Known Recalls

Model year record

2003 MERCURY Sable

3 recall campaigns on file for this model year. 251 owner complaints on file.

Recalls

Recall campaignNHTSA 04V105000

Engine and engine cooling

Component
Engine and engine cooling
Manufacturer
FORD MOTOR COMPANY
Vehicles affected
399,926
Reported to NHTSA
2004-03-02
Owners notified
2004-03-10

Defect description

ON CERTAIN VEHICLES, THE AIR FILTER PAPER IN THESE VEHICLES CAN SMOLDER OR BURN.

Safety risk

THIS CAN LEAD TO DAMAGE TO THE AIR INDUCTION SYSTEM ON THESE VEHICLES AND/OR AN UNDERHOOD FIRE.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE AIR FILTER ELEMENT. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON MARCH 10, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-392-3673.

Recall campaignNHTSA 04V106000

Exterior lighting: brake lights: switch

Component
Exterior lighting: brake lights: switch
Manufacturer
FORD MOTOR COMPANY
Vehicles affected
938,789
Reported to NHTSA
2004-03-02
Owners notified
2004-04-05

Defect description

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.

Safety risk

IN ADDITION, IF THE SWITCH AND/OR ASSOCIATED WIRING FAIL IN THE OPEN POSITION, THE BRAKE LIGHTS WILL NOT ACTUATE AND THE DRIVER WILL NOT BE ABLE TO SHIFT THE VEHICLE OUT OF "PARK" IF THEY FAIL IN THE CLOSED POSITION, THE BRAKE LIGHTS WILL REMAIN ON, WHICH WILL NOT ALLOW THE SPEED CONTROL TO BE ACTIVATED. THIS COULD ALSO CAUSE THE BATTERY TO DISCHARGE.

Manufacturer 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.

Recall campaignNHTSA 03V087000

Visibility: windshield

Component
Visibility: windshield
Manufacturer
FORD MOTOR COMPANY
Vehicles affected
67,894
Reported to NHTSA
2003-03-10
Owners notified
2003-03-31

Defect description

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.

Safety risk

POTENTIAL LOSS OF WINDSHIELD RETENTION MAY ALSO REDUCE OCCUPANT PROTECTION IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH.

Manufacturer 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.

Owner complaints

A complaint is one person's report to a federal agency. It is not a finding.

ComponentComplaintsMedian mileage
Vehicle speed control25118,478 mi
Power train2270,000 mi
Suspension: front1975,000 mi
Suspension: front: springs: coil springs1570,000 mi
Structure1233,000 mi
Suspension1191,553 mi
Engine and engine cooling1070,000 mi
Electrical system8110,000 mi
Engine8118,478 mi
Exterior lighting: brake lights: switch680,000 mi
Structure: body6131,000 mi
Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system: fan/motor660,000 mi
Exterior lighting598,000 mi
Power train: automatic transmission537,165 mi
Visibility: windshield540,500 mi
Air bags: frontal430,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system: fan448,000 mi
Seat belts460,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic412,000 mi
Suspension: rear475,000 mi
Air bags329,000 mi
Service brakes395,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip312,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: pedals and linkages310,000 mi
Steering310,000 mi
Vehicle speed control: accelerator pedal310,000 mi
Visibility317,800 mi
Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system319,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine2—
Exterior lighting: brake lights248,000 mi
Fuel system, gasoline2—
Fuel system, other: storage: tank assembly: filling/charging2225 mi
Structure: body: door213,500 mi
Suspension: rear: springs: coil springs255,068 mi
Wheels24,461 mi
Air bags: side/window1—
Electrical system: software1—
Electrical system: wiring: interior/under dash1—
Electronic stability control (ESC)1164,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system156,012 mi
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system1—
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: emission control110,000 mi
Equipment1—
Equipment: appliance: air conditioner151,000 mi
Equipment: electrical: radio/tape deck/CD etc.1—
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: fuel pump126,343 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: fuel injection system126,343 mi
Fuel system, other120,000 mi
Fuel/propulsion system18 mi
Interior lighting1164,000 mi
Latches/locks/linkages: doors: latch1113,000 mi
Latches/locks/linkages: hood: latch13,000 mi
Power train: automatic transmission: gear position indication (PRNDL)1157,000 mi
Power train: automatic transmission: torque converter178,500 mi
Power train: driveline11 mi
Seat belts: rear/other11,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip: control unit/module133,396 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: master cylinder112,000 mi
Tires1105,029 mi
Unknown or other184,500 mi
Vehicle speed control: cruise control139,000 mi
Visibility/wiper1175,000 mi
Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system: heater core144,000 mi
Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system: windshield: electrical heating element1—
Visibility: power window devices and controls125 mi

The 2002 model has about half as many complaints as this one. The 2004 model has 3 times as many complaints as this one. These figures reflect raw complaint counts, not failure rates. Higher-selling model years naturally receive more complaints.

Safety recall repairs are provided free of charge by franchised dealers, regardless of vehicle age or mileage. This page displays aggregated data for the model year. To check recall status for a specific vehicle, search its VIN at nhtsa.gov.