CarModelProblems.com

2002 Mercury Sable Problems & Recalls

Built from official NHTSA complaint and recall data · data through 07/12/2026

High complaint levelIts most-reported problem — Suspension:front:springs:coil Springs — runs 9.4× the fleet median for that category across the 964 model-years tracked on this site.
440Complaints
4Recalls
32Crashes
5Fires
22Injured
1Deaths

Source: U.S. NHTSA complaint & recall data. Complaints are unverified reports from vehicle owners — a complaint is not a confirmed defect.

Is this problem acknowledged?

The most-reported problem — Suspension:front:springs:coil Springs (22% of complaints) — recall and investigation status for this vehicle is currently unavailable.

Suspension:front:springs:coil Springs complaints here are 9.4× the median for that category across the 964 model-years tracked on this site.

Complaint categoryReportsOfficial statusReference
Suspension:front:springs:coil Springs97 · 22%not available
Suspension:front67 · 15.2%not available
Vehicle Speed Control48 · 10.9%not available
Suspension45 · 10.2%not available
Suspension:rear24 · 5.5%not available
Suspension:rear:springs:coil Springs23 · 5.2%not available

Recalled = an NHTSA safety recall covers this category, so a free repair exists. Under investigation = NHTSA has an open probe but no recall yet. Investigation closed = NHTSA examined it and closed the probe — this is not a defect finding; where a closed probe led to a recall we name the campaign. Not available = recall or investigation data could not be confirmed for this vehicle — it is not a “no”. Categories are matched by NHTSA's top-level component. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Complaints by component

SUSPENSION:FRONT67 · 15.2%
SUSPENSION45 · 10.2%
SUSPENSION:REAR24 · 5.5%
SUSPENSION:REAR:SPRINGS:COIL SPRINGS23 · 5.2%
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL16 · 3.6%
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD13 · 3%
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING12 · 2.7%
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM12 · 2.7%

Percentages are the share of the 440 complaints citing each component; one complaint can cite several components. “Unspecified / other” is NHTSA’s own catch-all category — we show it rather than hide it.

Recalls — 4 campaigns

Service Brakes, Hydraulic:foundation Components:disc:pads

NHTSA campaign 16E026000 · 2016 · reported 04/01/2016

A damaged or broken brake disc may reduce a vehicle's braking power, increasing the risk of a crash. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Exterior Lighting:brake Lights:switch

NHTSA campaign 04V106000 · 2004 · reported 03/02/2004

IN ADDITION, IF THE SWITCH AND/OR ASSOCIATED WIRING FAIL IN THE OPEN POSITION, THE BRAKE LIGHTS WILL NOT ACTUATE AND THE DRIVER WILL NOT BE ABLE TO SHIFT THE VEHICLE OUT OF "PARK" IF THEY FAIL IN THE CLOSED POSITION, THE BRAKE LIGHTS WILL REMAIN ON, WHICH WILL NOT ALLOW THE SPEED CONTROL TO BE ACTI… Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Visibility:windshield

NHTSA campaign 03V087000 · 2003 · reported 03/10/2003

POTENTIAL LOSS OF WINDSHIELD RETENTION MAY ALSO REDUCE OCCUPANT PROTECTION IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Service Brakes, Hydraulic:pedals And Linkages

NHTSA campaign 02V266000 · 2002 · reported 10/02/2002

THIS COULD RESULT IN A CUSTOMER EXPERIENCING AN "UNINTENDED VEHICLE SPEED INCREASE" OR A PERCEIVED "UNABLE TO STOP" CONDITION. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Park it Park outside Specimen badges — shown on a recall card only when NHTSA sets the flag. None of the campaigns above carries either flag. Always check your own vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What owners report

“2002 SABLE FRONT SPRING BROKE AND PUNCTURED A HOLE IN THE TIRE, IN THE DRIVEWAY. THE FRONT OF THE CAR HIT THE GROUND WITH A…”NHTSA complaint 10177706 — filed 01/03/2007 · SUSPENSION:FRONT:SPRINGS:COIL SPRINGS
“A FRONT SPRING BROKE AND SLASHED MY DRIVER'S SIDE FRONT TIRE. FORTUNATELY, THE CAR WAS PARKED AT THE TIME. I HAVE THE SLASHED TIRE, THE…”NHTSA complaint 10176986 — filed 12/26/2006 · SUSPENSION:FRONT:SPRINGS:COIL SPRINGS
“RIGHT FRONT SPRING FAILED WITHOUT WARNING CAUSING TIRE AND STRUT DAMAGE WHILE BACKING UP. CAR TOWED TO NEAREST REPAIR SHOP BOTH FRONT SPRINGS AND STRUTS…”NHTSA complaint 10159262 — filed 06/07/2006 · SUSPENSION:FRONT:SPRINGS:COIL SPRINGS

Excerpts are shortened and scrubbed of personal details; they are individual, unverified reports.

Complaint trend by year filed

542007734820095740201134192013151220151952017312020132022

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2002 Mercury Sable?

Suspension:front:springs:coil springs issues are the most-reported category, cited in 97 of 440 NHTSA complaints (22%), followed by suspension:front (67), vehicle speed control (48), suspension (45). Complaints are unverified owner reports.

How many complaints does the 2002 Mercury Sable have?

440 complaints were on file with NHTSA as of 07/12/2026. Of those, 32 involved a crash, 5 involved a fire, and 22 reported injuries. 1 deaths were reported.

Does the 2002 Mercury Sable have any recalls?

Yes — 4 NHTSA safety recall campaigns, including campaign 16E026000. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Has NHTSA acted on the 2002 Mercury Sable's reported problems?

Recall or investigation data is partly unavailable for this vehicle right now — check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls for the authoritative answer.

Is a complaint proof of a defect?

No. Complaints are reports submitted by consumers to NHTSA. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints, and a complaint is not proof that a defect exists.

About this data — Complaint figures on this page are consumer reports submitted to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), a U.S. government agency. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints; a complaint is not proof that a defect exists, and counts reflect what owners chose to report, not confirmed failure rates. Recall information comes from official NHTSA safety recall campaigns; recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Always check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. CarModelProblems.com is an independent site and is not affiliated with NHTSA or any vehicle manufacturer. Data through 07/12/2026.