RoadVitals

2001 Mercury Sable Airbags Problems

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

Data refreshed

Airbags 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.
27
Latest Nov 15, 2018
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 430 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.
11
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
15

What this page shows

Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 2001 Mercury Sable submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 27 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 airbag

The 25 most recent of 27, in the owner's own words

Airbags
Filed Nov 15, 2018

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 MERCURY SABLE. WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH, THE VEHICLE BRUSHED AGAINST A CURB AND THE SIDE IMPACT AIR BAG DEPLOYED. THE CONTACT WAS NOT INJURED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO TERRY'S FORD OF PEOTONE (363 S HARLEM AVE, PEOTONE, IL 60468, 708-258-9200) AND WAS NOT DIAGNOSED, BUT IT WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 60,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ID
11151781
Incident
Dec 24, 2009
Mileage
60,000 mi
AirbagsInterior & seats
Filed Jul 8, 2015

I WAS ON MY WAY HOME FROM WORK AROUND 9AM THE DRIVER SEAT SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED FOR ABSOLUTELY NO REASON.

NHTSA ID
10732625
Incident
Jul 8, 2015
Mileage
121,000 mi
Airbags
Filed Sep 15, 2014
Crash reported1 injury reported

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2001 MERCURY SABLE. THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE WAS STRUCK HEAD ON BY ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED A HEAD INJURY, BUT NO MEDICAL ATTENTION WAS RECEIVED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN AND SPEED WERE NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 33,000.

NHTSA ID
10633332
Incident
Sep 15, 2014
Mileage
33,000 mi
Airbags
Filed Feb 7, 2014
Crash reported2 injuries reported

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 MERCURY SABLE. THE CONTACT STATED WAS DRIVING 20 MPH AND BECAME INVOLVED IN A HEAD-ON CRASH. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. BOTH THE DRIVER AND A PASSENGER SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE BACK, NECK, AND SEVERAL LACERATIONS TO THE HEAD AND FACE. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED OF THE INCIDENT. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INSPECTED TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 125,000.

NHTSA ID
10563345
Incident
Feb 3, 2014
Mileage
125,000 mi
Airbags
Filed Jan 6, 2011
Crash reported1 injury reported

WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH STRUCK A DEER DEAD CENTER OF THE FRONT END. NO AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. CAR IMMEDIATELY CUT OFF BUT COASTED. DRIVER HAS MINOR BACK DISCOMFORT. STILL WAITING TO HEAR IF THE CAR WILL BE TOTALED OUT OR REPAIRED. *TR

NHTSA ID
10374886
Incident
Jan 3, 2011
Mileage
123,800 mi
Airbags
Filed Oct 15, 2010
Crash reported

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS 2001 MERCURY SABLE. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 5 MPH AND ATTEMPTING TO PARK THE VEHICLE WHEN HE CRASHED THE RIGHT FRONT TIRE INTO A CURB. THE PASSENGER SIDE CURTAIN AIR BAG DEPLOYED INDEPENDENTLY. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE DEALER ADVISED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD NEED TO BE REPAIRED AT THE CONTACTS EXPENSE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND CONFIRMED THAT ANY REPAIRS WOULD BE AT THE CONTACTS EXPENSE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 54,700.

NHTSA ID
10360602
Incident
Oct 7, 2010
Mileage
54,700 mi
AirbagsSteering
Filed Dec 2, 2009

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 MERCURY SABLE. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH THE DRIVER SIDE CURTAIN AIR BAG DEPLOYED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED BY THE DEALER. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 55000. UPDATED 01/05/10. *LJ THE AIR BAG IN THE DRIVER SEAT DEPLOYED FOR NO REASON. ALSO, THE RACK AND PINION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. UPDATED 01/07/10.*JB

NHTSA ID
10294288
Incident
Nov 20, 2009
Mileage
55,000 mi
Airbags
Filed Sep 21, 2009
Crash reported1 injury reported

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 MERCURY SABLE. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE SLID INTO A GRAVEL ROAD AND FLIPPED OVER. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY AND THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE CONTACT WAS UNCONSCIOUS AFTER THE CRASH AND HAS SUSTAINED SOME MINOR BRUISES AND CUTS. A POLICE REPORT IS AVAILABLE IF NEEDED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 167,000.

NHTSA ID
10284700
Incident
Sep 20, 2009
Mileage
167,000 mi
Airbags
Filed May 19, 2008

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 MERCURY SABLE. WHILE DRIVING OVER A POTHOLE AT APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED. THERE WAS NO OCCUPANT IN THE PASSENGER SEAT. THIS WAS THE ONLY AIR BAG THAT DEPLOYED IN THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT CALLED THE DEALER, BUT WAS NOT GIVEN ANY REASON AS TO WHY THE AIR BAG DEPLOYED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 54,000.

NHTSA ID
10228175
Incident
May 19, 2008
Mileage
54,000 mi
AirbagsBrakes
Filed Aug 20, 2007
Crash reported

I WAS DRIVING MY CAR AT ABOUT 20 MILES AN HOUR AND I FELT A VIBRATION. I MADE A DECISION TO PULL THE CAR OVER AND GET OFF THE ROADWAY AND STOP. WHEN I TRIED TO USE MY BRAKE I FELT THE RESISTANCE HALF WAY DOWN AND THEN IT SUDDENLY WENT ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR. I SAW MYSELF GAINING ON THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME. I QUICKLY TURNED TO THE RIGHT AND UP ON THE SIDEWALK HITTING THE CURB IN THE PROCESS AND THEN INSTEAD OF HITTING A STORE WALL I TURNED SLIGHTLY TO THE LEFT AND HEADED DEAD CENTER FOR AN EDISON POLE. I COULD HAVE KILLED SOMEONE. I NEED TO TALK TO SOMEONE WHO CAN TELL ME WHO TO GET TO LOOK INTO MY BRAKE SYSTEM TO SEE WHAT WENT WRONG. I AM SO SCARED TO EVER DRIVE THAT CAR AGAIN. MY CAR IS ONLY 5 YEARS OLD AND IN EXCELLENT CONDITION AND MAINTAINED WELL. NEVER HAD ANY HINT THAT MY BRAKES WERE FAULTY. MY CAR HAS BEEN LOOKED AT AND HE SAID THE BODY CAN BE FIXED. HE DOESN'T KNOW ABOUT THE BRAKES. I NEED AN EXPERT TO LOOK AT THOSE BRAKES. CAN YOU HELP ME???? MY AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. *TR

NHTSA ID
10200225
Incident
Aug 10, 2007
Mileage
42,000 mi
Airbags
Filed Feb 27, 2007

MY CAR HAS A DEFECT WHICH HAS BEEN REPAIRED UNDER WARRANTY 3 TIMES AND NOW IT LOOKS LIKE A 4TH THAT COULD BE AT MY EXPENSE. *NM

NHTSA ID
10183689
Incident
Jan 1, 2007
Mileage
65,000 mi
Airbags
Filed Oct 2, 2006
Crash reported1 injury reported

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH AND TRYING TO AVOID A DEER, THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO A POLE DAMAGING THE GRILL, HOOD, RADIATOR, FRONT BUMPER AND POSSIBLY THE FRAME. THE AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY. THE CONTACT WAS INJURED AND EXPERIENCED WHIP LASH AND NECK INJURIES. THE POLICE WAS NOT ALERTED OF THE INCIDENT.

NHTSA ID
10169726
Incident
Oct 1, 2006
Mileage
68,000 mi
Airbags
Filed Mar 17, 2006

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE AIRBAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED BRIEFLY, AND THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP. THE DEALERSHIP PERFORMED A DIAGNOSTIC TEST AND DETERMINED THE AIRBAG SENSORS WERE INOPERATIVE.

NHTSA ID
10152959
Incident
Mar 17, 2006
Mileage
67,407 mi
Airbags
Filed Dec 12, 2005
Crash reported4 injuries reported

DT: THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE WAS HIT IN THE FRONT AT 50-60 MPH WHILE MAKING A LEFT HAND TURN. UPON IMPACT, THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALED. A POLICE REPORT TAKEN. ALL FOUR PASSENGERS SUSTAINED INJURIES;. THE CONTACT HAD A FRACTURED SPINE, AND THE OTHERS SUSTAINED BRUISING AND WHIPLASH. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN INSPECTED BY A MECHANIC TO DETERMINE WHY THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. *AK

NHTSA ID
10145002
Incident
Oct 4, 2001
Airbags
Filed Oct 26, 2005
Crash reported1 injury reported

DT: WHILE IN A HEAD ON COLLISION AT 30 MPH, THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALED . THERE HAS BEEN NO INSPECTION AS TO WHY THE AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY. THE CONTACT INJURED HER LEFT SHOULDER, NECK AND RIGHT HAND. SHE WAS IN THERAPY FOR THREE MONTHS. A POLICE REPORT WAS TAKEN. *AK

NHTSA ID
10140863
Incident
Jun 23, 2005
Airbags
Filed Oct 11, 2005

DRIVING TO WORK GOING 25 MPH. DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG SUDDENLY DEPLOYED FOR NO OBVIOUS REASON. NO INJURY OR ACCIDENT OCCURRED. HAVE APPOINTMENT TO HAVE THE AIR BAG EXAMINED. COST WILL BE $150 FOR THE ANALYSIS AT D'AMICO IN EAST BRUNSWICK, NJ THIS FRIDAY, OCT. 14TH, 2005. *JB

NHTSA ID
10139334
Incident
Oct 11, 2005
Mileage
105,000 mi
Airbags
Filed Jul 29, 2005

AIR BAG LIGHT KEEPS COMING ON AND THEY HAVE TRACED IT TO THE DRIVER SIDE AIRBAG NEEDS TO BE REPLACED AND NEEDS NEW ELECTRICAL WIRING. THE AIR BAG HAS NEVER BEEN DEPLOYED, SO WHY IS IT BAD? THE CAR HAS BEEN CHECKED SEVERAL TIMES FOR THIS AIR BAG LIGHT PROBLEM. *NM

NHTSA ID
10130632
Incident
Jun 29, 2005
Airbags
Filed Dec 28, 2004
1 injury reported

CORRECTED/COMPLETED ODI # 10104563. *JB

NHTSA ID
10104653
Incident
Dec 26, 2004
Mileage
19,000 mi
Airbags
Filed Dec 27, 2004

WHILE TURNING OUT OF A DRIVEWAY TO THE RIGHT, THE LEFT SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED (WITHOUT INFLATING). NO COLLISION, JUST A TURNING MANUVEUR TO THE RIGHT. 2001 MERCURY SABLE.*AK

NHTSA ID
10104563
Incident
Dec 26, 2004
Mileage
19,000 mi
Airbags
Filed Nov 3, 2004
Crash reported1 injury reported

WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH CONSUMER'S VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A FRONTAL COLLISION. UPON IMPACT, DUAL AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. DRIVER SUSTAINED A COMPOUND FRACTURE TO THE RIGHT THIGH, AND MANY OTHER MAJOR INJURIES. *AK

NHTSA ID
10099319
Incident
Aug 20, 2004
Mileage
60,000 mi
Airbags
Filed Aug 11, 2003

WHILE TRAVELING ON THE HIGHWAY AND WITHOUT PHYSICAL CONTACT WITH ANOTHER VEHICLE PASSENGER'S AIR BAG DEPLOYED. *AK

NHTSA ID
10033608
Incident
Aug 11, 2003
Airbags
Filed Sep 4, 2002
1 injury reported

WHILE DRIVING THE PASSENGER SIDE IMPACT AIR BAG FALSLEY DEPLOYED INJURING THE PASSENGERS RIGHT ARM, THE DEALER REPLACED THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG, SEAT COVER AND RCM MODULE. NLM

NHTSA ID
567311
Incident
Aug 4, 2002
Airbags
Filed Apr 22, 2002
Crash reported

FRONT COLLISION AT 45-50 MPH, NEITHER AIRBAG DEPLOYED. NO INJURIES. VEHICLE WAS TOTALLED.*AK

NHTSA ID
8008178
Incident
Apr 13, 2002
Airbags
Filed Oct 25, 2001

AIR BAG READINESS LIGHT COMES ON ALL THE TIME. FORD MOTOR COMPANY SAID THEY DIDN'T KNOW HOW TO FIX THE PROBLEM. THERE ARE HAVING THIS PROBLEM WITH OTHER CARS AND THE AIR BAGS WILL NOT WORK IF IN A CRASH. *AK

NHTSA ID
753690
Incident
Jun 24, 2001
Airbags
Filed Oct 19, 2001

I WAS INFORMED THAT IF I WAS TO BE IN AN ACCIDENT, FORD DOES NOT KNOW IF THE AIR BAGS WOULD DEPLOY. THIS CAR WAS PURCHASED FOR THE 5 STAR RATING AND ADDITIONAL COST WERE PAID FOR SIDE AIR BAGS. *AK

NHTSA ID
753415
Incident
Jan 9, 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 .