| Recall data for: 1997 LINCOLN TOWN CAR |
| NHTSA Campaign Number: 98V322000 |
| Manufacturer Campaign Number: 98S37 |
| Make: LINCOLN |
| Model: TOWN CAR |
| Year: 1997 |
Component:
SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER BALL JOINT |
| Manufacturers Involved: FORD MOTOR COMPANY |
| Begin Date Of Manufacturing: 19960315 |
| End Date Of Manufacturing: 19981218 |
| Recall Type: V |
| Potential Number Of Units Affected: 175000 |
| Date Owner Notified By Manufacturer: 19990118 |
| Recall Initiator: ODI |
| Manufacturer Responsible For Recall: Ford Motor Company |
| Date Report Received By ODI: 19981216 |
| Date Added To File: 19981218 |
| Regulation Part Number: |
| Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard Number: |
Defect 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 A 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. |
Consequence Summary:
IF THIS OCCURS WHILE THE VEHICLE IS MOVING, REDUCED STEERING CONTROL COULD OCCUR, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH. |
Corrective Action:
DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE LOWER CONTROL ARM BALL JOINTS (2). |
