10.0
really awful- Crashes / Fires:
- 1 / 1
- Injuries / Deaths:
- 0 / 0
- Average Mileage:
- 103,827 miles
About These NHTSA Complaints:
The NHTSA is the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints can be spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem. See the Back button — blue bar at the very top of the page — to explore more.
The contact owns a 2001 Mercury Sable. While driving 40 mph, the brake warning indicator illuminated. Also, while approaching a red light with the brake pedal depressed, the vehicle failed to stop. The contact had to depress the brake pedal to the floorboard to stop the vehicle. The contact powered off and restarted the engine while at a red light and was able to drive home. The vehicle was later towed to helfman Ford (located at 12220 southwest fwy, stafford, tx 77477, (281) 240-3673) where it was diagnosed that there was a faulty brake sensor that needed a brake master cylinder replacement. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and did not assist. The approximate failure mileage was 40,200. The VIN was not available.
- Missouri City, TX, USA
The contact owns a 2001 Mercury Sable. The contact stated that while the brakes being depressed, the engine rmps increased. The brake pedal was released and the vehicle accelerated. The contact was able to place the vehicle in park and there was smoke coming from under the hood. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 68,133 and the current mileage was 68,136.
- Capecoral, FL, USA
There was a recall on my car back in Mar 02 2004 (Ford recall number 04S12) for an exterior lighting:brake lights:switch, which was (according to Ford) done Jan 10 2005. I had failed again on 11/15/2012 leaving me without brake lights and not being able to get it out of park. Had to put it in neutral first before I started my car so I could drive it to get fixed.
- Waupaca, WI, USA
My 2001 Mercury Sable accelerated as I entered the highway. The car would not stop even when I applied the brake. I called 911. The 911 operator suggested that I apply the parking brake which I did. I went about 15 miles riding the shoulder going between 60-70 miles per hour. I eventually exited the highway but could not stop even at the end of the exit ramp. I made a right hand turn. At this point I had reduced my speed to approximately 30 miles per hour. The car eventually landed in a ditch. At that point, I ended my call with 911. I looked to my left and found four men yelling to me to get out of the car. I then learned that the car was on fire. I exited the car. The four men put the fire out with a fire extinguisher. The car was towed to a Mercury dealership where it is documented that it was in fact the speed control cable that caused the car to accelerate. Again, between the 911 call, the information on file with the Mercury dealer and the insurance claim, the cause of the incident is documented.
- Acworth, GA, USA
- St Petersburg, FL, USA