this model year4 further recall campaigns cover this model year. Ask a dealer which remain outstanding on this car.
this model yearOf 201 owner complaints for this model year, around 4% describe 8 injuries and 1 fire. These are unverified owner accounts, but the pattern is worth reading before buying.
Almost all of this describes the model year, not the individual car. Nothing here can tell you about this vehicle’s mileage, accidents or ownership — no identifier encodes those.
Owner complaints for this model year
201Complaints
13Involved a crash
1Involved a fire
8Injuries
Most reported components
suspension47
power train30
vehicle speed control28
structure20
engine and engine cooling19
visibility18
Read 15 of the most serious reports
structure,latches/locks/linkages1 injuryfirecrash
NHTSA #10184929
DO ANY NEW CARS OFFER AN AUTOMATIC RELEASE OF THE REAR DOOR CHILD LOCK DEVICE. THIS MEANS THAT THE CHILD LOCK WILL AUTOMATICALLY UN-SET UPON IMPACT OF AN ACCIDENT SO PEOPLE IN THE BACK SEAT CAN QUICKLY GET OUT. I HAD AN INCIDENT IN A MERCURY SABLE WHERE THE BACK SEAT PASSENGER WAS NEARLY BURNED BECAUSE THEY COULD NOT GET OUT OF THE BACK SEAT (GET THE REAR DOOR OPEN). THIS KIND OF PROBLEM IS DESCRIBED ON A WEBSITE WWW.CARSAFETYUSA.COM IN DETAIL. DOES ANY CAR HAVE THIS FEATURE FOR AUTOMATIC CHILD LOCK RELEASE AFTER AN ACCIDENT ? I WOULD LIKE FOR MY NEXT PURCHASE TO HAVE THIS FEATURE. *JB
air bags,seat belts1 injurycrash
NHTSA #10948477
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2003 MERCURY SABLE. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, ANOTHER VEHICLE COLLIDED WITH THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY AND THE SEAT BELT DID NOT LOCK, WHICH FORCED THE CONTACT TO STRIKE THE STEERING WHEEL DURING THE CRASH. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED A CONCUSSION, BACK, AND NECK INJURIES THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S HOME AND THEN TOWED TO A JUNK YARD. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.
air bags1 injurycrash
NHTSA #10279085
DRIVER'S SIDE AIRBAG FAILED TO DEPLOY ON FRONT IMPACT CAR CRASH. THE CAR IS A 2003 MERCURY SABLE. THE PASSENGER AIR BAG DID DEPLOY (THOUGH THERE WAS NO PASSENGER). THE HIGHWAY PATROL CUT OPEN THE STEERING WHEEL COVER TO REVEAL THAT THERE WAS INDEED A DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG WITH THE NUMBER TGP037SPAEIT P5206000-00EE09. THE VIN NUMBER OF THE VEHICLE IS [XXX] MY DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING AND IS UNSURE OF THE SPEED OF THE CAR WHEN SHE LOST CONTROL OF THE CAR AND HIT THE WALL. I'M GUESSING IT WAS IN THE 35-45 MPH RANGE. HER INJURIES WERE MINOR - THANKS TO THE SEAT BELT - I AM VERY CONCERNED THAT THE AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY TO OFFER HER FURTHER PROTECTION AS EXPECTED. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
air bags1 injurycrash
NHTSA #10133197
ON JUNE 11, MY MOTHER WAS INVOLVED IN A FENDER BENDER IN TRAFFIC. WHEN SHE PULLED OUT OF TRAFFIC INTO A SHOPPING PLAZA SHE INADVERTENTLY ACCELERATED INSTEAD OF BRAKING. HER 2003 MERCURY SABLE WAGON SPUN AROUND AND CRASHED FIRST INTO A HUGE CEMENT LAMPOST, THEN PROCEEDED TO RUN OVER TWO SHRUBS AND A TREE WHERE THE CAR FINALLY STOPPED. THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED BUT THE DRIVER'S SIDE DID NOT, EVEN THOUGH THE ENTIRE FRONT END WAS TOTALLY DEMOLISHED. ALTHOUGH MY MOTHER WAS WEARING A SEAT BELT, THE LACK OF THE AIR BAG GOING OFF RESULTED IN MY MOTHER SNAPPING FORWARD RESULTING IN A SPINAL CORD INJURY TO THE NECK AND PARALYSIS FROM THE CHEST DOWN- A C6 INJURY. SINCE THE CAR WAS ONLY TWO YEARS OLD, IT DOESN'T MAKE SENSE THAT THE AIR BAG DIDN'T DEPLOY. THERE MUST BE SOME DEFECT WITH THAT MODEL AND I WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT NO ONE ELSE SUFFERS AND ENDS UP PARALYZED. THE AUTO BODY SHOP STATED THAT THEY'D SEEN OTHER FORD CARS IN TOTAL COLLISIONS THAT ALSO DIDN'T HAVE THE DRIVERS SIDE AIR BAG GO OFF. HE THOUGHT IT MIGHT HAVE TO DO WITH THE SENSORS. EITHER WAY, THE PRODUCT ISN'T WORKING. *JB
air bags1 injurycrash
NHTSA #10121462
2003 MERCURY SABLE STATION WAGON RAN OFF THE ROAD INTO A STONE LINED DITCH. THE PASSENGER AIR BAG DEPLOYED BUT THE DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG DID NOT.*MR..... ON APRIL1, 2005 WHILE DRIVING WITHIN THE SPEED LIMIT VEHICLE RAN OFF THE ROAD INTO A ROCK LINED DITCH. UPON IMPACT, DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG FAILED TO INFLATE. DRIVER SUSTAINED CHEST PAINS AND NUMEROUS BURNS. DRIVER WAS IN PAIN FOR ABOUT 4 WEEKS. *AK
air bags1 injurycrash
NHTSA #10115158
WHILE DRIVING AT 45 MPH THE CONSUMER'S VEHICLE WAS STRUCK BY ANOTHER VEHICLE, AND THE PASSENGER AIR BAG DEPLOYED, HOWEVER, THE DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY. THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALED. *AK *SC THE VEHICLE WAS SENT 10-15 FEET INTO A DITCH. THE INSURANCE ADJUSTER STATED THAT THE ENGINE HAD BROKEN OFF ALL OF IT'S MOUNTINGS AND SHIFTED 3 INCHES. *SC *JB
air bags1 injurycrash
NHTSA #10079045
MY WIFE SWERVED TO AVOID HITTING ANOTHER VEHICLE ENCROACHING INTO HER LANE. SHE LOST CONTROL OF HER 2003 MERCURY SABLE AND SLAMMED HEAD-ON INTO THE CONCRETE CENTER DIVIDER OF THE WESTBOUND 60 FWY DIAMONDBAR CA. THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED, BUT THE DRIVERS SIDE BAG DID NOT. SHE SUFFERED A CONCUSSION, A FRACTURED MANDIBLE, AND A MOLAR TOOTH WAS BROKEN FROM THE JAW BONE WHICH THE MAXILLO-FACIAL SURGEON WAS UNABLE TO SAVE. THE CAR WAS A TOTAL LOSS.*AK
seat belts1 injury
NHTSA #10119824
CONTACT STATES: WHILE DRIVING WITH PASSENGERS, CHILD SAFETY SEAT WITH PASSENGER IN TOW PULLED THE SEATBELT ACROSS HERSELF. THIS BECAME ENTANGLED AROUND THE PASSENGERS NECK CAUSING GREAT DISCOMFORT. CONCERNED OCCUPENTS TRY TO FREE AND DISENGAGE SEAT BELT ATTACHMENT WITH EVERY EFFORT THE SEAT BELT BECOMES TIGHTER AND SLACK IS DISAPPEARING CHOKING THE CHILD. FORTUNATELY THE CHILD WAS FREED WITH THE HELP OF A POCKET KNIFE, CHILD HAD TO BE CUT OUT OF THE RESTRAINT. CHILD SUBSTAINED DEEP TISSUE BRUISING AS DIAGNOSED BY DOCTOR. THE DEALER REPAIRED THE SEAT BELT.
structurecrash
NHTSA #10724265
CAR WAS COMPLETELY STOPPED. WHEN ENGAGED INTO REVERSE, CAR MADE LOUD NOISE, TIRES SQUEALED, ENGINE RACED AND CRASHED INTO PARKED CAR BEHIND IT AT HIGH RATE OF SPEED. PARKED VEHICLE THAT WAS STRUCK THEN STRUCK CAR NEXT TO IT SINCE IMPACT WAS SO GREAT. CAR WAS UNCONTROLLABLE, COULD NOT BE STOPPED VIA BRAKES.
fuel system, gasolinecrash
NHTSA #10154590
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE STALLED WHILE TRAVELING AT 5 MPH CAUSING AN ACCIDENT. THERE WERE NO INJURIES AND A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE INTERMITTENTLY RESTARTS AFTER A FEW MINUTES, OTHER TIMES IF MAY BE UP TO AN HOUR. IT WAS TOWED ONCE BECAUSE IT WOULD NOT RESTART. THIS OCCURS MORE OFTEN WHEN IT'S RAINING. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN TO THE DEALERSHIP FIVE TIMES. ON ONE OCCASION THE FUEL PUMP AND FUEL INJECTION SENSOR WERE REPLACED. ON EVERY OTHER OCCASION THE DEALERSHIP COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. *AK
service brakes, hydrauliccrash
NHTSA #10089907
CONSUMER WAS CONCERNED THAT BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR INTERMITTENTLY WHEN APPLIED. VEHICLE WAS TO DEALER ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS, AND DEALER WAS UNABLE TO LOCATE THE PROBLEM. AFTERWARDS VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A CRASH BECAUSE THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR WHILE COMING ONTO ONCOMING TRAFFIC. NO INJURIES WERE REPORTED. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, WHOINFORMED THE CONSUMER THAT THE PROBLEM WAS THE MASTER CYLINDER. *AK
air bagscrash
NHTSA #10057780
WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH CONSUMER'S VEHICLE COLLIDED WITH ANOTHER VEHICLE HEAD ON, AND THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. *AK *MR
air bagscrash
NHTSA #10059630
WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 55 TO 60 MPH VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A COLLISION. UPON IMPACT, DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY.VEHICLE WAS TOTALED. *AK
service brakes, hydrauliccrash
NHTSA #10047890
PROBLEMS WITH BRAKING SYSTEM ON 2003 MERCURY SABLE STATION WAGON.*MR (NAR) *CB
power train
NHTSA #11511556
The contact owns a 2003 Mercury Sable. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle lost motive power. The vehicle coasted to the side of the road and was towed to the residence. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 83,000.
Filed by owners of this model year and unverified by NHTSA — one person’s account, not an established fact.
Recalls for this model year
4 recalls on record
16E026000
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:PADS
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.
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.
04V106000
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS:SWITCH
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.
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.
04V105000
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
ON CERTAIN VEHICLES, THE AIR FILTER PAPER IN THESE VEHICLES CAN SMOLDER OR BURN.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE AIR FILTER ELEMENT. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON MARCH 10, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-392-3673.
03V087000
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD
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.
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.
Published by model year, not by VIN — may not apply to this vehicle, or may already have been done. Confirm with a dealer.