1995 LINCOLN TOWN CAR Steering Problems

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1995 LINCOLN TOWN CAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. ALSO, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS STIFF WHEN DEPRESSED. THE BRAKE LINES WERE REPLACED THREE TIMES BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. FURTHERMORE, THE STEERING WHEEL HAD TO BE MANEUVERED IN EITHER DIRECTION TO PREVENT IT FROM SEIZING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 15E082000 (STEERING), 96V135000 (STEERING), 98V001000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC), 01V318000 (AIR BAGS), AND 95E006002 (AIR BAGS). THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE EXHIBITED THE SAME FAILURES LISTED IN THE RECALL CAMPAIGNS. LIBERTY FORD LINCOLN CANTON (423 TUSCARAWAS ST W, CANTON, OH 44702) AND THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN ANY RECALLS TO PROVIDE A REMEDY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 135,000.

Mileage: 135,000

1995 LINCOLN TOWN CAR FORD RECALL CUSTOMER STATES THAT HE CALLED FORD AND WAS TOLD THAT IT WAS NOT ANY RECALL AND WANTS A RESPONSE**CC THE CONSUMER STATED HE CONTACTED THE DEALER IN REFERENCE TO A RECALL AND THE DEALER STATED THERE WAS NOT A RECALL FOR THE VEHICLE. THE CONSUMER STATED HE RETRIEVED THE RECALL FROM THE INTERNET AND WHEN TURNING THE WHEEL THERE IS A NOISE POSSIBLY THE PITMAN ARM. *TR

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE CONTROL ARM FRACTURED OFF OF THE BALL JOINT WHILE PARKING THE VEHICLE. THERE WAS A NHTSA RECALL, # 98V322000, REGARDING THE SUSPENSION: FRONT: CONTROL ARM: LOWER BALL JOINT. THE VEHICLE'S STEERING WAS ERRATIC AT TIMES. THE STEERING WHEEL PULLED TO THE LEFT AND TO THE RIGHT EVEN AFTER THE FRONT END WAS ALIGNED. THERE WAS A NHTSA RECALL # 96V135000, REGARDING THE STEERING: LINKAGES. AFTER PUTTING ONLY A HALF OF TANK OF GASOLINE IN THE FUEL TANK; AFTER TIGHTENING THE CAP, THE SMELL OF GAS FUMES WAS VERY STRONG OUTSIDE AND INSIDE THE VEHICLE. THERE WAS A NHTSA RECALL # 95V063000, REGARDING THE FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE: STORAGE: TANK ASSEMBLY: FILLER PIPE AND CAP. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN ANY OF THE RECALLS DUE TO THE VIN.

Mileage: 180,000

THE PASSENGER SIDE LOWER BALL JOINT FAILED--THE BALL SEPARATED FROM THE SOCKET. THERE ARE RECALLS FOR SIMILAR VEHICLES NHTSA:98V322000 AND NHTSA:96V135000 SINCE THIS VEHICLE HAS THE SAME BALL JOINTS IT OUGHT TO INCLUDED WITHIN THESE RECALLS--BUT IT IS NOT--WHY? OR CAN IT BE INCLUDED WITHIN THESE RECALLS? FORD COMPANY DENIES ANY LIABILITY FOR THE PROBLEM, AS OF THIS DATE. *JB

Mileage: 151,628

WHILE DRIVING AT 15MPH, THE LOWER BALL JOINTS SEPARATED, CAUSING FRONT END TO FALL, RESULTING IN LOSS OF CONTROL. *AK CONSUMER STATED THE TIE ROD END WAS REPLACED DUE TO IT CONTAINING PLAY.*JB

LOOSE PITMAN ARM IS CAUSING RATTLING NOISES, AND STEERING PROBLEMS. CAUSE UNKNOWN. DEALER NOTIFIED.*AK

WHILE DRIVING, IF A BUMP IS HIT VEHICLE, IT WILL VEER TO RIGHT FOR A SECOND BEFORE RETURNING TO ITS NORMAL POSITION. DEALAR HAS BEEN CONTACTED. *AK

PITMAN ARM BALL JOINT FAILED CAUSING VEHICLE TO LOSE STEERING FOR THE DRIVER SIDE FRONT TIRE. *SLC

THE RIGHT FRONT WHEEL SEPARATED FROM THE FRONT ASSEMBLY. THE VEHICLE IS AT THE DEALERSHIP BUT HAS NOT BEEN CHECKED AT THIS TIME SO THE EXACT FAILURE IS UNCERTAIN. THIS FAILURE APPEARS TO BE SIMILAR TO FAILURES EXPERIENCED BY 1995 LINCOLN TOWNCARS WHICH WERE IDENTIFIED IN NHTSA: 96V135000 AND NHTSA: 98V322000, HOWEVER, FMC ADVISED ME THAT THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT SUBJECT TO THOSE RECALLS. IT IS PROBABLE THAT THE INVESTIGATION INTO FAULTY STEERING LINKAGES OF 95 LINCOLN TOWNCARS SHOULD BE EXPANDED. I HAVE ASKED THE DEALERSHIP TO PROVIDE ME WITH ALL FAILED COMPONENTS. IF NHTSA WOULD LIKE TO HAVE ACCESS TO THOSE COMPONENTS, I WILL MAKE THEM AVAILABLE. *AK

STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP WHILE DRIVING, CAUSING DRIVER TO HIT A FIRE HYDRANT. SOMETIMES THE STEERING WHEEL CAN BE SHAKEN TO UNLOCK IT. *AK

WHILE DRIVING DRIVER'S SIDE TIE ROD END DISCONNECTED, CAUSING LOSS OF CONTROL. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. *AK

WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE AT 15 MPH COMING FROM PARKING LO PITMAN ARM BROKE. DEALER SAID THAT PITMAN SECTOR SHAFT COME LOOSE FROM SHAFT HOUSING. *AK

THE DEALER WOULD NOT REPLACE THE PITMAN ARM (RECALL ITEM) IN A TIMELY MANNER. THE UNIT WAS DANGEROUS. THE OWNER REPLACED THE ARM AT HIS OWN EXPENSE.

STEERING NOISE.

POWER STEERING RESERVOIR LEAK.

STEERING GEAR REPLACED. *SD