Model year guide

2003 Mercury Sable

Recalls, most-reported problems, crash-test ratings, fuel economy and what a 2003 Mercury Sable is worth — from official NHTSA and EPA data. 13 on record.

2003 Mercury Sable — representative photo
Representative photo · via Wikimedia Commons

2003 Mercury Sable at a glance

Safety recalls4
Owner complaints201
Combined21 mpg
Typical price$1,511

Free: specs, open recalls for that exact car, build sheet and fair price.

2003 Mercury Sable recalls 4

Service Brakes, Hydraulic:foundation Components:disc:pads NHTSA Campaign #16E026000 · 01/04/2016

Bosch Brake Components LLC (Bosch) is recalling certain aftermarket replacement front brake pads, models Bosch QuietCast BC598 and BP765, Bosch Blue BE598 and BE598H, Prostop PD598 and PD765M, Duralast Gold DG598, Duralast MKD598, Stop Master ST598, UltraStop ULT598, UltraLife MX598 and MX765, BrakeBest MKD765, and Prostop Platinum PGD598. These brake pads, manufactured October 1, 2014, to October 31, 2015 are inten…

Fix: Bosch will instruct the owners how to have the affected brake pads replaced, free of charge. The recall began on May 26, 2016. Owners may contact Bosch customer service at 1-888-715-3616.

Exterior Lighting:brake Lights:switch NHTSA Campaign #04V106000 · 02/03/2004

CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES ARE BEING RECALLED TO CORRECT A PROBLEM WITH A MALFUNCTIONING STOP LAMP SWITCH AND/OR ASSOCIATED WIRING. THIS MALFUNCTIONING COULD RENDER THE STOP LAMPS INOPERABLE OR CAUSE THEM TO STAY ON ALL THE TIME. THIS COULD CAUSE CONFUSION TO A FOLLOWING DRIVER, WHICH COULD LEAD TO A CRASH.

Fix: DEALERS WILL REMOVE THE STOP LAMP SWITCH AND ASSOCIATED WIRING ASSEMBLY AND INSTALL A NEWLY DESIGNED STOP LAMP SWITCH AND WIRE ASSEMBLY. OWNER NOTIFICATION IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN ON APRIL 5, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-392-3673.

Engine And Engine Cooling NHTSA Campaign #04V105000 · 02/03/2004

ON CERTAIN VEHICLES, THE AIR FILTER PAPER IN THESE VEHICLES CAN SMOLDER OR BURN.

Fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE AIR FILTER ELEMENT. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON MARCH 10, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-392-3673.

Visibility:windshield NHTSA Campaign #03V087000 · 10/03/2003

CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 212, "WINDSHIELD MOUNTING." THE WINDSHIELDS MAY POTENTIALLY EXHIBIT INCREASED WIND NOISE, WATER LEAKAGE, AND SQUEAKS AND RATTLES.

Fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THESE WINDSHIELDS. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON MARCH 31, 2003. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT FORD/MERCURY AT 1-800-392-3673.

Source: U.S. NHTSA. A recall applies to a model year, but only a VIN check shows whether a specific car has had the repair done.

2003 Mercury Sable common problems

The most-reported problem areas from 201 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — and what to check before you buy.

Power Train
Drive through every gear: watch for slipping, hard or delayed shifts, and shudder. Check for transmission/driveline leaks and noises.
Vehicle Speed Control
Test cruise control and throttle response, and watch for any hesitation or unintended acceleration.
Engine
Listen for knocks or ticking, check for leaks and blue/white exhaust smoke, and make sure it doesn't overheat. No check-engine light should be on.
Structure
Inspect for rust, fresh undercoating, mismatched paint, uneven panel gaps and any sign of prior collision or frame repair.
Fuel/propulsion System
Check for fuel or battery warnings, hard starts and stalling. On a hybrid/EV, confirm charging and range behave normally.
Interior Lighting
Have a trusted mechanic inspect this system as part of a pre-purchase inspection.

2003 Mercury Sable MPG & running costs

Combined21 mpg
City18 mpg
Highway25 mpg
Est. annual fuel cost$3,000

Source: U.S. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov, averaged across trims.

What's a 2003 Mercury Sable worth?

Low
$500
Typical price
$1,511
High
$2,450

From 13 comparable 2003 Mercury Sable listings.

Estimated 5-year cost to own

A rough guide to what running a 2003 Mercury Sable costs over five years and 75,000 miles.

Fuel (5 yrs)$15,000
Depreciation (5 yrs)$800
Total$15,800
Per mile$0.21

How this is estimated: fuel is the U.S. EPA annual cost at 15,000 miles a year. Depreciation compares today's typical asking price for this model year ($1,511) with the same model 4 model-years older ($887), from CarLogs listing data. Not included: insurance, maintenance, repairs, taxes, registration and finance costs. Treat it as a comparison guide, not a quote.

2003 Mercury Sable trims & engines on record

Trims
GS · LS Premium
Engines
3.0L 6-cyl 145 hp · 3.0L 6-cyl 200 hp

2003 Mercury Sable vehicles on record

2003 Mercury Sable 2003 Mercury Sable GS1MEFM50U83G601231 2003 Mercury Sable 2003 Mercury Sable GS1MEFM50U73A606150 2003 Mercury Sable 2003 Mercury Sable GS1MEFM50U23G625184 2003 Mercury Sable GS1MEHM50U83G623920 2003 Mercury Sable 2003 Mercury Sable GS1MEFM50U53A623531 2003 Mercury Sable 2003 Mercury Sable GS1MEFM50U23A615824 2003 Mercury Sable GS1MEFM50U23G634063 2003 Mercury Sable 2003 Mercury Sable GS1MEFM50U33A601463 2003 Mercury Sable 2003 Mercury Sable GS1MEFM50U83G604744 2003 Mercury Sable 2003 Mercury Sable GS1MEFM50U63A602543 2003 Mercury Sable GS1MEFM50U63A633596 2003 Mercury Sable GS1MEFM50U63G623440 2003 Mercury Sable LS Premium1MEFM55S83G615119

Other Mercury Sable model years

2009 2008 2005 2004 2002 2001 2000 1999 1998 1997 1996

2003 Mercury Sable — frequently asked questions

Does the 2003 Mercury Sable have any safety recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 4 safety recalls for the 2003 Mercury Sable. Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Whether a specific car still has one open depends on its VIN.

What are the most common problems with the 2003 Mercury Sable?

Based on 201 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most-reported problem areas are power train, vehicle speed control, engine.

What gas mileage does the 2003 Mercury Sable get?

The U.S. EPA rates the 2003 Mercury Sable at about 21 mpg combined (18 city / 25 highway).

How much is a 2003 Mercury Sable worth?

Comparable 2003 Mercury Sable listings run roughly $500–$2,450, typically around $1,511 (from 13 vehicles).

Sources: NHTSA (recalls, complaints, crash tests), U.S. EPA (fuel economy). Vehicle data only — CarLogs never shows owner information.