2002 Mercury Sable Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 23about this part
- Share
- 5%of 440 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 45,000miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 23 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2002 Mercury Sable, 5% of the 440 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 45,000 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.
“2002 Mercury Sable both front & both rear springs/ corroded & snapped. Front left tire punctured. No official recall for 2002. My father has a 2000 with same exact problem which was covered by recall my car needs rear struts/rear springs /sway bar links/front struts/& springs with link kits basically the whole front & rear suspension. Transmission failed a just over 80,000 miles.”
NHTSA complaint #10140330, filed 2005-10, 85,000 miles“This mechanical problem has happened two times. The first time was at approximately 120,000 miles.the car is always serviced, well maintained and runs terrific. I was driving for about 30 minutes on the parkway. Suddenly I experienced the car sticking like it was choking, losing power and then surging ahead. I was shocked, continued to drive and it eventually cleared itself. I have never had any other symptoms or incidents like this in the past. I thought it might be a clogged fuel injector so I immediately added some fuel injector cleaner. …”
NHTSA complaint #10484739, filed 2012-11, 120,000 miles“Hit the brakes while driving and the engine revs up. Multiple times to dealer and still not fixed- I requested a new computer or brain for the car while under extended warranty- no go from dealer. On snow this is very scary-on wet roads in florida I put it in neutral and the engine revs when I hit the brakes-when someone gets hit and killed I will be told I should have told someone -multiple drivers and people have been with me when this has occurred- including mechanics from a lincoln Mercury dealer in orchard park ny.”
NHTSA complaint #10301909, filed 2010-01, 45,000 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“Had tuneup. [plugs and wires] computer upgrade. Car now surges and idle jumps to 2000 RPM. Hit a car in front of me at stop light, and almost a person in walk, when surged. Am shifting to neutral at stops, but, it snaps your neck when you shift back to drive. Have had to 2 dif ford & mec. Dealers several times and only get nothing!! Help please.”
NHTSA complaint #10331257, filed 2010-05, 59,240 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 2002 Mercury Sable
239 complaintsVehicle speed control
56 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
27 complaintsAir bags
24 complaintsBrakes
24 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