RoadVitals

2001 Mercury Sable Fuel system Problems

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

Data refreshed

Fuel system 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.
13
Latest Nov 5, 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.
3%
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.
0
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 fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks. 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. 13 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 fuel system

Shown in the owner’s own words, exactly as filed

Driver assistanceFuel system
Filed Nov 5, 2015

WHILE DRIVING THE SABLE AT APPROXIMATELY 25 MI. PER HR.(CLEAR ROAD,DRY CONDITIONS)IN CONGESTED TRAFFIC CONDITIONS. GOING THROUGH A SET OF TRAFFIC LIGHTS,LUCKILY THE LIGHT HAD JUST TURNED GREEN,,THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY SURGED UP TO 3000 RPM. FORTUNATELY,GOING THROUGH THE LIGHTS, MY FOOT WAS NEAR THE BRAKE PEDAL. WHEN I HEARD AND FELT THE ACCELERATION ,I IMMEDIATELY HIT THE BRAKE AND KEPT MY RIGHT FOOT ON IT AS THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO PUSH FORWARD WITH FULL BRAKES APPLIED. LUCKILY THE VEHICLE WAS UNDER THE BRAKES CONTROL,WHILE STILL REVVVVING, I PUT THE VEHICLE INTO NEUTRAL AND PULLED OVER,TUNED IGNITION OFF. THE FRONT DISC BRAKES WERE SMOKING. OPENED HOOD,NOTICED NOTHING UNUSUAL, THIS IS THE ONLY REPORT OF THIS INCIDENT.WILL SEEK IMMEDIATE CURE TODAY. THIS IS MY 66 Y.O. GIRL FRIEND CAR.SHE IS NOW HORRIFIED TO USE IT! NOVEMBER 5,2015.

NHTSA ID
10788554
Incident
Nov 4, 2015
Mileage
89,000 mi
EngineFuel systemSuspension
Filed Apr 22, 2015

SOMETHING DRASTICALLY WRONG WITH THE RADIATOR SYSTEM, ANTIFREEZE IS ALWAYS BROWN, HAVE IT CHANGED AND IN 1 DAY IT TURNS BROWN. THE WINDOWS HAVE BEEN BROKEN IN THIS CAR SINCE 2005, THE TWO FRONT WINDOWS DO NOT GO UP AND DOWN, I DON'T FEEL SAFE WITHOUT THE WINDOWS WORKING. THERE IS SOMETHING WRONG WITH THE SUSPENSION AND I CONSTANTLY HAVE TO PUT AIR INTO MY TIRES AND TIRES WEAR OUT QUICKLY BECAUSE SUSPENSION IS MESSED UP. WINDSHIELD WASHER HAS NOT WORKED SINCE 2003. IF IT WAS BUILT WITH PRIDE LIKE THE COMPANY SAYS IT IS, IT WOULD BE A NICE CAR. FALLS APART TOO EASILY. I NEED HELP. *TR

NHTSA ID
10712126
Incident
May 4, 2011
Mileage
98,000 mi
Driver assistanceFuel system
Filed Oct 30, 2012

AFTER GETTING UP TO CRUISING SPEED ON THE HIGHWAY MY CAR WOULD CONTINUE TO ACCELERATE EVEN WHEN I STOPPED GIVING IT GAS. I DISCONNECTED THE CRUISE CONTROL CABLE AND THIS FIXED THE PROBLEM, BUT NOW I CAN'T USE MY CRUISE CONTROL. *TR

NHTSA ID
10482608
Incident
Oct 1, 2009
Mileage
120,000 mi
Fuel systemSuspension
Filed Feb 16, 2011

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 MERCURY SABLE WAGON. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH. AS HE DROVE OVER A ROAD BUMP THE VEHICLE EXHIBITED AN ABNORMAL NOISE. THE CONTACT STOPPED THE VEHICLE AND DISCOVERED THAT THE FUEL TANK HAD FRACTURED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THEY INFORMED HIM THAT THE REAR AXLE WAS FRACTURED AND CAUSED THE FUEL TANK TO FRACTURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND WAS DEEMED AS SALVAGE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS ALSO CONTACTED AND OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 130,000.

NHTSA ID
10382935
Incident
Dec 15, 2010
Mileage
130,000 mi
Fuel system
Filed Jun 21, 2010

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 MERCURY SABLE. WHILE HAVING THE VEHICLE SERVICED AT AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR UNRELATED ISSUES, THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE FUEL FILLER NECK HAD CORRODED AND WAS LEAKING FUEL. THE MANUFACTURER ADVISED THEY WERE NOT AWARE OF THE TYPE OF FAILURE AND WOULD NOT ASSIST. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 97,000.

NHTSA ID
10339335
Incident
Jun 11, 2010
Mileage
97,000 mi
Driver assistanceFuel system
Filed Mar 2, 2010

MY WIFE PURCHASED A 2001 MERCURY SABLE LS ON 1/31/01,I DROVE THE AUTO FOR 2 DAYS, WHEN I PUT THE AUTO IN GEAR THE GAS PEDAL REACTED AS THOUGH THE PEDAL WAS PUSHED TO THE FLOOR BOARD. I CALLED PORT MOTORS AND TOLD THEM ABOUT THE SITUATION AND TOLD THEM I REFUSED TO DRIVE THE AUTO. THE NEXT DAY THEY CAME AND TOWED THE AUTO AWAY. WHEN I WENT TO THE DEALER THEY GAVE ME ANOTHER AUTO,FOR WHICH I STILL HAVE THE OLD VIN #. AFTER DRIVING THE NEW AUTO THEY GAVE I BEGAN HAVING THE SAME PROBLEMS. OVER THE PAST 8 YEARS THE ACCELERATOR PROBLEM HAS OCCURRED ABOUT 9 OR 10 TIMES. WHEN I PUT THE CAR IN GEAR I ALWAYS MAKE SURE MY FOOT IS ALWAYS ON THE BRAKE AS I FEAR THE AUTO WILL ACCELERATE AS THOUGH THE PEDAL GOES TO THE FLOOR,MY WIFE REFUSES TO DRIVE THIS AUTO AND I WILL NOT LET ANYONE DRIVE AS I DON'T KNOW WHEN THIS RACING WILL OCCUR. I HAVE REPORTED THIS TO FORD MOTOR BUT GOT KNOW POSITIVE RESPONSE, I ALSO REPORTED THIS TO NATIONAL SAFETY BOARD AND THEY GAVE ME A COMPLAINT #. *TR

NHTSA ID
10315965
Incident
Apr 19, 2001
Mileage
200 mi
Fuel system
Filed Mar 4, 2008

ENGINE LIGHT COMING ON THIS IS THE SECOND TIME I HAVE HAD PROBLEMS WITH THIS AND IT COST A BIG AMOUNT. FIRST TIME PAID FOR CORRECTION. LIGHT CAME ON AGAIN AND HAD TEST ON THIS PROBLEM AND SAID WAS FUEL CONDITION PRESSURE OR MASS AIR FLOW, OXYGEN SENSOR DEFECTED, IGNITION MISFIRED-REPAIR,FUEL INJECTION PROBLEM, I THINK THIS SHOULD NOT HAPPEN TWO TIMES, I DON'T HAVE MONEY FOR REPAIRS,CHECK OUT FOR OTHER FAILURES IT TAKES OFF THEN LOOSES POWER CAN SHUT OFF ENGINE FOR ABOUT 5 MINUTES AND WILL START AGAIN AND GO FOR SEVERAL MILES AND THEN START ALL OVER OF LOOSING POWER NOW YOU TELL ME THE ANSWER? CANT KEEP SPENDING OUT MONEY ON A FIXED INCOME AND CANT TRADE OFF THE CAR PLEASE HELP ME. *TR

NHTSA ID
10220095
Incident
Mar 3, 2008
Mileage
110,300 mi
Fuel system
Filed Oct 8, 2005

I OWN A 2001 MERCURY SABLE. IN AUGUST OF 2003 THE CAR WOULD NOT START AND WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER. IT HAD 23038 MILES. THE FUEL PUMP WAS REPLACED WITH NO CHARGE TO ME DUE TO THE MANUFACTURERS WARRANTY. ON OCTOBER 3, 2005, MY MERCURY SABLE WOULD NOT START. AGAIN IT WAS TOWED WITH ONLY 64492 MILES. ONCE AGAIN THE DEALER INFORMED ME THAT THE FUEL PUMP WAS BAD AND REPLACED IT. THIS COST ME $50 DEDUCTIBLE DUE TO THE EXTENDED WARRANTY WHICH I PURCHASED. ON TOP OF ALL OF THIS, I OWN A 2002 FORD TAURUS WITH ONLY 27000 MILES ON IT. IN SEPTEMBER OF 2005, IT WOULD NOT START. THE FUEL PUMP WAS REPLACED ON IT. I WILL PUT THIS INCIDENT INTO A DIFFERENT COMPLAINT. *JB

NHTSA ID
10139094
Incident
Oct 2, 2005
Mileage
64,492 mi
Fuel system
Filed Aug 5, 2005

DT: THE CONSUMER SAID THE FUEL TANK VAPOR STORAGE CANISTER HAD A PLASTIC COVER THAT CRACKED. THE CONSUMER SAW SOMETHING HANGING DOWN UNDER THE VEHICLE AND SAW THAT IT WAS PIECES OF THE PLASTIC COVER AND THE BRACKET THAT HELD IT IN PLACE. DEALER SAID THE ONLY ONES THAT HE SAW THAT HAD PROBLEMS WERE ON POLICE CARS. MANUFACTURER HAS NOT BEEN CONTACTED YET. CALLER HAD CONCERNS ABOUT THIS PIECE BEING MADE OUT OF PLASTIC. *AK THE CONSUMER NO LONGER OWNS THE VEHICLE. *JB

NHTSA ID
10127624
Incident
Jul 5, 2005
Mileage
51,000 mi
Fuel system
Filed Apr 11, 2003

THE FUEL GAUGE DID FUNCTION PROPERLY, WHICH CAUSED CONFUSION WITH THE AMOUNT OF FUEL IN TANK. *JB.....*AK

NHTSA ID
10015699
Incident
Apr 1, 2003
Mileage
13,000 mi
Fuel system
Filed Jan 21, 2002

THE GAS TANK LEAKED DUE TO A DEFECTIVE "0" RING AND FUEL PUMP. I WAS TOLD THIS AUTOMOBILE COULD BLOW UP.*AK

NHTSA ID
757155
Incident
Jan 21, 2002
Fuel system
Filed Jan 22, 2001

FUEL SMELL PROMBLEM IN VEHICLE, O RINGS AND SOME GASKETS REPLACED, PROBLEM OF FUEL SMELL STILL EXISTS, PROBLEM CAUSED APPREHENSION AND ILLNESS. *CJ

NHTSA ID
559088
Fuel system
Filed Dec 14, 2000

CONSUMER CAN SMELL GASOLINE INSIDE THE VEHICLE WHILE DRIVING CAUSING THE OCCUPANTS TO FEEL ILL, DEALER TRIED TO FIND PROBLEM BUT WAS NOT SUCCESSFUL. NLM

NHTSA ID
558601

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 .