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). | |||||||||||||||
Bulletins
| Bulletin | Bulletin date | Replacement Bulletin | Item no. | Summary | Added |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SUSPENSION | |||||
| 97090297182 | 09/02/1997 | 54068 | Some vehicles may experience a lean right condition. *yc | 03/30/1998 | |
| BC0706961022 | 10/22/1996 | 50376 | Light to moderate axle noise (axle whine) at 50 to 65 mph (80 to 105 kph) during accels, decels or cruise. *tt | 04/24/1997 | |
| SUSPENSION - FRONT | |||||
| BC3621950201 | 02/01/1995 | 39145 | Suspension compressor running hours after ignition is turned off. *tw | 03/17/1995 | |
| SUSPENSION - REAR | |||||
| BC0311970201 | 01/02/1997 | 51110 | Whine/noise from rear axle between 50-65 mph. driveshaft and #4 crossmember frame dracket kit. *jd | 06/27/1997 | |
Investigations
| NHTSA ID | Manufacturer | Date open | Date close | Subject | Recall campaign | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SUSPENSION - FRONT - CONTROL ARM - LOWER BALL JOINT | ||||||
| RQ03002 | FORD MOTOR COMPANY | 01/03/2003 | 06/03/2003 | BALL JOINT SEPARATION | ||
| See attached report. | ||||||
Consumer Complaints
| Fail date | miles | occurences | Purchase date |
|---|---|---|---|
| SUSPENSION | |||
| 06/12/2001 | 1 | 12/01/1994 | |
| Traveling at 65 mph on freeway the car began to wander without steering wheel input--the steering wheel had one inch free play from either side of center. had car put on rack--checked front end (nothing abnormal found), but with wheels on ground the steering wheel can be moved one inch in either direction from center without wheel movement-mechanic suspects defective steering sector. ford dealer inspected car and found same condition existed. dealer notified ford, but no corrective action taken. this condition is not good--car wants to drift all over the road and and has loose steering--speed sensitive steering w/select steering effort has not effect on condition. presently i do not trust the vehicle. it is a dangerous condition.*ak | |||
| SUSPENSION - FRONT | |||
| 05/07/2010 | 120000 | ||
| I have a 1995 lincoln town car. i was driving in downtown portland, in stop and go traffic. i was making a right hand turn when the right front of the car just fell to the ground. the lower ball joint had separated from the lower control arm. there are recalls for this, but it only covers limo, or commercially used vehicles. i had the car towed back to my home while i find out what can be done. nothing has been repaired yet. | |||
| 11/15/2008 | 88000 | ||
| Tl*the contact owns a 1995 lincoln town car. whenever the contact reduced the vehicle's speed to turn, he would hear a popping sound coming from the front end on the driver's side. the failure was noticed while driving 10 mph. the vehicle was driven to the dealer for routine oil changes, but the mechanic never stated what caused the noise. approximately one month later, he drove the vehicle to the dealer because he received a recall notice for nhtsa campaign id number 07v336000 (vehicle speed control). the vehicle was repaired. he informed the dealer of the popping noise when he took the vehicle in for the recall repairs. when he retrieved the vehicle, the mechanic informed him that the upper and lower ball joints were defective and needed to be replaced. the vehicle has not been repaired. the manufacturer stated that the vehicle was not included in any recalls for the ball joints; therefore, they were not liable for the repairs. the current mileage was 95,000 and failure mileage was 88,000. | |||
| While vehicle is being driven at high speed front end pulls to the right, cause unknown. dealer cannot identify problem. please give any further details.*ak | |||
| SUSPENSION - FRONT - CONTROL ARM | |||
| 09/30/2001 | 1 | 04/18/1998 | |
| While traveling approximately 35 mph and making a left turn left front end of the vehicle dropped down and steering was erratic. dealership has examined vehicle, and determined that left ball joint separated. consumer attached safety recall 98s37 for the lower control arm ball joint replacement. *ak *tt | |||
| 06/14/1999 | 1 | ||
| While driving, bottom part of the 'a' frame fell to the ground, causing the wheels to lock up. dealer said 'a' frame joints needed to be replaced. *ak *sb | |||
| 06/07/1995 | 2 | 01/05/1995 | |
| Bushings on lower control arms replaced twice. | |||
| SUSPENSION - FRONT - CONTROL ARM - LOWER ARM | |||
| 06/07/1995 | 7 | ||
| Lower control arm bushings failed. *sd | |||
| SUSPENSION - FRONT - CONTROL ARM - LOWER BALL JOINT | |||
| 07/16/2007 | 78000 | 1 | 10/01/2006 |
| Tl*the contact owns a 1995 lincoln town car. while driving 30 mph, the contact heard a loud snap coming from the vehicle. the contact lost control of the vehicle, but was able to stop with the brakes. the vehicle was towed to the dealer and they stated that the front passenger lower control arm snapped. the manufacturer stated that the vehicle was included in nhtsa campaign id number 98v322000 (suspension:front:control arm:lower ball joint), however, the recall expired. the failure mileage was 78,000 and current mileage was 84,600. | |||
| 06/08/2006 | 1 | ||
| 1995 lincoln town car air spring rear suspension, idler and pitman arm were all replaced before recall notice was issued. *ts the consumer received a recall notice and took the vehicle to the dealer. the vehicle's check engine light, which had been serviced previously, had illuminated again. the replacement parts had a 12 month 12000 mile warranty. the dealer charged the consumer for the engine service although all they did was add 1/2 quart of antifreeze in the radiator. the dealer refused to honor the warranty. the shift lamp was inoperative. the dealer removed the cluster and replaced the shift prindle bulb. the horn sounded weak. the tech recommended that the consumer replaced both horns. there was a lot of play in the steering wheel. the tech recommended that the lower ball joints be replaced. the heater blew out cold are. the dealer replaced the blend door actuator. *nm | |||
| 08/14/2006 | 180000 | 3 | 02/08/2005 |
| Dt*: the contact stated the control arm fractured off of the ball joint while parking the vehicle. there was a nhtsa recall, # 98v322000, regarding the suspension: front: control arm: lower ball joint. the vehicle's steering was erratic at times. the steering wheel pulled to the left and to the right even after the front end was aligned. there was a nhtsa recall # 96v135000, regarding the steering: linkages. after putting only a half of tank of gasoline in the fuel tank; after tightening the cap, the smell of gas fumes was very strong outside and inside the vehicle. there was a nhtsa recall # 95v063000, regarding the fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly: filler pipe and cap. the vehicle was not included in any of the recalls due to the vin. | |||
| 07/17/2006 | 177000 | 1 | 08/15/2005 |
| While i was driving through a parking lot the front right lower ball joint on my 1995 lincoln town car broke and caused the lower control arm to fall to the ground. no one was injured only because of the fact that i was traveling under 15 mph. when the ball joint failed the car came to an immediate stop. if i had been on the highway instead of a parking lot, i can only imagine the damage/injuries that would have occurred. *jb | |||
| 02/17/2006 | 151628 | 1 | |
| The passenger side lower ball joint failed--the ball separated from the socket. there are recalls for similar vehicles nhtsa:98v322000 and nhtsa:96v135000 since this vehicle has the same ball joints it ought to included within these recalls--but it is not--why? or can it be included within these recalls? ford company denies any liability for the problem, as of this date. *jb | |||
| 03/16/2005 | 75000 | 1 | |
| Dt: the front ball joint fell off while driving. this caused loss of steering on march 16, 2005. the vehicle had to be towed. the mechanic informed the consumer that it was the passenger's side front ball joint that fell off. just a week before the vehicle had been inspected, and there was no problems found at this time. the consumer had the repair work done. the consumer found that this issue was included in a recall. but, when she contacted the manufacture they said that this vehicle was not included in the recall due to vin. *ak updated 12/07/05, *jb | |||
| 209000 | |||
| While driving 5 mph the ball joint on the drivers side broke which caused that side of the vehicle to collapse to the ground. please describe further. *nlm | |||
| 11/01/2002 | 01/01/2002 | ||
| Consumer stated while driving, the lower control arm ball joint disconnected from the tire which caused the vehicle to become undriveable. ts *jb | |||
| 07/14/2002 | 1 | 10/01/2001 | |
| While driving at 15mph, the lower ball joints separated, causing front end to fall, resulting in loss of control. *ak consumer stated the tie rod end was replaced due to it containing play.*jb | |||
| 05/30/2000 | |||
| 98 v 322 000/lower control arm: while backing out of the driveway the front lower control arm fell to the ground; vehicle tow to dealer and informed that vehicle vin was not cover under mfr's recall. please provide any further details: | |||
| SUSPENSION - FRONT - CONTROL ARM - UPPER BALL JOINT | |||
| 07/14/2002 | 1 | 10/01/2001 | |
| While driving at 15mph, the lower ball joints separated, causing front end to fall, resulting in loss of control. *ak consumer stated the tie rod end was replaced due to it containing play.*jb | |||
| SUSPENSION - REAR | |||
| 1 | 11/28/1995 | ||
| Noisy rear end. | |||
| 1 | 11/28/1995 | ||
| Rear end makes noises. | |||
| 05/21/1996 | 1 | ||
| Rear suspension failed. *sd | |||
| SUSPENSION - REAR - SPRINGS - AIR SUSPENSION SYSTEM | |||
| Failed rear air suspension. *ak | |||
| 01/01/1999 | 02/06/1997 | ||
| Rear air suspension system failed, causing rear to sag to one side and making handling of vehicle. | |||