Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (automatic and manual transmissions, CVT, axles, driveshaft, 4WD/AWD).
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).
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 called regarding a 2000 Mercury Sable. In April 2006, the contact received a recall letter for a boot to be put on the coil springs. The Ford dealer refused to put the boot on because the contact had put aftermarket struts on the vehicle. In October 2006, the contact started hearing a thumping noise, and the vehicle would vibrated. The contact had repairs done at a Ford dealer, replaced the back springs, tie rod and ball joints. On 11/24/2006, the contact was traveling at 40 MPH, when she heard a loud noise and pulled over because she thought she had a flat tire. The contact smelled something burning. The vehicle was towed to a Ford dealer, and the contact was told the driver front spring broke. The dealer was willing to pay for the spring, but not for the tire and the tie rod. The sway bar link, struts, ball joints and cv boot were replaced. Updated 02/27/07.
On the morning of 12/19/02, I entered my vehicle and started it up. After closing the door I observed in the outside rearview mirror that it appeared my garage door was not fullu opened. I then opened the driver side door and exited it without closing it. With my back to the vehicle I verified that the garage door was fully opened. Before I could turn around the vehicle had proceeded to back out of the garage with the car door opened. I was not able to re-enter the vehicle with the hopes of stopping it as the door made contact with some plastic containers. The containers did create a void for me as once the containers gave way under the force of the door I was then thrown clear of the opened car door and the garage door door jam. After I was able to pick myself up from the floor I was able to run and stop the car when it was approximately 30 feet down the driveway.
Exited from the highway to refuel. Upon fueling we intended to continue our trip as planned. Car stopped at light began to accelerate for 5-10 feet. Engine made a revving sound and all power was lost. All fuels look good and this car has less than 20,000 miles total because it was used sparingly by previous owner. No lights or indication gave warning that transmission would lose power. We are now seeing online that this is an issue. I had previously called dealer but kept getting hung up on. I am a widow with children and do not have the money to just tow the car to be fixed as this was our only transportation we have been limited on actually traveling to the dealership so they can check recall information for us.
The torque converter in the transmission failed. The vehicle stopped dead in the street. I was on a side street at the time and not on the highway. I called 4 transmission repair shops in the st. Charles, mo area for pricing. They were all aware of this defect but Ford does not have a recall and will not offer any type of satisfaction for the repair. If I had been traveling at a higher rate of speed, on a busy street or highway, an accident would have occurred. I think this is definitely a safety hazard. I don't know that any other consumers have complained but a survey of transmission repair shops would surely reveal the extent of the problem.
Tl contact owns a 2000 Mercury Sable. While attempting to make a right turn, the transmission failed to shift into the proper gear. The contact took the vehicle to a local mechanic and they replaced the converter, transmission fluid, bolts, and joints. One year later, while driving 30 MPH, the failure recurred and the vehicle was taken back to the auto repair shop. The mechanic made identical repairs and stated that because the converter was manufactured out of plastic, it would continually fail. The contact is in the process of notifying the manufacturer. The failure mileage was 75,000 and current mileage was 98,000.
Consumer is unable to take vehicle out of park with engine running. The vehicle had to be turned off to be taken out of park. Vehicle is then put into neutral and started. The dealership indicated that, "this is a common problem with these vehicle", and provided a temporary remedy. The brake switch was covered in grease and caused the brake lights not to work. The dealer indicated that the switch was in a bad location and that it would probably fail again. The consumer believes the manufacturer should be responsible for the repair and that they should recall the vehicle.
While stopping at a traffic light vehicle continued to accelerate at full throttle, even when brakes were applied again, and the ignition was turned off. Vehicle accelerated through an intersection, and only stopped when the front axle broke. Vehicle was towed to a dealership, but they couldn't indicated why the acceleration failure occurred, even when a diagnostic test was performed. Car kept lunging and hopping forward while the brakes were on. The vehicle was taken to the dealer but they were unable to determine d the cause of the problem.
My 2000 Mercury Sable transmission has failed. It gave no warning or slippage or anything. The car was moving fine when the transmission stopped pulling. It will go in park and neutral but won't pull. The fluid doesn't leak out and is still full. After reading forums on the internet, it appears that a lot of people have the same problem. I believe Ford needs to have a recall for this problem on Mercury sables and Ford taurus. Please help us with this matter. I don't want to spend $2000 for a rebuild when Ford is responsible.
Driving down road in my 2000 Mercury Sable ,stopped at redlight,tried to pull out,car would only rev up and not move. There were no signs that the transmission was going bad just up and quit pulling. We were.stuck in middle of road ,with cars passing around us. We.was in danger of getting hit. We had 100 miles to drive on freeway to get home. If this had happened then, we surely would have been hit by a passing car. I have researched this a lot and have found this a common problem with these cars.
Transmission complaints in other Sable years
Frequently asked questions
How common are transmission problems on the 2000 Mercury Sable?
NHTSA has 31 complaints about the transmission & drivetrain of the 2000 Mercury Sable, 7% of the model year's 464 complaints. The component named most often is automatic transmission (16 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2000 Mercury Sable transmission problems?
No. NHTSA lists no transmission & drivetrain 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 transmission problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 48,000 miles, and 25% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 3 crashes, 1 fire and 0 injuries to transmission & drivetrain 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.