1999 FORD CROWN VICTORIA Suspension Problems

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.

Mileage: 83,000

PREVIOUSLY REPORTED UNDER RECALL # 98V322000. THIS RECALL WAS LIMITED TO 1994-1999 CROWN VICTORIA FLEET VEHICLES, NATURAL GAS, AND LINCOLN TOWNCAR LIMO'S. A PART SEARCH SHOWS ALL CROWN VICTORIAS FROM 1994-1999 USE THE EXACT SAME PART NUMBER FOR THE BALL JOINTS. THERE IS NO DISTINCTION BETWEEN FLEET, PASSENGER,CNG, OR LIMO'S. THIS DEFECTIVE BALL JOINT WAS APPARENTLY USED ON ALL 1994-1999 CROWN VICTORIAS EITHER SOLELY, OR INTERMITTENTLY, BUT NOT LIMITED TO ONLY FLEET/COMMERCIAL VEHICLES. FORD IS DEVELOPING A RECORD FOR PERFORMING RECALLS AND/OR REPAIRING DEFECTS FOR THEIR "FLEET CUSTOMERS" WHILE IGNORING THE AVERAGE CONSUMER WHO IS EXPERIENCING THE SAME PROBLEM. IN THIS CASE, HOWEVER, THE ISSUE IS ONE OF SAFETY, BOTH TO THE OCCUPANTS OF THE DEFECTIVE VEHICLE AND TO ALL OTHER VEHICLES ON THE ROAD. I BELIEVE FORD MOTOR CO DELIBERATELY SUPPLIED FALSE INFORMATION TO THE NHTSA REGARDING THE SCOPE OF THIS DEFECT. AN INVESTIGATION SHOULD BE CONDUCTED INCLUDING REVIEWING ACCIDENTS INVOLVING THESE VEHICLES. CURRENTLY, MY 1999 CROWN VICTORIA (68,000 MILES) HAS THE RIGHT LOWER CONTROL ARM LAYING ON THE GROUND IN MY GARAGE. I AM FORTUNATE IT HAPPENED WHILE I WAS PUTTING MY CAR AWAY AND NOT THE NEXT DAY WHEN I WOULD HAVE BEEN TRAVELING AT HIGH SPEEDS ON THE OHIO TURNPIKE. *TR

Mileage: 68,200

PREVIOUSLY REPORTED UNDER RECALL # 98V322000. THIS RECALL WAS LIMITED TO 1994-1999 CROWN VICTORIA FLEET VEHICLES, NATURAL GAS, AND LINCOLN TOWNCAR LIMO'S. A PART SEARCH SHOWS ALL CROWN VICTORIAS FROM 1994-1999 USE THE EXACT SAME PART NUMBER FOR THE BALL JOINTS. THERE IS NO DISTINCTION BETWEEN FLEET, PASSENGER,CNG, OR LIMO'S. THIS DEFECTIVE BALL JOINT WAS APPARENTLY USED ON ALL 1994-1999 CROWN VICTORIAS EITHER SOLELY, OR INTERMITTENTLY, BUT NOT LIMITED TO ONLY FLEET/COMMERCIAL VEHICLES. FORD IS DEVELOPING A RECORD FOR PERFORMING RECALLS AND/OR REPAIRING DEFECTS FOR THEIR "FLEET CUSTOMERS" WHILE IGNORING THE AVERAGE CONSUMER WHO IS EXPERIENCING THE SAME PROBLEM. IN THIS CASE, HOWEVER, THE ISSUE IS ONE OF SAFETY, BOTH TO THE OCCUPANTS OF THE DEFECTIVE VEHICLE AND TO ALL OTHER VEHICLES ON THE ROAD. I BELIEVE FORD MOTOR CO DELIBERATELY SUPPLIED FALSE INFORMATION TO THE NHTSA REGARDING THE SCOPE OF THIS DEFECT. AN INVESTIGATION SHOULD BE CONDUCTED INCLUDING REVIEWING ACCIDENTS INVOLVING THESE VEHICLES. CURRENTLY, MY 1999 CROWN VICTORIA (68,000 MILES) HAS THE RIGHT LOWER CONTROL ARM LAYING ON THE GROUND IN MY GARAGE. I AM FORTUNATE IT HAPPENED WHILE I WAS PUTTING MY CAR AWAY AND NOT THE NEXT DAY WHEN I WOULD HAVE BEEN TRAVELING AT HIGH SPEEDS ON THE OHIO TURNPIKE. *TR

Mileage: 68,200

TL*-THE CONTACT TOOK THE 1999 FORD CROWN VICTORIA TO THE FORD DEALERSHIP FOR AN UNRELATED SERVICE. THE DEALERSHIP STATED THAT THE CONTACT HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE BOLTS IN THE STEERING SHAFT. THE TECHNICIAN REPLACED THEM. THE CONTACT FELT THAT THIS WAS A MAJOR SAFETY PROBLEM. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGE WERE 81,865.*AK THE DEALER ALSO REPLACED THE RIGHT FRONT BALL JOINT WHEN THE CAR WAS BEING REPAIRED. THE PITMAN ARM WAS REPLACED. UPDATE 5/4/07*TR

Mileage: 81,865

DT: THE CONTACT STATES THERE IS A NHTSA RECALL CAMPAIGN 98V322000 CONCERNING THE LOWER BALL JOINTS. THIS VEHICLE HAS THE SAME PROBLEMS AS INDICATED IN THE RECALL, BUT IT IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO VIN. THERE HAVE BEEN NO REPAIRS MADE TO THE VEHICLE. *AK

SUDDEN FAILURE OF BALL JOINTS AND STEERING LINKAGE PARTS. *JB

Mileage: 70,000

I OWN A 1999 FORD CROWN VICTORIA SEDAN. I RECENTLY DISCOVERED, THAT ONE OF THE BOLTS CONNECTING THE UPPER CONTROL ARM TO THE FRAME, WAS MISSING THE NUT TO SECURE IT AND IT HAD BACKED ITSELF OUT OF THE MOUNTING BUSHING. THE BOLT HAD BACKED OUT ABOUT 2.5 INCHES WHEN I DISCOVERED IT. THIS LEFT ONLY ONE BOLT HOLDING THE UPPER CONTROL ARM TO THE CAR'S FRAME. THE CAR HAS ONLY 24,000 MILES ON IT AND WAS RECENTLY PURCHASED USED,AT A LOCAL DEALER. THE CAR IS IN EXCELLENT CONDITION, EXCEPT FOR THE BOLT PROBLEM. I SUSPECT THAT THE BOLT CAME LOOSE ON ITS OWN BECAUSE I NOTICED THAT THE FACTORY APPLIED BLUE THREAD LOCK TO THE OTHER UPPER ARM BOLTS, BUT I FOUND NO TRACE OF THE COMPOUND ON THE BOLT THAT BACKED OUT OF THE BUSHING. THE BOLT CAUSED DAMAGE TO THE MOUNTING HOLE OF THE FRAME MOUNT AS WELL AS DAMAGING ITSELF. THE BOLT IS SLIGHTLY BENT AND SEVERAL THREADS ARE WORN OFF.THE RUBBING ACTION OF THE BOLT ELONGATED THE MOUNTING HOLE TOO. THIS MOUNT IS WELDED TO THE FRAME AT THE FACTORY AND I FEAR THAT I WILL BE STUCK WITH A MOUNT THAT IS WORN, EVEN THOUGH I AM GOING TO REPLACE THE WORN BOLT AND MISSING NUT WITH A FORD FACTORY REPLACEMENT PART.I AM COMPLAINING BECAUSE I AM CONCERNED THAT THIS PROBLEM COULD OCCUR TO OTHER VEHICLES.I DID NOT NOTICE ANY PROBLEMS PRIOR TO DISCOVERING THE BOLT FALLING OUT. IF THIS BOLT LET LOOSE WHILE I WAS DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS, I DON'T KNOW IF I WOULD BE WRITING THIS TO YOU. I WAS A CERTIFIED MECHANIC FOR SEVERAL YEARS AND I WORKED ON FORD VEHICLES AT TWO OF THEIR DEALERS. I HAVE NEVER SEEN THIS HAPPEN TO A MOUNTING BOLT ON THE UPPER ARM ASSEMBLY,DURING THAT TIME OR SINCE THEN. IF I DIDN'T JUST HAPPEN TO OPEN THE HOOD AND TAKE NOTICE OF THE PROBLEM, I'M SURE I WOULDN'T KNOW ANYTHING WAS WRONG UNTIL IT WAS TOO LATE. THE BUSHING IS NOT WORN OUT AND THE REST OF THE SUSPENSION IS TIGHT,SO I CAN'T BLAME WORN SUSPENSION PARTS.

Mileage: 24,108

WHILE PULLING INTO DRIVEWAY WHEEL FELL OFF . DEALER NOTIFIED , BALL JOINT WAS NO GOOD.*AK

VEHICLE MAKES A SQUEAKY NOISE WHEN TURNING CORNERS. PARTS HAVE BEEN REPLACED MORE THAN USUAL. DEALER WAS NOTIFIED. *AKVEHICLE HAS HAD RIGHT AND LEFT UPPER BALL JOINTS AND CONTROL ARMS REPLACED. THE RIGHT FRONT INNER TIE ROD WAS REPLACED. THE LEFT OUTER TIE ROD HAS BEEN REPLACED. *JG

THE FRAMES ON BOTH SIDES OF THE REAR TRAILING ARM ASSEMBLIES EXPERIENCED CRACKING. *SLC

THE FRAMES ON BOTH SIDES OF THE REAR TRAILING ARM ASSEMBLIES EXPERIENCED CRACKING. *SLC

THE FRAMES ON BOTH SIDES OF THE REAR TRAILING ARM ASSEMBLIES EXPERIENCED CRACKING. *SLC

SUSPENSION PROBLEM(?)--CAR KEEPS DRIFTING TO RIGHT.FORD CLAIMS THIS IS NORMAL(MARJORIE HICKS--REGIONAL OFFICE, MAHWAH,NJ) AS DOES PARK INN FORD SERVICE MANAGER. TWO OTHER FORD DEALERSHIPS, BEST FORD & UNIVERSAL FORD, ROAD TESTED VEHICLE AND ADMITTED PROBLEM EXISTS / OUT OF SPECS.CAR ALSO SEEMS TO "FISHTAIL" ON SECONDARY TWO-LANE ROADS. GENERALLY POOR HANDLING.KINDLY ADVISE, THANK YOU.

NOISE COMING FROM FRONT SUSPENSION WHEN TURNING OR GOING OVER BUMPS HAPPENS AT SLOW SPEEDS IN FORWARD AND REVERSE HAVE TALKED TO OTHER PEOPLE WHO HAVE SAME PROBLEM AND ALSO PEOPLE ONLINE ARE REPORTING SAME SYMTOMS. STEERING WHEEL HAS ALSO BECOME MISALIGNED. *AK

BRAKES WENT BAD, THEY WERE RUBBING METAL TO METAL AND MAKING A WINDING NOISE. ALSO, THERE WAS A LOUD CLUNKING NOISE BECAUSE THE LOWER CONTROL ARM WENT BAD, AND THEY REPLACED IT. WHEN CONSUMER APPLIES BRAKES VEHICLE PULLS TO THE LEFT.*AK

THE INNER FENDER PROTECTION IS COMPLETELY INADEQUATE, ALLOWING ROAD SALT TO COMPLETELY COVER THE ENTIRE ENGINE AND WIRING. THE SUSPENSION, MASTER CYCLINDER, FUEL INJECTION, AND OTHER PARTS ARE COATED COMPLETELY. THIS COULD CAUSE DETERIORATIONG AND FAILURE OF THE ENGINE POSSIBLY LEADING TO AN ACCIDENT. THIS HAS BEEN REPORTED TO FORD, ACKNOWLEDGING THAT THIS IS HAPPENING, BUT REFUSING TO FIX THE SITUATION. THEY STATED IF SOMETHING HAPPENS MY COMPLIANT IS ON FILE FOR FUTURE REFERENCE. IN THE 5,000 MILES I'VE PUT ON THE CAR I HAVE WASHED THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT DOWN 4 TIMES TO PREVENT CORROSION OR FAILURE. YOUR HELP IN THIS MATTER WOULD BE APPRECIATED AND COULD PREVENT AN ACCIDENT DUE TO A MECHANICAL FAILURE IN THE FUTURE.

WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY VEHICLE SEVERELY PULLS TO THE LEFT. DEALER CANNOT IDENTIFY THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM. DEALER AND MANUFACTURER CLAIM IT IS OKAY TO DRIVE VEHICLE AS IT IS AND THAT IS ALIGNED PER SPECIFICATIONS. *AK

THERE IS A VIBRATION IN THE VEHICLE DUE TO THE REAR LOWER CONTROL ARM NOT FITTING VEHICLE AND NOT BEING ADJUSTABLE. HAS SEEN DEALER OVER 5 TIMES. DEALER HAS NO SOLUTION. *AK

INTERTIA FUEL CUT-OFF ACTIVATED AFTER RUMBLE STRIPS AND A POTHOLE WHILE ON INTERSTATE EXIT RAMP. DEALER REPLACED FRONT DISK PADS THAT WERE "MISMATCHED" AND OCCASIONALLY CAUSED LOSS OF CONTROL DURING MODERATELY HARD BRAKING. STEERING WHEEL MAKES CREAKING NOISE THAT COULD/POSSIBLY BE A SIGN THAT AIR BAG CIRCUIT MAY NOT FUNCTION RELIABLY IF NEEDED. *AK