Head-to-head reliability
Mercury Sable vs FORD F 150
How the Mercury Sable and FORD F 150 compare on NHTSA complaints, recalls and crash reports — and which is the lower-risk used buy.
Based on NHTSA owner-complaint & recall records
Mercury Sable vs FORD F 150: The Sable averaged 222 complaints per year over 8 years, while the F-150 averaged 1,162 per year over 10 years. The F-150 also had 151 recalls versus 28 for the Sable. Both had 1 reported death. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the Mercury Sable or FORD F 150 more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
Mercury Sable
The Mercury Sable is a mid-size sedan that owners report living with as a generally comfortable car, but one with recurring front-end and brake issues. Over 8 years, it averaged 222 complaints per year, with suspension problems dominating. Many complaints describe struts failing early and bottoming out, plus brake pedals going to the floor. It also has a notable number of speed control complaints about unintended acceleration or sticking gas pedals.
FORD F 150
The Ford F-150 is a full-size pickup that owners rely on for work and daily driving, but it generates far more complaints per year than the Sable. Over 10 years, it averaged 1,162 complaints per year, with power train and electrical issues leading. Owners frequently report transmission limp mode, lead frame failures, and rear window defroster shorts that can shatter the back glass. Recalls are also much higher, at 151 versus 28 for the Sable.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | Mercury Sable | FORD F 150 |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 1,777 Better | 11,621 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 28 Better | 151 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 128 Better | 330 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 222.1 Better | 1162.1 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 94 Better | 297 |
| Reported deathsTied to owner complaints | 1 | 1 |
Source: NHTSA owner complaints & recall records.
What actually goes wrong
The problems owners report
The most-complained-about systems on each vehicle — what fails, and what owners say in their own words.
Mercury Sable
- 01SUSPENSION659
- 02VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL285
- 03SERVICE BRAKES171
- 04POWER TRAIN163
- 05HYDRAULIC132
Owners report front struts wearing out prematurely, sometimes before 20,000 miles, and needing repeated replacement. The car can bottom out over bumps and feel like it slides sideways, which affects control and tire wear.
Several complaints describe the gas pedal sticking or the car surging unexpectedly at low speeds. In one case, the pedal stuck down and the car accelerated quickly, requiring a tap to release it.
Drivers report the brake pedal going straight to the floor, especially at highway speeds, leading to reduced braking. Some also mention ABS engaging unexpectedly on dry roads during a surge.
Complaints include the engine shutting off at highway speed with only an alternator warning light, and transmission issues after highway driving. These can leave a driver without power in traffic.
“I NOW HAVE 75,000 MILES ON THE VEHICLE, BUT AT AROUND THE 15,000 MILE POINT THE DRIVER'S SIDE FRONT STRUT WENT OUT FOLLOWED BY THE PASSENGER FRONT STRUT 4,000 MILES LATER. IN TOTAL BOTH FRONT STRUTS HAVE BEEN REPLACED THREE TIMES (THE ORIGINAL AND TWO REPLACE…”
“I HAVE A 2009 MERC SABLE PREMIERE, WHEN I GO OVER BUMPS IN THE ROAD THE STRUTS BOTTOM OUT, AND THE CAR LIKE SLIDES SIDE WAYS. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER WHERE I BOUGHT IT AND THEY LOOKED ON THE INTERNET AND FOUND THAT FORD SAYS WHEN DRIVING OVER BUMPS THE CAR WI…”
FORD F 150
- 01POWER TRAIN3,648
- 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM2,100
- 03UNKNOWN OR OTHER1,431
- 04EXTERIOR LIGHTING1,224
- 05ENGINE880
Owners frequently report transmission limp mode, getting stuck in 5th gear, and lead frame failures that can cause sudden loss of power. One owner said a lead frame issue nearly ended their life after a near collision.
The same lead frame problem often appears as an electrical fault, and some report output speed sensor failures that trigger limp mode. A separate complaint describes a rear window defroster short that caused the back window to explode outward.
This category includes the rear window shattering after the defroster was turned off, with no external impact. Owners report the glass breaking outward, which is a safety concern for rear passengers.
With 1,224 complaints, exterior lighting is a top area, though sample text is not provided. Buyers should still check for recurring bulb or housing failures, as this many complaints suggests a common annoyance.
“This lead frame issue is never ending. Well over a decade without a proper remedy. I’m very familiar with it. but this one nearly ended my life. After the near collision I called my mechanic and bought a new ford lead frame from a dealership. It’s doing fine…”
“My 2017 Ford F-150 V8 with the 6-speed automatic transmission has been experiencing a serious and recurring transmission malfunction. The truck has consistently, almost on a daily basis, gone into limp mode and become stuck in 5th gear. It also frequently fai…”
Official recalls
Safety recalls on record
Federal recall campaigns — the defect, the risk, and the fix. Confirm any open recall was completed before you buy.
Mercury Sable — 28 recalls
The defect: 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 spe…
The risk: An improperly inflated air bag increases the risk of injury in the event of a crash.
The fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and replace the driver's frontal air bag module, as necessary, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin on June 13, 2016. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332.…
The defect: 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, Brak…
The risk: A damaged or broken brake disc may reduce a vehicle's braking power, increasing the risk of a crash.
The 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.
The defect: 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, Brak…
The risk: A damaged or broken brake disc may reduce a vehicle's braking power, increasing the risk of a crash.
The 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.
The defect: 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, Brak…
The risk: A damaged or broken brake disc may reduce a vehicle's braking power, increasing the risk of a crash.
The 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.
FORD F 150 — 151 recalls
The defect: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2015-2019 Ford F-150 and 2017-2019 Ford F-250 Super Duty, F-350 Super Duty, F-450 Super Duty, and F-550 Super Duty pick-up trucks equipped with an engine block heater. Water and contaminants may get into the block heater cable's splice connector causin…
The risk: When the heater is plugged in, prolonged corrosion could cause a resistive short, increasing the risk of overheated or melted wiring which can increase the risk of a fire.
The fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will disable the block heater cable, free of charge. Once parts are available, Dealers will replace the engine block heater cable, free of charge. The recall began June 3, 2019. Owners may contact Ford…
The defect: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2015-2019 Ford F-150 and 2017-2019 Ford F-250 Super Duty, F-350 Super Duty, F-450 Super Duty, and F-550 Super Duty pick-up trucks equipped with an engine block heater and previously remedied under recall 18V894. During the previous repair, the block he…
The risk: A damaged cable could cause a resistive short, increasing the risk of overheated or melted wiring, increasing the risk of a fire.
The fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will disable the engine block heater from being used. When replacement cables become available, a second notice will be mailed and dealers will replace the engine block heater cord, free of charge. The…
The defect: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2015-2018 Ford F-150 Regular Cab and SuperCrew Cab vehicles. If a front seat belt pretensioner deploys as the result of a crash, the sparks may ignite materials such as carpeting or insulation within the B-pillar area.
The risk: A vehicle fire could result if materials ignite inside the vehicle.
The fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will remove the B-pillar insulation material and wiring harness tape, and install heat resistant tape, free of charge. The recall began September 28, 2018. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-…
The defect: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2015-2017 Ford F-150, and 2017 F-250, F-350, F-450, and F-550 Super Duty trucks. The doors on these vehicles may have a bent or kinked actuation cable or the door latches may freeze after water gets into the latch. Either condition can result in the do…
The risk: A door that opens while driving can increase the risk of injury.
The fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the door latch actuation cables and repair if necessary, and install water shields over the door latches, free of charge. The recall began October 12, 2018. Owners may contact Ford customer…
Buyer analysis
Mercury Sable or FORD F 150: which should you buy?
The Mercury Sable has far fewer issues per year, averaging 222 complaints annually versus 1,162 for the Ford F-150. In practice, that means a Sable buyer is likely to face fewer reported problems overall, but the Sable's suspension and brake complaints are still serious. The F-150's much higher complaint rate and 151 recalls mean more potential trips to the shop.
Key differences
- The Sable averages 222 complaints per year; the F-150 averages 1,162 per year, over five times higher.
- Sable complaints cluster around suspension struts and brake pedal failure, while F-150 complaints cluster around transmission limp mode and electrical lead frame issues.
- The F-150 has 151 recalls versus 28 for the Sable, so the truck has a much longer recall history to check.
- Both have 1 reported death, but the F-150 has 330 crash-related complaints versus 128 for the Sable.
- Test drive over speed bumps and listen for clunking or bottoming out from the front struts, which owners say fail early and repeatedly.
- Press the brake pedal firmly at low speed and check for a spongy or floor-going pedal, a reported sign of brake hydraulic problems.
- During a test drive, watch for the transmission suddenly sticking in 5th gear or entering limp mode, a common complaint on the F-150.
- Check the rear window defroster operation and look for any cracks or prior shattering, as owners report the glass can explode outward after use.
Before you buy
- Ask for a pre-purchase inspection that specifically checks the Sable's front struts and brake system, or the F-150's transmission and lead frame.
- Run the VIN on NHTSA's recall site to see which of the 28 Sable or 151 F-150 recalls apply and whether they were fixed.
- For the F-150, scan for stored transmission codes like P0722 and test highway driving to see if limp mode appears.
- For the Sable, test the gas pedal for sticking and check for any unintended acceleration symptoms at low speed.
- Review the owner's complaint history for the exact model year you are considering, since problems can vary by year.
Check the actual car
Comparing models is smart. Checking the VIN is essential.
Brand averages tell you the trend. A VIN check tells you what's wrong with the specific Mercury Sable or FORD F 150 in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- Mercury Sable vs FORD F 150
- Mercury Sable total complaints
- 1,777
- FORD F 150 total complaints
- 11,621
- Mercury Sable total recalls
- 28
- FORD F 150 total recalls
- 151
- Mercury Sable avg complaints/year
- 222.1
- FORD F 150 avg complaints/year
- 1162.1
- More reliable overall
- Mercury Sable
- Mercury Sable top complaint area
- SUSPENSION
- FORD F 150 top complaint area
- POWER TRAIN