RoadVitals

1996 Ford Crown Victoria Suspension Problems

Owner-reported complaints naming the suspension system, filed with NHTSA

Data refreshed

Suspension reportsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
51
Latest Aug 2, 2017
Share of all reportsThis category as a share of every owner report on file for this model year. One report can name more than one component, so the categories overlap.
18%
of 276 total
Crash or fire reportedReports in this category whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. The reporter's own answer on the NHTSA form, not a verified finding.
0
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
0

What this page shows

Reports naming suspension components — springs, struts, shocks, control arms and related hardware. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 1996 Ford Crown Victoria submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 51 reports on file name it.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

Owner reports naming suspension

The 25 most recent of 51, in the owner's own words

Suspension
Filed Aug 2, 2017

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 FORD CROWN VICTORIA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE MAKING A LEFT TURN OFF A DRIVEWAY ONTO A LOT, THERE WAS A LOUD METAL BRAKING NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE COLLAPSED TO THE GROUND. THE CONTACT NOTICED THE LOWER BALL JOINT DETACHED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A PRIVATE INDEPENDENT PARKING LOT WHERE THE CONTACT WAS TO INSPECT THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 136,000. *BF CONSUMER STATED FAULTY RUBBER SEAL WAS DUE TO CORROSION AND MAY HAVE ANOTHER ONE WITH SAME PROBLEM.*JB *BF

NHTSA ID
11012424
Incident
Aug 1, 2017
Mileage
136,000 mi
Suspension
Filed Jun 17, 2011

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 FORD CROWN VICTORIA. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT A LOW SPEED THE FRONT DRIVERS SIDE LOWER CONTROL ARM BROKE. THE CONTACT DID NOT TALK TO THE MANUFACTURER REGARDING THE LOWER CONTROL ARM. THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE WAS UNSAFE TO DRIVE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 125,000.

NHTSA ID
10407258
Incident
Jun 16, 2011
Mileage
125,000 mi
Suspension
Filed Aug 21, 2006

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE LOWER CONTROL ARM BALL JOINT FRACTURED WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH ON A DRY HIGHWAY. THERE WAS A NHTSA RECALL, # 98V322000, REGARDING THE SUSPENSION: FRONT: CONTROL ARM: LOWER BALL JOINT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO THE VIN.

NHTSA ID
10166099
Incident
Aug 21, 2006
Mileage
280,000 mi
EngineSteeringSuspension
Filed Sep 29, 2005

I RECENTLY GOT THE VEHICLE AND ITS ALREADY GIVING ME PROBLEMS. THE CAR DRIFTS TO THE SIDE AND THE MOTOR IS GIVING ME PROBLEMS THE CAR HAS NOT EVEN REACHED 1500 MILES SINCE I GOT IT AND ITS ALREADY CAUSING ME PROBLEMS. *JB

NHTSA ID
10138194
Incident
Aug 6, 2005
Mileage
159,865 mi
Suspension
Filed Aug 16, 2005

DT: CONSUMER HAS A 1996 FORD CROWN VICTORIA. HE COMPLAINED ABOUT A LOWER BALL JOINT PROBLEM. HE FOUND, ON THE INTERNET NHTSA RECALL 98V322000 . HE WENT TO FORD WEB SITE AND ENTERED THE VIN THE WEB SITE SHOWED THAT THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN RECALL. THE VEHICLE IS NOW NOT DRIVABLE DUE TO BALL JOIN PROBLEM. LOWER BALL FAILED ON 8-3-2005 WHILE DRIVING. THERE WAS NO ACCIDENT, HE TRAVELING BALL JOINT SEPARATED JUST LIKE MENTIONED IN THE RECALL. CONSUMER WOULD LIKE TO HAVE VEHICLE INCLUDED IN THIS RECALL. *AK

NHTSA ID
10133064
Incident
Aug 3, 2005
Mileage
88,500 mi
Suspension
Filed Aug 5, 2004

WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED CONSUMER HEARD A GROANING SOUND. VEHICLE WAS PARKED PARKED WHEN THE RIGHT FRONT END COLLAPSED. A REPAIR SHOP EXAMINED THE VEHICLE, AND FOUND THAT THE LOWER RIGHT BALL JOINTS BROKE.*AK UPDATED 11/18/09. *LJ UPDATED 11/19/09.*JB

NHTSA ID
10087304
Incident
Aug 4, 2004
Mileage
60,300 mi
BrakesEngineFuel system+2 more
Filed Jan 15, 2004

FIRST I WOULD LIKE TO SAY THAT WHAT I HEAR ABOUT THE GRAND MARQUIS HAVING PROBLEM WITH THE FUEL TANK IS RATHER DISTURBING TO ME I AM AWARE NOW THAT THESE CARS ARE CAPABLE OF CATCHING ON FIRE IF HIT FROM BEHIND. I CARRY THREE SMALL CHILDREN TO SCHOOL EVERY MORNING IN "THIS CAR" I HAVE CONTACTED THE FORD CORP. ABOUT THIS PROBLEM AND THEY SEEM TO NOT BE BOTHERED ABOUT THIS FACT. NOW TO MY OTHER PROBLEMS. I HAVE JUST REPLACED MY INTAKE MANIFOLD BECAUSE THE ONE THAT CAME WITH THE CAR CRACKED WHILE I WAS DRIVING IT. MY MECHANIC STATED THAT HE FOUND OUT THAT IT WAS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE 1996 MERCURY GRAND MARQUIS. THE FORD CORP. HAS REDESIGNED THE INTAKE MANIFOLD FOR THIS MODEL AND RAISED THE PRICE FROM ABOUT 250.00 TO ALMOST 500.00. IN JULY OF 2002 THERE WAS A PART THAT WENT OUT ON MY A/C UNIT THAT I HAD TO REPLACE (I HAVE TO CONTACT MY MECHANIC TO SEE WHAT PART IT WAS THAT WAS REPLACED) IN JULY 2002 I HAD TO HAVE MY ROTERS TURNED, IN JANUARY 2003, I HAD TO HAVE THEM TURNED AGIAN AND HAVE MY RIGHT BACK ROTER REPACED BECAUSE IT WAS NO LONGER GOOD. (ALL THIS WAS DONE ON JANUARY 10 2003 NOW IT IS JAN. 20, 2003 AND MY RIGHT FRONT ROTER IS GRINDING AGAIN (I ALSO HAD NEW BRAKES PUT ON ALL AROUND JAN.10,2003. MY DRIVER SIDE DOOR IS DROOPING BECAUSE IT NEEDS A NEW PIN PUT IN... MY CAR ALSO SEEMS TO BALK WHEN I PUSH ON THE GAS PEDDAL,MY CAR ALSO HAS A POPPING NOISE WHEN I HIT A HOLE OR TURN. WHEN I CALLED THE FORD CORP. ON THESE ISSUES THEY SEEMED LIKED THEY REALLY DIDN'T CARE ABOUT ANY OF THESE THINGS. MAYBE YOU MIGHT KNOW SOMEONE THAT I COULD CONTACT IN THE FORD CORP. THAT IS "HIGH UP" AND THAT WOULD LISTEN TO MY ONCERNS. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME, SINCERLY, DIANE

NHTSA ID
10069858
Incident
Jan 15, 2003
Suspension
Filed Jun 16, 2003

A ARM BRACKET WHICH IS ATTACHED TO THE FRONT SUSPENSION IS BROKEN. CONSUMER DISCOVERED IT WHEN SHE HEARD A NOISE COMING FROM THE VEHICLE, AND HAD A MECHANIC CHECK THE NOISE OUT. AFTER CHECKING THE VEHICLE MECHANIC ADVISED HER TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO A DEALER FOR REPAIR BECAUSE IT LOOKED AS A MANUFACTURE R'S PROBLEM.*AK

NHTSA ID
10024169
Incident
Jun 16, 2003
Suspension
Filed Nov 7, 2002

CONSUMER STATED HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM AS RECALL#98V322000 LOWER CONTROL ARM. DEALER NOTIFIED TS

NHTSA ID
8022386
Incident
Oct 17, 2002
SteeringSuspension
Filed Dec 12, 2000

FRONT SUSPENSION COMPONENTS HAVE FAILED (TIE RODS, CONTROL ARMS). *MJS

NHTSA ID
785103
Incident
Jul 6, 1999
Fuel systemSuspension
Filed Oct 20, 2000

WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH INTAKE MANIFOLD CRACKED AND COOLANTS WAS ALL OVER THE ENGINE. IT WAS ALMOST INPOSSIBLE TO KEEP CONTROL OF VEHICLE. LOWER BALL JOINTS WERE CRACKED. TECHNICIAN STATED THAT FORD WAS FIXING THIS PROBLEM ON THE POLICE VEHICLES. *AK

NHTSA ID
873522
Incident
Oct 20, 2000
SteeringSuspension
Filed Jul 18, 2000

WHILE DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS, MAKING A TURN ON A SMOOTH CURVE, VEHICLE JUST STRAIGHTENED OUT UNEXPECTEDLY. PITMAN ARM AND CONTROL ARM WERE RELACED AT OWNER'S EXPENSE. *AK

NHTSA ID
865614
Incident
Jun 6, 1998
EngineSuspension
Filed Feb 8, 2000

ENGINE ROCKER ARM WAS REPLACED. ALSO, CONSUMER EXPERIENCED SHAKING AND TREMBLING WHEN HE DROVE VEHICLE. *AK

NHTSA ID
856556
Incident
Dec 12, 1999
Suspension
Filed Jun 30, 1999

FRONT PASSENGER'S SIDE CONTROL ARM BROKE. OWNER HAS HAD VEHICLE REPAIRED AT HIS OWN EXPENSE. A RECALL WAS ISSUED ON THE VEHICLE MAKE AND MODEL, HOWEVER, THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED. MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. *AK

NHTSA ID
841434
Incident
Mar 3, 1999
Driver assistanceElectricalExterior lighting+3 more
Filed May 10, 1999

THE VEHICLE HAS MANY MORE PROBLEMS THAT ARE NOT LISTED AND THEY STARTED SHORTLY AFTER PURCHASE. I HAVE ALL THE RECORDS WITH CORRECT DATES, TIMES, MILEAGES, AND ETC. OF ALL THE PROBLEMS. I WOULD BE MORE THAN HAPPY TO MAIL YOU COPIES OF EVERYTHING ABOUT MY VEHICLE. PLEASE FEEL FREE TO CONTACT ME. // I USED A FAMILY MEMBERS COMPUTER TO SEND IN THIS COMPLAINT FORM SO PLEASE CONTACT ME BY MAIL OR TELEPHONE. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME AND CONCERN IN THIS MATTER. *AK

NHTSA ID
706401
Incident
Jul 1, 1997
Suspension
Filed Mar 24, 1999

FRONT PASSENGER SIDE BALL JOINT FAILED,DEALER REFUSED RECALL REPAIRS DUE TO MILAGE.

NHTSA ID
544550
Incident
Feb 24, 1999
Suspension
Filed Mar 12, 1999

VEHICLE EXPERIENCED LOWER BALL JOINT FAILURE WHILE DRIVING AT APPROIMATELY. 40 MPH. DEALER NOTIFIED AND INFORMED CONSUMER THAT VEHICLE WAS NOT UNDER A MANUFACTURER'S RECALL EVEN THOUGH A RECALL NOTICE WAS RECEIVED CONCERNING THAT DEFECT IN LATE JAN OF 1999. *AK

NHTSA ID
835808
Incident
Feb 12, 1999
Suspension
Filed Mar 4, 1999

CONSUMER WAS DRIVING APROXIMATELY 40MPH WHEN THE BALL JOINT SEPARATED. THERE IS AN OPEN INVESTIGATION AT THIS TIME--ID#-IE-98-040, THE VIN# OF THIS VEHICLE IS NOT INCLUDED. CONSUMER'S OFFERING TO SEND PART(S) TO (ODI) IF WE WOULD LIKE, PLEASE CALL. FORD HAS OFFERED TO TAKE PARTS BACK TO MI. TO LOOK AT.-----PLEASE ADD VIN.#. *AK

NHTSA ID
835449
Incident
Feb 24, 1999
Suspension
Filed Mar 4, 1999

THE FRONT SUSPENSION LOWER CONTROL ARM BALL JOINT WAS WORE TO THE POINT OF POSSIBLE SEPERATION, THERE WAS A RECALL ON OR 1998 CROWN VIC , BUT THE RECALL WAS NOT MADE FOR THE 1996 AND THERE WAS A SERIOUS PROBLEM

NHTSA ID
704035
Incident
Feb 15, 1999
Suspension
Filed Nov 19, 1998

ON 06/05/1996 EVENING SHIFT LT. C. DAVIS WAS DRIVING VEHICLE #102, A 1996 FORD CROWN VICTORIA POLICE PACKAGE SEDAN. WAS COMING TO A STOP ON CITY STREET WHEN LF BALL JOINT NUT CAME OFF. LF SUSPENSION CAME LOOSE AND VEHICLE LANDED ON PAVEMENT. CALLED WRECKER SERVICE HAD VEHICLE TOWED TO VEHICLE SERVICES. BALL JOINT NUT WAS FOUND AND PLACED IN ASH TRAY OF #102. VEHICLE TOWED TO BOBBY JONES FORD ON 06/06/1996. REPLACED LF SUSPENSION ARM ASSY. VEHICLE SERVICES CHECKED OTHER CRUISERS. NO OTHER BALL JOINT PROBLEMS FOUND. SAW ARTICLE IN FLEET MANAGEMENT-OCT.98/VEHICLE RECALL REPORT.

NHTSA ID
700746
Incident
Jun 5, 1996
Suspension
Filed Oct 1, 1998

LEFT FRONT BALL JOINT FAILED. *ET

NHTSA ID
780628
Incident
Sep 24, 1998
Suspension
Filed Sep 8, 1998

LOWER CONTROL ARM AND BALL JOINT BUSHINGS HAVE FAILED. THE DEALER WILL BE NOTIFIED. *AK

NHTSA ID
827667
Incident
Aug 28, 1998
Suspension
Filed Aug 25, 1998

CHIEF OF POLICE IS RESPONDING TO POLICE INTERNET RECALL CONCERNING VEHICLE RECALL FOR FRONT CONTROL ARM/ LOWER BALL JOINT . *AK

NHTSA ID
825514
Incident
May 19, 1998
Suspension
Filed Jul 23, 1998

LOWER BALL JOINTS FAILED.

NHTSA ID
538191
Incident
Jul 7, 1998
Suspension
Filed Jul 22, 1998

LOWER CONTROL ARM/BALL JOINTS FAILED CAUSING VEHICLE TO FEEL LOOSE IN THE FRONT END. (QCAW)

NHTSA ID
605851
Incident
May 1, 1998

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.

Other components reported on this vehicle

Categories with enough reports to have a page of their own

Elsewhere on this vehicle

Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .