RoadVitals

2004 Mercury Sable Brakes Problems

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

Data refreshed

Brakes 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 Apr 10, 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.
25%
of 52 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 service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 2004 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 brake

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

Brakes
Filed Apr 10, 2020

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 MERCURY SABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE BRAKE LIGHTS WERE ACTIVATED, THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO SHIFT THE VEHICLE FROM PARK INTO DRIVE. FRED BEANS FORD OF DOYLESTOWN (876 N EASTON RD, DOYLESTOWN, PA 18902), (215) 348-2901) WAS CONTACTED AND INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE STOP LAMP SWITCH NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS RELATED TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16E026000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC) HOWEVER, THE RECALL WAS FOR THE YEAR 2003 VEHICLES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 99,800.

NHTSA ID
11320752
Incident
Feb 1, 2020
Mileage
99,800 mi
BrakesElectricalExterior lighting
Filed Aug 14, 2018

WHILE PARKED, TRIED TO PUT CAR IN REVERSE TO BACK OUT OF DRIVEWAY BUT CAR WILL NOT SHIFT OUT OF PARK. ONLY WAY TO GET CAR TO SHIFT OUT OF PARK IS TO APPLY EMERGENCY BRAKES THEN SHIFT CAR INTO NEUTRAL WHILE KEY TURNED TO OFF POSITION. BREAK LIGHTS WILL NOT ILLUMINATE WHEN BRAKE PEDAL APPLIED. I CHECKED ALL THE FUSES AND REPLACED THE BREAK LAMP BULBS TO TROUBLESHOOT ISSUE ACCORDING TO OWNERS MANUAL HOWEVER PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. WHEN RESEARCHING ONLINE I READ ABOUT THE SAME EXACT ISSUES OCCURRING IN SAME MODEL AND MAKE THAT WERE RECALLED. I WENT TO MY NEAREST FORD DEALERSHIP TO INFORM THEM ABOUT THIS ISSUE AND GET SOME ASSISTANCE IN FIXING THE PROBLEM. HOWEVER THEY WOULD NOT HELP IN THE MATTER, AND STATED THAT MY PARTICULAR VIN # AND YEAR MODEL 2004 HAD NO RECALLS. THE RECALL WAS ISSUED FOR FAULTY BREAK LIGHT SWITCHES IN 2003 AND PREVIOUS YEAR MODELS OF MERCURY SABLES. I'VE READ ABOUT NUMEROUS ISSUES OCCURRING WITH OTHER 2004 MERCURY SABLE OWNERS THAT ALSO CANNOT GET HELP WITH THIS MATTER. THIS IS OBVIOUSLY A SAFETY ISSUE AND IT IS MY HOPE THAT THE NHTSA INVESTIGATES TO FIND OUT WHY 2004 MODELS ARE ALSO EXHIBITING SAME RECALL SAFETY ISSUES. THE PROBLEM OBVIOUSLY LIES WITH THE PART (SAME BREAK LIGHT SWITCH) FORD INSTALLED ON THESE VEHICLES AND NOT NECESSARILY THE YEAR THE VEHICLE WAS MADE. IT HAS ALWAYS BEEN MY UNDERSTANDING THAT THE PRIMARY MISSION AND ROLE OF THE NHTSA IS TO HELP KEEP THE PUBLIC SAFE AND INFORMED ABOUT POTENTIAL SAFETY ISSUES. THEREFORE, I HOPE THEY NOT ONLY INVESTIGATE WHY FORD USED THE SAME FAULTY PART ON OTHER YEAR MODEL VEHICLES BUT ALSO ISSUE THE NECESSARY RECALL FOR SAID VEHICLES WITH THOSE PARTS. IF, WHILE TRAVELING WITH MY FAMILY, A CAR SLAMS INTO US BECAUSE NO BREAK LIGHTS WILL ENGAGE, WHOSE FAULT IS THAT? I'VE BROUGHT THIS SAFERY ISSUE CONCERN TO THE ATTENTION OF FORD AND NOW THE NHTSA. FAILURE TO ADDRESS THIS ISSUE PUTS THE PUBLIC IN DANGER!

NHTSA ID
11119888
Incident
Aug 13, 2018
Mileage
172,000 mi
Brakes
Filed Oct 24, 2016

THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH FAILED CAUSING INABILITY TO GET SHIFT LEVER OUT OF PARK MODE. BRAKE LIGHTS STAY ON ALL THE TIME OR NOT COME ON AT ALL. THE PROBLEM WAS NOTED AFTER PARKING IN OUR GARAGE AND NOTICING THE BRAKE LIGHTS BEING ON ALL THE TIME. I DISCOVERED THAT TURNING THE IGNITION SWITCH TO FIRST INDENT THAT THE SHIFT LEVER CAN BE PLACED IN THE NEUTRAL MODE SO ENGINE CAN BE STARTED. IN DRIVING THE CAR, THE BRAKE LIGHTS DO NOT WORK. WHEN STOPPING THE CAR AND SHIFTING TO THE PARK MODE, THE SHIFT LEVER CANNOT BE TAKEN OUT OF THE PARK MODE WITHOUT GOING THROUGH THE SEQUENCE DESCRIBED ABOVE. THERE WAS A RECALL TO REPAIR THIS ON THE 2000-2004 SABLES (REFERENCE 04V106000), BUT FORD TELLS ME THE 2004 SABLES ARE NOT UNDER RECALL ALTHOUGH THE 2004 MODELS USE THE SAME DEFECTIVE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH CAUSING THE EXACT PROBLEMS AS THE 2000-2003 MODELS. *TR

NHTSA ID
10918494
Incident
Oct 18, 2016
Mileage
28,100 mi
BrakesInterior & seats
Filed Jun 16, 2016

I CONTACTED KEN GRODY FORD IN BUENA PARK,CA 2-3 MONTHS AGO TO ASK IF THERE WERE ANY RECALLS ON MY CAR? THE MANAGER I SPOKE WITH TOLD ME "NO!" HE ALSO MAILED ME A COPY OF HIS "OASIS" SEARCH WHICH SHOWED NO RECALLS! HELP! [XXX] PLEASE MAIL ME RECALL ALERTS ON MY CAR! INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

NHTSA ID
10874695
Incident
Apr 1, 2016
BrakesElectricalExterior lighting
Filed May 21, 2015

CAR WILL NOT COME OUT OF PARK, NOR WILL BRAKE LIGHTS OPERATE WHEN PEDAL DEPRESSED. EXACT SYMPTOMS AS DESCRIBED IN PREVIOUS MODEL YEAR RECALLS. ONLY WAYTO GET CAR OUT OF PARK IS TO PLACE IN NEUTRAL AFTER TURNING KEY IN IGNITION TO FIRST AVAIALBLE POSITION, THEN APPLYING BRAKE PEDAL TO RELEASE SHIFT LOCK. THIS IS A RECURRING PROBLEM W/ A FAILED BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH ASSEMBLY. IT'S TOO DANGEROUS OF A PROBLEM TO NOT HAVE A RECALL. MANY OTHER MODEL VEHICLES HAVE BEEN RECALLED FOR THE SAME EXACT PROBLEM. WHY NOT THIS MODEL?

NHTSA ID
10717640
Incident
Mar 1, 2014
Mileage
95,000 mi
BrakesExterior lightingPowertrain (other)
Filed Jan 12, 2015

THE CAR WILL NOT COME OUT OF PARK, NOR DO THE BRAKE LIGHTS WORK AND SOMETIMES THE BRAKE LIGHTS STAY ON. THERE WAS A RECALL FOR THIS VERY ISSUE. RECALL #04S12 OR 04V106000. HOWEVER THE RECALL STOPS AT 2003. MY VEHICLE HAS THE SAME DEFECTIVE SWITCH IN IT BUT FORD IS REFUSING TO REPLACE IT. THEY CLAIM MY VEHICLE WAS MADE A FEW DAYS AFTER THE RECALL STOPPED. WELL THAT DOESN'T MAKE MY BRAKE PEDAL SWITCH ANY SAFER. I'M BEING HANDED A LINE OF CRAP BY FORD. THEY INSTALLED A DEFECTIVE SWITCH AND HAVE ADMITTED ITS DEFECTIVE AND WONT FIX MINE BECAUSE OF A MANUFACTURE DATE. WHAT COURT WOULDN'T PROSECUTE FORD IF I HAVE A SERIOUS ACCIDENT BECAUSE OF THIS DEFECTIVE SWITCH THAT THEY KNOW IS DEFECTIVE BUT REFUSE TO FIX IT. *TR

NHTSA ID
10671773
Incident
Dec 16, 2014
Mileage
99,300 mi
BrakesElectricalPowertrain (other)
Filed Dec 12, 2014

CAR WILL NOT COME OUT OF PARK, NOR WILL BRAKE LIGHTS OPERATE WHEN PEDAL DEPRESSED. EXACT SYMPTOMS AS DESCRIBED IN PREVIOUS MODEL YEAR RECALLS. ONLY WAYTO GET CAR OUT OF PARK IS TO PLACE IN NEUTRAL AFTER TURNING KEY IN IGNITION TO FIRST AVAILABLE POSITION, THEN APPLYING BRAKE PEDAL TO RELEASE SHIFT LOCK. *TR

NHTSA ID
10663755
Incident
Dec 6, 2014
Mileage
54,000 mi
BrakesDriver assistance
Filed Nov 26, 2013

I RECEIVED A PANICKED PHONE CALL FROM MY 16 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER AFTER A LIFE THREATENING EXPERIENCE. SHE WAS DRIVING AT 35 MPH WHEN THE CAR BEGAN TO ACCELERATE ON IT'S OWN, THE ENGINE RACED TO 4,000 RPM AND STAYED THERE, WHILE SHE FRANTICALLY PRESSED THE BRAKE. THANKFULLY SHE WAS ABLE TO CONTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AS SHE PULLED OFF IT THE ROAD. SHE IMMEDIATELY TURNED OFF THE ENGINE, AFTER WAITING A FEW MINUTES SHE STARTED THE CAR, AGAIN IT RACED TO 4,000 RPM. AFTER TRYING THIS MULTIPLE TIMES I HAD THE CAR TOWED HOME. A CALL TO FORD VERIFIED THERE HAS BEEN NO RECALLS OR RECALL WORK DONE ON THIS VEHICLE. I RESEARCHED THIS ISSUE ONLINE, TO MY AMAZEMENT THERE ARE MANY PEOPLE WHO HAVE EXPERIENCED THIS SAME ISSUE.IN FEAR FOR MY CHILD AND ANYONE ELSE WHO MIGHT DRIVE THIS VEHICLE I HAVE REMOVED IT FROM USE, AND FEEL STUCK WITH UNSAFE VEHICLE. I AM HIGHLY DISAPPOINTED IN THE LACK OF RESPONSE/RESOLVE FROM THE MANUFACTURE. *TR

NHTSA ID
10553933
Incident
Nov 26, 2013
Mileage
54,296 mi
BrakesElectricalExterior lighting
Filed Jan 28, 2013

BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH AT PEDAL FAULTY WITH SAME SYMPTOMS AS RECALL NHTSA I.D. # 04V10600...BRAKE LIGHTS WON'T ACTIVATE WHEN PEDAL DEPRESSED WHILE DRIVING OR PARKED AND WHEN PARKED TRANSMISSION RANGE SELECTOR IS STUCK IN PARK POSITION. THESE SYMPTOMS COULD CAUSE AN ACCIDENT FROM THE REAR AND OR LEAVE FAMILY MEMBERS STRANDED. CURIOUSLY THIS RECALL DOESN'T LIST THE RECALLED SWITCHES PART NUMBER AND CERTAINLY FORD MOTORS WON'T ADMIT THAT A FEW WERE INSTALLED ON 2004 MODELS. *TR

NHTSA ID
10494895
Incident
Jan 18, 2013
Mileage
137,590 mi
Brakes
Filed Mar 13, 2012

OVER THE LAST FEW YEARS I HAVE HAD THE PROBLEM OF WHEN BRAKING THE CAR SPEEDS UP AND I WOULD HAVE TO SLAME THE BRAKES ON SO I WOULD NOT REAR END THE PERSON IN FRONT OF ME. I KEPT THINKING IT WAS SOMETHING I DID BUT AFTER SEEING REPORT TODAY I SURE IT WAS NOTHING I DID. GLAD TO SEE THAT THE 2004 SABLE WAS NOW ADDED. WILL BE CALLINF FORD TODAY.... *TR

NHTSA ID
10451350
Incident
Mar 1, 2010
Brakes
Filed Sep 14, 2010

MY HUSBAND IS CURRENTLY LEASING A 2004 MERCURY SABLE. WE'VE HAD IT SINCE FEBRUARY OF 2008, AND IT'S ALMOST PAID OFF. WE'VE NOTICED THE ROTORS ARE WARPED AND ARE CAUSING THE CAR TO SHAKE WHEN THE BRAKES ARE PRESSED TO COME TO A STOP. IT DOES IT EVERYTIME AND IT HAS DONE IT SINCE THE SECOND WEEK OF APRIL 2010. NO PARTS HAVE BEEN REPLACED, BUT WHEN WE TEST DROVE IT BEFORE WE BOUGHT IT, IT DIDN'T DO THAT AT ALL. *TR

NHTSA ID
10355632
Incident
Apr 20, 2010
Brakes
Filed Jan 19, 2008

I HAVE A 2004 SABLE AND THE BRAKE LIGHTS WILL NOT GO OFF. I'VE TRIED CHANGING THE FUSE TO NO AVAIL. AFTER RESEARCHING, IT SEEMS THAT THE 2000-2003 FORD TAURUS AND MERCURY SABLES HAD RECALLS FOR FAULTY BRAKE LIGHT SWITCHES. IT APPEARS THAT THIS IS STILL A PROBLEM IN THE 2004 MODEL! *TR

NHTSA ID
10215404
Incident
Jan 18, 2008
Mileage
34,000 mi
Brakes
Filed Oct 13, 2005

2004 MERCURY SABLE FRONT BRAKE ROTORS WERE WARPED.***NO ANSWER REQUIRED***. *MR *NM THE CONSUMER REQUEST A WRITTEN RESPONSE TO A LETTER HE SUBMITTED TO NHTSA ON AUGUST 30, 2005. *NM

NHTSA ID
10137721
Incident
Aug 29, 2005
Mileage
27,461 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 .