2002 Mercury SABLE: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
440 owner complaints analyzed
3 distinct recall campaigns
75,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2002 model year. Data snapshot: . 358 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Suspension:Front:Springs:Coil Springs is the most frequently named component, appearing in 97 of 440 complaints (22.0%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 73 | 16.6% |
| Transmission and shifting | 29 | 6.6% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 9 | 2.0% |
| Steering behavior | 9 | 2.0% |
| Engine operation | 7 | 1.6% |
| Fuel system concerns | 6 | 1.4% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Suspension:Front:Springs:Coil Springs | 97 |
| Suspension:Front | 67 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 48 |
| Suspension | 45 |
| Suspension:Rear | 24 |
| Suspension:Rear:Springs:Coil Springs | 23 |
| Air Bags:Frontal | 16 |
| Visibility:Windshield | 13 |
Suspension:Front:Springs:Coil Springs: 97; Suspension:Front: 67; Vehicle Speed Control: 48; Suspension: 45; Suspension:Rear: 24; Suspension:Rear:Springs:Coil Springs: 23; Air Bags:Frontal: 16; Visibility:Windshield: 13
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 24 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 55 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 97 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 101 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 69 |
| 150,000 and above | 12 |
Under 25,000: 24; 25,000 to 49,999: 55; 50,000 to 74,999: 97; 75,000 to 99,999: 101; 100,000 to 149,999: 69; 150,000 and above: 12
75,000 to 99,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (101). 82 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2002 | 21 |
| 2003 | 19 |
| 2004 | 33 |
| 2005 | 28 |
| 2006 | 28 |
| 2007 | 47 |
| 2008 | 59 |
| 2009 | 37 |
| 2010 | 49 |
| 2011 | 34 |
| 2012 | 28 |
| 2013 | 16 |
| 2014 | 12 |
| 2015 | 8 |
| 2016 | 11 |
| 2017 | 4 |
| 2018 | 2 |
| 2020 | 1 |
| 2021 | 1 |
| 2022 | 2 |
2002: 21; 2003: 19; 2004: 33; 2005: 28; 2006: 28; 2007: 47; 2008: 59; 2009: 37; 2010: 49; 2011: 34; 2012: 28; 2013: 16; 2014: 12; 2015: 8; 2016: 11; 2017: 4; 2018: 2; 2020: 1; 2021: 1; 2022: 2
Pattern summary
Suspension:Front:Springs:Coil Springs leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 73 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 29 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 9 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10001303 · 2002-12-20 (December 20, 2002)
CONSUMER CALLED COMPLAINING ABOUT HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE TRANSMISSION. ALSO STATED THAT DEALER WAS CONTACT AND CAN'T FIND NOTHING WRONG WITH IT. TS
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10001303 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10002435 · 2003-01-09 (January 9, 2003)
CONSUMER CALLED COMPLAINING ABOUT HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE TRANSMISSION. ALSO STATED THAT DEALER WAS CONTACTED AND THAT THEY STATED THAT THEY CAN'T FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE. * NLM
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10002435 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10007453 · 2002-10-03 (October 3, 2002)
I RENTED A FORD SABLE FROM BUDGET RENT A CAR FROM 9-21-2002 THRU 10-01-2002. ON FOUR OCCASIONS DURING THAT TIME, I CUT MY LOWER LEFT LEG RATHER SEVERELY (ENOUGH TO PRODUCE RUNNING BLOOD) ON THE CAR DOOR. UPON CLOSELY EXAMINING THE DOOR, IT IS CLEAR THAT THE LOWER PORTION OF IT PROTRUDES SEVERAL INCHES INWARD IN A SHARPLY CURVED FASHION WITH A VERY POINTED TIP. THE DOOR WAS NOT DAMAGED IN ANY WAY, AND IT OPENED AND CLOSED AS INTENDED. IT IS UNREALISTIC TO THINK THAT IN 22 YEARS OF DRIVING, THAT I WOULD ALL OF A SUDDEN NOT KNOW HOW TO ENTER OR EX…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10007453 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10009809 · 2003-03-04 (March 4, 2003)
THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS. *NLM
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10009809 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10011855 · 2003-03-27 (March 27, 2003)
REAR WINDOW SHATTERED WHEN THE REAR DOOR WAS CLOSED. *NLM *NLM
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10011855 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10015062 · 2003-04-02 (April 2, 2003)
WHEN THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED, THE PEDAL TRAVELED TO THE FLOOR, THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. *JB WHEN TRAVELING AT HIGH SPEEDS THE PROBLEM WOULD OCCUR. SCC
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10015062 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10015990 · 2003-04-16 (April 16, 2003)
WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED, IT MADE A LOUD NOISE AND AUTOMATICALLY ACCELERATED. THE CONSUMER TOOK THE KEY OUT OF THE IGNITION TO MAKE THE VEHICLE STOP. THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED AND THERE WAS NO FURTHER PROBLEM. *JB THE DEALER COULDN'T FIND THE PROBLEM. (MODEL LS)SCC
Owner-reported narrative. 17,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10015990 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10018010 · 2003-05-01 (May 1, 2003)
WHILE TRAVELING ON THE HIGHWAY WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING ANOTHER VEHICLE APPLY HIS BRAKES IN FRONT OF HIM FORCING HIM TO HIT FROM BEHIND. PLEASE FILL IN ADDITIONAL INFORMATION DEALER IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10018010 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
3 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
02V266000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Pedals And Linkages
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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗03V087000 · Visibility:Windshield
Reported: 2003-03-10 (March 10, 2003)
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.
Consequence: POTENTIAL LOSS OF WINDSHIELD RETENTION MAY ALSO REDUCE OCCUPANT PROTECTION IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH.
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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗04V106000 · Exterior Lighting:Brake Lights:Switch
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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗