How many recalls does the 2002 Mercury Sable have?

The 2002 Mercury Sable has 3 NHTSA safety recall campaigns on record.

How do I check if my 2002 Mercury Sable has an open recall?

Enter your 17-character VIN at NHTSA's official recall lookup (nhtsa.gov/recalls) to see open, unrepaired recalls for your specific vehicle. Recall repairs are free.

What do owners complain about most on the 2002 Mercury Sable?

Of 541 NHTSA complaints on file, the most-reported component is suspension.

2002 Mercury Sable Recalls

Recalls on record Updated July 2026

The 2002 Mercury Sable has 3 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting an estimated 1,376,297 vehicles. Recall repairs are always free at any authorized dealer. Owners have filed 541 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the suspension. Last updated July 5, 2026.

Recall campaigns

EXTERIOR LIGHTING 04V106000 2004-03-02 938,789 affected

Defect

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.

Consequence

IN ADDITION, IF THE SWITCH AND/OR ASSOCIATED WIRING FAIL IN THE OPEN POSITION, THE BRAKE LIGHTS WILL NOT ACTUATE AND THE DRIVER WILL NOT BE ABLE TO SHIFT THE VEHICLE OUT OF "PARK" IF THEY FAIL IN THE CLOSED POSITION, THE BRAKE LIGHTS WILL REMAIN ON, WHICH WILL NOT ALLOW THE SPEED CONTROL TO BE ACTIVATED. THIS COULD…

Remedy

DEALERS WILL REMOVE THE STOP LAMP SWITCH AND ASSOCIATED WIRING ASSEMBLY AND INSTALL A NEWLY DESIGNED STOP LAMP SWITCH AND WIRE ASSEMBLY. OWNER NOTIFICATION IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN ON APRIL 5, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-392-3673.

VISIBILITY 03V087000 2003-03-10 67,894 affected

Defect

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.

Consequence

POTENTIAL LOSS OF WINDSHIELD RETENTION MAY ALSO REDUCE OCCUPANT PROTECTION IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THESE WINDSHIELDS. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON MARCH 31, 2003. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT FORD/MERCURY AT 1-800-392-3673.

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC 02V266000 2002-10-02 369,614 affected

Defect

CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH ADJUSTABLE PADELS ARE BEING RECALLED IN ORDER TO ADJUST THE BRAKE AND ACCELERATOR PEDALS TO A MINIMUM OF 50 MM OF LATERAL SEPARATION. SIMULTANEOUS APPLICATION OF BOTH THE BRAKE AND ACCELERATOR PEDALS COULD RESULT IN AN INCREASE IN ENGINE RPM.

Consequence

THIS COULD RESULT IN A CUSTOMER EXPERIENCING AN "UNINTENDED VEHICLE SPEED INCREASE" OR A PERCEIVED "UNABLE TO STOP" CONDITION.

Remedy

OWNERS WILL BE INSTRUCTED AS TO THE PROPER WAY TO SET THE POSITION OF THE PEDALS AND TO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO A DEALER TO HAVE THE SPACING BETWEEN THE BRAKE AND ACCELERATOR PEDALS MEASURED. IF THE SPACING IS FOUND TO BE LESS THAN 50 MM, THE DEALER WILL ADJUST THE PEDALS TO INCREASE THE DISTANCE BETWEEN THEM TO…

Complaints by component

SUSPENSION:FRONT:SPRINGS:COIL SPRINGS

SUSPENSION:FRONT

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

SUSPENSION

SUSPENSION:REAR

SUSPENSION:REAR:SPRINGS:COIL SPRINGS

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL

134

VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

Total complaints541

What owners report

Verbatim reports filed with NHTSA, lightly edited for readability and with personal information removed.

“10/2/2022 was on I 94 east bound lost momentum rpms jump to 6k then lost all gears in transmission car has 88639 miles on it hardly driven changed trans fluid hoping to get trans working again and still won't move in any gear had to wait 4 hours on freeway for a tow just to get it off the freeway…”

POWER TRAIN · reported 2022-10-02

“The contact owns a 2002 mercury sable. The contact stated while attempting to shift the vehicle out of park, the gear shifter failed to move out park. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken into a local mechanic where it was not diagnosed or repaired. Upon…”

UNKNOWN OR OTHER · reported 2021-05-10

“Tl* the contact owns a 2002 mercury sable. The contact stated that while reversing out of the driveway, the front driver's side tire exploded. The suspension coil spring on the driver's side fractured and slashed the tire causing the tire to explode. The contact stated that the suspension needed…”

SUSPENSION · reported 2020-09-24

“The contact owns a 2002 mercury sable. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle, the check engine warning light and transmission symbol remained illuminated. Additionally, while driving at various speeds, the vehicle would not properly accelerate. The contact stated that the vehicle…”

POWER TRAIN · reported 2018-11-01

“The contact owns a 2002 mercury sable. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle, the check engine warning light and transmission symbol remained illuminated. Additionally, while driving at various speeds, the vehicle would not properly accelerate. The contact stated that the vehicle…”

ENGINE · reported 2018-11-01

“Car fire due to recalled fuses had this car for 5 years and had no issues”

UNKNOWN OR OTHER · reported 2018-03-08

“Driving(in motion) on busy road(city street) near home, accelerated to 45mph, tried to slow down for light, removed foot off gas and car did not slow. Had to slam on brakes in order to avoid car stopped at light. Took all my strength on brake to keep car stopped. Put in neutral, no change. Put in…”

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL · reported 2017-05-21

“In motion the car wants to keeps accelerating even when you hit brake. And will stay the speed you are going or go faster. And you don't have to keep pushing accelerated. From start the rpms go straight to like 5 to 6 to 7 rpms and takes about 30 sec to idle down. I have tried everything to fix…”

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL · reported 2017-04-24

Defect investigations

Investigation EA08018 Opened 2008-08-28 · closed 2011-06-30

Front Suspension Coil Spring Fracture

To date, ODI is aware of 2,401 non-duplicative complaints related to the alleged defect. In addition, ODI is aware of 1,411 subject vehicles with one or more warranty claims related to the alleged defect. In total, ODI is aware of 3,645 unique subject vehicles that have experienced one or more front suspension coil…

Investigation PE12033 Opened 2012-10-24 · closed 2013-06-26

Speed control cable damage

On June 21, 2013, Ford initiated Customer Satisfaction Program 13B04 to address a concern with Speed Control Cable damage in certain model year (MY) 2000 through 2003 Taurus and Sable vehicles equipped with 3.0L 4V Duratec engines and built at the Chicago assembly plant.In the dealer letter for the program, Ford…

Investigation PE12033 Opened 2012-10-24 · closed 2013-06-26

Speed control cable damage

Investigation PE12033 Opened 2012-10-24 · closed 2013-06-26

Speed control cable damage

Investigation RP03001 Opened 2003-10-31 · closed 2004-03-23

BRAKE/ACCELERATOR PEDAL APPLICATION

MS. RODMAN REPORTED THAT AFTER HER VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED FOR THE RECALL, HER MOTHER EXPERIENCED A SUDDEN ACCELERATION AND CRASHED THE SABLE INTO A LIGHT POLE.PREVIOUSLY NHTSA HAD CONDUCTED AN INVESTIGATION FOR THIS ISSUE (PE02-035) THAT RESULTED IN THE RECALL (02V-266) OF 369,000 MY 2000-2002 TAURUS AND SABLE…