2008 Mercury Sable: Recalls, Problems & MPG
Here are the deets on the 2008 Mercury Sable: 1 recall, 61 owner complaints and up to 22 mpg combined.

Recalls
1 vehicle recall from the manufacturer. Repairs are free. Check your VIN to see if one is still open on your car.
Airbags Vehicle recall #16V247000 · 2016 · 695 vehicles
What's wrong: The driver frontal air bag May improperly inflate during second-stage deployment in the event of a high speed crash. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (fmvss) number 208, "occupant crash protection."
Why it matters: An improperly inflated air bag increases the risk of injury in the event of a crash.
The fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and replace the driver's frontal air bag module, as necessary, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin on June 13, 2016.
Most-reported problems
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component. One complaint can list several components. 3 mention a fire, 2 injuries and 0 deaths were reported.
What owners describe
- Steering (16): the most common themes are steering problems (14).
- Transmission & drivetrain (11): the most common themes are hard / delayed shifting (7), warning light on (2).
- Electrical (11): the most common themes are warning light on (2), electrical failure (2).
- Speed control / throttle (10): the most common themes are sudden acceleration (3).
The 2008 Mercury Sable has 61 owner complaints, ranking #16 of 19 Sable model years for complaints (well below the 258 average). Complaints peaked in 2014 (9 filed that year). The typical problem showed up when the car was about 4 years old, at a median of 48,000 miles. Neighboring years: 2009 (20 complaints, 0 recalls).
Engines & fuel economy (EPA)
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 L 6-cyl | Automatic 6-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 18 | 28 | 22 | Regular |
| 3.5 L 6-cyl | Automatic 6-spd | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 17 | 24 | 19 | Regular |
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 2008 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 2008 Mercury Sable have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 1 vehicle recall for the 2008 Mercury Sable. 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 2008 Mercury Sable problems?
Owners have filed 61 complaints with NHTSA. The most-reported areas are steering (16), transmission & drivetrain (11), electrical (11).
What gas mileage does the 2008 Mercury Sable get?
EPA ratings run up to 22 mpg combined (3.5 L, Automatic 6-spd), across 2 engine and transmission combos.
Where can I get a 2008 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.