Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (battery, alternator, wiring, ignition, instrument cluster, infotainment).
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).
Tl* the contact owns a 2000 Mercury Sable. The contact stated that while vehicle was parked, it caught on fire in the dashboard area without warning. The fire was extinguished by neighbors. The air bags did not deploy, there was no police report filed, and there were no injuries due to the fire. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 100,000. The VIN was not available.
Loud explosion which was result of back fire blowing out upper intake manifold. This condition is adressed in Ford owner notification 00b38 (affecting 2000 Sable and taurus with 3.0l Duratec engine) in which Ford agreed to reprogram the PCM to prevent this backfire and ruptured inake condition. Program was only open from April 2000 to April 2001. Obviously this car was never reprogrammed due to lack mailing issue or change of vehicle ownership. These vehicles that are unrepaired present a significant safety risk to automotive service personel working in the area when the hood is open. The blast of the plastic intake pieces is of such a violent nature that even the underhood insulation is damaged. Believe that these vehicles should all be reprgrammed regardless of date.
Tl* the contact owned a 2000 Mercury Sable. The contact was driving 30 MPH when smoke began emitting from the engine. The contact immediately pulled over and got out of the vehicle as it burst into flames. The fire department was called yet the vehicle was destroyed when the y arrived. The police and fire department were unable to determine the cause of the fire. The dealer informed the contact that the vehicle had no recalls. The contact noticed various online complaints regarding fires in his year, make and model and believed that the manufacturer should look into all of the complaints. The failure mileage was 118,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2000 Mercury Sable. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle, the heater failed to blow hot air. The contact stated that the windshield defroster was inoperable. The vehicle was taken to lb smith Ford located at 1100 market st, lemoyne, pa 17043, [phone], to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the heater coil was defective and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 130,000.
Tl contact owns a 2000 Mercury Sable. The contact stated that while driving at any speed when the anti-theft light illuminated the vehicle stalled. The failure was experienced numerous times. The vehicle was taken to a local mechanic who performed a diagnostic test and was unable to locate a failure code. The local mechanic replaced the computer control module and the ignition switch. The anti-theft light continued to illuminate causing the vehicle to stall. The vehicle was not repaired. Updated 04/15/11 the consumer stated when the anti- theft light flashed, the odometer dropped down to zero and the vehicle lost power. Updated 10/12/11
1 brake lights fail not covered under recall 1 year ago due to listing was taillight. Brake light switch will not let you shift the car. Has to be checked dayly. 2 oil leaks cause smoke will cost over $300 dollars to fix. 3. Service flashes are not covered. 10 to 15 miles per gallon. Causes pining nosie. 4. Defrost will cause wiring and A/C to smoke. Cause keyless remote car system to stop working. 5. Foot gets caught in brake and gas petal. Checked under recall by a new tech. Checked OK. 6.transmission will cause car to jump back and forward when in park. From a falty valve body. 0.dealer replaced electrical under warntee
I have a 2000 Mercury Sable station wagon that occasionally without warning the engine will shut off briefly and the theft light flashes. Frequently it will not crank until you go through multiple actions, off unlocking the doors and pushing the alarm button on the remote. One time I could not get it to crank at all and had to have it towed to the dealer. I have had it to the dealer four times now (it is currently there) and I have spent three hundred dollars on the first three times and the problem still exists.
Tl* the contact owns a 2000 Mercury Sable. The contact stated that while parked, the vehicle suddenly stalled. The contact was able to restart the vehicle, but it continued to stall. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for diagnostics where the technicians stated that the key needed to be reprogrammed. The repair was performed. The technicians also stated that there was a problem with the anti theft system, which caused the vehicle to stall. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 104,845.
The back brake lights are not working again. (4th time) also, the car will not move out of park after you start the car. I know these two problems are related to the brake switch. This item has been (replaced) two other times. I am putting the powers that be on notice that if I am in a crash because of this safety issue, I am responsible for it. Also, there is some sort of electrical problem that will keep the car for starting.
Brakes shudder when applied, been cut down once already stopped for about 5000 miles then started again increasing in intensity as mileage climbed, also car will shut off for a moment or two causing loss of all power, and all dash indicator lights to come on, also had to replace brake light switch twice now.
Electrical complaints in other Sable years
Frequently asked questions
How common are electrical problems on the 2000 Mercury Sable?
NHTSA has 23 complaints about the electrical system of the 2000 Mercury Sable, 5% of the model year's 464 complaints. The component named most often is ignition (4 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2000 Mercury Sable electrical problems?
No. NHTSA lists no electrical system 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 electrical problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 63,000 miles, and 33% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 0 crashes, 4 fires and 0 injuries to electrical system 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.