Airbag complaints by model year
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (front, side and curtain air bags, sensors and inflators).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
The contact owns a 2008 Mercury Sable. While the contact's son was driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle was involved in a crash. The contact's son was the only occupant in the vehicle during the crash. The contact stated that none of the air bags deployed. The contact stated that there were two impacts to the vehicle during the crash. The first impact was on the front passenger's side of the vehicle, in which the front passenger's side door and rear door were crushed. The contact stated that the second impact was when the vehicle drove through a fence and crashed into a house and the cement porch. The vehicle was towed to the residence. The contact stated that the vehicle was deemed total loss by her insurance provider and the insurance provider of the other driver who crashed into the vehicle. …
The contact owns a 2008 Mercury Sable. The contact stated their daughter was driving at 55 mph, when the driver was approaching an intersection at a red light the driver depressed on the brake pedal and the brake pedal went straight to the floor and the vehicle could not stop causing the vehicle to hit the vehicle in front of them in the rear. The air bags did not deploy. The driver does not remember if there was any warning light illuminated on the vehicle. The crash caused damage to the front bumper and pushed in the front grill and hit the radiator of the vehicle. There were no injuries reported. A police report was filed. The contact was a former mechanic and inspected the vehicle but could not diagnose the failure, but was concern that there was an issue with anti- lock brake system. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. …
I was traveling in the passing lane of a highway when the vehicle in front of me slammed on her brakes. I slammed on my brakes but skidded into the back of her vehicle at approximately 50 MPH. I was thrust forward and back in my seat and suffered injuries to my neck and back. I went to the hospital by ambulance because I could not move from the head down to my waist. I thought I broke my neck. The whole front end of my car is smashed in and the airbags did not deploy! I have torn ligaments in my neck and numbing in my hands and feet due to injuries. I am diagnosed with sprained ligaments and whiplash and luckily no breaks. I have advanced degenrative cervical disease in my neck which now makes the pain unbearable since the crash! It's only been several days but the issue of the airbag is really bothering me! I can't believe I have airbags installed and they didn't work!!! …
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 Mercury Sable. The contact stated that while driving 20 MPH, the air bag deployed independently. The contact stated that she sustained a contusion to the upper lip, right eye and burns to the right arm. The contact stated that the vehicle was not in a crash however, one month prior to the air bag deployment, there was a flood in her city that shorted out some of the electrical units in the vehicle. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer for inspection. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 237,000.
Tl* the contact owned a 2003 Mercury Sable. While driving 35 MPH, another vehicle collided with the contact's vehicle. The air bags failed to deploy and the seat belt did not lock, which forced the contact to strike the steering wheel during the crash. The contact sustained a concussion, back, and neck injuries that required medical attention. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to the contact's home and then towed to a junk yard. The vehicle was destroyed. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The VIN was unknown. The failure mileage was 100,000.
Driver's side airbag failed to deploy on front impact car crash. The car is a 2003 Mercury Sable. The passenger air bag did deploy (though there was no passenger). The highway patrol cut open the steering wheel cover to reveal that there was indeed a driver's side air bag with the number tgp037spaeit p5206000-00ee09. The VIN number of the vehicle is [redacted] my daughter was driving and is unsure of the speed of the car when she lost control of the car and hit the wall. I'm guessing it was in the 35-45 MPH range. Her injuries were minor - thanks to the seat belt - I am very concerned that the air bag did not deploy to offer her further protection as expected.
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.
Related recalls (1)
Air bags › Frontal
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2009-2012 Ford Flex, 2008 and 2010-2012 Ford Taurus, 2008-2009 Ford Taurus X, 2008 Mercury Sable, 2009 and 2011 Lincoln MKS vehicles. The driver frontal air bag may improperly inflate during second-stage deployment in the event of a high speed crash.
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and replace the driver's frontal air bag module, as necessary, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin on June 13, 2016.
NHTSA investigations
Frontal air bag non-deployment in crash
Ford motor company has identified 260 reports alleging frontal air bag non-deployment for any (severity) frontal or near-frontal crash on model year 2000-2001 Ford taurus and Mercury sable vehicles.additional crash reports are contained in NHTSA's fatality analysis reporting system (fars) database.the single odi report listed in the report summary is NHTSA's special crash investigation's case no.
Frontal air bag non-deployment in crash
This investigation identified a total of 427 reports alleging non-deployment of the frontal air bags.of the 427 reports, two incidents (fatal crashes) have been identified as severe frontal crashes in which the frontal air bags did not deploy.a defect trend has not been identified at this time.further use of agency resources does not appear to be warranted.accordingly, this investigation is closed.the closing of…
Frequently asked questions
Which Mercury Sable years have airbag problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 2000 (33), 2001 (27), 2002 (24), 1999 (17) and 1996 (15) model years. Airbag complaints make up 7% of all complaints for the 2000.
Is there a recall for Mercury Sable airbag problems?
Yes — 1 recall, including 16V-247 (frontal, Apr 26, 2016). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers; check a specific car with the VIN recall check.
At what mileage do Mercury Sable airbag problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 69,000 miles; 33% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the frontal (82 mentions), followed by the side/window (18).
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.