2001 Mercury Sable Problems
Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component
Data refreshed
What this page shows
Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 2001 Mercury Sable, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Reports by component
Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category
- Suspension20440.7%
- Driver assistance6112.2%
- Brakes459.0%
- Airbags275.4%
- Engine275.4%
- Electrical244.8%
- Transmission163.2%
- Seat belts142.8%
- Fuel system132.6%
- Visibility112.2%
- Body & structure112.2%
- Interior & seats91.8%
- Exterior lighting81.6%
- Steering71.4%
- Heating & air conditioning71.4%
- Powertrain (other)61.2%
- Tires & wheels61.2%
- Other / unspecified51.0%
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
Each component in detail
What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words
Suspension
Reports naming suspension components — springs, struts, shocks, control arms and related hardware.
From owner reports, verbatim
I GOT IN MY CAR STARTED TO DRIVE AND HEARD SOMETHING SNAP THEN SMOKE CAME FROM THE HOOD AND THE CAR PULLED HARD RIGHT. I IMMEDIATELY STOPPED AND PARKED THE CAR. THE COIL SPRING BROKE AND DUG INTO MY FRONT PASSENGER TIRE AND IT PULLED THE AXLE OUT OF THE CV JOINT.I WAS IN ALLENTOWN,PA. ON A MAIN ROAD IN THE CITY. FEB.8,2020.
MY 17 YEAR OLD WAS DRIVING THE 2001 MERCURY SABLE AND CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP AT A LIGHT ON A BUSY INTERSECTION HOWEVER, THE CAR AUTOMATICALLY ACCELERATED EVEN WITH HIS FOOT ON THE BRAKE. THE ACCELERATION STUCK AND FORTUNATELY HE WAS ABLE TO CONTROL THE VEHICLE WITHOUT HITTING ANYONE AND CAUSING AN ACCIDENT BUT IMMEDIATELY MANAGED TO GET IT TO AN OPEN LOT TO SHUT THE CAR OFF. HAD SOMEONE LOOK AT IT, AND IT WAS THE THROTTLE CABLE THAT SNAPPED. IT IS ONLY TEMPORARILY FIXED AT THIS TIME. ALSO, WHEN DRIVING IN AREAS WHERE THERE IS ANY TYPE OF SMALL BUMP, SUCH AS THE END OF OUR DRIVEWAY, THE FRONT END SUSPENSION JUST ISN'T THERE. IT HITS EXTREMELY HARD. *TR
Driver assistance
Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems.
From owner reports, verbatim
Lately my car has been over accelerating to about 4,000 rpm’s at random moments. I almost got into a wreck today and I was driving 30 mph. I’ve cleaned the throttle body and the idle air control valve and still the same issue. The car only has 113,000 miles on it but now I’m too scared to even drive it!
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 MERCURY SABLE. WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH ON THE HIGHWAY, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL SUDDENLY DROPPED DOWN AND THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED TO 120 MPH. THE CONTACT SHIFTED INTO NEUTRAL, BUT THE RPMS CONTINUED REVVING AT MAXIMUM CAPACITY. WHEN THE VEHICLE STARTED TO SLOW DOWN, THE CONTACT TURNED OFF THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE EVENTUALLY CAME TO A ROLLING STOP ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE CONTACT WAITED TEN MINUTES AND ATTEMPTED TO RESTART THE VEHICLE, BUT THE ENGINE REVVED UP AGAIN; THEREFORE, THE CONTACT QUICKLY TURNED THE VEHICLE BACK OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S HOME. FUTURE FORD OF SACRAMENTO (4625 MADISON AVE, SACRAMENTO, CA 95841, (916) 473-1047) STATED THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS ON THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 180,000.
Brakes
Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 MERCURY SABLE. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT HAD TO DEPRESS THE BRAKE PEDAL WITH FULL FORCE TO GET THE VEHICLE TO EVENTUALLY STOP. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 02V266000 (SERVICE BRAKES). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 113,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 MERCURY SABLE. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE BRAKE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. ALSO, WHILE APPROACHING A RED LIGHT WITH THE BRAKE PEDAL DEPRESSED, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO STOP. THE CONTACT HAD TO DEPRESS THE BRAKE PEDAL TO THE FLOORBOARD TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT POWERED OFF AND RESTARTED THE ENGINE WHILE AT A RED LIGHT AND WAS ABLE TO DRIVE HOME. THE VEHICLE WAS LATER TOWED TO HELFMAN FORD (LOCATED AT 12220 SOUTHWEST FWY, STAFFORD, TX 77477, (281) 240-3673) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THERE WAS A FAULTY BRAKE SENSOR THAT NEEDED A BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER REPLACEMENT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND DID NOT ASSIST. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40,200. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
Airbags
Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights.
From owner reports, verbatim
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.
I WAS ON MY WAY HOME FROM WORK AROUND 9AM THE DRIVER SEAT SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED FOR ABSOLUTELY NO REASON.
Engine
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 MERCURY SABLE. WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH ON THE HIGHWAY, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL SUDDENLY DROPPED DOWN AND THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED TO 120 MPH. THE CONTACT SHIFTED INTO NEUTRAL, BUT THE RPMS CONTINUED REVVING AT MAXIMUM CAPACITY. WHEN THE VEHICLE STARTED TO SLOW DOWN, THE CONTACT TURNED OFF THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE EVENTUALLY CAME TO A ROLLING STOP ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE CONTACT WAITED TEN MINUTES AND ATTEMPTED TO RESTART THE VEHICLE, BUT THE ENGINE REVVED UP AGAIN; THEREFORE, THE CONTACT QUICKLY TURNED THE VEHICLE BACK OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S HOME. FUTURE FORD OF SACRAMENTO (4625 MADISON AVE, SACRAMENTO, CA 95841, (916) 473-1047) STATED THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS ON THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 180,000.
THROTTLE GOT STUCK FORCING CAR TO ACCELERATE EVEN WHEN NOT TOUCHING THE GAS PEDAL. THANKFULLY THE BRAKES WORKED AND I WAS ABLE TO STOP THE CAR AND PUT IT INTO PARK, AT WHICH POINT THE ENGINE REVVED TO 4000 RPM. ONCE THE CAR WAS TURNED OFF, IT LET OFF SOME WHITE SMOKE WITH A BURNING OIL SMELL. ACCORDING TO MY MECHANIC, THE SPEED CONTROL CABLE COLLAR FRACTURED. I WAS ON THE HIGHWAY WHEN THIS HAPPENED, DOING 65 MILES PER HOUR.
Electrical
Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.
From owner reports, verbatim
FOR OVER TEN (10) YEARS THE HEADLIGHTS (BUT NOT THE SIDE DRIVING LIGHTS) HAVE BEEN GOING OFF (FOR ABOUT 3 MINUTES) AND THEN COMING BACK ON. THIS DOES NOT OCCUR EVERY TIME THE LIGHTS COME ON AND SEEMS TO BE MORE FREQUENT IN THE SUMMER TIME WHEN IT IS WARM OR HOT OUTSIDE. THE DATE BELOW IS JUST APPROXIMATELY WHEN THIS PROBLEM STARTED AND IS NOT THE ONLY DATE/'TIME IT HAS OCCURRED, IT HAS OCCURRED SPORADICALLY BUT CONTINUOUSLY SINCE THAT DATE.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 MERCURY SABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ALARM SYSTEM AND INTERIOR LIGHTS WOULD ACTIVATE INDEPENDENTLY AND RECURRINGLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN FOR DIAGNOSIS OR INSPECTION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE INCIDENT. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 189,000.
Transmission
Reports naming the automatic or manual transmission, including shifting behaviour, shudder, slipping and transmission control modules.
From owner reports, verbatim
UNABLE TO SHIFT 2001 MERCURY SABLE SEDAN OUT OF "PARK" GEAR/POSITION. IT SEEMS LIKE A SIMILAR ISSUE TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID 04V106000. THE MANUFACTURER (FORD) CLAIMS THAT THERE IS NO RECALL ON MY VEHICLE. *TT
I PURCHASED A 2001 MERCURY SABLE, I TOOK THE AUTO AND ON THE SECOND DAY I PUT THE AUTO IN DRIVE, THE MOTOR RACED LIKE THE PEDAL WAS PUSHED TO THE FLOOR,I CALLED THE DEALER AND TOLD THEM I WILL NOT DRIVE THIS AUTO THEY SENT ATOW TRUCK ANDTHE NEXT DAY THEY GAVE ME A NEW SABLE. SINCE I HAVE THIS NEW SABLE THE GAS PEDAL GIVES ME THE SAME REACTION AS THE OLD ONE. IT OCCURRED ABOUT 9 OR 10 TIMES OVER THE LAST 9 YEARS. VERY RARE BUT IT DOES OCCUR. MY WIFE REFUSES TO DRIVE IT. BECAUSE OF WHAT HAPPENS TO THE ACCELERATOR. EVERY TIME I START THE CAR I MAKE SURE MY FOOT IS ON THE BRAKE PEDAL WHEN I PUT THE CAR IN DRIVE. I FEEL ITS THE COMPUTER THAT OCCASIONALLY GOES BESERK. I BRING THIS UP BECAUSE I SEE WHERE TOYOTA IS HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THERE COMPUTERS ALSO. IT'S VERY FRIGHTENING WHEN THE CAR ACCELERATES LIKE SOMETHING IS CONTROLLING THE GAS PEDAL AT THIS HIGH RATE OF SPEED. WHEN THIS DOES OCCUR I PUT THE CAR IN NEUTRAL AND THE ENGINE GOES BACK TO NORMAL. *TR
Seat belts
Reports naming seat belts, buckles, retractors and pretensioners.
From owner reports, verbatim
THE DRIVERS SEAT BELT DOES NOT LATCH (LOCK) PROPERLY. THE BELT HAS ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS BECAME UNFASTENED WHEN DRIVING. THE DRIVERS BELT ALSO DOES NOT RETRACT AFTER USE. *JS
I OWN A 2001 MERCURY SABLE. AT APPROXIMATELY 70,000 THE DRIVER'S SEAT BELT BEGAN TO RETRACT SPORADICALLY. AT ABOUT 75,000 MILES THE SEATBELT NO LONGER RETRACTED AT ALL. THE SEATBELT STILL LOCKS WHEN PRESSURE IS PUT ON IT, BUT I AM CONCERNED ABOUT ITS SAFETY. *TR
Fuel system
Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.
From owner reports, verbatim
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.
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
Visibility
Reports naming windshields, glass, wipers, defrosters and mirrors.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 MERCURY SABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE SITTING IN THE PARKED VEHICLE, AN ASSAILANT APPROACHED THE VEHICLE WITH THE INTENT TO COMMIT A CRIME. THE ASSAILANT STRUCK THE DRIVER'S SIDE WINDOW WITH ONLY HIS ELBOW AND THE WINDOW SHATTERED, CAUSING MANY LACERATIONS TO THE CONTACT'S FACE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 120,576.
I AM HAVING MAJOR HEATING ISSUES THAT THE HEATER CORE WILL NOT WARM THE CAR AND THE METAL TUBING BEGAN TO LEAK AT THE T THAT IS ON THE FIRE WALL OF THE VEHICLE. *JB
Body & structure
Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim.
From owner reports, verbatim
THE ENGINE CRADLE/FRAME SUPPORTING THE ENGINE & TRANSMISSION AND SUSPENSION AND STEERING ASSEMBLIES FAILED DUE TO EXCESSIVE CORROSION CAUSING THE REAR MOUNT AT THE BODY CONNECTION ON BOTH SIDES TO SEPARATE AND DROP ABOUT 3" CAUSING A LOSS OF STEERING. THE DROP OF THE CRADLE AND ENGINE AND TRANSMISSION PULLED DOWN ON THE STEERING SHAFT UNIVERSAL JOINT UNDER THE DASH CAUSING THE STEERING TO BIND UP AND ALSO CAUSING THE ENTIRE STEERING AND SUSPENSION GEOMETRY TO FAIL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT GARAGED, WAS PURCHASED NEW BY ME, WAS NOT IN INVOLVED IN ANY FLOOD DAMAGE, WAS NOT IN CLOSE PROXIMITY TO SALT WATER AND THE UNDERCARRIAGE WAS SPRAYED EACH TIME I FREQUENTLY WASHED THE VECHICLE. THE ENGINE CRADLE IN ADDITION TO THE REAR MOUNT FAILURE HAS EXTENSIVE RUST AND CORROSION THRUOUT THE STRUCTURE. AS SOMEONE WHO PAYS ATTENTION TO MY VEHICLE I BEGAN TO NOTICE RUST/CORROSION ON THE ENGINE CRADLE ABOUT 5 YEARS AFTER PURCHASING THE VEHICLE AND HAVE SEARCHED THE INTERNET FOR SIMILAR COMPLAINTS WITHOUT FINDING ANY. I'M WIRTTING THIS AFTER FINALLY SEEING A COMPLAINT ON A 2001 FORD TAURUS CRADLE/FRAME FAILURE AND THINK THIS DANGEROUS CONDITION SHOULD BE MADE PUBLIC. THANKFULLY I WAS GOING AT A SLOW SPEED AND WAS ABLE TO VEER THE VEHICLE TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. HAD I BEEN TRAVELING AT HIGHWAY SPEED THE EVENT WOULD HAVE BEEN CATASTROPHIC NOT ONLY TO ME BUT OTHERS ON THE ROAD ALSO. LOVED MY VEHICLE IT RUNS GREAT AND WAS LOOKING FOWARD TO MORE MILES WITH IT, UNFORTUNATELY THE REPAIR WOULD BE A MAJOR UNDERTAKING AND EXPENSE AND MY SABLE IS TO HEAD TO THE JUNK YARD ON A FLATBED.
THE FRONT DRIVER DOOR WILL NOT SHUT IN COLD TEMPERATURES. AS I WAS TRYING TO LEAVE FOR WORK THE DOOR WOULD NOT LATCH SHUT. ENDED UP HOLDING THE DOOR SHUT WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD. I WENT AND BOUGHT A RATCHET STRAP TO SECURE THE DOOR IN PLACE AS IT IS OFTEN COLD IN WISCONSIN.
Interior & seats
Reports naming seats, latches, locks, linkages and interior fittings.
From owner reports, verbatim
I WAS ON MY WAY HOME FROM WORK AROUND 9AM THE DRIVER SEAT SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED FOR ABSOLUTELY NO REASON.
CAR DOOR WILL NOT CLOSE IN LOW TEMPERATURES. DOOR WILL ALSO OPEN ON ITS OWN DURING COLD TEMPERATURES. THE DOOR WILL OPEN DURING VEHICLE OPERATION DUE TO THE LATCHING MECHANISM NOT WORKING PROPERLY. THIS PROBLEM OCCURS ON BOTH DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE DOORS. IT OCCURS ANYTIME TEMPERATURES GET BELOW 25 DEGREES. I HAVE NOT FOUND A PERMANENT FIX SHORT OF REPLACING THE LATCHING MECHANISM ON THE DOORS. THIS REPAIR HAS NOT BEEN DONE AS I DO NOT KNOW IF THIS WOULD BE A SOLUTION TO THE PROBLEM. TO GET THE LATCH WORKING AGAIN, IT HAS TO EITHER BE HEATED UP OR LATCH HAS TO BE WORKED 10+ TIMES BEFORE IT WILL FINALLY LATCH AND HOLD. THIS HAS BEEN A PROBLEM FOR THE LAST SEVERAL WINTERS AND IS GETTING WORSE. START DATE WOULD BE APPROX. 2009 AND PERSISTS TO THIS DAY. *TR
Exterior lighting
Reports naming headlights, tail lights, turn signals and other exterior lighting.
From owner reports, verbatim
FOR OVER TEN (10) YEARS THE HEADLIGHTS (BUT NOT THE SIDE DRIVING LIGHTS) HAVE BEEN GOING OFF (FOR ABOUT 3 MINUTES) AND THEN COMING BACK ON. THIS DOES NOT OCCUR EVERY TIME THE LIGHTS COME ON AND SEEMS TO BE MORE FREQUENT IN THE SUMMER TIME WHEN IT IS WARM OR HOT OUTSIDE. THE DATE BELOW IS JUST APPROXIMATELY WHEN THIS PROBLEM STARTED AND IS NOT THE ONLY DATE/'TIME IT HAS OCCURRED, IT HAS OCCURRED SPORADICALLY BUT CONTINUOUSLY SINCE THAT DATE.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 MERCURY SABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ALARM SYSTEM AND INTERIOR LIGHTS WOULD ACTIVATE INDEPENDENTLY AND RECURRINGLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN FOR DIAGNOSIS OR INSPECTION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE INCIDENT. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 189,000.
Steering
Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage.
From owner reports, verbatim
I GOT IN MY CAR STARTED TO DRIVE AND HEARD SOMETHING SNAP THEN SMOKE CAME FROM THE HOOD AND THE CAR PULLED HARD RIGHT. I IMMEDIATELY STOPPED AND PARKED THE CAR. THE COIL SPRING BROKE AND DUG INTO MY FRONT PASSENGER TIRE AND IT PULLED THE AXLE OUT OF THE CV JOINT.I WAS IN ALLENTOWN,PA. ON A MAIN ROAD IN THE CITY. FEB.8,2020.
THE ENGINE CRADLE/FRAME SUPPORTING THE ENGINE & TRANSMISSION AND SUSPENSION AND STEERING ASSEMBLIES FAILED DUE TO EXCESSIVE CORROSION CAUSING THE REAR MOUNT AT THE BODY CONNECTION ON BOTH SIDES TO SEPARATE AND DROP ABOUT 3" CAUSING A LOSS OF STEERING. THE DROP OF THE CRADLE AND ENGINE AND TRANSMISSION PULLED DOWN ON THE STEERING SHAFT UNIVERSAL JOINT UNDER THE DASH CAUSING THE STEERING TO BIND UP AND ALSO CAUSING THE ENTIRE STEERING AND SUSPENSION GEOMETRY TO FAIL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT GARAGED, WAS PURCHASED NEW BY ME, WAS NOT IN INVOLVED IN ANY FLOOD DAMAGE, WAS NOT IN CLOSE PROXIMITY TO SALT WATER AND THE UNDERCARRIAGE WAS SPRAYED EACH TIME I FREQUENTLY WASHED THE VECHICLE. THE ENGINE CRADLE IN ADDITION TO THE REAR MOUNT FAILURE HAS EXTENSIVE RUST AND CORROSION THRUOUT THE STRUCTURE. AS SOMEONE WHO PAYS ATTENTION TO MY VEHICLE I BEGAN TO NOTICE RUST/CORROSION ON THE ENGINE CRADLE ABOUT 5 YEARS AFTER PURCHASING THE VEHICLE AND HAVE SEARCHED THE INTERNET FOR SIMILAR COMPLAINTS WITHOUT FINDING ANY. I'M WIRTTING THIS AFTER FINALLY SEEING A COMPLAINT ON A 2001 FORD TAURUS CRADLE/FRAME FAILURE AND THINK THIS DANGEROUS CONDITION SHOULD BE MADE PUBLIC. THANKFULLY I WAS GOING AT A SLOW SPEED AND WAS ABLE TO VEER THE VEHICLE TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. HAD I BEEN TRAVELING AT HIGHWAY SPEED THE EVENT WOULD HAVE BEEN CATASTROPHIC NOT ONLY TO ME BUT OTHERS ON THE ROAD ALSO. LOVED MY VEHICLE IT RUNS GREAT AND WAS LOOKING FOWARD TO MORE MILES WITH IT, UNFORTUNATELY THE REPAIR WOULD BE A MAJOR UNDERTAKING AND EXPENSE AND MY SABLE IS TO HEAD TO THE JUNK YARD ON A FLATBED.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Heating & air conditioning
Reports naming the heating, ventilation and air-conditioning system.
From owner reports, verbatim
03/12/08 - AUTO TEMPERATURE CONTROL DOES NOT WORK. A/C DOES NOT WORK AND BLOWS CONSTANT HOT AIR. CAR HAS BEEN SERVICED TWICE BY FORD DEALERSHIPS WHO ADMIT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM YET FORD HAS NOT REACTED. INTERESTINGLY THE A/C WORKS FOR ABOUT 6 MONTHS AFTER DEALERSHIP DIAGNOSTICS THEN GOES HOT. MY GUESS IT IS AN ELECTRONIC COMPONENT WHICH, WHEN MOVED / MANIPULATED, MAKES CONNECTION FOR A SHORT PERIOD OF TIME. TO REPAIR THE A/C, BASICALLY COMPLETELY REPLACING THE SYSTEM, IS $2500. *TR
FIRST THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE LEAKED WATER DURING RAIN STORMS. I HAD THAT FIXED LAST FALL. NOW THE A/C BLOWER MOTOR NEEDS REPLACEMENT, AND IT WAS TOLD TO ME THAT THESE TWO REPAIRS ARE RELATED. THE COST FOR THE 2001, SABLE IS $2500 IN REPAIRS. FORD NEEDS TO FIX THIS PROBLEM. RECALL #03V087000 AND OTHER COMPLAINT #10184014. *AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Powertrain (other)
Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials.
From owner reports, verbatim
TRANSMISSION ISSUES INCLUDED A NEAR DEATH EXPERIENCE WHEN FAULTY CRUISE CONTROL WIRING / FUNCTIONALITY CAUSED AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION TO REV TO TO HIGH RPMS. WAS UNABLE TO SHIFT TO NEUTRAL GEAR AND WAS FORCED TO JUMP FROM VEHICLE TO AVOID POTENTIALLY FATAL WRECK. BRAKE PADS BURNED THROUGH TO THE CALIPERS WHEN TRYING TO BRAKE.
MY MECHANIC ADVISED THAT THE COIL SPRING IS LACKING A COVER AND IS RUSTING AND MAY BREAK. MY TRANSMISSION "SLIPS" AND "REVS" AT RANDOM. BOTH OF THESE ITEMS ARE SUPPOSEDLY UNDER RECALL, BUT FORD WILL NOT HONOR THE RECALLS.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Tires & wheels
Reports naming tires, wheels, hubs, or the tire-pressure monitoring system.
From owner reports, verbatim
I PURCHASED FOUR NEW TIRES IN THE FALL OF 2006 FROM TIRE KINGDOM. I HAVE HAD MY CAR IN FOUR TIMES BECAUSE OF LOSING AIR PRESSURE. EACH TIME I WAS TOLD THAT IT WAS AN OPTICAL ILLUSION. THEN I HAD A VALVE STEM CRACK AND CAUSE A RAPID LOSS OF AIR WHILE DRIVING. FORTUNATELY WE WERE NOT INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT. AGAIN TIRE KINGDOM BLEW THIS OFF. I HAVE CONTACTED THEM SINCE HEARING ABOUT THE RECALLED VALVE STEMS AND HAVE BEEN GIVEN A COMPLETE RUN AROUND. THE TIRE THAT SUDDENLY DEFLATED SUFFERED DAMAGE TO THE SIDE WALL WHICH THEY SAID "ISN'T A BIG DEAL." MY TIRES HAVE WORN FASTER AND ONE HAS SKIDDING ON THE SIDEWALL FROM THE FAULTY VALVE STEMS INSTALLED BUT THE DEALER DOES NOT TAKE THIS SERIOUSLY. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 MERCURY SABLE. WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE PASSENGER SIDE REAR COIL SPRING SNAPPED. BY THE TIME THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER, THE TIRE WAS SHREDDED. HE REPLACED THE SPRING ASSEMBLY AT THE TIME OF FAILURE. HE LATER NOTICED THAT THE DRIVER SIDE REAR SPRING HAD FAILED IN THE SAME PLACE AS THE PASSENGER SIDE SPRING. FORD MOTOR COMPANY STATED THAT THERE IS A RECALL FOR JUST THE FRONT SPRINGS, NOT THE REAR. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 45,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40,000. THE CONSUMER STATED THE PROBLEM WAS DUE TO CORROSION FROM SALT. THE CONSUMER STATED DOES NOT KNOW WHY THE SALT CORROSION AFFECTED THE FRONT SPRING BUT NOT THE REAR SPRING. UPDATED 07/31/07 *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Other / unspecified
Reports whose component NHTSA recorded as unknown, or that do not map to one of the categories above.
From owner reports, verbatim
I GOT IN MY CAR STARTED TO DRIVE AND HEARD SOMETHING SNAP THEN SMOKE CAME FROM THE HOOD AND THE CAR PULLED HARD RIGHT. I IMMEDIATELY STOPPED AND PARKED THE CAR. THE COIL SPRING BROKE AND DUG INTO MY FRONT PASSENGER TIRE AND IT PULLED THE AXLE OUT OF THE CV JOINT.I WAS IN ALLENTOWN,PA. ON A MAIN ROAD IN THE CITY. FEB.8,2020.
I OWN A 2001 MERCURY SABLE. AT APPROXIMATELY 70,000 THE DRIVER'S SEAT BELT BEGAN TO RETRACT SPORADICALLY. AT ABOUT 75,000 MILES THE SEATBELT NO LONGER RETRACTED AT ALL. THE SEATBELT STILL LOCKS WHEN PRESSURE IS PUT ON IT, BUT I AM CONCERNED ABOUT ITS SAFETY. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
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.
Elsewhere on this vehicle
Data sources
- NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation — owner-reported complaints and the components recorded on them
Data on this page last refreshed .