RoadVitals

2009 Mercury Sable Problems

Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints 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.
20
Latest Feb 17, 2021
Components namedHow many of our component categories appear on at least one report for this model year. One report can name several.
10
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
2

What this page shows

Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 2009 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

  • Driver assistance520.8%
  • Engine520.8%
  • Powertrain (other)312.5%
  • Suspension312.5%
  • Interior & seats28.3%
  • Brakes28.3%
  • Visibility14.2%
  • Other / unspecified14.2%
  • Steering14.2%
  • Body & structure14.2%

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

Driver assistance

Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems.

5
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 MERCURY SABLE. WHILE PULLING INTO A PARKING SPACE AT 2 MPH, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED ON ITS OWN. THE FAILURES OCCURRED INTERMITTENTLY FOR THREE YEARS. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 22,300. UPDATED 9/4/14*CN THE CONSUMER STATED WHEN AN INCIDENT WOULD OCCUR THE VEHICLE HAD NO BRAKES UNLESS PUT IN NUETRAL. THE ACCELERATION MAINTAINED THE CURRENT SPEED. FOR THE PAST 39 MONTHS THE OWNER HAD BEEN DRIVING WITH ONE HAND ON THE SHIFTING LEVER TO BE ABLE TO STOP. UPDATED 1/5/2014 *JS

NHTSA ID 10615574 · filed Jul 23, 2014

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 MERCURY SABLE. WHILE PULLING INTO A PARKING SPACE AT 2 MPH, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED ON ITS OWN. THE FAILURES OCCURRED INTERMITTENTLY FOR THREE YEARS. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 22,300.

NHTSA ID 10615571 · filed Jul 23, 2014

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Engine

Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.

5
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

WHILE CRUISING ON INTERSTATE HIGHWAYS, ON THREE OCCASIONS, THE ENGINE HAS QUIT RUNNING. THE FIRST INCIDENT OCCURRED OCTOBER 12, 2012 WITH ABOUT 18,000 MILES ON ODOMETER.THE SECOND INCIDENT OCCURRED DURING MAY, 2014 WITH ABOUT 34,000 MILES ON ODOMETER. THE THIRD INCIDENT OCCURRED ON APRIL 20, 2016 WITH 40,665 MILES ON ODOMETER. IT IS INTERESTING TO NOTE THAT WHILE THIS VEHICLE IS USED PRIMARILY FOR OUT-OF-STATE TRAVEL, ALL 3 INCIDENTS HAVE OCCURRED WHILE RETURNING HOME FROM OUT OF STATE TRIPS AND WITHIN ABOUT A 70 MILE RADIUS IN CENTRAL ILLINOIS. THE ENGINE WILL READILY RESTART AFTER A SHUTDOWN. THE ENGINE RAN SMOOTHLY BOTH BEFORE AND FOLLOWING EACH SHUTDOWN, AS WELL AS ALL OTHER TIMES DURING THE LIFE OF THIS VEHICLE. THE FORD DEALER CHECKED THE ENGINE THIS WEEK AND FOUND NO CAUSE FOR ENGINE SHUTDOWN NOR VEHICLE RECALLS. I AM INCLINED TO BELIEVE THAT THIS ENGINE SHUTDOWN ISSUE IS NOT ISOLATED TO THIS ONE VEHICLE. I FEAR THAT SUCH ENGINE SHUTDOWNS WILL LEAD TO A CATASTROPHIC CRASH PARTICULARLY WHEN THE VEHICLE IS OPERATED ON CROWDED INTERSTATE HIGHWAYS IN LARGE METROPOLITAN AREAS IN RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC. WE TRAVEL ON THESE HIGHWAYS AROUND INDIANAPOLIS, CINCINNATI AND ST. LOUIS. (WE HAVE ALREADY EXPERIENCED AN ENGINE SHUTDOWN ON ANOTHER OF OUR VEHICLES WHILE TRAVELING ON A VERY CROWDED INTERSTATE DURING RUSH HOUR.)

NHTSA ID 10864154 · filed May 10, 2016

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 MERCURY SABLE. WHEN THE CONTACT TURNED THE STEERING WHEEL WHILE DRIVING 15 MPH, THE VEHICLE FELT AS IF IT WOULD STALL AND AN ABNORMAL NOISE WAS HEARD. THE TRACTION CONTROL WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER, BUT COULD NOT BE DIAGNOSED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 65,000.

NHTSA ID 10776418 · filed Sep 24, 2015

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.

3
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

HAVING DRIVEN 150 MILES OR SO OF HIGHWAY DRIVING USING CRUISE CONTROL, STOPPING TWO TIMES TO REST, DRIVING APPROX. 65 - 70 MPH. I ARRIVED AT WALTHAM ON RT. 128 WHERE THE TRAFFIC WAS BUMPER TO BUMPER. I HAD TO KEEP MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE UNTIL I WAS AT EXIT 38 OR 39. WE TRAVELLED 5 - 15 MPH. AFTER I WAS IN THE SLOW TRAFFIC FOR APPROX. 20 MINUTES MY CAR STARTED TO LURCH FORWARD WHILE GASSING UP AND WANTING TO JUMP AHEAD. MY FOOT WAS ON THE BRAKE AND I NEEDED TO BRAKE EVEN HARDER TO HOLD ONTO THE FORCE THAT THE CAR WAS EXERTING. I WAS IN BUMPER TO BUMPER TRAFFIC AND HAD KEPT A DISTANCE BETWEEH MYSELF AND THE CAR IN FRONT SO THE SMALL JUMP DID NOT HIT THAT CAR BEFORE I PUSHED HARDER ON THE BRAKE. THE SAME THING HAPPENED AGAIN WITHIN 5 MINUTES. ONCE I ARRIVED IN DANVERS I DROVE TO THE DEALER TO REPORT THE PROBLEM AND THEY GAVE ME AN APPOINTMENT FOR WEDNESDAY8/28/13. THIS SAME PROBLEM HAS BEEN HAPEENING SINCE I PURCHASED THE CAR IN 2011. IT SELF ACCELERATED RANDOMLY EVERY 3-4 MONTHS, IT HAPPENED WHEN I HAD MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE AND I WAS AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT WITH MY MOM IN THE CAR. I ALMOST WENT THROUGHT THE LIGHT FROM A STOPPED BRAKED POSITION. THE OTHER TIMES WERE AFTER DRIVING WITH CRUISE CONTROL WHICH I NEED. IT ALSO HAPPENED WHILE BRAKING TO GET INTO A PARKING PLACE. *TT

NHTSA ID 10537773 · filed Aug 28, 2013

AUTOMOBILE ENGINE INADVERTENTLY STOPPED RUNNING WHILE DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEED. ONLY INDICATION WAS ILLUMINATION OF ALTERNATOR SYSTEM FAILURE WARNING LIGHT AND TACHOMETER INDICATION OF ZERO. THERE WAS NO ASSOCIATED SHUDDER, LURCHING, OR OTHER PHYSICAL INDICATION THAT ENGINE HAD FAILED. NO ENGINE SERVICE LIGHT OR OTHER INDICATION WAS DISPLAYED. VEHICLE TRANSMISSION WAS PLACED INTO NEUTRAL, RESTART ATTEMPTED, AND ENGINE RESUMED NORMAL OPERATION WITHOUT FURTHER INCIDENT. THIS PROBLEM HAS OCCURRED THREE TIMES IN THE LAST 120 DAYS. I CONTACTED THE DEALER, WHERE THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED - SENTRY FORD IN MEDFORD MA., AND THE SERVICE REP ON THE PHONE FOUND NO APPARENT REASON FOR THE MALFUNCTION OR TO SCHEDULE A DIAGNOSTIC DEALER SERVICE APPOINTMENT, SINCE NO ENGINE SERVICE LIGHT CAME ON, BASED ON MY TESTIMONIAL. HE ALSO TOLD ME THAT IF THE ENGINE SERVICE LIGHT DOES NOT COME ON, NO FAILURE CODES ARE STORED IN THE ON BOARD VEHICLE OPERATION HISTORY DATABASE AND THE PROBLEM CAN NOT BE DIAGNOSED AND THE DEALER CAN NOT PROVIDE ASSISTANCE OR GUIDANCE FOR REPAIR. *TR

NHTSA ID 10367291 · filed Nov 23, 2010

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Suspension

Reports naming suspension components — springs, struts, shocks, control arms and related hardware.

3
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

I NOW HAVE 75,000 MILES ON THE VEHICLE, BUT AT AROUND THE 15,000 MILE POINT THE DRIVER'S SIDE FRONT STRUT WENT OUT FOLLOWED BY THE PASSENGER FRONT STRUT 4,000 MILES LATER. IN TOTAL BOTH FRONT STRUTS HAVE BEEN REPLACED THREE TIMES (THE ORIGINAL AND TWO REPLACEMENT SETS) AND THE DRIVER'S SIDE FRONT STRUT IS AGAIN MAKING A CLUNKING SOUND, SAME AS BEFORE. THE DEALER HAS REPLACED THE ORIGINAL AND FIRST REPLACEMENT SET AT THEIR COST BUT THE LAST SET WAS AT MY COST. WITH THE STRUTS SHOWING SIGNS OF NEEDING REPLACEMENT AGAIN I DON'T FEEL THAT I SHOULD BE FUNDING FOR THE COST, THERE IS DEFINITELY A DEFECT IN THE STRUTS IF THAT MANY BECAME DEFECTIVE IN THAT SHORT OF A TIME PERIOD. THE VEHICLE IS DRIVEN ON GOOD ROADS AND NOT ABUSED. SINCE THIS IS PART OF THE SUSPENSION SYSTEM IT CAN/WILL AFFECT DRIVING SAFETY AND TIRE WEAR.

NHTSA ID 10992237 · filed May 30, 2017

TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN: THE LEFT REAR LOWER ARM TO BODY HINGE BOLT UNSCREWED (FRONT LOCATION OF REAR LOWER ARM) OUT OF REAR LOWER ARM (ABOUT 2 INCHES OUT FROM LOWER ARM) VISUAL SIGHTING CAUGHT THIS ITEM - REAR AXLE COULD HAVE DISENGAGED FROM THE VEHICLE IF REAR LOWER ARM BOLT HAD FALLEN COMPLETELY OUT. DEALERSHIP REINSTALLED BOLT. *KB

NHTSA ID 10437591 · filed Nov 28, 2011

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Interior & seats

Reports naming seats, latches, locks, linkages and interior fittings.

2
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

I BOUGHT THIS CAR ABOUT FOUR MONTHS AGO. I USE THE HEATED DRIVER SEAT REGULARLY. SOMETIME BACK I STARTED TO NOTICE THAT IT SEEMED TO GET HOTTER ON THE LEFT SIDE OF THE SEAT AND ON THE RIGHT, AND THE LAST FEW WEEKS IT INTENSIFIED, WITH THE LEFT SIDE GETTING TOO HOT VERY QUICKLY SO I WOULD SIMPLY TURN THE SEAT OFF. THEN SEVERAL DAYS AGO I WAS DRIVING WITH THE SEAT ON AND WITHIN LESS THAN TWO MINUTES THE LEFT SIDE OF THE SEAT FELT SO HOT THAT I IMMEDIATELY TURNED IT OFF BECAUSE I FELT LIKE IT WAS BURNING ME. IT STILL WAS SO HOT THAT I HAD TO PULL THE CAR OVER AND GET OUT JUST TO GET OFF THE SEAT. THAT IS WHEN I SAW THAT THE HEATING ELEMENT ON THE LEFT SIDE HAD BURNED RIGHT THROUGH THE LEATHER. THIS IS A DEFINITE SAFETY HAZARD, BOTH FOR BODILY INJURY AND FOR A CAR FIRE. THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL.

NHTSA ID 11396659 · filed Feb 17, 2021

DRIVER HEATED SEAT STOPPED HEATING! *TR

NHTSA ID 10652595 · filed Nov 4, 2014

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Brakes

Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.

2
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 MERCURY SABLE. WHILE PULLING INTO A PARKING SPACE AT 2 MPH, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED ON ITS OWN. THE FAILURES OCCURRED INTERMITTENTLY FOR THREE YEARS. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 22,300. UPDATED 9/4/14*CN THE CONSUMER STATED WHEN AN INCIDENT WOULD OCCUR THE VEHICLE HAD NO BRAKES UNLESS PUT IN NUETRAL. THE ACCELERATION MAINTAINED THE CURRENT SPEED. FOR THE PAST 39 MONTHS THE OWNER HAD BEEN DRIVING WITH ONE HAND ON THE SHIFTING LEVER TO BE ABLE TO STOP. UPDATED 1/5/2014 *JS

NHTSA ID 10615574 · filed Jul 23, 2014

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 MERCURY SABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 10-20 MPH, THE FRONT WHEELS SEIZED, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO HALT. THE ABS AND TRACTION CONTROL WARNING LIGHTS WERE ILLUMINATED AFTER THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS SHUT OFF AND RESTARTED, PERFORMING AS NORMAL. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON AN INTERMITTENT BASIS. THE VEHICLE WAS LATER TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 23,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 37,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

NHTSA ID 10483429 · filed Nov 5, 2012

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Visibility

Reports naming windshields, glass, wipers, defrosters and mirrors.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

MERCURY SABLE 2009 WINDSHIELD WIPERS CLOG WITH SNOW AND MAKE WINDSHIELD COMPLETLY OPAQUE. SCRAPING SNOW/SLUSH OFF ONLY WORKS FOR FIVE MINUTES. I HAVE HAD TO PULL OFF TO ROADSIDE IN TRAFFIC TO REPEATEDLY CLEAN THE WINDSHIELD. WIPERS CANNOT BE ADEQUATLY CLEANED DURING EVENT. *TR

NHTSA ID 10316215 · filed Mar 3, 2010

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.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 MERCURY SABLE. WHEN THE CONTACT TURNED THE STEERING WHEEL WHILE DRIVING 15 MPH, THE VEHICLE FELT AS IF IT WOULD STALL AND AN ABNORMAL NOISE WAS HEARD. THE TRACTION CONTROL WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER, BUT COULD NOT BE DIAGNOSED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 65,000.

NHTSA ID 10776418 · filed Sep 24, 2015

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Steering

Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

DRIVING DOWN HIGHWAY AT 55 CAR GOES TOTALLY DEAD. WAS ABLE TO PUT IN PARK AND RESTART. AFTER THIS HAPPENED ON 3 OTHER OCCASIONS THE NEXT 4 MONTHS TOOK TO A LOCAL, THEY COULDN'T FIND ANYTHING WRONG AND SAID TO BRING IT BACK IF IT HAPPENED AGAIN. ABOUT 3-4 WKS LATER IT HAPPENED AGAIN SO I WAS TAKING IT BACK TO THE DEALER THAT I BROUGHT IT FROM 60 MILES AWAY, ON WAY TO DEALERSHIP IT DIED ON ME TO MORE TIMES ONCE GOING 55 AND THEN ON THE INTERSTATE DOING 75. THE MECHANIC THERE SAID IT NEEDED TO HAVE ITS COMPUTER UPDATED. HE DID AND I HAVE NOT HAD ANYMORE PROBLEM WITH IT NOW THE PAST 2 1/2 YEARS. *TR

NHTSA ID 10633173 · filed Sep 15, 2014

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Body & structure

Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

THE TRUNK DOOR HYDRAULICS FAILED. THIS OCCURRED 1 WEEK AFTER THE CAR WAS A YEAR OLD IN 2010. WHEN OPENING TRUNK IT COMES DOWN ON YOUR HEAD. MANUFACTURER WOULD NOT REPLACE NOR WOULD DEALER THE HYDRAULIC LIFTS ON THE TRUNK.

NHTSA ID 10812019 · filed Dec 24, 2015

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

Data on this page last refreshed .