Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (service brakes, ABS, rotors and pads, parking brake).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 1999 Mercury Sable owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
On Sunday aug. 17th I drove onto a steep exit from a 4 lane highway to a fiveline highway. I had no brakes. The light at the bottom of the ramp stayed green (there were about 40 cars waiting to enter the intersection)--I crossed all five lanes and crashed my car into a dirt bank. I had no brakes --the man following me said (and told the police) that he smelled a burning ordor or brake smell and had commented to his wife that he thought something was wrong with my brakes before the incident. He advised the police. The police checked the brakes and the pedal was on the floor. I was advised yesterday (8/19) that state farm is totalling the car--that they can find nothing wrong with the brakes. Now there is no way that something did not go wrong with those brakes--my father and I were almost killed. I want to know if other Ford sables or taurus--1999 models have had a similar problem?
Tl* the contact owns a 1999 Mercury Sable. While driving various speeds, the brakes hesitated to stop the vehicle. In addition, the vehicle independently accelerated without warning. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 155,000.
Total casastropic brake faiure. With my wife driving we encountered a toll plaza on the garden state parkway in new jersey. My wife attemped to slow the car and at that point exclaimed, "I have no brakes"....we went though the toll booths and stopped the car about 100 feet away using the emergency/parking brake. I opened the hood, and checked the level of brake fluid, it was full. I got behind the wheel and started the car and put it in drive. I too found the brake pedal on 'on the floor' with no stopping power, even at low crawl/idle speed. I again stopped the car using the only means, the parking brake. We had the car towed using a new jersey authorized tow company to their facilities. They cheked the car, drove it, pulled all four wheels and found no problem. They test drove the car and found they were unable to duplicate my problem, brakes worked normally. …
The brakes on the 1999 Mercury Sable that I purchased 4 years ago have been repaired and/or replaced 4 times! Now they are going out again. I have had the rotors turned, and every other thing that has been suggested. When I asked the last mechanic why my brakes keep going out, he stated that this size of Ford was not supplied with an appropriate brake for the size of car. I asked what could be done to remedy the situation, and was informed that I would have to keep replacing the brakes. I think this is a horrible answer. I would like to know what Ford will do for me. I live in oregon and am surrounded by mountains, but I don't dare go over any of the mountain ranges because going downhill and applying the brakes makes the entire car shimmy and it feels like I will lose control of the car and that it won't stop. I have to make weekly trips over the mountains, so I always rent a car. …
Problems with ABS. The vehicle was in two accidents due to the inability to control the vehicle during normal driving conditions, where the ABS did not work. The vehicle was in for repair 7 times. The following are repairs and or problems the vehicle experienced: torque converter replaced after transmission fluid was found low, exhaust leak fixed, washer fluid would spray when the turn signal and lights were on, shaking when the brakes were applied/resurfaced rotors, trunk leaked water, replaced multi-function switch to fix washer fluid problem, ABS not working when there was a panic stop, left and right spindle assembly was replaced, front end rotors were replaced again, wheel alignment, the ABS did not engage and caused an accident, and replaced left side outer tie rod end.
Consumer experienced a flat on the right front tire. The consumer changed tire to an unused spare and attempted to drive to service station. While driving, the spare blew out. Upon inspection by dealer, it was discovered the coil spring had broken and pierced both tires, and caused damage. Found the rotors out of round. The front brake rotor were machined and the pads half worn.
Was driving in stop-and-go traffic near holland tunnels in nyc when brakes failed without warning. Went to stop and pedal traveled completely to floor. Had to use emergency brake to stop. 2 hour wait for tow truck, so decided to try driving again after 1 hour. Brakes appeared to function normally thereafter, although a little spongy at first.
Consumer reimbursement request regarding the replacement for the 1999 Mercury Sable ABS module. The consumer stated the problem first began when the brakes were making a clunking noise and sticking when the brakes were applied. The problem with the brakes was not diagnosed properly which LED to unnecessary costly brake repair bills.
Total loss of braking while travelling 50 MPH. Pedal went completely to the floor. No lights indicating brake failure lit. Put on flashers, moved to brakedown lane, exited hwy, up hill speed dropped, allowed driver to come against a curb and stop. Brake fluid in resevoir is all very black. Vehicle ha been towed to a shop.
Consumer noticed the front end shimmied when brakes were applied. Dealer determined that front rotors needed to be grounded. This happened first at 25000 miles, a second time at 48000 miles. Mr rotors grounded again at 50000 miles . Dealership suggested that rotors be replaced on next service.
Brake complaints in other Sable years
Frequently asked questions
How common are brake problems on the 1999 Mercury Sable?
NHTSA has 29 complaints about the brakes of the 1999 Mercury Sable, 11% of the model year's 258 complaints. The component named most often is antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip (8 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1999 Mercury Sable brake problems?
No. NHTSA lists no brakes recall for the 1999 Mercury Sable, though it has 5 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 1999 Mercury Sable brake problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 50,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 3 crashes, 0 fires and 5 injuries to brakes problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.