Model year
2001 Mercury Sable
NHTSA lists 8 recalls and 430 complaints for the 2001 Mercury Sable (recall file dated Oct 23, 2026; complaint file dated Oct 23, 2026). The components listed on the most complaints are SUSPENSION:REAR:SPRINGS:COIL SPRINGS (95), VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL (43), SUSPENSION:REAR (40). NHTSA lists 8 investigations. NHTSA star ratings from before model year 2011 use an older method and are not shown here. EPA rates it 19–20 mpg combined depending on configuration (fuel economy file dated Sep 29, 2026). EPA's annual fuel-cost figures for these configurations are $3,350–$3,550, based on 15,000 miles and 55% city driving.
- 2000 464 complaints
- 2001 430 complaints
- 2002 440 complaints
- 2003 201 complaints
- 2004 52 complaints
- 2005 83 complaints
- 2008 61 complaints
- 2009 20 complaints
Recalls
04V332000 · Jul 15, 2004
SUSPENSION:FRONT:SPRINGS:COIL SPRINGS
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES ORIGINALLY SOLD IN OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE STATES OF CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, IOWA, KENTUCKY, MAINE, MARYLAND, MASSACHUSETTS, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA, MISSOURI, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW JERSEY, NEW YORK, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, RHODE…
04V106000 · Mar 2, 2004
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS:SWITCH
CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES ARE BEING RECALLED TO CORRECT A PROBLEM WITH A MALFUNCTIONING STOP LAMP SWITCH AND/OR ASSOCIATED WIRING. THIS MALFUNCTIONING COULD RENDER THE STOP LAMPS INOPERABLE OR CAUSE THEM TO STAY ON ALL THE TIME. THIS COULD CAUSE CONFUSION TO A FOLLOWING…
02V266000 · Oct 2, 2002
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:PEDALS AND LINKAGES
CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH ADJUSTABLE PADELS ARE BEING RECALLED IN ORDER TO ADJUST THE BRAKE AND ACCELERATOR PEDALS TO A MINIMUM OF 50 MM OF LATERAL SEPARATION. SIMULTANEOUS APPLICATION OF BOTH THE BRAKE AND ACCELERATOR PEDALS COULD RESULT IN AN INCREASE IN ENGINE…
01V258000 · Aug 8, 2001
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:MOTOR
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER CARS, SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, AND LIGHT AND MEDIUM DUTY PICKUP TRUCKS. A SWITCH LOCATED IN THE PLASTIC COVER OF THE WIPER MOTOR GEAR CASE COULD MALFUNCTION AND OVERHEAT, POTENTIALLY RESULTING IN LOSS OF INTERMITTENT WIPER FUNCTION, LOSS OF WIPER…
01V144000 · Apr 27, 2001
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER CARS. THE SEAT BELT BUCKLE TONGUE MAY NOT FULLY EJECT FROM THE BUCKLE ASSEMBLY WHEN THE RELEASE BUTTON IS PUSHED SLOWLY. THIS CONDITION COULD ALSO RESULT IN A PARTIAL LATCH OF THE TONGUE IN THE BUCKLE.
01V078000 · Mar 12, 2001
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TAIL LIGHTS:SWITCH
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH ADJUSTABLE PEDALS. IF THE GREASE FROM THE ADJUSTABLE PEDAL ASSEMBLY ENTERS THE STOP LAMP SWITCH, IT CAN CONTAMINATE THE CONTACTS LEADING TO CARBON BUILD UP, AND POTENTIALLY, A SHORT CIRCUIT.
00V396000 · Nov 28, 2000
EQUIPMENT:OTHER:OWNERS/SERVICE/OTHER MANUAL
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, PICKUP TRUCKS, AND PASSENGER VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS 225, "CHILD RESTRAINT ANCHORAGE SYSTEMS." THE AFFECTED EXPEDITION/NAVIGATOR OWNER GUIDES DO NOT IDENTIFY THE LOCATIONS OF SEATING POSITIONS…
00V240000 · Aug 24, 2000
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:ANCHORAGE
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE CHILD SAFETY SEAT ANCHOR LATCH (ISO-FIX ANCHOR) FASTENERS DO NOT HAVE ADEQUATE RESIDUAL TORQUE. THE ANCHORS ARE SECURED TO THE FLOOR PAN WITH A REINFORCEMENT PLATE THAT HAS TWO STUDS THAT EXTEND UPWARD THROUGH THE FLOOR PAN AND THE…
Complaints
430 distinct complaints. Crash flag on 32, fire flag on 7, injury field 30, deaths field 0. A complaint can be counted under more than one component. The injury and death figures are the file's numbers (the highest value on each complaint, then added), not a separate verified count of people.
Investigations
| Action | Subject | Opened | Closed |
|---|---|---|---|
| PE02035 | BRAKE/ACCEL PEDAL SEPARATION · SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC | Mar 15, 2002 | Oct 22, 2002 |
| PE03002 | FRONTAL AIR BAG NON-DEPLOYMENT IN CRASH · AIR BAGS:FRONTAL | Jan 6, 2003 | Jul 2, 2003 |
| EA03010 | FRONTAL AIR BAG NON-DEPLOYMENT IN CRASH · AIR BAGS:FRONTAL | Jul 2, 2003 | Jun 23, 2004 |
| RQ03008 | BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH FAILURE · EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS; EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS:SWITCH; EXTERIOR LIGHTING; EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TAIL… | Oct 23, 2003 | Mar 5, 2004 |
| RP03001 | BRAKE/ACCELERATOR PEDAL APPLICATION · SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:PEDALS AND LINKAGES | Oct 31, 2003 | Mar 23, 2004 |
| PE05054 | REAR COIL SPRING FRACTURE · SUSPENSION:REAR:SPRINGS:COIL SPRINGS; SUSPENSION:REAR:SPRINGS | Sep 27, 2005 | Jan 24, 2006 |
2 more actions are in the file and are not listed in this table.
Safety ratings
NHTSA star ratings from before model year 2011 use an older method and are not shown here.
Fuel economy
| Configuration | Fuel | City | Hwy | Comb | kWh/100 mi | Range | Annual fuel cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sable · 3L · Automatic 4-spd · Front-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 17 | 25 | 20 | — | — | $3,350 |
| Sable · 3L · Automatic 4-spd · Front-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 16 | 25 | 19 | — | — | $3,550 |
| Sable Wagon · 3L · Automatic 4-spd · Front-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 17 | 24 | 19 | — | — | $3,550 |
| Sable Wagon · 3L · Automatic 4-spd · Front-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 16 | 24 | 19 | — | — | $3,550 |
| Sable (FFV) · 3L · Automatic 4-spd · Front-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline · FFV | 16 | 25 | 19 | — | — | $3,550 |
| Sable Wagon (FFV) · 3L · Automatic 4-spd · Front-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline · FFV | 16 | 24 | 19 | — | — | $3,550 |
Open this model year in the fuel-cost calculator. The calculator starts with no fuel price filled in.
Check a vehicle
This page is not a VIN lookup. NHTSA's recall tool checks a specific vehicle: nhtsa.gov/recalls. NHTSA's page for this model year is 2001 Mercury Sable at NHTSA. Complaint narratives stay on NHTSA's site and are not copied here.