Acceleration complaints by model year
| Year | Complaints | Share of year's complaints | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2009 | 5 | 25% | 38,000 miles |
| 2008 | 10 | 16% | 45,000 miles |
| 2005 | 38 | 46% | 81,000 miles |
| 2004 | 15 | 29% | 82,000 miles |
| 2003 | 28 | 14% | 106,000 miles |
| 2002 | 56 | 13% | 88,000 miles |
| 2001 | 61 | 14% | 96,000 miles |
| 2000 | 71 | 15% | 87,000 miles |
| 1999 | 16 | 6% | 155,000 miles |
| 1998 | 32 | 17% | 73,000 miles |
| 1997 | 28 | 12% | 65,000 miles |
| 1996 | 17 | 6% | 56,000 miles |
| 1995 | 20 | 6% | 28,000 miles |
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (accelerator pedal, throttle, sudden acceleration, cruise control).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
Tl* the contact owns a 2009 Mercury Sable. The contact stated that while attempting to park, the vehicle suddenly accelerated, crashing into and embankment and continuing into a golf course. The contact sustained lacerations from the crash. The front passenger's head impacted the windshield, resulting in a contusion. In addition, the passenger sustained lacerations and bruises to the arms and legs. A police report was filed. The vehicle was taken to the dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and current mileage was 50,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2009 Mercury Sable. While pulling into a parking space at 2 MPH, the vehicle accelerated on its own. The failures occurred intermittently for three years. The dealer was unable to duplicate the failures. The manufacturer was notified. The VIN was unavailable. The approximate failure mileage was 22,300. Updated 9/4/14 the consumer stated when an incident would occur the vehicle had no brakes unless put in nuetral. The acceleration maintained the current speed. For the past 39 months the owner had been driving with one hand on the shifting lever to be able to stop. Updated 1/5/2014
Unintended acceleration resulting in an accident car rev'd on it's own and bolted forward while at a full stop at a red light and hit the car in front of it . Car was driven in twice and towed in once to the local Ford dealership ,over the course of the 2 years prior to the accident ,with the same complaint. They have not been able to find anything wrong with the car. Cause unkown. Problem is intermittent. After doing some online research I've discovered that there have been similar complaints. Tried to attach repair invoice and insurance claim , but "select image or document link " button below is not working.
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 Mercury Sable. While driving at a low speed, the brake pedal was depressed and the vehicle accelerated independently. As a result, the contact crashed into a light pole and the air bags failed to deploy. A police report was filed and no injuries were reported. The failure recurred on numerous occasions. The vehicle was taken to multiple dealers who were unable to diagnose or repair the vehicle. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 35,000.
Im owner of Mercury Sable 2005 only 79000 miles..The car problem speed control idle over 2200 so high when stop red light have to brake pedal to slow the vehicle down, and the vehicle failed to accelerrate..
Purchased vehicle from a private seller 10 days prior to incident. Seller informed me they had replaced throttle body sensor to fix unintended acceleration issues. Drove vehicle home on 4/10/22 with one incident on highway where I attempted to slow vehicle after reaching approx 70mph, and vehicle seemed to jolt/shudder as if unable to brake smoothly. Did not drive again til 4/18/22: I attempted to drive vehicle to tire shop to have new tires installed. After backing out of driveway, I accelerated quickly to approx. 25mph. Acceleration continued past 25mph despite me letting off the gas pedal. I hit the brakes and felt the acceleration continuing to push against them, causing the car to jolt/shake with the application of the brakes. I slowed to a stop at a nearby traffic light, where the engine continued to rev at approx. 2000rpm. …
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 Mercury Sable. While driving at high speeds, the rpms increased without warning. The vehicle surged forward and exhibited rapid acceleration. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 135,000.
I received a panicked phone call from my 16 year old daughter after a life threatening experience. She was driving at 35 MPH when the car began to accelerate on it's own, the engine raced to 4,000 RPM and stayed there, while she frantically pressed the brake. Thankfully she was able to contain control of the vehicle as she pulled off it the road. She immediately turned off the engine, after waiting a few minutes she started the car, again it raced to 4,000 RPM. After trying this multiple times I had the car towed home. A call to Ford verified there has been no recalls or recall work done on this vehicle. I researched this issue online, to my amazement there are many people who have experienced this same issue.in fear for my child and anyone else who might drive this vehicle I have removed it from use, and feel stuck with unsafe vehicle. …
Related recalls (2)
Vehicle speed control
Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. A dash insulator retainer clip was not fully assembled to the accelerator cable dash fitting. The clip can disengage from the accelerator cable and fall into the accelerator pedal arm pivot area.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect these vehicles to ensure proper installation of the accelerator cable clip, and re-install if needed.
Vehicle speed control
Vehicle description: vehicles equipped with 3.8l engines and originally sold or currently registered in the following states: alaska, colorado, iowa, idaho, illinois, indiana, kansas, massachusetts, maine, michigan, minnesota, missouri, montana, north dakota, nebraska, new hampshire, new york, ohio, pennsylvania, south dakota,…
Remedy: Dealers will add a boot to the speed control cable.
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…
Stuck throttle
Preliminary Evaluation (PE)12-005 was opened to investigate allegations of speed control cables detaching from the throttle body and subsequently interfering with the throttle closing fully to the idle position in model year (MY) 2005 and 2006 Ford Taurus vehicles.The speed control cable, throttle body attachment arm (?nail head?) for the speed control cable, cable mounting bracket and cable routing for the MY 2005…
Frequently asked questions
Which Mercury Sable years have acceleration problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 2000 (71), 2001 (61), 2002 (56), 2005 (38) and 1998 (32) model years. Acceleration complaints make up 15% of all complaints for the 2000.
Is there a recall for Mercury Sable acceleration problems?
Yes — 2 recalls, including 98V-204 (vehicle speed control, Sep 1, 1998); 97V-025 (vehicle speed control, Feb 26, 1997). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers; check a specific car with the VIN recall check.
At what mileage do Mercury Sable acceleration problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 85,000 miles; 27% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the accelerator pedal (55 mentions), followed by the cruise control (19).
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.