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 | from 03/15/1996 to 12/18/1998 | 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 | |||||
| 99B09 | 01/01/2001 | 618046 | Subject pertaining to cosmetic cracks in frame at the rear upper control arm access opening when subjected to severe duty operating conditions. *jb | 04/03/2001 | |
| 00B60 | 01/01/2001 | 618044 | On some vehicles the rear suspension upper control arm brackets on the frame may develop minor cracks when subjected to severe duty service. *jb | 04/03/2001 | |
| 985096 | 11/01/1998 | 613246 | Some vehicles may appear to sit high in the rear when the ignition is first turned on during the first 200 miles (320 km) of vehicle operation. *tt | 06/20/2000 | |
| SUSPENSION - FRONT | |||||
| 985017 | 11/01/1998 | 613042 | Experiencing a grunt or squeak noise from the front suspension when turning the steering to full lock, to the left or the right. *tt | 06/16/2000 | |
| SUSPENSION - REAR | |||||
| 6218 | 05/01/1999 | 607026 | Conditions with cosmetic cracks in the frame at the rear upper control arm access opening. *tt | 11/03/2000 | |
| 99B09 | 04/01/1999 | 606324 | Vehicles may develop cosmetic cracks in the frame of the rear upper control arm access opening. *tt | 08/16/1999 | |
| SUSPENSION - REAR - SPRINGS - AIR SUSPENSION SYSTEM | |||||
| 12072 | 11/01/1998 | 613048 | Vehicle may appear to sit high in the rear when the ignition is first turned on during the first 200 miles (320 km) of vehicle operation. *mjs | 06/16/2000 | |
| SUSPENSION - REAR - SPRINGS - AIR SUSPENSION SYSTEM - SPRINGS/BAGS | |||||
| 98219 | 01/01/1999 | 604390 | Dislodgment of rear air spring from axle spring seat during acceleration or full suspension travel conditions on some limousine vehicles that are operated at or near maximum loads. *ak | 04/28/1999 | |
| SUSPENSION - REAR - SPRINGS - LEAF SPRING ASSEMBLY | |||||
| 98219 | 11/01/1998 | 603672 | The rear air springs may dislodge limousine vehicles. *yc | 03/01/1999 | |
Consumer Complaints
| Fail date | miles | occurences | Purchase date |
|---|---|---|---|
| SUSPENSION | |||
| 11/15/2003 | 397000 | 1 | 03/01/2001 |
| While driving 35 mph consumer heard a snapping sound, and felt the rear end of the vehicle sway from one side to the other. after a thorough inspection it was discovered that the trailer arm brackets broke. this trailer arm breaking had a lot to do with the control of the vehicle. *ak *mr | |||
| 09/20/2003 | 45000 | 1 | 03/03/1998 |
| While pulling out of driveway at 2-3 mph consumer heard a noise, stopped vehicle, and noticed tie rod end were dragging on the ground on the right side of vehicle. dealer stated tie rods had disconnected. also, the ball joints were not lubricated and rusted. both tie rods were replaced.*ak *jb *nlm | |||
| SUSPENSION - FRONT | |||
| 09/30/1998 | 1 | 09/14/1998 | |
| Ongoing problem with vehicle wandering across road, and it became more severe at 70 mph or more. vehicle been in dealer shop on two occasions, and informed consumer that nothing was wrong. *ak the lights aimed too high die to head lamps misalignment. *yh | |||
| 05/22/2000 | 8 | 04/01/1998 | |
| Vehicle would pull to the right in bad wet weather conditions. when the pads were replaced vehicle would pull to the left at anytime. dealer resolved the problem . vehicle has been to the dealer 8 different times. *ak consumer also states very difficult to steer wheel and when aking turns there would be a noise from the front end. also when pressing brakes radio makes a static sound, and when playing tapes there is also a squealing noise powre mirror switch sticks in the down position.*jb | |||
| 02/18/1999 | 2 | 11/19/1998 | |
| While braking vehicle pulls forcefully to the left or right. nlm | |||
| 1 | 11/22/1998 | ||
| Front end out of alignment causing damage to all 4 tires. *yc | |||
| SUSPENSION - FRONT - CONTROL ARM | |||
| 04/13/2003 | 84000 | 1 | 05/01/2002 |
| While driving, the consumer heard the front of the vehicle squeaking. the technician stated the front control arm needed to be replaced. *jb *ts *jb | |||
| Lower control arm and ball joint broke while driving. a recall has been issued on the vehicle's make and model ; however, this vehicle was not included under the recall due to vin. the manufacturer has been notified.*ak | |||
| SUSPENSION - FRONT - CONTROL ARM - LOWER BALL JOINT | |||
| 09/15/2008 | 168000 | 1 | 09/01/2000 |
| Tl*the contact owns 1998 lincoln town car. while driving at any speed, the contact hears a squeaking sound coming from the front end of the vehicle. the dealer stated that the dust cover on the lower ball joint of the front passenger side was worn, and the ball joint was cracked. the contact referenced nhtsa campaign id number 98v322000 (suspension:front:control arm:lower ball joint). the failure mileage was 168,000. updated 10/14/08. *lj updated 10/16/08. *jb | |||
| 12/07/2007 | 1 | 07/27/1998 | |
| 1998 lincoln town car made a grinding sound underneath. consumer stated that the vehicle had to be towed to a dealer. he stated that he saw a front ball joint dragging on the ground. *kb the consumer stated the ball joints did not have any grease fittings. the consumer had all of the ball joints replaced. the consumer discovered a recall regarding the ball joints. however, no one informed him there was a problem. *jb | |||
| 08/15/2006 | 75000 | 2 | 11/01/2005 |
| Tl*the contact owns a 1998 lincoln town car. while accelerating at 15 mph, the passenger side control arm detached from the ball joint. the mechanic replaced the ball joint. the driver side control arm and ball joint failed shortly thereafter. the vehicle has not been repaired. the current mileage was 122,447 and failure mileage was 75,000. | |||
| 07/01/2006 | 139871 | 1 | 06/01/2001 |
| Dt*: the contact stated a squeeking sound was heard coming from the front right wheel. the contact treated the wheel with wd-40 and the sound went away. also, while driving 10 mph in a parking lot, the right front wheel fell off. the vehicle was towed to a service dealer, who determined that the upper and lower ball joints had failed and were replaced as well as steering gear. the manufacturer was not alerted. updated 12/18/06. *jb | |||
| 03/06/2006 | 173000 | 1 | 09/01/2005 |
| Dt*: the contact stated the vehicle does not react correctly when the steering wheel is turned. there was a recall, #98v322000, concerning the lower ball joint. the recall work was performed prior to purchase, but the problem has returned. the vehicle has not been seen by a mechanic. | |||
| 01/25/2004 | 58478 | 1 | |
| While driving 20 mph, the ball joint snapped. this caused the consumer to go into a ditch, which avoided a severe collision. vehicle was towed to a dealership, who did not resolve the problem. *ak *jb | |||
| 09/01/2003 | 23000 | 3 | 01/01/1999 |
| When braking , the steering wheel would pull hard to the right. this made it hard for the driver to maintain control of vehicle. *ak the brake rotors were warped. *ph also the lower ball joints were replaced, the engine light illuminated, the dealer found the evap canister solenoid valve leaking. *jb | |||
| SUSPENSION - FRONT - CONTROL ARM - UPPER BALL JOINT | |||
| 12/07/2007 | 1 | 07/27/1998 | |
| 1998 lincoln town car made a grinding sound underneath. consumer stated that the vehicle had to be towed to a dealer. he stated that he saw a front ball joint dragging on the ground. *kb the consumer stated the ball joints did not have any grease fittings. the consumer had all of the ball joints replaced. the consumer discovered a recall regarding the ball joints. however, no one informed him there was a problem. *jb | |||
| 07/01/2006 | 139871 | 1 | 06/01/2001 |
| Dt*: the contact stated a squeeking sound was heard coming from the front right wheel. the contact treated the wheel with wd-40 and the sound went away. also, while driving 10 mph in a parking lot, the right front wheel fell off. the vehicle was towed to a service dealer, who determined that the upper and lower ball joints had failed and were replaced as well as steering gear. the manufacturer was not alerted. updated 12/18/06. *jb | |||
| SUSPENSION - FRONT - SHOCK ABSORBER | |||
| 01/24/2002 | |||
| When driving vehicle and hitting a bump in the road vehicle hits bump very hard. took to dealer, and they stated that shock absorbers needed to be replaced. please provide any further information. *ak | |||
| 03/15/1998 | 1 | 11/17/1997 | |
| Shock absorbers failed. nlm | |||
| SUSPENSION - FRONT - WHEEL BEARING | |||
| Consumer has a bad wheel bearing that causes loss of control, a loud growling noise, and shaking of the front left tire while driving. dealer has been contacted.*ak | |||