Page 4 of 9 · complaints 151–200 of 430

2001 Mercury Sable complaints

Owner reports filed with NHTSA about this vehicle, newest first and reproduced as filed. They are unverified accounts: one proves nothing, and a pattern across many is the thing worth reading. Back to the full 2001 record →

Suspension › Rear › Springs › Coil Springs
Filed Feb 3, 200862,661 milesIL

REAR OF MY 2001 MERCURY SABLE HAD BEEN SAGGING FOR SOME TIME, TO THE POINT I WAS AFRAID THAT THE TOP OF THE WHEEL WELL WOULD HIT THE TOP OF THE TIRE, (ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS THE REAR END DID BOTTOM OUT ON SLIGHTLY STEEP INCLINES). I FINALLY TOOK IT TO A MECHANIC, WHO SAID THAT BOTH REAR SPRINGS HAD FAILED (BROKE), AND FROM THE RUST ACCUMULATED ON THE BRAKE AREAS, IT HAD BEEN BROKEN FOR SOMETIME. I CALLED THE LOCAL FORD DEALER IN QUINCY WHO SAID THAT THIS WASN'T AN ISSUE. I HAD ANOTHER MECHANIC, (MY BROTHER DUE TO THE HIGH COST), REPLACE THE REAR SPRINGS AND SHOCKS. I KNOW THAT THERE HAS BEEN A RECALL ON THE FRONT SPRINGS (ROAD SALT CORROSION), BUT I WOULD BE CURIOUS TO FIND OUT HOW MANY OTHER SABLES/TAURUS'S HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM. *TR

Suspension › Rear › Springs › Coil Springs
Filed Feb 1, 2008MA

THE REAR COIL SPRINGS IN MY 2001 MERCURY SABLE HAVE FAILED. THIS IS A WIDE SPREAD PROBLEM WITH THESE CARS AND WELL KNOWN. IT IS NOT A QUESTION IF YOUR SABLE/TAURUS SPRINGS WILL FAIL BUT WHEN THEY WILL FAIL. YOU SHOULD HEAD OUT OF WERE EVER IT IS AND GET FORD TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT THIS. *TR

Suspension › Rear › Springs
Filed Jan 30, 200872,370 milesNY

HAD TO REPLACE RIGHT REAR COIL SPRING, WHICH BROKE AND WAS SCRAPING THE TIRE, WHICH WAS A VERY HAZARDOUS CONDITION. THE FRONT COIL SPRINGS WERE REPLACED IN A FORD RECALL ABOUT 3 YEARS AGO, THE LEFT REAR COIL SPRING ALSO BROKE IN 2005 AND I HAD TO HAVE IT REPAIRED PRIVATELY AS THERE WAS AND STILL IS NO RECALL FOR THE REAR SPRINGS. (FILED A DOT COMPLAINT AT THAT TIME ALSO -- 3/9/05). *TR

Suspension › Front › Springs › Coil Springs
Filed Jan 19, 2008IL

MY FRONT SPRING ON MERCURY SABLE 2001 GS JUST BROKE. IT TORE MY FRONT TIRE AND NOW THE CAR IS NOT IN DRIVING CONDITION. I PUT THE SPARE TIRE AND IT TORE IT APART AS WELL. *TR

Suspension › Rear › Springs
Filed Jan 16, 200886,000 milesMI

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 MERCURY SABLE. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO HAVE MAINTENANCE WORK PERFORMED, AND LEARNED THAT THE REAR SPRINGS ON BOTH SIDES OF THE VEHICLE FAILED. THE COST TO REPLACE THE STRUTS AND SPRINGS WOULD BE APPROXIMATELY $600. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 86,000. UPDATED 02-14-08. *KB

Structure
Filed Jan 8, 2008MI

IN EARLY 2007 THE PAINT ON MY 2001 MERCURY SABLE LS STARTED TO BUBBLE/BLISTER UP ON THE ROOF NEXT TO THE DRIVER'S SIDE REAR WINDOW TRIM. SHORTLY AFTER I STARTED TO NOTICE THAT BOTH REAR WHEEL HOUSINGS ALSO HAD BUBBLES/BLISTERS IN THE PAINT AND ARE NOW SHOWING RUST. I FIGURED IT WAS JUST BAD LUCK AND WAS STUCK BECAUSE THE WARRANTY EXPIRED BUT THEN LAST WEEKEND I WAS PARKED IN FRONT OF ANOTHER 2001 SABLE LS AND WALKING BY IT I NOTICED THAT STRANGELY IT HAD THE VERY SAME PAINT BLISTERING AND RUSTING IN THE EXACT SAME PLACES AS MY CAR. I SUDDENLY REALIZED THAT THIS HAS TO BE A DEFECT AND ITS NOT JUST MY CAR. I WENT ON THE INTERNET AND ON WWW.LEMONLAW.COM THERE'S ALOT OF INFORMATION ABOUT THIS VERY PROBLEM MY CAR AND MANY OTHERS ARE EXPERIENCING DUE TO ALUMINUM CORROSION CAUSED BY IRON PARTICLES WORKING THEIR WAY INTO THE ALUMINUM BODY PART PRIOR TO IT BEING PAINTED. NOW KNOWING THIS IS NOT AGE OR "NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR" OR LACK OF PROPER CARE I EXPECT FORDDLINCOLN MERCURY TO FIX MY CAR AT NO EXPENSE TO ME. *TR

Suspension › Rear › Springs › Coil Springs
Filed Dec 14, 200790,000 milesMI

PASSENGER SIDE; REAR SPRING AND STRUT OF 2001 MERCURY SABLE FAILED CAUSING AN ABRUPT STOP AND MINOR LOSS OF CONTROL. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO REPAIR SHOP WHERE BOTH REAR SPRINGS AND STRUTS HAD TO BE REPLACED. PASSENGER SIDE REAR STRUT WAS BENT. REPAIR COST OVER $700. WAS TOLD FRONT SPRINGS UNDER RECALL BUT NOT REAR. *TR

Suspension › Rear › Springs › Coil Springs
Filed Dec 12, 200758,000 milesPA

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 MERCURY SABLE. THE REAR SPRINGS CONTINUE TO FAIL. THE FAILURE HAS OCCURRED TWICE AND PUNCTURED THE TIRES ON BOTH OCCASIONS. THE CONTACT PAID $237 FOR BOTH REPAIRS. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER HAVE NOT OFFERED ANY ASSISTANCE. FORD MOTOR COMPANY TOOK A COMPLAINT ON HIS BEHALF (CLAIM NUMBER 1529113467). HE STATED THAT THERE WAS A RECALL (NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 04V332000) FOR THE FRONT SPRINGS, BUT NOT FOR THE REAR COIL SPRINGS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 58,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 75,000. UPDATED 01/02/08 *BF UPDATED *JB

Suspension › Rear › Springs
Filed Dec 11, 200798,000 milesOH

LEFT REAR SPRING BROKE WHILE SITTING IN PARKING LOT. WHEN DRIVEN NEXT THE REAR TIRE WAS SHREDDED! VEHICLE HAD TO BE TOWED. *TR

Suspension › Rear › Springs › Coil Springs
Filed Dec 5, 200780,000 milesPA

I SENT CAR IN FOR INSPECTION. I GOT A PHONE CALL FROM THE SHOP AND WAS TOLD BOTH REAR STRUT ASSEMBLY AND SPRINGS WERE BROKE. I UNDERSTAND THERE HAVE MANY COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS PROBLEM. WHY IS NOTHING BEING DONE AND WHERE AM I GOING TO COME UP WITH $650.00 TO GET THE REPAIR DONE. *TR

Electrical System › Wiring › Front UnderhoodFire
Filed Oct 19, 200766,000 milesAZ

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 MERCURY SABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE IS A RECALL ON THE BRAKE WIRE ASSEMBLY (RECALL NUMBER 04S12). THE RECALL REPAIR WAS PERFORMED AND THE WIRE LAYOVER STOPPED AT THE STEERING KNUCKLE. THE WIRES WERE SQUEEZED TOGETHER AT THE TOP, WHICH CAUSED A FIRE AND SKEWED THE WIRES TOGETHER AT THE HARNESS. THE RECALL WAS CREATED TO CORRECT THIS FAILURE. THE WIRES BECAME A FIRE HAZARD AND THE VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THEY INFORMED HIM THAT THE REPAIR WOULD BE HIS RESPONSIBILITY. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THEY WOULD NOT HONOR THE REPAIR. THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY AT THE DEALER. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 66,000.

Suspension
Filed Sep 7, 200756,640 milesMA

ON SEP 6, 2007, MY 2001 MERCURY SABLE AT 56,640 MILES WAS DETERMINED TO HAVE BROKEN REAR SPRINGS. MY LOCAL FORD DEALER REPLACED REAR SPRINGS, STRUTS, SWAY BAR LINKS, AND UPPER STRUT MOUNTS. THIS SEEMS SIMILAR TO PROBLEMS THAT YOU HAVE PREVIOUSLY INVESTIGATED. *TR

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited SlipCrash
Filed Sep 3, 200741,000 milesCA

MY MASTER CYLINDER FAILED CAUSING ME TO LOSE MY BRAKES. I CRASHED MY CAR INTO A POLE. THE INSURANCE COMPANY TOTALED MY CAR. AFTER A CAR IS TOTALED THE INSURANCE COMPANY WOULD ONLY SEND IT TO THE SALVAGE YARD. I INSISTED ON KNOWING WHAT WENT WRONG. A SIMPLE TEST WAS DONE BY TURNING ON THE MOTOR AND PRESSING ON THE BRAKE PEDAL. IF IT GOES TO THE FLOOR GRADUALLY THEN YOU KNOW IT WAS A MASTER CYLINDER FAILURE. THIS HAPPENED 3 TIMES. THE MANUFACTURE DIDN'T WANT TO DEAL WITH ME AND THE DEALERSHIP DIDN'T EITHER. HOW MANY CARS FALL BETWEEN THE CRACKS AND THE REASON FOR SERIOUS BRAKE FAILURE NEVER REACHES THE VERY PEOPLE WHO CAN CORRECT IT?? *TR

Suspension › Rear › Springs
Filed Aug 25, 200762,417 milesPA

BROKEN REAR SPRING, CAUSING TIRE DAMAGE. (FRONT SPRINGS REPLACED BY FORD 2 MONTHS AGO FREE UNDER REPLACEMENT PROGRAM, DEALER TELLS ME THAT THE FORD REPLACEMENT PROGRAM DOES NOT APPLY TO REAR SPRINGS). *TR

Suspension › Rear › Springs › Coil Springs
Filed Aug 22, 2007IL

2001 FORD SABLE GS WITH BROKEN REAR COIL SPRINGS CUSTOMER STATES THAT THIS IS A DESIGN DEFECT**NAR**CC THE CONSUMER STATED WHILE GETTING A ROUTINE OIL CHANGE IT WAS DISCOVERED BOTH REAR SPRINGS WERE BROKEN AND THE SPRINGS AND STRUTS HAD TO BE REPLACED. THE CONSUMER STATED HE WOULD LIKE AN INVESTIGATION TO BE DONE AND REIMBURSED FOR OUT OF POCKET EXPENSES FOR THE DEFECT. *TR

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited SlipCrash
Filed Aug 20, 200742,000 milesCA

I WAS DRIVING MY CAR AT ABOUT 20 MILES AN HOUR AND I FELT A VIBRATION. I MADE A DECISION TO PULL THE CAR OVER AND GET OFF THE ROADWAY AND STOP. WHEN I TRIED TO USE MY BRAKE I FELT THE RESISTANCE HALF WAY DOWN AND THEN IT SUDDENLY WENT ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR. I SAW MYSELF GAINING ON THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME. I QUICKLY TURNED TO THE RIGHT AND UP ON THE SIDEWALK HITTING THE CURB IN THE PROCESS AND THEN INSTEAD OF HITTING A STORE WALL I TURNED SLIGHTLY TO THE LEFT AND HEADED DEAD CENTER FOR AN EDISON POLE. I COULD HAVE KILLED SOMEONE. I NEED TO TALK TO SOMEONE WHO CAN TELL ME WHO TO GET TO LOOK INTO MY BRAKE SYSTEM TO SEE WHAT WENT WRONG. I AM SO SCARED TO EVER DRIVE THAT CAR AGAIN. MY CAR IS ONLY 5 YEARS OLD AND IN EXCELLENT CONDITION AND MAINTAINED WELL. NEVER HAD ANY HINT THAT MY BRAKES WERE FAULTY. MY CAR HAS BEEN LOOKED AT AND HE SAID THE BODY CAN BE FIXED. HE DOESN'T KNOW ABOUT THE BRAKES. I NEED AN EXPERT TO LOOK AT THOSE BRAKES. CAN YOU HELP ME???? MY AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. *TR

Suspension › Rear › Springs › Coil Springs
Filed Aug 9, 200772,000 milesOH

HAVE A 2001 SABLE THAT THE LEFT REAR COIL SPRING BUSTED. COST IS OVER $900 TO REPLACE. SAW ON MANY FORMS THAT OTHER SABLE OWNERS ARE HAVING SAME ISSUE. MERCURY REPLACED FRONT COILS, BUT NOT BACK......WHY NOT? *TR

Suspension › Rear › Springs › Coil Springs
Filed Jul 18, 200796,000 milesMN

GOT IN MY '01 SABLE AND HEARD A LOUD BANG. COULDN'T FIND THE PROBLEM SO DROVE HOME. SOME DAYS LATER I HAD THE BRAKES REPAIRED AND THE MECHANIC FOUND A BROKEN COIL SPRING, DRIVER'S SIDE REAR. I HAVEN'T FIGURED OUT WHY FORD PUT SHIELDS ON THE FRONT AND NOT THE BACK. ACTUALLY, I CAN'T FIGURE OUT WHY FORD DOESN'T REPLACE THESE AT N/C. I HATE PAYING FOR OTHER'S MISTAKES LIKE WE'RE BETA TESTERS. I ALSO HAD TO REPLACE BOTH REAR SPRINGS ON MY AEROSTAR AFTER THEY BROKE. YOU'D THINK THE FORD ENGINEERS LEARNED... UNFORTUNATELY, I ALSO OWN AN '01 TAURUS. *TR

Suspension › Rear › Springs › Coil Springs
Filed Jul 13, 200785,000 milesIL

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 MERCURY SABLE. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS LOWER TO THE GROUND ON THE DRIVER SIDE THAN ON THE PASSENGER SIDE. PRIOR TO PURCHASING THE VEHICLE AND DURING THE VEHICLE INSPECTION, THE DEALER STATED THAT THE REAR COIL SPRING ON THE DRIVER SIDE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE COIL SPRING WAS REPLACED. THE FRONT COIL SPRINGS WERE A PART OF RECALL # 04V332000 (SUSPENSION:FRONT:SPRINGS:COIL SPRINGS). THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED THAT SINCE THE FRONT COIL SPRINGS HAVE AFTER MARKET PARTS, HE WOULD BE REQUIRED TO PAY $250 FOR THE REPAIR. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 86,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 85,000.

Suspension › Rear › Springs › Coil Springs
Filed Jul 6, 200740,000 milesMA

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 MERCURY SABLE. WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE PASSENGER SIDE REAR COIL SPRING SNAPPED. BY THE TIME THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER, THE TIRE WAS SHREDDED. HE REPLACED THE SPRING ASSEMBLY AT THE TIME OF FAILURE. HE LATER NOTICED THAT THE DRIVER SIDE REAR SPRING HAD FAILED IN THE SAME PLACE AS THE PASSENGER SIDE SPRING. FORD MOTOR COMPANY STATED THAT THERE IS A RECALL FOR JUST THE FRONT SPRINGS, NOT THE REAR. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 45,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40,000. THE CONSUMER STATED THE PROBLEM WAS DUE TO CORROSION FROM SALT. THE CONSUMER STATED DOES NOT KNOW WHY THE SALT CORROSION AFFECTED THE FRONT SPRING BUT NOT THE REAR SPRING. UPDATED 07/31/07 *TR

Suspension › Rear › Springs › Coil Springs
Filed Jun 27, 200752,000 milesMI

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 MERCURY SABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER SIDE REAR COIL SPRING FAILED AND CAUSED DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH. THE FORD DEALER STATED THAT THERE WAS A DEFECT WITH THE COIL SPRING. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THERE WAS A RECALL REGARDING THE FRONT COIL SPRINGS, BUT NOT THE REAR COIL SPRINGS. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 52,000. UPDATED 02-01-08 *BF

Suspension › Rear › Springs
Filed Jun 27, 2007NJ

2001 MERCURY SABLE TAKEN IN FOR TIRE ROTATION AND BALANCE. WHEN THE REAR TIRES WERE REMOVED, MECHANIC NOTICED THAT BOTH COIL SPRINGS WERE BROKEN AT BASE. HE SAID I WAS LUCKY IN THAT THE BREAKS WERE TO THE CENTER OF THE CAR AND NOT TOWARDS THE TIRE SIDE, WHICH WOULD HAVE BLOWN THE TIRE. THE LEFT REAR TIRE WOULD NOT BALANCE, IT WOBBLED, RESULTING IN PURCHASING A NEW TIRE. COST TO REPAIR, $550.00. I AM NO METALLURGIST, BUT LOOKING AT THE BREAKS I'D SAY THAT IT LOOKS LIKE POOR HEAT TREATMENT OF THE METAL COIL THAT CAUSED THE BREAKS. SEARCHING THE INTERNET REVEALED NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS REGARDING 2001 TAURUS FOR SAME COIL BREAKING PROBLEM (SAME BODY AS SABLE). WHY IS THERE NO RECALL BY FORD TO RECTIFY THIS PROBLEM?. BECAUSE IN THIS COUNTRY THERE HAS TO BE SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH BEFORE ANY ONE REACTS. HOW PATHETIC IS THAT!.

Suspension › Front › Springs › Coil Springs
Filed Jun 26, 200750,264 milesNH

TURNING LEFT HAD EXTREMELY LOUD NOISE DUE TO FRACTURED RIGHT FRONT AND LEFT REAR COIL SPRINGS, REPLACED 4 COIL ASSEMBLIES. *AK

Suspension › Rear › Springs
Filed Jun 26, 200785,456 milesPA

WE OWN A 2001 MERCURY SABLE WHICH WAS RECALLED PREVIOUSLY DUE TO PROBLEMS WITH THE FRONT SPRINGS BREAKING ON CERTAIN VEHICLES. GUARDS WERE PLACED ON THE FRONT SPRINGS TO AVOID TIRE PUNCTURES.*AK IN MAY 2007 MY WIFE TRAVELLED ABOUT 200 MILES WITH PASSENGERS. UPON RETURNING, ONE OF THE FRONT SPRINGS FELL APART IN OUR YARD. AFTER THE DEALER INSPECTED THE VEHICLE, BOTH FRONT SPRINGS WERE BROKEN, ALONG WITH ONE OF THE REAR SPRINGS. SHE WAS DRIVING ON HIGHWAYS WITH THREE BROKEN SPRINGS! THE REAR SPRINGS SEEM SIMILAR IN DESIGN TO THE FRONT, IF NOT IDENTICAL. THEY HAVE NEVER BEEN SUBJECT TO A RECALL AND THE BILL FOR REPLACEMENT OF BOTH THE REAR SPRINGS WAS $632.30. THE DEALER REFUSED TO HELP. AFTER SPEAKING TO THE SERVICE MANAGER AT THE DEALER, SHE SUGGESTED PURSUING THIS, CLAIMING THEY HAVE REPAIRED LOTS OF REAR SPRINGS ON THESE VEHICLES. SHE SEEMED TO IMPLY THEY HAVE BEEN A PROBLEM AS WELL AS THE FRONT UNITS, ALTHOUGH THEY HAVE NEVER BEEN RECALLED AND THEREFORE NOT COVERED BY FORD. TRAVELLING 65 MPH ON THREE BROKEN SPRINGS IS AN ACCIDENT WAITING TO HAPPEN. FORD SHOULD BE RECALLING THESE VEHICLES BEFORE SOMEONE GETS KILLED.

Suspension › Rear › Springs › Coil Springs
Filed Jun 24, 200795,630 milesIL

I WORK NIGHTS IN KANKAKEE,I HAD JUST GOT OFF OF WORK AND WAS HEADING HOME ON ROUTE 45/52 SOUTH 3 MILES FROM KANKAKEE AT 60 MPH WHEN I HEARD A NOISE COMING FROM UNDER THE CAR ABOUT 15 SECONDS LATER THE LEFT TIRE BLEW,I PULLED OVER TO CHANGE THE TIRE,WHEN I REMOVED THE WHEEL I NOTICED THE TIRE (SIDE FACING COIL SPRING)LOOKED AS THOUGH IT HAD BEEN CUT OPEN LIKE THE TOP OF A TIN CAN,I THEN NOTICED THE COIL SPRING WAS BROKEN AND HAD A SHARP EDGE PROTRUDING TOWARD WHERE THE INNER SIDE WALL WOULD BE,I MEAN THIS TIRE WAS CUT ALL THE WAY IN A PERFECT CIRCLE APROXIMATELY 2 INCHES FROM THE WHEEL EDGE,WHILE CHANGING THE TIRE I WAS ALMOST HIT BY A CAR THAT WAS PASSING ANOTHER CAR. *AK

Suspension › Rear › Springs › Coil Springs
Filed Jun 11, 200792,500 milesKY

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS 2001 MERCURY SABLE. WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH HE HEARD A NOISE IN THE RIGHT REAR. HE LOOKED IN THE RIGHT SIDE MIRROR AND HE COULD SEE PART OF THE COIL SPRING FALLING OFF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT RETRIEVED THE COIL SPRING. THE DEALER NOTICED THERE WAS MISSING PIECES ON THE PASSENGER SIDE REAR COIL SPRINGS. THERE IS A RECALL FOR THE FRONT COIL SPRINGS (RECALL #04V332000). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 92,500 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 93,000.

Suspension › Rear › Springs › Coil Springs
Filed Jun 2, 2007102,000 milesPA

RIGHT REAR COIL SPRING BROKE - PUNCTURE TIRE WHILE DRIVING. *TR

Suspension › Rear › Springs › Coil Springs
Filed May 31, 200767,000 milesIL

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 MERCURY SABLE. WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE WOULD VIBRATE. THE DEALER NOTICED A FRACTURE ON THE DRIVERS SIDE REAR COIL SPRING DURING A ROUTINE INSPECTION. THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY BEING REPAIRED. THERE WAS RECALL # 04V332000 FOR THE FRONT COIL SPRINGS. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 67,000.

Suspension › Rear › Springs › Coil Springs
Filed May 28, 200748,130 milesOH

LEFT REAR COIL SPRING FAILURE ON MY 2001 MERCURY SABLE WITH ONLY 48,000 MILES. SPRING WAS RUBBING ON THE TIRE. LITTLE DAMAGE TO THE TREAD. NOT ENOUGH TO WARRANT TIRE REPLACEMENT. I LEARNED OF AN NHTSA PROBE OF THIS PROBLEM ON CONSUMER AFFAIRS.COM. *TR

Suspension › Rear › Springs
Filed May 25, 200757,552 milesPA

FORD MOTOR COMPANY RECALL FOR FRONT SPRINGS ON 2001 MERCURY SABLES BUT NOT REAR SPRINGS MY VEHICLE HAS JUST OVER 60,000 MILES AND I HAD TO REPLACE BOTH REAR SPRINGS DUE TO BRAKING HOW IS THE REAR SPRINGS ANY LESS OF A DANGER THEN THE FRONT SPRINGS

Suspension › Rear › Springs › Coil Springs
Filed May 22, 200786,957 milesOH

HEARD A LOUD BANG IN REAR OF VEHICLE WHILE DRIVING. FURTHER INSPECTION REVEALED A BROKEN DRIVER'S SIDE REAR SPRING. I THEN FOUND OUT THERE WAS A DEALER RECALL ON THE FRONT SPRINGS DUE TO THEM BREAKING PREMATURELY, BUT NO RECALL ON THE REAR SPRING. I WILL HAVE TO REPLACE REAR STRUT AND SPRING. *AK

Suspension › Rear › Springs › Coil Springs
Filed May 21, 2007130,000 milesPA

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 MERCURY SABLE. WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD NOISE. SHE NOTICED THAT THE REAR DRIVER SIDE TIRE WAS FLAT BECAUSE THE COIL SPRING PUNCTURED THE TIRE. THERE WAS A RECALL FOR THE FRONT COIL SPRINGS (RECALL# 04V332000). THE CONTACT FEELS THAT THE REAR COIL SPRING SHOULD BE INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 130,000.

Suspension › Front › Springs › Coil Springs
Filed May 13, 200765,000 milesNY

FRONT COIL SRING FAILED AND DAMAGED TIRE AS WELL. I HAD THIS HAPPEN TO THE BACKOF THE CAR ANF FORD COVERED IT. IT HAPPENED TO THE BACK AND FORD WILL NOT COVER IT. IT COST OVER $1000.00 TO REPAIR. CAR IS A 2001 MERCURY SABLE. *AK

Suspension › Rear › Springs › Coil Springs
Filed May 2, 20079,500 milesMI

I HAD MY FRONT COIL SPRINGS REPLACED IN 01/2007 UNDER THE STANDING RECALL ON 2001 MERCURY SABLES. NOW I HAVE TO REPLACE THE REAR SPRINGS THAT ARE OBVIOUSLY DEFECTIVE AND NO RECALL HAS BEEN INITIATED. HOW FORD/MERCURY IS NOT REQUIRED TO ISSUE A RECALL IS BEYOND ME. AS I DRIVE I NOTICE NUMEROUS SABLES AND TAURUS WITH REAR ENDS THAT ARE SAGGING DUE TO THIS OBVIOUS DEFECT......AND FORD DOES NOTHING....AND NHTSA FOLLOWS SUIT. *TR

Suspension › Rear › Springs › Coil Springs
Filed May 2, 2007OH

THE REAR COIL SPRINGS IN MY 2001 MERCURY SABLE BOTH BROKE WITHIN DAYS OF ONE ANOTHER. I BELIEVE THAT THIS MAY BE A SIMILAR SITUATION TO THE RECALL THAT WAS MADE ON THE FRONT COIL SPRINGS RELATED TO SALT PROBLEMS. *TR

Suspension › Rear › Springs › Coil Springs
Filed May 2, 200757,000 milesNY

YET ANOTHER FORD TAURUS - MERCURY SABLE REAR SPRING FAILURE AND NO CORRECTIVE ACTION TO DATE BY THE COMPANY OR NHTS. YOUR DATABASE IS FULL OF COMPLAINTS. THE MFG HAS RECOGNIZED THE FAILURE OF THE FRONT SPRING (RECALL# 04V332000), YET WILL NOT OFFER REPAIR SERVICE OR CORRECTIVE ACTION ON THE REAR SPRINGS THAT APPEAR TO BE THE EXACT SAME PART/DESIGN AND ARE EXHIBITING THE SAME DEFECT. HOW MANY PEOPLE DON'T EVEN KNOW OF THE WEBSITE OR THE RECALL? FORD PLAYS OFF THE FRONT SPRING FAILURES TO LESS THAN 2% FAILURE, BUT MECHANICS PERFORMING STATE SAFETY SAY THEY FAIL MORE THEN 25% OF THIS MODEL FOR THE EXACT PROBLEM. IF IT'S A FAILURE FOR A STATE SAFETY INSPECTION, THEN IT MUST BE A SAFETY CONCERN, SOMEONE NEEDS TO TAKE IMMEDIATE ACTION AND ADD THE REAR SPRINGS TO THE RECALL LIST. I SEE AVG REPAIRS TOTALING OVER $500-$600 + COST OF A NEW TIRE. SOME ONE PLEASE REVIEW THIS MAJOR CONCERN. *TR

Suspension › Rear › Springs › Coil Springs
Filed Apr 30, 2007PA

I OWN A 2001 MERCURY SABLE SEDAN. ON APRIL 26 I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AT APPROXIMATELY 9 MPH WHEN MY REAR PASSENGER TIRE BLEW OUT. I WAS ABLE TO KEEP CONTROL OF THE CAR WITH DIFFICULTY, AND GET IT TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. UPON HAVING THE CAR INSPECTED BY A MECHANIC, IT WAS FOUND THAT THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE BOOT HAD BROKEN AND THE COIL SPRING HAD PIERCED MY TIRE. I HAD THE 2 FRONT BOOTS AND SPRINGS REPLACED ON JANUARY 10, 2006 BECAUSE THE SAME THING HAPPENED TO THE DRIVER SIDE FRONT COIL AND BOOT. I FOUND OUT AT THAT TIME THAT THIS WAS A RECALLED PROBLEM. UPON CALLING THE FORD DEALERSHIP ON APRIL 27 TO NOTIFY THEM, I WAS INFORMED THAT THIS IS A "FREQUENT PROBLEM WITH THE TAURUS AND SABLES, BUT THERE IS NO RECALL FOR THE BACK COIL SPRINGS". I THEN NOTIFIED THE FORD MOTOR COMPANY AND WAS INFORMED THAT WHAT THE DEALER TOLD ME WAS TRUE. THIS COULD HAVE BEEN A FATALITY. THE PUBLIC SHOULD BE MADE AWARE THAT NOT JUST THE FRONT COILS ARE AN ISSUE. THE CAR IS HAVING BOTH REAR SPRINGS REPAIRED AT A COST OF APPROXIMATELY $470.00 THIS DOES NOT INCLUDE THE COST OF REPLACING THE DESTROYED TIRE WHICH WILL COST AN ADDITIONAL $85.00. THANK YOU. *AK

Suspension › Rear › Springs › Coil Springs
Filed Apr 25, 200763,638 milesMI

MY WIFE WAS DRIVING HOME FROM THE HAIR DRESSER WHEN SHE HEARD A NOISE UNDER OUR 2001 SABLE THAT SHE NEVER HEARD BEFORE. SHE THEN CALLED TO TELL ME THE TIRE WAS GOING FLAT. WHEN I GOT HOME FROM WORK I TRIED TO PUT AIR IN THE TIRE AND IT WOULD NOT HOLD ANY AIR. I PULLED THE TIRE OFF TO TAKE IT TO GET REPAIR AND I NOTICED THAT THE TIRE HAD BEEN DAMAGED BEYOND REPAIR, I HAD JUST BROUGHT ALL NEW TIRES TWO WEEKS PRIOR. AFTER GETTING THE TIRE REPLACED I PUT IT BACK ON AND WENT TO SPIN THE TIRE AROUND AS I REINSTALLED THE LUG NUTS AND IT WOULD NOT MOVE. I THEN PULLED THE TIRE BACK OFF AND FOUND THAT THE RIGHT REAR COIL SPRING HAD BROKEN AND THAT'S WHAT DAMAGED THE TIRE BEYOND REPAIR. I CALLED FORD MOTOR CUSTOMER ASSISTANCE BECAUSE I KNEW OF THE FRONT RECALL BUT I WAS TOLD THEY FORD MOTOR COMPANY WERE NOT DOING ANYTHING ABOUT THE REAR SPRINGS BECAUSE IT WASN'T IN THE RECALL. I THEN TOOK PICTURES OF THE BROKEN SPRING AS THE CAR WAS JACKED UP IN MY GARAGE BECAUSE I NEED TO CUT THE PORTION OF SPRING THAT WAS STICKING OUT SO I COULD PUT THE NEW TIRE ON SO I COULD DRIVE THE CAR TO THE REPAIR SHOP. AS IT TURNED OUT THE LEFT REAR COIL SPRING WAS ALSO BROKEN BUT IT WAS BROKEN AT THE TOP ON THE LEFT HAND SIDE. I HAD THE CAR REPAIR AT T.C. AUTO SERVICE IN ANN ARBOR AND THEY HAVE SEEN MORE THEN JUST MINE. TO MAKE A LONG STORY SHORT I THINK THIS IS BULL THAT FORD/MERCURY KNEW THEY HAD A PROBLEM AND WOULD ONLY COVER THE FRONT SPRINGS BY PUTTING A SPRING PROTECTOR ON THE FRONT SPRING TO PREVENT IT

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine › Gasoline
Filed Apr 25, 200755,807 milesMI

DRIVING OUR 2001 SABLE ONE DAY THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON WHEN WE WERE STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT. AS THE LIGHT TURNED GREEN I ACCELERATED AND THE CAR DID NOT MOVE ACCORDING TO THE PRESSURE I WAS PUTTING ON THE GAS PEDAL. THE LIGHT STOPPED FLASHING AND THE CAR RAN FINE. THIS WOULD HAPPEN FROM TIME TO TIME AND IT GOT TO A POINT WERE I TOOK THE UNIT TO A MERCURY DEALERSHIP TO HAVE IT CHECKED OUT AND THEY STATED IT HAD A MIS-FIRE ON THE NUMBER 4 CYLINDER AND THEY WOULD HAVE TO REPLACE THE CYLINDER HEAD AT A COST OF 2K ONE HEAD ONLY. I DID SOME ASKING AROUND AT FORD AND FOUND OUT THAT THERE WERE SOME VALVE ISSUES WITH THE 3.0L DOHC 24 V . I LOOKED INTO THE DEALER PROCESS OF CHANGING ONLY ONE HEAD AND I WAS TOLD THAT WOULD NOT BE THE SMART THING TO DO. I FINALLY TOOK THE CAR IN TO CONFIRM WHAT THE DEALER HAD SAID AND TO GET IT FIXED. I TOOK THE CAR TO T.C. AUTO SERVICE IN ANN ARBOR AND HE CONFIRMED I HAD A LEAK DOWN PROBLEM ON NUMBER 4 CYLINDER EXHAUST VALVE. THE ENGINE HAD TO BE REMOVED FROM THE CAR AND I HAD BOTH HEADS REWORKED NEW VALVE GUIDE AND SEATS ALONG WITH REPLACING THE VALVES ON NUMBER 4 CYLINDER. I HAVE THE DAMAGED VALVES RETURNED TO ME. *TR

Structure
Filed Apr 18, 200791,000 milesNY

FIRST THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE LEAKED WATER DURING RAIN STORMS. I HAD THAT FIXED LAST FALL. NOW THE A/C BLOWER MOTOR NEEDS REPLACEMENT, AND IT WAS TOLD TO ME THAT THESE TWO REPAIRS ARE RELATED. THE COST FOR THE 2001, SABLE IS $2500 IN REPAIRS. FORD NEEDS TO FIX THIS PROBLEM. RECALL #03V087000 AND OTHER COMPLAINT #10184014. *AK

Suspension › Rear › Springs
Filed Apr 2, 2007110,100 milesMI

REAR SPRING BROKE ON 2001 MERCURY SABLE-4 DR. SEDAN. CAR SAT IN UNHEATED GARAGE FOR 1 WEEK WHILE ON VACATION. TEMPERATURE IN GARAGE APPROX. 30 DEGREES. WHEN VEHICLE USED FIRST TIME AFTER VACATION ON JAN. 3, 2007, WHILE BACKING OUT OF GARAGE, HEARD LOUD NOISE OF SOMETHING BREAKING OR POSSIBLY BEING RUN OVER. STOPPED VEHICLE TO CHECK FOR ANYTHING BEHIND OR UNDER VEHICLE. FOUND NOTHING. CONTINUED TO DRIVE VEHICLE TO WORK, APPROX. 25 MILES WITHOUT FURTHER INCIDENT. NOTICED UPON RETURN HOME THAT EVENING THAT VEHICLE WAS SETTING LOW AT REAR OF VEHICLE. I DID NOT TAKE TO A DEALERSHIP UNTIL APRIL 2, 2007. USED ANOTHER VEHICLE FOR TRANSPORTATION. WIFE USED THIS VEHICLE ONLY AS NEEDED UNTIL THE DEALERSHIP VISIT THIS MORNING. WAS INFORMED OF THE BROKEN REAR SPRING. *JB

Visibility › Defroster/Defogger/Hvac System › Heater Core
Filed Mar 15, 2007IN

I AM HAVING MAJOR HEATING ISSUES THAT THE HEATER CORE WILL NOT WARM THE CAR AND THE METAL TUBING BEGAN TO LEAK AT THE T THAT IS ON THE FIRE WALL OF THE VEHICLE. *JB

Visibility › Defroster/Defogger/Hvac System › Heater Core
Filed Mar 14, 200768,680 milesNY

TL*- THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 MERCURY SABLE WITH AN ODOMETER READING OF 71750 MILES. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HOSES THAT RAN THROUGH THE HEATER CORE DRY ROTTED AND FAILED, WHICH CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO OVERHEAT. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING UNDER NORMAL CONDITIONS AT 40 MPH WHEN THE FAILURE OCCURRED. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER TO HAVE THE PROBLEM REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 68,680.*AK THE VEHICLE WAS LEAKING COOLANT AT THE TUBES TO THE HEATER CORE. THE FRONT BRAKE PADS WERE VERY THIN. UPDATED 04/12/07. *JB

Engine and Engine Cooling
Filed Mar 14, 2007TN

RE:PREVIOUS REPAIR TED RUSSELL INVOICE # F1CS560238 DATED: 1/19/2007 MALFUNCTIONS THAT STARTED FEBRUARY 28, 2007 ARE SAME AS PREVIOUSLY STATED IN REFERENCED INVOICE AS FOLLOWS: 1)CLIMATE CONTROL BLOWS HOT AIR WHILE ON FRESH AIR AND AC 2)COOLANT LIGHT COMES ON; THIS USUALLY HAPPENS WITH THE MALFUNCTION OF THE AC CONTROL SYSTEM REFERENCED ABOVE. I CAN STOP THE CAR, TURN EVERYTHING OFF AND IN 15 SECONDS RESTART AND LIGHT GOES OFF. THE COOLANT LIGHT WILL STAY OFF AS LONG AS I KEEP THE CLIMATE CONTROL OFF HOWEVER; WHEN DRIVING FOR A DISTANCE (I.E. 30 MILES) AND THEN MULTIPLE START / STOPS IN TRAFFIC THE LIGHT WILL COME ON IF I AM RUNNING THE CLIMATE CONTROL. UNTIL THE RECENT MALFUNCTION OF THE CLIMATE CONTROL WEDNESDAY NIGHT (2/28/07) THIS COOLANT LIGHT HAS NOT COME ON SINCE LAST REPAIR TO CLIMATE CONTROL. FOR INFORMATION, THE CONDITIONS OUTSIDE WERE APPROXIMATELY 66 F. OBVIOUSLY I AM UPSET WITH THE CONTINUED PROBLEMS I AM HAVING AFTER THIS VEHICLE SPENT ONE WEEK IN YOUR SHOP FOR PREVIOUS REPAIRS FOR THE SAME MALFUNCTIONS. ADDITIONALLY, I AM EXTREMELY DISSATISFIED WITH THE RECOMMENDED REPAIRS MADE BY TED RUSSELL QUALIFIED PROFESSIONALS AS DISCUSSED WITH YOU DURING MY PHONE CONVERSATION YESTERDAY. *JB

Seat Belts › Front › Retractor
Filed Mar 9, 200728,000 milesIN

TL*- THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SEAT BELT RETRACTOR ON THE PASSENGER'S SIDE OF THE 2001 MERCURY SABLE WILL NOT RETRACT. THE DEALERSHIP INFORMED THE CONTACT THE RETRACTOR WAS FOLDING THE BELT OVER, WHICH CAUSED IT TO JAM. THE DEALERSHIP ADVISED THE CONTACT THE SEAT BELT RETRACTOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT SPOKE WITH THE MANUFACTURER. AND THEY INFORMED HIM THIS WAS NOT COVERED UNDER THE WARRANTY. THE CURRENT MILEAGE ON THE VEHICLE WAS 28,000. *AK THE CONSUMER PROVIDED THE INVOICE FOR REPAIR AND PICTURES BEFORE THE REPAIR. UPDATE 05/04/07*TR

Suspension › Rear › Springs › Coil Springs
Filed Mar 6, 2007OH

REAR SPRINGS BREAKING ON MERCURY SABLES AND FORD TAURUS. MY SABLE IS A 2001. THE SERVICE MANAGER TOLD ME THAT IT HAPPENS VERY OFTEN. *JB

Structure › Frame and Members › Underbody Shields
Filed Mar 1, 200781,000 milesTX

TL* - THE CONTACT CALLED REGARDING THE 2001 MERCURY SABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING SHE FELT VIBRATION BY THE GAS PEDAL. A MECHANIC DIAGNOSED THE FAILURE AS THE LEFT AND RIGHT FRONT FRAME MOUNTS SHEARED OFF. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 81,000. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT HE WILL CALL FORD BECAUSE HE HAD NEVER SEEN THIS TYPE OF FAILURE, AND DID NOT KNOW WHAT TO DO TO REPAIR IT.

Air Bags › Frontal › Sensor/Control Module
Filed Feb 27, 200765,000 milesFL

MY CAR HAS A DEFECT WHICH HAS BEEN REPAIRED UNDER WARRANTY 3 TIMES AND NOW IT LOOKS LIKE A 4TH THAT COULD BE AT MY EXPENSE. *NM

Suspension › Rear › Springs › Coil Springs
Filed Feb 20, 200783,000 milesIN

TL*- THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 MERCURY SABLE AND WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AT A SPEED OF 65 MPH THE CONTACT HEARD A RUBBING NOISE COMING FROM THE VEHICLE, BUT DIDN'T KNOW EXACTLY WHERE IT WAS COMING FROM UNTIL HE ARRIVED HOME. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE NOTICED THE DRIVER SIDE REAR SPRING WAS CRACKED AND THAT THE SHARP END OF THE SPRING WENT INTO THE TIRE. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE INTO THE LOCAL MECHANIC AND THE MECHANIC REPLACED BOTH REAR SPRINGS. THE CONTACT CAN PROVIDE SPRINGS IF NEEDED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGE WERE BOTH 83,000.*AK THE DEALER INFORMED CUSTOMER THAT STRUTS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AS WELL AND CUSTOMER WANTS TO REIMBURSED FOR OUT OF POCKET EXPENSE TOTALING $564.74. CUSTOMER STATES CAR WAS FINE UNTIL REAR SPRING BROKE. UPDATE 4/25/07*TR

Visibility › Defroster/Defogger/Hvac System
Filed Feb 19, 200784,000 milesMD

THE HEATER BLEND DOOR IS BROKEN. *NM

Reading these

NHTSA publishes every complaint as the owner wrote it and investigates only a fraction. Spelling, capitalisation and judgement are the filer’s own. What carries weight is repetition: the same component failing the same way across many filings, and whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.

Full record for the 2001 Mercury Sable → · Every Sable year → · How the figures are calculated →