RoadVitals

2002 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.
9
Latest Apr 27, 2016
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.
2%
of 440 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.
1

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 2002 Mercury Sable submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 9 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

Fuel system
Filed Apr 27, 2016

IT HAS A VERY HIGH SMELL OF GAS WHEN DRIVING CAR AND WHEN YOU STOP ALL YOU SMELL IS GAS

NHTSA ID
10861717
Incident
Apr 27, 2016
Mileage
132,000 mi
Driver assistanceElectricalFuel system
Filed Feb 23, 2016

MY CAR HAS BEEN A TERRIBLE LIABILITY SINCE DAY ONE,I AM AHNDICAPPED AND ON A PERMANENT BUDGET,,I NEED TO GET THIS LOOKED AT AND MY CAR TAKEN CARE OF SOON,IM SCARED I MAY SOON END UP ON FOOT IF THESE HORRID ISSUES RNT RECTIFIED,,I BOUGHT MY CAR FROM FIRST CLASS CARS IN SALT LAKE CITY UTAH,,IVE ASKED 4 TIMES TO GET IT TRADED IN,,MUCH TO MY SHOCK THEY WOULDNT EVEN TALK TO ME,,PLEASE HELP ME!MY CAR REVES AT TIMES THEN WHILE SITTING STIL IT WIL TRY TO DRIVE WITHOUT ME PUSHING THE EXCELIRATOR,,IM SCARED IT GONNA LEAP OUT AMY HANDS SOON,,IM TERIRFIED OF IT!!

NHTSA ID
10837883
Incident
Jan 12, 2016
Driver assistanceFuel system
Filed May 12, 2013

ACCELERATOR STUCK. VEHICLE ACCELERATED WHEN CRUISING ON HIGHWAY. PUT IT IN NEUTRAL AT EXIT FROM HIGHWAY, STUCK AT 4000 RPM. PROBLEM WAS ACCELERATOR CABLE. FERRULE BROKEN IN ENGINE COMPARTMENT AND OUTER PART OF CABLE HUNG UP ON MOUNTING BRACKET. *TR

NHTSA ID
10511560
Incident
Apr 28, 2013
Mileage
85,000 mi
Driver assistanceFuel system
Filed May 13, 2012

WE WERE BACKING OUT OF A PARKING SPACE & THE CAR ACCELERATED AS THOUGH I HAD PRESSED THE GAS PEDAL. THIS IS THE THIRD TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED, BUT THE FIRST TIME GOING IN REVERSE. BOTH OTHER TIMES THE CAR WAS IN DRIVE. THE FIRST TIME I WAS ON THE FREEWAY AND I ASSUMED MY FOOT HAD ACCIDENTALLY PUSHED THE GAS, SO I IGNORED IT. THE SECOND TIME I WAS ON A COUNTY ROAD, AND AGAIN I ASSUMED IT WAS MY FAULT. THIS IS THE FIRST TIME I COULD HAVE REALLY HURT SOMEONE, AND THIS COULD POTENTIALLY BE VERY DANGEROUS. *TR

NHTSA ID
10458262
Incident
May 13, 2012
Mileage
106,586 mi
Fuel system
Filed Jan 26, 2011

INTERMITTENT FUEL SMELL IN PASSENGER COMPARTMENT OVER PAST YEAR AND A HALF. HAD IT CHECKED AND PROBLEM COULD NOT BE IDENTIFIED AS THE FUEL SMELL WOULD NOT BE PRESENT WHEN BROUGHT IN FOR SERVICE CHECK. IN DECEMBER OF 2010, FUEL BEGAN POURING OUT FROM TOP OF FUEL TANK AND ONTO GROUND WHEN ENGINE WAS RUNNING. PROBLEM DISCOVERED IN PLASTIC CONNECTION ELBOW AT TOP OF FUEL PUMP WHICH CONNECTS TO FUEL LINE ABOVE FUEL TANK AT THE PUMP. ELBOW HAD A FINE CRACK ALONG THE TOP AND FUEL WOULD SPRAY OUT WHEN FUEL PUMP WAS RUNNING. THIS WAS THE ORIGINAL FACTORY PUMP. CAR WAS ORIGINAL WITH NO HISTORY OF COLLISION OR REPAIRS IN THIS AREA. I HAVE RETAINED THE PUMP.

NHTSA ID
10379209
Incident
Dec 15, 2010
Mileage
94,000 mi
AirbagsElectricalFuel system+1 more
Filed Nov 2, 2009

I PURCHASED A 2002 MERCURY SABLE IN SEPTEMBER, 2006. ON JANUARY 19, 2007 WHILE TURNING INTO MY DRIVEWAY GOING 3-5 MILES AN HOUR BOTH FRONTAL AIRBAGS DEPLOYED CAUSING AN ESTIMATED $3,000.00 TO $4,000.00 IN DAMAGES. THE DEALER HAS REFUSED TO ASSIST ME SAYING I BOUGHT THE CAR "AS IS". THEY TOLD ME TO FILE THE CLAIM WITH MY INSURANCE COMPANY. THE INSURANCE COMPANY SAID THEY COULD DO NOTHING "THERE WAS NO IMPACT". FORD MOTOR COMPANY SAID THERE WAS A 50,000 MILE WARRANTY. YOUR DEPARTMENT SENT ME A SERVICE TECHNICAL BULLETIN STATING THAT FORD KNEW OF THIS PROBLEM IN MAY, 2002. I HAVE BEEN UNABLE TO GET ANYONE (IE: DEALER, INSURANCE COMPANY, FINANCE COMPANY, OR MANUFACTURER) TO HELP ME WITH THIS ISSUE. IN FEBRUARY OF THIS YEAR 2009, THE FUEL PUMP, DRIVER, COMPUTER, AND TRANSMISSION WENT OUT IN THIS CAR. I HAVE SPENT OVER $1,600.00 IN REPAIR OF THIS VEHICLE . DUE TO THE DEPRECIATION OF THE CAR, THE MECHANICAL FAILURES, AND THE SAFETY ISSUE OF NO AIRBAGS THE VEHICLE IS WORTH NOTHING. I STILL OWE THE FINANCE COMPANY $6,000.00 AND HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO DRIVE THE CAR FOR THE LAST 10 MONTHS. I WAS RECENTLY DIRECTED TO RESEARCH THE CONSUMER RIGHTS ACT OF 1974, THE MAGNUSON-MOSS WARRANTY ACT, SALE OF GOODS ACT 1979, ALABAMA LEMON LAWS, BUYERS REMORSE LAW, TRADE COMMISSION ACT, UNIFORM COMMERCIAL CODE, AND CONSUMER RIGHTS WHEN BUYING A USED CAR BY THE BBB. I HAVE BEEN DENIED MY RIGHTS. NO CONSUMER SHOULD HAVE TO EXPERIENCE WHAT I HAVE. EVERY CONSUMER HAS THE RIGHT TO EXPECT A CAR THEY PURCHASE TO MEET REASONABLE STANDARDS. THERE WAS A GRAVE ISSUE OF SAFETY FOR ME AND MY GRANDDAUGHTER WHEN THE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. THANK GOD WE WERE NOT INJURED. ALL OF THESE FAILURES HAVE SIGNIFICANTLY IMPAIRED THE USE, VALUE, AND SAFETY OF THIS VEHICLE! THEY AROSE OUT OF THE ORDINARY USE OF THE VEHICLE AND NOT AS A RESULT OF ABUSE. THE MOTOR VEHICLE IS OUT OF SERVICE AND IN THE CUSTODY OF THE DEALER DUE TO REPAIR ATTEMPTS, ONE OF WHICH OCCURRED DURING THE LEMON LAW RIGHTS PERIOD. *TR

NHTSA ID
10290614
Incident
Jan 19, 2007
Mileage
50,000 mi
BrakesFuel systemSuspension+1 more
Filed Aug 20, 2007

CAR NOT HANDLING PROPERLY. BRAKES SQUEALING. VERY POOR GAS MILEAGE. CAR RIDING LOWER IN BACK. SOUNDED/FELT LIKE I WAS RIDING ON A FLAT, TIRE PRESSURE WAS DOWN, BUT NOT BADLY (3 LBS). TOOK TO MECHANIC FOR TUNEUP. ADVISED REAR TIRE BAD WITH FLAT SPOTS. PURCHASED TIRES TO BE INSTALLED. WHEN MECHANIC PULLED TIRE/WHEEL TO INSTALL, NOTICED REAR SPRING WAS BROKEN. PULLED TIRE/WHEEL FROM OTHER SIDE. IT TOO, WAS BROKEN. ONE BREAK WAS NEW, THE OTHER OLDER AS ENDS WERE RUSTED OVER. THERE ARE RUB MARKS AND WEAR ON THE RUBBER COVERING OVER BOTH SPRINGS AS WELL AS THE COATING COMING OFF. I HAVE THE BROKEN SPRINGS AND HAVE TAKEN PHOTOS THAT SHOW BRAKES AND DISCOLORATION. TWO (2) NEW TIRES, TWO (2) REAR SPRINGS AND ALIGNMENT COST $614.68. I FREQUENTLY HAVE MY GRANDCHILDREN WITH ME. EITHER ONE OR BOTH OF THEM COULD HAVE BEEN SEVERELY INJURED HAS THE PIECES COME THROUGH THE SEATS. *TR

NHTSA ID
10200149
Incident
Aug 17, 2007
AirbagsEngineFuel system
Filed Dec 24, 2003
Crash reported

IN MARCH 2003 WHILE DRIVING 52 MPH VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A COLLISION WHERE FRONT END WAS DAMAGED, AND FRONT AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. DEALER STATED THAT FRONT AIR BAGS SHOULD HAVE DEPLOYED. *AK THE VEHICLE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND IT'S EXPERIENCING PROBLEM WITH THE EGR VALVE AND FUEL PUMP. *NM

NHTSA ID
10038238
Incident
Mar 1, 2003
Fuel system
Filed Jul 3, 2003
Fire reported1 injury reported

FOR ABOUT FIVE MONTHS THERE HAS BEEN A FUEL SMELL ENTERING THE PASSENGER CABIN. ABOUT TWO WEEKS AGO THE VEHICLE BLEW UP AND BURNED THE DRIVER. THE FIRE WAS EXTINGUISHED BY THE FIRE DEPARTMENT. *AK

NHTSA ID
10026575
Mileage
27,000 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 .