2003 Mercury Sable: problems, recalls and reliability
4 recalls and 201 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is suspension (24% of complaints); the 2004 and 2005 model years look more trouble-free.
Data updated weekly · latest recall Apr 2016
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 201 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“The contact owns a 2003 Mercury Sable. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle lost motive power. The vehicle coasted to the side of the road and was towed to the residence. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 83,000.”Owner report · Power Train · Mar 2023
“Tl* the contact owns a 2003 mercury sable. The contact stated while driving 30 mph, the vehicle decelerated independently. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact parked on the side of the road. The vehicle was not drivable. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic and the contact was informed that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. A dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 30,000.”Owner report · Power Train · Jan 2021
“So sorry to bother you. I have a mercury sable 03 which has been accelerating by itself because the throttle cable gets stuck. I saw an article that said my year taurus and sable have this problem as well as saw that all those in the junk yard have the exact same problem. In the article it said ford agreed to fix those to stop further investigation. How would I go about getting this fixed? Please and thank you. My vehicle started going 79 and wouldn't stop. Even in neutral it went 4000 rpm until the throttle cable was unjammed. And continues to do so”Owner report · Vehicle Speed Control · Apr 2019
Show 7 more owner reports
“I was driving my car on a city street and the car started accelerating on its own and I tried to brake but my brakes would not work. I had to put both feet on the break to slam hard enough to try to get it to slow down even a little. I found out that the throttle cable got stuck and could not go back in causing the car to keep accelerating.”Owner report · Vehicle Speed Control · Mar 2019
“WHY WAS I CHARGED $249.90 LABOR CHARGES WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS ONLY IN MY HANDS FOR A COUPLE OF DAYS AFTER BEING PURCHASED FROM KING BUICK BUT NOT FOR PARTS, SHOP MATERIALS AND USE OF A LOANER CAR. I SHOULD HAVE PAID NOTHING UNDER A WARRANTY AND WOULD LIKE TO KNOW IF FORD HAS RESPONSIBILITY FOR THAT. PLEASE FEEL FREE TO CALL MY CALL ON [XXX](C) OR [XXX](H) IF YOU NEED MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THIS. I WAS RIGHT ACROSS THE STREET FROM THE COMMUNITY WHERE I RESIDE AND DROVE THE CAR TO KING BUICK GMC IMMEDIATELY. INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).”Owner report · Unknown Or Other · Nov 2017
“1. The hood closes apparently fine, it does not open if I try to, however keeps opening every 20 minutes after driving. I could not find the cause. 2. Very strong smell of gas keeps ocurring, no signs or drops or viisual leak puddle.”Owner report · Structure · Nov 2017
“Tl* the contact owns a 2003 mercury sable. While the vehicle was operated, it lost engine power without warning. The vehicle was towed to dom's getty service station (308 mercer st, hightstown, nj) where it was diagnosed as a transmission failure. The dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer was contacted and offered no assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 57,000.”Owner report · Power Train · Aug 2017
“Tl* the contact owns a 2003 mercury sable. The contact stated that the transmission failed. While driving approximately 60 mph, the vehicle lost acceleration. The vehicle was towed to dom's getty station (heightstown, nj 08520, phone (609) 448-4146) for diagnostic testing, which located the failure at the transmission input shaft and torque converter. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified. The failure mileage was 57,000.”Owner report · Power Train · Aug 2017
“Tl* the contact owns a 2003 mercury sable. While stationary, the vehicle accelerated rapidly on its own without warning. In addition, the "check engine" indicator illuminated. Fairway ford in san bernardino, california determined that the speed control cable needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 170,000. ...updated 10/23/17 *bf updated 11/1/2017*js”Owner report · Vehicle Speed Control · May 2017
“Tl* the contact owns a 2003 mercury sable. While driving various speeds, the vehicle began to accelerate independently without warning. The vehicle was able to stop with the brake pedal being depressed. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the motor mount and radiator hose failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 121,373.”Owner report · Engine · Apr 2017
When filing, owners marked a crash in 13 of these complaints and injuries in 8 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 4 campaigns
ON CERTAIN VEHICLES, THE AIR FILTER PAPER IN THESE VEHICLES CAN SMOLDER OR BURN.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE AIR FILTER ELEMENT. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON MARCH 10, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-392-3673.
CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES ARE BEING RECALLED TO CORRECT A PROBLEM WITH A MALFUNCTIONING STOP LAMP SWITCH AND/OR ASSOCIATED WIRING. THIS MALFUNCTIONING COULD RENDER THE STOP LAMPS INOPERABLE OR CAUSE THEM TO STAY ON ALL THE TIME. THIS COULD CAUSE CONFUSION TO A FOLLOWING DRIVER, WHICH COULD LEAD TO A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REMOVE THE STOP LAMP SWITCH AND ASSOCIATED WIRING ASSEMBLY AND INSTALL A NEWLY DESIGNED STOP LAMP SWITCH AND WIRE ASSEMBLY. OWNER NOTIFICATION IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN ON APRIL 5, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-392-3673.
CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 212, "WINDSHIELD MOUNTING." THE WINDSHIELDS MAY POTENTIALLY EXHIBIT INCREASED WIND NOISE, WATER LEAKAGE, AND SQUEAKS AND RATTLES.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THESE WINDSHIELDS. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON MARCH 31, 2003. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT FORD/MERCURY AT 1-800-392-3673.
Bosch Brake Components LLC (Bosch) is recalling certain aftermarket replacement front brake pads, models Bosch QuietCast BC598 and BP765, Bosch Blue BE598 and BE598H, Prostop PD598 and PD765M, Duralast Gold DG598, Duralast MKD598, Stop Master ST598, UltraStop ULT598, UltraLife MX598 and MX765, BrakeBest MKD765, and Prostop Platinum PGD598. These brake pads, manufactured October 1, 2014, to October 31, 2015 are intended for use on 2001-2007 Ford Taurus, 2001-2005 Mercury Sable, 1995-1999 Ford Taurus SHO, 1995-2002 Lincoln Continental, and 1993-1998 Lincoln Mark VIII vehicles. The brake pad shim may shift out of position causing the shim to contact the brake disc resulting in damage to the disc.
Remedy: Bosch will instruct the owners how to have the affected brake pads replaced, free of charge. The recall began on May 26, 2016. Owners may contact Bosch customer service at 1-888-715-3616.
How other years compare
Check your exact Sable by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 2003 Mercury Sable reliable?
NHTSA has 201 owner complaints and 4 recall campaigns on record for the 2003 Mercury Sable. The most complained-about area is suspension (24% of complaints).
At what mileage do 2003 Mercury Sable problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 70,000 miles or less.
Does the 2003 Mercury Sable have open recalls?
4 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning engine and engine cooling. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.