CarBrief

NHTSA has 201 owner complaints on file for the 2003 Sable, and suspension is the biggest group[1][2]. Three recalls are on file as well[3][4][5].

201owner complaints[1]
3recalls[6]
19–21MPG combined (EPA)[7]

Most reported problems

Owners file complaints with NHTSA, and these reports are not verified. One complaint can name more than one part. The counts below are not adjusted for how many cars were sold[1].

Component group Complaints Median mileage at failure
Suspension[2] 47 75,000
Power train[8] 30 67,500
Speed control[9] 28 105,500
Engine[10] 27 70,000
Structure[11] 20 50,500
Visibility[12] 18 40,500
Brakes[13] 14 22,698
Exterior lighting[14] 12 98,000

Across all complaints, 13 mention a crash, 1 a fire and 8 injuries. None report a death[1]. Structure is the only group with a fire, along with 2 crashes and 1 injury[11]. Brakes has 2 crashes[13]. Suspension, power train, speed control and engine list no crashes, fires or injuries[2][8][9][10].

We read a small sample of complaint texts for the biggest groups. This is what owners describe in them.

This is a small sample. It shows what owners write about, not how often these problems happen.

Recalls

NHTSA lists 3 recalls for this model year[6]. Newest first:

Fuel economy

EPA lists a 3.0L 6-cylinder engine with a 4-speed automatic and front-wheel drive for every rating[7][15].

Body Fuel City / highway / combined MPG Annual fuel cost
Sable[7] Regular 18 / 26 / 21 $3,200
Sable[16] Regular 18 / 25 / 21 $3,200
Sable[17] Gasoline or E85 17 / 25 / 20 $3,350
Sable Wagon[15][18] Regular 17 / 24 / 19 $3,550
Sable Wagon[19] Gasoline or E85 17 / 24 / 19 $3,550

Safety ratings

NHTSA's 5-Star ratings page shows "not rated" for all three body styles listed for this model year[20][21][22].

How 2003 compares with other years

1995: 350 complaints, 5 recalls19951996: 304 complaints, 5 recalls19961997: 228 complaints, 3 recalls19971998: 190 complaints, 2 recalls19981999: 258 complaints, 5 recalls19992000: 464 complaints, 7 recalls20002001: 430 complaints, 8 recalls20012002: 440 complaints, 3 recalls20022003: 201 complaints, 3 recalls20120032004: 52 complaints, 1 recalls20042005: 83 complaints, 0 recalls20052008: 61 complaints, 1 recalls20082009: 20 complaints, 0 recalls2009
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA for each Sable model year. The 2003 is highlighted[6].
Show the numbers
Model yearComplaintsRecalls
19953505
19963045
19972283
19981902
19992585
20004647
20014308
20024403
20032013
2004521
2005830
2008611
2009200

The 2003 Sable has 201 complaints and 3 recalls on file[6]. Seven of the other twelve listed years have more complaints: 1995 (350), 1996 (304), 1997 (228), 1999 (258), 2000 (464), 2001 (430) and 2002 (440)[6]. Five have fewer: 1998 (190), 2004 (52), 2005 (83), 2008 (61) and 2009 (20)[6].

For recalls, 1997 and 2002 also have 3[6]. Five years have more: 1995, 1996 and 1999 with 5 each, 2000 with 7 and 2001 with 8[6]. Model years 2006 and 2007 are not in the list[6].

Should you buy a used 2003 Sable?

By complaint count, 2003 ranks eighth of the 13 listed Sable years[6]. Suspension is the largest complaint group, and the sampled owner texts about it describe broken front coil springs[2]. Power train and speed control complaints in our sample describe loss of drive and unwanted acceleration, which are serious if they happen[8][9]. Ask whether the three recalls were done[3][4][5]. Our data does not cover prices, engine power or reliability scores, so this page cannot say more than the complaint and recall record shows.

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2003 Mercury Sable?
Suspension has the most NHTSA complaints at 47, then power train at 30 and speed control at 28[2][8][9]. In a small sample of texts, owners describe broken coil springs, loss of drive and unwanted acceleration.
Does the 2003 Mercury Sable have any recalls?
Yes, 3 are on file: stop lamp switch 04V106, air filter paper 04V105 and windshield mounting 03V087[3][4][5].
What is the gas mileage of a 2003 Mercury Sable?
EPA lists 17 to 18 city and 24 to 26 highway MPG, depending on the body style and fuel[7][15][17]. Combined is 19 to 21 MPG[7][15][17].
How many complaints does the 2003 Sable have compared with other years?
It has 201, which is fewer than seven of the other twelve listed years and more than the other five[6].

Facts and sources

  1. NHTSA has 201 owner complaints on file for the 2003 Mercury Sable (13 mention a crash, 1 a fire, 8 injuries, 0 deaths reported). NHTSA vehicle records
  2. 47 complaints name the suspension component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 75,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  3. Recall 04V106, filed March 2, 2004: Exterior Lighting › Brake Lights › Switch. NHTSA recall database
  4. Recall 04V105, filed March 2, 2004: Engine And Engine Cooling. NHTSA recall database
  5. Recall 03V087, filed March 10, 2003: Visibility › Windshield. NHTSA recall database
  6. Owner complaints and recalls for every Mercury Sable model year (chart above). NHTSA recall database
  7. EPA rating for Sable, 3.0L 6-cyl, Automatic 4-spd, Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 18 city / 26 highway / 21 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,200. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  8. 30 complaints name the power train component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 67,500). NHTSA vehicle records
  9. 28 complaints name the speed control component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 105,500). NHTSA vehicle records
  10. 27 complaints name the engine component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 70,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  11. 20 complaints name the structure component group (2 crashes, 1 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 50,500). NHTSA vehicle records
  12. 18 complaints name the visibility component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 40,500). NHTSA vehicle records
  13. 14 complaints name the brakes component group (2 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 22,698). NHTSA vehicle records
  14. 12 complaints name the exterior lighting component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 98,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  15. EPA rating for Sable Wagon, 3.0L 6-cyl, Automatic 4-spd, Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 17 city / 24 highway / 19 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,550. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  16. EPA rating for Sable, 3.0L 6-cyl, Automatic 4-spd, Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 18 city / 25 highway / 21 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,200. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  17. EPA rating for Sable, 3.0L 6-cyl, Automatic 4-spd, Gasoline or E85, Front-Wheel Drive: 17 city / 25 highway / 20 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,350. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  18. EPA rating for Sable Wagon, 3.0L 6-cyl, Automatic 4-spd, Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 17 city / 24 highway / 19 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,550. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  19. EPA rating for Sable Wagon, 3.0L 6-cyl, Automatic 4-spd, Gasoline or E85, Front-Wheel Drive: 17 city / 24 highway / 19 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,550. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  20. NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, 4-DR W/SAB None: not rated. NHTSA vehicle records
  21. NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, 4-DR WAGON None: not rated. NHTSA vehicle records
  22. NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, 4-DR None: not rated. NHTSA vehicle records

Complaints submitted to NHTSA by owners; unverified reports, one complaint can name several components. Complaint counts are not normalized by sales; compare years of the same model, not different models. EPA annual fuel cost uses EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not the price when the car was new. Horsepower is the rating listed for EPA test vehicles. Dimensions are Canadian-market specifications and can differ slightly from US models.