1997 Ford Crown Victoria: ball joint or control arm failure

Filed Apr 7, 2023 · Suspension · 170,000 miles · VA

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.

Filed Mar 13, 2015 · Electrical · 200,000 miles · MN

Tl* the contact owns a 1997 ford crown victoria. While attempting to accelerate, the vehicle stalled without warning. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where the tires, tie rods, ball joints, brakes, and battery were replaced. However, the failure kept recurring. On another occasion, the vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and the vehicle was diagnosed with an unknown electric failure that was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 200,000.

Filed Sep 17, 2014 · Suspension, Wheels · 166,000 miles · CA

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.

Filed Nov 4, 2010 · Suspension · 98,015 miles · NC

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 !!!!!!!!

Filed Mar 2, 2010 · Suspension · 50,017 miles · NJ

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.

Filed Jul 9, 2009 · Suspension · 85,000 miles · OH

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.

Filed Sep 24, 2007 · Suspension · 143,995 miles · NJ

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 the federal safety agency#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.

Filed Jul 12, 2006 · Suspension · 103,000 miles · MA

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.

Filed Jan 27, 2006 · Suspension · 75,000 miles · MA

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.

Filed Nov 18, 2005 · Suspension · 76,000 miles · NY

Dt: the contact states there is the federal safety agency 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.

Filed Mar 28, 2005 · Suspension · 86,000 miles · NY

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.

Filed Dec 9, 2004 · Suspension · OH

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.