2002 Mercury Sable Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors) Problems
- Complaints
- 27about this part
- Share
- 6%of 440 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 58,021miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 27 complaints about the visibility of the 2002 Mercury Sable, 6% of the 440 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 58,021 miles. 1 recall campaign on record is filed under a similar system.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“We have a lot of humidity here where I live, and I needed to use the defrost mode on my 2002 Mercury Sable with 41k miles, but I wasn't able to get warm air to come out. I tried a few different days before I reported it to my dealer for service. When I took it in, the mechanic replaced the thermostat and gasket and the blend air door motor. It cost me $237. I tried it the next morning--no defrost. They had to order another motor.”
NHTSA complaint #10136522, filed 2005-09, 41,126 miles“I haven't had my 2002 Mercury Sable for more than a year a the heater just suddenly went out! I have no idea why but I heard that there was a recall on these thing is that true I m still paying on this car also!”
NHTSA complaint #10248979, filed 2008-11, 73,566 miles“I have a 2002 Mercury Sable that when ever it rained started to get water leakage on the passenger side. As a result of the leak my fan blower burnt out costing $180.00. After doing some research I found out there was a silent recall. They claimed the fix was free under the bumper to bumper warranty coverage under TSB-03-15-6. I took my vehicle to into the dealer and he did a water leak test and it showed that I needed a rain hat assembly and weather strips at a cost to me of $289.00 and it would not be covered under the bulletins. …”
NHTSA complaint #10184827, filed 2007-03, 68,000 miles“Leaking connection between windshield water and blowing motor of heating/ventilation causing windows to fog up after starting and beginning driving. When opening the blower motor compartment you can actually water see dripping out. Also a soaking wet floor will occur right after a severe rainstorm. This is a mayor safety issue due to bad visibility!”
NHTSA complaint #10286119, filed 2009-10, 140,000 miles“Wire harness failure in rubber boots from body of car to rear lift gate on station wagon model. Insulation cracking and wire breaking completely in flexible rubber boot causes erratic behavior and ultimate failure of high brake light, back up lights, license plate lights, rear windshield wiper, rear window defroster, open lift gate and open rear window safety sensors and stereo speakers. Insulation and wiring within boot has become brittle and fatigued. Clean breaks in wires from opening and closing lift gate are evident. …”
NHTSA complaint #10457115, filed 2012-05, 90,000 milesRelated recalls
- 03V087000Mar 10, 2003Certain passenger vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 212, "windshield mounting." the windshields may…Covers: Mercury Sable 2002–2003, Ford Taurus 2002–2003
Related service bulletins
- 10018742Nov 14, 2005Power window concerns - service tip.
- 10014062Dec 13, 2004Rear window defroster grid/integral antenna diagnosis and repair - terminal tab repair.
- 10013395Nov 15, 2004Grunting noise from front power window glass is powered to the full up position.
- 10011159Aug 9, 2004Rear window defroster grid/integral antenna diagnosis and repair - terminal tab repair.
- 10011149Aug 9, 2004Water in the blower case or on the passenger side floor, an inoperative climate control blower motor, a motor that operates on high speed only, and/or a blower motor resistor…
Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors): other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2009 | 1 | 5% |
| 2005 | 4 | 5% |
| 2004 | 1 | 2% |
| 2003 | 19 | 9% |
| 2002 | 27 | 6% |
| 2001 | 11 | 3% |
| 2000 | 12 | 3% |
| 1999 | 21 | 8% |
| 1998 | 10 | 5% |
| 1997 | 22 | 10% |
| 1996 | 27 | 9% |
| 1995 | 15 | 4% |
| 1994 | 25 | 6% |
| 1993 | 47 | 7% |
| 1992 | 13 | 4% |
| 1991 | 7 | 3% |
| 1990 | 6 | 4% |
| 1989 | 2 | 1% |
| 1988 | 2 | 2% |
| 1987 | 1 | 1% |
| 1986 | 2 | 4% |
Other parts of the 2002 Mercury Sable
239 complaintsVehicle speed control
56 complaintsAir bags
24 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 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