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1998 Ford Crown Victoria suspension problems

18 complaints (15% of all complaints for this car). Typical mileage when it fails: 93,000.

owner complaints
18
of this car's complaints
15%
typical mileage
93,000
crashes
0
recalls
1

Which part fails

  • Rear
    7
  • Front: control arm: lower arm
    3
  • Front: control arm: lower ball joint
    2
  • Front
    2
  • Front: control arm
    1

At what mileage

Complaints by mileage at the time of the problem.

0k-25k
25k-50k
50k-75k
75k-100k
100k-125k
125k-150k
150k-175k
175k-200k
200k+

Ford Crown Victoria suspension problems in other years

19901995200020052011

Specific symptoms reported on the 1998 Ford Crown Victoria suspension

Phrases found in the owners' own descriptions, so one complaint can mention several symptoms.

Ball joint 10

Related recalls

Suspension: front: control arm: lower ball jointReported December 16, 1998 · 175,000 vehicles affected
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

What 1998 Ford Crown Victoria owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed Aug 29, 2019 · Driver assistance, Electrical · 180,000 miles · FL · fire

Had my car since 2014 I worked hard to buy it. It drove pretty decide untill electric problems started to occur. Then my passanger side wheel folded in while operating with my kids life or death situation im just a hard working father trying to provide a safe transportation for my family

Filed Feb 15, 2015 · Steering, Suspension · 84,000 miles · TX

I was a professional mechanic and went to school for it also with over ten years experience in the field ! This is the story I decided to replace upper and lower ball joints and outer tie rod ends with upper control arm bushings and wheel bearing hub assembly's all at the same time to avoid a vehicle breakdown like what just happened ! The car had about 54000 miles on it when I did this with me knowing these parts were about to go out due to wear before 75000 miles at the latest from experience on average ! But this is the complaint and concern ! My lower passenger front ball joint separated at about 84000 miles on the car which is only thirty thousand miles of life on this ball joint ! Not reassuring at the least ! Even under extreme driving I have found ball joints to last at least 50000 miles before going bad ! The ball joint is a drive works brand part #dw-k8685 advance auto parts brand but here is the strange part they do not know who makes their parts even when you call their 1-800 # are these parts tested or built to federal safety standards these ball joints if they separate on the freeway can kill people this is a serious subject ! I was blessed this ball joint separated at about 20 miles an hour ! Can they be tested or recalled !

Filed Oct 17, 2013 · Suspension · 60,000 miles · VA

Tl* the contact owns a 1998 ford crown victoria. The contact stated that while attempting to park, the check air suspension warning lamp illuminated. The contact mentioned that the air shocks were continuously making the vehicle jerk violently and the last time the failure occurred, the rear of the vehicle dropped to the ground. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic. The technician diagnosed that the air suspension was defective and as a result, an air shock kit needed to be installed. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but they did not offer any assistance since the vehicle was not included in the federal safety agency campaign number: 98v322000 (suspension). The vehicle was repaired. The VIN was not available. The failure mileage was 60,000 and the current mileage was 65,000.

Filed Feb 10, 2012 · Suspension · 70,000 miles · IN

Tl* the contact owns a 1998 ford crown victoria. The contact stated that while driving 45 MPH, the vehicle drifted from right to left and he had difficulty steering straight. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer to have the failure diagnosed and the dealer stated that the lower ball joints and upper control arms needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 70,000 and the current mileage was 78,000. The consumer stated there was a recall on the front control arm. However, the dealer informed the consumer there was no recall for his VIN. Updated 03/07/12

Filed Mar 15, 2011 · Suspension · 123,895 miles · OH

As described in recall number 98v322000, the lower ball joint broke apart while I was driving the vehicle. This vehicle was originally titled as a fleet vehicle which was part of the recall. The manufacturer refuses to get vehicle fixed. In fact, they say that there are no recalls at all on my vehicle when in fact there are that I know have not been fixed.

Filed Apr 23, 2009 · Suspension · 155,000 miles · AL

As my boyfriend back my car out of the drive on april 22, 2009 between 8:30-9:00pm, the entire front end of the vehicle fell. It appeared that the shocks gave out or something. The only problems the vehicle had were coil issues but we got it taken care of. The ford company claims that the vehicle has no recall on it but I hear from autobuyguide.com that there was a recall on dec. 16, 1998 for the vehicle suspension, front, control arm, lower ball joint. Then a friend of mine told me about others who had this same problem. I want my car to be fixed. I have 2 small children and I need transportation. This a factory default, I shouldn't have to pay to fix this. Can you all help me?

Filed Apr 19, 2004 · Suspension · 93,000 miles · GA

Vehicle experienced the same problem as described in the lower control arm recall 98v322000. But, this vehicle was not included in the recall due to VIN.

Filed Sep 9, 2002 · Suspension · TX

Dealer refuses to include this vehicle in the recall, nthsa#98v322000.

Filed Feb 26, 2001 · Suspension, Transmission · CA

Vehicle is having same symptoms as mentioned in recall # 98v322000.differential is also making noise, possibly losing fluid.

Filed Sep 26, 2000 · Engine, Suspension · CT

The frames on both sides of the rear trailing arm assemblies experienced cracking.

Questions about the 1998 Ford Crown Victoria suspension

Does the 1998 Ford Crown Victoria have suspension problems?

Owners have filed 18 complaints about the suspension of the 1998 Ford Crown Victoria, 15% of all its complaints.

At what mileage do 1998 Ford Crown Victoria suspension problems start?

The typical (median) mileage in owner complaints is 93,000 miles.

Was there a recall on the 1998 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 1998 Ford Crown Victoria problems

Engine 30Fuel system 17Lights 14Electrical 8Transmission 8Body 7Steering 7Visibility 5Brakes 4Tires 4Acceleration 2Airbags 2Driver assistance 2Wheels 2Locks 1Seat belts 1Seats 1

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