NHTSA vehicle safety data
2004 Mercury Sable Recalls, Ratings & Complaints
The 2004 Mercury Sable has 2 NHTSA recall campaigns and 52 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 2004 Mercury Sable, plus NCAP crash-test ratings. Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.
2004 Mercury Sable owner complaints
Owners have filed 52 complaints with NHTSA about the 2004 Mercury Sable, describing incidents dated August 3, 2004 to February 1, 2020.
Most-cited components
- Vehicle Speed Control 15 complaints
- Power Train 12 complaints
- Service Brakes 12 complaints
- Exterior Lighting 7 complaints
- Electrical System 6 complaints
- Engine 5 complaints
Of the 52 complaints on file, 3 report a crash; across all 52 complaints, owners report 3 injuries (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).
Newest complaints
ODI #11320752 · Filed
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…
ODI #11119888 · Filed
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…
ODI #11101862 · Filed
THE AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT HAS STARTED COMING ON INTERMITTENTLY WHILE THE CAR IS RUNNING ON A CITY STREET. I DON'T KNOW WHY BUT IT APPEARS TO BE A CRITICAL SAFETY PROBLEM. THE CAR HAS NEVER BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT AND ONLY HAS 78,000 MILES , VERY LOW FOR A 2004 VEHICLE. FORD MOTOR DEALER SAYS THERE IS NO…
NHTSA defect investigations
NHTSA's investigations file lists the 2004 Mercury Sable in 2 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 PE12-005: Stuck throttle
Closed October 22, 2012
- Defect Petition DP06-005: ENGINE STALLING FFV
Closed December 28, 2007
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/POWER ADJUSTABLE SEAT
NHTSA #04V330000 · Seats — Front Assembly — Power Adjust · NHTSA notice
Reported July 8, 2004 · FORD MOTOR COMPANY
Potentially affected: 24,277 vehicles
Manufacturer campaign 04S18 · Owners notified July 20, 2004 · Vehicles built November 17, 2003 – January 15, 2004 (per NHTSA)
Defect description
CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH POWER ADJUSTABLE SEATS MAY HAVE BEEN INADEQUATELY WELDED.
Safety consequence
THE SEAT MAY NOT PERFORM AS INTENDED DURING A CRASH WHICH COULD INCREASE THE RISK OF INJURY.
Manufacturer remedy
DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE UPPER SUPPORT ASSEMBLY ON THE POWER SEATS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 20, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-392-3673.
Notes
CUSTOMERS CAN ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).
Other Mercury Sable model years
Check your 2004 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