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2008 Mercury Sable problems

The most common problem on the 2008 Mercury Sable is steering, typically around 50,420 miles. It has fewer complaints than a typical Sable model year.

Typical yearClose to a typical year
Year score
78/100
Owner complaints
61
Recalls
1
Service bulletins
14
Worst area
Steering
Fuel economy
19-22mpg

The worst 2008 Mercury Sable problems

Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.

Problems by type

Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.

Specific symptoms reported on the 2008 Mercury Sable

Sudden acceleration 5

Recalls 1

Air bags: frontalReported April 26, 2016 · 695 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2009-2012 Ford Flex, 2008 and 2010-2012 Ford Taurus, 2008-2009 Ford Taurus X, 2008 Mercury Sable, 2009 and 2011 Lincoln MKS vehicles. The driver frontal air bag may improperly inflate during second-stage deployment in the event of a high speed crash. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."
Risk
An improperly inflated air bag increases the risk of injury in the event of a crash.
Remedy
Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and replace the driver's frontal air bag module, as necessary, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin on June 13, 2016. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1‑866‑436‑7332. Ford's number for this recall is 16C06.

Recall number 16V247000 · Recall details

See all 1 recalls for the 2008 Mercury Sable

Defect investigations

Tire valve crackingOpened October 14, 2008, closed April 9, 2009

On october 14, 2008, odi opened pe08-060 to investigate allegations of cracked and leaking snap-in tire valves in model year (my) 2007 vehicles manufactured by ford motor company.the valves were supplied to ford by topseal auto-parts, a subsidiary of the shanghai baolong automotive corporation in china.valves made by topseal for aftermarket sale were the subject of two recent safety recalls by tech international (08t-018) and dill air controls (08t-028), the latter of which was investigated by odi in pe08-036 and ea08-022.the defect conditions addressed by the aftermarket tire valve recalls both involved inadequate resistance to ozone cracking due to issues with the supply of anti-ozonant chemicals to topseal for a period from july to mid-november 2006.the aftermarket valves were compounded with a blend of epdm and natural rubber, using a relatively low percentage of epdm (epdm provides inherent resistance to ozone cracking).hence, the need for anti-ozonant chemicals and the problems with cracking when those chemicals were missing or out of specification in some lots of valves.both recall campaigns involved inspection programs to identify and replace valves with visible surface cracking.although the topseal valves supplied to ford also appear to have been affected by the anti-ozonant supply issues in mid to late-2006, ford indicated that its valves were made at a different topseal production line and were compounded with a higher percentage of epdm rubber to meet more stringent specifications from ford.odi's analysis of complaint and warranty data provided by ford showed that problems with cracked tire valves were significantly higher for my 2007 vehicles produced from december 2006 through march 2007.ford responded by implementing changes in its material specifications for snap-in rubber tire valves and also increasing the quality and acceptance standards for valves imported for use in its vehicles.while the complaint and warranty claim rates are elevated for subject vehicles produced from december 2006 through march 2007, the rates of leaking valves are well below one percent of production for each of the peak months for all of the affected models.a substantial majority of the subject vehicles are equipped with tire pressure monitoring systems (TPMS) which warn the driver when any tire pressures drops below 25 percent of recommended inflation pressure. As outlined in a letter to odi dated april 6, 2009, ford has agreed to send letters to owners of certain my 2007 and 2008 ford, lincoln and mercury vehicles to provide information about the cracking concern. Letters will be sent to owners of vehicles built from november 2006 through may 2007.owners can opt for a free dealer inspection.valves exhibiting surface cracks or air leakage related to ozone attack will be replaced by ford under its normal warranty terms.ford expects to send the letter by approximately mid-may 2009. Based on the use of TPMS in the majority of subject vehicles and the relatively low rates of repairs associated with leaking valves and resultant tire damage, odi believes that the actions ford has agreed to take will provide effective and expeditious resolution for vehicles that were built during the period when valves with inadequate resistance to ozone cracking were most likely to have been used in vehicle production.further investigation of this matter would not be an efficient allocation of agency resources.accordingly, this investigation is closed.the closing of this investigation does not constitute a finding by the federal safety agency that a safety-related defect does not exist.the agency will continue to

PE08060

Technical service bulletins for the 2008 Mercury Sable 14

Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.

See all 14 bulletins for the 2008 Mercury Sable

2008 Mercury Sable fuel economy

Official EPA estimates in miles per gallon (MPGe for electric). Ranges cover trims that share the same engine.

EngineDriveCityHighwayCombined
3.5L 6‑cylFWD182822
3.5L 6‑cyl4WD172419

What 2008 Mercury Sable owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed Nov 24, 2025 · Airbags · 64,241 miles · CA · crash · 1 injury

The contact owns a 2008 Mercury Sable. While the contact's son was driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle was involved in a crash. The contact's son was the only occupant in the vehicle during the crash. The contact stated that none of the air bags deployed. The contact stated that there were two impacts to the vehicle during the crash. The first impact was on the front passenger's side of the vehicle, in which the front passenger's side door and rear door were crushed. The contact stated that the second impact was when the vehicle drove through a fence and crashed into a house and the cement porch. The vehicle was towed to the residence. The contact stated that the vehicle was deemed total loss by her insurance provider and the insurance provider of the other driver who crashed into the vehicle. The paramedics arrived on the scene and performed a medical evaluation on the contact's son. The contact then arrived on the scene and took her son to the emergency room for further medical attention. The contact's son sustained injuries to the left side that struck the driver’s side window, and the front of the head from possibly striking the steering wheel, a slight concussion, injury to the left arm, neck and back. The contact's son was referred to a doctor who was a specialist with spinal cord injuries. A Police report was filed. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 64,241.

Filed Jun 12, 2025 · Body · MN

Car wheels rusted out

Filed Apr 17, 2023 · Electrical, Engine · OH

On April 12 I exited my drive onto the 55 mph highway in front of my house when suddenly the car began to shudder. I jammed the gas to get up to speed to prevent oncoming cars from hitting me which made the problem much worse. It was violently shuddering and wouldn’t accelerate. I took my foot off the gas which stopped the shaking. I gassed it slowly and I could accelerate to speed much slower than I would have liked. It wasn’t smooth. One half mile later it suddenly and violently began again. Taking my foot off the gas it smoothed out and I could accelerate again. I changed plans and went to the service garage to see what the problem was. It seems the problem is a known issue that hasn’t been addressed. I’m glad there were no cars coming from the opposite direction which could have impacted the drivers side while I was floundering out of my drive. I will enclose the garages assessment.

Filed Apr 25, 2022 · Suspension · TX

Not sure, but it sounds like the springs. The air condition makes a stumping noise when I turn it on.

Filed Aug 12, 2021 · Airbags, Brakes · 160,000 miles · MI · crash

The contact owns a 2008 Mercury Sable. The contact stated their daughter was driving at 55 mph, when the driver was approaching an intersection at a red light the driver depressed on the brake pedal and the brake pedal went straight to the floor and the vehicle could not stop causing the vehicle to hit the vehicle in front of them in the rear. The air bags did not deploy. The driver does not remember if there was any warning light illuminated on the vehicle. The crash caused damage to the front bumper and pushed in the front grill and hit the radiator of the vehicle. There were no injuries reported. A police report was filed. The contact was a former mechanic and inspected the vehicle but could not diagnose the failure, but was concern that there was an issue with anti- lock brake system. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximate 160,000.

Filed Jan 23, 2021 · Seats · 104,000 miles · MA

The passenger heated seats are not working and making short circuit affecting the while car electric sometimes, a lot of reviews online stating that this happens due to overload on the ground wire in the module plug which toasts and make the short in the circuit , I just bough the car , the previous owners did not use this feature.

Filed Jan 14, 2021 · Suspension · 158,000 miles · WI

Tl* the contact owns a 2008 mercury sable. The contact stated that while inspecting the vehicle doing basic maintenance, the contact noticed that the driver's side rear spring was fractured and the rear sub frame bolts failed causing the subframe to drop. The vehicle was towed to the toycen ford (1000 chippewa crossing blvd, chippewa falls, wi 54729, (715) 723-6060) where the vehicle was inspected. The technician determined that the vehicle was unrepairable. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure however, no further assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 158,000.

Filed Jan 2, 2021 · NY

Got my car inspected on 12/3/20. Was told my car has a recall.

Filed Nov 14, 2018 · Steering · 43,000 miles · GA

Tl* the contact owns a 2008 mercury sable. While driving in reverse, the steering wheel seized without warning. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the power steering pump failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure recurred. The vehicle was later taken to hennessy ford lincoln atlanta (located at 5675 peachtree industrial blvd, atlanta, ga 30341, (770) 624-0200) where it was diagnosed that the power steering system needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired due to the repair fees. The manufacturer was notified of the failures and referred the contact to the federal safety agency. The approximate failure mileage was 43,000.

Filed Feb 18, 2018 · Steering · 57,590 miles · NY

Steering froze up and could not turn to left / was hard to steer and then when trying to turn left could not do it, had to make right hand turns. Took it to the ford dealer I bought the car from (2015) they said there was no recalls and had to replace the steering gear/ cost ,me $600.00 there were no complaints on the car fax of trouble. .bought the car in nov 2015 and had to have steering fixed in june of 2016. Today I went to see if there was any recalls lately and found 51 complaints about this car and a lot of them were for steering and power train. Don't you think this should be a recall. Going to look for a new car and not a ford

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Questions about the 2008 Mercury Sable

Is the 2008 Mercury Sable reliable?

Owners have filed 61 complaints about the 2008 Mercury Sable, fewer than a typical Sable model year.

What is the 2008 Mercury Sable year score?

The 2008 Mercury Sable scores 78 out of 100 (average). The score compares it with the other model years of the Mercury Sable: 75 is a typical year, 50 means twice the usual complaints, and serious complaints and recalls lower it.

What is the most common problem with the 2008 Mercury Sable?

Steering, with 16 complaints, typically around 50,420 miles. Next is electrical (11).

How many recalls does the 2008 Mercury Sable have?

1 recall, covering air bags.

What year does the Mercury Sable have bad steering?

The Mercury Sable model years with the most steering complaints are 1996 (35 complaints), 1999 (33 complaints) and 1992 (28 complaints).

What gas mileage does the 2008 Mercury Sable get?

Official estimates for the 2008 Mercury Sable range from 19 to 22 mpg combined. The most efficient version (3.5L 6-cyl, FWD) gets 18 city and 28 highway.

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