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Safety and Reliability Ratings > 2003 > Mercury > SABLE

2003 MERCURY SABLE LS PREMIUM
Sedan 4 DR
Front wheel drive


CARFAX has collected the industry's leading used car safety and reliability ratings into one, convenient report. With this report, you'll know the safety and reliability of your next used car. All information presented in this report is specific to the 2003 MERCURY SABLE LS PREMIUM. Please view the CARFAX Vehicle History Report for the detailed history of a specific used MERCURY.

 

CARFAX Safety Section One  Safety:

This information will help you select a vehicle model that meets your expectations for safety and security.

CARFAX Safety Section Two  Reliability:

Use this information to check how reliable a vehicle model is before you buy.


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NHTSA Crash Test Results National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration
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Frontal Crash: Rating:   NHTSA Five Star Legend
Driver Rating 5 of 5  
Passenger Rating 5 of 5  
Side Crash: Rating:  
Front Seat Rating 3 of 5  
Rear Seat Rating 3 of 5  
Rollover Resistance: Rating:  
Rollover Resistance Rating 4 of 5  

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) provides 3 different ratings - full-width frontal crash test , side impact crash test , and rollover resistance . The frontal crash test indicates how well the safety features and restraints will protect an occupant in a head-on collision. The side-impact test conveys the chance of a severe chest injury, while the rollover resistance rating estimates the risk of rolling over in a single vehicle crash. Go to NHTSA to learn more about these results.


IIHS Crash Test Results Highway Loss Data Institute
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Frontal Offset Crash Test Rating:   4 star legend
Overall Evaluation   G
Structure/Safety Cage   G
Injury Measures  
Head/Neck   G
Chest   G
Leg/foot, left   G
Leg/foot, right   G
Restraints/dummy kinematics   G
Important: Frontal crash test ratings can be compared only among vehicles of similar weight. <p>The Ford Taurus and the Mercury Sable were redesigned for the 2000 model year to provide more advanced occupant restraint features. The Sable was discontinued after the 2005 model year, and the 2006 Taurus was sold primarily to fleets. The Taurus was then discontinued after the 2006 model year.</p> Dummy movement was well controlled. After the dummy moved forward into the airbag, it rebounded into the seat without its head coming close to any stiff structure that could cause injury. Measures taken from the dummy indicate a low risk of any significant injuries in a crash of this severity. 2000 Ford Taurus SES 4-door 3333 front seat-mounted combination head and torso airbags 108 198 73 3.0 L V6 19 28

Crash Tested Vehicle: Details | Vehicle Specifications

Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) uses frontal offset and side impact crash tests to estimate the crashworthiness of a vehicle. These results are good indicators of how a frontal and side impact can structurally impact a 2003 MERCURY SABLE LS PREMIUM . The crashworthiness data for this 2003 MERCURY SABLE LS PREMIUM was provided by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, Highway Loss Data Institute. Learn more about these crash test results.



Low-Speed Damage Repair Highway Loss Data Institute
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Front Crash Description: Front Crash Cost:
Front into flat barrier   Not tested by IIHS
Front into angle barrier   Not tested by IIHS
Rear Crash Description: Rear Crash Cost:
Rear into flat barrier   Not tested by IIHS
Rear into pole   Not tested by IIHS
Average Damage Per Test   Not tested by IIHS

Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) conducts four 5 mph crash tests to assess bumper performance. These results convey how well this 2003 MERCURY SABLE LS PREMIUM bumpers will protect the car body from damage in low-speed collisions. Low-speed damage repair costs are obtained from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, Highway Loss Data Institute.


Injury, Collision, & Theft Indicators Highway Loss Data Institute
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Index: Score: Rating:
Injury Index 99 Average
Collision Index 86 Average
Theft Index 39 Substantially better than average


These scores are stated in relative terms, with 100 being the average for all cars in each category. Scores greater than 100 represent higher risk in each category. For example, an injury indicator score of 122 means that a passenger in this model is 22% more likely to be injured in an accident. The injury, collision, and theft indicators for this 2003 MERCURY SABLE LS PREMIUM are provided by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, Highway Loss Data Institute. Learn more about these results.



Safety Recalls
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NHTSA Safety Recalls:
Important: The following recalls were issued for the 2003 MERCURY SABLE LS PREMIUM by the National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration (NHTSA). To find out if a specific 2003 MERCURY SABLE LS PREMIUM still has open recalls that require repair, CARFAX recommends contacting an authorized dealership for more information.

Recall date: Not reported
Units potentially affected: 67,894
NHTSA campaign number: 03V087000
Defective part or component: VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD
Description: 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. POTENTIAL LOSS OF WINDSHIELD RETENTION MAY ALSO REDUCE OCCUPANT PROTECTION IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH. DEALERS WILL REPLACE THESE WINDSHIELDS. OWNER NOTIFICATION IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN 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 AT 1-866-436-7332.
Recall date: 03-10-2004
Units potentially affected: 399,926
NHTSA campaign number: 04V105000
Defective part or component: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Description: On certain vehicles, the air filter paper in these vehicles can smolder or burn. This can lead to damage to the air induction system on these vehicles and/or an underhood fire. Dealers will replace the air filter element. Owner notification began on March 10, 2004. Owners should contact Ford at 1-800-392-3673.
Recall date: 04-05-2004
Units potentially affected: 938,789
NHTSA campaign number: 04V106000
Defective part or component: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:PEDALS AND LINKAGES
Description: 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. If the switch and/or associated wiring fail in the open position, the brake lights will not actuate and the driver will not be able to shift the vehicle out of ""park"". If they fail in the closed position, the brake lights will remain on, which will not allow the speed control to be activated. This could also cause the battery to discharge. 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.


This 2003 MERCURY SABLE LS PREMIUM safety recall information was provided by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, Highway Data Loss Institute and is derived from the National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration list of safety recalls. Please call the National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration Auto Safety Hotline at 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236) to report safety defects or to obtain information on cars, trucks, child seats, and highway or traffic safety. CARFAX does not review, validate or edit the information and statements provided by the National Highway Traffic and Saftey Administration, which do not represent the opinion of CARFAX.



Looking at a Specific 2003 MERCURY SABLE LS PREMIUM?
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J.D. Power Ratings
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Ownership: Rating:
Initial Ratings (up to 1 year)  
Overall Quality Rating 5 of 5
  Mechanical Quality Rating 5 of 5
  Feature and Accessory Quality Rating 5 of 5
  Body and Interior Quality Rating 4.5 of 5
Overall Appeal Rating 3 of 5
  Performance Rating 3 of 5
  Comfort Rating 3.5 of 5
  Feature and Instrument Panel Rating 3 of 5
  Style Rating 2.5 of 5
Midterm Ratings (1-3 Years)  
  Mechanical Reliability No data from source
  Feature and Accessory Reliability No data from source
  Body and Interior Reliability No data from source
Long Term Ratings (3-5 Years)  
Overall Dependability Rating 5 of 5
  Mechanical Dependability Rating 5 of 5
  Feature and Accessory Dependability Rating 4.5 of 5
  Body and Interior Dependability Rating 5 of 5

J.D. Power and Associates uses selected highlights from the firm's quality and customer satisfaction syndicated studies to create the Power Ratings at the model-level. These ratings and awards are based on model rankings within each vehicle segment, whereas Power Circle Ratings compare all models across segments.

All information provided by J.D. Power and Associates is proprietary information owned by J.D. Power and Associates and is protected by U.S. and international copyright law and conventions. Reproduction of this information, in whole or in part, by any means is prohibited without the express written consent of J.D. Power and Associates, other than printing copies of the JDPA content by site visitors for their personal use. J.D. Power and Associates® is a registered trademark of J.D. Power and Associates.



Identifix Reliability Ratings
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Category: Comments: Rating:
Engine Infrequent problems reported, all with low repair costs Minimal Problems
Transmission & Driveline Infrequent problems reported, all with low repair costs Minimal Problems
Steering & Suspension Infrequent problems reported, all with low repair costs Minimal Problems
Brakes Infrequent problems reported, all with low repair costs Minimal Problems
Heating & Air Conditioning Infrequent problems reported, all with low repair costs Minimal Problems
Starting & Charging Infrequent problems reported, all with low repair costs Minimal Problems
Accessories Infrequent problems reported, all with low repair costs Minimal Problems
Identifix Legend


This 2003 MERCURY SABLE reliability information was provided by Identifix. Identifix is the nation's largest technical support service for the aftermarket auto repair industry. CARFAX does not review, validate or edit the information and statements provided by Identifix, which do not represent the opinion of CARFAX.



Intellichoice Cost of Ownership & Value Rating Intellichoice
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Cost of Ownership (2003 - 2007):
Category:    Sable LS Premium 4 Dr Sedan:
Depreciation $14,209
Financing $2,977
Insurance $6,220
State Fees $421
Fuel $4,101
Maintenance $1,811
Repairs $898
Total 5-Year Ownership Cost $30,637

Ownership costs are the costs to purchase and operate a vehicle over a period of time. Understanding these costs can save you money and help you make a wiser financial decision when it comes time to select a vehicle. Intellichoice is one of the leading providers of automotive information in the U.S.

Original Manufacturer Warranty
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Coverage: Years/Mileage:
Basic 3 years or 36,000 miles  
Drivetrain 3 years or 36,000 miles  
Emissions 2 years or 24,000 miles  
Corrosion 5 years with Unlimited mileage  
Transferable Transferable: no cost, unlimited owners covered.  
Roadside Assistance Roadside assistance is covered for 3 years or 36,000 miles.  
Safety Belt & Inflatable Restraint Safety belt and inflatable restraint system are covered for 5 years or 50,000 miles.  
Specific Components 8 years or 80,000 miles  
Notes: Manufacturer covers emissions components under basic warranty. Emissions coverage may vary by state. Refer to owners manual for specific details. Transferable: no cost, unlimited owners covered. Roadside assistance provided during basic warranty. Safety belt and inflatable restraint system are covered for 5 years or 50,000 miles. Basic warranty covers adjustments (except alignment and wheel balance) and bulbs after 1 years or 12,000 miles. Tires are covered.  

This 2003 MERCURY SABLE LS PREMIUM warranty information has been provided by J&L Warranty Pros.


New Car Test Drive Review
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Category: Review:
Summary:

Conservative looks hide an exciting personality.
By Ted West, NewCarTestDrive.com

Once a styling leader, the Mercury Sable has retreated to a more conservative look, quietly handsome while avoiding the industrial blandness of its import competition. The Sable provides safety, comfort, quiet and practicality. Yet it's an enjoyable car to drive.

Mercury Sable resides at the large end of the current mid-size scale. Its interior is spacious and pleasing, and by and large, its controls and instrumentation are contemporary, straightforward and easy to use. Its list of safety features is comprehensive, and its five-star front-impact rating from the federal government is unbeatable. Its trunk is capacious.

Overview:

The Mercury Sable provides a pleasant blend of family-car safety and mid-market value. It combines the virtues of high quality, five-star crash protection and comfortable accommodations (and those accommodations are even quieter for the 2003 model year), and adds in a healthy helping of driving fun. Especially when equipped with the optional Duratec V6, the mid-size Mercury is blessed with the kind of performance and agility expected in expensive front-drive sports sedans.

The Sable wagon is every bit as fun to drive as the sedan, and adds capacity for kids and cargo.

Read the complete 2003 Mercury Sable review

© 2002 NewCarTestDrive.com

CARFAX does not review, validate or edit the information and statements provided by NewCarTestDrive.com, which do not represent the opinion of CARFAX.



Awards
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The MERCURY SABLE LS PREMIUM did receive a J.D. Power and Associates Award in 2003. View awardees recognized by Kelley Blue Book, Edmunds.com, Polk Automotive, and J.D. Power and Associates.


J.D. Power and Associates Award - 2003 Best Premium Midsize Car in Initial Quality:

This award is based on the results of the Initial Quality Study , which is based on feedback collected from new vehicle owners regarding problems experienced within the first 90 days of ownership.
View other awardees.


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