Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (service brakes, ABS, rotors and pads, parking brake).
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.
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.
Dt: the contact owns a 2002 Mercury Sable ls. The vehicle had less than 31,900 miles on it. On 5/6/05 front brakes were replaced. Front brake pads cut the front rotors. Resurfaced the rotors, replaced and machined them which cost $250-275. . Then on 7/25/05 had the rear brakes replaced/machined rear drums/replaced shoes/ flushed the brake system, and replaced brake cylinder. Which cost consume r around $425. The vehicle now only has 33,544. The dealership has been very good about doing work on this vehicle. Consumer contacted the manufacturer, and they told him the problem was with the vehicle. They said they would call the dealership. All they did was contact the dealership, and they gave consumer $50 off. That was all the manufacturer did, and they never contacted him back. He dealt with the manufacturer before, and they did nothing for him then. …
Left front spring broke gouging an 8 inch tear in tire side wall causing a blowout and damage to anti-lock brake system. Transmission mount was also damaged. If this had happened at highway speeds, loss of steering control and braking could have caused serious injuries. Ford denies any responsibility. I was told that Ford had admitted frequent spring failure on its 1999 to 2001 taurus/Sable vehicles and installed guards to protect the tires from blowout. This is second spring failure in 2 years. The first time was the right rear spring broke damaging strut and gouging tire but not causing deflation. Two spring failures on the same vehicle in 2 years indicate that it is not an isolated incident. This is time bomb waiting for someone to get seriously injured.
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.
When having to make an emergency stop you better pray, this is one of the worst cars I have ever driven for having to make a panic stop. I have had this problem checked by the dealer only to say there is no problem well, yes there is if I am only one of 50 other people who seems to have the same problem. What happened to safety for the people?
Driving at appox 30 MPH car began to accelerate to over 60 MPH with brakes being fully applied. Slowed car as much as possible before shifting car into park and car skidding off road to a stop. Brakes were smoking from trying to stop car. Car towed to mechanic. Accident happened on rt 16 east of rt 395 in webster ma at 11:30 am.
Passenger side front brake caliper and hydraulic hose not working properly. Had replaced caliper, hose and master cylinder. Brakes still make noise, grinding when brakes are applied. I took back to have looked at twice, replaced hose again. Over $500.00 in fixing and still not working right. Replaced caliper and hose twice.
While driving consumer applied the brakes to avoid another vehicle and it crashed into the other vehicle on the passenger's side. No injuries reported. Vehicle was towed to the dealer for inspection, but mechanic could not duplicate the problem. On 11-01-04 the problem recurred. The
While traveling 5 MPH and attempting avoid a crash consumer depressed brake pedal with force to floorboard resulting in accelerator pedal being depressed at the same time. This caused a crash. Please provide further information.
Related recalls
Service brakes, hydraulic › Pedals and linkages
Certain passenger vehicles equipped with adjustable padels are being recalled in order to adjust the brake and accelerator pedals to a minimum of 50 mm of lateral separation. Simultaneous application of both the brake and accelerator pedals could result in an increase in engine RPM.
Remedy: Owners will be instructed as to the proper way to set the position of the pedals and to take their vehicles to a dealer to have the spacing between the brake and accelerator pedals measured.
NHTSA investigations
Brake/accelerator pedal application
Ms. Rodman reported that after her vehicle was inspected for the recall, her mother experienced a sudden acceleration and crashed the sable into a light pole.previously NHTSA had conducted an investigation for this issue (pe02-035) that resulted in the recall (02v-266) of 369,000 my 2000-2002 taurus and sable vehicles equipped with adjustable brake and accelerator pedals to insure that the separation between the…
Brake complaints in other Sable years
Frequently asked questions
How common are brake problems on the 2002 Mercury Sable?
NHTSA has 24 complaints about the brakes of the 2002 Mercury Sable, 5% of the model year's 440 complaints. The component named most often is antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip (5 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2002 Mercury Sable brake problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 02V-266 (pedals and linkages, Oct 2, 2002). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2002 Mercury Sable brake problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 43,000 miles, and 25% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 7 crashes, 0 fires and 1 injury and 1 death to brakes 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.