2002 Mercury Sable Airbag Problems

Which parts fail

• Frontal
  16

Components named in complaints (front, side and curtain air bags, sensors and inflators).

Mileage when the problem started

• Under 25k
  325%
• 25k–50k
  325%
• 50k–75k
  433%
• 75k–100k
  217%
• 100k–150k
  00%
• 150k+
  00%

Owner reports

Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2002 Mercury Sable owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).

Complaint received via e-mail. On Thursday 11/18/04 at approximately 5:30 pm central daylight time I was involved in a head on collision with another vehicle, resulting in a total loss of my 2002 Mercury Sable ls premium, id [redacted]. The cook county police was no the scene and issued report # 04-140236. Fortunately for me and the other driver there were no injuries requiring transportation by the paramedics at the scene to a hospital. The air bag system on the other vehicle was activated and did deploy. However, my vehicle air bag system did not. This was the reason for my concern and advisement to you. My vehicle was insured by travelers insurance company, and has been handled by [redacted] , phone # [phone], ext. [redacted] at naperville, illinois office. I have received the check for the value of the vehicle that was determined in the amount of $ 10,905.00 for about 30,000 miles. …

2002 Mercury Sable not equipped with optional "personal safety system" (no side airbags or occupant sensors on this vehicle) was involved in collision. Front end damage appears minimal, michigan state police estimated vehicle speed at collision approx. 25 mpg. Passenger airbag deployed, drivers airbag did not. The vehicle did protect the driver (me) and the seatbelt system worked flawlessly. I could have been injured but was not. Based on equipment on this vehicle, if the passenger airbag deployed then the drivers should have as well as it does not have the occupant sensors, etc. Main concern is in repair, the dealer stated that this happens somewhat frequently and I am concerned the drivers airbag will not be replaced.

Tl contact owns a 2002 Mercury Sable. While driving 45 MPH, another vehicle coming from behind her, jumped the median and crashed into the front end of her vehicle. As a result, the steering and floor column collapsed, and the airbags did not deploy. The crash destroyed the vehicle. The driver sustained a shoulder harness strain, a fractured sternum and bruised ribs. In addition, she sustained bruises to her right hand and left foot. The driver of the oncoming vehicle sustained minor injuries. A police report was filed. The current and failure mileages were 50,000. Updated 03/10/08

Tl* the contact owns a 2002 Mercury Sable. While driving approximately 65 MPH, the vehicle was involved in a multi vehicle crash in which the vehicle was destroyed yet the air bags did not deploy. A police report was available. The contact and a passenger sustained major injuries and were both transported via ambulance to the hospital. The vehicle was towed by the contact's insurance company but was not examined for the cause of the failure. The failure and current mileage was 99,700.

My wife was involved in a frontal collision at 25 MPH. Air bags did not deploy. Damage to car was $12,000.00. She suffered soft tissue injury to neck and now is in constant pain. Car was repaired by dealer, we now have an almost new car that we do not feel safe in.

I purchased a 2002 Mercury Sable in September of 2006. On January 19th while turning into my driveway traveling approximately 3-5 MPH both air bags deployed causing approximately 4,000.00 dollars in damage to my car. The dealer that I purchased the car from stated I bought it as is and would not offer me any assistance except to tell me to file it with my insurance company. My insurance company sent an adjuster whom surveyed the damage and told me they would not pay because there was no impact. I then filed a complaint with Ford motor company who said and I quote "there was a 50,000 mile warranty and they could not offer any assistance. Since this time to date I cannot get insurance or any help with this problem. I am still paying for a car I am not suppose to be driving. Your department sent me a service technical bulletin stating that Ford knew they had this problem in May of 2002. …

On May 1, 2006 my daughter and I were involved in a head on collision with a dump truck. The air bags (driver and passenger) did not deploy on impact. My daughter (who is 15 years old and driving with a permit) was trapped in the car. She received multiple lacerations, including a torn ear which will require surgery to repair it to look normal again. I received knee and neck injuries. I called Mercury customer care center to make the company aware of this situation. I offered to give them the location of my car, if they wished to look at it. The person I spoke to said they would not be looking at the car and he would make a note of my negative comment.

While driving a tractor trailer jumped in front of consumer's vehicle. Driver applied the brakes and the pedal went to the floor. Driver lost control of the vehicle and slid underneath tractor trailer. The driver's side airbag did not deploy, but the passenger's side air bag did deploy. Driver sustained head injuries and died thirty minutes later.

In March 2003 while driving 52 MPH vehicle was involved in a collision where front end was damaged, and front air bags did not deploy. Dealer stated that front air bags should have deployed. The vehicle check engine light illuminated and it's experiencing problem with the EGR valve and fuel pump.

While driving 40 MPH, the consumer crashed into another vehicle. The air bags failed to deploy. This caused the driver to sustained major injuries and was transported to the hospital by ambulance. The vehicle was towed to a garage. Please provide further details.

Airbag complaints in other Sable years