CarBrief

NHTSA has 83 owner complaints for the 2005 Sable and lists no recalls for this model year[1][2]. In the complaints we read, owners describe sudden unwanted acceleration and automatic transmission failure, so check those two areas before you buy[3][4].

83owner complaints[1]
19–20MPG combined (EPA)[5]

Most reported problems

NHTSA has 83 owner complaints on file for this model year[1]. Three mention a crash, none a fire, 3 report injuries and none report deaths[1]. These are unverified owner reports, and one complaint can name more than one component.

Component group Complaints Median miles at failure
Speed control[3] 38 80,421
Power train[4] 26 82,640
Brakes[6] 8 66,608
Engine[7] 8 76,500
Steering[8] 7 69,000
Electrical system[9] 6 68,500
Air bags[10] 4 not listed
Visibility[11] 3 not listed

Speed control. This is the largest group, with 38 complaints and 1 crash[3]. In a sample of 12 complaints we read, 11 describe the car speeding up or the throttle sticking when the driver did not ask for it[3]. Some say the engine kept revving even with the brakes on or the car in neutral. In 4 of the 12, a cruise control cable was named as the part that was loose, broken or holding the throttle open[3]. Owners in the sample say a dealer replaced a throttle body or a cable in some cases, and in others the problem was never diagnosed.

Power train. There are 26 complaints and no crashes reported[4]. In a sample of 12 we read, 10 describe the automatic transmission suddenly failing to drive the car or to shift, often with no warning[4]. Seven of the 12 name the torque converter[4]. Owners in the sample describe tows and rebuilds or replacements, and some say the failure came before 60,000 miles[4].

Smaller groups. Brakes and engine have 8 complaints each[6][7]. In the samples we read for those two groups, several texts are really about the car speeding up or revving on its own, with 4 of 8 brake texts and 3 of 8 engine texts describing it[6][7]. Steering has 7 complaints with 1 crash and 1 injury[8]. Air bags have 4 complaints with 1 crash and 2 injuries[10]. Electrical has 6 and visibility has 3[9][11].

Recalls

NHTSA lists 0 recalls for the 2005 Mercury Sable[2]. That is a count for this model year only. It does not mean owners have had no problems, as the complaints above show[1].

Fuel economy

The EPA rates the sedan with the 3.0L 6-cylinder engine and 4-speed automatic, front-wheel drive, at 18 city, 25 highway and 20 combined MPG on regular gas[5][12]. Its estimated yearly fuel cost is $3,350[5][12]. A version listed for gasoline or E85 is rated 17 city, 25 highway and 20 combined, also with a $3,350 yearly cost[13].

The Sable Wagon has the same engine and transmission. It is rated 17 city, 23 or 24 highway and 19 combined MPG, with an estimated yearly fuel cost of $3,550[14][15]. The gasoline or E85 wagon is rated 17 city, 24 highway and 19 combined[16].

The EPA fuel cost uses current fuel price assumptions, not prices from when the car was new[5].

Safety ratings

NHTSA's 5-star ratings list this model year as not rated for either body listing we have[17][18]. That means there is no star score to compare. It is not a poor score.

How 2005 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 recalls20032004: 52 complaints, 1 recalls20042005: 83 complaints, 0 recalls8320052008: 61 complaints, 1 recalls20082009: 20 complaints, 0 recalls2009
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA for each Sable model year. The 2005 is highlighted[2].
Show the numbers
Model yearComplaintsRecalls
19953505
19963045
19972283
19981902
19992585
20004647
20014308
20024403
20032013
2004521
2005830
2008611
2009200

In the NHTSA model year list we have, 2005 has 83 complaints and 0 recalls[2]. Only three listed years have fewer complaints: 2004 with 52, 2008 with 61 and 2009 with 20[2]. Every year from 1995 to 2003 has more, from 190 in 1998 to 464 in 2000[2]. For recalls, 2005 ties with 2009 at 0, while the older years range from 1 to 8[2]. The list does not include 2006 or 2007. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so treat this as a rough guide.

Should you buy a used 2005 Sable?

The 2005 Sable has fewer complaints than every listed Sable year from 1995 to 2003 and no recalls on file[2]. The complaints still cluster in two areas. In the samples we read, owners describe unwanted acceleration and sudden transmission failure[3][4]. If you are shopping for one, ask for transmission service records and have a mechanic check the throttle and cruise control cable. The EPA rates the sedan at 20 MPG combined[5], and complaints are unverified, so use them to decide what to inspect, not as a verdict on every car.

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2005 Mercury Sable?
Speed control has the most complaints with 38, followed by power train with 26[3][4]. In the samples we read, owners describe unwanted acceleration and automatic transmission failure.
Does the 2005 Mercury Sable have any recalls?
NHTSA lists 0 recalls for the 2005 model year[2].
What gas mileage does a 2005 Mercury Sable get?
The EPA rates the sedan at 18 city, 25 highway and 20 combined MPG[5]. The wagon is rated 17 city and 19 combined, with 23 or 24 highway[14][15].
Is the 2005 Mercury Sable reliable?
NHTSA has 83 owner complaints for this year, fewer than every listed year from 1995 to 2003[1][2]. Our data has no reliability ranking, so inspect the transmission and throttle before buying.
Which Mercury Sable model year has the fewest complaints?
Among listed years, 2009 has the fewest at 20[2], then 2004 at 52 and 2008 at 61[2]. 2005 has 83[2].

Facts and sources

  1. NHTSA has 83 owner complaints on file for the 2005 Mercury Sable (3 mention a crash, 0 a fire, 3 injuries, 0 deaths reported). NHTSA vehicle records
  2. Owner complaints and recalls for every Mercury Sable model year (chart above). NHTSA recall database
  3. 38 complaints name the speed control component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 80,421). NHTSA vehicle records
  4. 26 complaints name the power train component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 82,640). NHTSA vehicle records
  5. EPA rating for Sable, 3.0L 6-cyl, Automatic 4-spd, Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 18 city / 25 highway / 20 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,350. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  6. 8 complaints name the brakes component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 66,608). NHTSA vehicle records
  7. 8 complaints name the engine component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 76,500). NHTSA vehicle records
  8. 7 complaints name the steering component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 69,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  9. 6 complaints name the electrical system component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 68,500). NHTSA vehicle records
  10. 4 complaints name the air bags component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 2 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  11. 3 complaints name the visibility component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  12. EPA rating for Sable, 3.0L 6-cyl, Automatic 4-spd, Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 18 city / 25 highway / 20 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,350. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  13. 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
  14. EPA rating for Sable Wagon, 3.0L 6-cyl, Automatic 4-spd, Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 17 city / 23 highway / 19 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,550. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  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 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
  17. NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, 4-DR W/SAB None: not rated. NHTSA vehicle records
  18. 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.