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NHTSA recalls & complaints · 1995–2009

Mercury Sable recalls, complaints and VIN decoding

NHTSA lists 30 recall campaigns and 3,082 owner complaints for the Mercury Sable, covering model years 1995 to 2009. The 2000 model year drew the most complaints (464), and Suspension is the component owners name most often.

Source: NHTSA recall and complaint flat files, updated September 25, 2026.

Decode your Mercury Sable VIN

See the model year, plant and build details of one vehicle, then the recalls for its exact year.

  • 30 recall campaigns on file
  • 3,082 owner complaints (unverified reports to NHTSA)
  • 14 model years with data (1995–2009)
  • most complaints: 2000 (464 for that model year)
  • top component: Suspension (784 complaints)
  • latest recall 16V247000 (reported Apr 26, 2016)
  • 219 complaints reporting a crash (7.1%)
  • 60 complaints reporting a fire (1.9%)
  • 140 complaints reporting an injury (4.5%)
  • 1 complaint reporting a death (<0.1%)

Mercury Sable complaints by model year

14 model years · NHTSA complaints

The 2000 model year has the most complaints: 464 of 3,082, or 15.1%. Next come 2002 (440) and 2001 (430). The fewest are for 2006, with 1 complaint.

Owner complaints per model yearHighest yearOther years
Mercury Sable owner complaints to NHTSA by model year, 1995–2009Column chart of 3,082 complaints across 15 model years. The highest is 2000 with 464. The full figures are in the table below the chart.1995: 350 complaints35019951996: 304 complaints30419961997: 228 complaints22819971998: 190 complaints19019981999: 258 complaints25819992000: 464 complaints46420002001: 430 complaints43020012002: 440 complaints44020022003: 201 complaints20120032004: 52 complaints5220042005: 83 complaints8320052006: 1 complaint120062007: 0 complaints20072008: 61 complaints6120082009: 20 complaints202009
Show the figures for all 14 model years
Mercury Sable complaints by model year, with complaints reporting a crash, fire, injury or death
Mercury Sable complaints by model year, with complaints reporting a crash, fire, injury or death
Model yearComplaintsReporting a crashReporting a fireReporting an injuryReporting a death
19953501114100
19963042010170
199722810590
1998190283150
1999258224150
2000464348160
2001430327220
2002440325181
200320113180
2004523020
2005833030
200611010
2008618320
2009202020
All model years3,082219601401

Crash, fire, injury and death columns count complaints that report at least one of them, not people.

Most-reported Mercury Sable components

top 15 · NHTSA categories

Suspension is the component named most often, in 784 complaints (25.4% of all 3,082), followed by Power Train (416) and Vehicle Speed Control (398).

Components named most often in Mercury Sable complaints (top 15)
Components named most often in Mercury Sable complaints (top 15)
ComponentComplaintsShare of complaints
Suspension78425.4%
Power Train41613.5%
Vehicle Speed Control39812.9%
Engine and Engine Cooling36811.9%
Service Brakes, Hydraulic2327.5%
Electrical System1936.3%
Air Bags1685.5%
Visibility1655.4%
Steering1434.6%
Exterior Lighting1414.6%
Structure1414.6%
Seat Belts1003.2%
Fuel System, Gasoline792.6%
Tires652.1%
Equipment581.9%

One complaint can name several components, so the shares add up to more than 100%. Component names are NHTSA’s top-level categories.

What NHTSA owner complaints mean

These figures count complaints that vehicle owners and other members of the public have submitted to NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation. NHTSA uses complaints, together with other data, to spot safety issues that may warrant an investigation and to check whether existing recalls go far enough.

  • They are reports, not findings. Each complaint is the submitter's own account. Its presence in the database does not mean NHTSA has confirmed a defect.
  • Counts are not defect rates. The data doesn't say how many vehicles were sold, so a raw count can't tell you what share of vehicles had a problem.
  • Popular models collect more complaints. A model sold in large numbers will usually gather more complaints than a rare one, simply because more people own it.
  • One complaint can name several components. Totals by component can therefore add up to more than the number of complaints.
  • Coverage starts in 1995. NHTSA's complaint file contains complaints received since January 1, 1995.

Use complaint patterns as a prompt for questions: whether a recall covers the issue, whether the vehicle you are considering has had the fix, and what a mechanic finds on inspection. For confirmed safety defects, see the recall list for this model.

Mercury Sable recalls

30 campaigns · newest first

Every vehicle recall campaign NHTSA lists under the model name Sable, newest first. The 30 campaigns cover model years 1995 to 2008. The 2001 model year appears in the most campaigns (8).

  • 30 recall campaigns
Mercury Sable recall campaigns covering each model year
DecadeYears ending in 0Years ending in 1Years ending in 2Years ending in 3Years ending in 4Years ending in 5Years ending in 6Years ending in 7Years ending in 8Years ending in 9
1995: 5 campaigns1996: 5 campaigns1997: 3 campaigns1998: 2 campaigns1999: 5 campaigns
2000: 7 campaigns2001: 8 campaigns2002: 3 campaigns2003: 3 campaigns2004: 1 campaign2005: no campaigns2006: no campaigns2007: no campaigns2008: 1 campaign
Highlighted: the model year with the most campaigns.

  1. NHTSA campaign 16V247000

    Reported

    Air Bags › Frontal

    Model year 2008

    Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2009-2012 Ford Flex, 2008 and 2010-2012 Ford Taurus, 2008-2009 Ford Taurus X, 2008 Mercury Sable, 2009 and 2011 Lincoln MKS vehicles. The driver frontal air bag may improperly inflate during second-stage deployment in the event of a high speed crash. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."

    Consequence:
    An improperly inflated air bag increases the risk of injury in the event of a crash.
    Remedy:
    Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and replace the driver's frontal air bag module, as necessary, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin on June 13, 2016. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 16C06.

    Filed by Ford Motor Company

  2. NHTSA campaign 04V332000

    Reported

    Suspension › Front › Springs › Coil Springs

    Model years 1999–2001

    On certain passenger vehicles originally sold in or currently registered in the states of Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and the District of Columbia, the front coil springs could fracture due to corrosion associated with salt used on the roadways during the winter. A fractured spring could move past the spring seat and contact a front tire.

    Consequence:
    If this occurs, the tire may rupture resulting in a rapid air loss, which could result in a crash.
    Remedy:
    Dealers will install protective spring shields. In addition, Ford is extending the warranty coverage of the front coil springs in all other states, for fracture only, up to 10 years of service or 150,000 miles, whichever occurs first. If the vehicle has already accumulated more than 150,000 miles, this coverage will last until July 31, 2005. If either front coil spring fractures, dealers will replace both front springs at no charge to the owner. An interim notice was sent to owners on August 2, 2004. Parts are now available for the 2000-2001 my vehicles and owners were sent a letter on January 10, 2005, advising them to bring in their vehicles for repair parts are expected to be available for the 1999 my vehicles by the end of February 2005 and owners of these vehicles will be notified then. Owners should contact Ford at 1-800-392-3673.

    Filed by Ford Motor Company

  3. NHTSA campaign 04V330000

    Reported

    Seats › Front Assembly › Power Adjust

    Model year 2004

    Certain passenger vehicles equipped with power adjustable seats may have been inadequately welded.

    Consequence:
    The seat may not perform as intended during a crash which could increase the risk of injury.
    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.

    Filed by Ford Motor Company

  4. NHTSA campaign 04V106000

    Reported

    Exterior Lighting › Brake Lights › Switch

    Model years 2000–2003

    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.

    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.
    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.

    Filed by Ford Motor Company

  5. NHTSA campaign 04V105000

    Reported

    Engine and Engine Cooling

    Model year 2003

    On certain vehicles, the air filter paper in these vehicles can smolder or burn.

    Consequence:
    This can lead to damage to the air induction system on these vehicles and/or an underhood fire.
    Remedy:
    Dealers will replace the air filter element. Owner notification began on March 10, 2004. Owners should contact Ford at 1-800-392-3673.

    Filed by Ford Motor Company

  6. NHTSA campaign 03V087000

    Reported

    Visibility › Windshield

    Model years 2002–2003

    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.

    Consequence:
    Potential loss of windshield retention may also reduce occupant protection in the event of a crash.
    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.

    Filed by Ford Motor Company

  7. NHTSA campaign 02V266000

    Reported

    Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Pedals and Linkages

    Model years 2000–2002

    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.

    Consequence:
    This could result in a customer experiencing an "unintended vehicle speed increase" or a perceived "unable to stop" condition.
    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.

    Filed by Ford Motor Company

  8. NHTSA campaign 01V390000

    Reported

    Engine and Engine Cooling › Cooling System › Fan

    Model year 1995

    Vehicle description: taurus/sable vehicles equipped with 3.0L and 3.8L engines and mustang vehicles with 3.8L and 5.0L engines. It is possible for the engine cooling fan bearing to seize.

    Consequence:
    Should this occur, excessive heat could be generated which could melt the fan motor electrical connector. Components inside the cooling fan motor could ignite potentially resulting in an underhood fire.
    Remedy:
    Dealers will inspect the engine cooling fan assembly and install a circuit breaker. If the cooling fan is inoperative, the fan and motor assembly will be replaced. Owner notification began December 28, 2001. 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 at 1-866-436-7332.

    Filed by Ford Motor Company

  9. NHTSA campaign 01V258000

    Reported

    Visibility › Windshield Wiper/Washer › Motor

    Model years 2000–2001

    Vehicle description: passenger cars, sport utility vehicles, and light and medium duty pickup trucks. A switch located in the plastic cover of the wiper motor gear case could malfunction and overheat, potentially resulting in loss of intermittent wiper function, loss of wiper park function, complete loss of wiper function, or ignition of the plastic cover material. Switch malfunction is most likely to occur when the intermittent setting of the wipers is being used, or when snow or ice obstructs the blades from returning to the "parked" position at the bottom of the windshield. These vehicles were built at the following assembly plants: atlanta plant from 2/11/00 through 7/31/00; chicago plant from 2/14/00 through 8/4/00; Kansas city plant from 2/26/00 to 9/4/00; Kentucky truck plant from 2/18/00 to 8/31/00; Michigan truck plant from 2/23/00 through 8/3/00; norfolk plant from 2/21/00 through 7/27/00; wayne stamping and assembly plant from 2/25/00 through 8/15/00; and wixom plant from 2/15/00 through 8/8/00.

    Consequence:
    Loss of visibility while driving increases the risk of a crash.
    Remedy:
    Dealers will inspect the date code on the wiper motor. Motors built with the suspect time frame will have the wiper motor gear case cover replaced. Owner notification began August 20, 2001. 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 at 1-866-436-7332.

    Filed by Ford Motor Company

  10. NHTSA campaign 01V144000

    Reported

    Seat Belts › Front › Buckle Assembly

    Model year 2001

    Vehicle description: passenger cars. The seat belt buckle tongue may not fully eject from the buckle assembly when the release button is pushed slowly. This condition could also result in a partial latch of the tongue in the buckle.

    Consequence:
    In the event of a vehicle crash, the vehicle occupant may not be properly restrained, possibly resulting in personal injury or death.
    Remedy:
    Dealers will replace the driver and right front passenger seat belt buckles. Owner notification began May 4, 2001. 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 at 1-800-392-3673.

    Filed by Ford Motor Company

Show 20 more recalls

  1. NHTSA campaign 01V078000

    Reported

    Exterior Lighting › Tail Lights › Switch

    Model years 2000–2001

    Vehicle description: passenger vehicles equipped with adjustable pedals. If the grease from the adjustable pedal assembly enters the stop lamp switch, it can contaminate the contacts leading to carbon build up, and potentially, a short circuit.

    Consequence:
    A short circuit could lead to either the brake lamps staying on, or to a loss of brake lamp function, increasing the risk of a crash.
    Remedy:
    Dealers will replace the brake lamp switch and wipe down the adjustable pedal assembly to remove excess grease. Owner notification began March 22, 2001. 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 at 1-800-392-3673.

    Filed by Ford Motor Company

  2. NHTSA campaign 01V075000

    Reported

    Exterior Lighting › Headlights › Switch

    Model year 2000

    Vehicle description: passenger and sport utility vehicles. Due to the use of incorrect material by a supplier, the headlamp switch knob can fracture and separate from the headlamp switch.

    Consequence:
    This would cause difficulty for the driver to activate the headlamps, which could affect driver visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.
    Remedy:
    Dealers will replace the headlamp switch knob. Owner notification began April 9, 2001. 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 at 1-800-392-3673.

    Filed by Ford Motor Company

  3. NHTSA campaign 00V396000

    Reported

    Equipment › Other › Owners/Service/Other Manual

    Model year 2001

    Vehicle description: certain sport utility vehicles, pickup trucks, and passenger vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of FMVSS 225, "child restraint anchorage systems." The affected expedition/navigator owner guides do not identify the locations of seating positions equipped with tether anchorages, and do not provide instructions for securing child seats to these tether anchorages. The F150 SC owner guides do not provide the procedure for securing child seats to the tether anchorages. The taurus/sable owner guides do not identify the center rear seating position as having latch compatible lower anchorages.

    Consequence:
    In the event of a crash, the child seat may not be properly attached increasing the risk of injury to the child.
    Remedy:
    Owners will be provided with owner guide inserts revised to provide the required information, and instructions for affixing these inserts to their owner guides. Customers will also be advised that if they prefer, their dealer will affix the inserts to their owner guides.

    Filed by Ford Motor Company

  4. NHTSA campaign 00V242000

    Reported

    Equipment › Other › Labels

    Model year 2000

    Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. The "vehicle capacity weight" and "designated seating capacity" information was not printed on the safety certification labels affixed to these vehicles. On affected Sable sedan vehicles, the "vehicles capacity weight" (and also the luggage load) information printed on this label is incorrect - Sable wagon luggage load was incorrectly used for the Sable sedan. These vehicles do not comply with the label requirements of FMVSS No. 110, "tire selection and rims."

    Consequence:
    Excessive loading can cause tire and vehicle damage that could result in a crash.
    Remedy:
    Owners will be provided with a supplemental label with the correct information, along with instructions for affixing the label adjacent to the vehicle certification label. Owner notification began October 20, 2000. 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 at 1-800-392-3673.

    Filed by Ford Motor Company

  5. NHTSA campaign 00V240000

    Reported

    Seat Belts › Front › Anchorage

    Model year 2001

    Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. The child safety seat anchor latch (ISO-fix anchor) fasteners do not have adequate residual torque. The anchors are secured to the floor pan with a reinforcement plate that has two studs that extend upward through the floor pan and the ISO-fix anchor. The sealer on the floor pan could cause a soft joint and, even if the nuts are properly torqued, road vibrations could cause the nut to work its way completely off the stud.

    Consequence:
    The anchor may not hold the child safety seat in position during an accident, increasing the risk of injury to the occupant of the child safety seat.
    Remedy:
    Dealers will remove and re-install the bracket nut using a torque retention material (red loctite). Owner notification began September 11, 2000. 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 at 1-800-392-3673.

    Filed by Ford Motor Company

  6. NHTSA campaign 99V250000

    Reported

    Seat Belts › Front › Anchorage

    Model year 1999

    Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. The seat belt retractor may have a pin shaft in the switchable elr/alr mechanism that is incorrectly formed. In some circumstances, the switching mechanism could become nonfunctional, preventing the seat belt webbing from being extracted from the retractor. It is also possible that malfunction of the mechanism could prevent the belt from being switched into the alr mode. The elr mechanism is not affected by this condition.

    Consequence:
    If the mechanism malfunctions and does not allow the webbing to be extracted, the lap and shoulder belt could not be worn by a vehicle occupant. In the event that the mechanism does not allow the alr mode to be engaged, the operator may be unable to properly install a child seat in that seating position.
    Remedy:
    Dealers will inspect the lap and shoulder belt assemblies. Assemblies with julian date codes of 200 through 223 are suspect and will be replaced.

    Filed by Ford Motor Company

  7. NHTSA campaign 98V323000

    Reported

    Structure › Frame and Members

    Model year 1995

    Vehicle description: passenger vehicles originally sold or currently registered in Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, west virgnia, and Wisconsin. The rear lower subframe mount plate nut can experience stress corrosion cracking if subjected to long term exposure to road salts. This can result in fracture and loss of the structural integrity of the subframe mount attachment. Detachment of the body mounts at the rear corners of the subframe, which supports the engine and transmission, allows the rear corners of the subframe to drop.

    Consequence:
    If both rear corners drop, steering would become suddenly very difficult, affecting vehicle control and increasing the risk of a crash.
    Remedy:
    Dealers will install subframe rear mount bolts, reinforcement plates, and plate nuts.

    Filed by Ford Motor Company

  8. NHTSA campaign 98V288000

    Reported

    Power Train › Automatic Transmission › Cooling Unit and Lines

    Model year 1999

    Vehicle description: passenger vehicles equpped with the "California" emissions package. An incorrect transmission oil cooler line was installed. The line contacts the anti-lock braking system module support bracket and over time, can wear and develop a leak.

    Consequence:
    Transmission fluid leakage onto the exhaust manifold or catalytic converter can result in a fire.
    Remedy:
    Dealers will install the appropriate transmission oil cooler line.

    Filed by Ford Motor Company

  9. NHTSA campaign 98V204000

    Reported

    Vehicle Speed Control

    Model year 1999

    Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. A dash insulator retainer clip was not fully assembled to the accelerator cable dash fitting. The clip can disengage from the accelerator cable and fall into the accelerator pedal arm pivot area.

    Consequence:
    If this condition occurs, the engine may not fully return to idle. Also, the insulator may not stay in the intended location and could interfere with the accelerator cable.
    Remedy:
    Dealers will inspect these vehicles to ensure proper installation of the accelerator cable clip, and re-install if needed.

    Filed by Ford Motor Company

  10. NHTSA campaign 98V198000

    Reported

    Seat Belts › Front › Anchorage

    Model years 1998–1999

    Vehicle description: passenger vehicles equipped with manual seat tracks. The front seat belt buckle attaching stud may have been improperly heat treated. This heat treatment may have resulted in cracks developing in the stud.

    Consequence:
    If the stud is cracked, in the event of a vehicle crash, the occupant may not be properly restrained, increasing the risk of personal injury.
    Remedy:
    Dealers will replace the seat belt buckle mounting bracket and stud assembly.

    Filed by Ford Motor Company

  11. NHTSA campaign 98V067000

    Reported

    Fuel System, Gasoline › Storage › Tank Assembly

    Model year 1996

    Vehicle description: passenger vehicles previously serviced under Ford service bulletin 97-17-9 from August 1997 through December 1997. These vehicles were inadvertenly equipped with an 18-gallon fuel tank rather than the 16-gallon as specified. The 18-gallon tank has a second valve location where a shipping plug should be installed.

    Consequence:
    If this shipping plug is displaced, fuel leakage can result. Fuel leakage in the presence of an ignition source could potentially result in a fire.
    Remedy:
    Dealers will install the correct fuel tank.

    Filed by Ford Motor Company

  12. NHTSA campaign 98V028000

    Reported

    Exterior Lighting › Headlights

    Model years 1997–1998

    Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. The text and/or graphics for the vehicle headlamp aiming instructions provided in the owner guides are not sufficiently clear. This does not meet the requirements of FMVSS No. 108, "lamps, reflective devices, and associated equipment."

    Consequence:
    If the headlamp assemblies are replaced, customers may be confused by the aiming instructions provided in the owner guides causing the headlamps to be improperly aimed.
    Remedy:
    Owner guides containing revised aiming instructions will be mailed to owners of these vehicles.

    Filed by Ford Motor Company

  13. NHTSA campaign 97V097000

    Reported

    Power Train › Automatic Transmission

    Model year 1997

    Vehicle description: passenger vehicles equipped with AX4S automatic transaxles. The low/intermediate servo cover can separate from the transaxle while the vehicle is being driven. If this occurs, transmission fluid will leak contacting the catalytic converter.

    Consequence:
    The catalytic converter temperature may be hot enough to ignite the transmission fluid and cause a vehicle fire.
    Remedy:
    Dealers will inspect the transmission and replace these servo covers.

    Filed by Ford Motor Company

  14. NHTSA campaign 97V025000

    Reported

    Vehicle Speed Control

    Model year 1995

    Vehicle description: vehicles equipped with 3.8L engines and originally sold or currently registered in the following states: Alaska, Colorado, Iowa, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Massachusetts, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, North Dakota, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, Vermont, Wisconsin, and Wyoming. Water can accumulate within the speed control cable conduit. If enough water accumulates, it could freeze within a low area of the cable routing when exposed to a long term cold soak at temperatures at least several degrees below freezing.

    Consequence:
    Driver control of vehicle speed using the speed control system or the accelerator control system would be diminished increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.
    Remedy:
    Dealers will add a boot to the speed control cable.

    Filed by Ford Motor Company

  15. NHTSA campaign 97V019000

    Reported

    Engine and Engine Cooling › Cooling System › Fan

    Model year 1995

    These vehicles are originally sold or currently registered in the following states: Alaska, Iowa, Minnesota, Nebraska, North Dakota, and South Dakota. The vehicles involved are 1992-1994 tempo/topaz vehicles with 3.0L engines; 1994 tempo/topaz with 2.3L engines; 1992-1995 taurus/sable with 3.8L engines; 1994-1995 taurus/sable with 3.0L engines and 1992-1994 Lincoln Continental vehicles with 3.8L engines. During high winds, heavy, blowing and drifting snow, and low temperatures, the engine cooling fan can become blocked or frozen with snow. The fan motor may not rotate and could overheat.

    Consequence:
    This condition can cause smoke or flames from the fan and/or shroud, the fan electrical wiring, or the fan motor resulting in a vehicle fire.
    Remedy:
    Dealers will install an electrical jumper harness containing an automatic resetting circuit breaker to protect the fan motor low speed circuitry from overheating.

    Filed by Ford Motor Company

  16. NHTSA campaign 96V176000

    Reported

    Power Train › Automatic Transmission

    Model year 1996

    The automatic transmission park pawl shaft may not be free to rotate as intended. If the park pawl shaft does not rotate, it would prevent the park pawl from engaging the park gear when the shift lever is in the park position.

    Consequence:
    This condition could result in the vehicle rolling as if in neutral with the shift lever in the park position.
    Remedy:
    Dealers will inspect the park pawl shaft rotation and those shafts with restricted rotation will be replaced with a shorter shaft that will not restrict rotation.

    Filed by Ford Motor Company

  17. NHTSA campaign 96V166000

    Reported

    Power Train › Automatic Transmission › Gear Position Indication (PRNDL)

    Model years 1996–1997

    The park pawl abutment bracket has a sharp edge which can cause the parking pawl to hang up and not engage the park gear. This would allow the vehicle to move even though the gear shift indicator shows that the vehicle is in park.

    Consequence:
    Unintended and unexpected vehicle movement can result in personal injury and property damage.
    Remedy:
    Dealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace the park pawl abutment bracket.

    Filed by Ford Motor Company

  18. NHTSA campaign 96V086000

    Reported

    Power Train › Automatic Transmission

    Model year 1996

    The park pawl shaft was improperly positioned when the roll pin that retains it was installed during transmission assembly. If the shaft was not properly positioned, the roll pin may not have lined up with the groove in the shaft and have been crushed at assembly. Also, a burr could have been raised on the shaft.

    Consequence:
    This could result in the park pawl occasionally not engaging when the transmission selector lever is placed in the park position. This could result in the vehicle rolling as if in neutral if the vehicle operator does not apply the parking brake.
    Remedy:
    Dealers will inspect the park pawl shaft roll pin. If the roll pin is damaged, both the roll pin and the park pawl shaft will be replaced. In addition, owners will be reminded to fully apply the parking brake, in addition to placing the transmission in park.

    Filed by Ford Motor Company

  19. NHTSA campaign 96V016000

    Reported

    Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Brake Fluid Low Warning › Lamp

    Model year 1996

    The brake system fluid level indicator lamp switch can malfunction. This does not comply with FMVSS No. 105, "hydraulic brake systems."

    Consequence:
    Consequence of non-compliance: if the switch malfuntions, the brake system warning lamp will either remain illuminated continuously or fail to light as intended when the fluid level falls to a certain level. In either case, the vehicle operator would not be warned of a low brake fluid level condition.
    Remedy:
    Dealers will replace the brake system fluid level indicator lamp switches.

    Filed by Ford Motor Company

  20. NHTSA campaign 94V198000

    Reported

    Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Pedals and Linkages

    Model year 1995

    The retainer clip which holds the master cylinder push rod to the brake pedal arm is missing or not completely installed. The push rod can separate from the brake pedal arm.

    Consequence:
    This can result in loss of braking ability and an accident.
    Remedy:
    Dealers will inspect and, if necessary, install the retainer clip.

    Filed by Ford Motor Company

Recall text is shown as NHTSA publishes it; older campaigns, which NHTSA stores in capital letters, are shown in sentence case. NHTSA’s Vehicle Safety Hotline, 1-888-327-4236, also answers recall questions.

How to read this recall list

This list shows every safety recall campaign NHTSA has on file for this make, model and model year. It is not specific to one vehicle: a recall often covers only vehicles built in a certain date range or with a certain part, and many of the vehicles it covers will already have been repaired.

What each recall field means
What each recall field means
FieldWhat it tells you
Campaign numberNHTSA's unique ID for the recall, such as 20V771000. Quote it to a dealer or when searching NHTSA's site.
ComponentThe system or part involved, for example air bags, brakes or electrical software.
SummaryWhat the defect or non-compliance is and which vehicles are covered.
ConsequenceThe safety risk if the problem isn't fixed.
RemedyWhat the manufacturer will do, such as a repair, replacement or software update, and whether it is free.
  • Some recalls carry an NHTSA consumer advisory, “Do Not Drive” or “Park Outside”. Follow it until the repair is done.
  • A single campaign often covers several models or model years, so the same campaign number can appear in more than one list.
  • Recalls are shown as NHTSA publishes them. Very recent campaigns may take time to appear.

Does your vehicle have an open recall? Only a VIN check can tell you. Enter the VIN at NHTSA's recall lookup (opens in a new tab) or on the manufacturer's website. Our VIN recall check guide explains what each option covers.

Mercury Sable questions

5 questions

How many recalls does the Mercury Sable have?

NHTSA lists 30 vehicle recall campaigns for the Mercury Sable, covering model years 1995 to 2009. The most recent, 16V247000, was reported on April 26, 2016 and is filed under “Air bags”. The 2001 model year is covered by the most campaigns (8).

Which Mercury Sable model year has the most complaints?

The 2000 model year, with 464 of the 3,082 complaints in NHTSA’s file (15.1%). The next are 2002 (440) and 2001 (430). Complaint counts also reflect how many vehicles of each year were sold and how long they have been on the road, so they are not a reliability ranking.

What is the most common Mercury Sable complaint?

Suspension is the component named most often: 784 complaints, or 25.4% of all 3,082. Power Train (416) and Vehicle Speed Control (398) follow. Complaints are unverified reports from owners, not confirmed defects, and one complaint can name several components.

Does every recall on this page apply to my Mercury Sable?

Not necessarily. Each campaign lists specific model years, and many cover only vehicles built in a certain period or fitted with a certain part; repairs already carried out aren’t shown. To see whether a recall is open on your vehicle, enter its VIN at NHTSA’s recall lookup (opens in a new tab) or ask a Mercury dealer.

How many Mercury Sable complaints report a crash, fire, injury or death?

Of the 3,082 complaints, 219 report a crash, 60 a fire, 140 at least one injury and 1 at least one death. These figures count complaints, not people, and each complaint is the submitter’s own unverified account.

Other Mercury models

8 models · most complaints first

The Mercury models with the most NHTSA complaints, and the Mercury VIN decoder with every Mercury model page, WMI code and VIN note.

All Mercury models and WMI codesLook up recalls by year

Data: NHTSA recalls and complaints flat files, updated September 25, 2026. Recall campaigns are vehicle (V) campaigns listed for this model name; complaints are counted once per NHTSA ODI number and model year.