Recalls
| Campaign | Manufacturer | Manufacturing date | Type | # of units affected | Date Owner notified Mfg | Recall Initiated by | Manufacturers of recalled vehicles/products | Report Recieved Date | Record Creation Date | Regulation Part Number | FMVSS Number | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SUSPENSION - FRONT - CONTROL ARM - LOWER BALL JOINT | ||||||||||||||||
| 98V322000 | FORD MOTOR COMPANY | V (Vehicle) | 175000 | 01/18/1999 | ODI | FORD MOTOR COMPANY | 12/16/1998 | 12/18/1998 | ||||||||
| Defect Summary | Vehicle description: certain 1996-1999 ford crown victoria police, fleet, natural gas, and 1996-1999 lincoln town car limousine vehicles that were produced with a lower control arm ball joint containing a one piece bearing; and 1990-1996 ford crown victoria police, fleet, and ngv vehicles and 1990-1996 lincoln town car limousine vehicles that have been serviced with either a ball joint containing the one-piece bearing or a front lower control arm containing a ball joint with a one-piece bearing. the one-piece bearing within the lower control arm ball joint can weaken slowly during use and eventually crack. this could result in separation of the ball and cap of the joint, allowing the control arm to drop to the ground. | |||||||||||||||
| Consequence Summary | If this occurs while the vehicle is moving, reduced steering control could occur, increasing the risk of a crash. | |||||||||||||||
| Corrective Summary | Dealers will replace the lower control arm ball joints (2). | |||||||||||||||
| Notes | Owner notification is expected to begin january 18, 1999.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 1-800-392-3673.also contact the national highway traffic safety administration's auto safety hotline at 1-888-dash-2-dot (1-888-327-4236). | |||||||||||||||
Consumer Complaints
| Fail date | miles | occurences | Purchase date |
|---|---|---|---|
| SUSPENSION - FRONT | |||
| 01/26/2009 | 244857 | 1 | |
| 1994 lincoln town car the lower ball joint on the front drivers side of the car suddenly broke in half allowing the lower control arm of the car to fall to the ground. fortunately, i was just parking when it happened. their was no warning of a problem with the ball joint. the car drove fine. i understand that a recall exists for this problem (98s37), but according to the dealer, my car is not covered by the recall. obviously, it should be. *tr | |||
| 11/27/2008 | 1 | ||
| My elderly parents were driving in a straight line at low speed when the lower control arm ball joint failed. the control arm dropped, dug into the pavement and rendered the car out of control. luckily no one was injured. it was very difficult to jack up the car, slide a dolly under it, tow it home, etc. there have been several complaints on this exact problem. a recall addressing this serious life threatening defect has been issued on vehicles of the same model, year and construction; but, not all vin were covered in the recall. as of this date no work has been done to correct the failure. *tr | |||
| SUSPENSION - FRONT - CONTROL ARM - LOWER ARM | |||
| 09/08/2002 | |||
| When driving at 20/25mph and upon approaching a stop sign, consumer heard a very loud noise when front left driver's side end dropped down. this was as a result of lower control arm and ball joint separating.there is a recall 98v322000; but, this vehicle is not part of recall due to vin. *ak | |||
| 11/04/2001 | 1 | 10/01/1994 | |
| While traveling at speeds above 55 mph, there is a vibration and noise coming from vehicle. front lower control arm has been diagnosed as the component causing this problem. manufacturer informed consumer that this vehicle was not included in campaign 98v322000 due to vin. *ak consumer stated dealer took care of the problem. *jb | |||
| Lower control arm hit the asphalt and caused the vehicle to crash. dealer replaced the lower ball joint. *ak | |||
| SUSPENSION - FRONT - CONTROL ARM - LOWER BALL JOINT | |||
| 01/26/2009 | 244857 | 1 | |
| 1994 lincoln town car the lower ball joint on the front drivers side of the car suddenly broke in half allowing the lower control arm of the car to fall to the ground. fortunately, i was just parking when it happened. their was no warning of a problem with the ball joint. the car drove fine. i understand that a recall exists for this problem (98s37), but according to the dealer, my car is not covered by the recall. obviously, it should be. *tr | |||
| 09/16/2005 | 148000 | 1 | 09/01/2004 |
| Dt: the contact stated the front left ball joint fell off of his of 1994 lincoln town car. this happened on 9-16-05. this was the first time this has happened.*ak *jb | |||
| 07/06/2005 | 231700 | 1 | 01/08/2002 |
| While driving my 1994 lincoln town car at 20-25 mph in hopewell nj my drivers side lower ball joint separated,causing the lower control arm to fall to the ground and the wheel well to fall on the top side of the right front tire,rendering the vehicle immovable. the car was then towed 42 miles to my home on a flatbed truck at the cost of $192.00. with the aid of a neighbor (a professional mechanic) the ball joint was replaced with an aftermarket part,cost $52.00(no labor cost-self installed).the broken ball joint( i have retained the broken part in my possession) did not have any fittings for lubrication,but according to ford customer service division in dearborn mi( mr.paul laffin ) my vehicle was not part of any safety recall(98s37 ford's # ) or 98v322000.i was advised that i should take my car to the nearest lincoln dealer for inspection and or service of the other (right side) ball joint. my driving to and from work involves 15 miles on an interstate highway,i guess i was just lucky to have this failure occur on a city street at 20 mph. i am very dissatisfied with ford,lincoln for their response to my issue which i believe is a defective part that they refuse to take responsibility for and correct. even if my car was not in the original recall, i feel it is a similar issue that should be addressed in a like manner when it has been brought to their attention. as for nhsta i would like your office to look into the assembly specs for all 1994 lincoln town cars to see if all were equipped with this type of (ungreaseable) ball joint. thank you. *nm | |||
| 12/07/2002 | 99000 | 1 | 11/01/2000 |
| Consumer advised that left side lower ball joint connected to wheel separated while driving causing loss of steering control. dealer advised joint separated due to lack of grease at assembly. *ph both lower ball joints were replaced and aligned the front end. needed front brakes replaced. consumer declined brake repairs. *tt | |||
| 09/09/1999 | 1 | ||
| Right side ball joint, which connects the tie rod end to the a-frame sheared off causing loss of control causing vehicle to end up in the front yard of a private residence. mjs | |||
| Lower control arm hit the asphalt and caused the vehicle to crash. dealer replaced the lower ball joint. *ak | |||
| SUSPENSION - FRONT - SPRINGS - AIR SUSPENSION SYSTEM | |||
| 04/01/2001 | |||
| Front air suspension system is not holding up properly. has not contacted dealer yet.*ak | |||
| SUSPENSION - REAR | |||
| Rear suspension drop causing the vehicle to drop lower to the ground. please provide any additional. ph | |||
| 05/18/1994 | |||
| Driver attempted to make a left turn when there was a sudden banging and pounding noise in the rear of the vehicle. | |||
| SUSPENSION - REAR - SPRINGS - AIR SUSPENSION SYSTEM | |||
| 08/22/2000 | 1 | 08/01/2000 | |
| The left rear air suspension air bag is cracked. nlm | |||