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 2002 Mercury Sable owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact owns a 2002 Mercury Sable. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle, the check engine warning light and transmission symbol remained illuminated. Additionally, while driving at various speeds, the vehicle would not properly accelerate. The contact stated that the vehicle shuddered and stalled occasionally. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The local dealer and manufacturer were notified of the failure but no assistance was offered. The failure mileage was unknown.
Miles 70,290 (acc) I was driving ob the highway , to avoid a crash I had to stop quickly. All indicator lamps came on but the car did not shut off. Small clouds of smoke from exhaust (white-grey). It was parked for 2 days , start up was fine driving was fine also. Once again a( lead foot) driver cut me and another car off. Same thing avoiding a crash slamming on my break. Again all indicator lights on but the cut shuts off completely. Turn it back on its was hesitation smoke and shaking. And more. A TSB was issued for a part/piece that will cause premature engine failure.
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.
2002 Sable sl -purchased May 2005 - w/14,000 miles- nov. Drove on freeway- exited to restaurant- with in 4 minutes of exiting car front end was engulfed w/flames reaching into dash- fire dept. On seen- when car was placed on tow 5 minutes later car started fire again- had to get fire dept. Again- engine completely melted- tow yard and varsity dealer rep. Stated a very suspicious fire seeing there is only 16,000-17,000 miles. Ford will not investigate and refuses to give me an answer to why and how I almost died in a severe car fire - there is not much left to the vehicle- it is sitting at stu evans Ford Mercury, garden city, michigan- your help would be greatly appreciated. I only had limited insurance and could not afford fire and theft for I just graduated from college trying to find a job. 1 week before this incident I retained a job and now have no vehicle. …
When cruise control is on and active and gas pedal manually depressed ( to pass car) throttle will stick open. Ball on throttle plate comes out of saddle on cruise control cable. When foot taken off gas ball on throttle plate does not return to original saddle position at end of cruise control cable. Ball on throttle plate gets stuck on edge of entrance to cable saddle. Throttle sticks partway open with amount open depending on cruise control cable position / amount of throttle commanded by cruise control. I fixed by placing a piece of 1/2" o.d. Tube over cable (slit along length and then over cable, cable tie in position). This is enough to keep ball on throttle from coming out of saddle on cruise cable. Basically snap lock in saddle is wearing out after repeatedly pressing on gas while cruise control is on and active. No more problems for 20,000 miles.
Dt: the consumer said that he got out of the car to go get a hair cut, and when he came out the car was running although he had the keys in his hands. When the consumer popped the hood, the engine was running, and when he closed the hood it stopped all of a sudden. The consumer had no idea that this was going to happen. The consumer saw on cnn news about Ford. The consumer had become concerned and wanted someone to help him. The dealer said that they could not find anything wrong with the car. The manufacturer said that the car was not on recall. The caller was very concerned because he needed the car and wanted someone to help him. The problem May be due to the cruise control switch.
Tl contact owns a 2002 Mercury Sable. The contact stated that he experiences intermediate failure with the vehicle. In March of 2007, while coming to a complete stop at 5 MPH, the engine revved and the rpms maxed out on the engine. While the vehicle continued to rev, the contact depressed the brake pedal, placed the vehicle in neutral, and shut off the vehicle. The contact has experienced the same failure five times since the first failure. The dealer stated that they could find no failures with the vehicle. The VIN, engine size, number of cylinders, powertrain, and transmission type were unknown. The current mileage was 40,000 and failure mileage was 35,000.
Car was revving at high rates of speed. While at light it would rev at1700, in park 4600. Idling at 30 MPH and car would speed itself up as if accelerator was stuck. When let off brake car would jump due to high revving. If I was waiting on train and didn't know better and edged up I would have jumped into the train. Issue was faulty cable that broke off at throttle and wouldn't allow a deceleration. Was very scary. Luckily I know my car and knew something was wrong.
While driving on the highway oil light came on, and the vehicle started shaking. Vehicle stalled while the consumer was pulling off the highway. Consumer then checked the oil level which indicated empty. Vehicle was towed to a dealership and stayed there for 3 weeks before they indicated that engine lost its oil. Vehicle was then towed to a mechanic, who did TSB 10007358 print out that indicated that this was a common failure with these vehicle.
After stopping at intersection, traffic light, etc., unexplained engine surge and engine noise, makes car lurch forward even when applying all possible pressure to brakes. Surge ceases only when transmission put in neutral. Towed to dealer first time, driven several times. This has happened several times. Dealer can find nothing wrong. I am always apprehensive when driving this vehicle.
Engine complaints in other Sable years
Frequently asked questions
How common are engine problems on the 2002 Mercury Sable?
NHTSA has 24 complaints about the engine & cooling of the 2002 Mercury Sable, 5% of the model year's 440 complaints. The component named most often is engine (4 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2002 Mercury Sable engine problems?
No. NHTSA lists no engine & cooling 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 engine problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 70,000 miles, and 29% 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.