2003 Mercury Sable: Recalls, Problems & MPG
Here are the deets on the 2003 Mercury Sable: 3 recalls, 201 owner complaints and up to 21 mpg combined.
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Recalls
3 vehicle recalls from the manufacturer, plus 1 equipment/tire recall that can apply. Repairs are free. Check your VIN to see if one is still open on your car.
Visibility (wipers, glass) Vehicle recall #03V087000 · 2003 · 67,894 vehicles
What's wrong: Certain passenger vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard no. 212, "windshield mounting." the windshields May potentially exhibit increased wind noise, water leakage, and squeaks and rattles.
Why it matters: Potential loss of windshield retention May also reduce occupant protection in the event of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will replace these windshields. Owner notification began on March 31, 2003.
Engine & cooling Vehicle recall #04V105000 · 2004 · 399,926 vehicles
What's wrong: On certain vehicles, the air filter paper in these vehicles can smolder or burn.
Why it matters: This can lead to damage to the air induction system on these vehicles and/or an underhood fire.
The fix: Dealers will replace the air filter element. Owner notification began on March 10, 2004. Owners should contact Ford at 1-800-392-3673.
Exterior lights Vehicle recall #04V106000 · 2004 · 938,789 vehicles
What's wrong: Certain passenger vehicles are being recalled to correct a problem with a malfunctioning stop lamp switch and/or associated wiring. This malfunctioning could render the stop lamps inoperable or cause them to stay on all the time. This could cause confusion to a following driver, which could lead to a crash.
Why it matters: In addition, if the switch and/or associated wiring fail in the open position, the brake lights will not actuate and the driver will not be able to shift the vehicle out of "park" if they fail in the closed position, the brake lights will remain on, which will not allow the speed control to be…
The fix: Dealers will remove the stop lamp switch and associated wiring assembly and install a newly designed stop lamp switch and wire assembly. Owner notification is expected to begin on April 5, 2004. Owners should contact Ford at 1-800-392-3673.
1 aftermarket equipment / tire recall replacement parts sold to fit this car, not the car itself
Brakes (hydraulic) Equipment recall #16E026000 · 2016 · 49,635 vehicles
What's wrong: These brake pads, manufactured October 1, 2014, to October 31, 2015 are intended for use on 2001-2007 Ford taurus, 2001-2005 Mercury sable, 1995-1999 Ford taurus sho, 1995-2002 Lincoln continental, and 1993-1998 Lincoln mark viii vehicles. The brake pad shim May shift out of position causing the shim to contact the brake disc resulting in damage to the disc.
Why it matters: A damaged or broken brake disc May reduce a vehicle's braking power, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Bosch will instruct the owners how to have the affected brake pads replaced, free of charge. The recall began on May 26, 2016.
Most-reported problems
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component. One complaint can list several components. 1 mention a fire, 8 injuries and 0 deaths were reported.
What owners describe
- Suspension (47): the most common themes are noise or vibration (12), rust / corrosion (5).
- Transmission & drivetrain (30): the most common themes are hard / delayed shifting (7), stalls / loses power (5), warning light on (4).
- Speed control / throttle (28): the most common themes are sudden acceleration (4), stalls / loses power (2).
- Body & structure (20): the most common themes are leaks (10), rust / corrosion (5).
The 2003 Mercury Sable has 201 owner complaints, ranking #12 of 19 Sable model years for complaints (about average; the typical year has 258). Complaints peaked in 2012 (20 filed that year). The typical problem showed up when the car was about 7 years old, at a median of 70,000 miles. Neighboring years: 2002 (440 complaints, 3 recalls), 2004 (52 complaints, 1 recalls).
Engines & fuel economy (EPA)
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.0 L 6-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 18 | 26 | 21 | Regular |
| 3.0 L 6-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 18 | 25 | 21 | Regular |
| 3.0 L 6-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 17 | 25 | 20 | Gasoline or E85 |
Want the full repair deets? Get the factory manual.
Recall and complaint data tells you what goes wrong. A service manual tells you how to fix it: torque specs, wiring diagrams, fluid capacities and step-by-step procedures for the 2003 Mercury Sable.
Closest thing to the factory manual for most years. Pay once, keep it.
Most $25–$78, one-timePro-shop repair procedures, wiring diagrams and TSBs for your exact car.
From $19.99/mo · $39.99/yrOEM procedures, specs and recall/TSB info, the same source many shops use.
From $19.99/mo · $59.99/yrStep-by-step photos written from a real teardown. Great for first-timers.
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FAQ
Does the 2003 Mercury Sable have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 3 vehicle recalls for the 2003 Mercury Sable, plus 1 equipment or tire recalls that can apply. Recall repairs are free at any dealer, no matter how old the car is. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What are the most common 2003 Mercury Sable problems?
Owners have filed 201 complaints with NHTSA. The most-reported areas are suspension (47), transmission & drivetrain (30), speed control / throttle (28).
What gas mileage does the 2003 Mercury Sable get?
EPA ratings run up to 21 mpg combined (3.0 L, Automatic 4-spd), across 3 engine and transmission combos.
Where can I get a 2003 Mercury Sable repair manual?
eManualOnline sells downloadable manuals, Mitchell 1 DIY and ALLDATAdiy sell online access to factory repair data, and Haynes sells printed guides and online access. Pick a download if you want to keep it, or a subscription for wiring diagrams and TSBs.