2003 Mercury Sable acceleration problems

28 complaints (14% of all complaints for this car). Typical mileage when it fails: 106,000.

owner complaints: 28
of this car's complaints: 14%
typical mileage: 106,000
crashes: 0
recalls: 0

Which part fails

Accelerator pedal
3
Cruise control
1

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 acceleration problems in other years

Related recalls

No recalls on record for this model year.

Related investigations

Speed control cable damageOpened October 24, 2012, closed June 26, 2013

On June 21, 2013, Ford initiated Customer Satisfaction Program 13B04 to address a concern with Speed Control Cable damage in certain model year (MY) 2000 through 2003 Taurus and Sable vehicles equipped with 3.0L 4V Duratec engines and built at the Chicago assembly plant.In the dealer letter for the program, Ford indicates that the Speed Control Cables on affected vehicles may be susceptible to damage or becoming partially disconnected during under hood vehicle maintenance (e.g., replacing a battery or changing the air filter) and that a damaged Speed Control Cable could interfere with the throttle's full return to idle when the accelerator pedal is released.Ford's program instructs dealers to inspect the Speed Control Cables and replace any with any portion of either collar retention tab missing.Dealers will install a Collar Reinforcement Clip at the Speed Control Cable collar in all vehicles. Figure 1 shows the location of the Speed Control Cable in the engine compartment and the proximity of the battery and air filter.The failure mode of the cable assembly is associated with the plastic collar used to secure the cable to a bracket near the throttle body (Figure 2).Damage to one or both retention tabs used to secure the cable ferrule within the collar may allow the ferrule to become disconnected from the collar when the throttle is opened during accelerator pedal application.Additional examples of Speed Control Cables with damaged collar retention tabs and partial ferrule displacement are shown in Figures 3 through 5.If the displacement pulls the ferrule completely out of the collar, the ferrule end may contact the face of the collar when the accelerator pedal is released and the throttle is returning to idle (Figure 6).This results in a throttle stuck at approximately 26-29% open.Testing conducted at the federal safety agency's Vehicle Research and Test Center found that brake booster vacuum may become depleted, resulting in reduced brake effectiveness, if the brake is applied repeatedly when the throttle is stuck at this position.Drivers who experienced this condition have reported being surprised that the engine speed did not drop as expected and in some cases misjudged the degree of braking required to slow the vehicle.Some drivers reported difficulty in braking the vehicle and responded by shifting to neutral or turning the engine off.One minor crash occurred when the vehicle contacted a roadside fence post after the driver responded to the stuck throttle by shifting the car to neutral, turning the engine off and coasting to the side of a roadway with no shoulder, resulting in approximately $400 damage to the vehicle.There were four crashes reported which were attributed to increased stopping distance caused by the increased engine power and/or reduced brake effectiveness, including two of the complaints to ODI.In one crash reported to ODI (VOQ 10516101), the subject vehicle allegedly hit the back end of a truck at approximately 40 mph causing about $2000 damage.In the other crash complaint to ODI (VOQ 10501834), the subject vehicle side-swiped a vehicle as the driver was unable to stop in time and attempted to maneuver around a line of vehicles stopped at a traffic light.When the tow truck driver subsequently started the incident vehicle, the engine was still racing and it was verified that the Speed Control Cable ferrule was stuck on the collar.After further investigation, ODI does not consider the crashes reported in VOQs 10456249 and 10159399 to be related to the Speed Control Cable problem.

PE12033

What 2003 Mercury Sable owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed Apr 30, 2019 · Acceleration · 285,000 miles · MO

So sorry to bother you. I have a mercury sable 03 which has been accelerating by itself because the throttle cable gets stuck. I saw an article that said my year taurus and sable have this problem as well as saw that all those in the junk yard have the exact same problem. In the article it said ford agreed to fix those to stop further investigation. How would I go about getting this fixed? Please and thank you. My vehicle started going 79 and wouldn't stop. Even in neutral it went 4000 RPM until the throttle cable was unjammed. And continues to do so

Filed Mar 26, 2019 · Acceleration · 144,000 miles · NH

I was driving my car on a city street and the car started accelerating on its own and I tried to brake but my brakes would not work. I had to put both feet on the break to slam hard enough to try to get it to slow down even a little. I found out that the throttle cable got stuck and could not go back in causing the car to keep accelerating.

Filed Jun 12, 2017 · Acceleration · 170,000 miles · CA

Tl* the contact owns a 2003 mercury sable. While stationary, the vehicle accelerated rapidly on its own without warning. In addition, the "check engine" indicator illuminated. Fairway ford in san bernardino, california determined that the speed control cable needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 170,000. ...updated 10/23/17 *bf updated 11/1/2017

Filed Apr 13, 2017 · Acceleration, Engine · 121,373 miles · MD

Tl* the contact owns a 2003 mercury sable. While driving various speeds, the vehicle began to accelerate independently without warning. The vehicle was able to stop with the brake pedal being depressed. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the motor mount and radiator hose failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 121,373.

Filed Mar 1, 2016 · Acceleration · 136,000 miles · VT

I was driving east on I-70 from kansas city mo. Cruise was set at 78. 4 lanes. Was in left passing lane and had to slow down quickly because of vehicle in front was doing about 50mph. The right was clear and I started moving to the right to pass. The car instantly accelerated as I started to turn right. The acceleration actually pull the car forward so fast the rear end slid to the left. Car moved a crossed the right 3 lanes of traffic at about a 60 deg angle. I managed to turn the car into the skid to avoid the guard rails and started back across the lanes with complete loss of control of the car as it did a complete 360. As I was returned to facing east again I pulled off into the median as I was again in the far left lane now in front of the vehicle I had started to pass. Having been in many emergency situation in my 67 years. I just road out the turn. I was no fun watching the vehicle I was trying to pass approach me while I was completing the 360. With so many vehicles surrounding the gap I was in, I am still amazed no one was killed, and no collision of any sort occurred. Took to the dealer and it was suggested the pcv valve was plugged. Replaced. Around feb 2 2016 I was driving I 95 to florida. I noticed the cruise dropping out twice without braking and once accelerating without resetting. I understood now that the I-70 incident was actually the cruise control. I will have it disconnected so that it can not be used again. How I survived is beyond belief. I am extremely glad no one was with me.

Filed Sep 24, 2015 · Acceleration · 123,000 miles · OK

Tl* the contact owns a 2003 mercury sable. While driving 45 MPH, the contact attempted to decelerate; however, the vehicle failed to stop. The contact immediately shifted the vehicle into neutral and avoided a collision. The contact brought the vehicle to an independent mechanic and was informed of a customer service campaign. The manufacturer and dealer stated that the vehicle was not included because it was manufactured in another plant. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 123,000.

Filed Feb 17, 2015 · Acceleration, Brakes · 220,000 miles · NY

My car is trying to kill me! I was driving at approximately 40 MPH, when I started to brake for a stop before turning . The car slowed down, as I held my foot on the brake, but suddenly the car started to accelerate. I already had my foot on the brake, and the brake held, but I had to take the car out of gear, and shut the engine off. The engine was racing at a speed I would estimate at 80 MPH. It was a frightening and dangerous experience. I checked to see if a floor mat was pressing on the gas pedal. It was not. The same incident happened on two more occasions. My mechanic has not found the problem. I no longer drive the car.

Filed Sep 2, 2014 · Acceleration, Engine · 118,478 miles · SC

Throttle cable stuck, engine at 1800 tpm, engine revved to 2600 RPM, inability to slow vehicle, surging. Required hard breaking. Once car stopped, idle dropped to 900 RPM after 15-30 seconds. Happens with increasing frequency. Engine surges at start, revs to 2100 then to 2600. Inspected cable, throttle and cruise control cable point of entry to supporting bracket plastic shattered. Cable emits sound from binding. Took to ford dealer, they indicated my vehicle was not part of the recall although the problem has been clearly documented with the same make, model, year and engine.

Filed Jul 29, 2013 · Acceleration · 75,000 miles · NJ

Stuck throttle and the car speeds up... Updated 08/19/13 *bf the consumer stated the incident happened multiple times.

Filed Jul 10, 2013 · Acceleration · 130,000 miles · NY

The speed control cable collar broke, leaving the throttle stuck open at about 27%. This caused the vehicle to accelerate on it's own, and required extra effort to stop the vehicle. I have a receipt for the repair made by pepboys.

Questions about the 2003 Mercury Sable acceleration

Does the 2003 Mercury Sable have acceleration problems?

Owners have filed 28 complaints about the acceleration of the 2003 Mercury Sable, 14% of all its complaints.

At what mileage do 2003 Mercury Sable acceleration problems start?

The typical (median) mileage in owner complaints is 106,000 miles.

Was there a recall on the 2003 Mercury Sable acceleration?

There is no recall for this problem on this model year.

What year does the Mercury Sable have the most acceleration problems?

The Mercury Sable model years with the most acceleration complaints are 2000 (71 complaints), 2001 (61 complaints) and 2002 (56 complaints).