHY THEY DON'T TAKE CARE OF IT ALL TOGETHER. I COULD HAVE BEEN IN THE MIDDLE OF A BUSY HIGHWAY LIKE THE LAST CAR I HAD WHEN IT DID THE SAME THING. GUESS WHAT, IT WAS A 2000 FORD TAURUS WITH THE SAME SERVICE BULLETIN AS THIS CAR AND HAD TO BE FIXED BUT I DIDN'T PAY FOR IT. INSTEAD THEY MANAGED TO GET ME IN THE CAR I CURRENTLY HAVE WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. THEY NEED TO FIX THEIR CARS AND QUIET GIVING THE CONSUMER A HARD TIME ABOUT IT. HOW MANY HAVE TO TEAR UP BEFORE THEY DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT????????? *TR
THE FRONT LEFT COIL SPRING ON OUR 2003 MERCURY SABLE BROKE AND SHREDDED THE TIRE. LUCKILY THIS HAPPENED AT 0-30 MPH, OR IT COULD HAVE BEEN CATASTROPHIC. THE 2003 MERCURY SABLE HAS 72,000 MILES. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MERCURY SABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED BEYOND 7 RPMS WHEN SHE DEPRESSED THE ACCELERATOR. SHE STATED THAT SHE HAD TO DEPRESS THE BRAKE EXTREMELY HARD THEN SHUT OFF THE VEHICLE BEFORE IT WOULD STOP. IN ADDITION, SHE STATED THAT SHE LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE CRUISE CONTROL CABLE CAUSED THE FAILURE. THEY DISCONNECTED THE CRUISE CONTROL. AS OF MAY 19, 2008, THE DEALER HAD NOT REPAIRED THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE NOTICED AN OIL LEAK. THE MECHANIC THE OIL SEAL PAN NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MECHANIC REPLACED THE OIL PAN SEAL AND THERE HAD BEEN NO FURTHER OCCURRENCES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 35,850 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 36850.
FORD TAURUS AND THE MERCURY SABLE'S HAVE A PROBLEM WITH WATER LEAKING INTO THE HEATER CORE BOX WHICH EVENTUALLY CAUSES THE HEATER MOTOR AND STOP WORKING. I UNDERSTAND FROM READING POST ON THE INTERNET THAT IS APPARENTLY A DESIGN FLAW. MY CAR HAD 44,000 MILES AT THE POINT WHERE THE MOTOR QUIT WORKING. THE BILL TO REPAIR THE CAR WAS $471.28. THE WARRANTY HAD OBVIOUSLY EXPIRED BUT I FELT LIKE FORD MOTOR CO SHOULD RE-IMBURSE THE COST OF THE REPAIR SINCE IT IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM. THEY DECLINED TO HELP WITH THE COST OF THE REPAIR. *TR
MY WIFE WAS BACKING OUT OF OUR DRIVEWAY WHEN THERE WAS A POPPING NOISE AND THEN A BLOWOUT ON THE LEFT FRONT TIRE.I WAS STANDING NEXT TO THE MV AT THE TIME. THE COIL SPRING BROKE/SHATTERED AND A PIECE OF IT WENT THRU THE SIDE WALL OF THE TIRE PUTTING A 6-8" GASH IN THE TIRE. WE HAVE THE PIECES OF THE SPRING. FORD REFUSED TO REIMBURSE US FOR THE REPAIR WHICH WAS MADE AT A FORD DEALER(NORTHAMPTON FORD ). THE VEHICLE HAD 50577 MILES. IN RESEARCHING THIS ON THE INTERNET I FIND THAT SINCE 1999 THEY HAVE HAD RECALLS AND REPAIR PROGRAMS FOR THIS PROBLEM ON VARIOUS MODELS BUT APPARENTLY THEY DO NOT ACKNOWLEDGE IT IN THE 2003 SABLE. FORTUNATLEY SHE WAS NOT DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY WHEN THIS HAPPENED. I FOUND TWO SITES ON THE INTERNET THAT HAD MANY REPORTS/COMPLAINTS OF THIS IN VARIOUS FORD VEHICLES. THE FOLLOWING WEEK MY 82 YOA MOTHER WHO DRIVES A 2003 FORD FOCUS THOUGHT SHE HAD A SOFT TIRE, WENT TO HER LOCAL DEALERSHIP AND WAS TOLD BOTH FRONT COIL SPRINGS WERE BROKEN. THESE REPAIRS WERE COVERED AND REIMBURSED BY FORD. I SPOKE WITH SEVERAL MECHANICS AND WAS ADVISED THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM IN FORD VEHICLES.I WAS ADVISED BY A MECHANIC THAT THE AFTERMARKET MANUFACTURERS DO NOT MAKE REPLACEMENT STRUTS FOR THE 2003 SABLE. ALL OF THIS INDICATES TO ME THAT FORD HAS A PROBLEM WITH THE DESIGN AND OR MANUFACTURE OF THEIR COIL SPRINGS WHICH COVERS SEVERAL YEARS OF VEHICLES. HAD MY WIFE BEEN ON THE HIGHWAY SHE PROBABLY WOULD LIKELY HAVE LOST CONTROL AND HAD A VERY SERIOUS ACCIDENT. FINDING A BROKEN COIL SPRING AFTER AN ACCIDENT LIKE THAT YOU WOULD PROBABLY NOT BE ABLE TO PROVE THAT IT (THE BROKEN SPRING WHICH CAUSED THE BLOWOUT) WAS NOT CAUSED BY THE ACCIDENT. I AM NOT AWARE OF ANY OTHER MANUFACTURER HAVING SIMILAR PROBLEMS. I BELIEVE THAT THE SAFETY OF THE PUBLIC IS IN JEOPARDY. OUR VEHICLE IS USED EXCLUSIVELY BY MY WIFE A SCHOOL ADMINISTRATOR- NO TEEN AGERS DRIVING IT WHO WOULD BE EMULATING THE DUKES OF HAZHARD. *CN
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MERCURY SABLE. WHEN IT RAINED, THE WINDSHIELD LEAKED WATER ABOVE THE DRIVER SIDE TOP CORNER. THE REPAIR SHOP STATED THAT THE WINDSHIELD WAS VERY LOOSE AND IMPROPERLY SEALED. THE WINDSHIELD WAS REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 03V087000 (VISIBILITY: WINDSHIELD). THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 32,000. UPDATED 3/4/08 *CN
WATER LEAKED INTO CAR INTERIOR FOOT AREA AND SHORTED OUT AC/HEATER BLOWER MOTOR. *TR
WATER AND RAIN LEAK INTO BLOWER HOUSING AND THEN ONTO PASSENGER FLOOR. THIS HAPPENS EVERY TIME IT RAINS AND THIS DISABLES THE HEATING THE AND COOLING SYSTEMS IN THE CAR. *JB
WHENEVER THE CAR IS RAINED UPON, WATER RUNS INTO THE FAN MOTOR AIR INTAKE, THEN INTO THE FAN BLOWER MOTOR, WHICH IS INSIDE THE CAR BEHIND THE GLOVE BOX, AND THEN RUNS OUT ONTO THE RIGHT FRONT PASSENGER FLOORBOARD. I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE ONE BLOWER MOTOR THAT SHORTED OUT FROM THE WATER IN IT, AND HAVE TO PULL THE CARPET UP SO IT CAN DRY OUT. ALSO, AFRAID OF THE POSSIBILITY OF MOLD GROWING EITHER IN THE AIR VENTS OR IN THE CARPET. I TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THE SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE TOLD ME HE HAS SEEN OTHER CARS LIKE MINE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM. THE DEALERSHIP SELLS A PART TO INSTALL UNDER THE HOOD OVER THE AIR BLOWER INTAKE TO CHANNEL WATER AWAY TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM. *TR
THE CAR HAS A THROTTLE OVER RUN PROBLEM. WHEN I LIFT MY FOOT OFF THE GAS AND THE APPLY BRAKES, IT FEELS AS IF THE ENGINE IS NOT RETURNING TO IDLE COMPLETELY. THE BRAKES ARE IN GOOD CONDITION. I HAVE HAD NUMEROUS CLOSE CALLS WITH REAREND COLLISIONS. THE DEALER NEVER FOUND A PROBLEM. *JB
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MERCURY SABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE IS EXPERIENCING BRAKE LIGHT FAILURE. HE ALSO STATED THAT HE COULD START THE VEHICLE, BUT IT FAILED TO SHIFT OUT OF THE PARK POSITION. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THEY WOULD NOT PAY FOR THE REPAIRS, ALTHOUGH A RECALL WAS ISSUED FOR THE COMPONENT. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 51,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 48,000. UPDATED 07/16/08.*LJ UPDATED 07/16/08
I RECENTLY HAD A TIRE BLOW OUT ON MY VEHICLE. UPON REMOVING THE TIRE IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE RIGHT FRONT SPRING SNAPPED, WHICH HAD RUPTURED THE TIRE. I WAS ABLE TO GET THE CAR TO A LOCAL SHOP TO REPLACE THE SPRING AND TIRE AT MY EXPENSE, WITH A USED SPRING TO KEEP THE COST DOWN. I CONTACTED FORD ,AND FORD ADVISED THEY WOULD NOT COVER ANY EXPENSES RELATED TO THIS. THE CARWAS A 2003 MERCURY SABLE WITH LOW MILES ON IT. ALSO , CONTACTED MY DEALER , AND THE DEALER AGREED THAT THIS TYPE OF DAMAGE SHOULD NOT HAVE OCCURRED , YET COULD NOT RECTIFY THE PROBLEM SINCE FORD HAS NOT RECALLED IT FOR SPRINGS. I BELIEVE THERE WAS A FAULT IN THE SPRINGS ,AND WAS FEARFUL THIS MAY HAPPEN TO THE REMAINING SPRINGS ON THIS CAR. FORD'S ADVICE TO ME WAS TO HAVE THE REMAINING SPRINGS EXAMINED, AT MY OWN EXPENSE, AS THEY REMINDED ME THAT THEREWAS NO RECALL FOR FAULTY SPRINGS. I HAVE RETAINED THE DAMAGED SPRING AS I WAS CONVINCED THERE WAS AN ISSUE THAT WAS NOT BEING ADDRESSED. IN MY OPINION, IT WAS A MATTER OF SAFETY. A CAR'S SPRINGS SHOULD NOT BREAK, ESPECIALLY WHEN IT WA SA RELATIVELY NEW VEHICLE. THIS HAS BEEN THE SECOND COSTLY REPAIR I HAVE MADE TO THIS VEHICLE, I PREVIOUSLY HAD TO REPLACE THE RIGHT FRONT SWAY BAR . ALSO, SHOULD NOT HAVE BROKEN AND AGAIN NOT A COVERED EXPENSE. *AK
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MERCURY SABLE. IN APRIL OF 2007, THE CLIMATE CONTROL MODULE WAS REPLACED, WHICH COST $613. ON JULY 26, 2007, THE AIR CONDITIONER COMPRESSOR WAS REPLACED, TOTALING $886. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY MAKING A LOUD NOISE. THE PURCHASE DATE WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 32,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 26,825.
2003 MERCURY SABLE BLOWER MOTOR FAILURE DUE TO WATER LEAKAGE. FORD ISSUED A TSB ON THIS IN 2004. DEFROSTER AND HEATER WILL NOT WORK. MY VEHICLE [XXX] IT HAS 27,000 MILES AND THE DEALER IS CHARGING $400.00 FOR THE REPAIR. THERE IS A SIMILAR BULLETIN 03V087000. NOT HAVING DEFROST IN THE NORTH EAST IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS. THANK YOU. *JS INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
WATER AND RAIN LEAK INTO BLOWER HOUSING AND THEN ONTO PASSENGER FLOOR. IN HEAVY RAIN THE BLOWER CAN BE HEARD AGITATING THE WATER. THERE ARE MANY REPORTS THAT THIS WILL EVENTUALLY DISABLE THE BLOWER MOTOR AND THEREFORE THE VEHICLE WILL HAVE NO DEFROSTER, CREATING A POTENTIAL HAZARD. *JB
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MERCURY SABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE WINDOWS FOGGED UP AND THE DEFOGGER FAILED TO ACTIVATE. THE DRIVING VISIBILITY WAS REDUCED AS A RESULT. PRIOR TO THE DEFOGGER FAILING THE CONTACT NOTICED WATER ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE FLOOR. THE VEHICLE WAS STILL HAVING THIS FAILURE, AND VEHICLE HAS NOT YET BEEN INSPECTED BY THE DEALER. THERE WAS RECALL # 03V087000 CONCERNING VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD, BUT THE CONTACTS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 42,000, AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40,500. *AK THE CONSUMER STATED THE FAN MOTOR CAUSED BY CONSISTENT WATER INTRUSION INTO THE VENT. THE CONSUMER PROVIDED A COPY OF THE REPAIR INVOICE AND RECEIPT. UPDATED 07/06/07 *TR
HEATER BLOWER MOTOR ON 2003 SABLE TOOK ON WATER FROM LEAK IN WIPER COWL AND CEASED TO FUNCTION. EXTENDED WARRANTY DID NOT COVER WATER LEAKS SO DEALER WANTED $400 TO SEAL LEAK AND FIX MOTOR. *JB
DO ANY NEW CARS OFFER AN AUTOMATIC RELEASE OF THE REAR DOOR CHILD LOCK DEVICE. THIS MEANS THAT THE CHILD LOCK WILL AUTOMATICALLY UN-SET UPON IMPACT OF AN ACCIDENT SO PEOPLE IN THE BACK SEAT CAN QUICKLY GET OUT. I HAD AN INCIDENT IN A MERCURY SABLE WHERE THE BACK SEAT PASSENGER WAS NEARLY BURNED BECAUSE THEY COULD NOT GET OUT OF THE BACK SEAT (GET THE REAR DOOR OPEN). THIS KIND OF PROBLEM IS DESCRIBED ON A WEBSITE WWW.CARSAFETYUSA.COM IN DETAIL. DOES ANY CAR HAVE THIS FEATURE FOR AUTOMATIC CHILD LOCK RELEASE AFTER AN ACCIDENT ? I WOULD LIKE FOR MY NEXT PURCHASE TO HAVE THIS FEATURE. *JB
WENT TO TAKE MY DAUGHTER TO SCHOOL ONE MORNING, NOTICED THAT THE CAR TOOK EXTRA LONG TO ENGAGE INTO REVERSE. DROVE MY DAUGHTER TO SCHOOL, WENT TO WORK AND DECIDED THAT I BETTER CHECK THE TRANSMISSION FLUID. UPON REMOVING THE DIP STICK, THE TRANSMISSION FLUID CAME BOILING OUT OF THE DIP STICK HOLE. I IMMEDIATELY CALLED A TOW TRUCK AND HAD IT TAKEN TO AAMCO TRANSMISSION LOCATED AT 1705 W. KENNEDY BLVD., TAMPA, FL 33606, 813-251-1049. UPON THEIR INSPECTION OF THE TRANSMISSION, THEY HAD DETERMINED THAT THE TORQUE CONVERTER HAD GONE BAD WHICH IN TURN CAUSED THE PUMP TO GO BAD. SO THEREFORE, I HAD TO HAVE A COMPLETE OVERHAUL OF THE TRANSMISSION WHICH HAS NOW COST ME $2223.04 PLUS $88.11 FOR CAR RENTAL. TOTAL AMOUNT WAS $2311.15. I AM GOING TO MAKE A FORMAL DEMAND FOR PAYMENT FROM MERCURY AS THIS SHOULD NOT HAVE HAPPENED ON A CAR THAT ONLY HAS 37000 MILES ON IT. *JB
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE APPROACHING THE VEHICLE IN THE DRIVEWAY, THE FRONT LEFT TIRE WAS NOTICED TO BE FLAT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE TIRE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DETERMINED THE LEFT FRONT COIL SPRING FRACTURED WHICH PUNCTURED THE TIRE. THERE IS A NHTSA RECALL, # 04V332000, REGARDING THE FRONT COIL SPRINGS. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER HAVE BEEN ALERTED.
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE ENGINE WOULD JERK. THE DEALERSHIP DETERMINED THE ENGINE MOUNTS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED, BUT THE VEHICLE COULD STILL BE DRIVEN. A MONTH LATER, WHILE ATTEMPTING TO PROCEED AT A STOP SIGN, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT MOVE FORWARD. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP, WHERE IT WAS DETERMINED THE MOTOR MOUNTS CAUSED THE FAILURE.
SPRINGS IN FRONT END SHOCKS BROKE. ONE AT A TIME. *JB
MERCURY SABLE 2003 FRONT COIL SPRING BROKE. WILL HAVE REPAIRED AT MERCURY DEALER AND WILL KEEP FAILED PART. THIS IS THE SAME RECALL WE HAD ON OUR 1999 MERCURY SABLE 2 YEARS AFTER WE PAID TO HAVE ITS COIL SPRINGS FIXED. THIS SEEMS TO BE AN ON GOING PROBLEM WITH MERCURY SABLES AS WELL AS THE FORD TAURUS. *NM
MERCURY SABLE 2003 LEAKS WATER ONTO THE PASSENGER FLOOR BOARD ALSO CAUSING MY AC BLOWER MOTOR TO SHORT OUT. *TR
Data synced from NHTSA on May 4, 2026