1996 Lincoln Town Car Suspension Problems

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 LINCOLN TOWN CAR. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO VIBRATE AND AN UNKNOWN CLICKING SOUND WAS HEARD FROM THE PASSENGER SIDE WHEEL WHEN MAKING A TURN. THE FAILURE OCCURRED CONSTANTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FRONT BALL JOINTS FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 98V322000 (SUSPENSION). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 45,000.

NHTSA ID

10865364

Incident

Nov 16, 2015

Mileage

45,000 mi

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 LINCOLN TOWN CAR WITH 92000 MILES. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL HE HEARD A CLANKING NOISE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT RECALL 98V322000, SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER BALL JOINT WAS THE CAUSE OF FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CALLED BUT THEY COULD NOT FIND ANY RECORD OF THE VEHICLE BEING REPAIRED OR INCLUDED IN THE RECALL.

NHTSA ID

10372262

Incident

Dec 23, 2010

Mileage

92,000 mi

WHILE DRIVING MY 1996 SIGNATURE SERIES TOWN CAR ABOUT 25 MIS/HR IN RESIDENTIAL AREA THE RIGHT FRONT BALL JOINT SUSPENSION COLLAPSED & "ROLLED" UNDER THE CAR FRAME. THE SLOW SPEED ENABLED THE CAR TO BE STOPPED WITHIN FEET. DRIVER & A PASSENGER UNHURT. CAR TOWED TO AAA CERTIFIED GARAGE THAT HAD BEEN USED FOR OVER 25 YEARS. SUSPENSION REPLACED AS WAS THE LEFT ONE THAT MECHANIC DEEMED READY TO ALSO COLLAPSE. RESIDENT MUNICIPALITY LITERALLY SURROUNDED BY EXPRESSWAYS WHOSE SPEED LIMIT IS 65 MIS/HR. DEATHS AND OR SEVERE INJURIES WOULD MOST CERTAINLY HAVE RESULTED HAD COLLAPSE OCCURRED WHILE DRIVING AT ALLOWED SPEED LIMIT AS THIS DRIVER DOES. THE CAR HAD 92551 CAREFULLY DRIVEN MILES ON IT. CAR ALWAYS GARAGED AND METICULOUSLY MAINTAINED BY OWNER, DEALER AND THE MECHANIC USED . WORSE THAT DID HAPPEN WAS THE ALMOST $500 BILL & BEING LATE FOR AN ANNUAL CONFERENCE BEING HELD AT NEARBY UNIVERSITY. *TR

NHTSA ID

10342999

Incident

Mar 12, 2010

Mileage

92,551 mi

I OWN A 1996 LINCOLN TOWN CAR WITH APPROXIMATELY 73,000 MILES ON THE ODOMETER. RECENTLY, I HAVE BEEN EXPERIENCING PROBLEMS WITH THE FRONT END WOBBLING. I TOOK THE CAR TO SEARS AUTOMOTIVE AND DISCOVERED THAT THE LOWER BALL JOINT ARE DEFECTIVE AND CONTROL ARMS. THE PROBLEM MATCHES EXACTLY YOUR RECALL BELOW: NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 98V322000 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: IF THIS OCCURS WHILE THE VEHICLE IS MOVING, REDUCED STEERING CONTROL COULD OCCUR, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH. REMEDY: 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). WE NEVER RECEIVE NOTICE OF ANY RECALL. HOWEVER, WHEN I ATTEMPTED TO CALL FORD CUSTOMER SERVICE THEY COULD NOT FIND THIS RECALL OR MY VIN. THEREFORE, I AM RESPECTFULLY REQUESTING THAT YOU ADD OUR VEHICLE VIN TO THIS RECALL FOR REPAIR. *TR

NHTSA ID

10297401

Incident

Dec 20, 2009

Mileage

72,000 mi

LOWER BALL JOINT ON THE RT. SIDE & LT. SIDE FAIL WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD, DROPPING CAR TO THE GROUND . TOWED TO FORDS REPAIR SHOP AND HAD BOTH REPLACED. LAST FALL THE RT. ONE BROKE AND WAS REPLACED. KNOW THE LT. ONE. *TR

NHTSA ID

10256041

Incident

Jan 21, 2009

Mileage

164,183 mi

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE RIGHT LOWER BALL JOINT FELL OUT WHILE DRIVING 10 MPH CAUSING THE STEERING TO FAIL. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALERSHIP. THE CONTACT REPORTS HAVING NO PROBLEMS WITH THE STEERING PRIOR TO THE INCIDENT. THERE IS AN NHTSA RECALL, # 98V322000, REGARDING THE SUSPENSION: FRONT: CONTROL ARM: LOWER BALL JOINT. THE VEHICLE HAS THE SAME PROBLEMS AS INDICATED IN THE RECALL; HOWEVER IT IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO THE VIN.

NHTSA ID

10155317

Incident

Apr 7, 2006

Mileage

135,000 mi

1996 LINCOLN TOWN CAR STEERING WENT OUT CAUSING CONSUMER TO RUN INTO A FENCE.*MR THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD TURN LEFT AND RIGHT BUT THE WHEEL DID NOT RESPOND. REAR AIR SPRING WERE REPLACED DUE TO EXCESSIVE CRACKING. THE VEHICLE STEERING A SUSPENSION PERFORMED POORLY. THE DEALER REPLACED THE UPPER AND LOWER BALL JOINTS AND THE INNER AND OUTER TIE RODS. THE RIGHT FRONT WINDOW REGULATOR BROKE. THE INTERIOR LIGHT ON THE LEFT SIDE OF THE VEHICLE DID NOT WORK. *NM

NHTSA ID

10117861

Incident

Mar 3, 2005

THE TIE ROD FAILED AGAIN AFTER TWO PREVIOUS REPLACEMENTS. ALSO, THE BALL JOINTS WERE REPLACED TWICE. WHILE GOING OVER A SPEED BUMP, ONE COULD HEAR THE TIE ROD TOUCHING THE GROUND. *AK

NHTSA ID

10109287

Incident

Aug 28, 2001

1996 LINCOLN TOWN CAR DEVELOPED PROBLEMS WITH THE SUSPENSION.***NO ANSWER REQUIRED***. *MR WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE MOVES FROM SIDE TO SIDE WHICH MAKES IT DIFFICULT TO CONTROL THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE'S SUSPENSION HAD BEEN ADJUSTED BUT THE PROBLEM STILL EXIST. THE VEHICLE ALSO HAS A STEERING PROBLEM. *NM

NHTSA ID

10128039

Incident

Jan 1, 1901

BALL JOINTS CORRODED, RESULTING IN ABNORMAL WEAR. BECAUSE OF THE DEFECT DESCRIBED IN THE STEERING LINKAGE:ARM:PITMAN RECALL 96V135000, BUT THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT COVERED DUE TO VIN. THE BALLM JOINTS WERE REPLACED BY THE DEALERSHIP.*AK

NHTSA ID

10095384

Incident

Sep 23, 2004

Mileage

105,000 mi

THE CONSUMER BROUGHT THE VEHICLE TO A MECHANIC TO HAVE AN OIL CHANGE, AND IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE LOWER BALL JOINTS WERE DEFECTIVE. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT HIS VEHICLE IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL, NUMBER 98V322000. *LA

NHTSA ID

10083422

Incident

May 6, 2004

Mileage

72,784 mi

WHILE PULLING INSIDE OF A PARKING LOT PASSENGER SIDE WHEEL COLLAPSED . CONSUMER WAS UNABLE TO MOVE THE VEHICLE. HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION, AND MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE BOTH UPPER AND LOWER BALL JOINTS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *AK

NHTSA ID

10076195

Incident

Jun 14, 2004

REAR OF VEHICLE IS LOWERED TO THE GROUND. DEALER DETERMINED THAT TWO RUBBER PIECES WITHIN THE REAR AIR SUSPENSION SYSTEM CAUSED THE AIR TO LEAK.*AK

NHTSA ID

10044999

Mileage

52,000 mi

THE LOWER CONTROL ARM/BALL JOINT EXPERIENCED THE SAME PROBLEM AS STATED IN RECALL 98V322000. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO THE VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER. *AK *SCC *JB

NHTSA ID

8007758

Incident

Apr 9, 2002

WHILE BACKING UP OUT OF A PARKING SPACE THERE WAS LOUD NOISE COMING FROM THE LEFT SIDE BALL JOINT. PLEASE PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. DEALER IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. TS

NHTSA ID

8023070

Incident

Sep 15, 2002

VEHICLE DRIFTS TO THE RIGHT WHEN DRIVING 65 MPH OR FASTER. WHEEL ALIGNMENT WAS DONE AND TIRES WERE REPLACED, DID NOT REMEDY THE PROBLEM. *AK *YH

NHTSA ID

8016028

Incident

Feb 1, 2001

WHILE CONSUMER WAS BACKING INTO A PARKING SPACE AT LOW SPEED, THE LOWER BALL JOINT ON THE RIGHT FRONT WHEEL SUDDENLY FAILED. CONSUMER HAD ALL FOUR(4) BALL JOINTS REPLACED (LEFT AND RIGHT). *JG

NHTSA ID

566262

Incident

Jun 6, 2002

THE LOWER CONTROL ARM DISENGAGED FROM THE LOWER BALL JOINT, AND DROPPED TO THE GROUND, TEARING A LARGE HOLE IN THE FRONT TIRE, THIS CAUSED COMPLETE LOSS OF CONTROL OF VEHICLE. *YD. ALSO THE INNER AND OUTER TIE ROD ENDS WERE REPLACED.*JB

NHTSA ID

564863

Incident

Jan 22, 2002

AFTER PULLING INTO A PARKING LOT AND SHUTTING VEHICLE OFF FRONT LEFT BALL JOINT FOR LOWER CONTROL ARM BROKE. DEALERSHIP HAS INFORMED CONSUMER THAT VEHICLE WAS NOT AFFECTED BY RECALL 98V322000. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION/ATTACHMENTS.*AK

NHTSA ID

895275

Incident

Aug 24, 2001

UPPER BALLJOINT ON LEFT SIDE FAILED AT 57,000 MILES AND 57,790. RIGHT SIDE FAILED, CAUSING TERRIBLE NOISES. *AK *SLC

NHTSA ID

884175

Incident

Jan 18, 2001

WHILE PULLING INTO A PARKING LOT HEARD A LOUD NOISE. CONSUMET THOUGHT THAT DROVE OVER A HOLE, GOT OUT OF VEHICLE, AND FOUND OUT THAT BALL JOINTS HAD FALLEN OFF VEHICLE WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING. *AK THE DEALER REPLACED BROKEN LOWER BALL JOINTS AND INNER TIE ROD ENDS. *YH

NHTSA ID

879341

Incident

Dec 1, 2000

ARMS THAT HOLD MAIN FRAME BROKE WHILE DRIVING. NLM

NHTSA ID

558413

VEHICLE WAS MANUFACTURED WITH NO GREASE FITTINGS ON BALL JOINTS , IT WAS SEALED AND COULD NOT BE MAINTAINED. THEREFORE, WHEN THERE WAS A LACK OF LUBRICATION ON BALL JOINTS, IT WOULD FREEZE UP, CAUSING STEERING WHEEL TO LOCK UP, RESULTING IN CONSUMER RUNNING OFF ROAD. *AK REPLACE PITMAN ARM AND LOWER BALL JOINTS. *YH

NHTSA ID

867432

Incident

Aug 9, 2000

VEHICLE VEERED OUT OF CONTROL.

NHTSA ID

513490

Incident

Nov 27, 1996

AFTER 66 MPH THE CAR VIBRATES, TOOK TO DEALER, COULDN'T FIND PROBLEM . *AK

NHTSA ID

806644