Recall 98V322000: Lower Ball Joint Cracking

NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID Number: 98V322000
Component: SUSPENSION: INDEPENDENT FRONT CONTROL ARM:
LOWER: BALL JOINT
Manufacturer: FORD MOTOR COMPANY

Year: 1999
Make: FORD
Model: CROWN VICTORIA
Year of Recall: '98
Type of Report: Vehicle
Potential Number of Units Affected: 158191

Summary:

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 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.

If this occurs while the vehicle is moving, reduced
steering control could occur, increasing the risk of a
crash.

Dealers will replace the lower control arm ball joints
(2).

Owner notification is expected to begin January 18, 1999.
Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer
on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the
the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact
Ford at 1-800-392-3673. Also contract the National
Highway Traffic Safety Administration's Auto Safety
Hotline at 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).