For over ten (10) years the headlights (but not the side driving lights) have been going off (for about 3 minutes) and then coming back on. This does not occur every time the lights come on and seems to be more frequent in the summer time when it is warm or hot outside. The date below is just approximately when this problem started and is not the only date/'time it has occurred, it has occurred sporadically but continuously since that date.
2001 Mercury Sable lights problems
15 complaints (3% of all complaints for this car). Typical mileage when it fails: 84,000.
- owner complaints
- 15
- of this car's complaints
- 3%
- typical mileage
- 84,000
- crashes
- 0
- recalls
- 2
Which part fails
- Brake lights: switch5
- Turn signal1
- Tail lights: switch1
- Tail lights1
- Headlights1
- Brake lights1
At what mileage
Complaints by mileage at the time of the problem.
0k-25k
25k-50k
50k-75k
75k-100k
100k-125k
125k-150k
150k-175k
175k-200k
200k+
Mercury Sable lights problems in other years
Related recalls
Exterior lighting: brake lights: switch
- What is wrong
- 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 driver, which could lead to a crash.
- Risk
- 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 activated. This could also cause the battery to discharge.
- Remedy
- Dealers will remove the stop lamp switch and associated wiring assembly and install a newly designed stop lamp switch and wire assembly. Owner notification is expected to begin on april 5, 2004. Owners should contact ford at 1‑800‑392‑3673.
Recall number 04V106000 · Recall details
Exterior lighting: tail lights: switch
- What is wrong
- 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.
- Risk
- A short circuit could lead to either the brake lamps staying on, or to a loss of brake lamp function, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Dealers will replace the brake lamp switch and wipe down the adjustable pedal assembly to remove excess grease. Owner notification began march 22, 2001. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact ford at 1‑800‑392‑3673.
Recall number 01V078000 · Recall details
Related investigations
Brake light switch failure
Ford conducted a recall in march, 2001 to correct a defect affecting the brake light switch in my 2000 through early-2001 taurus and sable vehicles equipped with power adjustable pedals (recall 01v‑078).rq03-008 was opened to investigate complaints concerning the remedy and scope of 01v‑078.odi's analysis identified concerns with post-repair failures in recalled vehicles,failures in my 2001-02 vehicles with adjustable pedals that were not included in recall 01v‑078, and failures in my 2000 vehicles with fixed pedals.(note: the manufacturer failure data in this resume includes all crashes and injuries, but the complaint information is limited to my 2001-02 vehicles that were not included in the scope of recall 01v‑078.)on march 1, 2004, ford notified the federal safety agency of a safety defect in my 2000 through early-2003 taurus and sable vehicles equipped with adjustable pedals and my 2000 subject vehicles equipped with fixed pedals (recall 04v‑106).the notification identified three factors contributing to brake light circuit failures:(1) continuing grease contamination issues that prompted 01v‑078; (2) misalignment of the booster rod pin and the brake light switch; and (3) wire assembly fatigue.the first two conditions were limited to vehicles with adjustable pedals and the latter condition affected vehicles with fixed pedals.ford will instruct owners to bring their vehicles to a dealer to have the brake light switch and associated wiring replaced with a re-designed brake light switch and wiring assembly.
RQ03008
What 2001 Mercury Sable owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
Tl* the contact owns a 2001 mercury sable. The contact stated that the alarm system and interior lights would activate independently and recurringly. The vehicle was not taken for diagnosis or inspection. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the incident. The approximate failure mileage was 189,000.
There was a recall on my car back in mar 02 2004 (ford recall number 04s12) for an exterior lighting:brake lights:switch, which was (according to ford) done jan 10 2005. I had failed again on 11/15/2012 leaving me without brake lights and not being able to get it out of park. Had to put it in neutral first before I started my car so I could drive it to get fixed.
The knob to turn on the headlight broke off. It seems to be made of plastic that is not strong enough. Now it's very difficult to turn on the headlights. We read that this is a problem in the 2000 model and ford had a recall on the 2000 model. We had the exact same problem with the 2001 model. Maybe some of the faulty knobs were installed on some of the 2001 models and those should be included in the recall as well since it's the exact same problem.
2001 mercury sable VIN: (see other part of complaint) I stopped at a business put car in park got out. Upon returning the car would start but not come out of park. I found I had no tail lights. I later found also there was no cruise control. I parked the car a couple days trying to find out what was wrong with it and when I got in the car I found the battery had gone dead. I just got done researching this and found recall 01s08 and the federal safety agency # 01v078000 saying the recall was on a break switch due to grease compromising the switch. The description of the malfunction matches my problem exactly! Upon calling the dealer that sold the vehicle they said they couldn't find a recall of this based on my VIN. Ford customer service also stated they couldn't find a recall of this based on my VIN. Well obviously the recall should have included my VIN as the same thing has happened to my car. Now with the problem of not being able to shift the vehicle properly the transmission is giving an error dash light saying that the vehicle is trying to shift and is in the wrong gear?? At 70mph there is only one gear that will run the car under 3k on the tach so it has to be in the right gear.. Maybe its trying to shift out.. Not sure have to look into this more.
Tl*the contact owns a 2001 mercury sable. The vehicle is experiencing electrical system failure. Whenever it rains, the fuse box on the driver's side door gets wet. The interior lights remain illuminated in the passenger compartment. The current mileage was 113,754 and failure mileage was 113,700.
2001 sable coolant light came on frequently. *ts the coil springs make noise. The brake harness light was defective. All four tires needed air every week (dot numbers w2x8lh01802 and w2x8lh04102).
2001 mercury sable gs. The stop lights are stuck on, indicating a problem, similar to the problem addressed by a current ford recall. However, upon calling ford motor customer service 800 number, they tell me, my car isn't covered by the recall, even though it has the exact same problem as those sables that are being recalled.
While driving 20 MPH, the consumer noticed that the turn signals were inoperative. Please provide additional details.
Recall notice regarding stop lamp switch problems.*mr while driving the stop lamp became struck in the on position. The vehcile was taken to a local mechanic who replaced the stop lamp switch.
Questions about the 2001 Mercury Sable lights
Does the 2001 Mercury Sable have lights problems?
Owners have filed 15 complaints about the lights of the 2001 Mercury Sable, 3% of all its complaints.
At what mileage do 2001 Mercury Sable lights problems start?
The typical (median) mileage in owner complaints is 84,000 miles.
Was there a recall on the 2001 Mercury Sable lights?
Yes, 2 recalls: 04V106000, 01V078000. Check your VIN to see if your car still needs the free repair.
What year does the Mercury Sable have the most lights problems?
The Mercury Sable model years with the most lights complaints are 1993 (62 complaints), 2000 (56 complaints) and 1994 (28 complaints).
Other 2001 Mercury Sable problems
Suspension 204Acceleration 61Brakes 40Airbags 27Engine 27Electrical 26Transmission 22Fuel system 13Seat belts 12Body 11Visibility 11Steering 7Tires 5Seats 4Locks 2Driver assistance 1Wheels 1
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