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 2002 record →
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MERCURY SABLE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 3 MPH IN REVERSE OUT OF HIS DRIVEWAY, HE HEARD A LOUD BANGING NOISE. UPON FURTHER INVESTIGATION, HE OBSERVED THAT THE COIL SPRINGS HAD FRACTURED AND PIERCED ONE OF THE TIRES. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 86,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 93,000.
HI I AM WRITING ABOUT MY 17-YEAR-OLD SON'S CAR. IT IS A 2002 MERCURY SABLE. HE HAD A BLOW-OUT 4 NIGHTS AGO WHICH PROMPTED HIM TO CALL AAA TO CHANGE IT AT 11:30 P.M. THE NEXT DAY WE WENT TO GET A NEW TIRE FOR THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE, THEY PUT A NEW TIRE ON IT, WE PAID THEM AND PROCEEDED TO BACK OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY AND THE TIRE WENT FLAT. THE MECHANIC THEN TOOK THE TIRE OFF AND TOLD US WE HAD A BROKEN COIL SPRING THAT WAS PUNCTURING THE TIRES. WE THEN TOOK THE CAR TO THE GARAGE TO HAVE THIS SPRING REPLACED FOR $150 AND UPON DRIVING THE CAR INTO THE SHOP THE OTHER SIDE BROKE AND PUNCTURED THE LEFT TIRE. SO NOW MY BILL IS UP TO $300 ALREADY AND HE HASN'T EVEN CHECKED THE REAR COILS YET. IT IS VERY FRUSTRATING TO ME TO SEE THAT THEY HAD RECALLS FOR THE 2001 SABLE AND OBVIOUSLY THEY HAVEN'T FIXED THE PROBLEM. THIS WAS A VERY TERRIFYING THING FOR ME TO DRIVE TO STAY WITH MY SON WHILE WAITING FOR AAA AND TO SEE THIS TIRE THAT WAS SPLIT IN HALF. MY SON WAS ONLY MINUTES FROM GETTING ONTO THE HIGHWAY WHERE THIS COULD HAVE BEEN A HORRIFIC ACCIDENT. I HAVE READ LOTS OF COMPLAINTS ON THE INTERNET ABOUT THE 2002 HAVING PROBLEMS SO MY QUESTION IS WHY HASN'T ANYTHING BEEN DONE YET. I SURE HOPE IT DOESN'T HAVE TO COME TO SOMEONE GETTING HURT OR EVEN WORSE BEFORE THIS PROBLEM IS FIXED. *TR
IN FEBRUARY 2010 WHILE LEAVING OUR HOME HEADING TOWARDS HIGHWAY I NOTICED THE CAR HANDLING UNUSUAL. PULLED OFF TO THE SIDE AND HAD A FRONT LEFT FLAT TIRE. HAD THE TIRE CHANGED IT WAS TOTALLY SHREDDED ON THE INSIDE AND WAS NOT ABLE TO MOVE THE CAR. AFTER INSPECTING THE TIRE THERE WAS A PIECE OF BROKEN COIL SPRING INSIDE THE TIRE. MY CAR NOW SITS IN THE DRIVEWAY BECAUSE OF THE COST FORD WANTS TO REPAIR THE PROBLEM AND IF I HAVE IT REPAIRED "I CAN PURSUE A REFUND IF A RECALL IS MADE". THIS HAS CAUSED NOW THE NEED TO ALSO HAVE TO PURCHASE NEW TIRES. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MERCURY SABLE. WHILE EXITING A PARKING SPACE, THERE WAS A LOUD BANGING NOISE. THE CONSUMERS DAUGHTER DISCOVERED THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE TIRE WAS PUNCTURED . THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE THEY FOUND THE SUSPENSION COIL SPRING SNAPPED AND PUNCTURED THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE TIRE. THERE WAS CURRENTLY AN OPEN INVESTIGATION FOR THE DESCRIBED FAILURE (SEE NHTSA ACTION NUMBER EA08018: COMPONENT :SUSPENSION:FRONT:SPRINGS:COIL SPRINGS) HOWEVER THERE WERE NO RECALLS. UPDATED 04/13/10. *LJ UPDATED 10/12/10*JB
A FRONT COIL SPRING BROKE AND PUNCTURED MY FRONT TIRE ON MY 2002 MERCURY SABLE. IT HAPPENED WHEN I WAS PULLING OUT OF A PARKING SPOT. I HAD IT TOWED TO A DEALERSHIP FOR REPAIRS. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MERCURY SABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ALL FOUR DOORS ON HIS VEHICLE REMAINED UNLOCKED WHENEVER HE WAS DRIVING. IMMEDIATELY AFTER HIS VEHICLE WAS STARTED THE WARNING LIGHTS CAME ON AND THE DOORS UNLOCKED. THE CONTACT HAD TO LOCK MANUALLY LOCK THE DOORS. THE FORD MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THEY WOULD NOT REPAIR THE VEHICLE; HOWEVER, THEY OFFERED THE CONTACT NO EXPLANATION. THE DEALER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 94,000. UPDATED 3/10/10 *CN UPDATED 05/10/10*JB
SUSPENSION SPRING BRAKING. *TR
WHILE BACKING OUT OF A DRIVEWAY THE FRONT RIGHT COIL SPRING FRACTURED AND TORE A 1FOOT LONG HOLE ON THE INSIDE WALL OF THE TIRE. THE CAR WAS TOWED TO A REPAIR FACILITY, WHERE BESIDE THE FRONT RIGHT COIL SPRING AND TIRE REPLACEMENT, I HAD BOTH FRONT STRUT ASSEMBLIES REPLACED ON EACH SIDE. I HAVE THE SPRING AND TIRE. EVIDENCE OF CORROSION ON SPRING, MILEAGE 101000. I CONTACTED FORD AND THEY TOLD ME THERE WAS NO RECALL AND THEY COULDN'T DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT. I SUBSEQUENTLY FOUND OUT THAT THE 2001S WERE RECALLED FOR THE SAME PROBLEM, AND THE SOLUTION WAS TO INSTALL A SPRING SHIELD. FORD DID NOT TELL ME ANYTHING ABOUT IT. I AM APPALLED THAT THE PROBLEM WAS RECOGNIZED IN 01 AND WAS NOT RECTIFIED BY 02, AND THAT I WAS NOT TOLD ANYTHING ABOUT A PREVENTABLE SPRING SHIELD ON THE 01S. WHY SHOULD I HAVE TO PAY FOR SOMETHING OR WORRY ABOUT A POTENTIALLY LIFE THREATENING SITUATION, FOR WHICH FORD APPEARS TO BE FULLY AWARE OF. *TR
SPRING ON FRONT STRUTS BROKE ON BOTH SIDES, CAUSING TIRE BLOWOUT AND POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS CONDITION. SPRINGS WERE BROKEN AT IDENTICAL POINTS AND SHOW PARTIAL RUST PRIOR TO BREAKING INDICATING A DEFECTIVE MANUFACTURER OF THE SPRING. *TR
MY 2002 MERCURY SABLE HAS BROKEN ALL FOUR COIL SPRINGS, BOTH SETS IN MULTIPLE FRACTURES IN EACH SPRING. ALTHOUGH THEY ADMIT THIS IS FREQUENT (THE LOCAL DEALER SERVICE GARAGE SAID THAT THEY HAD SEEN HUNDREDS OF 02S WITH THIS PROBLEM, I BELIEVE THAT THE 450 OR SO SHOWN ON THIS SITE ON THIS SITE IS VERY FAR OFF) THE FRONT PAIR BROKE AROUND THE 50,000 MARK, IT TOOK ABOUT FIVE VISITS TO THE DEALER TO GET EVEN LIMITED CREDIT TOWARD REPLACEMENT. THE FAILURE WAS PROGRESSIVE, SAG WAS ONLY NOTICED WHEN IT GOT EXTREME. INTERESTINGLY THEY DID BREAK IN PAIRS. TIRE DAMAGE OCCURRED WHEN ONE EDGE OF THE SPRING PROTRUDED INTO THE TIRE. THEY REFUSED TO ALLOW ME TO KEEP THE SPRING/STRUT COMBO(THE STRUTS WERE LEAKING FROM THE ADDED ABUSE AND TRAVEL) THE SPRING LOOKED TO HAVE BROKEN THROUGH INCLUSIONS IN THE STEEL, FROM MY AUTO INDUSTRY CONNECTIONS, I FOUND THESE HAD BEEN SOURCED IN CHINA, AND WERE HOLD-OVERS FROM THE 2001 MODEL. AT ABOUT THE 80,000 MILE MARK, THE REAR SPRINGS WERE OBVIOUSLY FAILED, AGAIN MULTIPLE CRACK POINTS, ONE TIRE WAS GOUGED OUT BY THE PROTRUDING SPRING. DEALER SERVICE AGAIN INDICATED THAT NO HELP WAS BEING ISSUED, DESPITE AGAIN IN THEIR WORDS HUNDREDS OF COMPLAINTS I STILL HAVE BOTH THE DAMAGED TIRE AND SPRING/STRUT COMBOS. AGAIN, THE FRACTURE SURFACE WAS MARKED WITH INCLUSIONS, AND VOIDS, CORROSION LOOKED TO BE SECONDARY. I HAVE RUN INTO AT LEAST FIVE ADDITIONAL OWNERS WHO HAVE A FRACTURE AND WERE DENIED ANY SATISFACTION FROM FORD. FORD ZONE AND REGIONAL PEOPLE UNDERPLAY
ON 1/21/2010 I DISCOVERED THAT THE RIGHT DRIVER SIDE SPRING ON MY 2002 MERCURY SABLE HAD BROKE AND PUNCTURED THE NEARBY TIRE. SOMEHOW (LUCKILY) THIS HAPPENED WHILE THE CAR WAS PARKED. I DISCOVERED THAT THERE HAD BEEN A RECALL FOR THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM ON 1999-01 SABLES THAT INCLUDED THE INSTALLATION OF A PROTECTIVE SHIELD TO PREVENT A BROKEN SPRING FROM PUNCTURING A TIRE. THIS RECALL WAS NOT ISSUED UNTIL JULY 2004, WELL AFTER MY VEHICLE HAD BEEN MANUFACTURED. OBVIOUSLY MY VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN EQUIPPED WITH ANYTHING TO PREVENT THE EXACT PROBLEM THAT INITIATED THE OTHER RECALL AND AS SUCH I CANNOT UNDERSTAND WHY MY OWN VEHICLE WOULD NOT BE ALSO RECALLED. I AM REQUESTING THAT SOMETHING BE DONE. THIS IS A VERY, VERY SERIOUS DEFECT AND I AM BAFFLED AS TO HOW IT WAS OVERLOOKED WHEN OLDER MODEL CARS WERE RECALLED FOR THE SAME PROBLEM. *TR
HIT THE BRAKES WHILE DRIVING AND THE ENGINE REVS UP. MULTIPLE TIMES TO DEALER AND STILL NOT FIXED- I REQUESTED A NEW COMPUTER OR BRAIN FOR THE CAR WHILE UNDER EXTENDED WARRANTY- NO GO FROM DEALER. ON SNOW THIS IS VERY SCARY-ON WET ROADS IN FLORIDA I PUT IT IN NEUTRAL AND THE ENGINE REVS WHEN I HIT THE BRAKES-WHEN SOMEONE GETS HIT AND KILLED I WILL BE TOLD I SHOULD HAVE TOLD SOMEONE -MULTIPLE DRIVERS AND PEOPLE HAVE BEEN WITH ME WHEN THIS HAS OCCURRED- INCLUDING MECHANICS FROM A LINCOLN MERCURY DEALER IN ORCHARD PARK NY. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MERCURY SABLE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH INTO HIS DRIVEWAY; SUDDENLY, A LOUD NOISE CAME FROM OUTSIDE OF THE VEHICLE AND THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE COLLAPSED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER. THE FAILURE WAS CONTRIBUTED TO A BROKEN FRONT DRIVER SIDE COIL SPRING. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED PER THE SERVICE WARRANTY. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.
AS I WAS BEGINNING TO BACK MY CAR OUT OF MY DRIVEWAY, THE LEFT, FRONT SUSPENSION COIL SPRING BROKE, RUPTURED THE TIRE, AND PUT A 4-8" GASH INTO THE BACK OF TIRE. I HAD TO HAVE THE CAR TOWED TO A DEALER FOR REPAIR. THE DEALER'S RECOMMENDATION WAS TO REPLACE THE COIL SPRINGS ON BOTH SIDES, AS THIS WAS THE RECOMMENDATION FROM A RECALL OF EARLIER MODELS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. AFTER THE REPAIRS WERE MADE, I HAD TO BRING THE VEHICLE TO A TIRE DEALER FOR A REPLACEMENT TIRE. THIS ALSO INVOLVED HAVING TO GET AN ALIGNMENT. FORTUNATELY, THIS INCIDENT OCCURRED IN MY DRIVEWAY - WE WERE ABOUT TO LEAVE AND WOULD HAVE BEEN ON A HIGHWAY IN A MATTER OF MINUTES. NO INJURIES, BUT THIS COULD HAVE BEEN CATASTROPHIC. *TR
THIS COMPLAINT MAY BE RELATIVE TO NHTSA ACTION NUMBER EA08018. THIS IS IN REGARDS TO MY 2002 MERCURY SABLE. ON 8-27-09 I WAS DRIVING AT A SLOW SPEED ON A RESIDENTIAL STREET WHEN I HEARD AND FELT A LOUD POP FOLLOWED BY A FRICTION GRINDING AND BEFORE I COULD SLOW TO A STOP, MY REAR TIRE BLEW. BOTH REAR COIL SPRINGS HAD BROKEN WITH ONE OF THE SPRINGS PIERCING A TIRE. REPLACEMENT OF THE REAR ASSEMBLIES AND TIRE COST ME APPROXIMATELY $1200. I FEEL THAT IF I WAS GOING AT A HIGHER RATE OF SPEED, I WOULD HAVE BEEN IN A DANGEROUS ACCIDENT. I WAS HEADED TO THE EXPRESSWAY THAT DAY AND WAS GLAD I NEVER MADE IT TO A HIGH RATE OF SPEED. TODAY ON 1-3-2010, I WAS BACKING MY CAR FROM A GARAGE WHEN I HEARD THE LOUD POP AGAIN FOLLOWED BY THE HISSING OF MY RIGHT FRONT TIRE. THIS TIME THE RIGHT FRONT COIL SPRING CRACKED AND PIERCED MY TIRE. AFFORDING TO FIX THIS DEFECT IS ONE HEADACHE. I AM LOOKING AT TOW AND REPAIR FEES. WORRYING WHEN THE FINAL COIL WILL BREAK CONCERNS ME MORE, AS I DRIVE THE HIGHWAY ALOT. THIS DEFECT SHOULD BE RECALLED. AS OF THE TIME OF THIS COMPLAINT, MY VEHICLE HAS YET TO BE REPAIRED, AND I WILL SAVE THE OLD PARTS FOR EXAMINATION IF REQUESTED. I DO LIVE IN A "SALT BELT STATE", ILLINOIS, BUT MY CAR IS GARAGE KEPT. IT ONLY HAS 56,000 MILES ON IT. I HAVE OWNED THIS VEHICLE SINCE 2004 AND NOT ONLY HAS IT BEEN GARAGE KEPT, BUT NEVER USED TO HAUL HEAVY LOADS OR ANYTHING TO COMPROMISE THE COIL SPRINGS. THEY JUST SNAP AND TEAR UP YOUR TIRES. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MERCURY SABLE. THE CONTACT STATED AS HE WAS DRIVING THE FRONT PASSENGER COIL SPRINGS BROKE AND RIPPED THE TIRE OPENED. CONTACT HAD TO REPLACE THE TIRES WITH THE SPARE AND DROVE IT HOME. THE DEALER OR MANUFACTURER HAVE NOT BEEN CONTACTED IN REGARDS TO THE PROBLEM. THERE IS A DEFECT INVESTIGATION NHTSA# EA08018, COMPONENT : SUSPENSION:FRONT:SPRINGS:COIL SPRINGS, OPENED SINCE AUGUST 28, 2008 AND IS STILL OPENED. VIN NUMBER IS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE IS 102,000....MW
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MERCURY SABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT BOTH REAR COIL SPRINGS BROKE AND PUNCTURED THE REAR DRIVER AND PASSENGER TIRES. A LOCAL MECHANIC REPLACED THE REAR COIL SPRINGS, THE TIRES AND THE BRAKES AT THE OWNERS EXPENSE FOR $2000. THE CONTACT HAS NOT NOTIFIED THE MANUFACTURER OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 89,000.
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MERCURY SABLE. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH IN THE DRIVEWAY AND HEARD A LOUD NOISE OUTSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. HE IMMEDIATELY SHUT THE ENGINE OFF AND OBSERVED THAT THE REAR DRIVER SIDE STRUT WAS BROKEN. THE VEHICLE IS IN THE PROCESS OF BEING TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR INSPECTION. THERE ARE PHOTOGRAPHS AVAILABLE OF THE DEFECTIVE COMPONENT. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 125,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MERCURY SABLE. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO DRIVE HE NOTICED THAT THE DRIVER-SIDE FRONT TIRE WAS FLAT. UPON FURTHER INSPECTION HE NOTICED THAT THE COIL SPRING HAD FRACTURED AND THEN PUNCTURED THE TIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP IN WHICH THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT BOTH FRONT COIL SPRINGS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 70000.
RIGHT FRONT SPRING BROKE, PUNCTURING THE TIRE. THANKFULLY, WE WERE JUST PULLING OUT OF THE GARAGE, NOT DRIVING ON THE EXPRESSWAY AT 70 MPH. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MERCURY SABLE. THREE OF THE STEEL WHEELS HAVE DEVELOPED CRACKS. THIS CONDITIONS CAUSES THE TIRES TO LOSE AIR PRESSURE. A TECHNICIAN FROM THE DEALER CONFIRMED THE FAILURE, BUT REFERRED HIM TO THE MANUFACTURER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED, BUT NO ASSISTANCE WAS PROVIDED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 98,000. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 85,000.
I PURCHASED A 2002 MERCURY SABLE IN SEPTEMBER, 2006. ON JANUARY 19, 2007 WHILE TURNING INTO MY DRIVEWAY GOING 3-5 MILES AN HOUR BOTH FRONTAL AIRBAGS DEPLOYED CAUSING AN ESTIMATED $3,000.00 TO $4,000.00 IN DAMAGES. THE DEALER HAS REFUSED TO ASSIST ME SAYING I BOUGHT THE CAR "AS IS". THEY TOLD ME TO FILE THE CLAIM WITH MY INSURANCE COMPANY. THE INSURANCE COMPANY SAID THEY COULD DO NOTHING "THERE WAS NO IMPACT". FORD MOTOR COMPANY SAID THERE WAS A 50,000 MILE WARRANTY. YOUR DEPARTMENT SENT ME A SERVICE TECHNICAL BULLETIN STATING THAT FORD KNEW OF THIS PROBLEM IN MAY, 2002. I HAVE BEEN UNABLE TO GET ANYONE (IE: DEALER, INSURANCE COMPANY, FINANCE COMPANY, OR MANUFACTURER) TO HELP ME WITH THIS ISSUE. IN FEBRUARY OF THIS YEAR 2009, THE FUEL PUMP, DRIVER, COMPUTER, AND TRANSMISSION WENT OUT IN THIS CAR. I HAVE SPENT OVER $1,600.00 IN REPAIR OF THIS VEHICLE . DUE TO THE DEPRECIATION OF THE CAR, THE MECHANICAL FAILURES, AND THE SAFETY ISSUE OF NO AIRBAGS THE VEHICLE IS WORTH NOTHING. I STILL OWE THE FINANCE COMPANY $6,000.00 AND HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO DRIVE THE CAR FOR THE LAST 10 MONTHS. I WAS RECENTLY DIRECTED TO RESEARCH THE CONSUMER RIGHTS ACT OF 1974, THE MAGNUSON-MOSS WARRANTY ACT, SALE OF GOODS ACT 1979, ALABAMA LEMON LAWS, BUYERS REMORSE LAW, TRADE COMMISSION ACT, UNIFORM COMMERCIAL CODE, AND CONSUMER RIGHTS WHEN BUYING A USED CAR BY THE BBB. I HAVE BEEN DENIED MY RIGHTS. NO CONSUMER SHOULD HAVE TO EXPERIENCE WHAT I HAVE. EVERY CONSUMER HAS THE RIGHT TO EXPECT A CAR THEY PURCHAS
LEAKING CONNECTION BETWEEN WINDSHIELD WATER AND BLOWING MOTOR OF HEATING/VENTILATION CAUSING WINDOWS TO FOG UP AFTER STARTING AND BEGINNING DRIVING. WHEN OPENING THE BLOWER MOTOR COMPARTMENT YOU CAN ACTUALLY WATER SEE DRIPPING OUT. ALSO A SOAKING WET FLOOR WILL OCCUR RIGHT AFTER A SEVERE RAINSTORM. THIS IS A MAYOR SAFETY ISSUE DUE TO BAD VISIBILITY! *TR
THIS IS A RECURRING PROBLEM WITH MY 2002 MERCURY SABLE. WATER LEAKS INTO THE INTERIOR BLOWER MOTOR AND SHORTS IT OUT. I'VE REPLACED THE MOTOR AND SWITCH 3 TIMES EACH OVER THE LAST YEAR AND IT KEEPS HAPPENING. FORD WANTS ABOUT $400 TO REPAIR. I DISCOVERED THAT A LOT OF PEOPLE HAVE THIS PROBLEM WITH THIS MAKE AND MODEL AND THE TAURUS. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MERCURY SABLE WHICH WAS PURCHASED IN 2006. HE STATED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE COIL SPRING BROKE ON THE VEHICLE WHILE IN THE REVERSE POSITION AT A SPEED OF LESS THAN 5 MPH. THE SHARP END OF THE COIL SPRING PUNCTURED THE TIRE AND FLATTENED IT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND ALTHOUGH THERE WERE NO RECALLS AN ENGINEERING ANALYSIS (NHTSA ACTION NUMBER : EA08018) WAS OPENED TO ASSESS THE FREQUENCY, SCOPE AND SAFETY CONSEQUENCES OF THE ALLEGED DEFECT. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE UNDER 77,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. UPDATED 10/5/09 *CN UPDATED 10/07/09*JB
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MERCURY SABLE. WHILE BACKING OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE TIRE FLATTENED. THE CONTACT EXAMINED THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE COIL SPRING PUNCTURED THE TIRE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 55,900.
I HAVE A 2002 MERCURY SABLE THAT HAS ONLY 55,623 MILES ON IT. BOTH OF THE REAR SPRINGS BROKE. THE SPRING ON THE DRIVERS SIDE BROKE IN A WAY THAT IT PUNCTURED THE TIRE. THANKFULLY I HAPPENED TO BE BACKING OUT OF MY DRIVE WAY WHEN I HEARD THE NOISE OF THE SPRING RUBBING AND NOT ON THE HIGHWAY WHEN THE TIRE WAS PUNCTURED. I THINK THE SPRINGS SHOULD LAST LONGER THAN 55,000 MILES. I CONTACTED MY DEALER WHO SAID THIS WAS NOT COVERED UNDER ANY WARRANTY. I WAS ALSO TOLD BY THE DEALER THAT MANY OTHER PEOPLE HAVE HAD THIS SAME PROBLEM. I CONTACTED FORD AND THEY WILL NOT COVER THIS REPAIR. I THINK THAT THIS COULD BE A VERY DANGEROUS FAILURE WHEN THE SPRING CAN BREAK IN A WAY THAT IT POPS THE TIRE SINCE PEOPLE COULD BE DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. FORD SHOULD BE RECALLING THIS VEHICLE AND REPLACING THESE SPRINGS. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MERCURY SABLE. WHILE DRIVING 10 MPH, THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE COIL SPRING FAILED AND PUNCTURED THE FRONT TIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP AND THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE COIL SPRING FAILED. THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY BEING REPAIRED. THE ESTIMATED REPAIR COST HAS NOT BEEN DISCLOSED. THE CONTACT IS IN THE PROCESS OF NOTIFYING THE MANUFACTURER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 45,000.
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MERCURY SABLE. IN NOVEMBER OF 2008, WHILE DRIVING 10 MPH, THE REAR COIL SPRING FAILED AND PUNCTURED ONE OF THE REAR TIRES. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED AT A TIRE DEALER. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. IN MARCH OF 2009, THE CONTACT BELIEVED THAT HE HAD A FLAT TIRE WHILE DRIVING. AAA ARRIVED AND INSPECTED THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE FRONT COIL SPRINGS FAILED AND CAUSED THE TIRE TO FLATTEN. THE DEALER STATED THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS FOR HIS MODEL VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER HAS NOT BEEN NOTIFIED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 105,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 98,000.
WHEN HAVING TO MAKE AN EMERGENCY STOP YOU BETTER PRAY, THIS IS ONE OF THE WORST CARS I HAVE EVER DRIVEN FOR HAVING TO MAKE A PANIC STOP. I HAVE HAD THIS PROBLEM CHECKED BY THE DEALER ONLY TO SAY THERE IS NO PROBLEM WELL, YES THERE IS IF I AM ONLY ONE OF 50 OTHER PEOPLE WHO SEEMS TO HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM. WHAT HAPPENED TO SAFETY FOR THE PEOPLE? *TR
LEFT FRONT SPRING BROKE AND PUNCTURED LEFT FRONT TIRE. OCCURRED AS VEHICLE WAS BEING BACKED OUT OF DRIVEWAY AT LOW SPEED. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO REPAIR SHOP. REPLACED BOTH FRONT STRUT SPRINGS, BOTH SWAY BAR LINKS, AND LEFT FRONT TIRE AT A COST OF $570. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MERCURY SABLE. WHILE AT A STOP LIGHT, THE VEHICLE BEGAN MOVING FORWARD WHILE THE CONTACT'S FOOT WAS DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL. THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO ACCELERATE AND WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, BUT THEY COULD NOT FIND ANY FAILURES. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN TO THE DEALER APPROXIMATELY THREE TIMES FOR THE SAME FAILURE. THE CONTACT BELIEVES THAT THE BRAKES MAY NOT BE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WILL BE TAKEN TO THE DEALER ON JUNE 4, 2009 FOR ANOTHER DIAGNOSIS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 38,500 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 39,000. UPDATED 07/24/09. *LJ
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MERCURY SABLE. WHILE BACKING OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE COIL SPRING FAILED. THE COIL SPRING CREATED A LOUD EXPLOSION AS IT PUNCTURED THE TIRE. THE TIRE WAS REPAIRED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 90,000.
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MERCURY SABLE. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD BANG. UPON FURTHER INSPECTION, HE NOTICED THAT THE DRIVER'S SIDE FRONT END COLLAPSED TO THE GROUND. HE STARTED THE VEHICLE AND HEARD A LOUD SOUND COMING FROM THE ENGINE. THE CONTACT EXITED THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED THAT THE TIRE WAS FLAT AND THAT SOMETHING HANGING FROM THE ENGINE SLICED THE TIRE. HE WAS UNABLE TO OPEN THE HOOD BECAUSE THE HOOD CABLE WAS DAMAGED DURING THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT IS IN THE PROCESS OF TOWING THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR FURTHER INSPECTION AND NOTIFYING THE MANUFACTURER. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 55,500.
2002 MERCURY SABLE THE FRONT SPRING BROKE AND PUNCTURED THE FRONT TIRE. THE SPRING CRACKED IN HALF. *TR
RECALL ELECTRICAL INSIDE LIGHTING. DISC PLAYER SHORTENING OUT, BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH COMING ON. THIS HAS BEEN REPAIRED TWICE WHAT CAN BE DONE TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM? *TR
WHILE BACKING-UP MY 2002 MERCURY SABLE, THE DRIVERS SIDE FRONT COIL SPRING SNAPPED AND PUNCTURED THE FRONT TIRE. *TR
I DRIVE A 2002 MERCURY SABLE. I WAS TURNING LEFT INTO A GAS STATION DRIVEWAY AND I HEARD A LOUD METAL SOUND, AS LOUD AS A GUNSHOT. I GOT OUT OF THE CAR AND LOOKED UNDERNEATH AND ALL AROUND THE AREA ADJACENT TO THE CAR BUT I COULD NOT SEE ANYTHING. I WAS ABLE TO DRIVE THE CAR TO A REPAIR SHOP WITHOUT INCIDENT, BUT EVERY TIME I WENT OVER THE SLIGHTBEST BUMP, THE CAR SOUNDED LIKE IT WAS GOING TO FALL APART (LOTS OF METAL SCRAPING NOISES). THE REPAIR SHOP SAID THAT MY FRONT COIL SPRINGS HAD BROKEN AND THAT I WAS LUCKY THAT THE SPRING HAD NOT PUNCTURED MY TIRE. THE MECHANIC CALLED FORD TO CHECK ON A RECALL FOR THE SPRINGS BECAUSE HE SAID THAT THIS WAS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM FOR FORD/MERCURY CARS. FORD INFORMED HIM THAT MY CAR WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. I WENT AHEAD WITH THE REPAIR WHICH WAS A COMPLICATED MESS BECAUSE OF TWISTING, RUST, ETC. MY BILL WAS CLOSE TO $900.00. I WAS JUST THANKFUL THAT NO ONE IN MY FAMILY WAS INJURED AS A RESULT OF THIS FAULTY EQUIPMENT. AS STATED IN MANY OF THE COMPLAINT FORUMS RELATING TO THIS SPRING PROBLEM, I AGREE THAT FORD IS JUST WAITING UNTIL THERE ARE DEATHS INVOLVED WITH THIS PROBLEM BEFORE THEY WILL TAKE ANY ACTION. JUST ANOTHER EXAMPLE OF WHAT IS WRONG WITH THE AMERICAN AUTOMOBILE INDUSTRY. I OWNED A SAAB FOR 18 YEARS UNTIL MY HUSBAND TOTALED IT. I OWNED A TOYOTA BEFORE THAT. THIS MERCURY WAS FORCED UPON ME BECAUSE OF MY ECONOMIC CONDITION AT THE TIME. I WILL NEVER OWN ANOTHER FORD/MERCURY VEHICLE AGAIN. JUST AN ADDED NOTE: MY HUSBAND JUST
I HAVE A 2002 MERCURY SABLE. THE FRONT SPRINGS BROKE AND RUINED A TIRE. I KNOW THIS IS A KNOWN DEFECT FOR FORD CO. WHY IS 2001 SABLE SPRINGS COVERED BUT NOT A 2002. I AM GLAD I WAS IN A PARKING LOT GOING SLOW INSTEAD OF 65 MPH ON THE THRUWAY, I MIGHT HAVE BEEN KILLED AND MY FAMILY TOO. FORD CO TOLD ME THAT THIS YEAR IS NOT COVERED ON THEIR RECALL. I THINK IT IS A BIG SAFETY ISSUE AND THEY SHOULD BE FORCED TO CORRECT THEIR DEFECTIVE SPRINGS. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MERCURY SABLE. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS UNDERGOING A STATE INSPECTION, THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE REAR COIL SPRINGS FAILED. HE HEARD A RATTLING NOISE COMING FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE PRIOR TO THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THEY CONFIRMED THE REAR COIL SPRING FAILURE. THE COIL SPRINGS, STABILIZER MOUNTS, AND TWO STABILIZERS WERE REPLACED AT THE COST OF $1,198. THE CONTACT IS IN THE PROCESS OF NOTIFYING THE MANUFACTURER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 73,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 73,010. UPDATED 04-14-09 *BF UPDATED 04/16/09.*JB
I AM THE OWNER OF A 2002 MERCURY SABLE. WHILE TRAVELING ON THE MASS PIKE , THERE WAS A GRINDING NOISE COMING FROM UNDERNEATH, AND IMMEDIATELY AFTER A BURNING SMELL. THE DRIVERS SIDE TIRE BLEW OUT. WE MANAGED TO THE GET THE SPARE TIRE ON AND GET TO A REPAIR SHOP. WE WERE TOLD THE FRONT COIL BROKE PUNCTURING THE TIRE, AND ALSO DAMAGING THE SWAY BAR LINK. THE REAR COIL ALSO WAS ALSO BROKEN AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED, AT A TOTAL COST OF $1005.00. WHEN THIS INCIDENT TOOK PLACE THE MILEAGE WAS JUST OVER 77,000 MILES.THIS IS A VERY SERIOUS PROBLEM , THAT COULD HAVE RESULTED IN VERY SERIOUS INJURIES. AS A RESULT OF THIS INCIDENT, I AM NOT VERY CONFIDENT IN DRIVING MY OWN CAR. BOTH THE DEALERSHIP AND FORD ASSURED ME THAT THIS WAS NOT PART OF A RECALL. *TR
PULLING BACKWARDS OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY A SUDDEN BANG OCCURRED AND THE FRONT LEFT END OF MY VEHICLE DROPPED. I PUT THE VEHICLE IN PARK AND CHECKED THE FRONT LEFT TIRE AND IT WAS COMPLETELY FLAT AND THE BOTTOM OF THE VEHICLE WAS NEARLY TOUCHING THE DRIVEWAY. I JACKED IT UP AND TOOK OFF THE TIRE AND THE 1ST COIL OF THE SPRING WAS SHEARED OFF AND TORE THE INSIDE SIDEWALL TREAD WITH 8" LENGTH TEAR. I ALSO NOTICED THAT THE SWAY BAR LINK WAS DESTROYED. *TR
FRONT SPRING BROKE ON 2002 MERCURY SABLE WHILE DRIVING. *TR
02 MERCURY SABLE HAS BROKEN REAR SPRING THAT CAUSED THE TIRE TO EXPLODE. IT IS GOING TO COST $450.00 TO HAVE REPAIRED PLUS A NEW TIRE. AFTER READING NUMEROUS OTHER COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE SAME, I AM AFRAID THIS MAY ALSO HAPPEN ON THE FRONT END. THE CARE ONLY HAS 70,000 MILES AND THERE IS NO SIGN ON RUST. *TR
WHEN BACKING MY CAR OUT OF THE GARAGE I HEARD A GRINDING NOISE WHICH SOUNDED LIKE THE FRONT PADS WERE GRINDING ON THE ROTOR....I TRIED TAPPING THE BRAKES TO NO AVAIL..I DROVE ABOUT 1/4 MILE AND THE NOISE WAS CONTINUING...I STOPPED AND NOTICED THE TIRE WAS GOING FLAT...I CHGD THE TIRE AND PUT ON MY DONUT SPARE AND DROVE TO WORK ABOUT 4-5 MILES...AT LUNCHTIME I DROVE TO MY TIRE DEALER AND WAS GOING TO HAVE THE FLAT FIXED...WHEN THEY TOOK MY DONUT OFF THEY INFORMED ME MY LEFT-FRONT COIL SPRING BROKE AND HAD PUNCTURED MY TIRE....THEY SAID TO LEAVE DONUT ON UNTIL I COULD GET BROKEN SPRING BROKE..THEY ALSO SAID TO CALL MY MERCURY DEALER BECAUSE THIS WAS SUCH A BIG PROBLEM THERE WAS A RECALL....I CALLED MY DEALER SOUTH HILLS LINC-MER IN SMCMURRAY, PENNA. AND GAVE THEM MY VIN # AND WAS TOLD MY CAR DIDN'T QUALIFY...2002 MERCURY SABLE LS...I THEN MADE AN APPT WITH MY BODY SHOP AND PAID &532.29 FOR NEW SPRINGS/STRUTS FOR THE FRONT END....THEY ALSO TOLD ME MY LEFT REAR SPRING IN PRESENTLY BROKE ALSO.. *TR
FRONT COIL BROKE OFF & CUT TIRE THERE WAS A RECALL ON 2000 & 2001 MODELS MINE IS A 2002 MERCURY SABLE THE RECALL WAS SABLE SUSPENSION FRONT SPRINGS COIL SPRINGS RECALL -ID #25630 WHAT IS ON THIS RECALL IS WHAT HAPPENED TO MY CAR FORD MOTOR CO. SAID IT WILL NOT COVER THIS RECALL IT IS THE SAME PROBLEM AS 2000&2001 THIS IS A SAFETY PROBLEM THAT SHOULD BE ADDRESSED. *TR
WAS BACKING OUT OF THE GARAGE AND A LOUD EXPLOSION TYPE OF NOISE WAS HEARD AND THE LEFT FRONT DRIVERS SIDE OF THE CAR WAS SITTING ON THE CONCRETE AND THE LEFT FRONT TIRE WAS BLOWN OUT. I WAS NOT EVEN ABLE TO DRIVE THE CAR AFTER APPLYING THE SPARE DONUT. GOT THE FRONT SPRING COIL AND TIRE REPAIRED FOR $480.00 I CALLED LIBERTY FORD (VERMILION, OHIO) DEALERSHIP AND WAS TOLD THAT THERE WAS NOT ANY RECALLS. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MERCURY SABLE. TWO YEARS AGO, THE COIL SPRING ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE OF THE VEHICLE FAILED AND THE FRONT TIRE EXPLODED WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN THE GARAGE. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE PASSENGER SIDE COIL SPRING ALSO FAILED AND PUNCTURED THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE TIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A MECHANIC AND REPAIRED. THE DEALER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 83,650. UPDATED 04/21/09. *LJ UPDATED 04/24/09.*JB
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MERCURY SABLE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE FRONT SUSPENSION COIL SPRING FRACTURED AND PUNCTURED THE TIRE. THERE WAS NO CRASH OR INJURIES. THE CONTACT CALLED AAA AND THE DEALER AND WAS INFORMED OF ALL THE DEFECTS WITH HER VEHICLE. THERE IS A NHTSA ACTION ID NUMBER EA08018 (SUSPENSION:FRONT:SPRINGS:COIL SPRINGS), BUT THE INVESTIGATION IS STILL OPEN. THE REPAIR AND PURCHASE COST FOR A NEW TIRE IS $150 PLUS THE COST OF THE COIL SPRINGS. THE CONTACT ALSO WROTE A COMPLAINT LETTER TO THE FORD MANUFACTURER AND WAS INFORMED TO PAY FOR THE REPAIR ON HER OWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 85,741.
IN MID-DECEMBER 2008 I PURCHASED 4 NEW TIRES FOR MY 2002 MERCURY SABLE. ON DECEMBER 24, 2008 WHILE DRIVING HOME I HAD A CATASTROPHIC FAILURE OF MY REAR PASSENGER TIRE. WHEN THE TIRE WAS PULLED, IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE REAR COIL SPRING HAD BROKEN, PUNCTURING THE TIRE. I FOUND THE FOLLOWING ON A WEBSITE: "THE OFFICE OF DEFECTS INVESTIGATION (ODI) HAS RECEIVED 355 COMPLAINTS FROM CONSUMERS RESIDING IN "SALT BELT" STATES THAT ALLEGE FRONT SUSPENSION COIL SPRING FRACTURE IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES. (NOTE: FOR PURPOSES OF THIS INVESTIGATION, THE "SALT BELT" INCLUDES CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, IOWA, MAINE, MARYLAND, MASSACHUSETTS, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA, MISSOURI, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW JERSEY, NEW YORK, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, RHODE ISLAND, VERMONT, WEST VIRGINIA AND WISCONSIN).APPROXIMATELY 72% OF THE COMPLAINANTS ALLEGE THE BROKEN COIL SPRING PUNCTURED THE ADJACENT TIRE . RESULTING IN LOSS OF INFLATION PRESSURE. ODI IS AWARE OF 3 ALLEGED CRASHES RELATED TO THE ALLEGED DEFECT RESULTING IN ONE PERSON INJURED.THE SUBJECT VEHICLES ARE SUBSTANTIALLY SIMILAR TO THOSE PREVIOUSLY INVESTIGATED BY ODI (PE02-080 AND PE04-044) AND RECALLED BY FORD (NHTSA RECALL NO. 04V-332).AN ENGINEERING ANALYSIS HAS BEEN OPENED TO ASSESS THE FREQUENCY, SCOPE AND SAFETY CONSEQUENCES OF THE ALLEGED DEFECT." I WOULD APPRECIATE IT IF SOMEONE COULD REVIEW THIS COMPLAINT. *TR
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 2002 Mercury Sable → · Every Sable year → · How the figures are calculated →