2001 Mercury Sable: brake failure

Filed Aug 2, 2012 · Acceleration · 215,000 miles · NH

Tl* the contact owns 2001 mercury sable. The contact stated that while driving 45 MPH, the vehicle began to accelerate independently. The contact tried to slow the vehicle but the brakes failed. The contact had to repeatedly apply abrupt force to the brake pedal before the vehicle would respond. The contact shut the vehicle off and noticed that there was a piece of plastic broken and sitting on the accelerator throttle. The vehicle was not repaired. The cause of the failure was unknown. The manufacturer was not notified. The failure mileage was 215,000.

Filed Mar 2, 2010 · Acceleration, Fuel system · 200 miles · NY

My wife purchased a 2001 mercury sable ls on 1/31/01,I drove the auto for 2 days, when I put the auto in gear the gas pedal reacted as though the pedal was pushed to the floor board. I called port motors and told them about the situation and told them I refused to drive the auto. The next day they came and towed the auto away. When I went to the dealer they gave me another auto,for which I still have the old VIN #. After driving the new auto they gave I began having the same problems. Over the past 8 years the accelerator problem has occurred about 9 or 10 times. When I put the car in gear I always make sure my foot is always on the brake as I fear the auto will accelerate as though the pedal goes to the floor,my wife refuses to drive this auto and I will not let anyone drive as I don't know when this racing will occur. I have reported this to ford motor but got know positive response, I also reported this to national safety board and they gave me a complaint #.

Filed Feb 21, 2010 · Brakes · 47,187 miles · MI

When stopping for a red light, the brake pedal went to the floor. I was lucky there was no traffic. The dealer replaced several feet of rusted brake line. The dealer told me this happens all the time. Why is it not mandatory that brake lines are stainless steel or covered with a protective material?

Filed Jun 30, 2008 · Brakes · 125,000 miles · RI · crash

Tl*the contact owns a 2001 mercury sable. While the contact's son was driving 25 MPH on june 27, 2008, it began to rain slightly. He depressed the brake pedal, but the brakes failed. The vehicle would not stop and crashed. The contact stated that the brakes had never been serviced prior to the failure. A police report was filed. The failure mileage was 125,000.

Filed Sep 3, 2007 · Brakes · 41,000 miles · CA · crash

My master cylinder failed causing me to lose my brakes. I crashed my car into a pole. The insurance company totaled my car. After a car is totaled the insurance company would only send it to the salvage yard. I insisted on knowing what went wrong. A simple test was done by turning on the motor and pressing on the brake pedal. If it goes to the floor gradually then you know it was a master cylinder failure. This happened 3 times. The manufacture didn't want to deal with me and the dealership didn't either. How many cars fall between the cracks and the reason for serious brake failure never reaches the very people who can correct it??

Filed Dec 27, 2006 · Brakes · 85,000 miles · CO · fire

Emergency brake dashboard warning light failure. The dashboard brake warning light is not turning on when the emergency brake is applied. The dashboard light does test ok when the car is started. Because I was unaware the emergency brake was on I traveled 10 miles home on the freeway. Near my house the brakes failed, with the pedal going to the floor. I quickly pumped the brakes and was able to stop. There was a burning smell as well, which I assume was the pads, so I will mark the fire question as yes since "where there's smoke there's fire." brake function returned the next day but the pedal is now soft.

Filed Sep 29, 2006 · Brakes · 31,700 miles · NE · crash · 2 injuries

Dt*: the contact stated while driving 30 MPH, the brakes failed, causing the vehicle to crash into a road sign. Two occupants incurred minor injuries. A police report was taken at the scene of the crash. The vehicle was taken to a service dealer, where the cause of the problem was unable to be determined.

Filed Apr 22, 2004 · Brakes · 36,700 miles · WI · crash · 1 injury

While driving down a hill at 30 MPH an upon approaching an intersection brake pedal was depressed to slow down and to make a left turn, and brake pedal went to the floor, which resulted in the vehicle going through the intersection. Vehicle stopped when it collided with a tree. Consumer sustained bruises to chest from the seat belt. Prior to the accident vehicle has 2 brake recalls performed by a dealership.

Filed Mar 8, 2004 · Acceleration, Brakes · 9,542 miles · FL · crash · 1 injury

I have a 2001 mercury sable ls with 9000 miles. I was attempting to park the car in front of a store in a shopping plaza located in cocoa beach ,fl. When I applied the brakes to park in the parking place, the brakes failed and the engine made a revving noise and the car leaped forward jumping the curb and crashing into a brick support column. This car was recalled for the brake pedal and accelerator problem and was supposedly fixed at the mercury dealers. I was transported to the hospital by the emergency squad. I was treated for a large gash in the forehead and xrays were taken of the chest, back and ribs which were not fractured but severely bruised. I also sustained two black eyes caused by my sunglasses hitting the steering wheel. I was wearing my seatbelt, however, the airbags did not deploy. Estimated cost to repair my car is $7048.

Filed Oct 23, 2002 · Brakes · FL

Consumer states while traveling at 45 MPH and making a turn the brakes failed. Consumer feels that the brake and gas pedals are too close. Which resulted in the brakes failing. Please provide any further information. Mr

Filed Jul 26, 2002 · Brakes · FL

Intermittently when applying brakes pedal goes to the floor, resulting in extended stopping distance. Dealer has not been able to duplicate or correct problem. Please provide further information.