VehicleVerdict

2002 Mercury Sable problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 541 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 2.2 times the median Sable year — the 2002 model ranks #3 of 25 Sable years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list. Reports tied to this model year include 2 deaths and 25 injuries, per the complaint records themselves.

The trouble concentrates in one system: suspension issues account for 50% of all reports (268 of 541), far ahead of speed control at 56.

541

NHTSA complaints

4

Recalls

4

Investigations

39

Crash-involved

5

Fires reported

25

Injuries

2

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2002 compare to other Sable years?

Sable NHTSA complaints by model year, 2002 highlighted981 complaints1984: 1 complaints1985: 0 complaints1986: 55 complaints1987: 105 complaints1988: 189 complaints1989: 300 complaints1990: 220 complaints1991: 346 complaints1992: 517 complaints1993: 981 complaints1994: 534 complaints1995: 485 complaints1996: 391 complaints1997: 326 complaints1998: 243 complaints1999: 302 complaints2000: 578 complaints2001: 528 complaints2002: 541 complaints2003: 251 complaints2004: 75 complaints2005: 112 complaints2006: 2 complaints2008: 81 complaints2009: 27 complaints
Sable NHTSA complaints by model year, 2002 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Sable years to avoid →

What are the most common 2002 Mercury Sable problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Suspension26850%
Speed Control5610%
Visibility & Wipers295%
Brakes275%
Airbags255%
Engine244%
Transmission234%
Electrical System204%
Tires & Wheels153%
Lighting143%
Body & Structure132%
Fuel System92%
Other51%
Steering41%
Latches & Locks41%
Seat Belts31%
Climate Control (A/C & Heat)10%
Child Seat10%

Does the 2002 Mercury Sable have recalls?

4 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

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.

04V106000LightingMarch 2, 2004 · 938,789 units

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 ALSO CAUSE THE BATTERY TO DISCHARGE.

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.

03V087000Visibility & WipersMarch 10, 2003 · 67,894 units

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.

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.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MERCURY SABLE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A RUBBING SOUND FROM THE DRIVER SIDE REAR TIRE. HE NOTICED SMOKE AND IMMEDIATELY PULLED OFF THE ROAD. THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE WAS EXTREMELY LOW. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Suspension · September 3, 2007 · fire

“THIS HAS CAUSED ME MUCH PROBLEMS AS MY BROTHER NO LONGER LET'S ME DRIVE MY MOM'S CAR THINKS HE'S RUNNING THE SHOW WHICH IS QUICKLY CHANGING... PULLED INTO GARAGE AT 2 MILES A HOUR. SPEED RAPIDLY CHANGED COULDN'T STOP CENTER PINGED THE WASHER AND DRYER END OF THEM. I'M VERY SICK AND UNABLE TO GO TO…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Speed Control · July 25, 2013 · crash

“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.…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Visibility & Wipers · September 25, 2007

“WHILE DRIVING A TRACTOR TRAILER JUMPED IN FRONT OF CONSUMER'S VEHICLE. DRIVER APPLIED THE BRAKES AND THE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR. DRIVER LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND SLID UNDERNEATH TRACTOR TRAILER. THE DRIVER'S SIDE AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY, BUT THE PASSENGER'S SIDE AIR BAG DID DEPLOY. DRIVER…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · March 25, 2005 · crash

“WHILE DRIVING A TRACTOR TRAILER JUMPED IN FRONT OF CONSUMER'S VEHICLE. DRIVER APPLIED THE BRAKES AND THE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR. DRIVER LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND SLID UNDERNEATH TRACTOR TRAILER. THE DRIVER'S SIDE AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY, BUT THE PASSENGER'S SIDE AIR BAG DID DEPLOY. DRIVER…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Airbags · March 25, 2005 · crash

2002 Mercury Sable — common questions

Is the 2002 Mercury Sable reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 541 complaints put the 2002 model at #3 of 25 Sable years. It is one of the Sable years to avoid.

What are the most common 2002 Sable problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are suspension (268 complaints), speed control (56 complaints), visibility & wipers (29 complaints).

Does the 2002 Mercury Sable have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns affecting the 2002 Mercury Sable. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 2002 Mercury Sable under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened 4 investigations into this model year; all are now closed.

Which Mercury Sable years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Sable years to avoid are 1993, 2000, 2002, 1994, 2001, 1992, 1995, 1996. The cleanest record among Sable years belongs to 1985.

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.