VehicleVerdict

2001 Mercury Sable brakes problems

The 2001 Mercury Sable has 40 brakes complaints filed with NHTSA — 8% of the year's total, and down from the prior model year.

40

Brakes complaints

8%

Share of year

14

Crash-involved

2

Related recalls

Brakes complaints by year

Sable brakes complaints by model year68 complaints1986: 2 complaints1987: 6 complaints1988: 4 complaints1989: 13 complaints1990: 13 complaints1991: 29 complaints1992: 52 complaints1993: 59 complaints1994: 27 complaints1995: 14 complaints1996: 20 complaints1997: 20 complaints1998: 32 complaints1999: 30 complaints2000: 68 complaints2001: 40 complaints2002: 27 complaints2003: 15 complaints2004: 12 complaints2005: 8 complaints2008: 6 complaints2009: 2 complaints
Sable brakes complaints by model year. Red bars are years to avoid.

Related recalls

16E026000BrakesApril 1, 2016 · 49,635 units

Defect

Bosch Brake Components LLC (Bosch) is recalling certain aftermarket replacement front brake pads, models Bosch QuietCast BC598 and BP765, Bosch Blue BE598 and BE598H, Prostop PD598 and PD765M, Duralast Gold DG598, Duralast MKD598, Stop Master ST598, UltraStop ULT598, UltraLife MX598 and MX765, BrakeBest MKD765, and Prostop Platinum PGD598. These brake pads, manufactured October 1, 2014, to October 31, 2015 are intended for use on 2001-2007 Ford Taurus, 2001-2005 Mercury Sable, 1995-1999 Ford Taurus SHO, 1995-2002 Lincoln Continental, and 1993-1998 Lincoln Mark VIII vehicles. The brake pad shim may shift out of position causing the shim to contact the brake disc resulting in damage to the disc.

Consequence

A damaged or broken brake disc may reduce a vehicle's braking power, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Bosch will instruct the owners how to have the affected brake pads replaced, free of charge. The recall began on May 26, 2016. Owners may contact Bosch customer service at 1-888-715-3616.

02V266000BrakesOctober 2, 2002 · 369,614 units

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 GREATER THAN 50 MM. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN OCTOBER 28, 2002. OWNERS WHO DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT FORD AT 1-866-436-7332.

What owners report

“TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 MERCURY SABLE. WHILE THE CONTACT'S SON WAS DRIVING 25 MPH ON JUNE 27, 2008, IT BEGAN TO RAIN SLIGHTLY. HE DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL, BUT THE BRAKES FAILED. THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT STOP AND CRASHED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKES HAD NEVER BEEN SERVICED PRIOR TO THE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · June 27, 2008 · crash

Common questions

How many brakes complaints does the 2001 Mercury Sable have?

NHTSA has 40 complaints about the 2001 Mercury Sable brakes — 8% of all complaints filed for that model year.

Are there recalls for the 2001 Mercury Sable brakes?

Yes — 2 NHTSA recall campaigns for this model year are tied to the brakes: 02V266000, 16E026000.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.