RoadVitals

2000 Mercury Sable Brakes Problems

Owner-reported complaints naming the brake system, filed with NHTSA

Data refreshed

Brakes reportsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
92
Latest Dec 10, 2015
Share of all reportsThis category as a share of every owner report on file for this model year. One report can name more than one component, so the categories overlap.
20%
of 464 total
Crash or fire reportedReports in this category whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. The reporter's own answer on the NHTSA form, not a verified finding.
12
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
7

What this page shows

Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 2000 Mercury Sable submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 92 reports on file name it.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

Owner reports naming brake

The 25 most recent of 92, in the owner's own words

BrakesDriver assistance
Filed Dec 10, 2015

I WAS IN A PARKING LOT OF A STORE, STARTED MY CAR, HEADED OUT ONTO A CITY STREET, TURNED RIGHT. ALL OF A SUDDEN MY VEHICLE TOOK OFF, STARTED SPEEDING UP. I STEPPED ON THE BRAKE, IT SLOWED THE VEHICLE DOWN A LITTLE, BUT THE BRAKE FELT LIKE AIR AND DIDN'T FEEL LIKE IT WAS BRAKING CORRECTLY. LUCKILY, I HAD A GREEN LIGHT, WENT THROUGH THAT, KEPT BRAKING. THE CAR SLOWED DOWN A LITTLE BIT BUT THEN WOULD NOT STOP COMPLETELY, SURGED A LITTLE MORE; I WAS ABLE TO PULL INTO A PARKING LOT; BRAKED AGAIN, MY CAR KEPT GOING AT SLOW SPEED; I PULLED ON MY PARKING BRAKE, NOTHING HAPPENED. THEN, I PUT THE CAR INTO PARK, WHICH STOPPED IT. THEN I PULLED OUT THE KEY. I CALLED THE MECHANIC I USE. HE SENT A TOW TRUCK TO ME. MY CAR IS AT THE MECHANICS NOW.

NHTSA ID
10809530
Incident
Dec 10, 2015
Mileage
88,000 mi
BrakesDriver assistanceEngine
Filed May 16, 2014

THIS SABLE HAD THE STUCK THROTTLE PROBLEM RECALL PERFORMED IN OCTOBER 2013. YESTERDAY, A DANGEROUS ACCELERATION CONDITION OCCURRED. WHILE ACCELERATING FROM A STOP LIGHT, THE CAR KEPT ACCELERATING EVEN AFTER TAKING ALL PRESSURE FROM THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. I ENTERED AN ON RAMP AND ACCELERATED TO JOIN WITH TRAFFIC. EVEN AFTER COMPLETELY REMOVING MY FOOT FROM THE PEDAL THE CAR KEPT ACCELERATING TO OVER 75 MILES AN HOUR. I ATTEMPTED TO BRAKE, BUT HAD TO SHUT OFF THE IGNITION TO PULL TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. I RESTARTED THE ENGINE AND IT IMMEDIATELY WENT TO 5500 RPM AND STARTED CUTTING OUT (MISFIRING- I ASSUME WAS CAUSED BY A REV LIMITER). I SHUT THE ENGINE OFF AGAIN. AFTER TWO MORE TRIES STARTING, AND REVVING TO 5500 RPM, IT FINALLY STARTED AND IDLED AT 800 RPM. WHILE CLIMBING A HILL THE ACCELERATOR STUCK AGAIN, BUT AT 3000 RPM. I AGAIN HAD TO SHUT OFF THE ENGINE IN ORDER TO STOP. WHEN I RESTARTED, IT REVVED TO 3000 RPM. I SHUT IT OFF AGAIN AND OPENED THE HOOD. I MANUALLY PULLED ON THE THROTTLE CABLE TO INSURE IT WAS NOT APPLYING PRESSURE. I THEN STARTED THE ENGINE AND IT IDLED AT 800 RPM. THE RECALL WAS PERFORMED IN OCTOBER 2013I HAVE THE SABLE AT A DEALER AT PRESENT TO REPAIR THE THROTTLE PROBLEM. AT NO TIME WAS CRUISE CONTROL ENGAGED. HAD MY WIFE BEEN DRIVING, I'M NOT SURE SHE WOULD NOT HAVE HAD AN ACCIDENT. TURNING OFF THE IGNITION WAS THE ONLY WAY TO PREVENT ENGINE DAMAGE AND SLOW THE CAR TO AVOID A HIGH SPEED ACCIDENT. I JUST RECEIVED A CALL FROM THE DEALER. THE RECALL (AT A DIFFERENT DEALER) WAS PERFORMED INCORRECTLY. THE CLIP WAS INSTALLED INCORRECTLY ACCORDING TO THE DEALER WHO NOW INSTALLED AND COMPLETED THE RECALL CORRECTLY! *TR

NHTSA ID
10588947
Incident
May 15, 2014
Mileage
146,000 mi
Brakes
Filed Sep 5, 2013

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 MERCURY SABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKE LIGHTS CONTINUOUSLY FAILED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 157,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 159,000.

NHTSA ID
10541986
Incident
Jul 15, 2013
Mileage
157,000 mi
BrakesEngine
Filed Jul 2, 2008

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 MERCURY SABLE. THE CONTACT DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL, BUT THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE. IN ADDITION, THE RPM'S INCREASED. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT HER VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 02V266000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:PEDALS AND LINKAGES). THE CONTACT WOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE REPAIR COSTS. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 120,000.

NHTSA ID
10233071
Incident
Jul 2, 2008
Mileage
120,000 mi
Body & structureBrakes
Filed Jan 18, 2008

COMPONENT: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK DETAILS: VEHICLE WOULD START TO SPONTANEOUSLY ACCELERATE ON ITS OWN POWER. AFTER ENGINE WAS TURNED ON AND THE GEAR CHANGED TO DRIVE, VEHICLE WOULD JUMP ON ITS OWN. WHILE VEHICLE ACCELERATED, BRAKES STARTED TO MALFUNCTION, AND VEHICLE COULD ONLY STOP WHEN THE COMPLETE ENGINE WAS TURNED OFF. THIS HAS HAPPENED ON TWELVE DIFFERENT OCCASIONS. DEFECT CAN CAUSE DRIVER TO LOSE CONTROL AND GET INTO AN ACCIDENT. THE ACCELERATOR AND BRAKE PEDALS ENGAGE SIMULTANEOUSLY. THE PEDALS ARE SET UNUSUALLY CLOSE TOGETHER. THE DRIVER HAS NO MEANS TO KNOW THE STATE OF PEDAL ADJUSTMENT. *TR

NHTSA ID
10215305
Incident
Oct 1, 2007
Mileage
95,000 mi
Brakes
Filed Nov 26, 2006

BRAKE SWITCH FAILURE.... THE SAME BRAKE SWITCH AND FAILURE COVERED IN A PREVIOUS RECALL! *JB

NHTSA ID
10174273
Incident
Oct 15, 2006
Mileage
38,165 mi
Brakes
Filed May 18, 2006

2000 MERCURY SABLE LS WAGON REAR ROOF BRAKE LIGHT REFLECTOR. THIS BRAKE LAMP REFLECTOR LENS HAS COME APART BECAUSE OF A POOR SEALANT USED TO GLUE THE REFLECTOR LENS TO THE BODY OF THE ASSEMBLY. THIS LEAVES THE TOP REAR BRAKE LAMP EXPOSED TO THE ELEMENTS AND NO RED REFLECTIVE LIGHT FOR VEHICLES BEHIND TO SEE. *NM

NHTSA ID
10157838
Incident
Jul 9, 2005
Mileage
48,000 mi
Brakes
Filed May 4, 2006

CHECK ENGINE LIGHT HAS BEEN GOING ON AND OFF ALONG WITH HE ABS LIGHT -BOTH SENSOR HAVE BEEN GOING ON AND OFF SINCE BROUGHT THE CAR IN MAY 2000 - I HAVE TAKEN IT BACK TO THE DEALER AT LEAST 10 TIMES FOR THE SAME PROBLEM THEY KEEP SAYING THERE WAS NOT THING WRONG - NOW I HAVE TAKEN TO MY OWN MECHANIC AND HE SAID THE ABS COMPUTER HAS BLOWN AND G IT WILL COST $2000.00 TO FIX. *NM

NHTSA ID
10156795
Incident
May 1, 2006
Mileage
64,959 mi
Brakes
Filed Dec 7, 2004

WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH CONSUMER APPLIED THE BRAKE PEDAL AND IT WENT TO THE FLOOR. CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, AND PULLED OVER. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION, AND MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE BRAKES NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *AK *TC

NHTSA ID
10097535
Incident
Sep 20, 2004
Mileage
36,460 mi
BrakesSuspension
Filed Oct 6, 2004

CONSUMER HEARD A NOISE COMING FROM THE LEFT REAR WHEEL. THE CONSUMER CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER, AND THEY ONLY IDENTIFIED THE FRONT COIL SPRING AS BEING A POSSIBLE PROBLEM WHICH WAS CURRENTLYBEING RECALLED. THE VEHICLE HAD 38,000 MILES WHEN THE DEFECT OCCURRED.*AK THE ROTORS AND WHEEL BEARING WERE REPLACED. *JB

NHTSA ID
10089924
Incident
Aug 20, 2004
Mileage
38,000 mi
AirbagsBrakes
Filed Jun 23, 2004
Crash reported2 injuries reported

WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH CONSUMER APPLIED THE BRAKE PEDAL AND THE BRAKES FAILED, RESULTING IN A COLLISION. UPON IMPACT, BOTH FRONTAL AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. DRIVER AND PASSENGER SUSTAINED MAJOR INJURIES, AND WERE TRANSPORTED TO THE HOSPITAL. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. HOWEVER, THE DEALER REFUSED TO INSPECT THE VEHICLE. *AK

NHTSA ID
10079757
Incident
Jun 7, 2004
BrakesElectrical
Filed Apr 22, 2004

1 BRAKE LIGHTS FAIL NOT COVERED UNDER RECALL 1 YEAR AGO DUE TO LISTING WAS TAILLIGHT. BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH WILL NOT LET YOU SHIFT THE CAR. HAS TO BE CHECKED DAYLY.*AK 2 OIL LEAKS CAUSE SMOKE WILL COST OVER $300 DOLLARS TO FIX. 3. SERVICE FLASHES ARE NOT COVERED. 10 TO 15 MILES PER GALLON. CAUSES PINING NOSIE. 4. DEFROST WILL CAUSE WIRING AND A/C TO SMOKE. CAUSE KEYLESS REMOTE CAR SYSTEM TO STOP WORKING. 5. FOOT GETS CAUGHT IN BRAKE AND GAS PETAL. CHECKED UNDER RECALL BY A NEW TECH. CHECKED OK. 6.TRANSMISSION WILL CAUSE CAR TO JUMP BACK AND FORWARD WHEN IN PARK. FROM A FALTY VALVE BODY. 0.DEALER REPLACED ELECTRICAL UNDER WARNTEE

NHTSA ID
10067659
Incident
Apr 20, 2001
Mileage
29,000 mi
BrakesTransmission
Filed Mar 17, 2004

CONSUMER IS UNABLE TO TAKE VEHICLE OUT OF PARK WITH ENGINE RUNNING. THE VEHICLE HAD TO BE TURNED OFF TO BE TAKEN OUT OF PARK. VEHICLE IS THEN PUT INTO NEUTRAL AND STARTED. THE DEALERSHIP INDICATED THAT, "THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THESE VEHICLE", AND PROVIDED A TEMPORARY REMEDY. *AK THE BRAKE SWITCH WAS COVERED IN GREASE AND CAUSED THE BRAKE LIGHTS NOT TO WORK. THE DEALER INDICATED THAT THE SWITCH WAS IN A BAD LOCATION AND THAT IT WOULD PROBABLY FAIL AGAIN. THE CONSUMER BELIEVES THE MANUFACTURER SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE REPAIR AND THAT THEY SHOULD RECALL THE VEHICLE. *NM

NHTSA ID
10044951
Mileage
25,300 mi
Brakes
Filed Mar 11, 2004

VEHICLE WAS STUCK IN PARK, AND BRAKE LIGHTS WOULD NOT GO OFF. TOOK VEHICLE TO THE DEALER, AND THEY REPLACED THE WIRING STOP LAMP 01S08. 10,000 MILES LATER, PROBLEM RECURRED.*AK

NHTSA ID
10063040
Mileage
10,080 mi
AirbagsBrakes
Filed Jan 15, 2004
Crash reported1 injury reported

2000 MERCURY SABLE WITH ADJUSTABLE BRAKE AND GAS PEDALS WAS RECALLED FOR SPACING ISSUE. TOLD ON RECALL NO ADJUSTMENT NEEDED. HAD BAD CRASH. AFTER CRASH TOLD TWO MORE TIMES ADJUSTMENT NOT NEEDED. THIS CAR HAS A BRAKE PEDAL THAT WOBBLES SIDE TO SIDE 7 MM AND A GAS PEDAL THAT WOBBLES SIDE TO SIDE 1 CM. ODI IN WASHINGTON TOLD ME THAT AS BRAKE AND GAS PEDAL UNIT IS BROUGHT FORWARD THE 3 INCH DISTANCE FOR A SHORTER PERSON THE SIDE TO SIDE WOBBLE OF BRAKE PEDAL BECOMES WORSE CAUSING YOU TO HIT THE GAS. THEY ALSO SAID ADJUSTMENT SHOULD HAVE BEEN MADE ON THIS CAR. FORD REFUSES TO ACKNOWLEDGE PROBLEM AND TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT. THIS VEHICLE IS VERY, VERY DANGEROUS TO DRIVE.

NHTSA ID
10070929
Incident
Jun 15, 2003
Mileage
10,688 mi
Brakes
Filed Jan 5, 2004

WHILE DRIVING ABS BRAKE LIGHT APPEARED ON THE DASHBOARD INTERMITTENTLY. *AK

NHTSA ID
10053355
Incident
Sep 15, 2003
Brakes
Filed Dec 16, 2003
Crash reported

WHILE BRAKING, THE CONSUMER DISCOVERED THE PEDALS WERE DESIGNED TOO CLOSE TOGETHER, WHICH CAUSED THE CONSUMER TO DEPRESS THE BRAKE/ACCELERATOR PEDAL AT THE SAME TIME, WHICH CAUSED THE CONSUMER TO HAVE AN ACCIDENT. THE DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED, BUT THE PROBLEM WAS NOT RESOLVED. PLEASE PROVIDE MORE INFORMATION. *JB

NHTSA ID
10051605
Incident
Dec 12, 2003
Mileage
36,000 mi
AirbagsBrakes
Filed Nov 23, 2003
Crash reported2 injuries reported

PETITION TO OPEN AN IMMEDIATE INVESTIGATION INTO WHY THE MERCURY SABLE HAS EXCESSIVE MOVEMENT OF THE BRAKE PEDAL, SHE OWNS A 2000 MERCURY SABLE WITH A DEFECTIVE BRAKE PEDAL & AIRBAGS.*MR THE VEHICLE IS EQUIPPED WITH AN ADJUSTABLE BRAKE AND GAS PEDAL SYSTEM WHICH WAS RECALLED FOR THE SPACING BETWEEN THE PEDALS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THEY INDICATED THAT THE VEHICLE NEEDED NO ADJUSTMENT. ONE DAY THE DRIVER WAS TURNING INTO A PARKING SPACE WHEN THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED ONTO A GRASSY MEDIAN AND HIT A LIGHT POLE. THE VEHICLE CAME TO REST AFTER HITTING A VEHICLE HEAD ON. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY AND BOTH OCCUPANTS WERE INJURED. ON INSPECTION OF THE CAR IT WAS NOTED THAT THE BRAKE PEDAL HAD EXCESSIVE SIDE TO SIDE MOVEMENT. THE MANUFACTURER INDICATED THIS WAS A NORMAL CONDITION. *TS *NLM

NHTSA ID
10044588
Incident
Jun 21, 2003
Mileage
10,000 mi
Brakes
Filed Nov 3, 2003

CONSUMER COMPLAINS OF A BRAKE LIGHT PROBLEM. THE BRAKE LIGHTS WILL NOT GO OFF. THEY STAY ON, EVEN WHEN FOOT IS NOT ON THE BRAKE, AND VEHICLE IS IN MOTION. *AK

NHTSA ID
10046195
Mileage
37,000 mi
Brakes
Filed Oct 31, 2003

BRAKE PEDAL POSITION SWITCH FAILURES THAT CAUSED BRAKE LIGHTS TO FAIL. *LA

NHTSA ID
10045206
Incident
Jun 7, 2002
Mileage
28,700 mi
Brakes
Filed Oct 31, 2003

BRAKE PEDAL POSITION SWITCH FAILURES THAT CAUSED BRAKE LIGHTS TO FAIL. *LA

NHTSA ID
10045155
Incident
Oct 28, 2003
Brakes
Filed Oct 22, 2003

COMPLAINT REGARDING THE WAY RECALL REPAIR WAS PERFORMED ON VEHICLE.*MR THE CONSUMER HAD EXPERIENCED THE SAME PROBLEMS ISSUED IN THE RECALL FOR BRAKE LIGHTS AND THE DEALERSHIP STATED THAT THE RECALL HAD EXPIRED ON THERE VEHICLE AND IT WAS OUT DATED. THE CONSUMER WAS VERY DISSATISFIED WITH THE DEALERSHIP ASSISTANCE BECAUSE REPAIRS HAD NOT BEEN MADE TO ENSURE THE SAFETY NESS OF THE VEHICLE. PLEASE RESPOND PROMPTLY IN RESOLVING MATTERS. *CB

NHTSA ID
10044514
Incident
Oct 1, 2003
Mileage
62,520 mi
Brakes
Filed Oct 1, 2003
Crash reported2 injuries reported

WHILE PARKING MY VEHICLE I STEPPED ON THE BRAKE AND THE CAR TOOK OFF LIKE IT WAS POSSESSED. IT WENT UP ONTO A GRASSY MEDIAN RAN HEAD ON INTO AND OVER A LIGHT POLE AND CAME TO REST AFTER HITTING A PARKED CAR HEAD ON. THE BRAKES DID NOT STOP THE CAR AND THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY!! THE CAR HAD BEEN TAKEN IN FOR A RECALL ON THE ADJUSTABLE BRAKE AND GAS PEDAL EARLIER IN THE YEAR AND I WAS TOLD NO ADJUSTMENT WAS NECESSARY. SO FAR IT HAS BEEN FOUND THAT OUR BRAKE PEDAL HAS TOO MUCH PLAY ON IT (IN OTHER WORDS IT MOVES SIDE TO SIDE TO MUCH--IS LOOSE?) THE ADJUSTABLE BRAKE AND GAS PEDAL AND THE AIR BAGS NOT DEPLOYING ARE ISSUES THAT MUST BE ADDRESSED BY FORD ON THIS VEHICLE. *NLM

NHTSA ID
10030965
Incident
Jun 21, 2003
Mileage
10,000 mi
Brakes
Filed Sep 16, 2003

VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR RECALL# 01V078000 REPAIRS CONCERNING ADJUSTABLE PEDAL ASSEMBLY GREASE/BRAKE LAMPS. BRAKE LIGHTS STOPPED FUNCTIONING AFTER THE REPAIR WAS DONE.*AK

NHTSA ID
10040073
Brakes
Filed Sep 15, 2003

WHILE DRIVING, ANOTHER MOTORIST INFORMED THE CONSUMER THE BRAKE LIGHTS ON THE VEHICLE STAYED ON ALL THE TIME AND OTHER MOTORISTS WERE UNABLE TO TELL WHEN THE CONSUMER WAS ACTUALLY BRAKING. THE DEALER REPLACED THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH. *AK EXAMINATION OF THE SWITCH SHOWED A SMALL PLASTIC NUB WHICH HELD CONTACTS OPEN WORE DOWN AND ALLOWED CONTACTS TO STAY CLOSED ALL THE TIME. *PH *JB

NHTSA ID
10034287
Incident
May 29, 2003
Mileage
46,000 mi

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.

Other components reported on this vehicle

Categories with enough reports to have a page of their own

Elsewhere on this vehicle

Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .