Mercury Sable Complaints (2003)

201 consumer complaints on file.

#10561182January 23, 2014
SUSPENSION
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MERCURY SABLE. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, A LOUD NOISE EMITTED OUTSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED THAT THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE TIRE EXPLODED DUE TO A FRACTURED COIL SPRING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT BOTH FRONT CLOCK SPRINGS, THE COIL SPRINGS, AND THE STABILIZER SPRING BAR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE FAILURE OCCURRED ON THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE SEVERAL MONTHS LATER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WERE 91,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10556903December 21, 2013
POWER TRAIN
WIFE WAS DRIVING VEHICLE ON HIGHWAY. THE CAR ENGINE KEPT RUNNING BUT THE TRANSMISSION DIED WITHOUT ANY WARNING SYMPTOMS - NO CLUNKING, NO GRINDING GEARS, NO LOSS OF FLUIDS,... IT JUST COMPLETELY FAILED WHILE IN MOTION. THANK GOD SHE WAS ABLE TO COAST TOWARDS THE SHOULDER AND AVOID BEING HIT. THE CAR WAS REPAIRED WITH A USED TRANSMISSION. THE SAME TRANSMISSION WAS RECALLED IN ANOTHER FORD VEHICLE. THERE ARE THOUSANDS OF COMPLAINTS ONLINE ABOUT THIS PARTICULAR TRANSMISSION IN SABLES AND TAURUS VEHICLES IT IS A SERIOUS PROBLEM AS THE INSTANTANEOUS COMPLETE TRANSMISSION FAILURE CAN EASILY OCCUR IN DANGEROUS TRAFFIC SITUATIONS. IT'S NOT CLEAR AS TO WHY THERE IS NO RECALL NOR WARNING. AN INVESTIGATION ON THE INTERNET WILL CLEARLY REVEAL THOUSANDS OF FAILURES AND DATA IS AVAILABLE AT TRANSMISSION AND GARAGE SHOPS. DO SOMETHING. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10556904December 21, 2013
POWER TRAIN
AFTER REFUELING AT BUSY GAS STATION, STARTED THE CAR AND THE CAR WOULD NOT GO FORWARD OR BACKWARDS AS NO GEARS WERE WORKING. THE CAR ENGINE WAS WORKING FINE BUT THE TRANSMISSION DIED WITHOUT ANY WARNING SYMPTOMS - NO CLUNKING, NO GRINDING GEARS, NO LOSS OF FLUIDS,... IT JUST COMPLETELY FAILED. THE CAR WAS REPAIRED WITH A USED TRANSMISSION. THE SAME FORD/MERCURY TRANSMISSION MODEL WAS RECALLED IN ANOTHER FORD VEHICLE. THERE ARE THOUSANDS OF COMPLAINTS ONLINE ABOUT THIS PARTICULAR TRANSMISSION IN SABLES AND TAURUS VEHICLES IT IS A SERIOUS PROBLEM AS THE INSTANTANEOUS COMPLETE TRANSMISSION FAILURE CAN EASILY OCCUR IN DANGEROUS TRAFFIC SITUATIONS. IT PREVIOUSLY FAILED WITH THE CAR IN MOTION ON A HIGHWAY! IT'S NOT CLEAR AS TO WHY THERE IS NO RECALL NOR WARNING. AN INVESTIGATION ON THE INTERNET WILL CLEARLY REVEAL THOUSANDS OF FAILURES AND DATA IS AVAILABLE AT TRANSMISSION AND GARAGE SHOPS. DO SOMETHING PLEASE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10556907December 21, 2013
POWER TRAIN
I STARTED MY CAR TO TAKE IT FOR AN OIL CHANGE. WITH THE ENGINE WARMED UP I SHIFTED INTO GEAR TO GO. WITHOUT ANY WARNING SYMPTOMS (NO CLUNKING, NO GRINDING GEARS, NO LOSS OF FLUIDS,...) THE TRANSMISSION DECIDED TO COMPLETELY FAIL. THE CAR WOULD NOT GO FORWARD NOR BACKWARDS AS NO GEARS WERE WORKING. AS THIS IS NOW THE THIRD COMPLETE FAILURE OF THE TRANSMISSION ON THIS CAR, I AM TRYING TO DECIDE IF I SHOULD TRY TO GET IT REPAIRED AGAIN. IN ALL MY YEARS OF DRIVING, THIS IS THE ONLY CAR THAT I HAVE OWNED THAT HAS HAD TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS. THERE ARE KNOWN DESIGN FLAWS - THE TORQUE CONVERTER SPLINES ARE NOT BEEFY ENOUGH AND THE VENT FITTING WITH A CHECK VALVE ON THE TRANS HOUSING MALFUNCTIONS CLOSED AND CAUSES THE TRANS FLUID TO SHOOT BACK OUT OF THE DIPSTICK TUBE, AND THERE ARE OTHER ISSUES WITH THIS TRANSMISSION AS WELL... THE SAME FORD/MERCURY TRANSMISSION MODEL WAS RECALLED IN ANOTHER FORD VEHICLE. I REPEAT, THE SAME FAILURE PRONE PART IN ANOTHER VEHICLE WAS RECALLED. THERE ARE THOUSANDS OF COMPLAINTS ONLINE ABOUT THIS PARTICULAR TRANSMISSION IN SABLES AND TAURUS VEHICLES IT IS A SERIOUS PROBLEM AS THE INSTANTANEOUS COMPLETE TRANSMISSION FAILURE CAN EASILY OCCUR IN DANGEROUS TRAFFIC SITUATIONS. IT PREVIOUSLY FAILED WITH MY CAR IN MOTION ON A HIGHWAY! IT'S NOT CLEAR AS TO WHY THERE IS NO RECALL NOR WARNING. AN INVESTIGATION ON THE INTERNET WILL CLEARLY REVEAL THOUSANDS OF FAILURES AND DATA IS AVAILABLE AT TRANSMISSION AND GARAGE SHOPS. DO SOMETHING PLEASE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10543631September 14, 2013
POWER TRAIN
THIRD TIME HERE WE GO!!! THE TORQUE CONVERTER HAS BEEN REPLACED TWICE ON THIS MERCURY SABLE PIECE OF JUNK! PLEASE SEE NHTSA REPORT ID # 10333941 THIS WAS THE FIRST TIME THE TORQUE CONVERTER FAILED. I HAD IT REPAIRED AT A FORD / MERCURY DEALERSHIP. RECEIVED A 12/12 WARRANTY (12K MILES OR 12 MONTHS) IT FAILED AGAIN AT ELEVEN MONTHS AND 12100 MILES 100 MILES OVER THE WARRANTY SO THEY TOLD ME TOUGH LUCK BUDDY.. I HAD IT REPAIRED AGAIN SAME DEALERSHIP. I DID NOT EVEN BOTHER TO FILE A REPORT I FIGURED ITS A WASTE OF TIME ANY HOW. AND NOW HERE WE GO AGAIN 3RD TIME. THAT FORD CAN MANUFACTURE AND SELL JUNK AND GET AWAY WITH IT IS CRIMINAL. I GUESS BUYER BEWARE DON'T BY FORD AND ESPECIALLY DO NOT BUY FORD FRONT WHEEL DRIVE. WHEN IT COMES TO FORD... I WOULD NEVER ASCRIBE TO MALICE THAT WHICH IS ADEQUATELY EXPLAINED BY INCOMPETENCE WHEN IT COMES TO CLASS ACTION LAWSUITS ... DOES IT MATTER WHAT THE JUDGE DRIVES ? HAVE YOU BEEN DRIVEN BY FORD LATELY. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10534586July 29, 2013
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL
STUCK THROTTLE AND THE CAR SPEEDS UP... UPDATED 08/19/13 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED THE INCIDENT HAPPENED MULTIPLE TIMES.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10524179July 10, 2013
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
THE SPEED CONTROL CABLE COLLAR BROKE, LEAVING THE THROTTLE STUCK OPEN AT ABOUT 27%. THIS CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO ACCELERATE ON IT'S OWN, AND REQUIRED EXTRA EFFORT TO STOP THE VEHICLE. I HAVE A RECEIPT FOR THE REPAIR MADE BY PEPBOYS. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10523170July 4, 2013
POWER TRAIN
MY WIFE WAS ACCELERATING AT ABOUT 10 MPH WHEN THE VEHICLE COMPLETELY WENT OUT OF GEAR. THE ENGINE WAS RUNNING BUT THE CAR FAILED TO MOVE QUICKLY COMING TO A DEAD STOP. IT TURNS OUT IT IS THE TORQUE CONVERTER. I UNDERSTAND THAT MERCURY SABLES HAVE THIS PROBLEM. IT IS THE SAME TRANSMISSION AS IS IN A FORD WINDSTAR THAT DID HAVE A RECALL TO REPLACE THESE DEFECTIVE TRANSMISSIONS. IF THIS HAD OCCURRED ON THE INTERSTATE DURING RUSH HOUR IN OUR AREA SHE COULD HAVE BEEN HURT AND IN AN ACCIDENT. WHY NO RECALL?? *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10522606July 1, 2013
SUSPENSION
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MERCURY SABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE TRAVELING APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH, THE PASSENGER SIDE FRONT COIL SPRING FAILED AND PUNCTURED THE TIRE, CAUSING A BLOW OUT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A PRIVATE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE COIL SPRING HAD FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE FAILURE OCCURRED ON THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE SEVERAL MONTHS LATER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED ABOUT THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 154,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 156,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10510696May 5, 2013
SUSPENSION
FRONT COIL SPRING FAILED WHILE VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN THE DRIVEWAY, COIL SPRING BROKE IN TWO PLACES AND PUNCTURED THE FRONT TIRE (SPRING WENT THROUGH THE TIRE SIDEWALL). IF THIS HAPPENED WHILE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION, THE CAR WOULD HAVE STEERED SHARPLY TO THE RIGHT AND GONE OFF THE ROAD. OUR 2000 SABLE HAD A RECALL FOR THIS PROBLEM BUT THE 2003 SABLE DID NOT. SEARCHING THE WEB, SPRING FAILURE AND PUNCTURE OF A FRONT TIRE HAS OCCURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10509543April 25, 2013
SUSPENSION
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MERCURY SABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH, A LOUD NOISE EMITTED OUTSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE TIRE EXPLODED DUE TO THE FRACTURED COIL SPRING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT BOTH FRONT COIL SPRINGS, THE DRIVER SIDE TIRE, AND SWAY BAR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 100,000. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10508519April 17, 2013
SUSPENSION
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MERCURY SABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER SHIFTING INTO DRIVE, A LOUD NOISE EMITTED OUTSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER'S SIDE TIRE EXPLODED DUE TO THE FRACTURED COIL SPRING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE BOTH FRONT COIL SPRINGS WERE REPLACED. ALSO, THE FRONT PASSENGER'S SIDE TIRE WAS REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 72,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10505320April 2, 2013
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MERCURY SABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH AND RELEASING THE ACCELERATOR, THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE INDEPENDENTLY. THE CONTACT SHIFTED INTO NEUTRAL AND THE ENGINE RPMS INCREASED EXCESSIVELY. THERE WAS ALSO A LOUD BANG HEARD FROM THE ENGINE AREA. THE CONTACT REPLACED ALL OF THE SENSORS, THE LOWER INTAKE AND THE MASS FLOW DEVICE, BUT THE REPAIRS DID NOT CORRECT THE PROBLEM. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE THROTTLE CABLE WOULD BECOME STUCK, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO ACCELERATE INDEPENDENTLY. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 154,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 161,000. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10491878January 8, 2013
POWER TRAIN
WHILE DRIVING AT 40 MPH TRANSMISSION SUDDENLY FAILED, NO ABILITY TO MOVE CAR OUT OF TRAFFIC. DRIVER AND PASSENGERS ALMOST WERE REAR ENDED BY FOLLOWING TRAFFIC. UNABLE TO MOVE CAR OFF OF ROADWAY. ENGINE RAN BUT CAR WOULD NOT MOVE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10487612December 6, 2012
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
I WAS DRIVING MY CAR AND WHILE I WAS BRAKING FOR A STOP LIGHT I COULDN'T STOP. SOMETHING WAS GIVING MY CAR GAS AS I WAS TRYING TO STOP. EVER SINCE THEN WHEN I DRIVE IT MY RPM'S ARE HIGH AND MAKES A NOISE. I CALLED THE SHOP AND HAD MY IDLE AIR CONTROL VALVE REPLACED BECAUSE THAT'S WHAT THE AUTOMOTIVE PLACE SAID WAS WRONG. SINCE THEN IT'S BEEN IN 3 OTHER TIMES AND HAD THE PART REPLACED JUST IN CASE IT WAS A FAULTY PART. NOW THE MECHANICS ARE BAFFLED AS AM I. I DID RESEARCH AND NOTICED THIS WAS A COMMON COMPLAINT ON THESE VEHICLES. I JUST TOOK IT IN AGAIN TODAY DECEMBER 6,2012 AND WE CAN'T FIGURE OUT THE PROBLEM. IT'S GETTING WORSE TO WHERE I CAN'T REALLY DRIVE IT BECAUSE WHEN I GO TO BRAKE IT WON'T STOP. I CAN BE AT A COMPLETE STOP AND NOT TOUCH THE GAS AND MY CAR WILL GET UP TO 45MPH WITHOUT ME EVEN TOUCHING THE GAS PEDAL. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10487358December 4, 2012
POWER TRAIN
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MERCURY SABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE ATTEMPTED TO ACCELERATE FROM A COMPLETE STOP HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT RESPOND. THE VEHICLE WAS LATER TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED THAT THE TORQUE CONVERTER FAILED AND DEPOSITED METAL SHAVINGS INTO THE TRANSMISSION. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BY REBUILDING THE TRANSMISSION. THE TORQUE CONVERTER WAS ALSO REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 70,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10484963November 16, 2012
POWER TRAIN, ENGINE
I PULLED UP TO A STOPLIGHT. WHEN IT TURNED GREEN, I DEPRESSED THE ACCELERATOR AND THE VEHICLE'S ENGINE REVVED AS THOUGH IT WERE IN NEUTRAL. WHEN SHIFTED INTO ANY FORWARD GEAR OR REVERSE GEAR, IT WOULD NOT MOVE. IT WAS AS THOUGH IT WERE STUCK IN NEUTRAL. THE TRANSMISSION SPECIALIST SAID IT WAS A COMMON PROBLEM, KNEW EXACTLY WHAT IT WAS, AND QUIPPED THAT HE WAS SURPRISED MINE HAD LASTED THIS LONG. UPON RESEARCHING ONLINE, IT APPEARS THAT THIS IS AN INCREDIBLY WIDESPREAD PROBLEM. IN FACT, FORD KNOWS IT IS A PROBLEM AS IT HAS RECALLED TWO OF THEIR MINIVANS THAT CONTAIN THE VERY SAME TRANSMISSION. IT IS THE SAME PART FAILING. WHY DOES IT WARRANT A RECALL IN ONE VEHICLE BUT NOT ANOTHER?? *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10484559November 13, 2012
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MERCURY SABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE TRAVELING 5 MPH SHE ATTEMPTED TO ENTER A PARKING SPACE WHEN THE THROTTLE SEIZED IN THE OPEN POSITION. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO STOP THE VEHICLE BY FIRMLY DEPRESSING THE BRAKES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A MECHANIC OR DEALER, AND WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE NOT AVAILABLE.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10483172November 2, 2012
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
WHEN I ACCELERATED MY VEHICLE THE THROTTLE STUCK IN THE OPEN POSITION. MY CAR ACCELERATED TO OVER 40MPH IN A RESIDENTIAL ZONE. I PUT THE CAR IN NEUTRAL AND THE ENGINE REVVED UP TO THE CUTOUT RPM LIMIT. I IMMEDIATELY SHUT THE VEHICLE OFF. WHEN I OPENED THE HOOD TO INSPECT THE PROBLEM I SAW THAT THE PLASTIC COLLAR HOLDING THE CABLE IN PLACE BROKE OFF, CAUSING THE ENTIRE CABLE TO MOVE FREELY. ONE PIECE OF THE CABLE WAS STUCK OUTSIDE OF THE COLLAR CAUSING THE THROTTLE TO ENGAGE WITHOUT THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL BEING PUSHED. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10482402October 26, 2012
POWER TRAIN
I WAS DRIVING NORTH ON US31 JUST NORTH OF MUSKEGON, MICHIGAN. I WAS GOING 70 MPH WHEN WITH NO WARNING THE CAR (2003 MERCURY SABLE) LOST DRIVE TRAIN POWER AND WAS SUDDENLY ONLY COASTING. I HAD TO PULL OF ONTO THE SHOULDER OF THE HIGHWAY IN HEAVY TRAFFIC. ALSO I HAD MY THREE ADULT AUTISTIC CHILDREN WITH ME, AND THEY ALL GOT EXTREMELY NERVOUS SITTING AT THE SIDE OF THE HIGHWAY AS THE PASSING CARS WERE MAKING OUR VEHICLE MOVE FROM THE AIR CURRENTS. I WAS VERY CONCERNED ONE OF THEM MIGHT TRY AND JUMP FROM THE CAR FROM PANIC. AS FOR THE CAR ITSELF, I THOUGHT MAYBE THE SERPENTINE BELT HAS BROKE BUT WHEN I CHECKED IT WAS OKAY. I RESTARTED THE CAR AND PUT THE TRANSMISSION IN GEAR AND NOTHING... NO FORWARD OR REVERSE, NO MOVEMENT AT ALL. SO I CALLED MY FATHER WHO WAS FORTUNATELY THERE WITHIN HALF AN HOUR (OR WITH MY KIDS IT COULD HAVE BEEN A REALLY BAD SITUATION) AND HE RESCUED US AND I HAD A WRECKER TOW THE CAR HOME. I CALLED SEVERAL TRANSMISSION SHOPS WHO ALL TOLD ME IT IS A VERY COMMON TRANSMISSION PROBLEM WITH THIS VEHICLE AS WELL AS THE FORD TAURUS. THEY PRETTY MUCH ALL TOLD ME IT SHOULD BE REBUILT AS THE NEW PARTS ARE BETTER THAN THE ORIGINAL BECAUSE THE NEW PARTS ARE REPLACING PARTS FORD KNOWS THEY HAVE A PROBLEM WITH. EVEN A MECHANIC AT THE FORD DEALERSHIP TOLD ME THESE VEHICLES HAVE TRANNY TROUBLES. MY CAR HAS 157,000 MILES SO I GUESS I SHOULD FEEL LUCKY AFTER READING INTERNET POSTS OF MANY OF THESE CARS DOING TO SAME THING WITH UNDER 50,000 MILES. I THINK IT IS A PROBLEM THAT SHOULD BE RECALLED BEFORE SOMEONE GETS KILLED WITH THE TRANNY JUST QUITTING LIKE THAT IF SOMEONE HASN'T ALREADY. CANT IMAGINE BEING ON A ROAD WITH NO SHOULDER IN EXTREME HEAVY TRAFFIC AND I SURE DON'T HAVE THE $1200 TO $3200 TO GET IT REPAIRED.. FORD SHOULD BE REQUIRED TO FIX THIS OBVIOUS BAD TRANSMISSION. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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