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 2002 Mercury Sable owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 Mercury Sable. While attempting to park the vehicle, it experienced unintended acceleration. As a result, the vehicle jumped a curb and struck a metal table outside. The vehicle would not stop even with the brake pedal depressed. The vehicle was towed to a body shop where the vehicle was repaired. The contact stated that the brakes did not feel as though they were fully operational. A police report was filed. The contact suffered minor injuries to the knee, back, and neck, which required medical attention and physical therapy. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 85,000.
Approximately 39,000 miles. No rust car. Rubbing noise and all tires with history of losing air. While replacing all tires, wheel tech noticed right rear coil spring was fractured and completely wore off interior tire ridge. Placed doughnut tire on and advised I take to mechanic to have all springs fully checked. Car currentlyat mechanic shop this evening. Right rear coil spring definitely fractured. Seems many reports of same nature on this model. Why no recall on rear coil springs with so many complaints? Rubbing sound from beneath car has been noted and tires constantly needed air. Other issue(s): 1) ignition extremely hard to turn.2) accelerator seems to stick upon attempting to decelerate by letting up foot pressure. I inherited this car from my deceased father. I was always concerned that he accelerated too quickly from a stopped position. …
In motion the car wants to keeps accelerating even when you hit brake. And will stay the speed you are going or go faster. And you don't have to keep pushing accelerated. From start the rpms go straight to like 5 to 6 to 7 rpms and takes about 30 sec to idle down. I have tried everything to fix it. It just won't fix!.... My power steering pump is brand new my rack and pinion is brand new. And my fluid still wants to over flow every time I get done driving it. I have tried everything to fix it can't and it's so hard to turn. Just not safe car at all I have put money in to fix all of this and it hasn't changed anything. They just keep messing up. The both of them. And the acceleration is very very dangerous. Cause the brake won't even slow you down. In motion and it happens in motion. And the rpms ramp up happens when just turning it on. …
While traveling down the highway, the car accelerated without explanation or warning. Brakes were not able to slow the vehicle to a controllable level. Brakes overheated from constant application. The car plowed over a parking barrier and through the grass before running a stop sign and stop light. Only way to stop the car was to throw it into park which caused the engine to rev and smoke. Given the level of traffic and time of day, the probability of an accident (possibly fatal) was extremely high. Car had to be towed to the repair garage but we do not have the documentation on cause of problem yet. Contacted manufacturer regarding covering cost of repair and they refused indicating this specific car is not on recall list, although there are several documented cases of this exact problem on the same make, model & year.
Driving(in motion) on busy road(city street) near home, accelerated to 45mph, tried to slow down for light, removed foot off gas and car did not slow. Had to slam on brakes in order to avoid car stopped at light. Took all my strength on brake to keep car stopped. Put in neutral, no change. Put in park no change,still 4000 rpms. Wanted to get vehicle home so I put on flashers drove home while applying brakes.I was scared to death. Should have pulled over and turned car off but wanted to get it home so I could avoid a tow. I am pretty handy and am doing research in order to fix myself.popped the hood at home and immediately saw that the cable going to the throttle body was broken and hung up on a clip on the linkage cover. Image is of another vehicle with the same exact problem.
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 Mercury Sable. When the accelerator pedal was depressed at 50 MPH, the vehicle rapidly accelerated. The contact depressed the brake pedal, but the vehicle failed to respond. The contact was unaware of how the vehicle stopped. The vehicle was inspected by an independent mechanic who stated that the cruise control cable was fractured. The contact performed a temporary repair. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 300,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 Mercury Sable. When the ignition was turned to the on position, the vehicle revved to 4,000 rpms without warning. The vehicle was towed to the contact's residence. It was discovered that the accelerator cable attached to a clip was stuck in the upright position. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was approximately 102,000.
Speed control cable cracked and dislodged holding throttle open... Ford had a customer satisfaction program for this.. 13b04. However it was never done, never got any letters and has now expired... Ford refuses to pay for a clip and cable(needs now) and since this never was a "recall" per say it is a safety issue. How can I get Ford to pay for this?
This has caused me much problems as my brother no longer let's me drive my mom's car thinks he's running the show which is quickly changing... Pulled into garage at 2 miles a hour. Speed rapidly changed couldn't stop center pinged the washer and dryer end of them. I'm very sick and unable to go to all my doctors appointments. Thank you Mercury!
My daughter had just merged onto the highway going approximately 65mph. Initially it felt difficult to get the car up to speed. She noticed she was edging up on the vehicle in front of her and took her foot off the accelerator to slow down but instead the car sped up. She applied the brakes which did not slow the car down. She applied pressure to the accelerator in an attempt to "unstick" it which had no effect on the speed of the car. She then attempted to apply the brakes further at which time the brakes began smoking. The car had reached 90mph at this point and was shaking. While continuing to keep her foot on the brakes, she was able to pull into the breakdown lane and put the car into neutral but the vehicle only slowed down minimally at which time she put the car into park. …
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 2002 Mercury Sable?
NHTSA has 56 complaints about the speed control & acceleration of the 2002 Mercury Sable, 13% of the model year's 440 complaints. The component named most often is accelerator pedal (5 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2002 Mercury Sable acceleration problems?
No. NHTSA lists no speed control & acceleration recall for the 2002 Mercury Sable, though it has 3 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 2002 Mercury Sable acceleration problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 88,000 miles, and 13% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 6 crashes, 0 fires and 2 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.