Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (front, side and curtain air bags, sensors and inflators).
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).
My daughter was driving my 2000 Mercury Sable around a curve to the left when the rear of the vehicle began to slide to the left causing her to loose control and strike 2 guard rails,2 vehicles traveling in the opposite direction and then head-on into a stone retaining wall. Vehicle was severely damage and my daughter suffered a minor head injury. The airbags did not deploy even after striking the wall head-on. We are concerned that the rear coil springs were defective, rusted and May have cause her to loose control and the rear-end of the vehicle to slide to the left. 1 week prior to vehicle crash/incident, the rear end of the vehicle slid to the left on dry pavement while turning to the right. Vehicle tires were fairly new and in good condition. Please review the 2000 Mercury Sable for defects in the rear coil springs and the airbag deployment failure.
Petition to open an immediate investigation into why the Mercury Sable has excessive movement of the brake pedal, she owns a 2000 Mercury Sable with a defective brake pedal & airbags. The vehicle is equipped with an adjustable brake and gas pedal system which was recalled for the spacing between the pedals. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and they indicated that the vehicle needed no adjustment. One day the driver was turning into a parking space when the vehicle suddenly accelerated onto a grassy median and hit a light pole. The vehicle came to rest after hitting a vehicle head on. The air bags did not deploy and both occupants were injured. On inspection of the car it was noted that the brake pedal had excessive side to side movement. The manufacturer indicated this was a normal condition.
2000 Mercury Sable with adjustable brake and gas pedals was recalled for spacing issue. Told on recall no adjustment needed. Had bad crash. After crash told two more times adjustment not needed. This car has a brake pedal that wobbles side to side 7 mm and a gas pedal that wobbles side to side 1 cm. Odi in washington told me that as brake and gas pedal unit is brought forward the 3 inch distance for a shorter person the side to side wobble of brake pedal becomes worse causing you to hit the gas. They also said adjustment should have been made on this car. Ford refuses to acknowledge problem and to do anything about it. This vehicle is very, very dangerous to drive.
While driving 35 MPH consumer applied the brake pedal and the brakes failed, resulting in a collision. Upon impact, both frontal air bags failed to deploy. Driver and passenger sustained major injuries, and were transported to the hospital. The vehicle was towed to the dealer for inspection. However, the dealer refused to inspect the vehicle.
While driving front driver an passenger air bags inadvertently deployed. The consumer managed to drive to the dealership. The dealership's mechanic did not resolve the problem. The vehicle had no exterior damage. The insurance company denied the claim stating that the problem was a mechanical defect.
Consumer was at traffic stop and vehicle idling, as soon as consumer put foot on accelerator pedal ,consumer heard a loud noise and vehicle took off at high rate speed, crashing into a lamp pole, and causing injuires/ a broken sternum. Seatbelts did not lock up, and frontal airbags did not deploy.
With foot pressed down on brake pedal vehicle started to accelerate. Engine was racing, and vehicle suddenly took off and hit a building. Upon impact, none of the airbags deployed. Driver was unaware of speed. Please provide any further information.
The passenger side air bag is malfunctioning. I have taken the car to an authorized Ford dealer 8 times: 5/8/00, 5/24/00, 6/9/00, 6/1/01, 6/5/01, 7/11/01, 8/6/01, and 8/25/01. Ford has tightened connections,re-soldered connections, or replace wiring five times. The control module has been replaced twice. On 8/6/01 an authorized Ford dealer wrote on the work order "Ford tech. Assist hotline is aware of concern & advises no repair is available at this time." I have filed for lemon law, and at Ford's request took the car to an authorized Ford dealer on 8/25/01. On 8/25/01, Ford "repaired a loose connection at fuse box." the problem still exists. I am attempting to schedule a lemon law hearing date. This needs to be investigated. Ford is not working with me to solve the problem. …
Airbag warning light frequently comes on and then stays on all day. Dealer says car is safe except when warning lights are on, but that is unpredictable. Dealer has repeatedly made repairs but after a few months the airbag light comes on again. I made initial filing under lemon law and Ford has made final repair but light still stays on. Took Sable in again for diagnostic and dealer got very upset when I would not let them work on it after "final repair" typing "customer refuses safety repair" so they must believe it is not just a light problem but a true safety problem. Can you tell me if there have been failures of Sable airbags in accidents or injuries or fatalities associated with year 2000, 2001 or 2002 Sable airbags? If you do not know, can you advise me or refer me where to find this information?
While driving on drum avenue in kensington maryland I was going approximately 25mph when I heard a loud bang and then my passenger side air bag deployed. At the time I had my 11year old grandson and one of his friends in the back seat. Apparently my tire blew out and when the rim hit the ground my airbag deployed causing the astronomical expenses. A side air bag should not deploy on a tire blow out and there is no side impact. (tiresize: p215-60 r1)( dot number: tire size: p215-60 r1 )
NHTSA investigations
Frontal air bag non-deployment in crash
Ford motor company has identified 260 reports alleging frontal air bag non-deployment for any (severity) frontal or near-frontal crash on model year 2000-2001 Ford taurus and Mercury sable vehicles.additional crash reports are contained in NHTSA's fatality analysis reporting system (fars) database.the single odi report listed in the report summary is NHTSA's special crash investigation's case no.
Frontal air bag non-deployment in crash
This investigation identified a total of 427 reports alleging non-deployment of the frontal air bags.of the 427 reports, two incidents (fatal crashes) have been identified as severe frontal crashes in which the frontal air bags did not deploy.a defect trend has not been identified at this time.further use of agency resources does not appear to be warranted.accordingly, this investigation is closed.the closing of…
Airbag complaints in other Sable years
Frequently asked questions
How common are airbag problems on the 2000 Mercury Sable?
NHTSA has 33 complaints about the air bags of the 2000 Mercury Sable, 7% of the model year's 464 complaints. The component named most often is frontal (12 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2000 Mercury Sable airbag problems?
No. NHTSA lists no air bags 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 airbag problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 30,000 miles, and 43% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 10 crashes, 0 fires and 10 injuries to air bags 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.