2008-2009 Mercury Sable Reliability Score: 8.0 out of 10

81 NHTSA Complaints

1 Recalls

3 Fire Reports

10 Crash Reports

Reliability Score

8.0 / 10

Reliability score

Fewer owner complaints than similar compact sedans

A score of 7.0 means as many complaints as similar vehicles. Based on complaints owners filed with NHTSA about the engine, transmission or drivetrain.

Owners filed 24 powertrain complaints. A typical compact sedan fleet of this size and age would have drawn about 35.

Scores this high have held: three years on they had moved 0.2 points in the typical case.

Breakdown

Complaints overall24 complaints against about 35 for similar vehicles

8.0

Last three years

n/aNot enough data

Engine, transmission or drive unit failed or replaced4 complaints against about 5 for similar vehicles

8.0

Oil consumption, fuel in the oil or overheating

n/aNot enough data

Each line scores one view of the same complaints the same way, so the lines overlap. The mark on each bar is 7.0, as many complaints as similar vehicles. A line shows a number once similar vehicles would draw at least 5 of its complaints (20 for the last three years).

By model year

20088.2
20097.4

Similar vehicles are others in the same class, compared at the same age and in the same years. The score counts complaints owners filed with NHTSA, per vehicle built, which is different from the share of vehicles that fail. How the score is worked out

On the record

No serious powertrain recall covering 5% or more of this generation and no escalated investigation in NHTSA's files. Warranty extensions and settlements have not been researched.

Complaints by Engine Code

Every complaint of any kind (brakes, airbags, electrical and the rest) whose VIN names the engine, across all model years. The score above counts only engine, transmission and drivetrain complaints, so its figures for the same engine are smaller. Fire, injury and death figures count complaints that report one.

3.5-V6-Gas

3.5L 6-cyl / 263 hp

66 complaints 33.0 per year Gasoline

3 fire reports

View details

Complaint Breakdown

transmission

steering

engine

electrical

other

Mercury Sable Unidentified Engine

15 complaints 7.5 per year

View details

Complaint Breakdown

steering

other

brakes

suspension

safety systems

Owner Complaints by System

Complaints owners filed with NHTSA about the Mercury Sable, counted across every engine. A complaint can name more than one system.

Steering: 17 owner complaints

Transmission: 14 owner complaints

Engine: 11 owner complaints

Electrical System: 11 owner complaints

Brakes: 8 owner complaints

What to check on a used 2008-2009 Mercury Sable

On a used 2008-2009 Mercury Sable, the systems with the most NHTSA owner complaints are the steering (17), the transmission and drivetrain (14) and the engine (11). Each one has an inspection step below, with counts as of 2026-10-09. A complaint is an owner report, not a confirmed defect, and counts rise with sales.

Turn the wheel from lock to lock while parked, then drive straight on a level road with a light grip.Safety. NHTSA has 17 owner complaints on the 2008-2009 Mercury Sable about the steering.
Accelerate gently through every gear, then once at full throttle. Shift into Reverse and back to Drive.Costly repair. NHTSA has 14 owner complaints on the 2008-2009 Mercury Sable about the transmission and drivetrain.
Start the engine cold and listen for the first 30 seconds, then again at idle once it is warm.Costly repair. NHTSA has 11 owner complaints on the 2008-2009 Mercury Sable about the engine.
Switch on every electrical item in turn: lights, windows, locks, wipers, climate fan, screen and power outlets.Costly repair. NHTSA has 11 owner complaints on the 2008-2009 Mercury Sable about the electrical system.
On an empty road, brake firmly from 40 mph with a light grip on the wheel.Safety. NHTSA has 8 owner complaints on the 2008-2009 Mercury Sable about the brakes.

Open the full inspection checklist for the 2008-2009 Mercury Sable

Recalls (1)

16V247000Apr 26, 2016serious

Air Bags

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2009-2012 Ford Flex, 2008 and 2010-2012 Ford Taurus, 2008-2009 Ford Taurus X, 2008 Mercury Sable, 2009 and 2011 Lincoln MKS vehicles. The driver frontal air bag may improperly inflate during second-stage deployment in the event of a high speed crash. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."

NHTSA Safety Ratings About NHTSA ratings

Overall Not Rated

Frontal Crash

—

Side Crash

—

Rollover

4/5 (11.3% risk)

ESC: Standard FCW: No LDW: No

Overall Not Rated

Frontal Crash

—

Side Crash

—

Rollover

4/5 (11.3% risk)

ESC: Optional FCW: No LDW: No

All Generations

4th2000-2005 5th2008-2009

Alternatives in Compact Sedan

2 engines / 1,029 complaints

3 engines / 16 complaints

4 engines / 62 complaints

Lexus

2014-2025

9.5/10

5 engines / 177 complaints

1 engine / 285 complaints

2 engines / 132 complaints

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the most common 2008-2009 Mercury Sable complaints?

Owners have filed 81 complaints with NHTSA about the 2008-2009 Mercury Sable. The systems they name most often are the steering, the transmission and the engine.

Is the 2008-2009 Mercury Sable a good used car?

That depends on the model year, the mileage and the maintenance history of the car in front of you. Owners have filed 81 complaints with NHTSA about the 2008-2009 Mercury Sable. Check which systems they name most often and whether a recall is still open on that car.

How many NHTSA complaints does the 2008-2009 Mercury Sable have?

NHTSA has 81 owner complaints on file for the 2008-2009 Mercury Sable as of the latest data pull. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect, and counts rise with sales.

What recalls affect the 2008-2009 Mercury Sable?

NHTSA lists 1 recall covering some 2008-2009 Mercury Sable vehicles. Which ones apply depends on the VIN: enter it at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see the open campaigns on a specific car.

What should I check before buying a used Mercury Sable?

Run the VIN through NHTSA's recall lookup and confirm every open recall has been done. Look hardest at the steering, the transmission and the engine, the systems owners complain about most. Ask for maintenance records, have an independent mechanic inspect the car and run a vehicle history report for prior accidents and title issues.

What are the NHTSA crash test ratings for the Sable?

The 2009 Mercury Sable received an overall N/A-star safety rating from NHTSA. Frontal crash: N/A stars. Side crash: N/A stars. Rollover: 4 stars (11.3% rollover probability). Electronic Stability Control: Standard. Forward Collision Warning: No. Lane Departure Warning: No. These ratings are based on standardized crash tests conducted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

Data from NHTSA federal complaints database. 81 complaints analyzed. Data confidence: moderate. Last updated: 2026-10-18.