Complaints
541
Crashes
39
Fires
5
Injuries
25
Fatalities
2
Recalls
0
Worst 2002 Mercury Sable Problems
Top 3 most-reported issues with average mileage at failure.
#197 complaints
Suspension:Front:Springs:Coil Springs
Avg mileage:77,918 mi
#267 complaints
Suspension:Front
Avg mileage:87,154 mi
Crash-related:1
#348 complaints
Unintended Acceleration
Avg mileage:99,361 mi
Crash-related:5
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All Problems by Category
Every NHTSA complaint category for the 2002 Mercury Sable.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Avg Mileage | Volume |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Suspension:Front:Springs:Coil Springs | 97 | — | — | 77,918 mi | |
| Suspension:Front | 67 | 1 | — | 87,154 mi | |
| Unintended Acceleration | 48 | 5 | — | 99,361 mi | |
| Suspension Failures | 45 | 1 | — | 90,294 mi | |
| Suspension:Rear | 24 | — | — | 78,258 mi | |
| Suspension:Rear:Springs:Coil Springs | 23 | — | 1 | 76,845 mi | |
| Air Bags:Frontal | 16 | 13 | — | 43,051 mi | |
| Visibility:Windshield | 13 | — | — | 56,146 mi | |
| Electrical Faults | 12 | — | — | 76,224 mi | |
| Engine & Cooling | 12 | 1 | — | 53,401 mi | |
| Automatic Transmission | 10 | 1 | — | 39,309 mi | |
| Airbags | 9 | 8 | — | 49,150 mi | |
| Transmission / Drivetrain | 9 | — | — | 68,985 mi | |
| Suspension:Rear:Springs | 9 | — | — | 73,599 mi | |
| Headlight/Taillight Failures | 8 | — | — | 75,143 mi | |
| Tire Defects | 8 | — | — | 60,902 mi | |
| Hydraulic Brakes | 7 | 2 | — | 59,378 mi | |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip | 5 | 3 | — | — | |
| Structural Problems | 5 | — | — | 79,500 mi | |
| Vehicle Speed Control:Accelerator Pedal | 5 | 1 | — | 30,450 mi | |
| Wheel Issues | 5 | — | — | 78,973 mi | |
| Engine Problems | 4 | — | — | — | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 4 | — | 1 | — | |
| Gasoline Fuel System | 4 | — | 1 | — | |
| Fuel System | 4 | — | — | — | |
| Latches / Locks | 4 | — | — | — | |
| Brakes | 4 | 1 | — | — | |
| Structure:Body:Door | 4 | — | — | — | |
| Visibility:Defroster/Defogger/Hvac System:Fan/Motor | 4 | — | — | — |
Suspension:Front:Springs:Coil Springs
97
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
77,918
Suspension:Front
67
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
87,154
Unintended Acceleration
48
complaints
Crashes
5
Fires
—
Avg Miles
99,361
Suspension Failures
45
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
90,294
Suspension:Rear
24
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
78,258
Suspension:Rear:Springs:Coil Springs
23
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
1
Avg Miles
76,845
Air Bags:Frontal
16
complaints
Crashes
13
Fires
—
Avg Miles
43,051
Visibility:Windshield
13
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
56,146
Electrical Faults
12
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
76,224
Engine & Cooling
12
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
53,401
Automatic Transmission
10
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
39,309
Airbags
9
complaints
Crashes
8
Fires
—
Avg Miles
49,150
Transmission / Drivetrain
9
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
68,985
Suspension:Rear:Springs
9
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
73,599
Headlight/Taillight Failures
8
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
75,143
Tire Defects
8
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
60,902
Hydraulic Brakes
7
complaints
Crashes
2
Fires
—
Avg Miles
59,378
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip
5
complaints
Crashes
3
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Structural Problems
5
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
79,500
Vehicle Speed Control:Accelerator Pedal
5
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
30,450
Wheel Issues
5
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
78,973
Engine Problems
4
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine
4
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
1
Avg Miles
—
Gasoline Fuel System
4
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
1
Avg Miles
—
Fuel System
4
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Latches / Locks
4
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Brakes
4
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Structure:Body:Door
4
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Visibility:Defroster/Defogger/Hvac System:Fan/Motor
4
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Search Owner Complaints
Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 2002 Mercury Sable. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.
Other Mercury Sable Years
2002 Mercury Sable — FAQ
Answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this specific model year.
Is the 2002 Mercury Sable reliable?
Verdict: Above Average Complaints. The 2002 Mercury Sable has 541 NHTSA complaints, 39 crash-related, and 0 recall campaigns. The most common issue is Suspension:Front:Springs:Coil Springs with 97 complaints. Source: NHTSA via VinItel.
What are common problems with the 2002 Mercury Sable?
Top reported problems: Suspension:Front:Springs:Coil Springs (97 complaints, avg 77,918 mi); Suspension:Front (67 complaints, avg 87,154 mi); Unintended Acceleration (48 complaints, avg 99,361 mi). Every complaint is filed by an owner with NHTSA — this is raw reported data, not editorial opinion.
At what mileage do problems start on the 2002 Mercury Sable?
The weighted average mileage at time of complaint is about 77,354 miles. Some components fail earlier, some later — check the "All Problems by Category" table above for per-issue averages.
How safe is the 2002 Mercury Sable?
NHTSA complaints for the 2002 Mercury Sable include 39 crash-related reports, 5 fire reports, 25 injuries, and 2 fatalities. These are owner-reported incidents, not official crash-test ratings — a complaint being filed doesn't confirm a defect, but clusters around specific components are worth investigating.
Does the 2002 Mercury Sable have any recalls?
No NHTSA recall campaigns have been issued for the 2002 Mercury Sable as of the latest data sync. Verify by VIN for the most current status — new recalls can be issued years after a model year ships.
Should I buy a 2002 Mercury Sable?
Slightly worse than average. Most owners are fine; problem clusters are concentrated around specific components. Check the issues table below and match against the specific car's mileage.
Source: NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) complaint and recall databases, aggregated by VinItel.
Wider context: See the full Mercury Sable reliability report with year-by-year comparison and generation analysis.
Check Your Specific 2002 Mercury Sable
Real owner complaints tell you about the model. The VIN tells you about your specific car — accidents, title issues, odometer fraud.
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