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Model year record

2003 Mercury Sable recalls & problems

The 2003 Mercury Sable has 4 safety recalls and 201 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is suspension (51 complaints).

Recalls4safety recalls
Complaints201filed by owners
Crashes · fires13 · 1reported in complaints
Injuries · deaths8 · 0reported in complaints

Safety recalls

Service brakes, hydraulicApr 1, 2016

Foundation components › Disc › Pads

Recall 16E02600049,635 vehicles

Problem
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.
Risk
A damaged or broken brake disc may reduce a vehicle's braking power, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix
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.
Engine and engine coolingMar 2, 2004

Engine and engine cooling

Recall 04V105000399,926 vehicles

Problem
ON CERTAIN VEHICLES, THE AIR FILTER PAPER IN THESE VEHICLES CAN SMOLDER OR BURN.
Risk
THIS CAN LEAD TO DAMAGE TO THE AIR INDUCTION SYSTEM ON THESE VEHICLES AND/OR AN UNDERHOOD FIRE.
Fix
DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE AIR FILTER ELEMENT. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON MARCH 10, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-392-3673.
Exterior lightingMar 2, 2004

Brake lights › Switch

Recall 04V106000938,789 vehiclesopened after NHTSA action (ODI)

Problem
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.
Risk
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.
Fix
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.
VisibilityMar 10, 2003

Windshield

Recall 03V08700067,894 vehicles

Problem
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.
Risk
POTENTIAL LOSS OF WINDSHIELD RETENTION MAY ALSO REDUCE OCCUPANT PROTECTION IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH.
Fix
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.

Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. A recall listed here may already have been fixed on a particular car: enter its 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls.

Crash test ratings

2003 Mercury Sable 4-DR.

OverallNot Rated
Frontal crashNot Rated
Side crashNot Rated
RolloverNot Rated

2003 Mercury Sable 4-DR. Wagon

OverallNot Rated
Frontal crashNot Rated
Side crashNot Rated
RolloverNot Rated

2003 Mercury Sable 4-DR. w/SAB

OverallNot Rated
Frontal crashNot Rated
Side crashNot Rated
RolloverNot Rated

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (New Car Assessment Program). Ratings are comparable only between vehicles of similar size and weight, and ratings from 2011 on use tougher tests than earlier years. Photos: NHTSA.

Fuel economy

Sable

21mpg combined
City / highway18 / 26 mpg
FuelRegular Gasoline

3 L · 6 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $3,200/year to fuel

Sable

21mpg combined
City / highway18 / 25 mpg
FuelRegular Gasoline

3 L · 6 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $3,200/year to fuel

Sable FFV

20mpg combined
City / highway17 / 25 mpg
FuelRegular Gasoline

3 L · 6 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $3,350/year to fuel

Sable Wagon

19mpg combined
City / highway17 / 24 mpg
FuelRegular Gasoline

3 L · 6 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $3,550/year to fuel

Sable Wagon FFV

19mpg combined
City / highway17 / 24 mpg
FuelRegular Gasoline

3 L · 6 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $3,550/year to fuel

EPA estimates from fueleconomy.gov for each engine and transmission sold. Annual cost is the EPA's estimate for 15,000 miles a year at its current fuel and electricity price assumptions. Your results will vary.

What owners report

Problem areaComplaintsCrashesFiresInjuriesTypical mileage*
SuspensionFront; Front › Springs › Coil springs5100075,000 mi
Power trainAutomatic transmission; Driveline3000067,500 mi
Vehicle speed controlAccelerator pedal; Cruise control29000105,500 mi
VisibilityDefroster/defogger/hvac system › Fan/motor; Windshield2000040,500 mi
StructureBody; Body › Door2021150,500 mi
Engine and engine coolingCooling system › Fan; Engine1900049,500 mi
Exterior lightingBrake lights › Switch; Brake lights1300098,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulicPedals and linkages; Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip1230012,000 mi
Electrical systemWiring › Interior/under dash; Software10000110,000 mi
Air bagsFrontal; Side/window880629,500 mi
Engine8000118,478 mi
Seat beltsRear/other510260,000 mi

*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.

Recent owner complaints

Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.

NHTSA defect investigations