Owner-reported complaints naming the suspension system, filed with NHTSA
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Reports naming suspension components — springs, struts, shocks, control arms and related hardware. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 1997 Lincoln Town Car submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 50 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.
The 25 most recent of 50, in the owner's own words
BALL JOINT SEPARATED FROM CONTROL ARM CAUSING CONTROL ARM TO DROP TO THE GROUND. THE SAME AS YOUR RECALL98V322000 BUT CALLING LINCOLN THEY SAID THAT MY CAR WAS NOT PART OF THE RECALL. EVEN THOUGH IT DID EXACTLY WHAT THE RECALL SAID. *TR
SON WAS OPERATING THE VEHICLE. AS HE MADE A LEFT TURN, HE HEARD A LOUD CLUNKING SOUND AND THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE VEHICLE CRASHED TO THE GROUND. HAD THE CAR TOWED HOME AND SUBSEQUENTLY TOWED TO THE REPAIR SHOP THE NEXT DAY. WAS TOLD THAT THE LOWER RIGHT BALL JOINT HAD FAILED, SUBSEQUENTLY SNAPPING THE STABILIZER LINK. THIS HAPPENED IN AUGUST 2010. NOVEMBER 15, 2011, I WAS DRIVING HOME. STOPPED TO AIR UP MY RIGHT REAR TIRE. UPON RE-ENTERING THE VEHICLE AND BACKING OUT, THE RIGHT FRONT SIDE FELL TO THE GROUND. AGAIN, THE RIGHT FRONT LOWER BALL JOINT FAILED. THIS TIME, I HAD TO ALSO REPLACE THE RIGHT FRONT LOWER CONTROL ARM, RIGHT FRONT STABILIZER LINK, RIGHT FRONT SHOCK AND RIGHT FRONT BALL JOINT. THERE IS A SERIOUS PROBLEM WITH THE 1997 LINCOLN TOWNCAR'S FRONT END. WHEN THE MECHANIC WENT TO INSTALL THE RIGHT LOWER BALL JOINT (WHICH IS A PRESSED FIT) THE BALL JOINT WENT RIGHT IN BY HAND, WHICH INDICATED THAT THE RIGHT FRONT LOWER CONTROL ARM WAS FAULTY. I NOW HAVE A RATTLING SOUND COMING FROM THE LEFT FRONT SIDE. I'M REALLY SCARED TO DRIVE THIS CAR. *KB
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 LINCOLN TOWN CAR. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH, THE ENGINE BEGAN TO MISFIRE. THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL UNTIL THE ENGINE WAS TURNED OFF. THE FAILURE RECURRED WHENEVER THE VEHICLE WAS IN OPERATION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THEY INFORMED THAT THE ENGINE MANIFOLD WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. ALSO, ON A SEPARATE OCCASION THE FRONT LOWER CONTROL ARM FRACTURED AND COLLAPSED ONTO THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE WHEEL. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 137,000.
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 LINCOLN TOWN CAR. WHILE DRIVING AT 2 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD SOUND. SECONDS LATER, THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY FELL TO THE GROUND. AFTER INSPECTING THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE BALL JOINT HAD SEPARATED FROM THE VEHICLE. A FEW WEEKS PRIOR TO THE FAILURE, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE VEHICLE MADE A CREAKING SOUND WHENEVER OPERATED. THE CONTACT CALLED THE DEALERSHIP AND WAS INFORMED THAT RECALL 98V322000 (SUSPENSION: FRONT: CONTROL ARM: LOWER BALL JOINT) DID NOT INCLUDE HIS VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED AT THE TIME OF THE COMPLAINT. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 175,000.
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 LINCOLN TOWN CAR. WHILE DRIVING 3-5 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A POPPING SOUND AND THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE DROPPED. THE LOWER BALL JOINTS HAD FALLEN OUT OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO HIS RESIDENCE. THE CONTACT HAS SCHEDULED AN APPOINTMENT TO HAVE THE VEHICLE REPAIRED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 136,278.
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 LINCOLN TOWN CAR. WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE JUMPED WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE CONTROL ARM AND LOWER BALL JOINT FAILED. THE BRAKE LINES ALSO FAILED. AS OF OCTOBER 23, 2007, THE DEALER HAD NOT REPAIRED THE VEHICLE. THERE ARE RECALLS FOR THE SUSPENSION: FRONT: CONTROL ARM: LOWER BALL JOINT (NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 98V322000) AND SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC: FOUNDATION COMPONENTS: HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS (NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 98I001000); HOWEVER, THE DEALER REFUSED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE AS PART OF THE RECALLS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 143,000.
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 LINCOLN TOWN CAR. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE VIBRATED ON THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE CONTROL ARM AND LOWER BALL JOINTS FAILED. THERE ARE RECALLS FOR THE SUSPENSION: FRONT: CONTROL ARM: LOWER BALL JOINT (NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 98V322000) AND SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC: FOUNDATION COMPONENTS: HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS (NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 98I001000); HOWEVER, THE DEALER REFUSED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE AS PART OF THE RECALLS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 85,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 99,000.
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 LINCOLN TOWN CAR. WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A CLICKING NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE BEGAN PULLING TO THE RIGHT AND BECAME DIFFICULT TO STEER. SHE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND THEY PERFORMED A DIAGNOSTIC TEST. THE RESULTS INDICATED THAT THE LOWER BALL JOINTS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE LOWER BALL JOINTS WERE REPLACED THREE YEARS AGO. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 80,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 78,500. THE CONSUMER PROVIDED A COPY OF THE RECALL NOTICE. UPDATED 10/24/07 *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 LINCOLN TOWN CAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE UPPER CONTROL ARM MAKES A HORRIBLE SQUEAKING AND POPPING NOISE AND NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WHILE DRIVING 15 MPH. THE DEALER STATED THAT HIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN RECALL NUMBER 98V322000 (SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER BALL JOINT). HE BELIEVES HIS VEHICLE SHOULD BE INCLUDED IN THE RECALL SINCE IT IS EXPERIENCING THE SAME FAILURE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 102,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000. UPDATED 09/10/07 *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 LINCOLN TOWN CAR. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE LOWER BALL JOINT FAILED. THE CONTACT SPOKE IN DETAIL REGARDING THE CONTROL ARM. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO HIS PRIVATE MECHANIC AND IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE CONTROL ARM WAS THE CAUSE OF FAILURE. THE PURCHASE DATE WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 153,000. THE UPPER BALL JOINTS, LOWER CONTROL ARM BUSHINGS AND RIGHT LOWER CONTROL ARM WERE ALL REPLACED. THE MECHANIC ALSO NOTED THE REAR MAIN SEAL AND TRANSMISSION FRONT PUMP SEAL WAS STARTING TO LEAK. UPDATE 09/11/07. *JB
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 4 MPH UNDER NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS, THE VEHICLE MADE A LOUD NOISE. AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE LOWER BALL JOINT SEPARATED.
1997 LINCOLN TOWN CAR FRONT CONTROL ARM LOWER BALL JOINT FAILED, PUNCTURING TIRE AND DRIVING LOWER CONTROL ARM INTO ASPHALT. SPEED OF ACCIDENT 15 MPH. NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS ON LOWER CONTROL ARM FAILURES FOR LINCOLN, CROWN VICTORIA ETC. MANUFACTURER CLAIMS THE SPECIFIC VIN IS NOT UNDER RECALL CRITERIA. I SUSPECT THIS IS AN OVERSIGHT BY THE MANUFACTURER. I AM THANKFUL THAT I WAS NOT TAKING MY CHILD ON THE HIGHWAY WHEN THIS OCCURRED AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. THERE WOULD HAVE CERTAINLY BEEN A WRECK AND THE WAY THE FAILURE OCCURRED, I AM NOT SURE HOW THE CAR COULD NOT HAVE SPUN AND ROLLED IF THE FAILURE WOULD HAVE OCCURRED AT A HIGHER SPEED. THE CONTROL ARM LEFT A GROOVE IN THE ASPHALT AND HALTED THE CAR INSTANTLY THROWING EVERYONE FORWARD WHEN IT OCCURRED. IT WOULD BE ADVISABLE TO HAVE THESE RECALLED TO AVOID POTENTIAL LITIGATION AND LAW SUITS. I HAVE SEEN SEVERAL INSTANCES OF THIS IN THIS COMPLAINT DATABASE AS WELL AS ON THE WEB. I HAVE NOT SEEN ANY CLASS ACTION SUIT AND CAN ONLY FIND THE RECALL ON THE LOWER CONTROL ARM THAT APPARENTLY DOES NOT INCLUDE MY SPECIFIC VIN NUMBER (AND A LOT OF OTHERS APPARENTLY AS WELL). I HAVE ASKED SEVERAL MECHANICS AND THEY ARE AWARE OF THIS AND SUSPECT A MANUFACTURING DEFECT AND THEY ALSO SAY THAT IT IS PRETTY RIDICULOUS TO HAVE A CONTROL ARM GO OUT SO SOON IN A VEHICLES LIFE. THERE ARE CARS THAT STILL HAVE THEIR ORIGINAL CONTROL ARMS AND TWICE THE MILEAGE OF OTHER MANUFACTURERS. THE REPAIRS ARE EXPENSIVE, THE FAILURE IS DANGEROUS, AND I HONESTLY HAVE PROBLEMS TRUSTING WHETHER THE DEALER WILL USE PARTS THAT HAVE BEEN RE-ENGINEERED TO OVERCOME THIS FAILURE. ESPECIALLY SINCE WE ARE SEEING THAT SOME OF THE REPLACEMENT CONTROL ARMS APPEAR TO HAVE THE SAME FAILURES OR SAME DEFECT. HOW CAN I BE ASSURED THAT THIS WILL NOT OCCUR AGAIN? AND WILL I BE JUST AS LUCKY AS I WAS THIS TIME IN THAT THE FAILURE OCCURRED AT EXTREMELY LOW SPEED? *JB
HEARD A POPPING IN THE FRONT END OF MY 1997 LINCOLN TOWNCAR AND IT WAS PULLING TO THE LEFT WHEN I WOULD APPLY THE BRAKES. I TOOK IT TO THE GARAGE AND HAD THE TIRES ROTATED AND THE FRONT BRAKES REPLACED AND THE ROTORS WERE REPLACED AND BRAKE PADS, NOTHING WAS NOTICED AT THIS TIME. THE CAR WAS STILL PULLING TO THE LEFT WHEN THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED. I WAS DRIVING TO MY JOB WHICH IS ABOUT 10 MILES FROM HOME AND WHEN I PULLED IN TO THE DRIVE AND WENT TO BACK UP I HEARD A LOUD POP, I CALLED MY HUSBAND AND TOLD HIM ABOUT IT AND WHEN HE LOOKED UNDERNEATH THE CAR HE FOUND THAT THE LOWER CONTROL ARM BRACKET THAT WAS FACTORY WELDED TO THE FRAME HAD COME LOOSE. THE POPPING NOISE WAS OBVIOUSLY FLEXING OF THE BRACKET THAT WAS WELDED TO THE FRAME AND WHEN THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED THE FLEXING OF THE BRACKET WAS CAUSING THE CAR TO PULL TO THE LEFT. MY HUSBAND CALL THE LOCAL LINCOLN DEALERSHIP AND EXPLAINED WHAT HAD HAPPENED AND WAS TOLD THAT THEY HAD NEVER HEARD OF THIS HAPPENING BEFORE. I THEN WENT ON LINE TO CARFAX AND RESEARCHED THE HISTORY OF MY CAR TO SEE IF IT HAD EVER BEEN WRECKED AND THE RESULTS WERE CLEAN, NO WRECKS OR SERVICE HISTORY OF ANY PROBLEM. WE HAVE HAD SEVERAL PEOPLE LOOK AT THE CAR AND EACH AND EVERY ONE EXPRESSED THAT THIS WAS A FIRST FOR THEM, THAT THEY HAD NEVER HEARD OF THIS HAPPENING BEFORE AND THAT THEY FEEL LIKE IT WAS A FACTORY DEFAULT ON THE WELDING AND THAT I MUST HAVE HAD AN ANGEL ON MY SHOULDER BECAUSE THIS COULD HAVE BEEN VERY DANGEROUS. AS IT STANDS RIGHT NOW I AM AT AWE AS TO WHAT TO DO BECAUSE I HAVE BEEN ADVISED TO NOT HAVE ANYTHING DONE TO THE CAR TILL SOMEONE FROM FORD/LINCOLN LOOKS AT. I FEEL THAT THIS COULD HAVE BEEN A LIFE THREATENING SITUATION AND THAT FORD/LINCOLN SHOULD TAKE SOME RESPONSIBILITY FOR THIS PROBLEM. THIS VEHICLE IS USED ON THE ROAD ONLY AND NOT USED AS AN OFF ROAD VEHICLE AND IT HAS NOT BEEN ABUSED IN ITS USE. I WOULD VERY MUCH APPRECIATE SOME KIND OF RESPONSE OR HELP WITH THIS PROBLEM AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. *JB
DT: CONTACT STATED THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE WHEEL FELL OFF ON 8-5-05. IT SOUNDED LIKE A FLAT TIRE AND THE FRONT END WAS DRAGGING. THE TIRES WERE A FEW YEARS OLD. HE CALLED FORD AND ASKED ABOUT A RECALL AND THEY TOLD HIM NO THERE HAD NOT BEEN ANY RECALLS.*AK IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE UPPER AND LOWER BALL JOINTS HAD FAILED.*JB
DT: THE DRIVER'S SIDE LOWER BALL JOINT FELL OFF ON SEPTEMBER 24, 2005. THE VEHICLE JUST HAD AN OIL CHANGE THE DAY BEFORE, AND THEY DID NOT SEE ANYTHING AT THAT TIME. THERE WAS NO ACCIDENT. THE CONSUMER HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE MECHANICS. THE CONSUMER FOUND THAT THERE WAS A RECALL FOR THIS PROBLEM BUT THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INVOLVED DUE TO VIN. *AK UPDATED 12/07/05. *JB
DT: A RECALL WAS ISSUED FOR THE SAME TYPE OF VEHICLE THE CONSUMER OWNS, HOWEVER HIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. WITHOUT WARNING THE VEHICLE LURCHED FORWARD AND THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE COLLAPSED AND SPUN AROUND. WHEN THE CONSUMER EXITED THE VEHICLE, HE DISCOVERED THE BALL JOINT PUNCTURED THE TIRE ON THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED THE DEALER AND THEY SAID THE CONSUMERS VEHICLE SHOULD BE INCLUDED THE RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER SAID HIS CAR WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE CONSUMER STATED HIS VEHICLE HAD THE SAME SYMPTOMS AS STATED IN THE RECALL # 98V322000. *JB.
DRIVER NOTICED THAT BOTH FRONTAL SEAT BELTS DO NOT RETRACT BACK. WHILE DRIVING DRIVER NOTICED FLUID LEAKING FROM UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE. DRIVER TOOK VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION, AND MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE INTAKE MANIFOLD NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *AK UPDATED 12-12-07. *KB THE CONSUMER STATED WHILE DRIVING, COOLANT LEAKED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THE VEHICLE HAD A DEFECTIVE INTAKE MANIFOLD. THE BALL JOINTS WERE DEFECTIVE AND ONE OF THEM HAD ALREADY FAILED. UPDATED *JB
ERRATIC STEERING AND NOISE AT THE PASSENGER SIDE FRONT END. APPROACHING A STOP LIGHT AT LESS THAN 15MPH THE BALL JOINT FELL OUT. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BY FIESTA FORD LINCOLN MERCURY IN INDIO CA.AT MY EXPENSE BY REPLACING THE LOWER COTROL ARMAND SHOCK ABSORBER. A WEEK AGO THE SAME NOISE DEVELOPED ON THE DRIVER SIDE AND THE CAR WAS SENT TO FRESNO LINCOLN MERCURY FOR REPAIR YESTERDAY. I WAS TOLD BY THE MECHANIC THE LEFT LOWER CONTROL ARM NEEDS REPLACING. *AK
WHILE DRIVING, A LOUD NOISE WAS HEARD FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. THE DRIVER NOTICED THAT THE NOISE LEVEL HAS INCREASED ENORMOUSLY LOUDER UPON ACCELERATION. THE MECHANIC INFORMED THE DRIVER THAT BOTH DRIVER, AND PASSENGER SIDE UPPER AND LOWER BALL JOINTS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED DUE TO CORROSION. *LA THE FAILURE CAUSED THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE COLLAPSED TO THE GROUND. THE MANUFACTURER REFUSED TO HONOR RECALL 98V322000. *NM
1. THE ABS LAMP REMAINED ON AND MY COST WAS NEARLY 1000.00 TO DIAGNOSE A FAULTY MODULE,AND HAVE IT REPLACED. THE LINCOLN TOWNCAR IS A 97 WITH ONLY 73K MILES. 2. THERE IS A SUSPENSION NOISE IN THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE WHICH I WAS TOLD WOULD COST NEARLY 600 DOLLARS BECAUSE THEY HAVE TO BREAK THE SEAL TO ACCESS THE AREA AND THAT IT IS NOT A SIMPLE LUBRICATIION JOB. 3. I HAVE SEEN SEVERAL RECALLS ASSOCIATED WITH THE ABS AND FRONT SUSPENSIONS YET I HAVE NEVER RECEIVED ANY BY MAIL.*AK
WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE WHEEL FELL OFF. THE DRIVER WAS ABLE TO PULL TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND CALL A TOWING TRUCK TO HAVE THE VEHICLE TOWED TO A DEALERSHIP. *AK THE CONSUMER REPLACED THE UPPER AND LOWER BALL JOINTS. *CB *JB
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. CONSUMER HAS THE SAME PROBLEM. A RECALL HAS BEEN ISSUED ON SIMILAR MAKES AND MODELS, HOWEVER THIS VEHICLE IS NOT INCLUDED DUE TO VIN.*AK
WHILE DRIVING CONSUMER HEARS A "SQUEAKING" NOISE COMING FROM THE LEFT SIDE. CONSUMER SUSPECTS THAT BUSHING AND/OR BALL JOINT IS DEFECTIVE AND POSES A SAFETY HAZARD. RELATED RECALL 98V322000, CONSUMER'S V.I.N. IS NOT INCLUDED.TS
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
WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE AT 10-15 MPH LEFT FRONT BALL JOINT BROKE, AND VEHICLE COULD NOT BE CONTROLED. CONTACTED DEALER, AND DEALER WAS NOT WILLING TO DO ANYTHING BECAUSE OF THE MILEAGE. *AK
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.
Categories with enough reports to have a page of their own
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