2004 Mercury SABLE: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
52 owner complaints analyzed
1 distinct recall campaigns
73,897 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2004 model year. Data snapshot: . 42 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Vehicle Speed Control is the most frequently named component, appearing in 14 of 52 complaints (26.9%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 18 | 34.6% |
| Transmission and shifting | 12 | 23.1% |
| Engine operation | 3 | 5.8% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 2 | 3.8% |
| Fuel system concerns | 1 | 1.9% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Vehicle Speed Control | 14 |
| Service Brakes | 9 |
| Power Train | 8 |
| Electrical System | 6 |
| Exterior Lighting | 4 |
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission | 4 |
| Engine | 3 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 2 |
Vehicle Speed Control: 14; Service Brakes: 9; Power Train: 8; Electrical System: 6; Exterior Lighting: 4; Power Train:Automatic Transmission: 4; Engine: 3; Engine And Engine Cooling: 2
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 7 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 5 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 9 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 9 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 7 |
| 150,000 and above | 5 |
Under 25,000: 7; 25,000 to 49,999: 5; 50,000 to 74,999: 9; 75,000 to 99,999: 9; 100,000 to 149,999: 7; 150,000 and above: 5
50,000 to 74,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (9). 10 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 |
|---|---|
| 2004 | 3 |
| 2005 | 5 |
| 2006 | 2 |
| 2007 | 1 |
| 2008 | 3 |
| 2009 | 1 |
| 2010 | 1 |
| 2011 | 3 |
| 2012 | 9 |
| 2013 | 6 |
| 2014 | 6 |
| 2015 | 4 |
| 2016 | 4 |
| 2017 | 1 |
| 2018 | 2 |
| 2020 | 1 |
2004: 3; 2005: 5; 2006: 2; 2007: 1; 2008: 3; 2009: 1; 2010: 1; 2011: 3; 2012: 9; 2013: 6; 2014: 6; 2015: 4; 2016: 4; 2017: 1; 2018: 2; 2020: 1
Pattern summary
Vehicle Speed Control leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 18 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 12 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 3 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 10086491 · 2004-08-09 (August 9, 2004)
THIS COMPLAINT CONCERNS A 2004 MERCURY SABLE STATIONWAGON. IT WAS PURCHASED 5 DAYS BEFORE THE INCIDENT. I WAS DRIVING IN RURAL POWAY ON AUGUST 3, 2004. I APPARENTLY DROVE OVER A PEBBLE OR SOMETHING - I HEARD A "THUNK" UNDER THE CAR. ALMOST IMMEDIATELY THE CAR LOST POWER, AND CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP A FEW FEET LATER. *AK APPARENTLY THE PROBLEM WAS THAT THE FUEL LINE AND/OR FUEL PUMP WERE INJURED. AND MOST OF A TANKFUL OF GAS SPEWED OUT INTO THE ROAD. I MANAGED TO GET OUT OF THE CAR SAFELY, THIS TIME. NO ONE HIT THE CAR, THIS TIM…
Owner-reported narrative. 200 miles reported. Look up ODI 10086491 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10093263 · 2004-09-28 (September 28, 2004)
SIDE IMPACT ON A 2004 SABLE. NO AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. DRIVER SUSTAINED SEVERE INJURIES INCLUDING SCAPULA FRACTURE AND PNEUMOTHORAX, PNEUMOMEDIASTINUM AND SUBCUANEOUS AIR TRACKING, ALONG WITH HEAD WOUNDS/LACERATIONS. PATIENT REQUIRED ICU AND MULTIPLE CT SCANS ALONG WITH X-RAYS. PASSENGER AIRBAG ALSO DID NOT DEPLOY CAUSING INJURY TO PASSENGER FROM SEAT BELT AND BOUNCE-BACK FROM HITTING THE DOOR SECONDARY TO AIRBAG FAILURE TO DEPLOY.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10093263 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10101612 · 2004-11-24 (November 24, 2004)
VEHICLE JUMPS FORWARD ABOUT 3 FEET WHEN IT IS STARTED. OCCASIONALLY, THE SAME PROBLEM OCCURS WHEN IDLING. *NM
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10101612 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10113601 · 2005-03-07 (March 7, 2005)
WHILE THE CONSUMER WAS PARKING THE VEHICLE, IT INADVERTENTLY WENT INTO REVERSE AND SUBSEQUENTLY THE CONSUMER VRASHED INTO THE GARAGE. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10113601 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10122437 · 2005-05-30 (May 30, 2005)
THE PROBLEM STARTED WITH THE SMELL OF SOMETHING BURNING COMING THROUGH THE AIR VENTS. THIS HAPPENS ONLY ON OCASSION AND WHEN THEN VEHICLE SLOWS DOWN OR IS STOPED. I RECENTLY HAVE SEEN SMOKE COMING FROM THE VENTS WITH THE SMELL. AND MORE RECENTLY SMOKE COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. UPON INVESTIGATION I COULD NOT SEE ANY BURNING OR SMOKE. THE DEALER SO FAR HAS NOT BEEN ABLE TO FIND THE PROBLEM I'M AFRAID IT MAY LEAD TO A CAR FIRE OR HEALTH PROBLEMS FROM THE POLLUTED AIR ENTERING THE VEHICLE
Owner-reported narrative. 150 miles reported. Look up ODI 10122437 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10124890 · 2005-06-10 (June 10, 2005)
DT: CONSUMER'S VEHICLE WAS REAR ENDED. WIFE WAS IN PASSENGER SEAT, AND THE SEAT BACK BROKE OF BUCKET ON LEFT OF SEAT, CAUSING WIFE TO TURN SLIGHTLY TOWARD THE DRIVER.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. 20,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10124890 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10137721 · 2005-10-13 (October 13, 2005)
2004 MERCURY SABLE FRONT BRAKE ROTORS WERE WARPED.***NO ANSWER REQUIRED***. *MR *NM THE CONSUMER REQUEST A WRITTEN RESPONSE TO A LETTER HE SUBMITTED TO NHTSA ON AUGUST 30, 2005. *NM
Owner-reported narrative. 27,461 miles reported. Look up ODI 10137721 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10141794 · 2005-11-04 (November 4, 2005)
2004 MERCURY SABLE HEADLIGHTS GO OUT AND IMMEDIATELY COME BACK ON. THIS HAS HAPPENED FOUR TIMES,IN COMPLETE DARKNESS, EACH TIME IN A COLD VEHICLE IN THE MORNING WITHIN 3 MILES OF HOME. THREE OF THESE EVENTS OCCURRED IN RELATION TO STOPPING, STARTING , OR TURNING AT STOP SIGN. ONE EVENT OCCURRED AT HIGHWAY SPEED ON STRAIGHT HARDTOP ROAD. VEHICLE IS UNDER WARRANTY AND HAS BEEN TESTED BY THE DEALERSHIP WHERE IT WAS PURCHASED AND THEY WERE UNABLE TO FIND A MECHANICAL OR ELECTRICAL CAUSE. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10141794 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
1 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
04V330000 · Seats:Front Assembly:Power Adjust
Reported: 2004-07-08 (July 8, 2004)
CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH POWER ADJUSTABLE SEATS MAY HAVE BEEN INADEQUATELY WELDED.
Consequence: THE SEAT MAY NOT PERFORM AS INTENDED DURING A CRASH WHICH COULD INCREASE THE RISK OF INJURY.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE UPPER SUPPORT ASSEMBLY ON THE POWER SEATS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 20, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-392-3673.
NHTSA campaign record ↗