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 2003 Mercury Sable owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
I was driving east on I-70 from kansas city mo. Cruise was set at 78. 4 lanes. Was in left passing lane and had to slow down quickly because of vehicle in front was doing about 50mph. The right was clear and I started moving to the right to pass. The car instantly accelerated as I started to turn right. The acceleration actually pull the car forward so fast the rear end slid to the left. Car moved a crossed the right 3 lanes of traffic at about a 60 deg angle. I managed to turn the car into the skid to avoid the guard rails and started back across the lanes with complete loss of control of the car as it did a complete 360. As I was returned to facing east again I pulled off into the median as I was again in the far left lane now in front of the vehicle I had started to pass. Having been in many emergency situation in my 67 years. I just road out the turn. …
My car is trying to kill me! I was driving at approximately 40 MPH, when I started to brake for a stop before turning . The car slowed down, as I held my foot on the brake, but suddenly the car started to accelerate. I already had my foot on the brake, and the brake held, but I had to take the car out of gear, and shut the engine off. The engine was racing at a speed I would estimate at 80 MPH. It was a frightening and dangerous experience. I checked to see if a floor mat was pressing on the gas pedal. It was not. The same incident happened on two more occasions. My mechanic has not found the problem. I no longer drive the car.
So sorry to bother you. I have a Mercury Sable 03 which has been accelerating by itself because the throttle cable gets stuck. I saw an article that said my year taurus and Sable have this problem as well as saw that all those in the junk yard have the exact same problem. In the article it said Ford agreed to fix those to stop further investigation. How would I go about getting this fixed? Please and thank you. My vehicle started going 79 and wouldn't stop. Even in neutral it went 4000 RPM until the throttle cable was unjammed. And continues to do so
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 Mercury Sable. While driving 45 MPH, the contact attempted to decelerate; however, the vehicle failed to stop. The contact immediately shifted the vehicle into neutral and avoided a collision. The contact brought the vehicle to an independent mechanic and was informed of a customer service campaign. The manufacturer and dealer stated that the vehicle was not included because it was manufactured in another plant. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 123,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 Mercury Sable. While driving various speeds, the vehicle began to accelerate independently without warning. The vehicle was able to stop with the brake pedal being depressed. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the motor mount and radiator hose failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 121,373.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 Mercury Sable. While stationary, the vehicle accelerated rapidly on its own without warning. In addition, the "check engine" indicator illuminated. Fairway Ford in san bernardino, california determined that the speed control cable needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 170,000. ...updated 10/23/17 updated 11/1/2017
I was driving my car on a city street and the car started accelerating on its own and I tried to brake but my brakes would not work. I had to put both feet on the break to slam hard enough to try to get it to slow down even a little. I found out that the throttle cable got stuck and could not go back in causing the car to keep accelerating.
I was driving when I realized that my car was going much faster than it should be. I was going up a hill so I moved both of my feet away from the pedals and realized that it was still gaining speed. I pressed hard on the brakes and managed to bring it mostly to a stop about 80 feet from an intersection and another car. I put it into park, but still had to hold the brake down hard in order to keep the car from rolling forward. When the light changed, I put the car in drive and it "peeled out" and was almost impossible to control. I hit the brakes hard, turned at the intersection then into a vacant parking lot. I put it in park immediately and shut it off. I tried to restart the car and the engine immediately went to 5000 RPM, so I shut it off again and had it towed to my local dealership. The car was definitely accelerating without any input on my part. …
Tl contact owns a 2003 Mercury Sable. While attempting to depress the brake pedal and place the vehicle into drive, the contact's foot struck the accelerator pedal instead. The vehicle accelerated forward at a fast pace. The contact feels that the accelerator and brake pedals are too close together and could cause a crash when pressed incorrectly. He called the manufacturer and was advised to have the vehicle inspected. While driving 25 MPH, the contact had to slam on the brakes in order to avoid a crash. He noticed that the steering column failed intermittently, but was able to drive the vehicle safely to his destination. The vehicle was taken to a local repair shop and inspected by a technician, who stated that he does not work on steering failures. The contact was instructed to take the vehicle to a dealer. The vehicle has not yet been inspected and no repairs have been performed. …
I was driving my car and while I was braking for a stop light I couldn't stop. Something was giving my car gas as I was trying to stop. Ever since then when I drive it my RPM's are high and makes a noise. I called the shop and had my idle air control valve replaced because that's what the automotive place said was wrong. Since then it's been in 3 other times and had the part replaced just in case it was a faulty part. Now the mechanics are baffled as am I. I did research and noticed this was a common complaint on these vehicles. I just took it in again today December 6,2012 and we can't figure out the problem. It's getting worse to where I can't really drive it because when I go to brake it won't stop. I can be at a complete stop and not touch the gas and my car will get up to 45mph without me even touching the gas pedal.
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 2003 Mercury Sable?
NHTSA has 28 complaints about the speed control & acceleration of the 2003 Mercury Sable, 14% of the model year's 201 complaints. The component named most often is accelerator pedal (3 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2003 Mercury Sable acceleration problems?
No. NHTSA lists no speed control & acceleration recall for the 2003 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 2003 Mercury Sable acceleration problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 106,000 miles, and 16% before 25,000 miles.
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.