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 | |||
| 10/15/2011 | 167000 | ||
| Tl* the contact owns a 1999 lincoln town car cartier. the contact stated that while traveling 2 mph, a loud noise emitted as the vehicle failed to accelerate. the vehicle was towed to a local repair shop where it was discovered that the passenger side ball joint needed to be replaced. the vehicle was not repaired and the failure recurred. the manufacturer was contacted and confirmed that the vin failed to qualify for repairs under nhtsa campaign id number:98v322000 (suspension:front:control arm:lower ball joint). the vehicle was not repaired. the failure mileage was 167,000 and the current mileage was 173,000. | |||
| 10/15/2011 | 167000 | ||
| Tl- the contact owns a 1999 lincoln town car cartier. the contact stated that while traveling 2 mph, a loud noise emitted as the vehicle failed to accelerate. the vehicle was towed to a local repair shop where it was discovered that the passenger side ball joint needed to be replaced. the vehicle was not repaired and the failure recurred. the manufacturer was contacted and confirmed that the vin failed to qualify for repairs under nhtsa campaign id number:98v322000 (suspension:front:control arm:lower ball joint). the vehicle was not repaired. the failure mileage was 167,000 and the current mileage was 173,000. kmj | |||
| 10/15/2011 | 167000 | ||
| Tl- the contact owns a 1999 lincoln town car cartier. the contact stated while traveling 2mph a loud noise emitted and the vehicle failed to accelerate. the vehicle was towed to a local repair shop. the repair shop confirmed the passenger side ball joint needed to be replaced. the failure repeated on a separate occasion. the vehicle was to local repair shop. the repair shop confirmed the driver side ball joints needed to be replaced. the manufacturer was contacted and they confirmed the vin failed to qualify for repairs under nhtsa campaign id number:98v322000 (suspension:front:control arm:lower ball joint). the vehicle was not repaired. the failure mileage was 167,000 and the current mileage was 173,000. rds | |||
| 07/30/2012 | 275 | ||
| Tl- the contact owns a 1999 lincoln town car. the contact was traveling 30 mph when an abnormal squealing was heard from the driver's side as the vehicle started to shake abnormally. the vehicle was taken to dealer who confirmed that the front end and the drivers side ball joints needed to be replaced. in addition, the dealer confirmed that the vin failed to qualify for repairs under nhtsa campaign id number:98v322000 (suspension:front:control arm:lower ball joint). the manufacturer was not contacted and the vehicle was not repaired. the failure mileage was 275 and the current mileage was 276. kmj | |||
| 07/30/2012 | 275 | ||
| Tl- the contact owns a 1999 lincoln town car. the contact was traveling 30 mph when a squeaking sound emitted from the drivers side of the vehicle and the vehicle started to shake. the vehicle was taken to dealer. the dealer confirmed the front end and drivers side ball joints needed to be replaced and confirmed the vin failed to qualify for a recall under nhtsa campaign id number:98v322000(suspension:front:control arm:lower ball joint). the manufacturer was not contacted. the vehicle was not repaired. the failure mileage was 275 and the current mileage was 276 . rds | |||
| 04/07/2010 | 75397 | ||
| Tl*the contact owns a 1999 lincoln town car. the contact was driving approximately 3 mph in a parking lot. the ball joints detached without warning. the vehicle was towed to an authorized dealer. a recall repair was performed under nhtsa campaign id number 098v322000 (suspension: front: control arm: lower ball joint). the failure mileage was 75,397. the current mileage was 75,412. updated 6/1/10 *cn updated 06/04/10*lj | |||
| 09/01/2004 | 70000 | 6 | |
| The consumer's vehicle has required multiple repairs to include ball joint replacement, turned rotors and idler arm replacement. the vehicle only has 70000 miles. *nm the cruise would not shut off without a near skid amount of braking, this would also occur because the shifter would not come out of the park position. *sc *jb | |||
| SUSPENSION - FRONT | |||
| 09/29/2010 | 111500 | ||
| Tl-the contact owns a 1999 lincoln town car. while driving approximately 40 mph he heard a loud crack. the contact stated he pulled over to the side of the road and inspected the vehicle. after inspecting the vehicle the contact did not see anything that caused the noise. the vehicle was taken to a local mechanic. the local mechanic advised him that the front lower control arm ball joints needed replacing. the contact referenced recall 98v322000, suspension:front:control arm:lower ball joint and was advised by the manufacture that the vehicle was not part of the recall. the contact also stated that there was a crack in the intake manifold. the contact was also advised by the mechanic that the intake manifold needs replacing. the vehicle has not been repaired. the failure and current mileage were 111,500. vwb | |||
| 07/01/2004 | 1 | ||
| Upon putting the gear into reverse vehicle made a loud noise as if something was rubbing together. the tire rod broke, leaving the wheels turned outward. vehicle never left the garage. *ak | |||
| SUSPENSION - FRONT - CONTROL ARM - LOWER ARM | |||
| 04/05/2003 | 27000 | 1 | 04/10/2002 |
| Tl*the contact owns a 1999 lincoln town car. while driving at any speed, the contact heard a whiny, squeaky noise coming from the front of the vehicle. the dealer stated that nothing was wrong, however the noise has intensified. the mechanic stated that the lower control arm was failing, similar to the failure noted in recall # 98v322000 (suspension:front:control arm:lower ball joint). the manufacturer stated that the vin is not included in the recall. the current mileage is 90,000 and failure mileage was 27,000. updated 09/05/07. *jb | |||
| SUSPENSION - FRONT - CONTROL ARM - LOWER BALL JOINT | |||
| 04/04/2007 | 101000 | 1 | |
| Tl*the contact owns a 1999 lincoln town car. while attempting to back out of a parking space, the contact turned the wheel and the vehicle jerked and stopped moving. the vehicle was towed to a local mechanic shop to have the front driver's side control arm repaired. through online research, he discovered nhtsa campaign id number 98v322000 (suspension:front:control arm:lower ball joint), which was similar to the failure he experienced. the dealer stated that his vin was not included in the recall. the current mileage was 114,000 and failure mileage was 101,000. updated 6/16/08 *cn updated | |||
| 08/08/2007 | 1 | ||
| Tl*the contact owns a 1999 lincoln town car. while driving 30 mph, the contact stated that the lower ball joints failed and the front driver side of the vehicle fell to the ground and bent. the vehicle was repaired. he was informed that his vehicle was not included in recall campaign number 98v322000 (suspension:front:control arm:lower ball joint). the purchase date and mileage information were unknown. | |||
| 08/28/2006 | 76000 | 1 | 10/01/2004 |
| Dt*: the contact stated while starting the engine with the vehicle in park, the left front lower ball joint fractured without warning. the vehicle was not inspected by a dealer. there was a nhtsa recall, # 98v322000, regarding the suspension. the vehicle was not included in the recall due to the vin. the manufacturer was alerted. | |||
| SUSPENSION - FRONT - CONTROL ARM - UPPER BALL JOINT | |||
| 02/02/2004 | 60500 | 1 | 10/01/1998 |
| While backing out of the driveway at 2 mph, the front driver's side tie rod snapped. *ak the left front tie rod fell to the ground. the tie had rusted and pitted. both tie rods were replaced and the upper joint was found bad. *sc *jb | |||
| SUSPENSION - FRONT - STABILIZER BAR | |||
| Squeak in front suspension while turning at low or high speeds. at times needs extra turning of steering wheel to maintain lane through turns or curves.stabilizer bar also shows signs of excess movement in mounts.dealer states the problem is the tie rod bushings flexing under pressure. nlm | |||
| SUSPENSION - REAR | |||
| 07/07/1999 | 06/10/1999 | ||
| The rear end of the vehicle is out of line, causing the vehicle to go down the road sideways. the problem was reported to the dealership. the problem has not been corrected. *ak | |||