What Owners Report NHTSA ODI · 2,175,102 complaints · MY1998–2026

2001 Mercury Sable

Typical pattern

8.3% of complaints about the 2001 Mercury Sable came in the first year, which is unremarkable for a 2001 vehicle — around the middle of the 216 model-years on record. The median complaint arrives at 6.3 yr in service. The most-reported system is suspension (217 complaints), typically at 6.7 yr or about 74,000 miles.

Complaints
492
Median age at failure
6.3 yr
Median mileage
68,680 n=367
Crash / fire / tow
10.8% of reports
Safety recalls
9

When each system is reported — middle 50% of complaints

System
0y2y4y6y8y10y12y14y
Suspension
217 reports · 74,000 mi
6.7 yr
0.5%
Speed control
57 reports · 96,000 mi
6.3 yr
22.8%
Service brakes, hydraulic
30 reports · 47,187 mi
2.8 yr
33.3%
Air bags
25 reports · 60,000 mi
5.5 yr
52%
Electrical system
23 reports · 49,500 mi
3.9 yr
8.7%
Engine cooling
22 reports · 56,900 mi
5.3 yr
0%
Power train
20 reports · 49,900 mi
3.9 yr
5%
Exterior lighting
15 reports · 84,000 mi
5.1 yr
6.7%

Safety recalls — NHTSA campaigns

16E026000 2016-04-01
Service brakes, hydraulic:foundation components:disc:pads

Bosch Brake Components LLC (Bosch) is recalling certain aftermarket replacement front brake pads, models Bosch QuietCast BC598 and BP765, Bosch Blue BE598 and BE598H, Prostop PD598 and PD765M, Duralast Gold DG598, Duralast MKD598, Stop Master ST598, UltraStop ULT598, UltraLife MX598 and MX765, BrakeBest MKD765, and Prostop Platinum PGD598. These brake pads, manufactured October 1, 2014, to October 31, 2015 are intended for use on 2001-2007 Ford Taurus, 2001-2005 Mercury Sable, 1995-1999 Ford Taurus SHO, 1995-2002 Lincoln Continental, and 1993-1998 Lincoln Mark VIII vehicles. The brake pad shi

A damaged or broken brake disc may reduce a vehicle's braking power, increasing the risk of a crash.

04V332000 2004-07-15
Suspension:front:springs:coil springs

ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES ORIGINALLY SOLD IN OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE STATES OF CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, IOWA, KENTUCKY, MAINE, MARYLAND, MASSACHUSETTS, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA, MISSOURI, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW JERSEY, NEW YORK, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, RHODE ISLAND, VERMONT, WEST VIRGINIA, WISCONSIN, AND THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, THE FRONT COIL SPRINGS COULD FRACTURE DUE TO CORROSION ASSOCIATED WITH SALT USED ON THE ROADWAYS DURING THE WINTER. A FRACTURED SPRING COULD MOVE PAST THE SPRING SEAT AND CONTACT A FRONT TIRE.

IF THIS OCCURS, THE TIRE MAY RUPTURE RESULTING IN A RAPID AIR LOSS, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.

04V106000 2004-03-02
Exterior lighting:brake lights:switch

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.

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.

02V266000 2002-10-02
Service brakes, hydraulic:pedals and linkages

CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH ADJUSTABLE PADELS ARE BEING RECALLED IN ORDER TO ADJUST THE BRAKE AND ACCELERATOR PEDALS TO A MINIMUM OF 50 MM OF LATERAL SEPARATION. SIMULTANEOUS APPLICATION OF BOTH THE BRAKE AND ACCELERATOR PEDALS COULD RESULT IN AN INCREASE IN ENGINE RPM.

THIS COULD RESULT IN A CUSTOMER EXPERIENCING AN "UNINTENDED VEHICLE SPEED INCREASE" OR A PERCEIVED "UNABLE TO STOP" CONDITION.

01V258000 2001-08-08
Visibility:windshield wiper/washer:motor

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER CARS, SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, AND LIGHT AND MEDIUM DUTY PICKUP TRUCKS. A SWITCH LOCATED IN THE PLASTIC COVER OF THE WIPER MOTOR GEAR CASE COULD MALFUNCTION AND OVERHEAT, POTENTIALLY RESULTING IN LOSS OF INTERMITTENT WIPER FUNCTION, LOSS OF WIPER PARK FUNCTION, COMPLETE LOSS OF WIPER FUNCTION, OR IGNITION OF THE PLASTIC COVER MATERIAL. SWITCH MALFUNCTION IS MOST LIKELY TO OCCUR WHEN THE INTERMITTENT SETTING OF THE WIPERS IS BEING USED, OR WHEN SNOW OR ICE OBSTRUCTS THE BLADES FROM RETURNING TO THE "PARKED" POSITION AT THE BOTTOM OF THE WINDSHIELD. THESE VEHIC

LOSS OF VISIBILITY WHILE DRIVING INCREASES THE RISK OF A CRASH.

01V144000 2001-04-27
Seat belts:front:buckle assembly

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER CARS. THE SEAT BELT BUCKLE TONGUE MAY NOT FULLY EJECT FROM THE BUCKLE ASSEMBLY WHEN THE RELEASE BUTTON IS PUSHED SLOWLY. THIS CONDITION COULD ALSO RESULT IN A PARTIAL LATCH OF THE TONGUE IN THE BUCKLE.

IN THE EVENT OF A VEHICLE CRASH, THE VEHICLE OCCUPANT MAY NOT BE PROPERLY RESTRAINED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN PERSONAL INJURY OR DEATH.

01V078000 2001-03-12
Exterior lighting:tail lights:switch

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH ADJUSTABLE PEDALS. IF THE GREASE FROM THE ADJUSTABLE PEDAL ASSEMBLY ENTERS THE STOP LAMP SWITCH, IT CAN CONTAMINATE THE CONTACTS LEADING TO CARBON BUILD UP, AND POTENTIALLY, A SHORT CIRCUIT.

A SHORT CIRCUIT COULD LEAD TO EITHER THE BRAKE LAMPS STAYING ON, OR TO A LOSS OF BRAKE LAMP FUNCTION, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

00V396000 2000-11-28
Equipment:other:owners/service/other manual

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, PICKUP TRUCKS, AND PASSENGER VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS 225, "CHILD RESTRAINT ANCHORAGE SYSTEMS." THE AFFECTED EXPEDITION/NAVIGATOR OWNER GUIDES DO NOT IDENTIFY THE LOCATIONS OF SEATING POSITIONS EQUIPPED WITH TETHER ANCHORAGES, AND DO NOT PROVIDE INSTRUCTIONS FOR SECURING CHILD SEATS TO THESE TETHER ANCHORAGES. THE F150 SC OWNER GUIDES DO NOT PROVIDE THE PROCEDURE FOR SECURING CHILD SEATS TO THE TETHER ANCHORAGES. THE TAURUS/SABLE OWNER GUIDES DO NOT IDENTIFY THE CENTER REAR SEATING POSITION AS HAVING LATCH

IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, THE CHILD SEAT MAY NOT BE PROPERLY ATTACHED INCREASING THE RISK OF INJURY TO THE CHILD.

00V240000 2000-08-24
Seat belts:front:anchorage

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE CHILD SAFETY SEAT ANCHOR LATCH (ISO-FIX ANCHOR) FASTENERS DO NOT HAVE ADEQUATE RESIDUAL TORQUE. THE ANCHORS ARE SECURED TO THE FLOOR PAN WITH A REINFORCEMENT PLATE THAT HAS TWO STUDS THAT EXTEND UPWARD THROUGH THE FLOOR PAN AND THE ISO-FIX ANCHOR. THE SEALER ON THE FLOOR PAN COULD CAUSE A SOFT JOINT AND, EVEN IF THE NUTS ARE PROPERLY TORQUED, ROAD VIBRATIONS COULD CAUSE THE NUT TO WORK ITS WAY COMPLETELY OFF THE STUD.

THE ANCHOR MAY NOT HOLD THE CHILD SAFETY SEAT IN POSITION DURING AN ACCIDENT, INCREASING THE RISK OF INJURY TO THE OCCUPANT OF THE CHILD SAFETY SEAT.

In owners’ own words

Speed control mileage not reported 9 mo in service
WHEN BRAKES ARE APPLIED BRAKE PEDAL IS DEPRESSED AND IT GOES DOWN FLUSH WITH ACCELERATOR PEDAL, CAUSING UNINTENTIONAL ACCELERATION. BRAKE PEDAL SITS HIGHER THAN ACCELRERATOR PEDAL. SO ACCLERATOR DOES NOT CAUSE A PROBLEM, UNTILE BRAKE IS APPLIED. FORD SENT A LETTER STATING IT WAS WITHIN DESIGN SPECIFICATIONS FOR THE VEHICLE.*AK THE CONSUMER DEPRESSES THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL AND THE BRAKE PEDAL AT THE SAME TIME UNINTENTIONALLY DUE TO FAULTY DESIGN OF THE PEDAL. *YH
Speed control mileage not reported 11 mo in service crash / fire / tow
BEFORE CONSUMER'S WIFE COULD TAKE FOOT OFF THE BRAKE, AND AFTER SHIFTING FROM PARK TO DRIVE, VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED AND WENT 30 FEET BEFORE HITTING A BUILDING. CONSUMER BRUISED, BUT OTHERWISE NOT SERIOUSLY INJURED. *AK MANUFACTURER IS STATING THAT ACCIDENT WAS CAUSED NOT CAUSED BY A DEFECT IN THE VEHICLE. *SLC
Speed control mileage not reported 1.0 yr in service crash / fire / tow
VEHICLE WOULD ACCELERATE ON ITS OWN AT SLOW SPEEDS, THIS HAPPENED 5 TIMES. VEHICLE TAKEN TO DEALER 2 OR 3 TIMES. DEALER COULD NOT FIND A PROBLEM. THEN ON SEPTEMBER 15, 2001 WHILE PARKING VEHICLE ACCELERATED. CONSUMER APPLIED BRAKES, BUT WAS NOT ABLE TO STOP VEHICLE, RESULTING IN VEHICLE RUNNING INTO BUILDING. CONSUMER SUFFERED HEADACHES, AMOUNT OF DAMAGE WAS $ 7000. *AK
Service brakes, hydraulic mileage not reported 6 mo in service
A FEATURE THAT WAS USED TO SELL CAR, MADE FOR TALLER DRIVERS, DID NOT WORK WELL. WHEN PEDAL WAS IN THE HIGH POSITION DRIVER'S FOOT COULD GO UNDER PEDAL. WHEN IN LOW POSITION IT COULDN'T GO UNDER PEDAL. THERE WAS NOT ENOUGH FOOT ROOM FOR LEFT FOOT. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK

Other Sable model years

200820052004200320022001200019991998

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