1. Home
  2. Mercury
  3. Sable
  4. 2003

Mercury Sable 2003

The 2003 Mercury Sable has a 3.0 L engine. It gets 21 MPG combined (18 city, 26 highway), per the EPA. 4 recall campaigns and 40 owner complaints are on record.

Midsize Cars Front-wheel (FWD)
None for sale in United States yet
Selling one? Post it free, it shows up on this page. Sell yours
Mercury Sable
Representative photo of the Sable. It may show a different year or version. Photo: IFCAR · Public domain · Wikimedia Commons · resized and cropped

Specs

Engine
3,000 cc
6
Cylinders6
TransmissionAutomatic · 4 speeds
DrivetrainFront-wheel (FWD)
Body styleMidsize Cars

For sale in United States

No 2003 Mercury Sable for sale in United States yet Do you own one? Post it free and reach buyers who are already looking at this exact car.
Sell your Sable

Safety

Crash-test results across markets. They can vary by version and equipment.

NHTSA NCAP
Results · 2003 Mercury Sable 4-DR.
🇺🇸 Local data
NHTSA NCAP
Results · 2003 Mercury Sable 4-DR. Wagon
🇺🇸 Local data
NHTSA NCAP
Results · 2003 Mercury Sable 4-DR. w/SAB
🇺🇸 Local data

Fuel economy (MPG)

🇺🇸 Local data
City
18 MPG
Highway
26 MPG
Combined
21 MPG
Emissions
263 g/km
COâ‚‚

Recalls

4 campaigns🇺🇸 Local dataNHTSA
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:PADS 16E026000 · 2016-04-01 · NHTSA
Consequence · Remedy

A damaged or broken brake disc may reduce a vehicle's braking power, increasing the risk of a crash.

Bosch will instruct the owners how to have the affected brake pads replaced, free of charge. The recall began on May 26, 2016. Owners may contact Bosch customer service at 1-888-715-3616.

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS:SWITCH 04V106000 · 2004-03-02 · NHTSA
Consequence · Remedy

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 ACTIVATED. THIS COULD ALSO CAUSE THE BATTERY TO DISCHARGE.

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.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 04V105000 · 2004-03-02 · NHTSA
Consequence · Remedy

THIS CAN LEAD TO DAMAGE TO THE AIR INDUCTION SYSTEM ON THESE VEHICLES AND/OR AN UNDERHOOD FIRE.

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE AIR FILTER ELEMENT. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON MARCH 10, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-392-3673.

VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD 03V087000 · 2003-03-10 · NHTSA
Consequence · Remedy

POTENTIAL LOSS OF WINDSHIELD RETENTION MAY ALSO REDUCE OCCUPANT PROTECTION IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH.

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THESE WINDSHIELDS. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON MARCH 31, 2003. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT FORD/MERCURY AT 1-800-392-3673.

Common problems

40 reports🇺🇸 Local data

Reported by owners to the source below. It is not a verdict on this car: it is what people wrote.

POWER TRAIN 2023-03-13 · NHTSA

The contact owns a 2003 Mercury Sable. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle lost motive power. The vehicle coasted to the side of the road and was towed to the residence. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware…

POWER TRAIN 2021-01-13 · NHTSA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MERCURY SABLE. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE VEHICLE DECELERATED INDEPENDENTLY. THE CONTACT STATED NO WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT PARKED ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DRIVABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND THE CONTACT WAS …

POWER TRAIN 2020-06-10 · NHTSA

IDRIVING UNDER NORMAL CONDITIONS ON A CITY STREET IN 2003 MERC SABLE WITH 33K MILES. WHILE IN MOTION, THE TRANSMISSION FAILS WITH NO FORWARD OR REVERSE WORKING OR ANY OTHER MECHANICAL WARNINGS.( NO TRANSMISSION CODES ON OBDII. I WAS IMMEDIATELY ABLE TO COAST INTO A DRUGSTORE PARKING LOT. CAR TOWED TO LOCAL FORD DE…

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL 2019-04-30 · NHTSA

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 T…

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL 2019-03-26 · NHTSA

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 CA…

ENGINE 2018-01-18 · NHTSA

2003 MERCURY SABLE. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO BEING CHARGED FOR VEHICLE REPAIRS THAT WERE UNDER WARRANTY. *LD *JS

UNKNOWN OR OTHER 2017-12-03 · NHTSA

WHY WAS I CHARGED $249.90 LABOR CHARGES WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS ONLY IN MY HANDS FOR A COUPLE OF DAYS AFTER BEING PURCHASED FROM KING BUICK BUT NOT FOR PARTS, SHOP MATERIALS AND USE OF A LOANER CAR. I SHOULD HAVE PAID NOTHING UNDER A WARRANTY AND WOULD LIKE TO KNOW IF FORD HAS RESPONSIBILITY FOR THAT. PLEASE FEEL FREE …

STRUCTURE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM 2017-11-19 · NHTSA

1. THE HOOD CLOSES APPARENTLY FINE, IT DOES NOT OPEN IF I TRY TO, HOWEVER KEEPS OPENING EVERY 20 MINUTES AFTER DRIVING. I COULD NOT FIND THE CAUSE. 2. VERY STRONG SMELL OF GAS KEEPS OCURRING, NO SIGNS OR DROPS OR VIISUAL LEAK PUDDLE.

POWER TRAIN,ENGINE 2017-09-12 · NHTSA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MERCURY SABLE. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS OPERATED, IT LOST ENGINE POWER WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO DOM'S GETTY SERVICE STATION (308 MERCER ST, HIGHTSTOWN, NJ) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED AS A TRANSMISSION FAILURE. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND OFFERE…

POWER TRAIN 2017-09-07 · NHTSA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MERCURY SABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION FAILED. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE VEHICLE LOST ACCELERATION. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO DOM'S GETTY STATION (HEIGHTSTOWN, NJ 08520, PHONE (609) 448-4146) FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING, WHICH LOCATED THE FAILURE AT THE TRANSMISSION…

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL 2017-06-12 · NHTSA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MERCURY SABLE. WHILE STATIONARY, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED RAPIDLY ON ITS OWN WITHOUT WARNING. IN ADDITION, THE "CHECK ENGINE" INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. FAIRWAY FORD IN SAN BERNARDINO, CALIFORNIA DETERMINED THAT THE SPEED CONTROL CABLE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE O…

INTERIOR LIGHTING,ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC),ENGINE 2017-05-30 · NHTSA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MERCURY SABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE INDEPENDENTLY IDLED BETWEEN 3-4 RPMS AND THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE INTERIOR LIGHTING FAILED TO ILLUMINATE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICL…

All 40 reports, grouped by component

Questions

What engine does the 2003 Mercury Sable have?
The 2003 Mercury Sable has a 3.0 L engine.
What is the fuel economy of the 2003 Mercury Sable?
It gets 21 MPG combined (18 city, 26 highway), per the EPA.
Does the 2003 Mercury Sable have recalls?
4 recall campaigns are on record. The latest concerns Service Brakes, Hydraulic (2016-04-01).
What are the common problems of the 2003 Mercury Sable?
40 owners have filed complaints, most often about Power Train.

Other years

Other models by Mercury

Do you own one?

Post it for free and reach buyers who are already looking at this exact car.

Post for free