NHTSA — Engine Problems

1.7

hardly worth mentioning
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
96,914 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2003 Mercury Sable engine problems

engine problem

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2003 Mercury Sable Owner Comments

problem #8

Nov 242017

Sable 6-cyl

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

2003 Mercury Sable. Consumer writes in regards to being charged for vehicle repairs that were under warranty.

- Rockville, MD, USA

problem #7

Aug 292017

Sable

  • 57,000 miles
The contact owns a 2003 Mercury Sable. While the vehicle was operated, it lost engine power without warning. The vehicle was towed to dom's getty service station (308 mercer St, hightstown, NJ) where it was diagnosed as a transmission failure. The dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer was contacted and offered no assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 57,000.

- East Windsor, NJ, USA

problem #6

May 302013

Sable 6-cyl

  • 164,000 miles
The contact owns a 2003 Mercury Sable. The contact stated that the vehicle independently idled between 3-4 rpms and the check engine warning indicator illuminated. In addition, the contact stated that the interior lighting failed to illuminate. The vehicle was not taken to be diagnosed. The contact took the vehicle to auto zone. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and provided case number: 12281999. The contact was informed of service bulletin number: Sb-10052600-3673. The failure mileage was 164,000. The consumer stated the vehicle was under recall but, she was not notified. The consumer would like for the recall to be performed on the vehicle at no charge. Updated 05/31/2017

- Capital Heights, MD, USA

problem #5

Apr 132017

Sable

  • 121,373 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The contact owns a 2003 Mercury Sable. While driving various speeds, the vehicle began to accelerate independently without warning. The vehicle was able to stop with the brake pedal being depressed. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the motor mount and radiator hose failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 121,373.

- Joppa, MD, USA

problem #4

Aug 282014

Sable

  • 118,478 miles
Throttle cable stuck, engine at 1800 tpm, engine revved to 2600 RPM, inability to slow vehicle, surging. Required hard breaking. Once car stopped, idle dropped to 900 RPM after 15-30 seconds. Happens with increasing frequency. Engine surges at start, revs to 2100 then to 2600. Inspected cable, throttle and cruise control cable point of entry to supporting bracket plastic shattered. Cable emits sound from binding. Took to Ford dealer, they indicated my vehicle was not part of the recall although the problem has been clearly documented with the same make, model, year and engine.

- Spartanburg, SC, USA

problem #3

Jan 062014

Sable

  • 155,000 miles
The contact owns a 2003 Mercury Sable. The contact stated that the vehicle accelerated independently to 25 mph after shifting from park to drive. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who stated that the idle iac valve needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified. The approximate failure mileage was 155,000.

- Flatrock, MI, USA

problem #2

Nov 132012

Sable 6-cyl

  • 85,262 miles
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??

- Streator, IL, USA

problem #1

Jun 062012

Sable

  • 74,200 miles
Driving on I-25 northbound, at 50 mph, the vehicle started to accelerate, with my foot off the accelerator. Went from 50 to 65...stepped on brake, brakes slowed/stopped the acceleration...pulled off at the first exit ramp. Looked under hood, for anything not correct...nothing visually detected. Did this one more time...3 days later. Have not experienced since.

- Centennial, CO, USA

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