Ford Taurus ball joint problems

Filed Aug 18, 2026 · Suspension, Transmission · GA

Components Involved: Engine Block Mounting Boss, Intermediate Shaft Bracket (Service Part # DB5Z-3K305-CA), Factory Bolt (OEM # W500131-S437) Incident Overview: During a low-speed (about 5mph) lateral impact to the front-right wheel against a curb, expected sacrificial suspension damage occurred (snapped CV axle, separated lower ball joint). However, lateral force transferred through the passenger-side intermediate shaft directly into its carrier bearing mounting bracket. Instead of the cast mounting bracket (DB5Z-3K305-B) absorbing the force or breaking, the lateral stress sheared the cast mounting boss entirely off the engine block. Engineering Flaw & Dimensions: This design presents a critical flaw in the crash load path and failure hierarchy: Improper Leverage: The 84mm thick cast bracket acts as a rigid lever against a small, brittle ~17mm cast engine block boss. Inverted Material Sacrificing: The over-engineered bracket survives the impact, transferring fatal structural damage to the non-replaceable engine block instead of acting as a sacrificial fuse. Inadequate Thread Engagement: The factory 95mm flange bolt (W500131-S437) only utilizes 11mm of thread inside the raised boss, completely ignoring 1 to 2 inches of threading available deeper within the engine block casting. This shallow engagement concentrates all shearing stress directly at the weakest protrusion. Consumer Burden: This localized failure condemns the engine block, requiring a full engine replacement under standard dealership repair procedures. This creates a severe and disproportionate financial burden for what should be a straightforward suspension and driveline collision repair. Conclusion: I request an investigation into this structural vulnerability. The intermediate shaft bracket mounting location acts as a critical weak point, actively transferring lateral impact energy into the block and causing premature, catastrophic structural engine failure.

Filed May 19, 2025 · Steering, Suspension · WI

While driving down the road, a loud humming started to get loud from the front of my car. Then loud clunking/dragging noises. My car started to slow down and the noises got louder. I had to turn on my hazards and slowly drive back home block by block. There is nothing visibly dragging. But I now have to get my car towed from home as it’s not safe to drive. This isn’t the first time this car has had issues with the steering hub, suspension, tie rods, ball joints, control arms, sway bar, etc. I have had to fix and replace that entire area a multitude of times since I’ve had this car.

Filed Apr 19, 2024 · Steering, Tires · 10,000 miles · KY

The contact owns a 2013 Ford Taurus. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, there was significant play and vibration in the steering wheel, and the vehicle was pulling to one side. The contact stated that the traction control warning light illuminated when the steering wheel was completely steered to the right or to the left. The contact also stated that The TPMS warning light remained illuminated even though the tires were fully inflated. Additionally, the contact stated that there was an abnormal clicking sound coming from the rear end of the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed that the steering gear had failed. The mechanic determined that both the steering gear and the ball joint needed to be replaced. The mechanic related the failure to the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 15V340000 (Steering). The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer was notified of the failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 100,000.

Filed Oct 14, 2022 · Suspension · OH · crash

Rear adjustable lataral arm and ball joint (RH) on rear wheel broke, while driving spun car in the road. Had to replace part and take vehicle to Ford dealership to get car allined and have car inspected for other damage. Purchased from Oreilly Auto Parts. Part number 2CB40582 $103.99. Precision Lateral Arm and Joint. Took vehicle to Vallery Ford Waverly Ohio. for allinment $90.04 on 08/18/2022. 2018 Ford Taurus SEL. 72715 miles.

Filed Aug 9, 2022 · Suspension · AR

Car shop replaced front suspension struts 1/23/19. I told owner that made the clunking noise ever worse. Kevin said well, your car needs lower control arms, bushings, &engine mount. Had that done by same car shop on 9/16/2019. I told Kevin that did not take care of clunking noise. I took car to an auto shop where I moved to for maintenance. They told me my struts were bad. Called Kevin in Fayetteville & the struts were going out of warranty later that week. I drove up there & the replaced struts on 1/27/2020, under warranty but charged me labor. The clunking continued. Around 6/29/2022, my car steering locked up while I was driving on a busy street. I turned the car off & waited a minute to restart. It drove properly then. I took it to auto shop & the owner said the struts were bad. This would be the 3rd set of struts since 1/23/2019. This car shop owner told me the problem read the strut bearings and they’d never been replaced. Owner said that is the base component of strut replacements. According to my invoices, I don’t see a charge either time for “strut bearing”. I’ve filed a Complaint with the Arkansas Attorney General’s Office in Little Rock. I asked for money reimbursement for all the charges from Kevin so I can have the local car shop (being the same one that told me strut bearings not being done) was do this 3rd set of front struts. The response to AR Attorney General from Kevin is a joke! I have all documents pertaining to this.

Filed Aug 12, 2021 · Suspension · 50,000 miles · VA

The contact owns a 2014 Ford Taurus. The contact stated while driving at undetermined speed, the vehicle was vibrating. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who informed the contact that the tires were cupping and wearing unevenly, and the passenger’s side control arm and toe link needed to be replaced. Two local dealer was contacted however, the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact mentioned the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 20V072000 (Suspension) as a possible solution to the failure however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was not notified. The failure mileage was approximately 50,000.

Filed Dec 20, 2020 · Steering · AR

I went to get my two lower control arms to be replaced. And my mechanic said that there was a recall on my vehicle on my rack and pinion. So I took it to two different ford dealerships and they said that wanted over $150 to even look at it and tell me if it would throw any codes. But if you just drove the car you can tell something is still wrong with it. I'm scared.

Filed Dec 12, 2020 · Steering · AR

I took my car to a local shop for lower control arms. The shop manager called and told me that there was a recall on my car. So I tried to contact 2 different ford dealerships. Neither one wants to even look at it. The dealerships wanted over $150 to look at the recall issue. I am having trouble with the steering. The car does not want to drive straight. My car is a 2013 and has around 143,000 miles on it.

Filed Jan 27, 2020 · Body, Steering · 74,029 miles · NY

On october 23 2019, I retained mavis discount tire to inspect my new york state registered 2003 ford taurus. Mavis discount tire passed the vehicle, determining the vehicles condition complied with ny state safety standard of roadworthiness. 12/12/2019, after repairing the transmission at gorilla auto works, I was informed of a serious structural situation, control arm assembly "severely deteriorated". On january 20th 2020, I again referred the vehicle to caskinete ford carthage new york for further evaluation, at ford motor company standards, as was informed, that the control arm assembly was not repairable, at the present condition, did not meet new york state or federal safety standards, contrary to the original status, and inspection , issued 10/23/2019 mavis discount tire arsenal st. Watertown new york. Further evaluations, study revealed, that failure of this condition, underway, at us interstate average speed of traffic, potentially catastrophic incident would result, eminent risk of loss of life. Per us agency standards, I have made all reasonable efforts to resolve this complaint with relevant state agencies, dmv. Etc. Additional efforts included relevant new york state political representatives, to include new york state senate. *please note the, possibly intentional omission by mavis staff, of the vehicles mileage. Obtained by other records.

Filed Nov 13, 2019 · Steering · 139,000 miles · LA

My 2014 taurus limited started making a popping noise when turning, I had the cv joint, tie rods, and struts replaced. The car hasn't been driven over 50 miles since repairs were done.. It has not been driven since. I backed down my driveway then the steering is making a terrible noise and looses control during mid turn. This is after I have replace the cv joints, tie rods and the struts. Now the dealership is telling me I need to replace the rack and pinion. A cost $1700 at 139,000 miles. This is very dangerous and is a well know issues with ford. Why hasn't a recall be announced. This has made a loyal ford owner decide this will be my last ford.