Mercury Sable Complaints (2001)

430 consumer complaints on file.

#10502642March 13, 2013
SUSPENSION
IN JULY OF 2011 I NOTICED A SMALL PIECE OF METAL, LOOKED LIKE A PIECE OF THE SPRING TO MY CAR. IT WAS ON THE GROUND NEXT TO THE REAR DRIVER SIDE TIRE. AT THE TIME I LOOKED AT THE SPRING ( NOT ON JACK STANDS NOR DID I JACK THE CAR UP) NOT KNOWING IF IT CAME FROM MY CAR. I THOUGHT IT WAS ODD THAT A PIECE WAS ON THE GROUND AND MY CAR DIDN'T SEEM TO DRIVE ANY DIFFERENT NOR DID I HEAR ANYTHING. THEN MARCH OF 2013 I HAD TO CHANGE MY BACK BRAKES, I JACKED UP THE REAR DRIVER SIDE AND THE SPRING JUST FELL OFF INTO PIECES. I WAS LUCKY THAT I WASN'T ON THE ROADWAYS DRIVING. A NEIGHBOR WHO IS A MECHANIC LOOKED AT IT AND SAID THAT WAS THE CRAZIEST THING HE HAS SAW. I MEAN THIS SPRING WAS IN PIECES AND THE PIECES JUST BROKE OFF FROM ONE ANOTHER. THERE WAS NO CRACKS, THE ENDS OF THE PIECES DID NOT HAVE RUST ON THEM. IT WAS LIKE IT JUST CRUMBLED. I HAVE SAW A LOT OF COMPLAINTS ON THE INTERNET AND I COULD IMAGINE ALL THE ONES THAT AREN'T ON THE INTERNET. LIKE MY SELF IF I DIDN'T SEE THIS SITE IN ANOTHER WEBSITE THAT I READ, I WOULDN'T OF KNOWN THAT I COULD WRITE TO SOMEONE ABOUT THE REAR SPRINGS TO MY CAR WHEN I SAW THERE WASN'T A RECALL FOR THIS. I APPRECIATE IF YOU LOOK INTO THIS KNOWING THAT THIS COULD BE A SERIOUS MATTER ONE OF THESE TIMES, IF IT HASN'T BEEN ALREADY. I THINK FORD SHOULD BE ACCOUNTABLE FOR THE FAULTY REAR SPRINGS ON THIS VEHICLE AND NOT JUST THE FRONT. HOPE THIS MATTER CAN BE RESOLVED APPROPRIATELY WITH FORD TAKING TIME TO LOOK INTO IT FOR THERE LOYAL CUSTOMERS! *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10490680January 2, 2013
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 MERCURY SABLE. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH AND EXHIBITED AN UNEXPECTED INCREASE IN ACCELERATION. THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED SEVERAL TIMES BEFORE THE VEHICLE WOULD STOP. THE CRUISE CONTROL WAS NOT ENGAGED WHEN THE FAILURE OCCURRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD BE TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT AUTO SHOP FOR INSPECTION. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 125,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10485403November 21, 2012
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS:SWITCH, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, SERVICE BRAKES, EXTERIOR LIGHTING
THERE WAS A RECALL ON MY CAR BACK IN MAR 02 2004 (FORD RECALL NUMBER 04S12) FOR AN EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS:SWITCH, WHICH WAS (ACCORDING TO FORD) DONE JAN 10 2005. I HAD FAILED AGAIN ON 11/15/2012 LEAVING ME WITHOUT BRAKE LIGHTS AND NOT BEING ABLE TO GET IT OUT OF PARK. HAD TO PUT IT IN NEUTRAL FIRST BEFORE I STARTED MY CAR SO I COULD DRIVE IT TO GET FIXED. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10484108November 13, 2012
STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 MERCURY SABLE WAGON. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE SUB FRAME HAD RUSTED THROUGH. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR A ROUTINE SERVICE WHO STATED THAT THE VEHICLE COULD NOT BE DRIVEN DUE TO THE CORROSION. ALSO, THE DEALER ADVISED THE CONTACT TO PURCHASE A USED SUB FRAME FOR THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE WHO DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE AND STATED THAT THEY WERE NO LONGER MANUFACTURING NEW SUB FRAMES FOR THAT SPECIFIC YEAR MODEL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 106,000. UPDATED 12/28/12 *CN UPDATED 1/15/2013 *JS
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10482608October 30, 2012
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
AFTER GETTING UP TO CRUISING SPEED ON THE HIGHWAY MY CAR WOULD CONTINUE TO ACCELERATE EVEN WHEN I STOPPED GIVING IT GAS. I DISCONNECTED THE CRUISE CONTROL CABLE AND THIS FIXED THE PROBLEM, BUT NOW I CAN'T USE MY CRUISE CONTROL. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10482375October 26, 2012
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL, SERVICE BRAKES, ENGINE
MY 2001 MERCURY SABLE ACCELERATED AS I ENTERED THE HIGHWAY. THE CAR WOULD NOT STOP EVEN WHEN I APPLIED THE BRAKE. I CALLED 911. THE 911 OPERATOR SUGGESTED THAT I APPLY THE PARKING BRAKE WHICH I DID. I WENT ABOUT 15 MILES RIDING THE SHOULDER GOING BETWEEN 60-70 MILES PER HOUR. I EVENTUALLY EXITED THE HIGHWAY BUT COULD NOT STOP EVEN AT THE END OF THE EXIT RAMP. I MADE A RIGHT HAND TURN. AT THIS POINT I HAD REDUCED MY SPEED TO APPROXIMATELY 30 MILES PER HOUR. THE CAR EVENTUALLY LANDED IN A DITCH. AT THAT POINT, I ENDED MY CALL WITH 911. I LOOKED TO MY LEFT AND FOUND FOUR MEN YELLING TO ME TO GET OUT OF THE CAR. I THEN LEARNED THAT THE CAR WAS ON FIRE. I EXITED THE CAR. THE FOUR MEN PUT THE FIRE OUT WITH A FIRE EXTINGUISHER. THE CAR WAS TOWED TO A MERCURY DEALERSHIP WHERE IT IS DOCUMENTED THAT IT WAS IN FACT THE SPEED CONTROL CABLE THAT CAUSED THE CAR TO ACCELERATE. AGAIN, BETWEEN THE 911 CALL, THE INFORMATION ON FILE WITH THE MERCURY DEALER AND THE INSURANCE CLAIM, THE CAUSE OF THE INCIDENT IS DOCUMENTED. *TR
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10482406October 26, 2012
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
WITHOUT APPLYING PRESSURE TO ACCELERATOR, THE CAR ACCELERATED UNCONTROLLABLY. NEEDED TO APPLY BRAKES COMPLETELY AND PUT TRANS IN NEUTRAL TO STOP CAR. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10474454September 10, 2012
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:CABLES
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 MERCURY SABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE CONTINUED ACCELERATING INDEPENDENTLY UP TO 50 MPH. THE CONTACT HAD NOT ENGAGED THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WHEN THE FAILURE OCCURRED. THE CONTACT THEN APPLIED THE BRAKES AND SHIFTED INTO NEUTRAL IN ORDER TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS COMPLETELY SHUT OFF AND THEN RESTARTED HOWEVER, THE ENGINE ROARED WITH AN INCREASE IN RPMS OF OVER 4000. THE CONTACT HAD TO MAINTAIN PRESSURE ON THE BRAKE PEDAL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A REPAIR SHOP OR THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING OR REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 120,000. UPDATED 09/26/12*LJ THE DEALER REPLACED THE ACCELERATOR CABLE. UPDATED 09/27/12
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10473917September 5, 2012
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
THE KNOB TO TURN ON THE HEADLIGHT BROKE OFF. IT SEEMS TO BE MADE OF PLASTIC THAT IS NOT STRONG ENOUGH. NOW IT'S VERY DIFFICULT TO TURN ON THE HEADLIGHTS. WE READ THAT THIS IS A PROBLEM IN THE 2000 MODEL AND FORD HAD A RECALL ON THE 2000 MODEL. WE HAD THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM WITH THE 2001 MODEL. MAYBE SOME OF THE FAULTY KNOBS WERE INSTALLED ON SOME OF THE 2001 MODELS AND THOSE SHOULD BE INCLUDED IN THE RECALL AS WELL SINCE IT'S THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10469150August 3, 2012
STRUCTURE:BODY, SUSPENSION
1-SPRING -WIFE WAS DRIVING LOCALLY, HEARD LOUD NOISE LIKE HITTING SOMETHING; PULLED INTO FRIEND'S DRIVEWAY; WALKED BACK INTO ROADWAY AND FOUND SPRING; TOWED TO FORD, BOTHSPRINGS REPLACED UNDER RECALL 04M04 2-FILL PIPE - 11/12/2010- AT ROUTINE SERVICE DEALER SAID RUSTED (90672MI) PARTS HAD TO BE REPLACED - $428. 3-SUBFRAME -07/19/2012- ROUTINE SERVICE (106097MI) DEALER SAID CAR NOT ROAD WORTHY; LEFT FRONT SUBFRAME RUSTED THRU, L FRT CONTROL ARM ASSEMBLY ABOUT TO BREAK AWAY FROM SUBFRAME - ASTONISHING!!! - HAD JUST COMPLETED 300MI TRIP , WAS ABOUT TO LEAVE ON 700MI TRIP - WOULD PROBABLY HAVE BEEN KILLED ALONG WITH DRIVERS OF NEARBY VEHICLES ON INTERSTATE; HAVE PHOTOS; FORD SUBFRAME NO LONGER AVAILABLE, NEVER ANY AFTER MKT MFG; WOULD BE CRAZY TO TRUST USED PART! CAN'T BELIEVE HOW CLOSE I CAME TO MAJOR ACCIDENT/DEATH - [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10468954August 2, 2012
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS 2001 MERCURY SABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO ACCELERATE INDEPENDENTLY. THE CONTACT TRIED TO SLOW THE VEHICLE BUT THE BRAKES FAILED. THE CONTACT HAD TO REPEATEDLY APPLY ABRUPT FORCE TO THE BRAKE PEDAL BEFORE THE VEHICLE WOULD RESPOND. THE CONTACT SHUT THE VEHICLE OFF AND NOTICED THAT THERE WAS A PIECE OF PLASTIC BROKEN AND SITTING ON THE ACCELERATOR THROTTLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS UNKNOWN. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 215,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10458773May 17, 2012
EQUIPMENT, SEAT BELTS
I OWN A 2001 MERCURY SABLE. AT APPROXIMATELY 70,000 THE DRIVER'S SEAT BELT BEGAN TO RETRACT SPORADICALLY. AT ABOUT 75,000 MILES THE SEATBELT NO LONGER RETRACTED AT ALL. THE SEATBELT STILL LOCKS WHEN PRESSURE IS PUT ON IT, BUT I AM CONCERNED ABOUT ITS SAFETY. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10456249April 24, 2012
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:CRUISE CONTROL
2001 MERCURY SABLE. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO CRUISE CONTROL FAILURE *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE ROLLED OVER TWICE. THE CONSUMER AND HIS WIFE HAD TO BE EXTRICATED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALED.*JB
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
2
Deaths:
0
#10455401April 16, 2012
SEAT BELTS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 MERCURY SABLE. WHILE EXAMINING THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE SEAT BELT, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE SEAT BELT WOULD NO LONGER RETRACT BACK TO ITS ORIGINAL POSITION. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND NO REPAIRS HAD BEEN PERFORMED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 87,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10454596April 9, 2012
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
DRIVING ON THE HWY WITH MY 3 YR OLD DAUGHTER @ APPROX 65 MPH THE VEH STARTED ACCELERATING ON ITS OWN. EVEN WITH PRESSING THE BRAKE VEH WOULD SLOW DOWN BUT KEPT ACCELERATED ON ITS OWN ( AND IT KEPT CLIMBING UNTIL I PRESSED ON THE BRAKE) AND GOT UPTO APPROX 80 MPH. I WAS ABLE TO SAFELY GET VEH OFF THE HWY WITH DEPRESSING THE BRAKE EXTREMELY HARD (AND VEH KEPT CREEPING FORWARD, LUCKILY THE LIGHT TURNED GREEN QUICKLY) AND A FORD DLRSHP WAS RIGHT NEXT TO THE HWY. DLRSHP PERFORMED REPAIRS. THEY REPLACED THE ACCELERATOR CABLE ASSEMBLY FOR THE THROTTLE CONTROL. I WAS ADV BY DLRSHP THAT THE PLASTIC PIECE ON THE CRUISE CONTROL THROTTLE BROKE AND GOT STUCK ON MY REGULAR ACCELERATOR CABLE. I CANT BEGIN TO SAY HOW FRIGHTENED I WAS FOR MY DAUGHTERS SAFETY AS WELL AS MY OWN. I SEEN THERE IS AN INVESTIGATION FOR 2005 & 2006 TAURUSES...YOU NEED TO ALSO LOOK @ THE 2001 SABLES FOR THE SAME PROBLEM! SOMEONE IS GOING TO GET KILLED IF THEY DON'T DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10451905March 16, 2012
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
BRAKE LIGHT CAME ON, REPLENISHED BRAKE FLUID. SERVICE CENTER FOUND RUSTED BRAKE LINES UNDER VEHICLE- REPLACED THEM, ON MARCH 8TH. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10451345March 13, 2012
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
WHENEVER I TURN ON THE AIR CONDITIONER OR HEATER MY CAR ACCELERATES SUDDENLY IN A RANDOMLY MANNER FOR NO REASON BY ITSELF, WHEN HEATER OR AIR CONDITIONER IS TURNED OFF THE PROBLEM STOPS, THERE'S NO CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON AND AN INSPECTION YIELDED NO PROBLEMS, I AM NOT SURE IF THE PROBLEM IS ELECTRICAL OR ANYTHING ELSE AND A LOCAL FORD DEALER HAS REFUSED TO FIX THE ISSUE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10451186March 12, 2012
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
I WAS DRIVING MY 2001 SABLE (24V DOHC) AND THE CAR BEGAN ACTING LIKE THE GAS PEDAL WAS STUCK. I COULD LIFT THE PEDAL UP WITH MY TOE AND THAT DID NOT STOP THE ACCELERATION. I SHIFTED INTO NEUTRAL AND TURNED THE CAR OFF AND COASTED INTO A PARKING LOT. WHEN I RESTARTED THE CAR THE ENGINE WAS RACING. I OPENED THE HOOD AND FOUND THE PROBLEM TO BE "A BROKEN (PLASTIC) RETAINER RING AT THE END OF THE CRUISE CONTROL CABLE BY THE THROTTLE BODY" AS SOMEONE ELSE DESCRIBED IT BETTER THAN I COULD IN TECHNICAL DETAILS. I COULD RESET THE CABLE AND SEEMED TO BE FINE UNLESS I ACCELERATED TOO QUICKLY, BECAUSE THAT SEEMED TO WHAT TRIGGERED IT TO GET STUCK. I COULD STILL GO FAST (INTERSTATE SPEED), BUT I COULD NOT GO FAST TOO QUICKLY. I TEMPORARILY FIXED THE PROBLEM BY TAPING THE BROKEN CABLE WITH DUCT TAPE OR ELECTRICAL TAPE WHICH SEEMED TO WORK FOR A COUPLE MONTHS. I EXPERIENCED THE PROBLEM ABOUT 10 TIMES IN A FOUR MONTH PERIOD BEFORE TRADING THE VEHICLE TO A DEALER. DUE TO THE RECENT RECALL OF THE LATER MODELS TAURUSES I THOUGHT I SHOULD REPORT THE ISSUES I HAD. I NEVER INFORMED THE MANUFACTURER ABOUT THIS AND I NEVER TOOK IT TO A PROFESSIONAL FOR DIAGNOSIS. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10451241March 12, 2012
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
I REGISTERED THIS COMPLAINT BEFORE VIA TELEPHONE. NOW I SEE THAT THE NHTSA IS LOOKING INTO FORD TAURUS WITH THE SAME ACCELERATION PROBLEM. THE PROBLEM IS THE E-RING ON THE END OF THE CRUISE CONTROL CABLE. EVEN THOUGH YOU'RE NOT USING THE CRUISE CONTROL, IF THE E-RING FAILS THE CABLE GETS CAUGHT AND THE CAR ACCELERATES. THIS HAPPENED A FEW TIMES AND WHEN I BROUGHT IT IN, THE DEALER COULDN'T FIND THE PROBLEM. THERE'S A COVER OVER THE CRUISE CONTROL CABLE WHERE THE E-RING IS. I RIPPED OFF THE COVER AND WORKED THE ACCELERATOR BY HAND AND SAW THE PROBLEM. I NEVER REPLACED THE E-RING AND JUST TIED OFF THE CRUISE CONTROL CABLE AND NOT USE THE CRUISE CONTROL. I HAVEN'T HAD ANY PROBLEMS SINCE. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10449241February 24, 2012
SUSPENSION
THE VEHICLE THAT I DRIVE (2001 SABLE) WAS FOUND TO HAVE BROKEN REAR COIL SPRINGS AT THE BRAKE SHOP AND WAS CORKSCREWING TOWARDS MY SIDEWALLS (65K). MY WIFE WAS CARRYING MY DAUGHTER IN THE BACKSEAT FOR A ONE-HOUR COMMUTE EVERYDAY BEFORE THIS WAS NOTICED (700 TO REPAIR). ABOUT TWO DAYS AGO MY FRONT COIL SPRINGS WERE FOUND TO BE FRACTURED WHILE VISITING A LOCAL ALIGNMENT SHOP BECAUSE I FOUND THE TIRES TO BE WEARING UNEVENLY (80K). I CALLED FORD TO COMPLAIN AND SAID THE RECALL ON THE VEHICLE HAD EXPIRED AND THAT IT WAS A CUSTOMER COURTESY TO EXTEND THAT TO TEN YEARS OR 140K AND I WAS A YEAR TOO LATE. SHE ALSO SAID THAT ENGINEERS REVIEW THESE REPORTS AND SOMETIMES REOPEN CLAIMS. I EXPLAINED TO HER THAT I WAS POSTING WITH NHTSA BECAUSE MANY FAMILIES ARE BEING PLACED AT RISK IN THESE VEHICLES - WE DID NOT MAKE THE DEFECTIVE PARTS, THEY DID. AND THEY SHOULD BE GOOD ABOUT MAKING THE REPAIR. IT HAS VERY LITTLE TO DO WITH AGE AND MORE TO DO WITH MANUFACTURING PROCESSES THAT THEY CLAIM ARE PROTECTED BY PRIVACY LAWS. I WILL NOT BE USING THEIR OEM PARTS TO REPLACE THE FRONT STRUTS AND SPRINGS - MY CHOICE - AND WILL ONLY USE AFTERMARKETS PARTS FROM NOW ON. LAST FORD I WILL EVER PURCHASE. WHO WANTS THEIR FAMILY PUT AT RISK OVER A 200.00 SPRING WHILE A MULTIBILLION DOLLAR COMPANY IGNORES THEM? *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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