RoadVitals

2000 Mercury Sable Engine Problems

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

Data refreshed

Engine 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.
30
Latest Apr 29, 2020
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.
6%
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.
2
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
0

What this page shows

Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components. 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. 30 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 engine

The 25 most recent of 30, in the owner's own words

ElectricalEngineVisibility
Filed Apr 29, 2020

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 MERCURY SABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE, THE HEATER FAILED TO BLOW HOT AIR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE WINDSHIELD DEFROSTER WAS INOPERABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO LB SMITH FORD LOCATED AT 1100 MARKET ST, LEMOYNE, PA 17043, (717)761-6700, TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE HEATER COIL WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 130,000.

NHTSA ID
11322616
Incident
Apr 1, 2020
Mileage
130,000 mi
Engine
Filed Oct 8, 2019

I AM HAVING PROBLEMS WITH IT STALLING CONSTANTLY WHEN I HAVE SAT AT A LIGHT I DONT JAVW THE MONEY TO FIX THIS DUE TO ON A FIXED INCOME WAS TOLD IT HAS A PROBLEM WITH THE THROTTLE CONTROL ISSUE AND THEY SAID THERE WAS A RECALL ON IT DUE THIS

NHTSA ID
11267023
Incident
Oct 2, 2019
Mileage
55,000 mi
Engine
Filed Jan 26, 2015

SUBJECT:2000 MERCURY SABLE LS. WHEN STARTING VEHICLE WHEN RAINING VEHICLE TENDS TO CHOKE OUT OR MISS AND NOT HAVE ANY POWER. IF ATTEMPTING TO DRIVE VEHICLE WILL STALL OUT. THIS HAS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES. SOMEONE MENTIONED TO ME THAT COMPUTER COULD BE GETTING WET OR HOLDING CONDENSATION. THE WARNING ENGINE LIGHT WILL COME ON. IF DRIVEN FOR A DISTANCE AFTER RAIN IS OVER THE NEXT DAY OR SO THE LIGHT WILL GO OFF. IS THIS A PROBLEM WITH THIS PARTICULAR CAR? THE ENGINE WAS TUNED FIVE YEARS AGO WHEN PURCHASED. WHEN THE WEATHER IS DRY OR JUST SNOWING THE CAR IDLES OKAY AND RUNS SMOOTH. *TR

NHTSA ID
10678813
Incident
Jan 2, 2015
Mileage
167,000 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
Driver assistanceEngineFuel system
Filed Aug 2, 2013

I DROVE MY MERCURY SABLE 2000 TODAY. JUST SECONDS AFTER I GOT OFF FROM A HIGHWAY TO A LOCAL ROAD, MY FILLED MY CAR ACCELERATED WHEN I HIT THE BRAKE. I HAD TO HIT THE BRAKE HARD TO STOP THE CAR IN A TRAFFIC LIGHT. HOWEVER, THE ENGINE RUSHED TO 4000RPM. I SWITCHED TO PARK GEAR AND TURNED OFF THE IGNITION. AFTER A FEW SECONDS, I TURNED ON THE CAR AGAIN BUT THE ENGINE RUSHED TO 4000RMP. HAD NO IDEA WHAT HAPPENED. WAIT FOR A MINUTE AND TURNED THE CAR ON AGAIN. SAME PROBLEM EXISTS. IN THE PARK POSITION, I HIT THE GAS PEDAL GENTLY AND THE ENGINE RUNNING BACK TO NORMAL. THEN I WAS ABLE TO DRIVE THE CAR BACK HOME (~10MILES). IT WAS SO SCARY AND HAVE NO IDEA WHEN THIS PROBLEM WILL COME BACK AGAIN. *TR

NHTSA ID
10533328
Incident
Aug 2, 2013
Mileage
126,358 mi
Engine
Filed Mar 13, 2012

CRUISE CONTROL- THE OFF BUTTON ON THE STEERING WHEEL DOES NOT FUNCTION CORRECTLY. WHEN CRUISE CONTROL IS IN OPERATION PUSHING THE OFF BUTTON WILL NOT SHUT OFF THE CRUISE UNLESS YOU POUND ON THE BUTTON MULTIPLE TIMES OR PRESS THE BRAKE PEDAL. THE OFF BUTTON IS DEFECTIVE. *TR

NHTSA ID
10451351
Incident
Nov 1, 2011
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
EngineSuspension
Filed Apr 24, 2007

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 MERCURY SABLE. THE VEHICLE HAD THE SAME FAILURES AS MENTIONED IN THE RECALL REGARDING 2000 MERCURY SABLES. THE ONLY DIFFERENCE WAS THAT THE REAR COIL SPRING FAILED AND PUNCTURED THE TIRE WHILE DRIVING AT 35 MPH. AN UNUSUAL NOISE WAS HEARD BEFORE THE TIRE WAS PUNCTURED. FORD STATED THAT NOTHING COULD BE DONE BECAUSE THE RECALL APPLIED ONLY TO THE FRONT COIL SPRINGS. THE SERVICE DEALER REPLACED THE FAILED SPRINGS WITH ONES FROM THE MANUFACTURER, AND STATED THAT THE NOISE WAS DUE TO THE MUFFLER BAFFLE. ALSO, THE DEALER MENTIONED THAT FORD WAS IN THE PROCESS OF DEVELOPING A DIFFERENT TYPE OF SPRING THAT HAS NOT YET BEEN RELEASED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 39,798 , AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 39,700. *AK THE CONSUMER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO ANOTHER DEALER WHO THEN REPLACED THE STRUTS AND THAT SOLVED THE PROBLEM. UPDATED 06/09/07 *TR

NHTSA ID
10188701
Incident
Feb 1, 2007
Mileage
39,700 mi
Engine
Filed Mar 28, 2007

TL* - THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 MERCURY SABLE, AND SHE WAS HAVING A PROBLEM WITH THE OIL PAN LEAKING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN ON THIS FAILURE. THE CONTACT HAD THIS REPAIRED IN APRIL 2004, AND IT STILL DID NOT WORK PROPERLY. SHE HAD IT REPAIRED AGAIN SHORTLY AFTER APRIL 2004 AND IT STILL DID NOT WORK PROPERLY. THE OIL PAN LEAK WAS DISCOVERED BECAUSE IT WAS VISIBLE IN THE DRIVEWAY. *AK

NHTSA ID
10186408
Incident
Mar 21, 2007
Mileage
71,434 mi
Engine
Filed Apr 12, 2005

2000 MERCURY SABLE WITH DURATEC V6 24V ENGINE. STARTED CAR; LOUD BANG; INTAKE MANIFOLD EXPLODED. NO PREVIOUS PROBLEMS WITH STARTING OR DRIVING THE VEHICLE. ALL MAINTENANCE DONE IN TIMELY MANNER. WHEN INTAKE MANIFOLD EXPLODED PIECES OF PLASTIC FLEW AND INSULATION UNDER HOOD WAS ACTUALLY SHREDDED. COULD HAVE CAUSED SERIOUS INJURY HAD SOMEONE HAD HOOD OPEN WHEN CAR WAS STARTED. CAR CURRENTLY AT NEW BRIGHTON FORD WAITING FOR REPAIR.*AK

NHTSA ID
10116810
Incident
Apr 9, 2005
Mileage
31,500 mi
Engine
Filed Mar 25, 2005
Fire reported

1) INTAKE MANIFOLD EXPLODED WHEN STARTING THE CAR; ) CAR NOT DRIVEABLE; ) TOWED TO WHITE BEAR LINCOLN MERCURY FOR SERVICE - ESTIMATE PROVIDED 25, MARCH, 2005. *AK

NHTSA ID
10114739
Incident
Mar 21, 2005
Mileage
65,000 mi
Engine
Filed Feb 16, 2005

VEHICLE EXPERIENCED STALLING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, CAUSING THE STEERING WHEEL AND BRAKES TO HAVE NO CONTROL. MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED BY CONSUMER.*AK

NHTSA ID
10111614
Incident
Feb 7, 2005
Engine
Filed Dec 22, 2004

WHEN TURNING THE KEY IN THE IGNITION A LOUD EXPLOSION SOUND WAS PRODUCED. THE ENGINE INTAKE MANIFOLD HAD MALFUNCTIONED. AS A RESULT THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE NEAREST DEALER TO FIND THE CAUSE. PLEASE PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. *JB

NHTSA ID
10105194
Incident
Dec 20, 2004
Mileage
58,000 mi
Engine
Filed Sep 16, 2004

ON RAINING DAYS, WHILE DRIVING THE AT ANY SPEED, THE SERPENTINE BELT WOULD FALL OFF AND THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP ON MANY OCCASIONS, AND THEY COULD NOT DUPLICATE OR CORRECT THE PROBLEM. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *JB

NHTSA ID
10092380
Incident
Sep 16, 2004
Engine
Filed Sep 2, 2004

WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE STALLED. CONSUMER WAS UNABLE TO RESTART VEHICLE, AND HAD IT TOWED TO THE DEALER. MECHANIC ADVISED CONSUMER THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PLACED ON DIAGNOSTIC MACHINE, NO CODES WERE REPORTED. ALSO, MECHANIC INFORMED CONSUMER THAT THE PROBLEM COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED. *AK

NHTSA ID
10090320
Incident
Sep 2, 2004
Engine
Filed Aug 27, 2004

INTAKE MANIFOLD EXPERIENCED AN EXPLOSION AND BLEW UP. CONSUMER WAS PULLING UP TO THE DRIVEWAY WHEN THIS OCCURRED. *AK

NHTSA ID
10089890
Incident
Aug 14, 2004
Mileage
13,000 mi
Engine
Filed May 26, 2004
Fire reported

WHEN THE KEY WAS TURNED IN THE IGNITION THERE WAS AN EXPLOSION. THE AIR INTAKE MANIFOLD ON TOP OF THE ENGINE EXPLODED INTO PIECES. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP. THE DEALERSHIP INSPECTED THE VEHICLE, BUT COULDN'T INDICATE WHAT CAUSED THE EXPLOSION. THE MANIFOLD, SPARK PLUG AND 3 TYPES OF SPRINGS WERE REPLACED. *NM

NHTSA ID
10074300
Incident
Apr 7, 2004
Mileage
77,000 mi
EngineTransmission
Filed Mar 10, 2004

WHEN THE GEAR SHIFTER LEVER WAS PUT INTO DRIVE FROM REVERSE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE WHEN THE GAS PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THIS OCCURRED WHILE THE CONSUMER WAS REVERSING. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP, AND MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE PROBLEM WAS DUE TO A FAILURE IN THE CATALYTIC CONVERTOR BECAUSE OF THE WEAK TRANSMISSION BEING USED. ALSO, INDICATED THAT THIS WAS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THESE VEHICLES. *AK

NHTSA ID
10062895
Incident
Jun 6, 2004
Mileage
48,350 mi
Engine
Filed Aug 1, 2003

DEFECTIVE EGR VALVES CAUSED VEHICLE TO LOSE POWER AND THE SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT STAYED ON. REPLACEMENT PART WAS MADE OF DIFFERENT MATERIAL THAN THE ORIGINAL ONE INSTALLED WHEN THE CAR WAS MANUFACTURED. MECHANIC WELL REPLACE IN 6-8 WEEKS. *MR *CB *JB

NHTSA ID
10032207
Incident
Jul 11, 2003
Mileage
52,000 mi
Engine
Filed May 19, 2003

SINCE PURCHASING VEHICLE IN 05-01, THE LOW COOLANT LIGHT HAS LIT UP ON 4 SEPARATE OCCASIONS. ALSO, THE CAR EMITS AN ODOR WHICH I HAVE READ TO BE A COMPLAINT OF MANY SABLE OWNERS. ITS WORTH LOOKING IN TO BECAUSE OF THE MANY COMPLAINTS. *JB

NHTSA ID
10018924
Incident
May 4, 2003
Mileage
9,000 mi
Engine
Filed Nov 18, 2002

CONSUMER STATED THAT ON 11/3/02 WAS DRIVING APPROACHING A STOPPED TRAFFIC AND DEPRESSED BRAKE PEDAL. VEHICLE SURGED FORWARD AND CONSUMER PULLED OFF ROAD TO AVOID A COLLISION. VEHICLE WAS CHECKED BY DEALER WHO AT FIRST ADVISED COULD NOT DETERMINE CAUSE. DEALER THEN STATED DISCOVERED PROBLEM WITH TRANSMISSION SENSOR THAT WAS SIGNALING CAR TO FIVE MORE GAS. DELAER REPAIRED AND RETURNED VEHICLE TO CONSUMER. CONSUMER DROVE VEHICLE FREQUENTLY WITHIN NEXT WEEK TO MAKE SURE PROBLEM WOULD NOT REOCCUR. ON 11/10/02 WHILE DRIVING ENGINE SURGE OCCURED AGAIN. DEALER STATED NO PROBLEM WITH VEHICLE. TS

NHTSA ID
8022866
Incident
Nov 3, 2002
Engine
Filed Jul 9, 2002

AT 25MPH, VEHICLE SHUT OFF AND COULD HAVE CAUSED AN ACCIDENT. CAUSE UNKNOWN. DEALER NOTIFIED.*AK CONSUMER STATES AT TIMES THE VEHICLE WILL CUT OFF WHILE DRIVING, AT OTHER TIMES THE VEHICLE WILL NOT START. *SLC

NHTSA ID
8013506
Incident
Jun 16, 2002
ElectricalEngine
Filed Jan 21, 2002

THIS VEHICLE HAS HAD EMISSION, MECHANICAL, AND ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS . THIS IS PRIMARILY EMISSION ISSUES BETWEEN THE CHECK ENGINE'S AND THE GAS TANK. *AK

NHTSA ID
757138
Incident
Nov 2, 2000
BrakesEngineSteering
Filed Nov 6, 2001

VEHICLE SHUTDOWN WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING. WHEN VEHICLE SHUTDOWN BRAKES AND STEERING LOCKED UP. DEALERSHIP WAS AWARE OF PROBLEM. *AK

NHTSA ID
898820
Incident
Nov 5, 2001
Engine
Filed Jul 29, 2001

THE VEHICLE EMITS AN ODOR/FUMES FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT, THE DEALER HAS BEEN UNABLE TO LOCATE THE SOURCE OF THE PROBLEM, THE CONSUMER TEST DROVE ANOTHER VEHICLE ON THE DEALER'S LOT WITH SIMILAR MILEAGE AND IT EMITTED THE SAME SMELL, THE FUMES EASILY GET INTO THE VEHICLE THROUGH THE DASH VENTS OR OPEN WINDOWS, THE SECOND CAR TESTED WAS BUILT IN THE SAME PLANT AND THE SAME MONTH AS THE CONSUMER'S VEHICLE, THE VEHICLE CANNOT BE DRIVE WITH THE WINDOWS OPEN OR VENT/AC ON WITHOUT BEING OVERCOME BY THE FUMES/SMELL. NLM

NHTSA ID
785543
Incident
Jul 3, 2001

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 .