2001 Mercury Sable Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 22about this part
- Share
- 5%of 430 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 48,600miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 22 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2001 Mercury Sable, 5% of the 430 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 48,600 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“I purchased a 2001 Mercury Sable, I took the auto and on the second day I put the auto in drive, the motor raced like the pedal was pushed to the floor,I called the dealer and told them I will not drive this auto they sent atow truck andthe next day they gave me a new Sable. Since I have this new Sable the gas pedal gives me the same reaction as the old one. It occurred about 9 or 10 times over the last 9 years. Very rare but it does occur. My wife refuses to drive it. Because of what happens to the accelerator. …”
NHTSA complaint #10310111, filed 2010-02, 600 miles“My Mercury Sable 2001 ls wagon transmission failed in may 2002 (25 k miles). At that time ford voided my warranty saying I had abused the car (drag racing). I had the transmission replaced by a transmission specialty shop, cost $3,000). That transmission failed in may 2004 (52k miles) and was rebuilt by aamco transmissions (cost $2,200). That transmission failed december 2006 (78k miles). It is currently in the shop for transmission repair. In july 2002 I had initiated an independent report done on the car, there is a serious defect in the transmission design. …”
NHTSA complaint #10175473, filed 2006-12, 25,000 miles“Transmission issues included a near death experience when faulty cruise control wiring / functionality caused automatic transmission to rev to to high rpms. Was unable to shift to neutral gear and was forced to jump from vehicle to avoid potentially fatal wreck. Brake pads burned through to the calipers when trying to brake.”
NHTSA complaint #11067172, filed 2018-02, 145,000 miles“Unable to shift 2001 Mercury Sable sedan out of park gear/position. It seems like a similar issue to NHTSA campaign id 04v106000. The manufacturer (ford) claims that there is no recall on my vehicle.”
NHTSA complaint #10411894, filed 2011-07, 82,700 miles“The transmission would lock in park and disengage at 40k, a sensor was replaced. Then at 49k the transmission blew while driving (internal). Poor transmission engineering. I'll never buy another ford/Mercury.”
NHTSA complaint #10082420, filed 2004-07, 49,900 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10016808Oct 11, 2005Erratic fluid level reading on transaxle dipstick-leaks-4f50n, ax4n, ax4s transaxle.
- 10014086Dec 13, 2004General (pcm) power train control module programming procedures.
- 10013369Nov 1, 2004General power train control module (pcm) programming procedures.
Transmission and drivetrain: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2009 | 3 | 15% |
| 2008 | 11 | 18% |
| 2005 | 26 | 31% |
| 2004 | 12 | 23% |
| 2003 | 30 | 15% |
| 2002 | 23 | 5% |
| 2001 | 22 | 5% |
| 2000 | 31 | 7% |
| 1999 | 28 | 11% |
| 1998 | 25 | 13% |
| 1997 | 43 | 19% |
| 1996 | 69 | 23% |
| 1995 | 93 | 27% |
| 1994 | 95 | 25% |
| 1993 | 48 | 7% |
| 1992 | 61 | 17% |
| 1991 | 101 | 46% |
| 1990 | 17 | 10% |
| 1989 | 19 | 8% |
| 1988 | 22 | 17% |
| 1987 | 9 | 12% |
| 1986 | 8 | 17% |
Other parts of the 2001 Mercury Sable
204 complaintsVehicle speed control
61 complaintsBrakes
40 complaintsAir bags
27 complaintsElectrical system
26 complaintsEngine cooling
23 complaintsExterior lighting
13 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 29, 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