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2008 Mercury SableProblems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 61 owner complaints about the 2008 Mercury Sable, most often about the steering. It is covered by 1 safety recall, and for recall 16V-247 the manufacturer reports only 84% of affected cars repaired.

2008 Mercury Sable
76
CarFlaw IndexOne of the best years69% below the Sable median · #19 of 22 years by complaints
Safety recalls1Lowest repair rate 84%Owner complaints6113 with a crash, fire or injuryTypical failure mileage49kSteering, median miles

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through November 24, 2025. Updated daily. Photo: Cutlass, CC0.

Complaints by system

Where the 2008 Mercury Sable has problems

61 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.

Box size = number of complaints naming that system. Darker = larger share. One complaint can name more than one system.
Complaints by system
SystemComplaintsCrash, fire or injury
Steering160
Power train110
Electrical system112
Vehicle speed control104
Engine50
Air bags44
Seats41
Service brakes, hydraulic30
Suspension30
7 other systems102

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.

1 recall

2008 Mercury Sable recalls and how many were fixed

Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

84%repaired · 2017 Q3

Air bags: frontal

Recall 16V-247 · Apr 26, 2016 · 695 vehicles · 586 repaired

Risk. An improperly inflated air bag increases the risk of injury in the event of a crash.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with Mercury.

Best & worst years

2008 vs. every other Sable year

Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the Sable median. How we score

'86'87'88'89'90'91'92'93'94'95'96'97'98'99'00'01'02'03'04'05'06'08'09
  • Avoid
  • Caution
  • Solid
  • Best
  • Not rated
NHTSA crash tests

2008 Mercury Sable safety ratings

2008 Mercury Sable 4-DR. w/SAB in NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program. Photos are from NHTSA's crash tests.

  • Rollover: 4 stars (11.3% risk)
  • Stability control: Optional
  • Forward collision warning: No
  • Lane departure warning: No
1 investigation

NHTSA defect investigations

Federal investigations that included the 2008 Mercury Sable, and the recalls they led to.

  1. TIRE VALVE CRACKINGPE08060 · closed Apr 9, 2009
    No recall
In owners' words

What Sable owners report

Recent steering complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MERCURY SABLE. WHILE DRIVING IN REVERSE, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE POWER STEERING PUMP FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED.…
Complaint 11151501 · Nov 14, 2018 · 43,000 miles
STEERING FROZE UP AND COULD NOT TURN TO LEFT / WAS HARD TO STEER AND THEN WHEN TRYING TO TURN LEFT COULD NOT DO IT, HAD TO MAKE RIGHT HAND TURNS. TOOK IT TO THE FORD DEALER I BOUGHT THE CAR FROM (2015) THEY SAID THERE WAS NO RECALLS AND HAD TO REPLACE THE STEERING GEAR/ COST,ME $600.00 THERE WERE…
Complaint 11073472 · Feb 18, 2018 · 57,590 miles
LOSS OF POWER STEERING ASSIST WHILE DRIVING ON OHIO TURNPIKE 07/19/2014. WITH NO POWER STEERING IT WAS A VERY DANGEROUS CONDITION WHILE ENTERING A SERVICE PLAZA. ALSO SUBSEQUENT MANEUVERING ON CITY STREETS WAS NEARLY IMPOSSIBLE. SUBSEQUENT REPAIR (07/23/2014) OF LOWER CRADLE, AND INSTALLED NEW…
Complaint 10641991 · Oct 7, 2014 · 85,175 miles

Own a 2008 Sable?

Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.