2003 Mercury Sable Steering Problems
- Complaints
- 3about this part
- Share
- 1%of 201 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 52,500miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 3 complaints about the steering of the 2003 Mercury Sable, 1% of the 201 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 52,500 miles.
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.
“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“The contact owns a 2003 Mercury Sable. While attempting to depress the brake pedal and place the vehicle into drive, the contact's foot struck the accelerator pedal instead. The vehicle accelerated forward at a fast pace. The contact feels that the accelerator and brake pedals are too close together and could cause a crash when pressed incorrectly. He called the manufacturer and was advised to have the vehicle inspected. While driving 25 MPH, the contact had to slam on the brakes in order to avoid a crash. …”
NHTSA complaint #10264791, filed 2009-04, 10,000 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 2005-03Steering: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2009 | 1 | 5% |
| 2008 | 16 | 26% |
| 2005 | 7 | 8% |
| 2003 | 3 | 1% |
| 2002 | 4 | 1% |
| 2001 | 7 | 2% |
| 2000 | 5 | 1% |
| 1999 | 33 | 13% |
| 1998 | 6 | 3% |
| 1997 | 19 | 8% |
| 1996 | 36 | 12% |
| 1995 | 6 | 2% |
| 1994 | 13 | 3% |
| 1993 | 26 | 4% |
| 1992 | 28 | 8% |
| 1991 | 27 | 12% |
| 1990 | 24 | 14% |
| 1989 | 22 | 9% |
| 1988 | 23 | 18% |
| 1987 | 8 | 11% |
| 1986 | 1 | 2% |
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 complaintsFuel system
7 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2003 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