MERCURY SABLE · model year

2004 MERCURY SABLE

75 NHTSA complaints, 5 crash reports, and 2 active recalls for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

Not crash-tested

New Car Assessment Program

The 2004MERCURYSABLE carries 75 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 5 crashes, 0 fires, 6 injuries, and 0 fatalities. No NCAP 5-star crash-test rating is available for this model year in the federal database.

Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 2004 SABLE is vehicle speed control with 14 filings, followed by service brakes (9) and power train (8). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability. This model year has 2 active recall campaigns, which means the manufacturer is obligated to remedy the covered defect at no charge for the life of the vehicle — the full NHTSA campaign numbers are listed below.

NHTSA currently has 22 investigation files overlapping the 2004 SABLE. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page — a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.

75
Complaints
5
Crashes
0
Fires
6
Injuries
0
Deaths

Total Complaints

75 filings

Crashes Reported

5 reports

Source

NHTSA ODI

Federal complaints database

Complaints vs. fleet median (215)

At or below the fleet median complaint volume.

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL14
SERVICE BRAKES9
POWER TRAIN8
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM6
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION4
EXTERIOR LIGHTING4
ENGINE3
UNKNOWN OR OTHER2
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER2
SEATS2
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING2
SEAT BELTS2
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP1
AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW1
SEAT BELTS:FRONT1

Recalls (2)

04V33000008/07/2004

SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:POWER ADJUST

CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH POWER ADJUSTABLE SEATS MAY HAVE BEEN INADEQUATELY WELDED.

16E02600001/04/2016

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:PADS

Bosch Brake Components LLC (Bosch) is recalling certain aftermarket replacement front brake pads, models Bosch QuietCast BC598 and BP765, Bosch Blue BE598 and BE598H, Prostop PD598 and PD765M, Duralast Gold DG598, Duralast MKD598, Stop Master ST598, UltraStop ULT598, UltraLife MX598 and MX765, Brake

Recent Complaints

20200410SERVICE BRAKES

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 MERCURY SABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE BRAKE LIGHTS WERE ACTIVATED, THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO SHIFT THE VEHICLE FROM PARK INTO DRIVE. FRED BEANS FORD OF DOYLESTOWN (876 N EASTON RD, DOYLESTOWN, PA 18902), (215) 348-2901) WAS CONTACTED AND INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE STOP LAMP SWITCH NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS RELATED TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16E026000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC) HOWEVER, THE RECALL WAS FOR THE YEAR 2003 VEHICLES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 99,800.

Mileage: 99,800

20180814SERVICE BRAKES

WHILE PARKED, TRIED TO PUT CAR IN REVERSE TO BACK OUT OF DRIVEWAY BUT CAR WILL NOT SHIFT OUT OF PARK. ONLY WAY TO GET CAR TO SHIFT OUT OF PARK IS TO APPLY EMERGENCY BRAKES THEN SHIFT CAR INTO NEUTRAL WHILE KEY TURNED TO OFF POSITION. BREAK LIGHTS WILL NOT ILLUMINATE WHEN BRAKE PEDAL APPLIED. I CHECKED ALL THE FUSES AND REPLACED THE BREAK LAMP BULBS TO TROUBLESHOOT ISSUE ACCORDING TO OWNERS MANUAL HOWEVER PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. WHEN RESEARCHING ONLINE I READ ABOUT THE SAME EXACT ISSUES OCCURRING IN SAME MODEL AND MAKE THAT WERE RECALLED. I WENT TO MY NEAREST FORD DEALERSHIP TO INFORM THEM ABOUT THIS ISSUE AND GET SOME ASSISTANCE IN FIXING THE PROBLEM. HOWEVER THEY WOULD NOT HELP IN THE MATTER, AND STATED THAT MY PARTICULAR VIN # AND YEAR MODEL 2004 HAD NO RECALLS. THE RECALL WAS ISSUED FOR FAULTY BREAK LIGHT SWITCHES IN 2003 AND PREVIOUS YEAR MODELS OF MERCURY SABLES. I'VE READ ABOUT NUMEROUS ISSUES OCCURRING WITH OTHER 2004 MERCURY SABLE OWNERS THAT ALSO CANNOT GET HELP WITH THIS MATTER

Mileage: 172,000

20180814ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

WHILE PARKED, TRIED TO PUT CAR IN REVERSE TO BACK OUT OF DRIVEWAY BUT CAR WILL NOT SHIFT OUT OF PARK. ONLY WAY TO GET CAR TO SHIFT OUT OF PARK IS TO APPLY EMERGENCY BRAKES THEN SHIFT CAR INTO NEUTRAL WHILE KEY TURNED TO OFF POSITION. BREAK LIGHTS WILL NOT ILLUMINATE WHEN BRAKE PEDAL APPLIED. I CHECKED ALL THE FUSES AND REPLACED THE BREAK LAMP BULBS TO TROUBLESHOOT ISSUE ACCORDING TO OWNERS MANUAL HOWEVER PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. WHEN RESEARCHING ONLINE I READ ABOUT THE SAME EXACT ISSUES OCCURRING IN SAME MODEL AND MAKE THAT WERE RECALLED. I WENT TO MY NEAREST FORD DEALERSHIP TO INFORM THEM ABOUT THIS ISSUE AND GET SOME ASSISTANCE IN FIXING THE PROBLEM. HOWEVER THEY WOULD NOT HELP IN THE MATTER, AND STATED THAT MY PARTICULAR VIN # AND YEAR MODEL 2004 HAD NO RECALLS. THE RECALL WAS ISSUED FOR FAULTY BREAK LIGHT SWITCHES IN 2003 AND PREVIOUS YEAR MODELS OF MERCURY SABLES. I'VE READ ABOUT NUMEROUS ISSUES OCCURRING WITH OTHER 2004 MERCURY SABLE OWNERS THAT ALSO CANNOT GET HELP WITH THIS MATTER

Mileage: 172,000

20180814EXTERIOR LIGHTING

WHILE PARKED, TRIED TO PUT CAR IN REVERSE TO BACK OUT OF DRIVEWAY BUT CAR WILL NOT SHIFT OUT OF PARK. ONLY WAY TO GET CAR TO SHIFT OUT OF PARK IS TO APPLY EMERGENCY BRAKES THEN SHIFT CAR INTO NEUTRAL WHILE KEY TURNED TO OFF POSITION. BREAK LIGHTS WILL NOT ILLUMINATE WHEN BRAKE PEDAL APPLIED. I CHECKED ALL THE FUSES AND REPLACED THE BREAK LAMP BULBS TO TROUBLESHOOT ISSUE ACCORDING TO OWNERS MANUAL HOWEVER PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. WHEN RESEARCHING ONLINE I READ ABOUT THE SAME EXACT ISSUES OCCURRING IN SAME MODEL AND MAKE THAT WERE RECALLED. I WENT TO MY NEAREST FORD DEALERSHIP TO INFORM THEM ABOUT THIS ISSUE AND GET SOME ASSISTANCE IN FIXING THE PROBLEM. HOWEVER THEY WOULD NOT HELP IN THE MATTER, AND STATED THAT MY PARTICULAR VIN # AND YEAR MODEL 2004 HAD NO RECALLS. THE RECALL WAS ISSUED FOR FAULTY BREAK LIGHT SWITCHES IN 2003 AND PREVIOUS YEAR MODELS OF MERCURY SABLES. I'VE READ ABOUT NUMEROUS ISSUES OCCURRING WITH OTHER 2004 MERCURY SABLE OWNERS THAT ALSO CANNOT GET HELP WITH THIS MATTER

Mileage: 172,000

20180614AIR BAGS

THE AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT HAS STARTED COMING ON INTERMITTENTLY WHILE THE CAR IS RUNNING ON A CITY STREET. I DON'T KNOW WHY BUT IT APPEARS TO BE A CRITICAL SAFETY PROBLEM. THE CAR HAS NEVER BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT AND ONLY HAS 78,000 MILES , VERY LOW FOR A 2004 VEHICLE. FORD MOTOR DEALER SAYS THERE IS NO RECALL OF ANY KIND ON THIS CAR. I AM A RETIRED SENIOR CITIZEN AND THIS IS MY ONLY FORM OF TRANSPORTATION.

Mileage: 78,000

20171104VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

CAR ACCELERATED BY ITSELF TO ABOVE 55 MPH AT LOCAL ROAD, WHEN PUT TO PARKING, THE ENGINE KEPT RUNNING AT MORE THAN 3500 RPM, IT WAS CRAZY, NEARLY KILLED SOME KIDS.

Mileage: 2

20161024SERVICE BRAKES

THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH FAILED CAUSING INABILITY TO GET SHIFT LEVER OUT OF PARK MODE. BRAKE LIGHTS STAY ON ALL THE TIME OR NOT COME ON AT ALL. THE PROBLEM WAS NOTED AFTER PARKING IN OUR GARAGE AND NOTICING THE BRAKE LIGHTS BEING ON ALL THE TIME. I DISCOVERED THAT TURNING THE IGNITION SWITCH TO FIRST INDENT THAT THE SHIFT LEVER CAN BE PLACED IN THE NEUTRAL MODE SO ENGINE CAN BE STARTED. IN DRIVING THE CAR, THE BRAKE LIGHTS DO NOT WORK. WHEN STOPPING THE CAR AND SHIFTING TO THE PARK MODE, THE SHIFT LEVER CANNOT BE TAKEN OUT OF THE PARK MODE WITHOUT GOING THROUGH THE SEQUENCE DESCRIBED ABOVE. THERE WAS A RECALL TO REPAIR THIS ON THE 2000-2004 SABLES (REFERENCE 04V106000), BUT FORD TELLS ME THE 2004 SABLES ARE NOT UNDER RECALL ALTHOUGH THE 2004 MODELS USE THE SAME DEFECTIVE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH CAUSING THE EXACT PROBLEMS AS THE 2000-2003 MODELS. *TR

Mileage: 28,100

20160616SERVICE BRAKES

I CONTACTED KEN GRODY FORD IN BUENA PARK,CA 2-3 MONTHS AGO TO ASK IF THERE WERE ANY RECALLS ON MY CAR? THE MANAGER I SPOKE WITH TOLD ME "NO!" HE ALSO MAILED ME A COPY OF HIS "OASIS" SEARCH WHICH SHOWED NO RECALLS! HELP! [XXX] PLEASE MAIL ME RECALL ALERTS ON MY CAR! INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

20160616SEATS

I CONTACTED KEN GRODY FORD IN BUENA PARK,CA 2-3 MONTHS AGO TO ASK IF THERE WERE ANY RECALLS ON MY CAR? THE MANAGER I SPOKE WITH TOLD ME "NO!" HE ALSO MAILED ME A COPY OF HIS "OASIS" SEARCH WHICH SHOWED NO RECALLS! HELP! [XXX] PLEASE MAIL ME RECALL ALERTS ON MY CAR! INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

20160321ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 MERCURY SABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SECURITY LIGHT RANDOMLY FLASHED AND THE ALARM RANDOMLY SOUNDED WITHIN LESS THAN THAN TWO DAYS OF OWNING THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

20160115VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 MERCURY SABLE. WHILE DRIVING AT HIGH SPEEDS, THE RPMS INCREASED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE SURGED FORWARD AND EXHIBITED RAPID ACCELERATION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 135,000.

Mileage: 135,000

20160115ENGINE

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 MERCURY SABLE. WHILE DRIVING AT HIGH SPEEDS, THE RPMS INCREASED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE SURGED FORWARD AND EXHIBITED RAPID ACCELERATION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 135,000.

Mileage: 135,000

20150529SUSPENSION

DRIVING ALONG RESIDENTIAL AREA, EXTREMELY LOUD BANG WITH BURNING RUBBER SMOKE. STOPPED IN ROAD LOOKED UNDER HOOD FOUND NOTHING WRONG. TRIED TO DRIVE AGAIN AND THERE WAS A BUMPING NOISE AND MORE RUBBER SMELL AND SMOKE. REPEAT INSPECTION DETERMINED THAT THE DRIVERS WHEEL CLEARANCE WAS DROPPED AND RUBBING ON THE WHEEL. SEARCH OF INTERNET SHOWS THAT SPRINGS ARE ROUTINELY BREAKING AND CAUSING INJURY AND DEATH.

Mileage: 140,000

20150529UNKNOWN OR OTHER

DRIVING ALONG RESIDENTIAL AREA, EXTREMELY LOUD BANG WITH BURNING RUBBER SMOKE. STOPPED IN ROAD LOOKED UNDER HOOD FOUND NOTHING WRONG. TRIED TO DRIVE AGAIN AND THERE WAS A BUMPING NOISE AND MORE RUBBER SMELL AND SMOKE. REPEAT INSPECTION DETERMINED THAT THE DRIVERS WHEEL CLEARANCE WAS DROPPED AND RUBBING ON THE WHEEL. SEARCH OF INTERNET SHOWS THAT SPRINGS ARE ROUTINELY BREAKING AND CAUSING INJURY AND DEATH.

Mileage: 140,000

20150521SERVICE BRAKES

CAR WILL NOT COME OUT OF PARK, NOR WILL BRAKE LIGHTS OPERATE WHEN PEDAL DEPRESSED. EXACT SYMPTOMS AS DESCRIBED IN PREVIOUS MODEL YEAR RECALLS. ONLY WAYTO GET CAR OUT OF PARK IS TO PLACE IN NEUTRAL AFTER TURNING KEY IN IGNITION TO FIRST AVAIALBLE POSITION, THEN APPLYING BRAKE PEDAL TO RELEASE SHIFT LOCK. THIS IS A RECURRING PROBLEM W/ A FAILED BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH ASSEMBLY. IT'S TOO DANGEROUS OF A PROBLEM TO NOT HAVE A RECALL. MANY OTHER MODEL VEHICLES HAVE BEEN RECALLED FOR THE SAME EXACT PROBLEM. WHY NOT THIS MODEL?

Mileage: 95,000

20150521ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

CAR WILL NOT COME OUT OF PARK, NOR WILL BRAKE LIGHTS OPERATE WHEN PEDAL DEPRESSED. EXACT SYMPTOMS AS DESCRIBED IN PREVIOUS MODEL YEAR RECALLS. ONLY WAYTO GET CAR OUT OF PARK IS TO PLACE IN NEUTRAL AFTER TURNING KEY IN IGNITION TO FIRST AVAIALBLE POSITION, THEN APPLYING BRAKE PEDAL TO RELEASE SHIFT LOCK. THIS IS A RECURRING PROBLEM W/ A FAILED BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH ASSEMBLY. IT'S TOO DANGEROUS OF A PROBLEM TO NOT HAVE A RECALL. MANY OTHER MODEL VEHICLES HAVE BEEN RECALLED FOR THE SAME EXACT PROBLEM. WHY NOT THIS MODEL?

Mileage: 95,000

20150521EXTERIOR LIGHTING

CAR WILL NOT COME OUT OF PARK, NOR WILL BRAKE LIGHTS OPERATE WHEN PEDAL DEPRESSED. EXACT SYMPTOMS AS DESCRIBED IN PREVIOUS MODEL YEAR RECALLS. ONLY WAYTO GET CAR OUT OF PARK IS TO PLACE IN NEUTRAL AFTER TURNING KEY IN IGNITION TO FIRST AVAIALBLE POSITION, THEN APPLYING BRAKE PEDAL TO RELEASE SHIFT LOCK. THIS IS A RECURRING PROBLEM W/ A FAILED BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH ASSEMBLY. IT'S TOO DANGEROUS OF A PROBLEM TO NOT HAVE A RECALL. MANY OTHER MODEL VEHICLES HAVE BEEN RECALLED FOR THE SAME EXACT PROBLEM. WHY NOT THIS MODEL?

Mileage: 95,000

20150213EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TAIL LIGHTS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 MERCURY SABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR TAIL LIGHTS REMAINED ILLUMINATED WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS NOT DEPRESSED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 04V106000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000.

Mileage: 90,000

20150112SERVICE BRAKES

THE CAR WILL NOT COME OUT OF PARK, NOR DO THE BRAKE LIGHTS WORK AND SOMETIMES THE BRAKE LIGHTS STAY ON. THERE WAS A RECALL FOR THIS VERY ISSUE. RECALL #04S12 OR 04V106000. HOWEVER THE RECALL STOPS AT 2003. MY VEHICLE HAS THE SAME DEFECTIVE SWITCH IN IT BUT FORD IS REFUSING TO REPLACE IT. THEY CLAIM MY VEHICLE WAS MADE A FEW DAYS AFTER THE RECALL STOPPED. WELL THAT DOESN'T MAKE MY BRAKE PEDAL SWITCH ANY SAFER. I'M BEING HANDED A LINE OF CRAP BY FORD. THEY INSTALLED A DEFECTIVE SWITCH AND HAVE ADMITTED ITS DEFECTIVE AND WONT FIX MINE BECAUSE OF A MANUFACTURE DATE. WHAT COURT WOULDN'T PROSECUTE FORD IF I HAVE A SERIOUS ACCIDENT BECAUSE OF THIS DEFECTIVE SWITCH THAT THEY KNOW IS DEFECTIVE BUT REFUSE TO FIX IT. *TR

Mileage: 99,300

20150112POWER TRAIN

THE CAR WILL NOT COME OUT OF PARK, NOR DO THE BRAKE LIGHTS WORK AND SOMETIMES THE BRAKE LIGHTS STAY ON. THERE WAS A RECALL FOR THIS VERY ISSUE. RECALL #04S12 OR 04V106000. HOWEVER THE RECALL STOPS AT 2003. MY VEHICLE HAS THE SAME DEFECTIVE SWITCH IN IT BUT FORD IS REFUSING TO REPLACE IT. THEY CLAIM MY VEHICLE WAS MADE A FEW DAYS AFTER THE RECALL STOPPED. WELL THAT DOESN'T MAKE MY BRAKE PEDAL SWITCH ANY SAFER. I'M BEING HANDED A LINE OF CRAP BY FORD. THEY INSTALLED A DEFECTIVE SWITCH AND HAVE ADMITTED ITS DEFECTIVE AND WONT FIX MINE BECAUSE OF A MANUFACTURE DATE. WHAT COURT WOULDN'T PROSECUTE FORD IF I HAVE A SERIOUS ACCIDENT BECAUSE OF THIS DEFECTIVE SWITCH THAT THEY KNOW IS DEFECTIVE BUT REFUSE TO FIX IT. *TR

Mileage: 99,300

Compare 2004MERCURYSABLE to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations

View all investigations

Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 2004 MERCURY SABLE have?
The 2004 MERCURY SABLE has 75 NHTSA complaints, 5 crashes, 0 fires, 6 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
Are there any recalls for the 2004 MERCURY SABLE?
Yes, the 2004 MERCURY SABLE has 2 recall(s). The most common affected component is SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:POWER ADJUST. Recalls are issued by NHTSA and manufacturers must provide a free remedy.
What are the most common problems with the 2004 MERCURY SABLE?
The most-complained component for the 2004 MERCURY SABLE is VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL with 14 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include SERVICE BRAKES and POWER TRAIN.
Is the 2004 MERCURY SABLE safe to buy?
Review the complaint history, crash and fire reports, safety ratings, and recall status on this page to make an informed decision. No NHTSA crash test rating is available for this model year. Compare with other model years using the links above.
Where does this data come from?
All complaint, recall, and safety rating data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaints are filed by vehicle owners through NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation.

Vehicle Safety Guides

Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.