Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (engine, cooling system, oil leaks, timing chain, exhaust).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2001 Mercury Sable owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
My 2001 Mercury Sable accelerated as I entered the highway. The car would not stop even when I applied the brake. I called 911. The 911 operator suggested that I apply the parking brake which I did. I went about 15 miles riding the shoulder going between 60-70 miles per hour. I eventually exited the highway but could not stop even at the end of the exit ramp. I made a right hand turn. At this point I had reduced my speed to approximately 30 miles per hour. The car eventually landed in a ditch. At that point, I ended my call with 911. I looked to my left and found four men yelling to me to get out of the car. I then learned that the car was on fire. I exited the car. The four men put the fire out with a fire extinguisher. The car was towed to a Mercury dealership where it is documented that it was in fact the speed control cable that caused the car to accelerate. …
Tl* the contact owns a 2001 Mercury Sable. While driving 50 MPH on the highway, the accelerator pedal suddenly dropped down and the vehicle accelerated to 120 MPH. The contact shifted into neutral, but the rpms continued revving at maximum capacity. When the vehicle started to slow down, the contact turned off the engine. The vehicle eventually came to a rolling stop on the side of the road. The contact waited ten minutes and attempted to restart the vehicle, but the engine revved up again; therefore, the contact quickly turned the vehicle back off. The vehicle was towed to the contact's home. Future Ford of sacramento (4625 madison ave, sacramento, ca 95841, [phone]) stated that there were no recalls on the vehicle. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 180,000.
Something drastically wrong with the radiator system, antifreeze is always brown, have it changed and in 1 day it turns brown. The windows have been broken in this car since 2005, the two front windows do not go up and down, I don't feel safe without the windows working. There is something wrong with the suspension and I constantly have to put air into my tires and tires wear out quickly because suspension is messed up. Windshield washer has not worked since 2003. If it was built with pride like the company says it is, it would be a nice car. Falls apart too easily. I need help.
Throttle got stuck forcing car to accelerate even when not touching the gas pedal. Thankfully the brakes worked and I was able to stop the car and put it into park, at which point the engine revved to 4000 RPM. Once the car was turned off, it let off some white smoke with a burning oil smell. According to my mechanic, the speed control cable collar fractured. I was on the highway when this happened, doing 65 miles per hour.
Driving our 2001 Sable one day the check engine light came on when we were stopped at a red light. As the light turned green I accelerated and the car did not move according to the pressure I was putting on the gas pedal. The light stopped flashing and the car ran fine. This would happen from time to time and it got to a point were I took the unit to a Mercury dealership to have it checked out and they stated it had a mis-fire on the number 4 cylinder and they would have to replace the cylinder head at a cost of 2K one head only. I did some asking around at Ford and found out that there were some valve issues with the 3.0l dohc 24 v . I looked into the dealer process of changing only one head and I was told that would not be the Smart thing to do. I finally took the car in to confirm what the dealer had said and to get it fixed. I took the car to t.c. …
My 2001 Mercury Sable has now failed me over 8 times without warning. I would drive turn the car off then try to start it again and it would not start. It was completely dead. I called aaa had the car towed. I took it to the dealer and they charged me for everything. A battery, an alternator, wiring, the works then, the same thing happened. The last time my car was at the dealer for a week before I was told it needed a fuel pump. I have now decided to never buy another Mercury after being a long time customer. I never received a notice of a recall and just now found out the rear springs which I replaced was also happening to other customers. They have not fixed my problem and the car is sitting because I'm to frighten to drive anywhere. It's sad. All the money spent could gone toward some other car where service people care of course, now the warranty is expired. …
Tl*- the contact owns a 2001 Mercury Sable with an odometer reading of 71750 miles. The contact stated that the hoses that ran through the heater core dry rotted and failed, which caused the vehicle to overheat. The contact was driving under normal conditions at 40 MPH when the failure occurred. The contact took the vehicle to the dealer to have the problem repaired. The failure mileage was 68,680. The vehicle was leaking coolant at the tubes to the heater core. The front brake pads were very thin. Updated 04/12/07.
Dt*: the contact stated while driving 45mph the vehicle accelerated to 90 MPH before the brakes were able to hold. The vehicle was driven to the nearest independent repair shop. Upon inspection the mechanic determined ice had built up on the throttle housing around the pcv valve. The temperature on the date of failure was between -8 and -12 degrees. There was a fire in the wheel well area because of the pressure that was applied to the brakes. The mechanic replaced the pcv valve. Updated 02/24/06
Coolant leaks for bottom I have a 2001 Mercury Sable ls it has the 3.0 liter motor not 24 valve. I have talked with three other people and they have all Ford taurus's and they had to replace coolant bottle because they all cracked on the bottom of the bottle. Its odd that four people that I know we all have to change the bottle within a year of each other. Could there be faulty bottles made and will the antifreeze damage other parts on my car. I only have 78,000 miles on the car.
2001 Sable with 57000 miles. Vehicle will start, kill and then cannot be restarted for at least 1/2 hour. Sometimes will not start at all. Service people have hooked up to sensors but cannot find what is wrong. Problem is sporadic, happening about 1 to 2 times per week. Scoped fuel pump but said it was working properly. Said fuel filter and all other systems checked out OK. Don't know what to do next. Feel uneasy about driving the car anywhere far from home.
Engine complaints in other Sable years
Frequently asked questions
How common are engine problems on the 2001 Mercury Sable?
NHTSA has 27 complaints about the engine & cooling of the 2001 Mercury Sable, 6% of the model year's 430 complaints. The component named most often is engine (5 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2001 Mercury Sable engine problems?
No. NHTSA lists no engine & cooling recall for the 2001 Mercury Sable, though it has 8 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 2001 Mercury Sable engine problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 61,000 miles, and 15% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 1 fire and 0 injuries to engine & cooling 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.