2000 Mercury SABLE: complaints, problems and recalls

ON THE MORNING OF 12/19/02, I ENTERED MY VEHICLE AND STARTED IT UP. AFTER CLOSING THE DOOR I OBSERVED IN THE OUTSIDE REARVIEW MIRROR THAT IT APPEARED MY GARAGE DOOR WAS NOT FULLU OPENED. I THEN OPENED THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR AND EXITED IT WITHOUT CLOSING IT. WITH MY BACK TO THE VEHICLE I VERIFIED THAT THE GARAGE DOOR WAS FULLY OPENED. BEFORE I COULD TURN AROUND THE VEHICLE HAD PROCEEDED TO BACK OUT OF THE GARAGE WITH THE CAR DOOR OPENED. I WAS NOT ABLE TO RE-ENTER THE VEHICLE WITH THE HOPES OF STOPPING IT AS THE DOOR MADE CONTACT WITH SOME PLASTIC…

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10000421 at NHTSA ↗

THE TRANSMISSION BLEW WHILE DRIVING. DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. PH

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10006230 at NHTSA ↗

IF BRAKES ARE APPLIED ABRUPTLY, VEHICLE SKIDS AND REAR END (SHIFTS) AS IF TURNING AROUND. DEALER IS UNABLE TO DETERMINE CAUSE. PH *TT

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10006640 at NHTSA ↗

WHEN ACCELERATING FROM A STOP, VEHICLE JERKED/SURGED INTO A GEAR AND SUDDENLY ACCELERATED. PH ABS POSSILBY CAUSED BRAKES TO PULSATE WHEN COMING TO A STOP. *TT

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10006646 at NHTSA ↗

WHEN THE CONSUMER TRIED TO TURN THE HEADLIGHTS ON THE SWITCH BUTTON CAME OFF. *NLM BOTH REAR WINDOWS HAD BECOME INOPERATIVE. SCC

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10012268 at NHTSA ↗

THE BRAKE LIGHTS AND TAIL LIGHTS DID NOT FUNCTION WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS APPLIED. *JB. REPLACED WIRE LINE THAT CONNECTED BRAKE CONTROL SWITCH AT PEDAL. *AK

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10014667 at NHTSA ↗

THE FRONT SPRING BROKE. THE DEALER STATED PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE, DUE TO A NATION WIDE BACK ORDER. *JB

Owner-reported narrative. 53,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10015122 at NHTSA ↗

THE REAR BRAKE LIGHTS DID NOT ILLUMINATE WHEN THE BRAKE WAS APPLIED. *NLM THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH WAS REPLACED 4 TIMES WHICH ONE OUT OF THE 4 REPAIRS WAS RECALL RELATED. ALSO THE ABS LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. ONCE THE SWITCH FAILED THE SHIFTER WOULD NOT COME OUT OF PARK POSITION. ON ANOTHER OCCASION, THE SUN ROOF WAS INOPERATIVE. *TT

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10017740 at NHTSA ↗

Reported: 2000-08-24 (August 24, 2000)

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE "VEHICLE CAPACITY WEIGHT" AND "DESIGNATED SEATING CAPACITY" INFORMATION WAS NOT PRINTED ON THE SAFETY CERTIFICATION LABELS AFFIXED TO THESE VEHICLES. ON AFFECTED SABLE SEDAN VEHICLES, THE "VEHICLES CAPACITY WEIGHT" (AND ALSO THE LUGGAGE LOAD) INFORMATION PRINTED ON THIS LABEL IS INCORRECT - SABLE WAGON LUGGAGE LOAD WAS INCORRECTLY USED FOR THE SABLE SEDAN. THESE VEHICLES DO NOT COMPLY WITH THE LABEL REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 110, "TIRE SELECTION AND RIMS."

Consequence: EXCESSIVE LOADING CAN CAUSE TIRE AND VEHICLE DAMAGE THAT COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.

Remedy: OWNERS WILL BE PROVIDED WITH A SUPPLEMENTAL LABEL WITH THE CORRECT INFORMATION, ALONG WITH INSTRUCTIONS FOR AFFIXING THE LABEL ADJACENT TO THE VEHICLE CERTIFICATION LABEL. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN OCTOBER 20, 2000. 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 AT 1-800-392-3673.

Reported: 2001-03-12 (March 12, 2001)

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES. DUE TO THE USE OF INCORRECT MATERIAL BY A SUPPLIER, THE HEADLAMP SWITCH KNOB CAN FRACTURE AND SEPARATE FROM THE HEADLAMP SWITCH.

Consequence: THIS WOULD CAUSE DIFFICULTY FOR THE DRIVER TO ACTIVATE THE HEADLAMPS, WHICH COULD AFFECT DRIVER VISIBILITY, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE HEADLAMP SWITCH KNOB. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN APRIL 9, 2001. 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 AT 1-800-392-3673.

Reported: 2001-03-12 (March 12, 2001)

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH ADJUSTABLE PEDALS. IF THE GREASE FROM THE ADJUSTABLE PEDAL ASSEMBLY ENTERS THE STOP LAMP SWITCH, IT CAN CONTAMINATE THE CONTACTS LEADING TO CARBON BUILD UP, AND POTENTIALLY, A SHORT CIRCUIT.

Consequence: A SHORT CIRCUIT COULD LEAD TO EITHER THE BRAKE LAMPS STAYING ON, OR TO A LOSS OF BRAKE LAMP FUNCTION, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE BRAKE LAMP SWITCH AND WIPE DOWN THE ADJUSTABLE PEDAL ASSEMBLY TO REMOVE EXCESS GREASE. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN MARCH 22, 2001. 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 AT 1-800-392-3673.

Reported: 2001-08-08 (August 8, 2001)

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER CARS, SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, AND LIGHT AND MEDIUM DUTY PICKUP TRUCKS. A SWITCH LOCATED IN THE PLASTIC COVER OF THE WIPER MOTOR GEAR CASE COULD MALFUNCTION AND OVERHEAT, POTENTIALLY RESULTING IN LOSS OF INTERMITTENT WIPER FUNCTION, LOSS OF WIPER PARK FUNCTION, COMPLETE LOSS OF WIPER FUNCTION, OR IGNITION OF THE PLASTIC COVER MATERIAL. SWITCH MALFUNCTION IS MOST LIKELY TO OCCUR WHEN THE INTERMITTENT SETTING OF THE WIPERS IS BEING USED, OR WHEN SNOW OR ICE OBSTRUCTS THE BLADES FROM RETURNING TO THE "PARKED" POSITION AT THE BOTTOM OF THE WINDSHIELD. THESE VEHICLES WERE BUILT AT THE FOLLOWING ASSEMBLY PLANTS: ATLANTA PLANT FROM 2/11/00 THROUGH 7/31/00; CHICAGO PLANT FROM 2/14/00 THROUGH 8/4/00; KANSAS CITY PLANT FROM 2/26/00 TO 9/4/00; KENTUCKY TRUCK PLANT FROM 2/18/00 TO 8/31/00; MICHIGAN TRUCK PLANT FROM 2/23/00 THROUGH 8/3/00; NORFOLK PLANT FROM 2/21/00 THROUGH 7/27/00; WAYNE STAMPING AND ASSEMBLY PLANT FROM 2/25/00 THROUGH 8/15/00; AND WIXOM PLANT FROM 2/15/00 THROUGH 8/8/00.

Consequence: LOSS OF VISIBILITY WHILE DRIVING INCREASES THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE DATE CODE ON THE WIPER MOTOR. MOTORS BUILT WITH THE SUSPECT TIME FRAME WILL HAVE THE WIPER MOTOR GEAR CASE COVER REPLACED. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN AUGUST 20, 2001. 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 AT 1-866-436-7332.

Reported: 2002-10-02 (October 2, 2002)

CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH ADJUSTABLE PADELS ARE BEING RECALLED IN ORDER TO ADJUST THE BRAKE AND ACCELERATOR PEDALS TO A MINIMUM OF 50 MM OF LATERAL SEPARATION. SIMULTANEOUS APPLICATION OF BOTH THE BRAKE AND ACCELERATOR PEDALS COULD RESULT IN AN INCREASE IN ENGINE RPM.

Consequence: THIS COULD RESULT IN A CUSTOMER EXPERIENCING AN "UNINTENDED VEHICLE SPEED INCREASE" OR A PERCEIVED "UNABLE TO STOP" CONDITION.

Remedy: OWNERS WILL BE INSTRUCTED AS TO THE PROPER WAY TO SET THE POSITION OF THE PEDALS AND TO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO A DEALER TO HAVE THE SPACING BETWEEN THE BRAKE AND ACCELERATOR PEDALS MEASURED. IF THE SPACING IS FOUND TO BE LESS THAN 50 MM, THE DEALER WILL ADJUST THE PEDALS TO INCREASE THE DISTANCE BETWEEN THEM TO GREATER THAN 50 MM. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN OCTOBER 28, 2002. OWNERS WHO DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT FORD AT 1-866-436-7332.

Reported: 2004-03-02 (March 2, 2004)

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.

Consequence: 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.

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.

Reported: 2004-07-15 (July 15, 2004)

ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES ORIGINALLY SOLD IN OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE STATES OF CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, IOWA, KENTUCKY, MAINE, MARYLAND, MASSACHUSETTS, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA, MISSOURI, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW JERSEY, NEW YORK, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, RHODE ISLAND, VERMONT, WEST VIRGINIA, WISCONSIN, AND THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, THE FRONT COIL SPRINGS COULD FRACTURE DUE TO CORROSION ASSOCIATED WITH SALT USED ON THE ROADWAYS DURING THE WINTER. A FRACTURED SPRING COULD MOVE PAST THE SPRING SEAT AND CONTACT A FRONT TIRE.

Consequence: IF THIS OCCURS, THE TIRE MAY RUPTURE RESULTING IN A RAPID AIR LOSS, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL PROTECTIVE SPRING SHIELDS. IN ADDITION, FORD IS EXTENDING THE WARRANTY COVERAGE OF THE FRONT COIL SPRINGS IN ALL OTHER STATES, FOR FRACTURE ONLY, UP TO 10 YEARS OF SERVICE OR 150,000 MILES, WHICHEVER OCCURS FIRST. IF THE VEHICLE HAS ALREADY ACCUMULATED MORE THAN 150,000 MILES, THIS COVERAGE WILL LAST UNTIL JULY 31, 2005. IF EITHER FRONT COIL SPRING FRACTURES, DEALERS WILL REPLACE BOTH FRONT SPRINGS AT NO CHARGE TO THE OWNER. AN INTERIM NOTICE WAS SENT TO OWNERS ON AUGUST 2, 2004. PARTS ARE NOW AVAILABLE FOR THE 2000-2001 MY VEHICLES AND OWNERS WERE SENT A LETTER ON JANUARY 10, 2005, ADVISING THEM TO BRING IN THEIR VEHICLES FOR REPAIR PARTS ARE EXPECTED TO BE AVAILABLE FOR THE 1999 MY VEHICLES BY THE END OF FEBRUARY 2005 AND OWNERS OF THESE VEHICLES WILL BE NOTIFIED THEN. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-392-3673.