2003 Mercury Sable Brakes Problems
- Complaints
- 14about this part
- Share
- 7%of 201 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 33,396miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 14 complaints about the brakes of the 2003 Mercury Sable, 7% of the 201 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 33,396 miles. 2 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers. 1 recall campaign on record is filed under a similar system.
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.
“My car is trying to kill me! I was driving at approximately 40 MPH, when I started to brake for a stop before turning . The car slowed down, as I held my foot on the brake, but suddenly the car started to accelerate. I already had my foot on the brake, and the brake held, but I had to take the car out of gear, and shut the engine off. The engine was racing at a speed I would estimate at 80 MPH. It was a frightening and dangerous experience. I checked to see if a floor mat was pressing on the gas pedal. It was not. The same incident happened on two more occasions. …”
NHTSA complaint #10683746, filed 2015-02, 220,000 miles“I went to leave from a local park on a saturday evening, but my vehicle would not move out of park. I had to call a tow truck. The tow truck driver showed me a trick how to get the vehicle to start, by turning the ignition key ever so slightly and then trying to move the shifter to neutral. Once in neutral I started the vehicle and drove home. After driving the vehicle for almost a week by starting in neutral, I was stopped on the following friday by police. I was informed that I didn't have any working brake lights. …”
NHTSA complaint #10467107, filed 2012-07, 95,000 miles“I was driving my car and while I was braking for a stop light I couldn't stop. Something was giving my car gas as I was trying to stop. Ever since then when I drive it my RPM's are high and makes a noise. I called the shop and had my idle air control valve replaced because that's what the automotive place said was wrong. Since then it's been in 3 other times and had the part replaced just in case it was a faulty part. Now the mechanics are baffled as am I. I did research and noticed this was a common complaint on these vehicles. …”
NHTSA complaint #10487612, filed 2012-12, 151,000 miles“Abs activated after going over several bumps in a series and brakes applied lightly. Lightly being as when slowing down in traffic for a traffic light and stopping. Abs light did not come on. However, ABS light has subsequently come on. Abs light does not necessarily come on again the next time the vehicle is started. Also the brakes can appear to be fine until the next series of bumps is encountered when driving.”
NHTSA complaint #10147167, filed 2006-01, 33,396 miles“Consumer was concerned that brake pedal went to the floor intermittently when applied. Vehicle was to dealer on several occasions, and dealer was unable to locate the problem. Afterwards vehicle was involved in a crash because the brake pedal went to the floor while coming onto oncoming traffic. No injuries were reported. Vehicle was taken to the dealer, whoinformed the consumer that the problem was the master cylinder.”
NHTSA complaint #10089907, filed 2004-08, 12,000 milesRelated recalls
- 04V106000Mar 2, 2004Certain passenger vehicles are being recalled to correct a problem with a malfunctioning stop lamp switch and/or associated wiring. This malfunctioning could…Covers: Mercury Sable 2000–2003, Ford Taurus 2000–2003
Brakes: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2009 | 2 | 10% |
| 2008 | 6 | 10% |
| 2005 | 8 | 10% |
| 2004 | 12 | 23% |
| 2003 | 14 | 7% |
| 2002 | 24 | 5% |
| 2001 | 40 | 9% |
| 2000 | 67 | 14% |
| 1999 | 29 | 11% |
| 1998 | 29 | 15% |
| 1997 | 19 | 8% |
| 1996 | 20 | 7% |
| 1995 | 11 | 3% |
| 1994 | 26 | 7% |
| 1993 | 48 | 7% |
| 1992 | 41 | 11% |
| 1991 | 19 | 9% |
| 1990 | 10 | 6% |
| 1989 | 13 | 5% |
| 1988 | 4 | 3% |
| 1987 | 5 | 7% |
| 1986 | 2 | 4% |
Other parts of the 2003 Mercury Sable
47 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
30 complaintsVehicle speed control
28 complaintsBody and structure
20 complaintsEngine cooling
19 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
19 complaintsExterior lighting
12 complaintsElectrical system
10 complaintsAir bags
8 complaintsEngine
8 complaintsFuel system
7 complaintsSeat belts
5 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2003 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