NHTSA lists 4 recalls for the 2002 Mercury Sable; the most frequently affected component is service brakes, hydraulic — pads. Owners filed 457 complaints, most often about suspension. Among the 6 model years of this model in the database, 2002 ranks #3 for number of recalls.
Service brakes, hydraulic — PadsCampaign 16E026000 · 01 Apr 2016
Problem: 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.
Risk: 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.
Exterior lighting — SwitchCampaign 04V106000 · 02 Mar 2004
Problem: 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.
Risk: 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.
Visibility — WindshieldCampaign 03V087000 · 10 Mar 2003
Problem: 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.
Risk: 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 — Pedals and linkagesCampaign 02V266000 · 02 Oct 2002
Problem: 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.
Risk: 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 complain about
Share of the 40 most recent complaints stored for this model year, by component. Owners can list more than one component.
Suspension13 · 32%
Vehicle speed control11 · 28%
Exterior lighting5 · 12%
Service brakes4 · 10%
Power train4 · 10%
Electrical system4 · 10%
Engine3 · 8%
Unknown or other3 · 8%
When complaints were filed
201411
20158
201611
20174
20182
20201
20211
20222
From owner complaints
Miles 70,290 (acc) i was driving ob the highway , to avoid a crash i had to stop quickly. All indicator lamps came on but the car did not shut off. Small clouds of smoke from exhaust (white-grey). It was parked for 2 days , start up was fine driving was fine also. Once again a( lead foot) driver cut me and another car…
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 mercury sable. While driving in reverse. The front passenger spring and strut fractured. The contact mentioned that the front passenger wheel was damaged due to the failure. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic. The technician verified the failure of the front passenger spring…
Our 2002 sable was brought in for an emergency brake cable issue. While working on the rear brakes, the mechanic noticed that a rear suspension spring was broken. He said we were very lucky it did not rupture the tire. We had both rear springs replaced, because we did not know what caused it to break. After that work…
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 mercury sable. While driving 25 mph, the headlights failed to remain illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The vehicle was not included in nhtsa campaign number: 04v106000 (exterior lighting). The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage…
Recall and complaint records from the US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). A recall listed here may not apply to every vehicle of this model year — always check your VIN with NHTSA or a dealer.