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EnginePart report

2002 Mercury Sable Engine Problems

Complaints
4about this part
Share
1%of 440 total for the year
Median mileage
102,000miles
Trend
Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.

NHTSA recorded 4 complaints about the engine of the 2002 Mercury Sable, 1% of the 440 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 102,000 miles.

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.

“Car was revving at high rates of speed. While at light it would rev at1700, in park 4600. Idling at 30 MPH and car would speed itself up as if accelerator was stuck. When let off brake car would jump due to high revving. If I was waiting on train and didn't know better and edged up I would have jumped into the train. Issue was faulty cable that broke off at throttle and wouldn't allow a deceleration. Was very scary. Luckily I know my car and knew something was wrong.”

NHTSA complaint #10513669, filed 2013-05, 136,547 miles

“Miles 70,290 (acc) I was driving ob the highway , to avoid a crash I had to stop quickly. All indicator lamps came on but the car did not shut off. Small clouds of smoke from exhaust (white-grey). It was parked for 2 days , start up was fine driving was fine also. Once again a( lead foot) driver cut me and another car off. Same thing avoiding a crash slamming on my break. Again all indicator lights on but the cut shuts off completely. Turn it back on its was hesitation smoke and shaking. And more. A TSB was issued for a part/piece that will cause premature engine failure.”

NHTSA complaint #10938399, filed 2016-12, 70,287 miles

“The contact owns a 2002 Mercury Sable. When the ignition was turned to the on position, the vehicle revved to 4,000 rpms without warning. The vehicle was towed to the contact's residence. It was discovered that the accelerator cable attached to a clip was stuck in the upright position. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was approximately 102,000.”

NHTSA complaint #10873155, filed 2016-06, 102,000 miles

“The contact owns a 2002 Mercury Sable. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle, the check engine warning light and transmission symbol remained illuminated. Additionally, while driving at various speeds, the vehicle would not properly accelerate. The contact stated that the vehicle shuddered and stalled occasionally. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The local dealer and manufacturer were notified of the failure but no assistance was offered. The failure mileage was unknown.”

NHTSA complaint #11487204, filed 2022-09

Engine: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
2009525%
200858%
200556%
200436%
200384%
200241%
200141%
200051%
199621%
199510%
199410%

Other parts of the 2002 Mercury Sable

Suspension
239 complaints
Vehicle speed control
56 complaints
Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
27 complaints
Air bags
24 complaints
Brakes
24 complaints
Transmission and drivetrain
23 complaints
Engine cooling
20 complaints
Electrical system
17 complaints
Exterior lighting
13 complaints
Body and structure
13 complaints
Fuel system
9 complaints
Tires
9 complaints

← All problems reported for the 2002 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