2003 Mercury Sable Fuel system Problems
- Complaints
- 7about this part
- Share
- 3%of 201 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 10,112miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 7 complaints about the fuel system of the 2003 Mercury Sable, 3% of the 201 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 10,112 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved, 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.
“1. The hood closes apparently fine, it does not open if I try to, however keeps opening every 20 minutes after driving. I could not find the cause. 2. Very strong smell of gas keeps ocurring, no signs or drops or viisual leak puddle.”
NHTSA complaint #11047279, filed 2017-11, 8 miles“2003 Mercury Sable with 20,000 miles on it. While driving at 60 MPH, I stepped on the accelerator to pass a truck, I heard a thump and then the engine went to idle and we lost all power. We pulled over and found that the accelerator cable had snapped. I found a small piece of plastic on the floor that came from the mechanism. We were stranded 100 miles from the nearest city on a sunday night. I subsequently asked the rental car manager if he had ever heard of this before and he said the same thing happened to a taurus he was driving. …”
NHTSA complaint #10043120, filed 2003-10, 20,000 miles“The contact stated the vehicle stalled while traveling at 5 MPH causing an accident. There were no injuries and a police report was filed. The vehicle intermittently restarts after a few minutes, other times if may be up to an hour. It was towed once because it would not restart. This occurs more often when it's raining. The vehicle has been to the dealership five times. On one occasion the fuel pump and fuel injection sensor were replaced. On every other occasion the dealership could not duplicate the problem.”
NHTSA complaint #10154590, filed 2006-04, 26,343 miles“While driving in high speeds consumer heard a loud clanking noise coming from the front. Consumer applied the brakes, and the vehicle failed to stop completely. Vehicle was taken to the dealer for inspection. There was a gas smell inside of the vehicle, a steering vibration and the oil pan gasket was replaced.”
NHTSA complaint #10087123, filed 2005-03“Consumer received NHTSA recall 04v105000 concerning air filter paper/fire. Consumer took the vehicle to the dealer for recall repairs. A week later, while opening the hood, the consumer smelled burning plastic. Vehicle was taken back to the dealer for inspection, and mechanic was not able to duplicate the problem.”
NHTSA complaint #10071694, filed 2004-04Related 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 2003 Mercury Sable
47 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
30 complaintsVehicle speed control
28 complaintsBody and structure
20 complaintsEngine cooling
19 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
19 complaintsBrakes
14 complaintsExterior lighting
12 complaintsElectrical system
10 complaintsAir bags
8 complaintsEngine
8 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