2001 Lincoln LS Suspension Problems

The contact owns a 2001 Lincoln LS. The contact stated while driving 10 MPH the contact heard an abnormal noise. The contact was able to pull over on the side of the road and the contact noticed the front passenger side tire had separated from the joint. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic and the mechanic stated that the vehicle was experiencing a similar failure as NHTSA Campaign Number: 00V359001 (Suspension). The dealer was contacted, and the dealer stated that the vehicle was not under any recalls. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted, and the manufacturer stated that the vehicle was not under NHTSA Campaign Number: 00V359001 (Suspension) and advised that contact NHTSA. The failure mileage was 114,000.

NHTSA ID

11518720

Incident

Apr 23, 2023

Mileage

114,000 mi

The contact owns a 2001 Lincoln LS. The contact stated while driving 15 MPH, the front suspension ball joint detached. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic; however, it was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 00V359001 (Suspension). The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 114,000.

NHTSA ID

11518706

Incident

Apr 23, 2023

Mileage

114,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 LINCOLN LS. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD AN ABNORMAL POPPING SOUND COMING FROM UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHCILE BEGAN TO SHAKE BACK AND FORTH VIOLENTLY WHICH CAUSED THE CONTACT TO PULL THE VEHICLE OVER TO SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE CONTACT HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED BACK TO HIS RESIDENCE. THERE WAS NO WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT WHO IS A CERTIFIED MECHANIC DIAGNOSED THE VEHICLE WITH A FRACTURED BALL JOINT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 148,000.

NHTSA ID

11405401

Incident

Mar 21, 2021

Mileage

148,000 mi

ON TWO OCCASIONS MY CAR SUSPENSION HAD FAILED. I AM JUST LUCKY I WAS NOT ON THE HIGHWAY OR I COULD HAVE BEEN FATALLY WOUNDED. I CAN NOT BELIEVE I NEVER RECEIVED ANY NOTICES ABOUT THE SUSPENSION RECALL. THE FIRST INSTANCE I WAS DRIVING IN MY DRIVEWAY AND THE CAR COMPLETELY DROPPED DOWN ON THE TIRES AND COULD NOT MOVE THE VEHICLE. THE SECOND INSTANCE I WAS DRIVING AND THE SUSPENSION FELL ON A REGULAR ROAD NOT A FAST HIGHWAY. IT HAD COST ME $250.00 TO HAVE IT TOWED BOTH TIMES BECAUSE IT COULD NOT BE MOVED BY DRIVING. IN ADDITION THE SECOND FAILURE COST ME $175.00 BECAUSE THE FRONT TIRES WERE RUINED. FOR THE REPAIR WORK ON BOTH INSTANCES COST ME $125.00 EACH TIME TOTALING ANOTHER $250.00 . SO BECAUSE OF SOMEONE'S FAILURE TO TIGHTEN NUTS IT COST ME $675.00 , AND NOT TO MENTION THE RISK OF LOSING MY LIFE. TERRIFYING TO SAY THE LEAST.

NHTSA ID

10875594

Incident

Jul 2, 2015

Mileage

110,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 LINCOLN LS. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 15 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL VEERED OUT OF DIRECTION. THE FAILURE RECURRED MULTIPLE TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE WHEEL BEARING, HUB ASSEMBLY, AND LOWER BALL JOINTS WERE REPLACED. THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE CONTACT WAS MADE AWARE OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 00V359001 (SUSPENSION); HOWEVER, THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 113,000.

NHTSA ID

10724736

Incident

Feb 3, 2015

Mileage

113,000 mi

FRONT LOWER BALL JOINTS AFTER INSPETION ARE CRACKED AND LOSE.

NHTSA ID

10717612

Incident

May 6, 2015

Mileage

142,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 LINCOLN LS. WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL CRUNCHING NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT DISCOVERED THE BALL JOINTS WERE NOT ATTACHED TO THE CONTROL ARM. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE CONTROL ARM NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL FOR HIS VEHICLE MODEL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 69,000.

NHTSA ID

10716433

Incident

Apr 22, 2015

Mileage

69,000 mi

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 LINCOLN LS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 15 MPH, THE VEHICLE WAS MAKING AN ABNORMAL POPPING NOISE OR BUMPING NOISE. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS. THE CONTACT BELIEVED THAT THE FAILURE WAS RELATED TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 00V359001 (SUSPENSION). THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE BALL JOINT FAILED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 138,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ID

10682310

Incident

Dec 2, 2014

Mileage

138,000 mi

I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AROUND 11PM TO PICK UP MY HUSBAND, AND THE LEFT DRIVER SIDE R/R DS LOWER BALL JOINT IN FRONT OF THE CAR COLLAPSED TO THE GROUND. I HAD TRAFFIC COMING FROM BEHIND AND FROM A CROSS STREET IN FRONT OF ME. LUCKILY, I WAS ABLE TO SIGNAL EVERYONE BY HORN, ARM WAVING AND DOUBLE BLINKERS BEFORE I WAS HIT BY ANYONE. I WAS ABLE TO PREVENT THE ACCIDENT. *TR

NHTSA ID

10680394

Incident

Sep 20, 2013

Mileage

191,821 mi

I GOT THIS CAR IN JULY & SHORTLY THEREAFTER I STARTED HEARING A POP HERE & THERE IN THE FRONT END. AND ITS GRADUALLY GETTING WORSE. I WAS TOLD TO CHECK TO SEE IF THERE MAY BE A RECALL FOR THE BALL OR U JOINTS. I NEED TO KNOW IF THIS CAR IS INCLUDED IN A RECALL OR NOT. AND IF SO HOW DO I GO ABOUT GETTING IT FIXED. *TR

NHTSA ID

10648916

Incident

Oct 17, 2014

Mileage

210,800 mi

I WAS TOLD TODAY WHILE I WAS GETTING THE OIL CHANGED ON MY VEHICLE THAT THE FRONT LOWER BALL JOINTS WERE VERY LOOSE, AND THAT I WAS LUCKY THAT MY FRONT TIRED HADN'T FALLEN OFF YET. AFTER SPEAKING WITH THE MANAGER HE REFERRED ME TO FORD BECAUSE OF THE RECALL ON THE SUSPENSION THAT HE KNEW ABOUT. HE THOUGH THAT MY CAR SHOULD QUALIFY CONSIDERING THE SEVERITY OF THE CONDITION THAT THEY WERE IN. AFTER SPEAKING WITH SEVERAL PEOPLE AT FORD I WAS INFORMED THAT EVEN THOUGH I WAS HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM AS DESCRIBED IN THE RECALL THAT MY CAR 'S VIN NUMBER DID NOT QUALIFY. I DON'T UNDERSTAND THAT AT ALL. MY CAR IS THE SAME YEAR, MAKE , AND MODEL, WITH THE SAME DANGEROUS SITUATION. *TR

NHTSA ID

10592860

Incident

May 20, 2014

Mileage

143,000 mi

WE OWN A 2001 LINCOLN L.S.. WHILE MAKING A RIGHT HAND TURN IN A CURVE LAST NIGHT I HEARD A LOUD CRACKING SOUND COME FROM THE DRIVERS SIDE FRONT SUSPENSION. INSTANTLY THE DRIVERS SIDE FRONT END DROPPED CAUSING ME TO LOSE CONTROL OF THE STEERING. SNATCHED THE STEERING WHEEL HARD TO THE LEFT OUT OF MY HANDS CAUSING ME TO CROSS OPPOSING TRAFFIC INTO A DITCH SLIDING INTO THE FRONT OF A CONCRETE PIPE LEADING UNDER THE STREET. WHILE APPLYING THE BRAKES IN THE GRASS CAR SMASHED INTO THE EDGE OF THE CONCRETE PIPE. HAD CAR BROUGHT TO OUR HOME. JACKED UP DRIVERS SIDE FRONT THIS MORNING AND FOUND THE LOWER BALL JOINT HAD CAME OUT OF THE LOWER CONTROL ARM IT IS BUSTED AS WELL AS THE TIRE, RIM, FRONT STEEL CROSS MEMBER THAT MOUNTS THE LOWER CONTROL ARM IS BENT. WIPED OUT THE OIL PAN CAUSING ALL THE OIL TO LEAK OUT ALSO DAMAGING THE REAR LOWER CONTROL ARM MOUNT WHICH IS ALUMINUM. PLUS BUSTING THE FRONT BUMPER COVER/ LOWER AIR DAM. DRIVING LIGHTS. CANNOT FIND IF OUR CAR WAS RECALLED AND FIXED PER YOUR RECALL CONCERNING IMPROPERLY TIGHTENED LOWER BALL JOINTS. UNABLE TO FIND ANY INFORMATION FROM FORD MOTOR COMPANY NORTH AMERICA. NOW WE ARE WITHOUT A CAR TO GET TO WORK. NOW WE HAVE NO IDEA HOW TO PROCEED. LUCKILY THERE WERE NO ON COMING CARS AVOIDING A HEAD ON CRASH. THIS IS MY WIFE'S CAR WHICH MY CHILDREN RIDE IN. LOOKED AT PASSENGER SIDE LOWER BALL JOINT AND IT LOOKS TO BE COMING OUT OF THE LOWER CONTROL ARM AS WELL. CAR IS IN DRIVE WAY WITH BOTH FRONT TIRES REMOVED SITTING ON JACK STANDS. *LN

NHTSA ID

10542490

Incident

Sep 8, 2013

Mileage

142,000 mi

I AM A 66 YR OLD WIDOW, OWNER OF A 2001 LS PURCHASED JUNE 2001, A RECALL FIX WAS TO HAVE BEEN DONE BEFORE MY PURCHASE IN MARCH OF 2001 TO CORRECT A PROBLEM WITH BALL JOINTS. I READ ONLINE THAT MANY OF THESE VEHICLES HAVE THE DAMAGE THAT WAS SUPPOSE TO BE CORRECTED FOR WHEN THEY GET TO ABOUT 67000 MILES, I AM AT 67000 MILES, TOOK MY CAR IN FOR INSPECTION AND NEED AN 1800 DOLLAR FIX TO CORRECT THE ISSUE THAT WAS SUPPOSE TO BE AVOIDED BY THE RECALL. FORD SAID, TOO LONG AGO, NO WARRANTY BEYOND THE NORM FOR RECALL FIXES. I CAN NOT BELIEVE WITH THE AMOUNT OF EVIDENCE THAT THESE CARS ALL REQUIRE A FIX AT 67000 MILES THAT FORD ISN'T FORCED TO ADDRESS THIS DANGEROUS CONDITION. I ALSO DON'T KNOW IF IT'S SAFE TO DRIVE A WHILE LONGER, I JUST DON'T KNOW HOW THEY GOT AWAY WITH A RECALL THAT DID NOT PROVIDE THE FIX. *TR

NHTSA ID

10492247

Incident

Jan 11, 2013

Mileage

67,000 mi

I WAS DRIVING MY CAR, AFTER DRIVING HOME FROM WORK (APPROX. 70 MILES ROUND-TRIP). WHILE TURNING I HEARD A LOUD CRUNCH AND THEN FELT A HARD THUD, MY VEHICLE WAS DIFFICULT TO STEER, FELT ANOTHER CRUNCH. I PULLED INTO A PARKING STALL, AFTER PARKING MY VEHICLE, ANOTHER LOUD CRUNCH, THE DRIVER'S SIDE WHEEL HAD FALLEN OFF AND WAS WEDGED INTO THE WHEEL WELL. ON MARCH 12TH, 2012 MY REPAIR FACILITY INFORMED ME ABOUT THE ITEMS THAT NEED REPLACED: UPPER AND LOWER LEFT FRONT BALL JOINTS, FRONT OUTER TIER ROD ENDS, NEW FUEL FILTER- DAMAGED IN THE INCIDENT, TWO NEW TIRES & AN ALIGNMENT. I REALIZED HOW LUCKY I WAS THAT THIS DID NOT OCCUR WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD. I CONDUCTED GOOGLE SEARCH ON 2001 LINCOLN LS SUSPENSION PROBLEMS, I WAS STUNNED ON THE AMOUNT OF SAFETY RELATED HITS OUT THERE (SUSPENSION RELATED), I REALIZED THAT THIS WAS NOT ISOLATED TO JUST MY VEHICLE, THERE WERE PAGES-OF-PAGES OF PEOPLE THAT EXPERIENCED SIMILAR SUSPENSION PROBLEMS WITH THEIR 2001 LINCOLNS. THERE WAS A SUSPENSION RELATED RECALL: LINCOLN / LS 2000-2001, FORD MOTOR COMPANY, DATE: NOV 01, 2000 NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 00V359001 N/A NHTSA ACTION NUMBER: N/A COMPONENT: SUSPENSION: FRONT: CONTROL ARM: LOWER BALL JOINT, NUMBER OF AFFECTED: 82,300 SUMMARY: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE FRONT SUSPENSION LOWER BALL JOINTS WERE NOT TIGHTENED TO SPECIFICATIONS WHEN THEY WERE ATTACHED TO THE LOWER CONTROL ARMS. CONSEQUENCE: IF THE BALL JOINT ATTACHING NUTS ARE NOT ADEQUATELY TIGHTENED, THEY CAN LOOSEN AND, ULTIMATELY, RESULT IN FRACTURE OF THE BALL JOINT STUD. IF THE BALL JOINT FRACTURES, CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE COULD BE AFFECTED, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH. REMEDY: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE TORQUE ON THE TWO BALL JOINT ATTACHING NUTS. VEHICLES WITH LOOSE BALL JOINT ATTACHING NUTS WILL EITHER HAVE THE FASTENERS TIGHTENED TO SPECIFICATION, OR IF NECESSARY, THE BALL JOINTS WILL BE REPLACED. *TR

NHTSA ID

10452763

Incident

Mar 9, 2012

Mileage

70,114 mi

WE PURCHASED A LINCOLN LS ON 2/24/12 AND A I WAS DRIVING THE CAR HOME I HEARD A LOUD NOISE THAT SOUNDED AS IF THE WHEELS WERE GOING TO FALL OFF ESPECIALLY AS I WENT OVER BUMPS. I TOOK THE CAR TO MIDAS AND THEY DIAGNOSED THAT THE BALL JOINTS WERE BAD, ALONG WITH THE STRUTS, AND GASKET COVER. I DID SOME RESEARCH AND I FOUND THAT THE CAR HAD BEEN RECALLED IN 2000 FOR THE BALL JOINTS. *TR

NHTSA ID

10450118

Incident

Feb 25, 2012

Mileage

99,506 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 LINCOLN LS. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH OVER A ROADBUMP, THE CONTACT LOST SLIGHT CONTROL BECAUSE THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO ABNORMALLY SWAY FROM LEFT TO RIGHT. IN ADDITION, THE FOUR WHEEL RIMS INSTALLED ON THE VEHICLE WERE CORRODED NEAR THE HUB. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND THEY INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL ASSOCIATED WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 00V359001 (SUSPENSION: FRONT: CONTROL ARM: LOWER BALL). THERE WAS ALSO A MANUFACTURER VOLUNTARY RECALL ON THE WHEEL RIMS BUT THE VIN WAS INELIGIBLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 148,000.

NHTSA ID

10424753

Incident

Aug 17, 2011

Mileage

148,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 LINCOLN LS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH OVER A MANHOLE COVER, HE HEARD A LOUD SCREECHING NOISE COMING FROM THE OUTSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THERE WAS A SLIGHT LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL AND THE VEHICLE WAS CAUTIOUSLY MANEUVERED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE FRONT DRIVERS SIDE LOWER CONTROL ARM COMPLETELY FRACTURED, WHICH CAUSED THE TIRE TO TURN IN ON A 90 DEGREE ANGLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND REPAIRED. MOST RECENTLY, THE IDENTICAL FAILURE OCCURRED WITH THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE LOWER CONTROL ARM. THERE WAS A RECALL ASSOCIATED WITH THE FAILURE UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 00V359001 (SUSPENSION: FRONT: CONTROL ARM: LOWER BALL JOINT). THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 99,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

NHTSA ID

10418566

Incident

Feb 15, 2011

Mileage

99,000 mi

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 LINCOLN LS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE TOOK HIS VEHICLE INTO THE DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE LOWER BALL JOINTS WERE LOOSE AND NEEDED TO BE TIGHTENED. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHSTA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 00V359001 (SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER BALL JOINT), BUT THE VIN WAS NOT A PART OF THE RECALL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 103,244 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 103,376.

NHTSA ID

10405719

Incident

Jun 8, 2011

Mileage

130,244 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 LINCOLN LS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH, THE FRONT PASSENGER TIRE SUDDENLY SEPARATED FROM THE VEHICLE. HE MANAGED TO GET THE VEHICLE OFF THE ROADWAY IN WHICH THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TOWED TO HIS HOME. THE VEHICLE HAS YET TO BE INSPECTED OR DIAGNOSED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 170,000.

NHTSA ID

10396661

Incident

Apr 17, 2011

Mileage

170,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS 2001 LINCOLN LS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE DEALER REPLACED THE SPARK PLUGS AND THE FAILURE SEEMED TO BE REMEDIED HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE THEN BEGAN TO BACKFIRE AND DRIVE ABNORMALLY ROUGH. IN ADDITION, THE ENGINE WOULD EXHIBIT ABNORMAL NOISES AND AN OVERPOWERING OIL ODOR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE HEAD GASKET AND COIL SPRINGS WOULD NEED REPLACING. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 105,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 108,000.

NHTSA ID

10386745

Incident

Feb 25, 2011

Mileage

105,000 mi

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 LINCOLN LS. WHILE DRIVING IN REVERSE 1 MPH, THE FRONT CONTROL ARM AND LOWER BALL JOINT SUDDENLY FELL OFF THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE CAUSED THE RIM TO CRACK. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE CONTACT CALLED THE DEALER AND WAS TOLD THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN RECALL 00V359001 (SUSPENSION: FRONT: CONTROL ARM: LOWER BALL JOINT). THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 130,000.

NHTSA ID

10358520

Incident

Aug 28, 2010

Mileage

130,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 LINCOLN LS. WHILE TRAVELING 45 MPH THE CONTACT NOTICED A CLUNKING NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT END DRIVER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE AND THAT WHEN TRAVELING OVER A BUMP THE VEHICLE WILL BEGIN TO SWAY LEFT AND RIGHT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE LOWER BALL JOINTS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THERE WERE NO PRIOR WARNINGS AND THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 104000.

NHTSA ID

10356944

Incident

Sep 13, 2010

Mileage

104,000 mi

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 LINCOLN LS. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH MAKING A TURN, SHE HEARD A LOUD NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE WHICH MADE THE STEERING WHEEL NON RESPONSIVE. SHE HAD TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL CONTINUOUSLY IN ORDER TO KEEP THE VEHICLE CENTERED. SHE HAS HAD TO MAKE ADJUSTMENTS IN ORDER TO STEER THE VEHICLE BECAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO DEALER. THE DEALER REPAIRED THE VEHICLE BUT THE CONTACT WAS NOT SURE WHAT WAS DONE. WHATEVER THE DEALER REPAIRED CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO FUNCTION NORMALLY FOR A LIMITED TIME. SHE STATED THAT THE FAILURE WITH THE STEERING HAD RECURRED. SHE REFERENCED RECALL 00V359001, SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER BALL JOINT AND WAS ADVISED BY THE MANUFACTURER THAT HER VEHICLE WAS NOT A PART OF THE RECALL. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 102,000.

NHTSA ID

10353519

Incident

Mar 1, 2010

Mileage

100,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 LINCOLN LS. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THERE WAS A LOUD, ABNORMAL NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT END. WITHIN SECONDS, THE ENTIRE FRONT END DROPPED TO THE GROUND AND THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO A ROW OF BUSHES. HE WAS NOT INJURED. THE CONTACT DISCOVERED THAT THE FRONT BALL LOWER JOINTS WERE FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL REPAIR FACILITY. THE MECHANIC CONFIRMED THAT THE BALL LOWER JOINTS WERE FRACTURED AND HAD ALSO DAMAGED THE RADIATOR. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 112,000.

NHTSA ID

10350118

Incident

Jul 19, 2010

Mileage

112,000 mi

2001 LINCOLN LS, LOWER BALL JOINT FAILURE WHILE DRIVING!!!, THERE IS A RECALL RELATED TO THIS ISSUE 00S39, BUT MY VEHICLE ACCORDING TO FORD, BY VIN DID NOT FALL UNDER THE CURRENT RECALL? MY REAL QUESTION IS WHY? SOME BACK GROUND ON MY INCIDENT I WAS DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY AT 65 MPH, HEARD AND FELT A CHANGE IN THE STEERING, PULLED OVER AND AS I WAS COMING TO A STOP THE RIGHT LOWER BALL JOINT STUD BROKE IN HALF, IF THIS WOULD HAVE HAPPENED 30 SECONDS SOONER (GOING 65 MPH) I COULD HAVE EASILY LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AT FREEWAY SPEEDS, I HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO MY SHOP, I AM A OWNER OF A REPAIR FACILITY FOR THE LAST 10 YEARS, AND AM A ASE CERTIFIED MASTER TECHNICIAN, WITH OVER 23YRS OF EXPERIENCE WORKING ON VEHICLES. I INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND FOUND THE HOLES (BOTH RIGHT AND LEFT SIDES) IN THE ALUMINUM LOWER CONTROL ARMS OVER SIZED FROM THE BALL JOINT STUD BEING LOOSE AND MOVING INSIDE THE LOWER CONTROL ARM. THIS IS AN OBVIOUSLY DANGEROUS ENGINEERING/MANUFACTURING ERROR, STEEL BALL JOINT STUDS PASSING THROUGH A ALUMINUM CONTROL ARM WITHOUT A STEEL REINFORCED SLEEVE IN THE CONTROL ARM? WITH THE CONSTANT MOVEMENT AND DISSIMILAR METALS, KEEPING A PROPER TORQUE ON THE BALL JOINT STUD IS ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE. THEY HAVE A NYLOCK/SELF LOCKING NUT ON THE BALL JOINT STUD SO IT WON'T BACK OFF ALL THE WAY, BUT COMING LOOSE/LOSING TORQUE AND MOVING INSIDE THE LOWER CONTROL ARM UNTIL IT SNAPS OFF IS INEVITABLE. MY PROFESSIONAL OPINION FROM MY YEARS OF EXPERIENCE IS THE CURRENT RECALL NEEDS TO BE EXPANDED BEFORE SOMEONE GETS KILLED OR SERIOUSLY INJURED. TO REPEAT AFTER PERFORMING MY OWN INSPECTION AND AS A PROFESSIONAL IN THE AUTOMOTIVE INDUSTRY, THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY DEFECT THAT NEEDS TO BE RECALLED AND REPAIRED BY FORD. PLEASE TAKE THIS REPORT SERIOUSLY AS I FEEL MY LIFE WAS IN REAL DANGER AND I KNOW OTHERS ARE IN DANGER AS WELL... JIM OLDHAM, OWNER AUTOMOTIVE SOLUTIONS, ASE MASTER TECHNICIAN. *TR

NHTSA ID

10345034

Incident

Jul 23, 2010

Mileage

94,300 mi