Problems owners report
Complaints filed with NHTSA about the 2003 Mercury Sable, by the system named in each complaint. One complaint can name several.
- Suspension47
- Power train30
- Vehicle speed control28
- Structure20
- Engine and engine cooling19
- Visibility18
- Exterior lighting12
- Service brakes, hydraulic11
- Electrical system10
- Air bags8
NHTSA ODI complaints (public domain) · updated 23 Oct 2026 · 8 injuries and 0 deaths reported
Compared with other years
NHTSA ODI complaints by model year
Fatal crashes in the US
From 2020 to 2023, 18 2003 Sable vehicles were involved in crashes on US public roads in which someone died; 13 people died inside them. This is a count, not a crash rate: it grows with the number of cars on the road.
NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), crash years 2020–2023 (public domain)
New York safety inspections
At its first New York inspection the 2003 Mercury Sable failed the safety check 1.72% of the time — 18% less often than the average 2003 passenger car (2.11%). Median odometer at inspection: 96,403 miles.
NY DMV Vehicle Inspections (vezn-fmmk), initial inspections since Aug 2021 · how we count
Recalls
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.
ON CERTAIN VEHICLES, THE AIR FILTER PAPER IN THESE VEHICLES CAN SMOLDER OR BURN.
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.
Whether a recall was fixed on a particular car is known only to the manufacturer: check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
NHTSA recalls · summaries in NHTSA's own words
Service bulletins
What Mercury told its dealers about the 2003 Mercury Sable: known faults, fixes and updates.
| Bulletin | Summary |
|---|---|
| 10177863 | This article supersedes TSB 19-2026 to update the vehicle model years affected. Some 2000 and newer Ford/Lincoln/Mercury vehicles equipped with aluminum body panels may exhibit corrosion concerns appearing as bubbled and/or peeling paint with or without accompanying white dust. Panel replacement is recommended. |
| 10156863 | Some 2000 and newer Ford, Lincoln and Mercury vehicles equipped with aluminum body panels may exhibit corrosion concerns appearing as bubbled and/or peeling paint with or without accompanying white dust. Panel replacement is recommended. Follow the Service Procedure steps to correct the condition |
| 10155551 | Some 2000 and newer Ford, Lincoln and Mercury vehicles equipped with aluminum body panels may exhibit corrosion concerns appearing as bubbled and/or peeling paint with or without accompanying white dust. Panel replacement is recommended. Follow the Service Procedure steps to correct the condition |
| 10052600 | FORD: SEE DOCUMENT SEARCH BUTTON FOR OWNER LETTER. SPEED CONTROL CABLE IS SUSCEPTIBLE TO DAMAGE AND CAN DISCONNECT DURING HOOD MAINTENANCE AND ALSO INTERFERE WITH FULL THROTTLE RETURN TO IDLE AFTER RELEASING ACCELERATOR PEDAL. MODELS 2000-2003 TAURUS, SABLE. *PE |
| 10019382 | CAMSHAFT TICK NOISE - 3.0L 4V ENGINE ONLY. *TT |
| 10018746 | BUCK/JERK AND MISS DURING DRIVE CYCLE ABOVE 3000 RPM - NO DTC - 3.0L 2V GAS AND FFV ENGINE. *TT |
| 10018742 | POWER WINDOW CONCERNS - SERVICE TIP. *TT |
| 10018738 | POWER LOCK CONCERNS - SERVICE TIP. *TT |
| 10017916 | SURGE, IDLE ROLL, ROUGH IDLE ONLY WHEN THE ENGINE COOLING FANS ARE OPERATING. *TT |
| 10017860 | MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LAMP COMING ON WITH DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODES (DTCS) P0171, P0172, P0174 AND/OR P0175 (FUEL SYSTEM TOO RICH OR LEAN). *TT |
| 10016808 | ERRATIC FLUID LEVEL READING ON TRANSAXLE DIPSTICK-LEAKS-4F50N, AX4N, AX4S TRANSAXLE. *SC |
| 10014663 | RKE INOPERATIVE. *EH |
| 10014266 | MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LAMP (MIL) ILLUMINATED WITH DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODES (DTCS) P0300, P0316 OR P030X - NO CRANK BATTERY DISCHARGED. *TT |
| 10014165 | ALUMINUM CORROSION - SERVICE TIP. *TT |
| 10014138 | SAFETY BELT RETRACTION SPEED. *TT |
| 10014086 | GENERAL (PCM) POWER TRAIN CONTROL MODULE PROGRAMMING PROCEDURES. *TT |
| 10014062 | REAR WINDOW DEFROSTER GRID/INTEGRAL ANTENNA DIAGNOSIS AND REPAIR - TERMINAL TAB REPAIR. *TT |
| 10013395 | GRUNTING NOISE FROM FRONT POWER WINDOW GLASS IS POWERED TO THE FULL UP POSITION. *EH |
| 10013369 | GENERAL POWER TRAIN CONTROL MODULE (PCM) PROGRAMMING PROCEDURES. *TT |
| 10013116 | MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LAMP (MIL) ILLUMINATED - SYSTEM LEAN DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODES (DTC'S) - SERVICE TIPS. VARIOUS MODELS INCLUDING 2004 F-SERIES. *TT |
| 10013080 | HEADLINER GRAB HANDLES LOOSEN. *TT |
| 10013060 | CLIMATE CONTROL A/C SERVICE TECH TIPS. *EH |
| 10012969 | MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LAMP ON WITH DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODE P0133, P1131 OR P2195. *TT |
| 10012954 | SAFETY BELT WEB STOP BUTTON SERVICE. *EH |
| 10011176 | MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LAMP (MIL) ON WITH DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODE (DTC) P0171/P0174, P1131/P1151, AND/OR P2195/P2197 IN CONTINUOUS MEMORY. *TT |
NHTSA manufacturer communications (public domain)
NHTSA investigations
Speed control cable damage
Front Suspension Coil Spring Fracture
ENGINE STALLING FFV
BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH FAILURE
NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation