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
1996 Ford Crown Victoria suspension problems
51 complaints (18% of all complaints for this car). Typical mileage when it fails: 136,000.
- owner complaints
- 51
- of this car's complaints
- 18%
- typical mileage
- 136,000
- crashes
- 0
- recalls
- 1
Which part fails
- Front: control arm: lower ball joint19
- Front: control arm14
- Front: control arm: lower arm7
- Front7
- Front: control arm: upper arm1
At what mileage
Complaints by mileage at the time of the problem.
Ford Crown Victoria suspension problems in other years
Specific symptoms reported on the 1996 Ford Crown Victoria suspension
Phrases found in the owners' own descriptions, so one complaint can mention several symptoms.
Related recalls
Suspension: front: control arm: lower ball joint
- What is wrong
- 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.
- Risk
- 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).
Recall number 98V322000 · Recall details
Related investigations
Ball joint separation
See attached report.
RQ03002
What 1996 Ford Crown Victoria owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
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.
Dt*: the contact stated the lower control arm ball joint fractured while driving 20 MPH on a dry highway. There was a the federal safety agency recall, # 98v322000, regarding the suspension: front: control arm: lower ball joint. The vehicle was not included in the recall due to the VIN.
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.
Dt: consumer has a 1996 ford crown victoria. He complained about a lower ball joint problem. He found, on the internet the federal safety agency 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.
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.
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
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.
Consumer stated having the same problem as recall#98v322000 lower control arm. Dealer notified ts
Front suspension components have failed (tie rods, control arms).
Questions about the 1996 Ford Crown Victoria suspension
Does the 1996 Ford Crown Victoria have suspension problems?
Owners have filed 51 complaints about the suspension of the 1996 Ford Crown Victoria, 18% of all its complaints.
At what mileage do 1996 Ford Crown Victoria suspension problems start?
The typical (median) mileage in owner complaints is 136,000 miles.
Was there a recall on the 1996 Ford Crown Victoria suspension?
Yes, 1 recall: 98V322000. Check your VIN to see if your car still needs the free repair.
What year does the Ford Crown Victoria have bad suspension?
The Ford Crown Victoria model years with the most suspension complaints are 1996 (51 complaints), 1997 (45 complaints) and 1995 (36 complaints).
Other 1996 Ford Crown Victoria problems
Engine 84Fuel system 46Steering 37Brakes 31Acceleration 19Electrical 12Visibility 12Transmission 11Body 9Locks 6Tires 4Lights 3Wheels 3Airbags 2Seat belts 2
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