Ford Crown Victoria ball joint problems

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 Jan 8, 2023 · Electrical · MO

My 99 ford crown victoria lx has front end issues. I have had to replace the ball joints about 4 times every 2 to 3 months because the front end keeps dropping. I'm not sure if you guys know about this but I've spoken with our local Ford mechanic and a few friends who have crown Victoria's as well and said that it has been a big issue with them along with the electrical components for the turn signals

Filed Apr 3, 2020 · Brakes, Suspension · 140,000 miles · PA

Tl* the contact owns a 1994 ford crown victoria. The contact stated that while driving approximately 40 MPH, it became difficult to steer the vehicle. The contact stated that the front suspension detached at the ball joint. The failure caused the brake dust cover to puncture the tire. The vehicle came to an abrupt stop. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic to be repaired. The ball joint was replaced along with the brake dust cover. The contact stated that the failure recurred on the passenger's side of the vehicle while driving at approximately 10 MPH. The vehicle was not taken back to be repaired. A dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 140,000.

Filed Aug 2, 2017 · Suspension · 136,000 miles · OH

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

Filed Jul 1, 2016 · Airbags, Steering · 3,000 miles · SD · crash

In 2006 my husband was a deputy sheriff I'm mt.he was driving a 2006 crown victoria with approx 3000 miles. He was heading to an assistance call on the interstate at a high rate of speed. Road conditions were good that day and no abnormalities in the road. I hired a private investigator to investigate some issues. I was informed that the air bags never deployed he was in a head on collision through a fence and then wrapped around a metal sign pole. Cause severe damage to this vehicle. All windows busted out radiator came through the front of the vehicle. Tires were not noted to be defected but I due question a tie rod. And at the time the investigator did run a recall check and nothing noted at that time. His report did state there was deformity noted in the stering colum. In which I have now noticed that there has been some issues with the steering colum. And this aand this accident did result in his fatality.....updated 12/05/16

Filed Apr 13, 2015 · Suspension · 83,000 miles · LA

Tl* the contact owns a 1999 ford crown victoria. While driving at 50 MPH, the contact suddenly lost control of the vehicle. The contact was able to engage the brake pedal in order to stop the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed that the ball joint fractured. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 83,000.

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 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 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 Mar 7, 2014 · Suspension · 150,000 miles · NC

Tl* the contact owns a 2000 ford crown victoria. The contact stated that while driving 10 MPH and attempting a turn, the passenger's side lower ball joint fractured. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic. The technician verified the failure and stated that it was due to the bolt joint not getting enough grease since it was not equipped with a grease fitting. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The VIN was not available. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and current mileage was 150,000.