2003 Mercury Sable Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors) Problems
- Complaints
- 19about this part
- Share
- 9%of 201 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 40,500miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 19 complaints about the visibility of the 2003 Mercury Sable, 9% of the 201 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 40,500 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.
“I have a 2003 Mercury Sable with 19k miles on it. We had heavy rains tuesday evening through wednesday morning, followed by sub freezing temperatures throughout wednesday into thursday. Thursday morning, (12-10-09) the blower motor for the heating/AC system would only work on it's highest setting, and continues to do so. A few times throughout the last couple of weeks, my wife and I thought we heard water rushing around somewhere in the vicinity of the passenger side area. …”
NHTSA complaint #10295420, filed 2009-12, 19,000 miles“Ford taurus and the Mercury Sable's have a problem with water leaking into the heater core box which eventually causes the heater motor and stop working. I understand from reading post on the internet that is apparently a design flaw. My car had 44,000 miles at the point where the motor quit working. The bill to repair the car was $471.28. The warranty had obviously expired but I felt like ford motor co should re-imburse the cost of the repair since it is a very common problem. They declined to help with the cost of the repair.”
NHTSA complaint #10213122, filed 2007-12, 44,000 miles“I recently purchased a 2003 Mercury Sable ls and prior to leaving the dealership in philadelphia I noticed the front windshield did not have the factory tint glass which was stated on the window sticker and windshield as having tinted glass. I returned to the dealership and spoke with the sales person,sales manager & service manager and after comparing other sables of 2003 in the lot, all stated in the front windshield as having the tint but some did not appear as having the darker band running across the top of the front windshield. …”
NHTSA complaint #10016518, filed 2003-04, 2 miles“Heater blower motor on 2003 Sable took on water from leak in wiper cowl and ceased to function. Extended warranty did not cover water leaks so dealer wanted $400 to seal leak and fix motor.”
NHTSA complaint #10178785, filed 2007-01, 62,000 miles“On a 2003 Mercury Sable the blower motor quit working. For several months prior to the failure, water could be heard sloshing around under the dashboard and the carpeting became wet. The fan motor and resistor had to be replaced because of water damage. The mechanic who repaired it told me that this is a common problem and that ford is aware of it. The fan motor literally sits in a puddle of water. Fortunately there was no sparking which could have LED to a fire. It cost over $300 to repair. Ford motor co. Is aware of this design defect and should pay for the repairs.”
NHTSA complaint #10153169, filed 2006-03, 58,300 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 2003 Mercury Sable
47 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
30 complaintsVehicle speed control
28 complaintsBody and structure
20 complaintsEngine cooling
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 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