2002 Mercury Sable Fuel system Problems
- Complaints
- 9about this part
- Share
- 2%of 440 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 89,500miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 9 complaints about the fuel system of the 2002 Mercury Sable, 2% of the 440 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 89,500 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved and 1 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.
“We were backing out of a parking space & the car accelerated as though I had pressed the gas pedal. This is the third time this has happened, but the first time going in reverse. Both other times the car was in drive. The first time I was on the freeway and I assumed my foot had accidentally pushed the gas, so I ignored it. The second time I was on a county road, and again I assumed it was my fault. This is the first time I could have really hurt someone, and this could potentially be very dangerous.”
NHTSA complaint #10458262, filed 2012-05, 106,586 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“Accelerator stuck. Vehicle accelerated when cruising on highway. Put it in neutral at exit from highway, stuck at 4000 RPM. Problem was accelerator cable. Ferrule broken in engine compartment and outer part of cable hung up on mounting bracket.”
NHTSA complaint #10511560, filed 2013-05, 85,000 miles“Intermittent fuel smell in passenger compartment over past year and a half. Had it checked and problem could not be identified as the fuel smell would not be present when brought in for service check. In december of 2010, fuel began pouring out from top of fuel tank and onto ground when engine was running. Problem discovered in plastic connection elbow at top of fuel pump which connects to fuel line above fuel tank at the pump. Elbow had a fine crack along the top and fuel would spray out when fuel pump was running. This was the original factory pump. …”
NHTSA complaint #10379209, filed 2011-01, 94,000 miles“For about five months there has been a fuel smell entering the passenger cabin. About two weeks ago the vehicle blew up and burned the driver. The fire was extinguished by the fire department.”
NHTSA complaint #10026575, filed 2003-07, 27,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10017860Jul 1, 2005Malfunction indicator lamp coming on with diagnostic trouble codes (dtcs) p0171, p0172, p0174 and/or p0175 (fuel system too rich or lean).
Fuel system: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 3 | 5% |
| 2005 | 3 | 4% |
| 2004 | 2 | 4% |
| 2003 | 7 | 3% |
| 2002 | 9 | 2% |
| 2001 | 13 | 3% |
| 2000 | 10 | 2% |
| 1999 | 9 | 3% |
| 1998 | 8 | 4% |
| 1997 | 9 | 4% |
| 1996 | 10 | 3% |
| 1995 | 19 | 5% |
| 1994 | 21 | 5% |
| 1993 | 22 | 3% |
| 1992 | 5 | 1% |
| 1991 | 6 | 3% |
| 1990 | 6 | 4% |
| 1989 | 9 | 4% |
| 1988 | 8 | 6% |
| 1987 | 4 | 5% |
| 1986 | 2 | 4% |
Other parts of the 2002 Mercury Sable
239 complaintsVehicle speed control
56 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
27 complaintsAir bags
24 complaintsBrakes
24 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
23 complaintsEngine cooling
20 complaintsElectrical system
17 complaintsExterior lighting
13 complaintsBody and structure
13 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 28, 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