Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (accelerator pedal, throttle, sudden acceleration, cruise control).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2000 Mercury Sable owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
I was in a parking lot of a store, started my car, headed out onto a city street, turned right. All of a sudden my vehicle took off, started speeding up. I stepped on the brake, it slowed the vehicle down a little, but the brake felt like air and didn't feel like it was braking correctly. Luckily, I had a green light, went through that, kept braking. The car slowed down a little bit but then would not stop completely, surged a little more; I was able to pull into a parking lot; braked again, my car kept going at slow speed; I pulled on my parking brake, nothing happened. Then, I put the car into park, which stopped it. Then I pulled out the key. I called the mechanic I use. He sent a tow truck to me. My car is at the mechanics now.
Tl* the contact owns a 2000 Mercury Sable. The contact stated that while at a complete stop, the vehicle erroneously accelerated and crashed into a gate. The contact applied constant pressure to the brake pedal and traveled approximately four car lengths before stopping. There were no injuries. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and current mileages were 112,000. Updated 04/10/13..updated 04/25/13 the consumer stated the gate crushed the right side of the vehicle from the front bumper to the rear bumper. The iron gate bent almost in half taking it off the track and rendering it inoperable. Updated 06/04/2013
Tl* the contact owns a 2000 Mercury Sable. While driving 60 MPH, the vehicle accelerated without warning and the rpms increased to 500 or more. The local dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer was notified of the issue and did not assist. The contact was referred to NHTSA. The failure mileage was 116,000.
I was turning into a driveway,almost stopped,car accelerated even though I was stomping down on the brake.I ended up in a garage door,causing damage to my car,their car and garage door. I took car to dealer,nothing wrong.Ford refuses to acknowledge any problem.
While attempting to stop in traffic the vehicle accelerated suddenly and the brakes failed to stop the vehicle. As a result the consumer was involved in an accident. The driver sustained a fractured spinal cord.
While vehicle was parked in heavy traffic with engine still running, and without any warning it suddenly accelerated and hit rear end of another vehicle. Dealer stated we never heard something like this.
Drove the car away from the dealer and it was running fine. Stopped and got gas. Then left gas station and proceeded onto the capital beltway. After a couple miles the car began accelerating on its own. The only way I could get the car stopped was to put it in neutral. The engine continued at 4000 rpms. The car was then shut off after getting it stopped on the side of the road. I found that the problem was the cruise control cable had backed out of the socket approximately a half inch and wedged over to one side holding the accelerator linkage open at the 4000 RPM level. Neither myself or my mechanic have no idea why this happened and especially while driving at highway speed. The cable was pushed back over from the side and it popped back into place. I can manually pull the cable back out and there is no locking device to keep it from coming out again. …
Tl contact owns a 2000 Mercury Sable wagon. While driving 50 MPH using the vehicle speed control he noticed that the vehicle started to accelerate. He depressed the brakes and tried turning off the vehicle speed control in order to slow the vehicle down but it continued to accelerate at a faster speed. The vehicle continued to accelerate as he pulled to the side and turned the vehicle off. He tried to restart the vehicle but it accelerated full throttle forcing him to turn the engine off a second time. He called a mechanic who inspected the vehicle but could not find any failures. After inspecting the vehicle for half an hour he restarted the vehicle and it began working normally. He took the vehicle to the dealer who advised him to call NHTSA and offered no further assistance. He called the manufacturer who also advised him to call NHTSA. The failure mileage was 123,980. …
Driving vehicle on interstate with a speed of 75 MPH with cruise control activated. The cruise control suddenly accelerated on its own. Pushing the off button for the cruise control would not stop the acceleration as well as pushing on the brake. Had to ride the brake and take the first exit available, upon stopping, the vehicle still wanted to go, put vehicle in neutral and then the engine RPM would race to over 4000 RPM and at that time the car was shut off. Tried to start, started hard but RPM would race to over 4000 RPM in neutral when started. After 5 or 6 restarts and shut downs it finally came out of it this, took about about half an hour of time. Did not use cruise control after that for fear of repeat. This had happened prior to this event with my wife but could not remember how long ago the event took place so did not list the event.
On the first occasion I was stopped waiting in line to make a left hand turn, foot on the brake, the car suddenly accele rated as if someone had stomped on the gas pedal. I put both feet on the brake, car still was moving, I put it in park, engine raced so I shut it down. After restarting it returned to normal. The second time it happened, my daughter was driving in stop and go traffic, as she was slowing, with foot on the brake, car again accelerated, the car lurched forward and collided with a vehicle in front of her. She to had to shut down the engine for it to stop. I believe it to be a product failure and have reported it to Ford consumer affairs. It appears they have dismissed my claim without investigating it. This car is dangerous.
NHTSA investigations
Speed control cable damage
On June 21, 2013, Ford initiated Customer Satisfaction Program 13B04 to address a concern with Speed Control Cable damage in certain model year (MY) 2000 through 2003 Taurus and Sable vehicles equipped with 3.0L 4V Duratec engines and built at the Chicago assembly plant.In the dealer letter for the program, Ford indicates that the Speed Control Cables on affected vehicles may be susceptible to damage or becoming…
Acceleration complaints in other Sable years
Frequently asked questions
How common are acceleration problems on the 2000 Mercury Sable?
NHTSA has 71 complaints about the speed control & acceleration of the 2000 Mercury Sable, 15% of the model year's 464 complaints. The component named most often is accelerator pedal (19 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2000 Mercury Sable acceleration problems?
No. NHTSA lists no speed control & acceleration recall for the 2000 Mercury Sable, though it has 7 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 2000 Mercury Sable acceleration problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 87,000 miles, and 8% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 18 crashes, 0 fires and 7 injuries to speed control & acceleration 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.