KnownCarProblems2003 Mercury Sable Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 201 complaints with NHTSA about the 2003 Mercury Sable, most often about the suspension (23% of complaints, typically around 78,000 miles). It is 4th of 9 Sable model years by number of complaints and has 3 recalls.
Most common 2003 Mercury Sable problems
Suspension
47 complaints · 23%Half of these problems showed up before 78,000 miles. Parts named most often: front, rear.
Tl contact owns a 2003 Mercury Sable. The contact stated that while driving 40 MPH, the contact heard a bang and the front of the vehicle lowered suddenly. The contact attempted to drive to the dealer but the front driver side tire blew. The vehicle was towed to an authorized dealer where the front coil spring was…
Tl contact owns a 2003 Mercury Sable. The contact stated that while driving 40 MPH, the front driver side coil spring broke which caused the tire to become flat. The contact had the vehicle towed to a local mechanic who replaced the front coil springs. The contact called the manufacturer who offered no assistance. The…
Transmission
30 complaints · 15%Half of these problems showed up before 67,500 miles. Parts named most often: automatic transmission, driveline.
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…
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…
Speed control
28 complaints · 14%Half of these problems showed up before 106,000 miles. Parts named most often: accelerator pedal, cruise control.
The contact owns a 2003 Mercury Sable. The contact stated that while driving 35 MPH, the vehicle surged forward until the contact applied the brakes. The contact stopped and shut off the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to an independent repair shop and the contact was informed that the cruise control cable was…
I was driving about 35 MPH and let up on the gas when I realized I was in a 30 MPH zone. I drove about five more blocks without touching the throttle and the car never slowed until I applied the brakes due to coming to a stoplight. This was on level ground. Since then the car will not slow down without using the…
Engine
27 complaints · 13%Half of these problems showed up before 70,000 miles. Parts named most often: cooling system, engine, exhaust system.
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…
The blower motor on my 2003 Mercury Sable was sitting in a pool of water, ruining the motor. Caused by faulty design by ford motor co. Water gets into this area by improper design, allows water to reach area when the wiper cowl eventually warps, or when the A/C drain clogs or water leaking thru the firewall.
Body and structure
20 complaints · 10%Half of these problems showed up before 50,500 miles. Parts named most often: body.
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…
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.
Visibility and wipers
19 complaints · 10%Half of these problems showed up before 40,500 miles. Parts named most often: defroster/defogger/hvac system, windshield, power window devices and controls.
Tl 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…
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…
Brakes
14 complaints · 7%Half of these problems showed up before 33,500 miles. Parts named most often: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip, pedals and linkages, foundation components.
Abs activated after going over several "bumps" in a series and brakes applied lightly. Lightly being as when slowing down in traffic for a traffic light and stopping. Abs light did not come on. However, ABS light has subsequently come on. Abs light does not necessarily come on again the next time the vehicle is…
Consumer was concerned that brake pedal went to the floor intermittently when applied. Vehicle was to dealer on several occasions, and dealer was unable to locate the problem. Afterwards vehicle was involved in a crash because the brake pedal went to the floor while coming onto oncoming traffic. No injuries were…
Lights
13 complaints · 7%Half of these problems showed up before 105,000 miles. Parts named most often: brake lights.
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.…
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.
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2003 Mercury Sable recalls
Engine: engine and engine cooling
Risk: This can lead to damage to the air induction system on these vehicles and/or an underhood fire.
Fix: Dealers will replace the air filter element. Owner notification began on march 10, 2004. Owners should contact ford at 1-800-392-3673.
Full defect summary
On certain vehicles, the air filter paper in these vehicles can smolder or burn.
Lights: switch
Risk: 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.
Fix: Dealers will remove the stop lamp switch and associated wiring assembly and install a newly designed stop lamp switch and wire assembly. Owner notification is expected to begin on april 5, 2004. Owners should contact ford at 1-800-392-3673.
Full defect 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.
Visibility and wipers: windshield
Risk: Potential loss of windshield retention may also reduce occupant protection in the event of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will replace these windshields. Owner notification began on march 31, 2003. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact ford/mercury at 1-800-392-3673.
Full defect summary
Certain passenger vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 212, "windshield mounting." the windshields may potentially exhibit increased wind noise, water leakage, and squeaks and rattles.
Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which recalls are still open on your car.
NHTSA defect investigations
Speed control cable damage
Summary
On june 21, 2013, ford initiated customer satisfaction program 13b04 to address a concern with speed control cable damage in certain model year (my) 2000 through 2003 taurus and sable vehicles equipped with 3.0l 4v duratec engines and built at the chicago assembly plant.in the dealer letter for the program, ford indicates that the speed control cables on affected vehicles may be susceptible to damage or becoming partially disconnected during under hood vehicle maintenance (e.g., replacing a battery or changing the air filter) and that a damaged speed control cable could interfere with the throttle's full return to idle when the accelerator pedal is released.ford's program instructs dealers t
Front suspension coil spring fracture
Summary
To date, odi is aware of 2,401 non-duplicative complaints related to the alleged defect. In addition, odi is aware of 1,411 subject vehicles with one or more warranty claims related to the alleged defect. In total, odi is aware of 3,645 unique subject vehicles that have experienced one or more front suspension coil spring fractures. Odi is also aware of four minor crashes related to the alleged defect resulting in one minor injury.with greater than eight years of exposure, a large subject vehicle population and approximately 2,052 reported front tire punctures caused by fractured coil springs (at all speeds), there have been no reported severe crashes, deaths or injuries related to the alleg
Engine stalling ffv
Summary
On october 11, 2006, public citizen petitioned odi to investigate reports of engine stalls caused by e85 fuel in certain model year (my) 2003 - 2005 ford taurus flex-fuel vehicles (ffv). Odi's review of the petition and other available data found a low stall rate attributable to e-85 fueling and that the main concerns,prolonged engine start and rough idle during cold engine startup at winter temperatures, were resolved by an engine software update.to ensure that all subject vehicles receive this update, ford initiated a notification campaign to offer free engine computer recalibration.based on this information, this defect petition is denied. This denial should not be construed as a finding
Brake light switch failure
Summary
Ford conducted a recall in march, 2001 to correct a defect affecting the brake light switch in my 2000 through early-2001 taurus and sable vehicles equipped with power adjustable pedals (recall 01v-078).rq03-008 was opened to investigate complaints concerning the remedy and scope of 01v-078.odi's analysis identified concerns with post-repair failures in recalled vehicles,failures in my 2001-02 vehicles with adjustable pedals that were not included in recall 01v-078, and failures in my 2000 vehicles with fixed pedals.(note: the manufacturer failure data in this resume includes all crashes and injuries, but the complaint information is limited to my 2001-02 vehicles that were not included in t
Questions about the 2003 Mercury Sable
- What are the most common problems with the 2003 Mercury Sable?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: suspension (47 complaints, typically around 78,000 miles); transmission (30 complaints, typically around 67,500 miles); speed control (28 complaints, typically around 106,000 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2003 Mercury Sable have?
- 3 recalls listed by NHTSA, the latest from March 2, 2004 (engine). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which ones are still open on your car.
- Is the 2003 a bad year for the Mercury Sable?
- It is 4th of 9 Sable model years by number of complaints, with 201 complaints. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular years collect more of them, and the newest years have had less time to.