There are 2 owner-reported engine complaints for the 2004 Mercury Sablein NHTSA's database. These are unverified consumer reports and may not reflect confirmed defects.
WHILE DRIVING AND I GO OVER 50 MPH MY CAR WILL SPEED UP WHICH CAUSE THE THROTTLE CABLE TO COME APART AN D THE ENGINE OR TRANSMISSION SPEEDS UP. *TR
WHILE DRIVING TO WORK, I SMELLED BURNING PLASTIC. I ROLLED UP THE WINDOW THINKING IT WAS ANOTHER VEHICLE. A FEW MINUTES LATER I NOTICED AN ODD MELTING LOOK ON THE REAR WINDSHIELD, AND A STRONGER BURNING PLASTIC SMELL. IMMEDIATELY I TURNED OFF THE REAR DEFROST, AND CRACKED THE WINDOW TO LET THE FUMES ESCAPE. APPROXIMATELY A MILE LATER (WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH) THE REAR WINDSHIELD EXPLODED. THE GLASS INITIALLY STAYED INTACT, BUT PRIOR TO ME DRIVING TO THE CLOSEST DEALERSHIP (3 MILES FROM THAT POINT), THE SHARDS BEGAN FALLING INTO THE BACK SEAT OF THE VEHICLE. I AM GRATEFUL THERE WAS NO ONE IN THE BACK SEAT. *TR
Complaints are unverified consumer reports submitted to NHTSA. A high complaint count may reflect vehicle popularity, not defect severity. Data sourced from NHTSA public records.
Data synced from NHTSA on Apr 26, 2026