2003 Mercury Sable Vehicle speed control Problems
- Complaints
- 28about this part
- Share
- 14%of 201 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 106,000miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 28 complaints about the vehicle speed control of the 2003 Mercury Sable, 14% of the 201 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 106,000 miles.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“I was driving my car on a city street and the car started accelerating on its own and I tried to brake but my brakes would not work. I had to put both feet on the break to slam hard enough to try to get it to slow down even a little. I found out that the throttle cable got stuck and could not go back in causing the car to keep accelerating.”
NHTSA complaint #11191700, filed 2019-03, 144,000 miles“Driving on I-25 northbound, at 50 MPH, the vehicle started to accelerate, with my foot off the accelerator. Went from 50 to 65...stepped on brake, brakes slowed/stopped the acceleration...pulled off at the first exit ramp. Looked under hood, for anything not correct...nothing visually detected. Did this one more time...3 days later. Have not experienced since.”
NHTSA complaint #10467560, filed 2012-07, 74,200 miles“I was driving east on I-70 from kansas city mo. Cruise was set at 78. 4 lanes. Was in left passing lane and had to slow down quickly because of vehicle in front was doing about 50mph. The right was clear and I started moving to the right to pass. The car instantly accelerated as I started to turn right. The acceleration actually pull the car forward so fast the rear end slid to the left. Car moved a crossed the right 3 lanes of traffic at about a 60 deg angle. …”
NHTSA complaint #10839108, filed 2016-03, 136,000 miles“So sorry to bother you. I have a Mercury Sable 03 which has been accelerating by itself because the throttle cable gets stuck. I saw an article that said my year taurus and Sable have this problem as well as saw that all those in the junk yard have the exact same problem. In the article it said ford agreed to fix those to stop further investigation. How would I go about getting this fixed? Please and thank you. My vehicle started going 79 and wouldn't stop. Even in neutral it went 4000 RPM until the throttle cable was unjammed. And continues to do so”
NHTSA complaint #11204859, filed 2019-04, 285,000 miles“The car has a throttle over run problem. When I lift my foot off the gas and the apply brakes, it feels as if the engine is not returning to idle completely. The brakes are in good condition. I have had numerous close calls with rearend collisions. The dealer never found a problem.”
NHTSA complaint #10197166, filed 2007-07, 30,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10052600Jun 21, 2013Ford: see document search button for owner letter. Speed control cable is susceptible to damage and can disconnect during hood maintenance and also interfere with full throttle…
Vehicle speed control: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2009 | 5 | 25% |
| 2008 | 10 | 16% |
| 2005 | 38 | 46% |
| 2004 | 15 | 29% |
| 2003 | 28 | 14% |
| 2002 | 56 | 13% |
| 2001 | 61 | 14% |
| 2000 | 71 | 15% |
| 1999 | 16 | 6% |
| 1998 | 32 | 17% |
| 1997 | 28 | 12% |
| 1996 | 17 | 6% |
| 1995 | 20 | 6% |
| 1994 | 19 | 5% |
| 1993 | 25 | 4% |
| 1992 | 22 | 6% |
| 1991 | 7 | 3% |
| 1990 | 12 | 7% |
| 1989 | 13 | 5% |
| 1988 | 7 | 6% |
| 1987 | 2 | 3% |
| 1986 | 2 | 4% |
Other parts of the 2003 Mercury Sable
47 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
30 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 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 30, 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