Bulletins
| Bulletin | Bulletin date | Replacement Bulletin | Item no. | Summary | Added |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SUSPENSION | |||||
| 98111 | 01/19/1998 | 605572 | Vehicles may exhibit harsh ride quality or excessive road feel through the steering wheel while going over sharp bumps. *tt | 07/12/1999 | |
| 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 | |||||
| 8060 | 02/01/2000 | 612274 | Some vehicles may exhibit a slight steering drift / wander condition, usually noted during highway driving. *tt | 06/07/2000 | |
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 | |||
| 10/11/2005 | 94625 | 1 | 03/01/1999 |
| Dt: the consumer owns a 1997 mercury grand marquis. while driving and using the steering wheel there was a squeaking noise. the consumer had taken the vehicle to the mechanic who suggested that there was no lubrication on the ball joints nor was there any way to lubricated them due to the design. the mechanic said that the ball joints should be alright for a while. no repairs or corrections were made at that time. on another occasion while driving 29 mph uphill, the left front ball joint cracked and dropped to the ground damaging the tie rod and ball joint assembly and the left front tire. the vehicle continued to travel for approximately 20 to 30 feet after the vehicle dropped to the ground and the driver lost directional control of the vehicle. this happened without warning. the vehicle was towed to the dealership. the dealer said that the other side was affected as well. the dealer repaired both front ball joints along with the tie rod assembly. *ak note: failed components are available for inspection upon request. *mjj (11/211/05) the consumer found the coolant crossover cracked on intake. *sc *nm | |||
| 1 | |||
| The vehicle drifts to the left while driving and constant steering pressure to the right must be maintained, dearler has rotated the tires and rebuilt the front and rear brakes but the vehicle seems to be irrepairable. *et | |||
| 06/21/1999 | |||
| While driving at any speed and going over a bump or making a turn, there is a loud noise coming from under the vehicle. *ak | |||
| SUSPENSION - FRONT | |||
| 06/17/2010 | 66000 | ||
| This happened while driving my 1997 mercury grad marquis. the lower control arm ball joint broke while driving, resulting in suspension collapse. this breakage resulted in a irrefutable total loss of vehicle control. there was not a crash because luckily i was driving at very low speed in a street while there were not other vehicles around. if this had happened a few minutes before when i was in the expressway i am totally sure it had resulted in a catastrophic multi car accident. car is in a repair shop. | |||
| 12/27/2008 | 86000 | 1 | |
| 1997 mercury grand marquis. mileage 86,000. refer to ido investigation #rq 03-002 and recall #98v-322. on 12/27/08, the front passenger-side ball joint suddenly separated while being driven, dropping entire right front end of vehicle to the ground and the body of the vehicle onto front tire. vehicle came to an immediate stop. thankfully, failure occurred at a low speed, in no traffic - at high speed or in traffic this could have been extremely dangerous, if not fatal. i have learned this is not an isolated incident - your office investigated this exact problem in the past as cited above. a recall was issued for grand marquis police and commercial vehicles due to similar complaints. i now know this vehicle is suspect. i request that the nhtsa consider reopening this investigation because of the potential seriousness/danger involved, and the major expense required to repair this seemingly defective assembly. i believe other owners of this vehicle have also experienced this failure since the time the investigation was closed. your previous investigation did not rule out a defect exists, and that further action would be taken if warranted. please take further action. this vehicle passed nys inspection on 12/8/08. while the ball joint inspection is not required by nys to pass, my mechanic would have looked at it regardless as a general safety issue. additionally, in the summary report, ford claimed there was ample warning of an imminent failure of this assembly (please read the summary report). following the mechanic's inspection test drive, he reported none of the symptoms (loose steering, front end noise) which ford claims will warn of a potential imminent failure. i also noticed none of these symptoms. to correct this i have to go to a significant expense. i have contacted ford and they offer no responsibility for repair. buyer and driver it seems, according to ford, beware. part will be available for inspection. *tr | |||
| 06/20/2000 | 1 | 01/01/1998 | |
| Dealer (bob sight ford) told me this is a common problem with ford and mercury and that ford has re-designed the front-end components. this repair cost me $966. ford has still not offered a recall despite many failures of these parts. | |||
| 06/01/1997 | |||
| When driving 30 mph or above front end vibrates or shakes, becomes very difficult to keep control of the steering wheel. the car also makes a popping sound when making sharp turns. dealer cannot identify the cause of the problem. *ak *ml | |||
| 05/15/1997 | |||
| When driving at about 60mph steering becomes more uncontrolable. when driving the vehicle jumps to the right. dealer says it's a design flaw. *ak | |||
| 05/25/1997 | |||
| While driving vehicle is experiencing vibration in steering column. cause unknown. please provide details. *ak | |||
| 1 | 09/11/1997 | ||
| Poor suspension, causing instability. | |||
| Front end not properly aligned, causing constant steering adjustments. | |||
| 2 | |||
| When driving and turning to the right there is a noise (like rubbing against something ) and vibration in the car , took to dealer on two occasions. *ak | |||
| SUSPENSION - FRONT - CONTROL ARM - LOWER ARM | |||
| 06/15/2002 | |||
| While traveling heard noise coming from wheel. mechanic states that front suspension lower control arm bracket that holds wheel on to frame was improperly welded. please provide any further information.*ak | |||
| 09/01/1998 | 3 | 05/01/1997 | |
| Popping noise in lower front right area of car. problem w/ original and replacement parts - control arm and assembly replaced twice, still pops. riding in brother's 97 crown vic. he had same popping noise and said his vehicle had a recall b/c of it. please let me know what you find. | |||
| SUSPENSION - FRONT - CONTROL ARM - LOWER BALL JOINT | |||
| 10/11/2005 | 94625 | 1 | 03/01/1999 |
| Dt: the consumer owns a 1997 mercury grand marquis. while driving and using the steering wheel there was a squeaking noise. the consumer had taken the vehicle to the mechanic who suggested that there was no lubrication on the ball joints nor was there any way to lubricated them due to the design. the mechanic said that the ball joints should be alright for a while. no repairs or corrections were made at that time. on another occasion while driving 29 mph uphill, the left front ball joint cracked and dropped to the ground damaging the tie rod and ball joint assembly and the left front tire. the vehicle continued to travel for approximately 20 to 30 feet after the vehicle dropped to the ground and the driver lost directional control of the vehicle. this happened without warning. the vehicle was towed to the dealership. the dealer said that the other side was affected as well. the dealer repaired both front ball joints along with the tie rod assembly. *ak note: failed components are available for inspection upon request. *mjj (11/211/05) the consumer found the coolant crossover cracked on intake. *sc *nm | |||
| 11/01/2004 | 1 | 06/01/1997 | |
| Driving right front wheel feel off car. right front ball joint came apart and whole wheel assembly came off. *bf lower ball joint broke and pulled out of the socket. the technician replaced both lower ball joints. the manufacturer was contacted but refused to provide any assistance because the vehicle's warranty was expired. *nm | |||
| 07/26/2002 | 65000 | 4 | |
| Sudden failures of ball joints and steering linkages. *jb | |||
| 05/15/2004 | 65000 | 1 | |
| Ball joints separated when vehicle was on a floor jack and consumer was under vehicle. *ak | |||
| 09/13/2004 | 1 | 06/01/1997 | |
| While driving at 2 mph, the front passenger wheel separated from the vehicle. vehicle was towed to the independent shop. the mechanic determined the lower ball joint had came apart.*ak *jb | |||
| 10/07/2003 | 48000 | 1 | 10/20/1997 |
| Ball joint on right front broke and made tire go flat.car was inoperable , and had to be towed to mechanic. *ak | |||
| 76000 | 1 | ||
| While reversing in the driveway the lower ball joint fell off. the dealer replaced the lower ball joint. *ak | |||
| SUSPENSION - FRONT - CONTROL ARM - UPPER BALL JOINT | |||
| 10/11/2005 | 94625 | 1 | 03/01/1999 |
| Dt: the consumer owns a 1997 mercury grand marquis. while driving and using the steering wheel there was a squeaking noise. the consumer had taken the vehicle to the mechanic who suggested that there was no lubrication on the ball joints nor was there any way to lubricated them due to the design. the mechanic said that the ball joints should be alright for a while. no repairs or corrections were made at that time. on another occasion while driving 29 mph uphill, the left front ball joint cracked and dropped to the ground damaging the tie rod and ball joint assembly and the left front tire. the vehicle continued to travel for approximately 20 to 30 feet after the vehicle dropped to the ground and the driver lost directional control of the vehicle. this happened without warning. the vehicle was towed to the dealership. the dealer said that the other side was affected as well. the dealer repaired both front ball joints along with the tie rod assembly. *ak note: failed components are available for inspection upon request. *mjj (11/211/05) the consumer found the coolant crossover cracked on intake. *sc *nm | |||
| 07/26/2002 | 65000 | 4 | |
| Sudden failures of ball joints and steering linkages. *jb | |||
| 05/15/2004 | 65000 | 1 | |
| Ball joints separated when vehicle was on a floor jack and consumer was under vehicle. *ak | |||
| 10/07/2003 | 48000 | 1 | 10/20/1997 |
| Ball joint on right front broke and made tire go flat.car was inoperable , and had to be towed to mechanic. *ak | |||
| SUSPENSION - FRONT - SHOCK ABSORBER | |||
| 02/27/1997 | 1 | 09/15/1997 | |
| Shock absorbers failed. nlm | |||
| SUSPENSION - FRONT - SPRINGS - AIR SUSPENSION - SPRINGS/BAGS | |||
| 70000 | 1 | ||
| Air suspension system failed while driving at 40/50 mph due to a crack in the bag, per dealership. when this occurred the compressor malfunctioned, and vehicle was uncontrollable, because it swerved from left to right.*ak | |||
| SUSPENSION - REAR - SPRINGS - LEAF SPRING ASSEMBLY | |||
| 1 | 09/10/1997 | ||
| Rear spring/shock failed causing tire to hit against fender well. | |||