MYRModel Year Report

2003 Mercury Sable

● Typical for this model
2003 Mercury Sable
BUILT 2026-10-10

This year's complaint volume is within 30% of 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
201
Recalls
4

Campaigns on file for 2003

Investigations
4

Opened by NHTSA

Top problem
Suspension

25% of complaints

Complaints per year

1984: 1 complaint 1984 1985: 0 complaints 1986: 47 complaints 1987: 78 complaints 1987 1988: 129 complaints 1989: 242 complaints 1990: 168 complaints 1990 1991: 229 complaints 1992: 372 complaints 1993: 678 complaints 1993 1994: 388 complaints 1995: 350 complaints 1996: 304 complaints 1996 1997: 228 complaints 1998: 190 complaints 1999: 258 complaints 1999 2000: 464 complaints 2001: 430 complaints 2002: 440 complaints 2003: 201 complaints 2003 201 2004: 52 complaints 2005: 83 complaints 2006: 1 complaint 2008: 61 complaints 2009: 20 complaints 2009
1984: 1 complaint 1984 1985: 0 complaints 1986: 47 complaints 1986 1987: 78 complaints 1988: 129 complaints 1988 1989: 242 complaints 1990: 168 complaints 1990 1991: 229 complaints 1992: 372 complaints 1992 1993: 678 complaints 1994: 388 complaints 1994 1995: 350 complaints 1996: 304 complaints 1996 1997: 228 complaints 1998: 190 complaints 1998 1999: 258 complaints 2000: 464 complaints 2000 2001: 430 complaints 2002: 440 complaints 2003: 201 complaints 2003 201 2004: 52 complaints 2005: 83 complaints 2006: 1 complaint 2006 2008: 61 complaints 2009: 20 complaints 2009
1984: 1 complaint 1984 1985: 0 complaints 1985 1986: 47 complaints 1986 1987: 78 complaints 1987 1988: 129 complaints 1988 1989: 242 complaints 1989 1990: 168 complaints 1990 1991: 229 complaints 1991 1992: 372 complaints 1992 1993: 678 complaints 1993 1994: 388 complaints 1994 1995: 350 complaints 1995 1996: 304 complaints 1996 1997: 228 complaints 1997 1998: 190 complaints 1998 1999: 258 complaints 1999 2000: 464 complaints 2000 2001: 430 complaints 2001 2002: 440 complaints 2002 2003: 201 complaints 2003 201 2004: 52 complaints 2004 2005: 83 complaints 2005 2006: 1 complaint 2006 2008: 61 complaints 2008 2009: 20 complaints 2009

2003: 201 complaints

View as data table
YearComplaints
19841
19850
198647
198778
1988129
1989242
1990168
1991229
1992372
1993678
1994388
1995350
1996304
1997228
1998190
1999258
2000464
2001430
2002440
2003201
200452
200583
20061
200861
200920

Known problem areas

Percentages can add to more than 100% — a complaint can name more than one system.

Suspension

25% · 51 reports

Most commonly citing front and coil springs.

Power train

15% · 30 reports

Most commonly citing automatic transmission and driveline.

Vehicle speed control

14% · 29 reports

Most commonly citing accelerator pedal and cruise control.

Structure

10% · 20 reports

Most commonly citing body and door.

CRASHFIREINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

Car was completely stopped. When engaged into reverse, car made loud noise, tires squealed, engine raced and crashed into parked car behind it at high rate of speed.

NHTSA ODI report, 2015-06-09

1. The hood closes apparently fine, it does not open if I try to, however keeps opening every 20 minutes after driving. I could not find the cause. 2. Very strong smell of gas keeps ocurring, no signs or drops or viisual leak puddle.

NHTSA ODI report, 2017-11-19

Also filed under Fuel/propulsion system

Visibility

10% · 20 reports

Most commonly citing fan/motor and windshield.

Safety timeline

4 recalls · 4 investigations · oldest first

To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →

  1. R
    2003-03-31Visibility03V087000 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…

    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…

    Check if this car was fixed →

  2. I
    2003-10-23Recall queryClosed 2004-03-05 Brake light switch failure
  3. R
    2004-03-10Engine and engine cooling04V105000 On certain vehicles, the air filter paper in these vehicles can smolder or burn.

    Remedy: Dealers will replace the air filter element. Owner notification began on March 10, 2004. Owners should contact Ford at 1-800-392-3673.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  4. R
    2004-04-05Exterior lighting04V106000 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…

    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.…

    Check if this car was fixed →

  5. I
    2006-12-04Defect petitionClosed 2007-12-28 Engine stalling ffv
  6. I
    2008-08-28Engineering analysisClosed 2011-06-30 Front Suspension Coil Spring Fracture
  7. I
    2012-10-24Preliminary evaluationClosed 2013-06-26 Speed control cable damage
  8. R
    2016-05-26Service brakes, hydraulic16E026000 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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

Buy-smart checklist

2003 Mercury Sable — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

  • Suspension: 51 reports on file for this year.
  • Power train: 30 reports on file for this year.
  • Vehicle speed control: 29 reports on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

  • Recall 03V087000 · Visibility
  • Recall 04V105000 · Engine and engine cooling
  • Recall 04V106000 · Exterior lighting
  • Recall 16E026000 · Service brakes, hydraulic
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

Other years of this model

See all years ranked →

Best years3 years

Worst years3 years

FAQ

Is the 2003 Mercury Sable reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2003 Mercury Sable is rated "typical".
What are the most common problems with the 2003 Mercury Sable?
The most-reported component is suspension, accounting for 25% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 2003 Mercury Sable have?
4 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-10-09 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.