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.
Safety risk
IF THIS OCCURS WHILE THE VEHICLE IS MOVING, REDUCED STEERING CONTROL COULD OCCUR, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Manufacturer remedy
DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE LOWER CONTROL ARM BALL JOINTS (2).
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
Manufacturer
FORD MOTOR COMPANY
Vehicles affected
25,000
Reported to NHTSA
1992-05-19
Owners notified
1992-06-26
Defect description
THE REAR BRAKE LINES HAVE INADEQUATE CLEARANCE BETWEEN THE BRAKE TUBE AND THE VEHICLE UNDERBODY IN THE AREA OF THE LEFT REAR WHEEL OPENING.
Safety risk
INADEQUATE CLEARANCE CAN CAUSE ABRASION OF THE BRAKE LINEAND A LEAK CAN DEVELOP, RESULTING IN LOSS OF BRAKE FLUID TO THE REAR BRAKESYSTEM AND INCREASED STOPPING DISTANCES.
Manufacturer remedy
REPAIR ANY BRAKE LINES THAT HAVE AN INDICATION OF CONTACT OR HAVE THE POTENTIAL FOR CONTACT WITH THE BODY OF THE VEHICLE. RELOCATE LINES, IF NECESSARY.
THE PARK ROD ASSEMBLY CONTAINS A PARK CAM WITH INADEQUATE SURFACE HARDNESS, WHICH COULD LEAD TO PARK DISENGAGEMENT OR NO PARK ENGAGEMENT WHEN THE LEVER IS PLACED IN PARK.
Safety risk
IF PARK IS NOT ENGAGED AND THE PARKING BRAKE IS OFF, AVEHICLE ROLL-AWAY COULD RESULT.
Manufacturer remedy
REPLACE PARK ROD ASSEMBLY ON AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS.
Owner complaints
A complaint is one person's report to a federal agency. It is not a finding.
Component
Complaints
Median mileage
Vehicle speed control
7
100,000 mi
Air bags
5
—
Air bags: frontal
5
—
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline
5
—
Power train: automatic transmission
4
89,000 mi
Electrical system: ignition: switch
3
—
Electrical system
2
—
Electrical system: ignition
2
—
Equipment: appliance: air conditioner
2
—
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery
2
—
Steering: steering wheel/handle bar
2
—
Steering: hydraulic power assist system
2
—
Structure: body: door
2
—
Suspension: front: control arm
2
—
Tires: tread/belt
2
—
Unknown or other
2
—
Air bags: frontal: sensor/control module
1
—
Electrical system: alternator/generator/regulator
1
—
Electrical system: wiring
1
—
Electrical system: wiring: front underhood
1
—
Engine and engine cooling: engine
1
89,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: emission control: gas recirculation valve (EGR valve)
1
—
Exterior lighting: turn signal: switch
1
—
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: fuel pump
1
—
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
1
—
Parking brake: conventional
1
—
Power train: automatic transmission: lever and linkage: column shift
1
—
Power train: automatic transmission: park/neutral start interlock switch
1
—
Seat belts
1
—
Seat belts: front: buckle assembly
1
—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components
1
—
Structure: frame and members
1
—
Tires
1
2,000 mi
Tires: temporary/emergency spare tire
1
—
Vehicle speed control: cruise control
1
—
Wheels
1
—
Wheels: hub
1
—
The 1990 model has roughly the same number of complaints as this one. The 1992 model has about a fifth as many complaints as this one. These figures reflect raw complaint counts, not failure rates. Higher-selling model years naturally receive more complaints.
Safety recall repairs are provided free of charge by franchised dealers, regardless of vehicle age or mileage. This page displays aggregated data for the model year. To check recall status for a specific vehicle, search its VIN at nhtsa.gov.