NHTSA vehicle safety data

2002 Mercury Sable Recalls, Ratings & Complaints

The 2002 Mercury Sable has 4 NHTSA recall campaigns and 440 owner complaints on file as of November 3, 2026. Recall repairs are usually free at an authorized Mercury dealer.

NHTSA recall and complaint data for the 2002 Mercury Sable, plus NCAP crash-test ratings. Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.

Pre-purchase inspection checklist → Reliability & 5-year cost forecast →

2002 Mercury Sable owner complaints

Owners have filed 440 complaints with NHTSA about the 2002 Mercury Sable, describing incidents dated December 20, 2001 to October 2, 2022.

Most-cited components

Suspension 239 complaints
Vehicle Speed Control 56 complaints
Visibility/Wiper 27 complaints
Air Bags 24 complaints
Engine 24 complaints
Service Brakes 24 complaints

Of the 440 complaints on file, 32 report a crash and 5 a fire; across all 440 complaints, owners report 22 injuries and 1 death (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).

Newest complaints

ODI #11487805 · Filed October 4, 2022
10/2/2022 was on I 94 east bound lost momentum rpms jump to 6k then lost all gears in transmission car has 88639 miles on it hardly driven changed trans fluid hoping to get trans working again and still won't move in any gear had to wait 4 hours on freeway for a tow just to get it off the freeway…
ODI #11487204 · Filed September 30, 2022
The contact owns a 2002 Mercury Sable. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle, the check engine warning light and transmission symbol remained illuminated. Additionally, while driving at various speeds, the vehicle would not properly accelerate. The contact stated that the vehicle…
ODI #11438044 · Filed October 25, 2021
The contact owns a 2002 Mercury Sable. The contact stated while attempting to shift the vehicle out of park, the gear shifter failed to move out park. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken into a local mechanic where it was not diagnosed or repaired. Upon…

Read all 440 complaints

Owner-reported

2002 Mercury Sable mileage at failure

358 of the 440 complaints on file for the 2002 Mercury Sable give the vehicle's mileage when the problem happened.

Mileage at failure by component, from owners' complaints to NHTSA
Component	Median	Middle half	Based on
Suspension	Median 75,000 miles	Middle half 60,000–95,000 miles	Based on 225 complaints
Vehicle Speed Control	Median 90,000 miles	Middle half 40,000–125,000 miles	Based on 46 complaints

A component's median is its 50th percentile, and its middle half runs from its 25th to its 75th percentile.

Owners give the mileage themselves, often as a round number, and NHTSA doesn't check it. A complaint that names several components counts under each one, and mileages that can't be right, such as 999,999, or 50 miles on a five-year-old car, are left out.

These figures describe the complaints owners filed. They don't predict when a particular vehicle will have a problem, and vehicles that never had one aren't counted.

Complaints received before December 15, 2002 rarely give a mileage, so they aren't counted here.

Mileage from NHTSA's complaints file of October 31, 2026. How these figures are worked out

NHTSA defect investigations

NHTSA's investigations file lists the 2002 Mercury Sable in 4 investigations. A listed model year means only that an investigation names it; it says nothing about any particular vehicle. An open investigation is not a finding that a safety defect exists, and NHTSA can close one without a recall.

Preliminary Evaluation PE12-033: Speed control cable damage
Closed June 26, 2013
Engineering Analysis EA08-018: Front Suspension Coil Spring Fracture
Closed June 30, 2011
Recall Petition RP03-001: BRAKE/ACCELERATOR PEDAL APPLICATION
Closed March 23, 2004
Recall Query RQ03-008: BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH FAILURE
Closed March 5, 2004
- Recall 04V-106

Open and recently closed NHTSA defect investigations

Front Brake Pad Shims May Shift and Contact Disc

NHTSA #16E026000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic — Foundation Components — Disc — Pads · NHTSA notice

Reported April 1, 2016 · Robert Bosch LLC

Potentially affected: 49,635 vehicles

Repair completion: 5.88% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Owners notified May 26, 2016

Defect description

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.

Safety consequence

A damaged or broken brake disc may reduce a vehicle's braking power, increasing the risk of a crash.

Manufacturer 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.

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

FORD/BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH

NHTSA #04V106000 · Exterior Lighting — Brake Lights — Switch · NHTSA notice

Reported March 2, 2004 · FORD MOTOR COMPANY

Potentially affected: 938,789 vehicles

Manufacturer campaign 04S12 · Owners notified April 5, 2004 · Vehicles built May 3, 1999 – March 31, 2003 (per NHTSA) · Recall influenced by NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation

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 consequence

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.

Notes

FORD RECALL NO. 04S12.CUSTOMERS CAN ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).

FORD/FMVSS 212/WINDSHIELD MOUNTING

NHTSA #03V087000 · Visibility — Windshield · NHTSA notice

Reported March 10, 2003 · FORD MOTOR COMPANY

Potentially affected: 67,894 vehicles

Manufacturer campaign 03C03 · Owners notified March 31, 2003 · Vehicles built October 29, 2001 – April 27, 2002 (per NHTSA)

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 consequence

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.

Notes

FORD RECALL NO.03C03. CUSTOMERS CAN ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).

FORD/BRAKE AND ACCELERATOR PEDAL DISTANCE

NHTSA #02V266000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic — Pedals and Linkages · NHTSA notice

Reported October 2, 2002 · FORD MOTOR COMPANY

Potentially affected: 369,614 vehicles

Manufacturer campaign 02S40 · Owners notified September 13, 2002 · Vehicles built May 3, 1999 – September 14, 2001 (per NHTSA) · Recall influenced by NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation

Defect description

CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH ADJUSTABLE PADELS ARE BEING RECALLED IN ORDER TO ADJUST THE BRAKE AND ACCELERATOR PEDALS TO A MINIMUM OF 50 MM OF LATERAL SEPARATION. SIMULTANEOUS APPLICATION OF BOTH THE BRAKE AND ACCELERATOR PEDALS COULD RESULT IN AN INCREASE IN ENGINE RPM.

Safety consequence

THIS COULD RESULT IN A CUSTOMER EXPERIENCING AN "UNINTENDED VEHICLE SPEED INCREASE" OR A PERCEIVED "UNABLE TO STOP" CONDITION.

Manufacturer remedy

OWNERS WILL BE INSTRUCTED AS TO THE PROPER WAY TO SET THE POSITION OF THE PEDALS AND TO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO A DEALER TO HAVE THE SPACING BETWEEN THE BRAKE AND ACCELERATOR PEDALS MEASURED. IF THE SPACING IS FOUND TO BE LESS THAN 50 MM, THE DEALER WILL ADJUST THE PEDALS TO INCREASE THE DISTANCE BETWEEN THEM TO GREATER THAN 50 MM. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN OCTOBER 28, 2002. OWNERS WHO DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT FORD AT 1-866-436-7332.

Notes

ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).

2002 Mercury Sable 4-DR. w/SAB

—

out of 5

Overall Safety Rating

Not Rated

Frontal Crash

Not Rated

Driver: 5, Passenger: 5

Side Crash

Not Rated

Driver: 3, Passenger: 3

Side Pole

Not Rated

Rollover

Not Rated

Safety Technology

4 investigations

2002 Mercury Sable 4-DR.

—

out of 5

Overall Safety Rating

Not Rated

Frontal Crash

Not Rated

Driver: 5, Passenger: 5

Side Crash

Not Rated

Driver: 3, Passenger: 3

Side Pole

Not Rated

Rollover

Not Rated

Safety Technology

4 investigations

2002 Mercury Sable 4-DR. Wagon

—

out of 5

Overall Safety Rating

Not Rated

Frontal Crash

Not Rated

Driver: 5, Passenger: 5

Side Crash

Not Rated

Driver: Not Rated, Passenger: Not Rated

Side Pole

Not Rated

Rollover

Not Rated

Safety Technology

4 investigations

440 owner complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 2002 Mercury Sable.

Power Train

ODI #11487805

Incident: October 2, 2022 · Filed: October 4, 2022

10/2/2022 was on I 94 east bound lost momentum rpms jump to 6k then lost all gears in transmission car has 88639 miles on it hardly driven changed trans fluid hoping to get trans working again and still won't move in any gear had to wait 4 hours on freeway for a tow just to get it off the freeway had to fight with AAA for the 4 hours to get it towed now in my driveway and still won't move at all

Power Train; Engine

ODI #11487204

Incident: November 1, 2018 · Filed: September 30, 2022

The contact owns a 2002 Mercury Sable. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle, the check engine warning light and transmission symbol remained illuminated. Additionally, while driving at various speeds, the vehicle would not properly accelerate. The contact stated that the vehicle shuddered and stalled occasionally. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The local dealer and manufacturer were notified of the failure but no assistance was offered. The failure mileage was unknown.

Unknown or Other

ODI #11438044

Incident: May 10, 2021 · Filed: October 25, 2021

The contact owns a 2002 Mercury Sable. The contact stated while attempting to shift the vehicle out of park, the gear shifter failed to move out park. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken into a local mechanic where it was not diagnosed or repaired. Upon investigation, the contact associated the failure with NHTSA Campaign Number: 04V106000 (Exterior Lighting) however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was informed of the failure and informed the contact that the VIN was not under recall. The failure mileage was approximately 130,000.

Suspension

ODI #11361053

Incident: September 24, 2020 · Filed: September 25, 2020

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MERCURY SABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE REVERSING OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY, THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE TIRE EXPLODED. THE SUSPENSION COIL SPRING ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE FRACTURED AND SLASHED THE TIRE CAUSING THE TIRE TO EXPLODE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SUSPENSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. NEITHER THE DEALER NOR THE MANUFACTURER WERE MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 37,500.

Unknown or Other

ODI #11102972

Fire

Incident: March 8, 2018 · Filed: June 21, 2018

CAR FIRE DUE TO RECALLED FUSES HAD THIS CAR FOR 5 YEARS AND HAD NO ISSUES

Electrical System; Exterior Lighting

ODI #11100705

Incident: January 1, 2010 · Filed: June 9, 2018

AUTOMATIC HEADLIGHTS RELAY SODDARD INTO BACKSIDE OF FUSE PANEL (GEM) WAS BAD LOCATION FOR A PERSON WITH NO EXPERIENCE TO FIX OR LOCATE MOST PEOPLE NEVER GOT IT FIXED BECAUSE OF NO EXPERIENCE AND AMOUNT OF MONEY TO HAVE AN ELECTRICAL MECHANIC TO FIX. I UNDERSTAND THERE WAS A FEW PEOPLE DID GET IT FIXED THROUGH A RECALL BUT I DIDN'T AND I NEVER GOT A RECALL FOR THIS IN THE MAIL. I WOULD LIKE FORD MOTOR COMPANY FIX THIS BECAUSE I WAS NEVER NOTIFIED OF THIS PROBLEM. MY CAR HAS HAD THIS PROBLEM FOR ABOUT 12 YEARS.

Vehicle Speed Control

ODI #10990855

Incident: May 21, 2017 · Filed: May 22, 2017

DRIVING(IN MOTION) ON BUSY ROAD(CITY STREET) NEAR HOME, ACCELERATED TO 45MPH, TRIED TO SLOW DOWN FOR LIGHT, REMOVED FOOT OFF GAS AND CAR DID NOT SLOW. HAD TO SLAM ON BRAKES IN ORDER TO AVOID CAR STOPPED AT LIGHT. TOOK ALL MY STRENGTH ON BRAKE TO KEEP CAR STOPPED. PUT IN NEUTRAL, NO CHANGE. PUT IN PARK NO CHANGE,STILL 4000 RPMS. WANTED TO GET VEHICLE HOME SO I PUT ON FLASHERS DROVE HOME WHILE APPLYING BRAKES.I WAS SCARED TO DEATH. SHOULD HAVE PULLED OVER AND TURNED CAR OFF BUT WANTED TO GET IT HOME SO I COULD AVOID A TOW. I AM PRETTY HANDY AND AM DOING RESEARCH IN ORDER TO FIX MYSELF.POPPED THE HOOD AT HOME AND IMMEDIATELY SAW THAT THE CABLE GOING TO THE THROTTLE BODY WAS BROKEN AND HUNG UP ON A CLIP ON THE LINKAGE COVER. IMAGE IS OF ANOTHER VEHICLE WITH THE SAME EXACT PROBLEM.

Steering; Vehicle Speed Control

ODI #10981455

Incident: April 24, 2017 · Filed: April 30, 2017

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

Suspension

ODI #10949982

Incident: February 6, 2017 · Filed: February 7, 2017

ON 2/6/2017 MY 2002 MERCURY SABLE WAGON WITH 63512 MILES ON IT THE FRONT SPRING BROKE TORE THE INSIDE OF TIRE APART NOT SURE WHAT ELSE WAS DAMAGED AT THIS POINT . MY CAR BEING IN VERY GOOD CONDITION NOT YOUR TYPICAL N.Y RUST NOT A ISSUE THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS DESIGN DEFECT.

Suspension

ODI #10947588

Incident: January 22, 2017 · Filed: January 25, 2017

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MERCURY SABLE. UPON STARTING THE VEHICLE, IT WOULD NOT MOVE. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WITHOUT WARNING. UPON INSPECTION, THE FRONT COIL SPRINGS FRACTURED AND DETACHED, DAMAGING THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE TIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 04V332000 (SUSPENSION), BUT THE VIN WAS EXCLUDED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 58,000.

Other Mercury Sable model years

Check your 2002 Mercury Sable VIN

Not every recall applies to every VIN in a given year. Enter the 17-character VIN from your Mercury Sable at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether your specific vehicle has an unrepaired recall.

Check a Mercury VIN