2001 Mercury Sable Exterior lighting Problems
- Complaints
- 13about this part
- Share
- 3%of 430 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 64,253miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 13 complaints about the exterior lighting of the 2001 Mercury Sable, 3% of the 430 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 64,253 miles. 1 a fire, according to the filers. 2 recall campaigns on record are filed under a similar system.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“There was a recall on my car back in mar 02 2004 (ford recall number 04s12) for an exterior lighting:brake lights:switch, which was (according to ford) done jan 10 2005. I had failed again on 11/15/2012 leaving me without brake lights and not being able to get it out of park. Had to put it in neutral first before I started my car so I could drive it to get fixed.”
NHTSA complaint #10485403, filed 2012-11, 207,800 miles“The knob to turn on the headlight broke off. It seems to be made of plastic that is not strong enough. Now it's very difficult to turn on the headlights. We read that this is a problem in the 2000 model and ford had a recall on the 2000 model. We had the exact same problem with the 2001 model. Maybe some of the faulty knobs were installed on some of the 2001 models and those should be included in the recall as well since it's the exact same problem.”
NHTSA complaint #10473917, filed 2012-09, 80,000 miles“2001 Mercury Sable gs. The stop lights are stuck on, indicating a problem, similar to the problem addressed by a current ford recall. However, upon calling ford motor customer service 800 number, they tell me, my car isn't covered by the recall, even though it has the exact same problem as those sables that are being recalled.”
NHTSA complaint #10140333, filed 2005-10, 84,000 miles“I had to get my brake light switch replaced because my car wouldn't shift out of park. When speaking to the dealership's service technician, it sounded like this was a common problem with my type of car. A friend of mine with a similar car (ford taurus) had the same problem. Is this a possible defect that should be recalled?”
NHTSA complaint #10025613, filed 2003-07, 48,506 miles“2001 Mercury Sable VIN: (see other part of complaint) I stopped at a business put car in park got out. Upon returning the car would start but not come out of park. I found I had no tail lights. I later found also there was no cruise control. I parked the car a couple days trying to find out what was wrong with it and when I got in the car I found the battery had gone dead. I just got done researching this and found recall 01s08 and NHTSA # 01v078000 saying the recall was on a break switch due to grease compromising the switch. The description of the malfunction matches my problem exactly! …”
NHTSA complaint #10293689, filed 2009-11, 85,000 milesRelated recalls
- 04V106000Mar 2, 2004Certain passenger vehicles are being recalled to correct a problem with a malfunctioning stop lamp switch and/or associated wiring. This malfunctioning could…Covers: Mercury Sable 2000–2003, Ford Taurus 2000–2003
- 01V078000Mar 12, 2001Vehicle description: passenger vehicles equipped with adjustable pedals. If the grease from the adjustable pedal assembly enters the stop lamp switch, it can…Covers: Mercury Sable 2000–2001, Ford Taurus 2000–2001
Exterior lighting: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2004 | 7 | 13% |
| 2003 | 12 | 6% |
| 2002 | 13 | 3% |
| 2001 | 13 | 3% |
| 2000 | 54 | 12% |
| 1999 | 7 | 3% |
| 1998 | 5 | 3% |
| 1997 | 8 | 4% |
| 1996 | 13 | 4% |
| 1995 | 9 | 3% |
| 1994 | 27 | 7% |
| 1993 | 63 | 9% |
| 1992 | 13 | 4% |
| 1991 | 4 | 2% |
| 1990 | 8 | 5% |
| 1989 | 4 | 2% |
| 1988 | 3 | 2% |
| 1987 | 1 | 1% |
Other parts of the 2001 Mercury Sable
204 complaintsVehicle speed control
61 complaintsBrakes
40 complaintsAir bags
27 complaintsElectrical system
26 complaintsEngine cooling
23 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
22 complaintsFuel system
13 complaintsSeat belts
12 complaintsEquipment
11 complaintsBody and structure
11 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
11 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2001 Mercury Sable
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 30, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology