1997 Ford Crown Victoria Suspension Problems

The contact owns a 1997 Ford Crown Victoria. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the steering wheel jerked, and the vehicle became difficult to maneuver. Additionally, the contact stated that the seat belt warning light was illuminated, and other unknown warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the lower ball joints failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer was notified of the failure and the contact was informed that the vehicle needed to be diagnosed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 170,000.

NHTSA ID

11516043

Incident

Feb 7, 2023

Mileage

170,000 mi

A RECALL ON FORD CROWN VICTORIA 1996-1999 BUILT FROM MARCH 15 1996 - DECEMBER 14 1998 AT THE ST.THOMAS ASSEMBLY PLANT WERE PRODUCED WITH A LOWER CONTROL ARM BALL JOINT CONTAINING A ONE PIECE BEARING. THE LOWER CONTROL ARM BALL JOINT SEPARATION HAD REPORTED INCIDENTS. AFTER SPEAKING WITH FORD IT IS UNKNOWN WHY MY VEHICLE THAT WAS BUILT DURING TIME FRAME AT THE ST THOMAS ASSEMBLY PLANT WAS NOT INCLUDED ON THE RECALL. IT SHOULD OF BEEN. AFTER SPEAKING WITH FORD IT IS UNKNOWN WHY IT WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE PARTS MENTIONED ABOVE FAILED AND NEARLY CAUSING A ACCIDENT LUCKY THAT I WAS NOT TRAVELING AT A HIGH SPEED WHEN INCIDENT TOOK PLACE. I ADDRESSED THE SAFETY ISSUES FOR VEHICLES THAT FAILED TO BE INCLUDED. FORD ADVISED ME THAT THERE WAS NO REPORTING AGENCY THAT COULD ADD MY VEHICLE. THERE WAS EVERY BIT OF PROOF THAT INDEED IT SHOULD OF BEEN INCLUDED ON THAT LIST. THE AGENT VERIFIED MY VEHICLE INFORMATION AND HAD NO REASON OF WHY IT HAD NOT BEEN INCLUDED. IF YOU HAVE A VEHICLE BUILT BETWEEN THE ABOVE TIME FRAME. AT THE ASSEMBLY PLANT MENTIONED IN THIS RECALL. MAKE SURE THAT TAKE ACTION REGARDING THESE PARTS TO AVOID SERIOUS ACCIDENTS. ERROR WAS MADE ON THAT RECALL. *TR

NHTSA ID

10637040

Incident

Sep 12, 2014

Mileage

166,000 mi

I OWN A 1997 CROWN VICTORY , WITH 98015 MILES, AND WITHIN 6 MO. OF EACH EVENT I HAVE HAD 3 LOWER BALL JOINTS TO FALLING OUT. PLEASE TELL ME IF FORD DOING ANYTHING TO KEEP PEOPLE DRIVING 1997 FORD CROWN VICTORY SAFE? THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS FOR THE PERSON THAT IS DRIVING AND THE ON COMING PERSON, WHICH COULD BE FORD MOTOR COMPANY CEO, OR WORST HIS WIFE, OR MY WIFE !!!!!!!! *TR

NHTSA ID

10364094

Incident

Oct 11, 2010

Mileage

98,015 mi

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 FORD CROWN VICTORIA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE COLLAPSED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL MECHANIC. THE MECHANIC REPLACED THE LOWER AND UPPER BALL JOINTS ON THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER REGARDING THE DANGERS OF THE LOWER AND UPPER BALL JOINTS. THE MANUFACTURER INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT SINCE THERE ISN'T A RECALL THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO. THE FAILURE COULD HAVE CAUSED A CRASH TO OCCUR. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,017. UPDATED 04/01/10. *LJ THE LOWER SUSPENSION SUPPORT STUCK THE PAVEMENT AND THE WHEEL BECAME DETACHED FROM THE STEERING MECHANISM, WHICH MADE THE VEHICLE UNCONTROLLABLE. UPDATED 06/07/10*JB THE CONSUMER NO LONGER OWNS THE VEHICLE AS IT WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT AND TOTALED. THE ACCIDENT WAS NOT RELATED TO THE BALL JOINT FAILURE. UPDATED 06/30/10.*JB

NHTSA ID

10315545

Incident

Jan 10, 2010

Mileage

50,017 mi

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 FORD CROWN VICTORIA. WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE DRIVER'S SIDE CONTROL ARM SEPARATED FROM THE BALL JOINT. AS A RESULT, THE VEHICLE WAS SCRAPING THE GROUND. THE CONTACT IS IN THE PROCESS OF TAKING THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT NO COMPENSATION WOULD BE PROVIDED BECAUSE THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE CURRENT RECALL REGARDING THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 85,000.

NHTSA ID

10276255

Incident

Jul 4, 2009

Mileage

85,000 mi

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 CROWN VICTORIA. DURING AN OIL CHANGE, THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE BRACKET THAT ATTACHES TO THE FRONT LOWER CONTROL ARM WAS BROKEN. THE CONTACT ALSO SPOKE WITH THE DEALER ABOUT NHTSA#98V322000 SINCE THE BRACKET IS ATTACHED. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE DOES NOT HAVE ANTI LOCK BRAKES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 143,995 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 144,000. UPDATED 3/7/08 *CN THE LOCAL DEALER STATED POOR FACTORY WELD LED TO STRESS WHICH FACILITATED THE FAILURE.

NHTSA ID

10204870

Incident

Sep 21, 2007

Mileage

143,995 mi

THE PASSENGER SIDE CONTROL ARM ON FRONT WHEEL OF 1997 FORD CROWN VICTORIA HAS RUSTED TO THE POINT OF THE VEHICLE BEING UN-DRIVABLE AND A DANGER. FORD HAS SAID THIS ISSUE IS DUE TO THE AIR CONDITIONER MOISTURE TUBE THAT DUMPS ON THE IRON FRAME. THEY HAD AT ONE TIME OFFERED TO REPAIR SOME DEFECTS BUT WILL NOT ANY MORE. *JB

NHTSA ID

10162189

Incident

May 30, 2004

Mileage

103,000 mi

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT 30 MPH, THE RIGHT FRONT LOWER BALL JOINT FRACTURED AND THE CONTROL ARM DROPPED TO THE GROUND. THE VEHICLE WAS PULLED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND TOWED TO THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP FOR REPAIR.

NHTSA ID

10148833

Incident

Jul 15, 2005

Mileage

75,000 mi

DT: THE CONTACT STATES THERE IS NHTSA RECALL CAMPAIGN 98V322000 CONCERNING THE LOWER BALL JOINT. THIS VEHICLE IS EXPERIENCING THE SAME PROBLEMS AS INDICATED IN THE RECALL, BUT IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO VIN. THE CONTACT REPAIRED THE VEHICLE AT HIS OWN EXPENSE.*AK UPDATED 12/27/2005 - THE PASSENGER SIDE LOWER BALL JOINT FAILED. *NM

NHTSA ID

10143127

Incident

Nov 11, 2005

Mileage

76,000 mi

I OWN A 1997 FORD CROWN VICTORIA. I WAS PULLING OUT OF A PARKING SPOT IN A MINI MALL WHEN THE FRONT RIGHT TIRE FELL OFF MY VEHICLE. IT TURNS OUT THAT THE BALL JOINT HAD SNAPPED. HAD THIS HAPPENED 10 MINUTES EARLIER, I WOULD HAVE BEEN SERIOUSLY HURT AS I WAS DRIVING ON THE NEW JERSEY TURNPIKE DOING 65 MPH. IT HAS COME TO MY ATTENTION THAT THIS HAS HAPPENED ON OTHER FORD PRODUCTS AS WELL AND AS SUCH I THINK THAT YOUR AGENCY IS RESPONSIBLE. IN ADDITION, A PREVIOUS LETTER TO THIS DEFECT WAS SUBMITTED, BUT I HAVE NOT HAD ANY REPLY. *JB

NHTSA ID

10115958

Incident

Aug 22, 2004

Mileage

86,000 mi

THE CONSUMER WAS BACKING OUT OF THE GARAGE AND WITHOUT WARNING THE FRONT END COLLAPSED TO THE GROUND. THE CONSUMER HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE MECHANIC INFORMED THE CONSUMER THAT BOTH DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE LOWER BALL JOINTS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. PLEASE FILL IN ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. *JB

NHTSA ID

10103463

Incident

Dec 9, 2004

WHILE DRIVING 15 MPH LOWER BALL JOINTS SEPARATED FROM THE VEHICLE. AS A RESULT, THE STEERING FAILED, AND THE FRONT END COLLAPSED. *AK

NHTSA ID

10081970

Incident

Jul 8, 2004

Mileage

100,000 mi

WHILE BACKING OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY, THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE LOWER BALL JOINT SNAPPED. THE CONSUMER HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED. *JB

NHTSA ID

10073342

Incident

Apr 8, 2004

Mileage

172,000 mi

WHILE DRIVING THERE WAS A SEVERE VIBRATION IN THE FRONT END. CONSUMER FOUND ON NHTSA WEB SITE RECALL 98V322000 WHICH APPLIED TO THE PROBLEM ON THIS VEHICLE. *AK THE CONSUMER WAS CONCERNED WITH THE FOLLOWING RECALLS: 981001000, 00V157001, 03V472000 00V152002, 98V322000, 97V024000 AND TSB'S 01M02, 99M01, AND 97M91. *SC *JB

NHTSA ID

10049873

Incident

Dec 2, 2003

Mileage

34,000 mi

SUBJECT:FORD CROWN VIC LOWER BALL JOINT COMMENTS: I HAVE A 1997 FORD CROWN VIC MANUFACTURED IN ONTARIO. THE LOWER RIGHT BALL JOINT CAME APART IN THE FALL OF 2002 AND WAS REPLACED. IT IS NOW 14 MONTHS LATER AND IT WAS REPLACED AGAIN. ON YOUR SITE I FOUND THAT THERE WAS A RECALL FOR THAT ISSUE. I HAVE NEVER RECEIVED ANY INFORMATION ABOUT IT AND HAVE HAD TO PAY THE FULL COST OF REPAIRS EACH TIME. WHAT IS MY RECOURSE? *LA

NHTSA ID

10045348

Incident

Sep 9, 2002

Mileage

89,000 mi

FRONT SUSPENSION WAS TOTALLY TRASHED, IT WAS TOUGH DRIVING IT HOME FROM THE DEALER. CAR WAS ALL OVER THE ROAD. *LA

NHTSA ID

10041538

Incident

Sep 17, 2003

Mileage

24,232 mi

WHILE TRAVELING 55 MPH, THE FRAME CONTROL ARM BRACKET PULLED AWAY FROM THE VEHICLE AND CAUSED A COLLISION. *AK (PULLED A "BIG CHUNK" OUT OF THE FRAME) THE CONSUMER REQUESTED THAT FORD COVER THE EXPENSES FOR THE REPAIR. RECALL# 98V322000. *SCC *JB

NHTSA ID

10034586

Incident

Aug 25, 2003

Mileage

74,500 mi

WHEN DRIVING 45 MPH AND WITHOUT WARNING VEHICLE WOULD START TO SHIMMY DISTRACTING THE DRIVER. DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. *AK

NHTSA ID

10034270

Incident

Aug 12, 2003

RIGHT REAR WHEEL AND PART OF THE AXLE CAME OFF THE VEHICLE.

NHTSA ID

10011557

WHILE DRIVING BALL JOINT FAILED CAUSING RIGHT FRONT WHEEL TO COLLAPSE AND FALL OFF. *TT *NLM

NHTSA ID

10001895

WHILE BACKING UP THE RIGHT LOWER BALL JOINT SNAP CAUSING THE FRONT END TO COLLAPSE. THE DEALER HAS NEEN NOTIFIED. *TS *NLM

NHTSA ID

8022448

Incident

Oct 17, 2002

Mileage

54,988 mi

FRONT SUSPENSION SYSTEM BRACKET (SHOCK ABSOBER) COLLAPSED. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *MR

NHTSA ID

8020255

Incident

Sep 15, 2002

WHILE DRIVING LOWER BALL JOINTS BROKE ,AND CONSUMER COULD NO LONGER CONTROL VEHICLE. CONTACTED DEALER ,AND THE DEALER WAS TAKING A LOOK AT VEHICLE.*AK

NHTSA ID

8014084

Incident

Jul 16, 2002

CONSUMER STATES THAT WHEN MAKING A TURN THE BALL JOINTS AND THE BUSHING SQUEAK. THE DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. NLM THERE IS A RECALL, 98V322, REGARDING THIS PROBLEM, HOWEVER CONSUMERS VEHICLE IS NOT INCLUDED. *SLC

NHTSA ID

8007936

WHILE BRAKING VEHICLE PULLED TO THE RIGHT, MECHANIC DETERMINED LOWER CONTROL ARM BRACKET WELD HAD BROKEN ON RIGHT SIDE. *AK *YD

NHTSA ID

8007480

Incident

Apr 4, 2002