One problem related to engine burning oil has been reported for the 2001 Mercury Sable. The most recently reported issues are listed below. Please also check out the statistics and reliability analysis of the 2001 Mercury Sable based on all problems reported for the 2001 Sable.
Throttle got stuck forcing car to accelerate even when not touching the gas pedal. Thankfully the brakes worked and I was able to stop the car and put it into park, at which point the engine revved to 4000 rpm. Once the car was turned off, it let off some white smoke with a burning oil smell. According to my mechanic, the speed control cable collar fractured. I was on the highway when this happened, doing 65 miles per hour.