2002 Mercury Sable Air bags Problems
- Complaints
- 24about this part
- Share
- 5%of 440 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 49,500miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 24 complaints about the air bags of the 2002 Mercury Sable, 5% of the 440 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 49,500 miles. 20 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.
“Went to the parking lot to start my car. When I turned the ignition key the passenger side airbag deployed and then the driver side airbag deployed. The concern is what if the car had started and I was driving down the highway and the airbag went off for no reason.”
NHTSA complaint #10346902, filed 2010-08, 75,000 miles“I purchased a 2002 Mercury Sable in september of 2006. On january 19th while turning into my driveway traveling approximately 3-5 MPH both air bags deployed causing approximately 4,000.00 dollars in damage to my car. The dealer that I purchased the car from stated I bought it as is and would not offer me any assistance except to tell me to file it with my insurance company. My insurance company sent an adjuster whom surveyed the damage and told me they would not pay because there was no impact. …”
NHTSA complaint #10215386, filed 2008-01, 65,000 miles“My wife was involved in a frontal collision at 25 MPH. Air bags did not deploy. Damage to car was $12,000.00. She suffered soft tissue injury to neck and now is in constant pain. Car was repaired by dealer, we now have an almost new car that we do not feel safe in.”
NHTSA complaint #10038881, filed 2003-09, 1,200 miles“I purchased a 2002 Mercury Sable in september, 2006. On january 19, 2007 while turning into my driveway going 3-5 miles an hour both frontal airbags deployed causing an estimated $3,000.00 to $4,000.00 in damages. The dealer has refused to assist me saying I bought the car as is . They told me to file the claim with my insurance company. The insurance company said they could do nothing there was no impact . Ford motor company said there was a 50,000 mile warranty. Your department sent me a service technical bulletin stating that ford knew of this problem in may, 2002. …”
NHTSA complaint #10290614, filed 2009-11, 50,000 miles“2002 Mercury Sable not equipped with optional personal safety system (no side airbags or occupant sensors on this vehicle) was involved in collision. Front end damage appears minimal, michigan state police estimated vehicle speed at collision approx. 25 mpg. Passenger airbag deployed, drivers airbag did not. The vehicle did protect the driver (me) and the seatbelt system worked flawlessly. I could have been injured but was not. Based on equipment on this vehicle, if the passenger airbag deployed then the drivers should have as well as it does not have the occupant sensors, etc. …”
NHTSA complaint #10230348, filed 2008-06, 34,332 milesAir bags: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 4 | 7% |
| 2005 | 4 | 5% |
| 2004 | 2 | 4% |
| 2003 | 8 | 4% |
| 2002 | 24 | 5% |
| 2001 | 27 | 6% |
| 2000 | 33 | 7% |
| 1999 | 17 | 7% |
| 1998 | 14 | 7% |
| 1997 | 12 | 5% |
| 1996 | 15 | 5% |
| 1995 | 8 | 2% |
| 1994 | 10 | 3% |
| 1993 | 24 | 4% |
| 1992 | 11 | 3% |
| 1991 | 10 | 5% |
| 1990 | 14 | 8% |
Other parts of the 2002 Mercury Sable
239 complaintsVehicle speed control
56 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
27 complaintsBrakes
24 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
23 complaintsEngine cooling
20 complaintsElectrical system
17 complaintsExterior lighting
13 complaintsBody and structure
13 complaintsFuel system
9 complaintsTires
9 complaintsWheels
6 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2002 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