2003 Mercury Sable Mercury Sable 2003

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2003 Mercury Sable repairs by problem area

Engine (28%)

Transmission and Drivetrain (3%)

Brakes and Traction Control (10%)

Suspension and Steering (26%)

Electrical and Air Conditioning (28%)

Paint, Rust, Leaks, Rattles, and Trim (3%)

Other (3%)

Chart based on 39 repairs.
See TSBs and recalls for the 2003 Mercury Sable.

2003 Mercury Sable repair cost distribution

$2500+ (0%)

$1000 - $2499 (9%)

$500 - $999 (17%)

$100 - $499 (57%)

< $100 (17%)

Worried about potential repair costs? An extended warranty can provide peace of mind.

Chart based on 35 repair trips. The repair cost chart excludes repairs made under warranty, do-it-yourself repairs, and repair trips that include maintenance.

2003 Mercury Sable

Engine not specified

Mercury Sable in New York, United States
Aug 2009 - Mar 2010
Sep 2009

36000 mi

US $75
Bad ignition coil 
Mercury Sable in Vermont, United States
Dec 2014 - Oct 2015
Oct 2015

119000 mi
This car can no longer pass inspection. Rocker panels are rusted totally through and was deemed unrepairable. A local private auto lube/dealership took it as a trade, did not trash it, but put in on their lot to sell. 

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2003 Mercury Sable 4dr Wagon

200-horsepower 3.0L V6 4-speed automatic FWD

Mercury Sable in Connecticut, United States
Dec 2013 - Oct 2016
Feb 2014

69800 mi

US $400
Coil Plugs Wires 
Aug 2014

76000 mi

US $800
Alternator was replaced Power drivers window not working, replaced relay in switch 
Oct 2014

79000 mi

US $420
heat not working. replaced actuator, also flushed cooling system 
Feb 2015

84000 mi

US $250
Rear shock broke, entering rear cargo area of wagon 
Jan 2016

86700 mi

US $420
Replace lower left ball joint 
May 2016

110000 mi

US $427
car stuck in park , replaced brake light switch pigtail, when under hard braking, car shuddered, replaced front calipers, pads and rotors 

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2003 Mercury Sable 4dr Sedan

200-horsepower 3.0L V6 4-speed automatic FWD

Mercury Sable in New Jersey, United States
Jun 2014 - Oct 2016
Jul 2014

102000 mi

US $100
replaced stabilizer bar links 
Mercury Sable in Maryland, United States
Jul 2017 - Apr 2018
Apr 2018

43000 mi

US $60
Frozen LF caliper....replaced caliper and brake hose. 
Mercury Sable in Michigan, United States
Mar 2012 - Apr 2012
Apr 2012

132000 mi

US $2300
Trunk wouldn't automatically open, it always had to be unlocked with a key. Also, my front headlight was dim--not burnt out, just uncharacteristically dim. Trans failed while going down the freeway at 78mph on cruise. Lost power, felt like the car was in neutral. Nothing but... 
Mercury Sable in Massachusetts, United States
Jan 2009 - Sep 2013
Jun 2009

69000 mi

US $570
evap canister replaced 
Aug 2009

70000 mi

US $80
Hood latch inoperative--lubed & adjusted. 
Mar 2010

74000 mi

US $500
Reattached loose heat shield. 
Mar 2012

89000 mi

US $1140
Broken rear spring, leaking rear strut. Replaced spring, struts, strut mounts and sway bar links; 4 wheel alignment 
Sep 2013

98000 mi
wheel cylinders were leaking; did a complete rear brake job (drum, shoes, wheel cylinders) 
Mercury Sable in Kansas, United States
Dec 2009 - Jun 2011
Jan 2010

73000 mi

US $680
left front coil spring broke as I was drivng down the street repair shop put on two new quick-strut assemblies (left and right)  
Mercury Sable in Florida, United States
Sep 2011 - Sep 2013
Apr 2012

89000 mi

US $300
Both tie rod ends are shot after about 88k miles. 
Jun 2012

90000 mi

US $300
All engine mounts replaced. 

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2003 Mercury Sable 4dr Sedan

155-horsepower 3.0L V6 4-speed automatic FWD

Mercury Sable in Illinois, United States
Jan 2009 - Apr 2015
Jul 2011

101000 mi

US $260
Lower passenger ball joint. Probably the result of a large pothole years earlier that destroyed a tire. Never noticed the problem until recently. 
Sep 2011

105000 mi

US $260
Hose/piping to AC dryer developed a leak requiring the replacement of the hose plus the evacuation of the system and re-charging with Freon and PAG 46 oil.  
May 2012

116700 mi

US $226
A broken wire between the body and the door panel cause all the windows to stop working. Drivers window was broken in the down position which required a more immediate repair during the Spring rainy season. 
Sep 2012

120000 mi

US $550
Complete failure of the fuel pump requiring a tow to safety and then to shop for R&R. 
Jan 2013

126000 mi

US $220
Replacement of rear strut assembly. Shock mount upper collar rusted causing a thumping sound. Also springs were replaced as part of the repair. Car sits better than before. Thumping more of an noise issue than safety issue at this point. 
Mercury Sable in Texas, United States
Mar 2015 - Jul 2016
Mar 2015

89000 mi

US $300
fuel pump leak from plastic top mounting 
Apr 2015

89200 mi

US $150
belt tensioner and idler pulley noisy 
Mercury Sable in Minnesota, United States
Feb 2013 - May 2014
Jun 2013

109000 mi

US $150
replaced starter 
Nov 2013

113700 mi

US $400
oil gasket pan replaced for oil leak 
Dec 2013

115000 mi

US $250
sudden dead battery 
Jan 2014

115500 mi

US $57
Pressure coolant test revealing a small coolant leak in the head gasket 
Mercury Sable in Iowa, United States
Jan 2009 - Sep 2013
Oct 2010

121000 mi

US $400
Tie Rods replaced 
Jan 2011

121300 mi

US $150
Check engine light. Fuel evaporation problem solved with new cap.  Fan motor only worked on high. replaced resistor fixed problem. 
Sep 2012

135000 mi

US $1500
Tie rod, struts, Tires 
Aug 2013

155000 mi

US $295
Bad blower motor 

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See TrueDelta's information for all Sedans
See TrueDelta's information for all Mercury models.

2003 Mercury Sable Repair Histories

See our lemon odds and nada odds page to see vehicles with no repairs or vehicles with more than three repairs. To see how frequently 2003 Mercury Sable problems occur, check out our car reliability stats.