2003 Mercury Sable Consumer Discussions

Taurus/Sable Maintenance & Repair

• Re: 2003 Mercury Sable RPM issues [kwarmack]

  Written by: jessica32 on Dec 28, 2011 10:54:42 AM

  Mines doing the same thing now my radio went out and the air conditioning did yours do that and did u fix ur problem?

Taurus/Sable Electrical Problems

• Re: 2003 Mercury Sable GS - electrical problem? [rpyles]

  Written by: roberg on Oct 27, 2011 7:45:15 AM

  Was the short in the steering column, I'm having the same issues with my 2003 Tauras.

Taurus/Sable Transmission Problems

• Torque Converter

  Written by: cmoore20 on Feb 16, 2011 12:19:16 PM

  I have a 2004 Mercury Sable. It had 47,000 miles on it when the transmission quit working. It did not matter what gear you put it in, it was like it was in neutral. There was no shifting into any gear. I took it to Ford, and $1800.00 later they fixed the torque converter. At the time I questioned them because I knew of others that it had happened to also. ... Read More

Taurus/Sable Maintenance & Repair

• 2003 Mercury Sable RPM issues

  Written by: kwarmack on Oct 31, 2010 8:07:20 PM

  My RPM's drop when slowing or in stop and go traffic. The car has turned off on me several times and I have no problem restarting. When driving on the hwy I have no issues until I have to slow. I just recently changed the PCV valve, the plugs, the wires, the air filter, and have used the intake cleaner. My gas pedal seems like it is harder to push while ... Read More

Taurus/Sable Electrical Problems

• Re: alternator trouble 2003 Mercury Sable [dndavis]

  Written by: nicklebee on May 22, 2010 12:36:35 PM

  I posted this once. YES I found out what was wrong. It's a short. It took the guys almost a month to find it. First they checked all my grounds. My short was in my flashers. When the wires touched it shorted everything, including frying my alternator. If you can find a mechanic that isn't going to screw you, they can connect it to the machine and it will give them ... Read More

• Re: alternator trouble 2003 Mercury Sable [nicklebee]

  Written by: dndavis on May 22, 2010 10:52:36 AM

  Did you ever find the problem with this? My 2003 Sable JUST turned over 200k mile and this happened to me last night. The Radio stopped working, Radio Controls Froze, Battery / ABS / Etc Lights came on. Pulled it over, turned it off and tried to restart but the battery was too dead. I had it towed home and a couple of hours later it started right up and all ... Read More

• Re: 2003 Mercury Sable GS - electrical problem? [rpyles]

  Written by: dndavis on May 22, 2010 10:48:24 AM

  Did you ever find the problem with this? My 2003 Sable JUST turned over 200k mile and this happened to me last night. The Radio stopped working, Radio Controls Froze, Battery / ABS / Etc Lights came on. Pulled it over, turned it off and tried to restart but the battery was too dead. I had it towed home and a couple of hours later it started right up and all ... Read More

• Re: 2003 Mercury Sable GS - electrical problem? [tdeanda_2000]

  Written by: rpyles on May 12, 2010 6:38:10 AM

  I'm having this exact same issue with my 2002 Ford Taurus. Driving down the road it will just turn off then back on. Every light on the dash comes on. Also when it comes back on everything is dim, dash light, headlights, etc. After a few more minutes of driving everything comes back on fully lit. Then sometimes when I turn off the car and get out all of the lights ... Read More

• alternator trouble 2003 Mercury Sable

  Written by: nicklebee on Mar 9, 2010 5:31:24 PM

  I've had some of these problems but my is a bit more extensive. Since October, I have put FOUR brand new alternators in my car. When they are put in everything will test just fine, and it will be charging. They last exactly 30 days.Then, as I am driving, it will start with me noticing that the lights are dimming. This will take a few days before my check engine light ... Read More

• Re: 2003 Mercury Sable GS - electrical problem? [tdeanda_2000]

  Written by: tdeanda_2000 on Oct 20, 2008 4:01:43 PM

  I gave up on my car too for the exact same reasons you listed. I also traded it in & bought a GM certified 2007 Chevy Impala. I too was skeptical about buying another used car but since it was certified & also still under warranty, I went ahead with it. So far, I really love my "new" car. I wish I knew what was wrong with the other car & ... Read More

• Re: 2003 Mercury Sable GS - electrical problem? [tdeanda_2000]

  Written by: ansynthia on Oct 20, 2008 8:14:36 AM

  my girlfriend has a 1999 sable wagon. she has simular problems. the car shuts off when driving, the lights flicker, whipers go off by them self, and sometimes the auto locks are funny. we reported it under warranty but of course ford found nothing wrong with the car. i have a friend that asked me when telling him all of this if her drivers seat was electricly adjustable, which it is. ... Read More

• Re: 2003 Mercury Sable GS - electrical problem? [athomas52]

  Written by: tdeanda_2000 on Aug 16, 2008 5:35:38 PM

  I gave up on the car because safety & reliability were key for me - plus I didn't want to spend lots of money trying to figure out the issue & repair it. I drive my children & their friends around & take a lot of long distance weekend trips. I traded it in & bought a GM certified 2007 Chevy Impala. I was skeptical about buying another used car but ... Read More

• Re: 2003 Mercury Sable GS - electrical problem? [tdeanda_2000]

  Written by: athomas52 on Aug 16, 2008 11:11:01 AM

  I have a 2005 Mercy Sable GS 63000 miles and you have described the problem perfectly. It is still under warranty but the mercury dealership has been unable to fix the problem... Please let me know if you find a solution. Thanks

• 2003 Mercury Sable GS - electrical problem?

  Written by: tdeanda_2000 on Aug 7, 2008 4:55:21 PM

  I've been reading the postings & haven't found anyone yet with the same issue as mine. I have a 2003 Mercury Sable GS, about 54,400 or so miles that I purchased used about 4 years ago with around 12,000 miles on it. It has a sporadic problem that I think is an electrical issue. Off & on for the last couple of years, it will turn off for a split second ... Read More

• Re: 2003 Mercury Sable GS - electrical problem? [bzaw]

  Written by: jasfer1127 on Jan 21, 2009 9:01:45 AM

  this would cause my car to act like it was shuting off cause dash lights to come on for a split second, then goes on its way. only happens when the blower is on high. While driving on the highway and running either A/C or heater at max fan with Radio on, the car engine will die or stall violently jerking the car with all warning lights on and then continue ... Read More

• Re: 2003 Mercury Sable GS - electrical problem? [jasfer1127]

  Written by: bzaw on Jan 21, 2009 6:52:37 AM

  For me it was a transmission range sensor or neutral safety switch (it's a sensor that sits on top of the transmission that regulates how the car goes into gear and has the gear arm attached to it). A fairly easy fix (took bf and I about a half hour). It is listed as a service bulletin by Ford for '96 Taurus/Sables I don't know if the newer ones have the ... Read More

• Re: 2003 Mercury Sable GS - electrical problem? [tdeanda_2000]

  Written by: jasfer1127 on Jan 21, 2009 6:19:56 AM

  i to have this same issue now for 3 years. the car has been to the dealer numerus times with no fix, many parts just trown at it. last summer i put a new battery in and the problem went away till this winter when i used the heater, was there ever a fix for you?

Ford Taurus/Mercury Sable Check Engine Light (Gas Cap)

• Re: Check Engine Light (Gas Cap) [bpiri]

  Written by: jasmith52 on Jun 25, 2007 8:05:14 AM

  I had a gas cap go bad on my 2003 Mercury Sable. I filled up with gas and the light came on and wouldn't go off. I bought a gas cap at a local auto parts store for a few dollars that fixed the problem. For the check engine light to go off you must first fix the problem (eg. get a new gas cap). Then your car must go through ... Read More

Ford Taurus/Mercury Sable Sedans Pre-2008

• Re: RESPONSE TO POSTS 3301 AND 3303 [lcoats]

  Written by: jasmith52 on Apr 5, 2007 7:23:00 AM

  I just looked in my 2003 Mercury Sable brocure. For the 2003 model year the CD-changer was an option. It wasn't standard equipment for the 03's. So it just may be that your car (an 05') does not have the CD changer option.

Taurus/Sable Maintenance & Repair

• Re: gas tank light/check engine light one [mushy5350]

  Written by: jasmith52 on Mar 26, 2007 4:06:28 PM

  I had a bad gas cap on my 2003 Mercury Sable and had the problems that you describe. If you read the owners manual after the (working) gas cap is replaced your car has to go through a seemingly bizarre sequence of events before the check engine light will go off. As I recall you have to go through a "cold-engine" startup also you must idle for so many cycles at ... Read More

Taurus/Sable Electrical Problems

• 2003 Sable Blinking Battery Light

  Written by: john789 on Jan 14, 2007 6:44:30 AM

  I have a 2003 Mercury Sable (3.8 liter 24 value engine)after the car is driven for 15-20 minutes the battery light flashes on and off. The dealer has put in 2 new alternators and the battery light still flashes. The light will not stay on constantly. The dealer checked the battery and it is fully charged. It will not go on when the car is in park. There are no codes ... Read More

Ford Taurus/Mercury Sable Sedans Pre-2008

• Sable LS --> Milan or Montego???

  Written by: dlang on Jan 13, 2006 4:58:07 PM

  Hi Forum, Times up and I have to either buyout my leased 2003 Sable LS with only 17000 miles for $10500 or get another car. While I've read that the Montego is the Sable replacement, looking at just specs, the Milan seems a better car. It has slightly more front legroom than the Sable, while the Montego has almost an inch less. The Milan is not much less on headroom, hiproom ... Read More

Taurus/Sable Maintenance & Repair

• 2004 Mercury Sable air bags

  Written by: mersable on Dec 4, 2005 4:27:40 PM

  I have a 2004 Sable and My driver side air bag is blown, what I would like to know is I found a 2003 set of air bags + modules an I change mind over to these if I change everthing?

• Re: 2003 mercury sable heating [acadiarush]

  Written by: jazeeladee on Nov 30, 2005 6:05:07 AM

  We found out it is the fan motor than needs to be replaced. The part costs approximately $200 then we will have to pay for the labor. It's bad for us cause the car is fairly new.

• Re: 2003 mercury sable heating [jazeeladee]

  Written by: acadiarush on Nov 23, 2005 3:47:53 PM

  I have the same issue on my 1998 Ford Taurus. It has been a very cold nightmare here in Maine. Have you figured out how to repair this?

• 2003 mercury sable heating

  Written by: jazeeladee on Nov 17, 2005 7:09:05 AM

  All of a sudden the air will not flow through the vents for a/c or heat. What could the problem be? I checked everything and do not see where the problem is.

• 99 Mercury Sable Transmission

  Written by: dmwypish on May 24, 2005 11:36:49 AM

  Hopefully someone knows something about this car. I need a new transmission 3.0L OHV AX4N Column shift Vin U. I have been looking for a transmission for this car for a couple of months. I have contacted Ford, Mercury dealers and no one can tell me anything without a lot of money being handed over. I want to know what years of transmission is compatible with the 99. I have searched ... Read More

Ford Taurus/Mercury Sable Wagons

• Re: Thinking of buying a '99 Sable Wagon [erbie #1]

  Written by: sable on Apr 21, 2004 4:35:46 PM

  I'm into my third wagon, either Mercury Sable (2) or Ford Tarus (1) and am NEVER going to own either a Ford or Mercury again, (I HOPE!). The third vehicle (a 2004 Mercury Sable wagon) I have is a replacement for a lemon 2003 (Mercury Sable wagon) that I had. The replacement vehicle, which was gotten with only a few month's delay, has less than 4000 miles on it and I've ... Read More

Taurus/Sable Maintenance & Repair

• New 2004 Ford Taurus SEL Owner...

  Written by: iexplore2000 on Mar 17, 2004 7:12:27 AM

  Hello Everyone,  ** First off, I apologize in advance for posting this message accross two forums, but I promise that this will be my first and LAST double-posted message.. I just need as much input as possible! :-) ** I am new to this forum and wanted to post a message to you all for your feedback concerning the Ford Taurus/Mercury Sable. I purchased a fully loaded 2004 Ford Taurus SEL ... Read More

Ford Taurus/Mercury Sable Sedans Pre-2008

• New 2004 Ford Taurus SEL Owner..

  Written by: iexplore2000 on Mar 17, 2004 7:03:41 AM

  Hello Everyone, I am new to this forum and wanted to post a message to you all for your feedback concerning the Ford Taurus/Mercury Sable. I purchased a fully loaded 2004 Ford Taurus SEL (with TCS, Mach, Home Link, etc.) back in January primarily to use as a work commuter vehicle. I chose the Merlot exterior with the two-tone parchment leather interior. My other vehicle is a 2003 GMC Envoy XL ... Read More

• Ford issues 2 recalls

  Written by: danielj6 on Mar 11, 2004 4:08:56 PM

  More than 1.3 million Ford Taurus and Mercury Sable sedans will be recalled to correct problems with brake lights and air filters. In the first recall, the 2000-2003 Taurus/Sable will be brought back because the center high-mounted stop lamps have bad switches that could lead to inoperative or always-on lights. The second recall covers 2003 Taurus/Sable sedans that have air filters that may catch fire. Both repairs will be done at ... Read More

• 2003 Mercury Sable LS - A/C

  Written by: upsetter1 on Jul 17, 2003 2:28:09 PM

  If your climate control is automatic you cannot do much except to set the temperature and computer will turn on or off AC or heater as necessary. But there is one mode that turns off AC regardless - it is "to the chest" mode only. If you have manual climate control then you have to turn on/off AC manually.

• 2003 Mercury Sable LS - A/C

  Written by: bgbolumen1 on Jul 17, 2003 11:12:19 AM

  ""That's the way it's supposed to work. In any mode except vent, the a/c will engage. It's in the owners manual. All my Ford products (1986, 1988, 1991, 1996 Sable and 2000 & 2001 Lincoln LS) have done/do it" I was afraid of that since most days at 70F, there is no need for A/C but it would be nice to have Venting to the feet and up or anywhere for ... Read More

• re: 2003 Mercury Sable LS - A/C by bgbolumen

  Written by: ezaircon4jc on Jul 16, 2003 8:49:45 PM

  That's the way it's supposed to work. In any mode except vent, the a/c will engage. It's in the owners manual. All my Ford products (1986, 1988, 1991, 1996 Sable and 2000 & 2001 Lincoln LS) have done/do it.

• 2003 Mercury Sable LS - A/C

  Written by: bgbolumen on Jul 16, 2003 6:12:05 PM

  Just bought a 2003 LS and can't quite figure out the A/C and/or outside air vents. Driving it home from the dealer whenever you put it anywhere(feet, defrost, etc.) except on the vent to the chest only (don't know what else to call it) it always turns the A/C on. That is, without turning the A/C, as soon as I set the air direction to the feet or as defrost or ... Read More

• Sable leads in Polk's survey

  Written by: upsetter1 on Jun 26, 2003 3:30:40 PM

  http://www.polk.com/news/releases/2003_0625.asp It is survey on owners loyality. Mercury Sable is in the top in Midsize Car segment with 31.5% (average is 21.0%).

• president's day....

  Written by: sculldog33 on Feb 15, 2003 10:46:28 PM

  It's car buying season...local Mercury dealer (same one I purchased from) has 20+ 2003 Sable LS Premium Touring Editions w/leather, ABS and moonroof, climate control, etc. for 18.5 after rebate. This is an incredible price -- a full $1000 less than I paid for my 2000, and it has at least one extra option in the "puddle lamps" that mine doesn't have. No matter what anyone has posted about Camry's, Accords ... Read More

• Is heater in LS wagon- 6seater adequate

  Written by: bg729 on Feb 1, 2003 7:27:21 AM

  Subject: new sable wagon-6 seater- how is heat?? Date: 1/31/2003 8:24 PM Eastern Standard Time From: Heidi 929 Message-id: <20030131202454.17879.00030880@mbs-m04.aol.com> I am trying to decide whether to buy an LS mercury sable wagon. How long does it take the car to warm up inside? There is 79 cubic feet to heat. Does the back seat get warm enough. The six seater does not have an A/C vent in the rear for ... Read More

Ford Taurus/Mercury Sable Wagons

• Is heat adequate in 6 seat LS wagon??

  Written by: bg729 on Feb 1, 2003 7:23:58 AM

  Subject: new sable wagon-6 seater- how is heat?? Date: 1/31/2003 8:24 PM Eastern Standard Time From: Heidi 929 Message-id: <20030131202454.17879.00030880@mbs-m04.aol.com> I am trying to decide whether to buy an LS mercury sable wagon. How long does it take the car to warm up inside? There is 79 cubic feet to heat. Does the back seat get warm enough. The six seater does not have an A/C vent in the rear for ... Read More

Ford Taurus/Mercury Sable Sedans Pre-2008

• 2002 Sable

  Written by: upsetter1 on Sep 12, 2002 10:31:57 PM

  Last labor day I bought new 2002 Mercury Sable LS Premium. It has all options - leather, sunroof and etc., except so called secure package (side airbags and traction conrol). Actually I was looking for one year old one with low miles, but it was impossible to find decent one. So when I saw the ad in newspaper offering $5,000 off MSRP, 13 in stock, I thought hell its just the ... Read More

• Just read this from Car Connection

  Written by: upsetter1 on Jun 20, 2002 6:54:45 PM

  Even Ford Division’s new president, Stephen G. Lyons, recognizes the Taurus’ sales problems. He doesn’t agree with Ford dealers’ dismissive remark that the Taurus is “dead in the water” and is understandably not willing to give it an obituary date, but he does concede that “it’s hard to sell 400,000 a year of anything. So now we’re dividing it (Taurus segment) into lots of 125,000.” To retain the millions of Taurus ... Read More