Total Complaints
81 filings
MERCURY SABLE · model year
81 NHTSA complaints, 10 crash reports, and 1 active recall for this specific cohort.
NHTSA overall rating
Not crash-tested
New Car Assessment Program
The 2008MERCURYSABLE carries 81 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 10 crashes, 3 fires, 2 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 2008 SABLE is steering with 14 filings, followed by vehicle speed control (10) and electrical system (9). 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 1 active recall campaign, 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 2008 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.
Total Complaints
81 filings
Crashes Reported
10 reports
Source
NHTSA ODI
Federal complaints database
At or below the fleet median complaint volume.
| Component | Count |
|---|---|
| STEERING | 14 |
| VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL | 10 |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 9 |
| POWER TRAIN | 9 |
| ENGINE | 5 |
| UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 4 |
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC | 3 |
| SEATS | 3 |
| SUSPENSION | 3 |
| AIR BAGS | 3 |
| POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION | 2 |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL | 2 |
| FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM | 2 |
| SERVICE BRAKES | 2 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING | 1 |
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
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 spe
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 medi
Mileage: 64,241
Car wheels rusted out
Car wheels rusted out
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 wouldnât 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 wasnât 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 hasnât been addressed. Iâm 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.
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 wouldnât 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 wasnât 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 hasnât been addressed. Iâm 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.
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 wouldnât 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 wasnât 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 hasnât been addressed. Iâm 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.
Not sure, but it sounds like the springs. The air condition makes a stumping noise when I turn it on.
Not sure, but it sounds like the springs. The air condition makes a stumping noise when I turn it on.
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.
Mileage: 160,000
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.
Mileage: 160,000
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.
Mileage: 104,000
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.
Mileage: 158,000
GOT MY CAR INSPECTED ON 12/3/20. WAS TOLD MY CAR HAS A RECALL.
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 NHTSA. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 43,000.
Mileage: 43,000
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
Mileage: 57,590
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MERCURY SABLE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE ENGINE, THROTTLE, WRENCH, AND AIR BAG INDICATORS REMAINED ILLUMINATED SIMULTANEOUSLY. THE VEHICLE WAS PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND THE ENGINE WAS TURNED OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED AND THE GEAR SHIFTER WAS PLACED IN REVERSE, AND THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD KNOCKING NOISE FROM THE TRANSMISSION. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO THE DEALER, BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 85,000.
Mileage: 85,000
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MERCURY SABLE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE ENGINE, THROTTLE, WRENCH, AND AIR BAG INDICATORS REMAINED ILLUMINATED SIMULTANEOUSLY. THE VEHICLE WAS PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND THE ENGINE WAS TURNED OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED AND THE GEAR SHIFTER WAS PLACED IN REVERSE, AND THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD KNOCKING NOISE FROM THE TRANSMISSION. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO THE DEALER, BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 85,000.
Mileage: 85,000
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MERCURY SABLE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE ENGINE, THROTTLE, WRENCH, AND AIR BAG INDICATORS REMAINED ILLUMINATED SIMULTANEOUSLY. THE VEHICLE WAS PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND THE ENGINE WAS TURNED OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED AND THE GEAR SHIFTER WAS PLACED IN REVERSE, AND THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD KNOCKING NOISE FROM THE TRANSMISSION. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO THE DEALER, BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 85,000.
Mileage: 85,000
WHILE ON CRUISE CONTROL ON A 6 LANE DIVIDED HIGHWAY THE CAR SUDDENLY ACCELERATED FROM 72 TO 85+ MPH. BRAKES DID NOT DISENGAGE CRUISE CONTROL AND COULD NOT SLOW DOWN CAR. I HAD TO SHUT THE ENGINE OFF TO REGAIN CONTROL AND WITH FLASHERS ON I MANAGED TO GET TO THE SHOULDER OF THE ROAD AND STOP THE CAR. TRIED TO RESTART THE CAR TO ESTABLISH IF CONDITION CLEARED UP, BUT COULD NOT. HAD CAR TOWED TO FORD DEALER WHO WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE CONDITION THE FOLLOWING MORNING. THEY CHANGED THE MASS AIR SENSOR BUT SAID IT WAS UNRELATED TO THE ACCELERATION PROBLEM.
Mileage: 75
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MERCURY SABLE. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE WOULD SUDDENLY HESITATE TO ACCELERATE. THE CONTACT INDICATED THAT THE FAILURE OCCURRED ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 55,000.
Mileage: 55,000
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.
Read our methodology — how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.