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.
1997 Ford Crown Victoria suspension complaints
Page 2 of 3: complaints 11 to 40 of 45, newest first, as owners wrote them.
While driving 15 MPH lower ball joints separated from the vehicle. As a result, the steering failed, and the front end collapsed.
While backing out of the driveway, the front driver side lower ball joint snapped. The consumer had the vehicle towed.
While driving there was a severe vibration in the front end. Consumer found on the federal safety agency web site recall 98v322000 which applied to the problem on this vehicle. *ak the consumer was concerned with the following recalls: 981001000, 00v157001, 03v472000 00v152002, 98v322000, 97v024000 and tsb's 01m02, 99m01, and 97m91. *sc
Subject:ford crown vic lower ball joint comments: I have a 1997 ford crown vic manufactured in ontario. The lower right ball joint came apart in the fall of 2002 and was replaced. It is now 14 months later and it was replaced again. On your site I found that there was a recall for that issue. I have never received any information about it and have had to pay the full cost of repairs each time. What is my recourse?
Front suspension was totally trashed, it was tough driving it home from the dealer. Car was all over the road.
While traveling 55 MPH, the frame control arm bracket pulled away from the vehicle and caused a collision. *ak (pulled a "big chunk" out of the frame) the consumer requested that ford cover the expenses for the repair. Recall# 98v322000. *scc
When driving 45 MPH and without warning vehicle would start to shimmy distracting the driver. Dealer has been notified.
Right rear wheel and part of the axle came off the vehicle.
While driving ball joint failed causing right front wheel to collapse and fall off. *tt
While backing up the right lower ball joint snap causing the front end to collapse. The dealer has neen notified. *ts
Front suspension system bracket (shock absober) collapsed. Please provide further information.
While driving lower ball joints broke ,and consumer could no longer control vehicle. Contacted dealer ,and the dealer was taking a look at vehicle.
Consumer states that when making a turn the ball joints and the bushing squeak. The dealer has been contacted. Nlm there is a recall, 98v322, regarding this problem, however consumers vehicle is not included.
While braking vehicle pulled to the right, mechanic determined lower control arm bracket weld had broken on right side. *ak
The incident consisted of a sudden lower ball joint failure, resulting in the vehicle skidding to a stop on the a frame. Damage estimate is based on the cost of new ball joints, tie rod, fender, and tire replacement costs
Recall 98 v 322 000/lower control arm: lost control while driving at 35 MPH. Vehicle taken to a independent repair shop, and informed consumer of a lower ball joint failure. Manufacturer was notified and advised consumer that this vehicle was not covered under recall due to VIN. Feel free to provide any further information.
While driving left front assembly broke off.also, entire frame assembly collapsed. Vehicle came to a halt, and there was no braking.
While driving 5 MPH vehicle dropped on right side. Towed to dealer, and lower ball joint was replaced. *ak
Rear suspension control arm brackets have cracked where they were welded to frame, causing loss of vehicle control. Vehicle was towed. *ak consumer also states welds also cracking where rear cross member is welded to frame.
This vehicle swerves side to side when I go over a pot hole or bump, causing vehicle's steering wheel to move as well. Outcome is loss of steering and vehicle control.*ak( dot number: )
No summary listed for abov evehicle.
While driving could heard noise coming from front like grinding, and steering wheel could not align with vehicle. Also, will make a clicking noise on the right side. Consumer noticed that vehicle was on the ground, and technician said that there was a problem with the lower control arm ball joint. Like recall 98 v 322 000 lower control arm.
All items listed are design flaws and could cause serious if not fatal injuries to occur..turn signals will not stay on if they will hold on at all. Twice repaired..steering wheel and column jump and vibrate on bump impact at mid to highway speeds.car swerves. Have not yet lost control!! Rear shocks cannot stabilise rear end..windshield has ripple distortion. Has caused vision problems. Both front doors will not stay open..both my wife and I have been injured by these doors..service dept claims doors are within tolerences..not mine!! Hope ypu can assist me. Thanks,,paul silberman.
98v322 000/lower control arm : both sides lower control arm/ball joints failed at 42,000 miles. Dealer notified, and repairs/replacement was done at consumer's cost.
The lower control arm bracket does not appear to be adequately welded to the frame(I.e. There is no weld at the lower bracket contact point). This has resulted in the bracket cracking at the upper weld point. This will lead to separation of the lower control arm bracket from the frame. Due to the nature of the high speed use of a police vehicle this could lead to an accident and loss of life, if separation should occur during high speed pursuit maneuvers.
This appears to be a failure of the front suspension ball joint which I just had repaired under recall at springfield ford, rincon, ga. According to banner ford in decatur, ga where the current repair is underway, the retaining nut was not installed properly. It came lose and the rod punctured the right front tire. I own a second crown victoria lx, VIN [xxx]. I have written ford concerning the need to have a similar repair made on this car, but they have not responded in the past month. I would like to bring these two problems to your attention, and ask for any advice or direction you may have to offer. Information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6).
When driving at high speed vehicle vibrates, and moves from side to side. Consumer brought vehicle to repair shop twice for service, but dealer can't determine the problem.
Recall 98v322000, the other vehicle VIN# [xxx], both of these vehicle which are police packaged. The dealer does not have the parts yet, and the police station needs the vehicle to be repaired as soon as possible. Please provide further information. *ak information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6).
Emergency brake locked.
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