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Research · Midsize Cars

2002 Mercury SableRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 4 safety recalls and 457 owner complaints for the 2002 Mercury Sable. Most complaints involve suspension (242) and vehicle speed control (56). The EPA rates it 19–21 mpg combined.

Check a VINAdd to my garage
Combined MPG
19–21mpg
EPA · 6 versions
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
4campaigns
Latest Apr 2016
Owner complaints
457
Top: suspension
Fuel cost / yr
$2,950est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

4 NHTSA campaigns · applies to some vehicles, check your VIN

Service brakes

Free remedy

Bosch Brake Components LLC (Bosch) is recalling certain aftermarket replacement front brake pads, models Bosch QuietCast BC598 and BP765, Bosch Blue BE598 and BE598H, Prostop PD598 and PD765M, Duralast Gold DG598, Duralast MKD598, Stop Master ST598, UltraStop ULT598, UltraLife MX598 and MX765, BrakeBest MKD765, and Prostop Platinum PGD598. 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.

Service brakes, hydraulicReported Apr 1, 2016NHTSA 16E026000

Exterior lighting: switch

Free remedy

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.

Exterior lightingReported Mar 2, 2004NHTSA 04V106000

Visibility: windshield

Free remedy

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.

VisibilityReported Mar 10, 2003NHTSA 03V087000
See all 4 recalls with remedies
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 10, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

457 complaints filed with NHTSA · Apr 2002 – Oct 2022
  1. Suspension242
  2. Vehicle speed control56
  3. Power train28
  4. Visibility28
  5. Air bags25
  6. Engine and engine cooling22
  7. Service brakes, hydraulic19
  8. Electrical system18
  9. Structure14

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

By model year

Complaints for each Sable model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
1996309
1997231
1998195
1999267
2000465
2001430
2002457
2003201
200452
200583
200861
200920
Crashes reported
32
Fires reported
5
Injuries reported
23
Deaths reported
1
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 10, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Suspension

242 reports2 crashes1 fire
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MERCURY SABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE REVERSING OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY, THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE TIRE EXPLODED. THE SUSPENSION COIL SPRING ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE FRACTURED AND SLASHED THE TIRE CAUSING THE TIRE TO EXPLODE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SUSPENSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. NEITHER THE DEALER NOR THE MANUFACTURER WERE MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 37,500.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 25, 2020SuspensionODI 11361053

Vehicle speed control

56 reports6 crashes
“DRIVING(IN MOTION) ON BUSY ROAD(CITY STREET) NEAR HOME, ACCELERATED TO 45MPH, TRIED TO SLOW DOWN FOR LIGHT, REMOVED FOOT OFF GAS AND CAR DID NOT SLOW. HAD TO SLAM ON BRAKES IN ORDER TO AVOID CAR STOPPED AT LIGHT. TOOK ALL MY STRENGTH ON BRAKE TO KEEP CAR STOPPED. PUT IN NEUTRAL, NO CHANGE. PUT IN PARK NO CHANGE,STILL 4000 RPMS. WANTED TO GET VEHICLE HOME SO I PUT ON FLASHERS DROVE HOME WHILE APPLYING BRAKES.I WAS SCARED TO DEATH. SHOULD HAVE PULLED OVER AND TURNED CAR OFF BUT WANTED TO GET IT HOME SO I COULD AVOID A TOW. I AM PRETTY HANDY AND AM DOING RESEARCH IN ORDER TO FIX MYSELF.POPPED THE HOOD AT HOME AND IMMEDIATELY SAW THAT THE CABLE GOING TO THE THROTTLE BODY WAS BROKEN AND HUNG UP ON A CLIP ON THE LINKAGE COVER. IMAGE IS OF ANOTHER VEHICLE WITH THE SAME EXACT PROBLEM.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled May 22, 2017Vehicle speed controlODI 10990855

Power train

28 reports1 crash
“10/2/2022 was on I 94 east bound lost momentum rpms jump to 6k then lost all gears in transmission car has 88639 miles on it hardly driven changed trans fluid hoping to get trans working again and still won't move in any gear had to wait 4 hours on freeway for a tow just to get it off the freeway had to fight with AAA for the 4 hours to get it towed now in my driveway and still won't move at all”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 4, 2022Power trainODI 11487805
All 2002 Sable problemsSend a problem to a mechanic on findmechanic.ai
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 10, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

6 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Midsize Cars, Midsize Station Wagons
Engines
3.0L 6-cyl
Transmissions
Automatic 4-spd
Drive
Front-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Regular Gasoline

Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.

Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 10, 2026EPA listing
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
Sable
Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 3.0 L, 2-Valve · Front-Wheel Drive
182521$2,950423
Sable
Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 3.0 L, FLEX-FUEL · Front-Wheel Drive
182521$2,950423
Sable
Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 3.0 L, 4-Valve · Front-Wheel Drive
182520$3,100444
Sable Wagon
Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 3.0 L, 2-Valve · Front-Wheel Drive
172420$3,100444
Sable Wagon
Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 3.0 L, 4-Valve · Front-Wheel Drive
172419$3,300468
Sable Wagon
Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 3.0 L, FLEX-FUEL · Front-Wheel Drive
172419$3,300468
  • Sable
    Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 3.0 L, 2-Valve
    18 city · 25 hwy · $2,950/yr
    21
    mpg comb.
  • Sable
    Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 3.0 L, FLEX-FUEL
    18 city · 25 hwy · $2,950/yr
    21
    mpg comb.
  • Sable
    Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 3.0 L, 4-Valve
    18 city · 25 hwy · $3,100/yr
    20
    mpg comb.
  • Sable Wagon
    Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 3.0 L, 2-Valve
    17 city · 24 hwy · $3,100/yr
    20
    mpg comb.
  • Sable Wagon
    Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 3.0 L, 4-Valve
    17 city · 24 hwy · $3,300/yr
    19
    mpg comb.
  • Sable Wagon
    Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 3.0 L, FLEX-FUEL
    17 city · 24 hwy · $3,300/yr
    19
    mpg comb.
Estimate your fuel costCost of ownership
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 10, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

3 tested variants
NHTSA has not published 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2002 Mercury Sable as of Nov 10, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Nov 10, 2026Vehicle 4590Vehicle 4440Vehicle 4429
07 —Maintenance

Maintenance basics

General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
ItemMilesTimeNote
Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi6–12 monthsFollow the oil-life monitor if fitted
Tire rotation5,000–7,500 miEvery oil changeCheck pressure monthly
Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi1–2 yearsSooner in dusty areas
Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi1–2 years
Brake fluid—2–3 yearsAbsorbs moisture over time
Coolant60,000–100,000 mi5–10 yearsLong-life coolants last longer
Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi—Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end
12V battery—3–5 yearsHeat shortens battery life
  • Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi
    6–12 months
  • Tire rotation5,000–7,500 mi
    Every oil change
  • Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Brake fluid—
    2–3 years
  • Coolant60,000–100,000 mi
    5–10 years
  • Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi
    —
  • 12V battery—
    3–5 years
Typical intervals for modern cars. Severe service (towing, short trips, extreme heat or cold) shortens them.
09 —FAQ

2002 Sable questions

How many recalls does the 2002 Mercury Sable have?

4 safety recalls as of Nov 10, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.

What are the most common 2002 Mercury Sable problems?

Owners filed 457 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are suspension (242), vehicle speed control (56), power train (28). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2002 Mercury Sable get?

The EPA rates the 2002 Mercury Sable at 19–21 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (6 versions rated).

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 10, 2026