Safety ratings
2008 Mercury Sable 4-DR. w/SAB
- Lane departure warningNo
- Forward collision warningNo
- Electronic stability controlOptional
Crash test videos & photos
No public crash-test footage is available for this vehicle.
Recalls (1)
- AIR BAGS:FRONTALCampaign 16V247000 · 26/04/2016
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2009-2012 Ford Flex, 2008 and 2010-2012 Ford Taurus, 2008-2009 Ford Taurus X, 2008 Mercury Sable, 2009 and 2011 Lincoln MKS vehicles. The driver frontal air bag may improperly inflate during second-stage deployment in the event of a high speed crash. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."
Risk: An improperly inflated air bag increases the risk of injury in the event of a crash.
Fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and replace the driver's frontal air bag module, as necessary, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin on June 13, 2016. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 16C06.
Owner complaints
Most-reported areas
- STEERING16
- POWER TRAIN11
- ELECTRICAL SYSTEM11
- VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL10
- ENGINE5
- SERVICE BRAKES5
- UNKNOWN OR OTHER4
- AIR BAGS4
Read individual complaints (50 most recent)
These are unverified consumer reports filed with NHTSA, shown as submitted.
- 12/19/2012· POWER TRAIN
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MERCURY SABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE TRYING TO ACCELERATE ON AN INCLINE WHILE AT A STOP SIGN, THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO ROLL BACKWARD. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TORQUE CONVERTER ENGAGED AND THE VEHICLE STALLED, CAUSING THE POWER STEERING TO ALSO FAIL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS WHERE THEY ADVISED HIM THAT THEY WERE UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED BUT OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 79,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 81,000. UPDATED 6/4/13 *CN UPDATED 06/11/2013 *JS
- 12/17/2011· POWER TRAIN
CAR WOULD JERK GOING INTERSTATE SPEED OF 70MPH. FELT LIKE IT WAS GOING INTO NEUTRAL AND BACK IN TO GEAR. DID THIS ABOUT FOUR TIMES AND I MEAN IT IS HARD, WILL SCARE YOU TO DEATH IF YOUR IN THE CAR. AFTER IT DID THIS ABOUT FOUR TIME OVER AN HOUR, THE TRACTION CONTROL AND SERVICE LIGHT CAME ON AND STAYED ON THE REST OF THE TRIP. THIS IS A USED CAR I JUST BOUGHT, SO IM NOT SURE IF IT WILL CONTINUE TO DO THIS. BUT I AM AFRAID TO DRIVE IT ON THE INTERSTATE NOW. *TR
- 12/12/2008· LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES
LTR FROM CONSUMER RE PROBLEM WITH THE HOOD LATCH ON HIS 2008 MERCURY SABLE. *NJ THE CONSUMER BELIEVED THE HOOD LATCH RELEASED BECAUSE THE PARKING BRAKE WAS LOCATED BELOW THE HOOD LATCH RELEASE HANDLE. WHEN PUSHING ON THE PARKING BRAKE PEDAL, TO SET OR RELEASE THE PARKING BRAKE, HIS SHOE WOULD COME IN CONTACT WITH THE HOOD LEASE HANDLE. *JB
- 12/10/2015· POWER TRAIN,ENGINE
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MERCURY SABLE. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE WOULD SUDDENLY HESITATE TO ACCELERATE. THE CONTACT INDICATED THAT THE FAILURE OCCURRED ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 55,000.
- 11/27/2012· POWER TRAIN
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MERCURY SABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN STARTING HIS VEHICLE IN COLDER WEATHER, IT WOULD JUMP OR LUNGE FROM FIRST TO SECOND GEAR WITHOUT ANY WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS. THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND THEY ADVISED HIM THEY WOULD LOOK INTO THE MATTER FURTHER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 40,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 59,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
- 11/25/2015· UNKNOWN OR OTHER
THE VEHICLE STARTED AND IMMEDIATELY SOMETHING WAS WRONG. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND IT WAS CONFUSING BECAUSE THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN RUNNING FLAWLESSLY WITH A PROBLEM-FREE START JUST HOURS BEFORE. BACKING IT OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY, ODD NOISES AND A PROBLEM JUST PUSHING THE GAS WAS EVIDENT THAT SOMETHING MAJOR WAS WRONG WITH THE CAR. SCARED TO DRIVE IT, I FOLLOWED MY HUSBAND TO THE REPAIR SHOP WE USE, JUST A FEW MILES AWAY. IT SEEMED LIKE A FEAT JUST TO GET THE WELL-KEPT CAR THERE. WE INHERITED THE 2008 SABLE WITH VERY LOW MILEAGE FROM MY HUSBAND'S GRANDPARENTS. REGULAR, RECOMMENDED MAINTENANCE WAS ROUTINELY DONE TO KEEP THE CAR IN TIP-TOP SHAPE. THIS PROBLEM CAME OUT OF NOWHERE. THE REPAIR SHOP CALLED US LATER ON IN THE AFTERNOON WITH A $2,500 ESTIMATE FOR THE NECESSARY REPAIRS. "REPAIRS FOR WHAT?!?" I YELLED, TO NO ONE IN PARTICULAR AND TO EVERYONE AROUND ME AT THE SAME TIME. THE FAMILY-OWNED SHOP HAS BEEN SO GOOD TO US AND WANTED TO EXPLAIN EVERYTHING. HE STARTED WITH A MENTION OF A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN (TSB 14-0059) FROM FORD - OUTLINING OUR PROBLEM EXACTLY, AND THE NEEDED REPAIRS. I ASKED IF THE CAR'S WARRANTY WOULD COVER THE DAMAGES AND THE ANSWER WAS, "NO." NO, BECAUSE THE TSB WAS ISSUED EXACTLY 14 DAYS AFTER THE WARRANTY WOULD HAVE LAPSED ON THE NEWEST MODEL CAR IT COVERED. WE WERE COVERED FOR 60,000 MILES AND BARELY MISSED THAT CUT-OFF (BY 1,159 MILES). NO DICE. WE'D HAVE TO PAY FOR FORD'S MISTAKE. THE PROBLEM: THE CAR'S ECM (ENGINE CONTROL MODULE) MALFUNCTIONED AND SENT TOO MUCH POWER TO EACH OF THE IGNITION COILS (6 TOTAL), BLOWING THEM OUT. IF THIS WAS AN ISOLATED INCIDENT, I'D PROBABLY CURSE, PAY THE BILL AND MOVE ON. BUT IT IS NOT. IT'S IS A WELL KNOWN ISSUE THAT RESULTS IN A VERY COSTLY REPAIR FOR THE OWNER. WE HAD TO REPLACE THE ECM, PROGRAM IT AND EACH OF THE IGNITION COILS AND SPARK PLUGS. ATTACHING THE TSB AND THE BILL. RECALL.
- 11/25/2009· VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
ON A 2008 MERCURY SABLE, ON TWO SEPARATE OCCASIONS WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL HAS BEEN FULLY OR NEAR FULLY DEPRESSED, IT HAS BECOME CAUGHT UNDER THE DRIVER'S FLOOR MAT, CAUSING THE ENGINE TO CONTINUE TO RACE EVEN WHEN ALL PRESSURE HAS BEEN REMOVED FROM THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. *TR
- 11/24/2025· AIR BAGSCrash
The contact owns a 2008 Mercury Sable. While the contact's son was driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle was involved in a crash. The contact's son was the only occupant in the vehicle during the crash. The contact stated that none of the air bags deployed. The contact stated that there were two impacts to the vehicle during the crash. The first impact was on the front passenger's side of the vehicle, in which the front passenger's side door and rear door were crushed. The contact stated that the second impact was when the vehicle drove through a fence and crashed into a house and the cement porch. The vehicle was towed to the residence. The contact stated that the vehicle was deemed total loss by her insurance provider and the insurance provider of the other driver who crashed into the vehicle. The paramedics arrived on the scene and performed a medical evaluation on the contact's son. The contact then arrived on the scene and took her son to the emergency room for further medical attention. The contact's son sustained injuries to the left side that struck the driver’s side window, and the front of the head from possibly striking the steering wheel, a slight concussion, injury to the left arm, neck and back. The contact's son was referred to a doctor who was a specialist with spinal cord injuries. A Police report was filed. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 64,241.
- 11/23/2015· FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
WE RECENTLY PURCHASED A 2008 MERCURY SABLE . WE LOVE THIS CAR AND ALL OF THE OPTIONS IT HAS TO OFFER,BUT THE VAPOR LOCK LIGHT COMES ON AND STAYS ON AND SPITS AND SPUTTERS WHEN IT DOES THIS. WHEN WE COMPLETELY FILL THE CAR WITH GAS IT STAYS ON FULL FOR DAYS THEN IT DROPS TO THE HALFWAY MARK AND THATS WHEN THE VAPOR LOCK LIGHT COMES ON AND STAYS ON TILL WE FILL IT UP 2 OR 3 TIMES.. SAME PROBLEM AS THE FORD RECALL ON 2008 MECURY SABLE FOR HAS JUST RECALLED. I WOULD LIKE THE OPTION TO HAVE MY CAR LOOKED AT BECAUSE I THINK IT IS THE SAME PROBLEM WITH THE OTHER FORD MAKES OF CARS! ONCE THE LIGHT COMES ON ITS LIKES IT HAS FLOODED ITSELF OR SOMETHING. BUT IT IS VERNOTICEABLE WHEN DRIVING.
- 11/14/2018· STEERING
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MERCURY SABLE. WHILE DRIVING IN REVERSE, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE POWER STEERING PUMP FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS LATER TAKEN TO HENNESSY FORD LINCOLN ATLANTA (LOCATED AT 5675 PEACHTREE INDUSTRIAL BLVD, ATLANTA, GA 30341, (770) 624-0200) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE POWER STEERING SYSTEM NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED DUE TO THE REPAIR FEES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES AND REFERRED THE CONTACT TO NHTSA. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 43,000.
- 11/12/2012· STEERING,POWER TRAIN
WHILE DRIVING LAST WEEK MY WIFE NOTICED THAT WHEN TURNING INTO A PARKING SPOT THE STEERING STIFFENED UP AND HAD TO MAKE A SUDDEN STOP AS TO NOT HIT THE VEHICLE TO HER LEFT . I CHECKED THE CAR OUT AND NOTICED IT IS MOSTLY AFFECTED AT LOW SPEED WHILE MAKING TURNS EITHER LEFT OR RIGHT THIS HAD NO WARNING AND COULD BE VERY DANGEROUS.IT IS JUST LUCK THAT A WALKER OR JOGGER WERE NOT ON THE STREETS AT THE TIME .THIS NEEDS IMMEDIATE ATTENTION I WILL ATTEMPT AT REPAIR MYSELF AS IT IS OUT OF WARRANTY POSSIBLE RACK AND PINION ALSO TRANSMISSION SLIPPAGE AT TIMES. *TR
- 11/02/2015· VEHICLE SPEED CONTROLCrash
UNINTENDED ACCELERATION RESULTING IN AN ACCIDENT CAR REV'D ON IT'S OWN AND BOLTED FORWARD WHILE AT A FULL STOP AT A RED LIGHT AND HIT THE CAR IN FRONT OF IT . CAR WAS DRIVEN IN TWICE AND TOWED IN ONCE TO THE LOCAL FORD DEALERSHIP ,OVER THE COURSE OF THE 2 YEARS PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT ,WITH THE SAME COMPLAINT. THEY HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH THE CAR. CAUSE UNKOWN. PROBLEM IS INTERMITTENT. AFTER DOING SOME ONLINE RESEARCH I'VE DISCOVERED THAT THERE HAVE BEEN SIMILAR COMPLAINTS. TRIED TO ATTACH REPAIR INVOICE AND INSURANCE CLAIM , BUT "SELECT IMAGE OR DOCUMENT LINK " BUTTON BELOW IS NOT WORKING.
- 10/24/2013· ELECTRICAL SYSTEMFire
ON THURSDAY AROUND 11:30 PM, ON SEPT.12, 2013, WHILE MY 77 YEAR OLD MOTHER SLEPT HER 2008, MERCURY SABLE PREMIER MYSTERIOUSLY CAUGHT FIRE AND BURNED WHILE PARKED UNDER HER CAR PORCH ATTACHED TO HER HOME. THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALED AND DAMAGE OCCURRED TO HER HOME. WERE IT NOT FOR HER LITTLE DOG BARKING AND RUNNING BACK AND FORTH FROM HER BEDROOM TO THE CAR PORCH DOOR, SHE LIKELY WOULD NOT HAVE AWAKEN. SHE LOOKED OUT THE PEEP HOLE OF HER DOOR TO THE CAR PORCH AND SAY SMOKE AND FIRE EMITTING IT IS VERY LIKELY HER HOME AND SHE COULD HAVE BEEN LOST IN THE FIRE. ALTHOUGH SHOOK UP EMOTIONALLY, WE ARE THANKFUL ONLY HER CAR WAS LOST. FORTUNATELY, MY MOTHER REMAINED CALM ENOUGH TO CALL EMERGENCY SERVICES (POLICE AND FIRE DEPARTMENT) THAT ARRIVED IN VERY SHORT TIME TO PUT THE FIRE ENGULFED VEHICLE OUT. ACCORDING TO FEEDBACK FROM THE LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT ARSON INVESTIGATOR AND INVESTIGATORS REPRESENTING OUR AUTO AND HOME INSURANCE COMPANIES, IT APPEARS THE FIRE LIKELY STARTED IN THE TRUNK OF THE SABLE IN THE ELECTRICAL WIRING SYSTEM OR REVERSE SENSING MODULE AS I BELIEVE IT MIGHT BE REFERRED TO FOR MY MOTHER'S VEHICLE. THE INCIDENT HAD A CONSIDERABLE DEGREE OF EMOTIONAL AND PSYCHOLOGICAL IMPACT ON MY MOTHER GIVEN AS A SENIOR CITIZEN THIS VEHICLE REPRESENTED A LAST VESTIGE OF FREEDOM AND INDEPENDENCE. . *TR
- 10/14/2011· FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
ON THE ABOVE DATE - SEPTEMBER 28, 2011, I BECAME AWARE THAT THE GAS IN THE GAS TANK WAS MOVING AROUND (SLOSHING) WHENEVER THE VEHICLE STOPPED OR STARTED MOVING FROM A DEAD STOP. I CONTACTED FORD CUSTOMER RELATIONSHIP IN FLORIDA AND THEY WERE NOT HELPFUL AT ALL. I TALKED TO THEM 3 DIFFERENT TIMES - - -THEY COULDN'T TELL ME IF THERE ARE BAFFLES IN THE TANK TO PREVENT THE SLOSHING - THEY DIDN'T EVEN KNOW WHAT A BAFFLE WAS - -WOULD NOT DIRECT ME TO SOMEONE WITH MORE TECHNICAL KNOWLEDGE. LAST CONTACT WAS THURSDAY, OCT. 13,2011, YESTERDAY - - WAS ON THE PHONE 32 MINUTES WITH AN INDIVIDUAL WHO COULDN'T FIND THE ANSWER AND WOULDN'T TRY TO FIND SOMEONE WHO COULD GIVE ME AN ANSWER. A GAS TANK SHOULD NOT HAVE A PROBLEM SUCH AS THIS IN 39 MONTHS OF OWNERSHIP. GAS TANKS DON'T "WEAR OUT" IN THIS PERIOD OF TIME. AND I CAN'T GET ANY ANSWERS. THERE HAS BEEN NO ACCIDENT OR DAMAGE TO THIS VEHICLE. DOES MY VEHICLE HAVE BAFFLES IN THE GAS TANK?? IS THERE A SAFETY ISSUE HERE WITH THE SLOSHING OF THE GAS? IF THERE ARE BAFFLES WHY WOULD THEY SUDDENLY STOP FUNCTIONING? WOULD THIS PROBLEM BE COVERED IN THE VEHICLE WARRANTY? *TR
- 10/07/2014· STEERING
LOSS OF POWER STEERING ASSIST WHILE DRIVING ON OHIO TURNPIKE 07/19/2014. WITH NO POWER STEERING IT WAS A VERY DANGEROUS CONDITION WHILE ENTERING A SERVICE PLAZA. ALSO SUBSEQUENT MANEUVERING ON CITY STREETS WAS NEARLY IMPOSSIBLE. SUBSEQUENT REPAIR (07/23/2014) OF LOWER CRADLE, AND INSTALLED NEW (UPDATED) MOTOCRAFT RACK AND PINION UNIT. NEW ALIGNMENT WAS PERFORMED PER TSB. VEHICLE TOOK 3 DAYS TO REPAIR. COST TO REPAIR VEHICLE WAS OVER $1000. FORD ISSUED A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN (09-5-7) ON MARCH 23, 2009 BUT TO MY KNOWLEDGE HAS NOT ISSUED A RECALL. *TR
- 10/07/2013· POWER TRAIN
TRANSMISSION INTERMITTENTLY WOULD STAY IN 5TH GEAR AND NOT SHIFT -- LIMP HOME MODE. DEALERSHIP REPLACED OUTPUT SHAFT SENSOR AND TURBINE SENSOR, AND THIS RESOLVED THE PROBLEM. *TR
- 09/20/2013· POWER TRAIN
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MERCURY SABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE JERKED WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A MECHANIC WHERE A DIAGNOSTIC WAS PERFORMED, WHICH LOCATED THE FAILURE AT THE CONTINUOUS VARIABLE TRANSMISSION. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED AND THE TRANSMISSION WAS REBUILT. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 52,850.
- 09/17/2014· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,SERVICE BRAKES
WE WERE STOPPED BEHIND TRAFFIC, AND AS WE SLOWLY STARTED TO PROCEED, THE CAR SURGED AT A HIGH RATE OF SPEED, AND AS THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED, THEY EITHER WERE NOT WORKING OR ELSE IT WAS THE ABS COMING ON. THIS WAS A DRY, SUNNY DAY-NO MOISTURE ON THE ROAD-OF COURSE THAT WOULD NOT HAVE HAD A BEARING ON WHY THE CAR SURGED/ACCELERATED. THEN THE CAR SHUT ITSELF OFF COMPLETELY. WE THEN GOT IT STARTED AGAIN, AND NOTHING HAPPENED GETTING IT BACK THE APROXX. 4 MILES BACK TO HOME-ALL WAS NORMAL AFTER THE INCIDENT ALL THE WAY TO HOME, THOUGH IT HAS NOT BEEN DRIVEN SINCE. IT HAS BEEN REPORTED TO FORD HQ'S AND TO THE DEALERSHIP WE PURCHASED FROM. *TR
- 09/17/2014· VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,ENGINE
THERE WERE TWO SEPARATE INCIDENTS WITH THIS SAME VEHICLE. INCIDENT #1 WITH FIRST DRIVER: AT ABOUT 5 MPH, THE GAS PEDAL WAS PRESSED SIGNIFICANTLY DOWN. THE GAS PEDAL THEN STUCK DOWN IN THAT POSITION AND THE CAR STARTED TO QUICKLY ACCELERATE. AFTER A QUICK TAP ON THE GAS PEDAL, THE GAS PEDAL STARTED TO OPERATE NORMALLY. AT NO POINT WAS THE CRUISE CONTROL ON. WE TOOK OUR CAR IN TO THE LOCAL FORD DEALER. THEY INSPECTED THE CAR BUT DIDN'T FIND ANY PROBLEMS. INCIDENT #2 WITH SECOND DRIVER: A COUPLE OF MONTHS LATER (ESTIMATED MILEAGE 38,000), WE WERE DRIVING AT ABOUT 45 MPH AND I PRESSED THE PEDAL DOWN ALMOST ALL THE WAY. THE GAS PEDAL STUCK AGAIN AND THE CAR STARTED TO ACCELERATE QUICKLY TO ABOUT 65 MPH. I AM NOT SURE WHETHER CRUISE CONTROL WAS ON OR NOT. I SHIFTED OUT OF DRIVE INTO NEUTRAL WHILE THE ENGINE WAS AT HIGH RPM. AFTER AGGRESSIVELY STOMPING ON THE CAR PEDAL, THE GAS PEDAL STARTED WORKING AGAIN NORMALLY. I SHIFTED BACK INTO DRIVE AND THE CAR THEN DROVE NORMALLY. THE FIRST DRIVER WAS IN THE CAR WHEN THIS HAPPENED. BOTH DRIVERS HAVE ABOUT 35 YEARS OF DRIVING EXPERIENCE. THIS IS A VERY SERIOUS ISSUE THAT NEEDS TO BE INVESTIGATED! IN OUR CASE, NO ONE WAS INJURED BUT WITH LESS EXPERIENCED DRIVERS IT COULD HAVE BEEN MUCH DIFFERENT. *TR
- 09/14/2009· AIR BAGSCrash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MERCURY SABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED,THE CONSUMERS WIFE CRASHED INTO A PARKED VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. SHE SUSTAINED INJURIES TO HER CHEST AND FACE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP FOR FURTHER INSPECTION, NO CONCLUSION HAS BEEN MADE REGARDING THE AIR BAG FAILURE. THE CONTACT IS IN THE PROCESS OF NOTIFYING THE MANUFACTURER. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN. UPDATED 10/13/09. *LJ UPDATED 10/15/09.*JB
- 09/06/2012· STEERING
CAR DEVELOPED A KNOCK IN STEERING. MOST NOTABLE WHEN STOPPED AND TURNING STEERING WHEEL A FEW DEGREES LEFT AND RIGHT. TOOK IT TO DEALER WHO SAID STEERING CORE FAILED. REFUSED WARRANTY COVERAGE. SAID IT WAS CAUSED BY ACCIDENT ABOUT 1500 MILES PREVIOUSLY. THE ACCIDENT WAS A LOW SPEED FENDER BENDER WITHOUT AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT. FRONT BUMPER CRACKED, BUT HEAD LIGHTS WERE NOT BROKE, GRILL WAS NOT BROKE. INSURANCE COMPANY THAT FIXED ACCIDENT DAMAGE DENIED A CLAIM AGAINST THEM FOR STEERING CORE FAILURE. STATING IT WAS A FAILURE THAT WARRANTY SHOULD COVER (EXTENDED FORD WARRANTY.) I NEED TO FIND OUT IF AN ACCIDENT SUCH AS MINE COULD CAUSE A RACK CORE FAILURE. DEALER CHARGED $900.00 TO REPLACE THE RACK CORE. WOULD NOT GIVE ME THE CORE SAYING IT WAS UNDER PRESSURE AND HAD TO BE RETURNED AS AN EXCHANGE. (THIS CAR WAS PURCHASED NEW IN 2009 1 YEAR OLD LEFTOVER). *TR
- 09/06/2011· STEERING
2008 MERCURY SABLE. CONSUMER STATES PROBLEM WITH POWER STEERING *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED THE POWER STEERING FAILED AS HE WAS MAKING A RIGHT TURN.
- 08/24/2010· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
MY 2008 MERCURY SABLE, WHEN AT HIGHWAY SPEED, SPEEDOMETER HAS MOVED HIGHER AND LOWER ON ITS OWN. WHEN IN CRUISE CONTROL CAR SUDDENLY ACCELERATED WHEN SPEEDOMETER DROPPED TO ERRONEOUS LOW SPEED. THIS COULD HAVE CAUSED A CRASH INTO CAR AHEAD OF ME IF I WERE NOT ALERT. IT COULD HAVE CAUSED A SPEEDING TICKET. *TR
- 08/23/2016· POWER TRAIN,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MERCURY SABLE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE ENGINE, THROTTLE, WRENCH, AND AIR BAG INDICATORS REMAINED ILLUMINATED SIMULTANEOUSLY. THE VEHICLE WAS PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND THE ENGINE WAS TURNED OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED AND THE GEAR SHIFTER WAS PLACED IN REVERSE, AND THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD KNOCKING NOISE FROM THE TRANSMISSION. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO THE DEALER, BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 85,000.
- 08/15/2011· PARKING BRAKE
I OWN A 2008 MERCURY SABLE. THE FIRST MONTH I HAD IT I DROVE 2300 MILES ROUND TRIP TO YELLOWSTONE. ALMOST EVERY TIME I STOPPED I FOUND THE HOOD UNLATCHED (PARTIALLY OPEN). I DISCOVERED THAT THE UNFORTUNATE LOCATION AND ORIENTATION OF THE HOOD RELEASE (DIRECTLY ABOVE THE EMERGENCY BRAKE PEDAL AND PIVOTING UPWARD RATHER THAN PULLING UP OR OUT) MUST HAVE SNAGGED MY TENNIS SHOE EACH TIME. IT HADN'T HAPPENED SINCE I TRAINED MYSELF TO MOVE MY FOOT SIDEWAYS AS I RELEASE THE PARKING BRAKE. THE HOOD PULL NEEDS TO BE RELOCATED OR REORIENTED. *TR
- 08/12/2021· AIR BAGS,SERVICE BRAKESCrash
The contact owns a 2008 Mercury Sable. The contact stated their daughter was driving at 55 mph, when the driver was approaching an intersection at a red light the driver depressed on the brake pedal and the brake pedal went straight to the floor and the vehicle could not stop causing the vehicle to hit the vehicle in front of them in the rear. The air bags did not deploy. The driver does not remember if there was any warning light illuminated on the vehicle. The crash caused damage to the front bumper and pushed in the front grill and hit the radiator of the vehicle. There were no injuries reported. A police report was filed. The contact was a former mechanic and inspected the vehicle but could not diagnose the failure, but was concern that there was an issue with anti- lock brake system. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximate 160,000.
- 08/10/2009· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
HUMAN MACHINE INTERFACE IS DEFECTIVE IN SUNLIGHT. THE INSTRUMENT PANEL IS COMPOSED OF GRAY BACKGROUND WITH SILVER NUMERALS ON TACHOMETER AND SPEEDOMETER AND GREEN LED READOUT OF ODOMETER, DIRECTION, AND MILES TO EMPTY. SUNLIGHT WASHES OUT THE INSTRUMENT PANEL MAKING IT UNREADABLE. DRIVER MUST SHADE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER AND LEAN CLOSE TO DETERMINE DATA THUS TAKING ATTENTION FROM ROADWAY, AN EXTREMELY DANGEROUS PRACTICE ON HIGH-SPEED, MULTIPLE-LANE HIGHWAYS. UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS, EVEN THIS EFFORT IS FRUITLESS. MANUFACTURER ACKNOWLEDGES PROBLEM BUT STATES IT IS NOT THEIR POLICY TO REENGINEERING SUCH DEFECTS. *TR
- 07/22/2014· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,STRUCTURE,SEATS
THE DRIVERS SIDE HEATED SEAT DIED SHORTLY AFTER I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE. THIS WAS ONE OF THE SELLING POINTS FOR ME, I HAD IT REPLACED AND THE REPLACEMENT DIDN'T MAKE IT THROUGH THE WINTER OF THAT YEAR. I DIDN'T REALIZE THIS WAS A PROBLEM COMMON WITH THE SABLE. I CANNOT AFFORD TO HAVE IT REPLACED AGAIN. IS THIS A FIRE HAZARD. I AM ALSO HAVING A TERRIBLE PEELING AND CHIPPING PROBLEM WITH THE PAINT. *TR
- 07/20/2011· STEERING
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS 2008 MERCURY SABLE. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING, THE STEERING FAILED. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND WAS TOLD THE RACK AND PINION FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED BECAUSE THE FAILURE OCCURRED WITHOUT WARNING. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 61,000.
- 07/02/2014· STEERING
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MERCURY SABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT IT BECAME DIFFICULT TO STEER THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE RACK AND PINION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 29,650. UPDATED 8/28/14*CN UPDATED 09/12/2014 *JS
- 07/01/2011· VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MERCURY SABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL BECAME STUCK WHEN IT WAS DEPRESSED TO THE FLOOR. IN ORDER TO RELEASE THE PEDAL, THE CONTACT HAD TO SHIFT THE VEHICLE INTO NEUTRAL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THEY WERE UNABLE TO DUPLICATE OR DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 108,000.
- 06/20/2011· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MERCURY SABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR ROUTINE MAINTENANCE WHEN THE TECHNICIAN ADVISED THAT THE REAR BRAKES NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR A SECOND OPINION WHERE THE FAILURE WAS CONFIRMED. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED TO REPLACE THE ROTORS. THE REAR DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE BRAKE PADS AND ROTORS WERE REPLACED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 30,400. UPDATED 07/21/11 *BF UPDATED 07/29/11
- 06/18/2014· STEERING
STEERING WHEEL WAS DIFFICULT (VERY HARD) TO TURN. TOOK THE CAR TO A FORD SERVICE AGENT AND THE DIAGNOSIS WAS THAT THE STEERING RACK WAS LOOSE. A NEW RACK WAS INSTALLED AND RETESTED. FORD SERVICE TOLD ME THAT THE CAR WAS HAZARDOUS AND IT HAD TO BE REPAIRED RIGHT THEN AND THERE. ASKED FORD MANUFACTURE TO BE REIMBURSE AND WAS DENIED. REPAIR WAS DONE ON DECEMBER 31, 2012. *TR
- 06/12/2025· STRUCTURE,UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Car wheels rusted out
- 05/26/2010· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
TL*THE CONTACT LEASED A 2008 MERCURY SABLE. WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH UP A HILL, THE CONTACT SMELLED A STRONG ODOR INSIDE THE VEHICLE. SHE STOPPED THE VEHICLE TO INSPECT IT AND FOUND NO EVIDENCE RELATED TO THE ODOR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOUR TIMES BUT THE FAILURE COULD NOT DUPLICATED. THE ODOR SEEMED BE INSIDE OF THE VENTS WHICH MADE IT IMPOSSIBLE TO USE THE AIR CONDITIONER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED WHEN THE COMPLAINT WAS FILED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 231. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 18,000.
- 05/23/2013· STEERING,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,ENGINE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
ACCELERATOR STOPPED RESPONDING AND VEHICLE STALLED SHORTLY AFTER. *TR
- 05/19/2012· STEERING
BEGINNING ABOUT THE FIRST OF MARCH, 2012, I NOTICED A PROBLEM WITH MY STEERING FEELING STIFF, JERKY AND HARD TO TURN. THE FIRST INCIDENT INVOLVED TURNING RIGHT ONTO THE HIGHWAY FROM A SIDE RIDE AND FEELING THE FRONT OF THE CAR JERK SLIGHTLY TO THE LEFT. SINCE THEN, I'VE NOTICED THE STEERING REMAINS STIFF. *TR
- 05/14/2013· STEERING,SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
2008 FORD MERCURY SABLE. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO POWER STEERING FAILURE. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED THE POWER STEERING RACK AND PUMP FAILED. ALSO, THE REAR BRAKES WERE SEVERELY WORN AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED.
- 05/13/2014· STEERING
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MERCURY SABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, SHE HEARD A POPPING NOISE AS THE VEHICLE VEERED TO THE RIGHT AND THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO TURN. THE CONTACT CAN NO LONGER TURN TO THE RIGHT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 55,000.
- 05/07/2015· VEHICLE SPEED CONTROLCrash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MERCURY SABLE. WHILE DRIVING AT A LOW SPEED, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED AND THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED INDEPENDENTLY. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO A LIGHT POLE AND THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED AND NO INJURIES WERE REPORTED. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO MULTIPLE DEALERS WHO WERE UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE OR REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 35,000.
- 05/05/2008· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLINGFire
THE VEHICLE SPONTANEOUSLY CAUGHT ON FIRE WITH NO WARNING AND BURNED. *TR
- 05/03/2010· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROLCrash
2008 MERCURY SABLE AWD HAD AN ELECTRICAL ISSUE[MELT DOWN] THAT REQUIRED REPLACEMENT OF THE MAIN ELECTRICAL HARNESS. THEN IN SEPTEMBER OF 2008 A SUDDEN ACCELERATION PROBLEM CAUSED IT TO JUMP A CONCRETE PARKING LOT BARRIER AND TRAVEL DOWN INTO A DRAINAGE BASIN--40 FEET. $9000+ DAMAGE. REPEATED ATTEMPTS TO FORD HAS FALLEN IN DEAF EARS. UPDATED 05/12/10 *BF UPDATED IVOQ 05/17/10.*JB
- 04/25/2022· SUSPENSION,UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Not sure, but it sounds like the springs. The air condition makes a stumping noise when I turn it on.
- 04/25/2008· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MERCURY SABLE. THE DAY AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED, THE CONTACT COULD NOT SEE THE INSTRUMENT PANEL GAUGES. HE STATED THAT IN THE MORNINGS HE CANNOT SEE HOW FAST HE IS DRIVING, BUT IN THE EVENINGS, WHEN THE INSTRUMENT PANEL LIGHTS ILLUMINATE, HE CAN SEE THE SPEEDOMETER. THE DEALER STATED THAT NOTHING WAS WRONG WITH THE INSTRUMENT PANEL AND COULD NOT PROVIDE A REMEDY. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 15. UPDATED 5/19/08 *CN UPDATED 05/19/08. *JB UPDATED 07/30/08. *JB
- 04/17/2023· POWER TRAIN,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE
On April 12 I exited my drive onto the 55 mph highway in front of my house when suddenly the car began to shudder. I jammed the gas to get up to speed to prevent oncoming cars from hitting me which made the problem much worse. It was violently shuddering and wouldn’t accelerate. I took my foot off the gas which stopped the shaking. I gassed it slowly and I could accelerate to speed much slower than I would have liked. It wasn’t smooth. One half mile later it suddenly and violently began again. Taking my foot off the gas it smoothed out and I could accelerate again. I changed plans and went to the service garage to see what the problem was. It seems the problem is a known issue that hasn’t been addressed. I’m glad there were no cars coming from the opposite direction which could have impacted the drivers side while I was floundering out of my drive. I will enclose the garages assessment.
- 04/15/2010· VEHICLE SPEED CONTROLCrash
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MERCURY SABLE. WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATE SPEEDS OF 3 MPH, THE VEHICLE ABNORMALLY ACCELERATED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL BUT THE BRAKES WOULD NOT ENGAGE. THE VEHICLE PROCEEDED TO CRASH INTO TWO OTHER VEHICLES. THE POLICE ARRIVED TO THE SCENE AND A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED ACCORDINGLY. THERE WERE NO INJURIES TO ANY OF THE VEHICLE OCCUPANTS. THE CONTACT CONFIRMED THE FAILURE HAD OCCURRED AT LEAST THREE TIMES PRIOR TO THE CRASH. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 8,000. UPDATED 05/19/10. *LJ
- 04/09/2012· STEERING
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MERCURY SABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH AND MAKING A TURN THE STEERING BECAME HAD BECOME VERY DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER. AFTER SHUTTING OFF AND RESTARTING THE VEHICLE, THE POWER STEERING SEEMED TO HAVE RESET BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED AFTER ATTEMPTING TO PARK THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND THEY ADVISED HIM THAT FRONT TIE RODS FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND THEY OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 18,600.
- 03/24/2010· SEATSFire
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MERCURY SABLE. WHILE DRIVING AT SPEEDS OF 55 MPH, THE REAR PASSENGERS SEAT SUDDENLY CAUGHT FIRE WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE AND THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS NOT CALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER; HOWEVER, THERE WERE NO REPAIRS MADE TO THE VEHICLE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 23,000. UPDATED 05/11/10. *LJ
- 03/22/2016· VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
WHILE ON CRUISE CONTROL ON A 6 LANE DIVIDED HIGHWAY THE CAR SUDDENLY ACCELERATED FROM 72 TO 85+ MPH. BRAKES DID NOT DISENGAGE CRUISE CONTROL AND COULD NOT SLOW DOWN CAR. I HAD TO SHUT THE ENGINE OFF TO REGAIN CONTROL AND WITH FLASHERS ON I MANAGED TO GET TO THE SHOULDER OF THE ROAD AND STOP THE CAR. TRIED TO RESTART THE CAR TO ESTABLISH IF CONDITION CLEARED UP, BUT COULD NOT. HAD CAR TOWED TO FORD DEALER WHO WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE CONDITION THE FOLLOWING MORNING. THEY CHANGED THE MASS AIR SENSOR BUT SAID IT WAS UNRELATED TO THE ACCELERATION PROBLEM.
- 03/12/2010· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MERCURY SABLE. WHILE DRIVING AT SPEEDS OF 10 MPH, THE VEHICLE EXHIBITED A GRINDING NOISE AND THE FRONT BRAKES BECAME INOPERABLE. THE DEALER INSPECTED THE VEHICLE BUT COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THERE WERE NO ADDITIONAL FAILURES. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 21000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 21,050. UPDATED 05/06/10. *LJ UPDATED 06/18/10.*JB