Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
140–25K
1325–50K
1550–75K
475–100K
3100–150K
4150K+
53 reports with mileage · 8 unknown
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
Steering. Review the 16 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Electrical System. Review the 11 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Power Train. Review the 11 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
8 crash reports3 fire reports2 injury reports
What owners actually said
61 reports
63,000 miles · Dec 17, 2011
Power Train
CAR WOULD JERK GOING INTERSTATE SPEED OF 70MPH. FELT LIKE IT WAS GOING INTO NEUTRAL AND BACK IN TO GEAR. DID THIS ABOUT FOUR TIMES AND I MEAN IT IS HARD, WILL SCARE YOU TO DEATH IF YOUR IN THE CAR. AFTER IT DID THIS ABOUT FOUR TIME OVER AN HOUR, THE TRACTION CONTROL AND SERVICE LIGHT CAME ON AND STAYED ON THE REST OF THE TRIP…
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CAR WOULD JERK GOING INTERSTATE SPEED OF 70MPH. FELT LIKE IT WAS GOING INTO NEUTRAL AND BACK IN TO GEAR. DID THIS ABOUT FOUR TIMES AND I MEAN IT IS HARD, WILL SCARE YOU TO DEATH IF YOUR IN THE CAR. AFTER IT DID THIS ABOUT FOUR TIME OVER AN HOUR, THE TRACTION CONTROL AND SERVICE LIGHT CAME ON AND STAYED ON THE REST OF THE TRIP. THIS IS A USED CAR I JUST BOUGHT, SO IM NOT SURE IF IT WILL CONTINUE TO DO THIS. BUT I AM AFRAID TO DRIVE IT ON THE INTERSTATE NOW. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10440288
30,300 miles · Oct 14, 2011
Fuel System, Gasoline
ON THE ABOVE DATE - SEPTEMBER 28, 2011, I BECAME AWARE THAT THE GAS IN THE GAS TANK WAS MOVING AROUND (SLOSHING) WHENEVER THE VEHICLE STOPPED OR STARTED MOVING FROM A DEAD STOP. I CONTACTED FORD CUSTOMER RELATIONSHIP IN FLORIDA AND THEY WERE NOT HELPFUL AT ALL. I TALKED TO THEM 3 DIFFERENT TIMES - - -THEY COULDN'T TELL ME …
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ON THE ABOVE DATE - SEPTEMBER 28, 2011, I BECAME AWARE THAT THE GAS IN THE GAS TANK WAS MOVING AROUND (SLOSHING) WHENEVER THE VEHICLE STOPPED OR STARTED MOVING FROM A DEAD STOP. I CONTACTED FORD CUSTOMER RELATIONSHIP IN FLORIDA AND THEY WERE NOT HELPFUL AT ALL. I TALKED TO THEM 3 DIFFERENT TIMES - - -THEY COULDN'T TELL ME IF THERE ARE BAFFLES IN THE TANK TO PREVENT THE SLOSHING - THEY DIDN'T EVEN KNOW WHAT A BAFFLE WAS - -WOULD NOT DIRECT ME TO SOMEONE WITH MORE TECHNICAL KNOWLEDGE. LAST CONTACT WAS THURSDAY, OCT. 13,2011, YESTERDAY - - WAS ON THE PHONE 32 MINUTES WITH AN INDIVIDUAL WHO COULDN'T FIND THE ANSWER AND WOULDN'T TRY TO FIND SOMEONE WHO COULD GIVE ME AN ANSWER. A GAS TANK SHOULD NOT HAVE A PROBLEM SUCH AS THIS IN 39 MONTHS OF OWNERSHIP. GAS TANKS DON'T "WEAR OUT" IN THIS PERIOD OF TIME. AND I CAN'T GET ANY ANSWERS. THERE HAS BEEN NO ACCIDENT OR DAMAGE TO THIS VEHICLE. DOES MY VEHICLE HAVE BAFFLES IN THE GAS TANK?? IS THERE A SAFETY ISSUE HERE WITH THE SLOSHING OF THE GAS? IF THERE ARE BAFFLES WHY WOULD THEY SUDDENLY STOP FUNCTIONING? WOULD THIS PROBLEM BE COVERED IN THE VEHICLE WARRANTY? *TR
NHTSA ODI #10430208
Mileage unknown · Sep 6, 2011
Steering
2008 MERCURY SABLE. CONSUMER STATES PROBLEM WITH POWER STEERING *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED THE POWER STEERING FAILED AS HE WAS MAKING A RIGHT TURN.
NHTSA ODI #10423712
10,000 miles · Aug 15, 2011
Parking Brake
I OWN A 2008 MERCURY SABLE. THE FIRST MONTH I HAD IT I DROVE 2300 MILES ROUND TRIP TO YELLOWSTONE. ALMOST EVERY TIME I STOPPED I FOUND THE HOOD UNLATCHED (PARTIALLY OPEN). I DISCOVERED THAT THE UNFORTUNATE LOCATION AND ORIENTATION OF THE HOOD RELEASE (DIRECTLY ABOVE THE EMERGENCY BRAKE PEDAL AND PIVOTING UPWARD RATHER THAN PULLI…
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I OWN A 2008 MERCURY SABLE. THE FIRST MONTH I HAD IT I DROVE 2300 MILES ROUND TRIP TO YELLOWSTONE. ALMOST EVERY TIME I STOPPED I FOUND THE HOOD UNLATCHED (PARTIALLY OPEN). I DISCOVERED THAT THE UNFORTUNATE LOCATION AND ORIENTATION OF THE HOOD RELEASE (DIRECTLY ABOVE THE EMERGENCY BRAKE PEDAL AND PIVOTING UPWARD RATHER THAN PULLING UP OR OUT) MUST HAVE SNAGGED MY TENNIS SHOE EACH TIME. IT HADN'T HAPPENED SINCE I TRAINED MYSELF TO MOVE MY FOOT SIDEWAYS AS I RELEASE THE PARKING BRAKE. THE HOOD PULL NEEDS TO BE RELOCATED OR REORIENTED. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10419548
60,000 miles · Jul 20, 2011
Steering
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS 2008 MERCURY SABLE. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING, THE STEERING FAILED. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND WAS TOLD THE RACK AND PINION FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED BECAUSE THE FAILURE OCCURRED WITHOUT WARNING. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS 2008 MERCURY SABLE. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING, THE STEERING FAILED. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND WAS TOLD THE RACK AND PINION FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED BECAUSE THE FAILURE OCCURRED WITHOUT WARNING. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 61,000.
NHTSA ODI #10413739
108,000 miles · Jul 1, 2011
Vehicle Speed Control
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MERCURY SABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL BECAME STUCK WHEN IT WAS DEPRESSED TO THE FLOOR. IN ORDER TO RELEASE THE PEDAL, THE CONTACT HAD TO SHIFT THE VEHICLE INTO NEUTRAL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THEY WERE UNABLE TO DUPLICATE OR DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MERCURY SABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL BECAME STUCK WHEN IT WAS DEPRESSED TO THE FLOOR. IN ORDER TO RELEASE THE PEDAL, THE CONTACT HAD TO SHIFT THE VEHICLE INTO NEUTRAL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THEY WERE UNABLE TO DUPLICATE OR DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 108,000.
NHTSA ODI #10410169
30,400 miles · Jun 20, 2011
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MERCURY SABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR ROUTINE MAINTENANCE WHEN THE TECHNICIAN ADVISED THAT THE REAR BRAKES NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR A SECOND OPINION WHERE THE FAILURE WAS CONFIRMED. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED TO REPLACE THE …
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MERCURY SABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR ROUTINE MAINTENANCE WHEN THE TECHNICIAN ADVISED THAT THE REAR BRAKES NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR A SECOND OPINION WHERE THE FAILURE WAS CONFIRMED. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED TO REPLACE THE ROTORS. THE REAR DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE BRAKE PADS AND ROTORS WERE REPLACED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 30,400. UPDATED 07/21/11 *BF UPDATED 07/29/11
NHTSA ODI #10407591
50,000 miles · Aug 24, 2010
Electrical System
MY 2008 MERCURY SABLE, WHEN AT HIGHWAY SPEED, SPEEDOMETER HAS MOVED HIGHER AND LOWER ON ITS OWN. WHEN IN CRUISE CONTROL CAR SUDDENLY ACCELERATED WHEN SPEEDOMETER DROPPED TO ERRONEOUS LOW SPEED. THIS COULD HAVE CAUSED A CRASH INTO CAR AHEAD OF ME IF I WERE NOT ALERT. IT COULD HAVE CAUSED A SPEEDING TICKET. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10351471
231 miles · May 26, 2010
Electrical System
TL*THE CONTACT LEASED A 2008 MERCURY SABLE. WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH UP A HILL, THE CONTACT SMELLED A STRONG ODOR INSIDE THE VEHICLE. SHE STOPPED THE VEHICLE TO INSPECT IT AND FOUND NO EVIDENCE RELATED TO THE ODOR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOUR TIMES BUT THE FAILURE COULD NOT DUPLICATED. THE ODOR SEEMED BE INSID…
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TL*THE CONTACT LEASED A 2008 MERCURY SABLE. WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH UP A HILL, THE CONTACT SMELLED A STRONG ODOR INSIDE THE VEHICLE. SHE STOPPED THE VEHICLE TO INSPECT IT AND FOUND NO EVIDENCE RELATED TO THE ODOR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOUR TIMES BUT THE FAILURE COULD NOT DUPLICATED. THE ODOR SEEMED BE INSIDE OF THE VENTS WHICH MADE IT IMPOSSIBLE TO USE THE AIR CONDITIONER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED WHEN THE COMPLAINT WAS FILED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 231. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 18,000.
NHTSA ODI #10332307
31,998 miles · May 3, 2010
Electrical SystemVehicle Speed ControlCrash
2008 MERCURY SABLE AWD HAD AN ELECTRICAL ISSUE[MELT DOWN] THAT REQUIRED REPLACEMENT OF THE MAIN ELECTRICAL HARNESS. THEN IN SEPTEMBER OF 2008 A SUDDEN ACCELERATION PROBLEM CAUSED IT TO JUMP A CONCRETE PARKING LOT BARRIER AND TRAVEL DOWN INTO A DRAINAGE BASIN--40 FEET. $9000+ DAMAGE. REPEATED ATTEMPTS TO FORD HAS FALLEN IN DEAF …
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2008 MERCURY SABLE AWD HAD AN ELECTRICAL ISSUE[MELT DOWN] THAT REQUIRED REPLACEMENT OF THE MAIN ELECTRICAL HARNESS. THEN IN SEPTEMBER OF 2008 A SUDDEN ACCELERATION PROBLEM CAUSED IT TO JUMP A CONCRETE PARKING LOT BARRIER AND TRAVEL DOWN INTO A DRAINAGE BASIN--40 FEET. $9000+ DAMAGE. REPEATED ATTEMPTS TO FORD HAS FALLEN IN DEAF EARS. UPDATED 05/12/10 *BF UPDATED IVOQ 05/17/10.*JB
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. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: An improperly inflated air bag increases the risk of injury in the event of a 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. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 16C06.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
1
PE08060 · Tire Valve Cracking
Opened Oct 14, 2008 · Closed Apr 9, 2009
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Tires:valve
ON OCTOBER 14, 2008, ODI OPENED PE08-060 TO INVESTIGATE ALLEGATIONS OF CRACKED AND LEAKING SNAP-IN TIRE VALVES IN MODEL YEAR (MY) 2007 VEHICLES MANUFACTURED BY FORD MOTOR COMPANY.THE VALVES WERE SUPPLIED TO FORD BY TOPSEAL AUTO-PARTS, A SUBSIDIARY OF THE SHANGHAI BAOLONG AUTOMOTIVE CORPORATION IN CHINA.VALVES MADE BY TOPSEAL FOR AFTERMARKET SALE WERE THE SUBJECT OF TWO RECENT SAFETY RECALLS BY TECH INTERNATIONAL (08T-018) AND DILL AIR CONTROLS (08T-028), THE LATTER OF WHICH WAS INVESTIGATED BY ODI IN PE08-036 AND EA08-022.THE DEFECT CONDITIONS ADDRESSED BY THE AFTERMARKET TIRE VALVE RECALLS BOTH INVOLVED INADEQUATE RESISTANCE TO OZONE CRACKING DUE TO ISSUES WITH THE SUPPLY OF ANTI-OZONANT CHEMICALS TO TOPSEAL FOR A PERIOD FROM JULY TO MID-NOVEMBER 2006.THE AFTERMARKET VALVES WERE COMPOUNDED WITH A BLEND OF EPDM AND NATURAL RUBBER, USING A RELATIVELY LOW PERCENTAGE OF EPDM (EPDM PROVIDES INHERENT RESISTANCE TO OZONE CRACKING).HENCE, THE NEED FOR ANTI-OZONANT CHEMICALS AND THE PROBLEMS WITH CRACKING WHEN THOSE CHEMICALS WERE MISSING OR OUT OF SPECIFICATION IN SOME LOTS OF VALVES.BOTH RECALL CAMPAIGNS INVOLVED INSPECTION PROGRAMS TO IDENTIFY AND REPLACE VALVES WITH VISIBLE SURFACE CRACKING.ALTHOUGH THE TOPSEAL VALVES SUPPLIED TO FORD ALSO APPEAR TO HAVE BEEN AFFECTED BY THE ANTI-OZONANT SUPPLY ISSUES IN MID TO LATE-2006, FORD INDICATED THAT ITS VALVES WERE MADE AT A DIFFERENT TOPSEAL PRODUCTION LINE AND WERE COMPOUNDED WITH A HIGHER PERCENTAGE OF EPDM RUBBER TO MEET MORE STRINGENT SPECIFICATIONS FROM FORD.ODI'S ANALYSIS OF COMPLAINT AND WARRANTY DATA PROVIDED BY FORD SHOWED THAT PROBLEMS WITH CRACKED TIRE VALVES WERE SIGNIFICANTLY HIGHER FOR MY 2007 VEHICLES PRODUCED FROM DECEMBER 2006 THROUGH MARCH 2007.FORD RESPONDED BY IMPLEMENTING CHANGES IN ITS MATERIAL SPECIFICATIONS FOR SNAP-IN RUBBER TIRE VALVES AND ALSO INCREASING THE QUALITY AND ACCEPTANCE STANDARDS FOR VALVES IMPORTED FOR USE IN ITS VEHICLES.WHILE THE COMPLAINT AND WARRANTY CLAIM RATES ARE ELEVATED FOR SUBJECT VEHICLES PRODUCED FROM DECEMBER 2006 THROUGH MARCH 2007, THE RATES OF LEAKING VALVES ARE WELL BELOW ONE PERCENT OF PRODUCTION FOR EACH OF THE PEAK MONTHS FOR ALL OF THE AFFECTED MODELS.A SUBSTANTIAL MAJORITY OF THE SUBJECT VEHICLES ARE EQUIPPED WITH TIRE PRESSURE MONITORING SYSTEMS (TPMS) WHICH WARN THE DRIVER WHEN ANY TIRE PRESSURES DROPS BELOW 25 PERCENT OF RECOMMENDED INFLATION PRESSURE. AS OUTLINED IN A LETTER TO ODI DATED APRIL 6, 2009, FORD HAS AGREED TO SEND LETTERS TO OWNERS OF CERTAIN MY 2007 AND 2008 FORD, LINCOLN AND MERCURY VEHICLES TO PROVIDE INFORMATION ABOUT THE CRACKING CONCERN. LETTERS WILL BE SENT TO OWNERS OF VEHICLES BUILT FROM NOVEMBER 2006 THROUGH MAY 2007.OWNERS CAN OPT FOR A FREE DEALER INSPECTION.VALVES EXHIBITING SURFACE CRACKS OR AIR LEAKAGE RELATED TO OZONE ATTACK WILL BE REPLACED BY FORD UNDER ITS NORMAL WARRANTY TERMS.FORD EXPECTS TO SEND THE LETTER BY APPROXIMATELY MID-MAY 2009. BASED ON THE USE OF TPMS IN THE MAJORITY OF SUBJECT VEHICLES AND THE RELATIVELY LOW RATES OF REPAIRS ASSOCIATED WITH LEAKING VALVES AND RESULTANT TIRE DAMAGE, ODI BELIEVES THAT THE ACTIONS FORD HAS AGREED TO TAKE WILL PROVIDE EFFECTIVE AND EXPEDITIOUS RESOLUTION FOR VEHICLES THAT WERE BUILT DURING THE PERIOD WHEN VALVES WITH INADEQUATE RESISTANCE TO OZONE CRACKING WERE MOST LIKELY TO HAVE BEEN USED IN VEHICLE PRODUCTION.FURTHER INVESTIGATION OF THIS MATTER WOULD NOT BE AN EFFICIENT ALLOCATION OF AGENCY RESOURCES.ACCORDINGLY, THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT DOES NOT EXIST.THE AGENCY WILL CONTINUE TO
2008 Mercury Sable Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year
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