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SteeringPart report

2001 Mercury Sable Steering Problems

Complaints
7about this part
Share
2%of 430 total for the year
Median mileage
55,000miles
Trend
Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.

NHTSA recorded 7 complaints about the steering of the 2001 Mercury Sable, 2% of the 430 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 55,000 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved and 2 a fire, according to the filers.

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.

“I got in my car started to drive and heard something snap then smoke came from the hood and the car pulled hard right. I immediately stopped and parked the car. The coil spring broke and dug into my front passenger tire and it pulled the axle out of the cv joint.I was in allentown,pa. On a main road in the city. Feb.8,2020.”

NHTSA complaint #11321890, filed 2020-04, 130,000 miles

“The engine cradle/frame supporting the engine & transmission and suspension and steering assemblies failed due to excessive corrosion causing the rear mount at the body connection on both sides to separate and drop about 3 causing a loss of steering. The drop of the cradle and engine and transmission pulled down on the steering shaft universal joint under the dash causing the steering to bind up and also causing the entire steering and suspension geometry to fail. …”

NHTSA complaint #10761626, filed 2015-09, 89,789 miles

“The contact owns a 2001 Mercury Sable. While driving 35 MPH the driver side curtain air bag deployed without warning. The vehicle has not been diagnosed by the dealer. The current and failure mileages were 55000. Updated 01/05/10. The air bag in the driver seat deployed for no reason. Also, the rack and pinion needed to be replaced. Updated 01/07/10.”

NHTSA complaint #10294288, filed 2009-12, 55,000 miles

“The steering wheel vibrated while in idle, the structure of the vehicle rocked back and forth or from side to side. Vehicle also picked up speed on its own without pressing the accelerator. Ts”

NHTSA complaint #8023297, filed 2002-11

“There is a defect in the configuration of the steering wheel. . In the process of turning left at an intersection or parking lot, the steering wheel brushed the top of the consumer's leg and with slight motion it caused the consumer' foot to move over to the accelerator. The consumer stated when he attempted to brake, his foot slipped off the brake pedal and hit the accelerator and crashed into a wall. The consumer stated the brake and accelerator pedal were designed too close together. The manufacturer did acknowledge there was a defect and a recall had been issued.”

NHTSA complaint #10033722, filed 2003-08

Steering: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
200915%
20081626%
200578%
200331%
200241%
200172%
200051%
19993313%
199863%
1997198%
19963612%
199562%
1994133%
1993264%
1992288%
19912712%
19902414%
1989229%
19882318%
1987811%
198612%

Other parts of the 2001 Mercury Sable

Suspension
204 complaints
Vehicle speed control
61 complaints
Brakes
40 complaints
Air bags
27 complaints
Electrical system
26 complaints
Engine cooling
23 complaints
Transmission and drivetrain
22 complaints
Exterior lighting
13 complaints
Fuel system
13 complaints
Seat belts
12 complaints
Equipment
11 complaints
Body and structure
11 complaints

← All problems reported for the 2001 Mercury Sable

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 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