2003 Mercury Sable problems and complaints

Owners have filed 201 complaints with NHTSA about the 2003 Mercury Sable. The most-reported areas: Suspension (47), Power Train (30), Vehicle Speed Control (28).

Key takeaways

  • 201 owner complaints on file with NHTSA.
  • 13 involve a crash, 1 a fire, 8 reported injuries.
  • Complaints are unverified owner reports; recalls are confirmed defects.
Complaints by component
ComponentComplaintsShare
Suspension4723%
Power Train3015%
Vehicle Speed Control2814%
Structure2010%
Engine And Engine Cooling199%
Visibility189%
Service Brakes147%
Exterior Lighting126%
Hydraulic115%
Electrical System105%
Engine84%
Air Bags84%

One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.

NHTSA 5-Star crash ratings
VersionOverallFrontSideRollover
2003 Mercury Sable 4-DR.Not ratedNot ratedNot ratedNot rated
2003 Mercury Sable 4-DR. WagonNot ratedNot ratedNot ratedNot rated
2003 Mercury Sable 4-DR. w/SABNot ratedNot ratedNot ratedNot rated

Latest complaints, as filed

Owner-written and unverified by NHTSA.

Power Train - filed 2023-03-13

The contact owns a 2003 Mercury Sable. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle lost motive power. The vehicle coasted to the side of the road and was towed to the residence. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware ...

Power Train - filed 2021-01-13

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MERCURY SABLE. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE VEHICLE DECELERATED INDEPENDENTLY. THE CONTACT STATED NO WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT PARKED ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DRIVABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND THE CONTACT WAS I...

Power Train - filed 2020-06-10

IDRIVING UNDER NORMAL CONDITIONS ON A CITY STREET IN 2003 MERC SABLE WITH 33K MILES. WHILE IN MOTION, THE TRANSMISSION FAILS WITH NO FORWARD OR REVERSE WORKING OR ANY OTHER MECHANICAL WARNINGS.( NO TRANSMISSION CODES ON OBDII. I WAS IMMEDIATELY ABLE TO COAST INTO A DRUGSTORE PARKING LOT. CAR TOWED TO LOCAL FORD DEA...

Diagnose it yourself

As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases, at no extra cost to you.

More for the 2003 Mercury Sable

Complaints are reports filed by owners with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. NHTSA publishes them without verifying them, and counts rise with how many cars were sold, so compare years of the same model rather than different models. Crash ratings are NHTSA's own 5-Star Safety Ratings results.