Front driver ball joint design designed for failure, under normal use lower ball joint rapidly deteriorates and causes an unsafe environment for vehicle. Steering becomes erratic and steering wheel feels loose.

- Raleigh, NC, USA

The contact owns a 1995 Ford Crown Victoria. The vehicle was a fleet. While driving between 5-10 mph, the front end of the vehicle dropped. The vehicle was towed to the dealer and they stated that the driver side lower ball joint separated. The manufacturer stated that the VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign id number 98V322000 (suspension:front:control arm:lower ball joint). The purchase date was unknown. The failure mileage was 140,931 and current mileage was 141,000. Updated 11/15/07

- Bakers Field, CA, USA

The contact owns a 1995 Ford Crown Victoria. The vehicle had the same failure as mentioned in recall # 96V135000. In 2003, the vehicle accelerated, but the contact was unable to turn the steering wheel. The contact shut the vehicle off, and had it towed to the personal mechanic. The mechanic stated that the ball joints were corroded and detached from the sockets. In addition, the pitman arms were not lubricated. The manufacturer stated that there were no recalls on the vehicle. On April 8, 2007, the vehicle was involved in a crash. The insurance company checked the vehicle's history and stated that the vehicle was included in a recall. The contact called the manufacturer again, and was still being informed that there was never a recall on the vehicle. The current mileage was 89,200, and failure mileage was 49,200. The consumer states that there are 2 recalls for this specific car which are 98V322000 and the recall for steering listed above. The consumer states that the car was totaled while running into a ditch. Update 05/04/07

- Carmel, IN, USA

The front suspension lower control arm lower ball joints separated. This happened while driving 35 mph. There was a tiny bump in the road and the vehicle tilted to the right side lane. The vehicle was slanted to that side. There was a loss of steering. The vehicle was immobile at that time. A tow truck towed the vehicle to the contact's house and later to a mechanic. A recall was issued concerning the front suspension lower control arm lower ball joints. The contacts vehicle was not included in the recall due to VIN although the contact's vehicle experienced a similar problem. The mechanic replaced both lower ball joints.

- Tampa, FL, USA

Sudden failure of ball joints in Ford passenger cars.

- Everett, MA, USA

First of all I am not sure of the month we bought the car but it was in 1996. This is what happened.my daughter was over at the Oregon coast and had just pulled out of a parking lot when the left front lower ball joint came apart and the front wheel collapsed inward. Luckily no one was injured and there was no body damaged. I called the dealership to find out if there was a recall notice for the vehicle. They said that there was not. On your web site I found two (2) recalls summarys: NHTSA campaign id numbers : 98V322000 and 96V135000. These deal with the lower control arm ball joints and the pitman arms on the 1995 Ford Crown Victoria. I asked the dealers in newport, or. And junction city, or and they claimed no knowledge of either one. In addition I was given an number for the main customer service office for Ford back East. They didn't acknowledge the recalls either. Both dealers I talked to suggested replacing all four of the ball joints (upper and lower) which I did. It cost $561.63. I had a towing bill of $142 and a cab bill of $57.75. I asked the dealer to be reimbursed at least of the repair and towing bills. They refused. If my daughter had been driving along at 55 mph and the ball joint came apart she could have been killed. If I had been driving the car and it came apart, I could have been killed. I have talked to several mechanics and they claim that this shouldn't have happened given the year of the car and miles driven. I feel that Ford Motor Company should pay the repair bill at least. If this happened to me, it could happen to other owners of the 1995 Crown Victoria's, and it seems to have already since you have recalls summarys concerning them.

- Eugene, OR, USA

While driving 10 mph left front of vehicle dropped onto wheel. Dealer determined lower ball joint broke.

- Summerdale, NJ, USA