What year Mercury Sable should I avoid?

Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2008 Mercury Sable has the highest Complaint Index among 4 model years and is the year to avoid. The 2008 model year ranks worst with 61 complaints and 1 recalls.

What is the best year for the Mercury Sable?

The 2009 Mercury Sable has the lowest Complaint Index of the years we track (20 complaints, 0 recalls).

What are the most common problems with the Mercury Sable?

Across all model years, the most reported problem areas in NHTSA complaints are engine (69, 42%), transmission & powertrain (40, 24%), and steering (24, 15%).

How many recalls does the Mercury Sable have?

NHTSA lists 1 distinct recall campaigns covering Mercury Sable model years 2005–2009. Recalls are repaired free of charge by dealers; check any specific vehicle by VIN before buying.

Mercury Sable Best and Worst Years (2005–2009)

Mercury Sable years to avoid: 2008. Based on 165 NHTSA owner complaints and 1 recall campaigns across 4 model years (2005–2009).

Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls per model-year, ranked within this model — not a reliability rating. Methodology.

Avoid 2008

Model years: 4; 2005–2009
NHTSA complaints: 165
Recall campaigns: 1
Crashes reported: 14
Fires reported: 3
Top problem area: Engine

Sable Complaint Index by year

Higher = more complaints, crashes, fires, injuries, deaths and Do-Not-Drive recalls per year on the road, relative to other years of this model.

Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best

Mercury Sable problems and recalls by year

Year	Verdict	Index	Complaints	Crashes	Fires	Recalls	Top issue	MPG	NCAP
2005	Caution	67	83	3	0	0	Engine	19.5	—
2006	No verdict	0	1	1	0	0	Brakes	—	—
2008	Avoid	100	61	8	3	1	Steering	20.5	—
2009	Good	33	20	2	0	0	Engine	20	—

Sable years to avoid: what went wrong

2008 Mercury Sable Index 100 · 61 complaints · 1 recalls

Owners filed 61 complaints with NHTSA about the 2008 Mercury Sable, led by steering (16), engine (14), and electrical system (11). NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for this year. Complaints mention 8 crashes and 3 fires.

2008 steering problems →

Most common Mercury Sable problems (all years)

Share of NHTSA complaints by component group. A complaint naming two components counts once in each.

Engine69 (42%)
Transmission & Powertrain40 (24%)
Steering24 (15%)
Brakes18 (11%)
Electrical System17 (10%)
Structure & Body12 (7%)
Airbags8 (5%)
Other8 (5%)
Suspension, Wheels & Tires7 (4%)
Fuel System6 (4%)

Frequently asked questions

What year Mercury Sable should I avoid?: Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2008 Mercury Sable has the highest Complaint Index among 4 model years and is the year to avoid. The 2008 model year ranks worst with 61 complaints and 1 recalls.
What is the best year for the Mercury Sable?: The 2009 Mercury Sable has the lowest Complaint Index of the years we track (20 complaints, 0 recalls).
What are the most common problems with the Mercury Sable?: Across all model years, the most reported problem areas in NHTSA complaints are engine (69, 42%), transmission & powertrain (40, 24%), and steering (24, 15%).
How many recalls does the Mercury Sable have?: NHTSA lists 1 distinct recall campaigns covering Mercury Sable model years 2005–2009. Recalls are repaired free of charge by dealers; check any specific vehicle by VIN before buying.