MYRModel Year Report

2002 Mercury Sable

◆ Worse than typical
2002 Mercury Sable
BUILT 2026-08-02

This year had 30% to 100% more complaints than this model's typical year.

This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.

How is this computed?

COMPLAINTS PER YEAR

Complaints per year, Mercury Sable Bar chart of distinct NHTSA complaints filed per model year, 2002 highlighted. 1984: 1 complaints 1984 1985: 0 complaints 1986: 46 complaints 1987: 76 complaints 1988: 126 complaints 1988 1989: 238 complaints 1990: 166 complaints 1991: 221 complaints 1992: 364 complaints 1992 1993: 674 complaints 1994: 387 complaints 1995: 350 complaints 1996: 304 complaints 1996 1997: 228 complaints 1998: 190 complaints 1999: 258 complaints 2000: 464 complaints 2000 2001: 430 complaints 2002: 440 complaints 2002 2003: 201 complaints 2004: 52 complaints 2004 2005: 83 complaints 2006: 1 complaints 2008: 61 complaints 2009: 20 complaints 2009
2002: 440 complaints
View as data table
YearComplaints
19841
19850
198646
198776
1988126
1989238
1990166
1991221
1992364
1993674
1994387
1995350
1996304
1997228
1998190
1999258
2000464
2001430
2002440
2003201
200452
200583
20061
200861
200920

KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS

SUSPENSION 22%

22% of complaints: suspension — 97 distinct reports on file.

SUSPENSION 15%

15% of complaints: suspension — 67 distinct reports on file.

CRASH INJURY
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL 11%

11% of complaints: vehicle speed control — 48 distinct reports on file.

CRASH INJURY
Show complaint excerpts

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.

NHTSA ODI report, 20130902

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MERCURY SABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DESCENDING A HILL AT UNKNOWN SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE ERRONEOUSLY ACCELERATED AND THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO A FENCE. THERE WERE NO INJURIES AND NO POLICE REPORT.

NHTSA ODI report, 20130729

SUSPENSION 10%

10% of complaints: suspension — 45 distinct reports on file.

CRASH
SUSPENSION 5%

5% of complaints: suspension — 24 distinct reports on file.

SAFETY TIMELINE

▮ 2002 — complaint volume: 440
R 20020913 — service brakes, hydraulic

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

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 S

Campaign 02V266000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20030331 — visibility

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,

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

Campaign 03V087000 — check if this car was fixed

I 20031023 — RQ (closed 20040305)

BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH FAILURE

I 20031031 — RP (closed 20040323)

BRAKE/ACCELERATOR PEDAL APPLICATION

R 20040405 — exterior lighting

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

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. OWN

Campaign 04V106000 — check if this car was fixed

I 20080828 — EA (closed 20110630)

Front Suspension Coil Spring Fracture

I 20121024 — PE (closed 20130626)

Speed control cable damage

R 20160526 — service brakes, hydraulic

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,...

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.

Campaign 16E026000 — check if this car was fixed

BUY-SMART CHECKLIST

2002 Mercury Sable — pre-purchase inspection

  • Test/inspect for suspension issues (97 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for suspension issues (67 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for vehicle speed control issues (48 reports on file for this year).
  • Verify recall 02V266000 (service brakes, hydraulic) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 03V087000 (visibility) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 04V106000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 16E026000 (service brakes, hydraulic) has been completed.
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL

BEST YEARS

▲ 1986 ▲ 2004 ▲ 2008

WORST YEARS

■ 1993 ■ 2000 ◆ 2001

See all years ranked →

FAQ

Is the 2002 Mercury Sable reliable?

Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2002 Mercury Sable is rated "worse than typical".

What are the most common problems with the 2002 Mercury Sable?

The most-reported component is suspension:front:springs:coil springs, accounting for 22% of complaints on file.

How many recalls does the 2002 Mercury Sable have?

4 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-07-11 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.