I was driving my car, after driving home from work (approx. 70 miles round-trip). While turning I heard a loud crunch and then felt a hard thud, my vehicle was difficult to steer, felt another crunch. I pulled into a parking stall, after parking my vehicle, another loud crunch, the driver's side wheel had fallen off and was wedged into the wheel well. On March 12th, 2012 my repair facility informed me about the items that need replaced: Upper and lower left front ball joints, front outer tier rod ends, new fuel filter- damaged in the incident, two new tires & an alignment. I realized how lucky I was that this did not occur while driving down the road. I conducted google search on 2001 Lincoln Ls suspension problems, I was stunned on the amount of safety related hits out there (suspension related), I realized that this was not isolated to just my vehicle, there were pages-of-pages of people that experienced similar suspension problems with their 2001 Lincoln. There was a suspension related recall: Lincoln / Ls 2000-2001, Ford Motor Company, date: Nov 01, 2000 NHTSA campaign id number: 00V359001 N/a NHTSA action number: N/a component: Suspension: Front: Control arm: Lower ball joint, number of affected: 82,300 summary: Vehicle description: Passenger vehicles. The front suspension lower ball joints were not tightened to specifications when they were attached to the lower control arms. Consequence: If the ball joint attaching nuts are not adequately tightened, they can loosen and, ultimately, result in fracture of the ball joint stud. If the ball joint fractures, control of the vehicle could be affected, increasing the risk of a crash. Remedy: Dealers will inspect the torque on the two ball joint attaching nuts. Vehicles with loose ball joint attaching nuts will either have the fasteners tightened to specification, or if necessary, the ball joints will be replaced.

- Decatur, IL, USA

The contact owns a 2001 Lincoln Ls. The contact stated that he took his vehicle into the dealer who diagnosed that the lower ball joints were loose and needed to be tightened. The contact referenced nhsta campaign id number 00V359001 (suspension:front:control arm:lower ball joint), but the VIN was not a part of the recall. The failure mileage was 103,244 and the current mileage was 103,376.

- Randellstown, MD, USA

The contact owns a 2001 Lincoln Ls. While driving in reverse 1 mph, the front control arm and lower ball joint suddenly fell off the vehicle. The failure caused the rim to crack. The vehicle was towed to the contact's residence. The contact called the dealer and was told that the vehicle was not included in recall 00V359001 (suspension: Front: Control arm: Lower ball joint). The vehicle had not been repaired. The current and failure mileages were approximately 130,000.

- Kent, WA, USA

The contact owns a 2001 Lincoln Ls. While traveling 45 mph the contact noticed a clunking noise coming from the front end driver side of the vehicle and that when traveling over a bump the vehicle will begin to sway left and right. The vehicle was taken to a local mechanic where the contact was informed that the lower ball joints needed to be replaced. There were no prior warnings and the vehicle had not been repaired. The current and failure mileages were 104000.

- Hamilton, OH, USA

The contact owns a 2001 Lincoln Ls. While driving approximately 35 mph making a turn, she heard a loud noise coming from the front end of the vehicle which made the steering wheel non responsive. She had to turn the steering wheel continuously in order to keep the vehicle centered. She has had to make adjustments in order to steer the vehicle because of the failure. The vehicle was taken to dealer. The dealer repaired the vehicle but the contact was not sure what was done. Whatever the dealer repaired caused the vehicle to function normally for a limited time. She stated that the failure with the steering had recurred. She referenced recall 00V359001, suspension:front:control arm:lower ball joint and was advised by the manufacturer that her vehicle was not a part of the recall. The approximate failure mileage was 100,000 and the current mileage was 102,000.

- Lake Geneva, WI, USA

The contact owns a 2001 Lincoln Ls. While driving 45 mph, there was a loud, abnormal noise coming from the front end. Within seconds, the entire front end dropped to the ground and the contact was unable to maintain control of the vehicle. The contact crashed into a row of bushes. He was not injured. The contact discovered that the front ball lower joints were fractured. The vehicle was towed to a local repair facility. The mechanic confirmed that the ball lower joints were fractured and had also damaged the radiator. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and the current mileage was 112,000.

- Fairfax , VA, USA

The contact owns a 2001 Lincoln Ls. The contact stated that the vehicle began to squeak at any speed. The contact looked under the vehicle and noticed that the lower ball joints in the front were defective. The contact referenced recall NHTSA campaign id number: 00V359001, component: Suspension:front:control arm:lower ball joint. He checked with the dealer and they stated that his VIN was not included in the recall. The failure and current mileage is approximately 90,000. The VIN was unavailable at the time of the complaint.

- San Bernadino , CA, USA

The contact owns a 2001 Lincoln Ls. The contact stated when attempting a turn in either direction, there was an unusual squeaking coming from under the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to a local repair facility where the mechanic advised that the drivers side ball joints would need to be replaced. The manufacturer informed the contact that the vehicle was not included in recall: 00V359001 (suspension: Front: Control arm: Lower ball joint) and would not provide any assistance. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 99,000 and the current mileage was 101,000.

- Garlin, TX, USA

The contact owns a 2001 Lincoln Ls. The contact stated while driving at approximately 3 mph and approaching a driveway, the lower ball joints fractured from the vehicle causing the front passengers side tire to collapse outward. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where repairs were made accordingly. The manufacturer advised there were no recalls or complaints pertaining to this issue. The failure mileage was 89,300 and the current mileage was 89,400.

- Bayard, NE, USA

The contact owns a 2001 Lincoln Ls. While driving 35 mph, the drivers side lower ball joint broke while making a turn and the vehicle began making a squeaking noise. The contact spoke with Ford and was advised that his vehicle was not a part any related recalls. The contact stated that his vehicle demonstrated the same traits listed in another recall. The VIN was not available. The failure and current mileages were not available.

- Columbus, OH, USA

Ford issued a recall on the front suspension (recall id # 00V359001 - suspension:front:control arm:lower ball joint) on the 2001 Lincoln Ls. However, Ford recall web site and dealers do not acknowledge the recall. Ford is not honoring recalls for all vins even though its the identical vehicle--2001 Lincoln Ls. Our Lincoln Ls has the same problem described.

- Evansville, IN, USA

1. driving down the highway. 2. nut attached to lower front left ball joint became loose causing a fracture in ball joint stud. Left front tire came completely detached from vehicle causing extreme high danger while trying to maneuver the vehicle off the highway and avoiding other vehicles. 3. this happened once on left front side, was repaired and now joint on right front is coming loose. Recall 00V359001: Ball joint stud fractures was put in effect to rectify this issue and was referencing specific vehicles based on VIN numbers. Our VIN number is not included in this recall and should be. This is exactly the issue that we are having.

- Iowa City, IA, USA

The contact owns a 2001 Lincoln Ls. While driving approximately 5 mph on normal road conditions proceeding to make a left turn. There was a loud sound outside of the vehicle. Suddenly the front end of the vehicle collapse and fell to the ground. The front driver side tire turned in at a 78 degree angle. Roadside assistance was called to the scene. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic for inspection. The technician stated the failure was contributed to a fracture in the ball joint stud. There was a recall under NHTSA campaign id number 00V359001 (suspension;front, control arm; lower ball joint). The contact experienced the identical failure as mentioned in the recall. However, the VIN number was excluded from the recall defect. The vehicle was repaired for the failure. The failure and current mileages were 130686 bl updated 09/23/09 upated 09/30/09.

- Lamesa, CA, USA

The contact owns a 2001 Lincoln Ls. After making a left turn from a stop sign. The vehicle started to shake and wobble. He pulled the vehicle over and he noticed that the front passenger side wheel was turned in the opposite direction that it should have been. He also noticed that the bolt joints have completely sheered off. He left the vehicle on the side of the road. He found a recall for the same defect ( manufacturer: Ford Motor Company mfr's report date: Nov 01, 2000 NHTSA campaign id number: 00V359001 N/a NHTSA action number: N/a component: Suspension:front:control arm:lower ball joint ) he contacted the manufacture and they stated that the failure on his vehicle had been repaired bythe previous owner. He states that the failure was not repaired correctly and should be repaired under the recall again. The vehicle is still in the location in which it failed. The current and failure mileage was 140,000.

- Petersburg, , VA, USA

The contact owns a 2001 Lincoln Ls. While driving approximately 25 mph and proceeding to make a turn, the steering wheel vibrated excessively. The vehicle began to pull to the right without assistance. The driver pulled the vehicle over to the side of the road. The contact made several attempts to maneuver the steering wheel, but was unsuccessful. The vehicle was immediately taken to an independent mechanic for inspection. The technician stated that the failure was contributed to the lower ball joint and lower control arm. The vehicle was not repaired. The VIN was excluded from NHTSA campaign id number 003359001 (suspension:front:control arm:lower ball joint). The failure mileage was 90,000 and current mileage was 106,000.

- La Mesa, CA, USA

The contact owns a 2001 Lincoln Ls. While driving 45 mph, the vehicle began to smoke, a loud noise was heard, and the front passenger side of the vehicle fell to the ground. The vehicle was towed to a repair shop and the mechanic stated that the front lower control arm bolt failed. The manufacturer stated that the VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign id number 00V359001 (suspension:front:control arm:lower ball joint); therefore, they would not assist. The contact will have the vehicle repaired. The current and failure mileages were 66,700. Updated 08/28/09 updated 08/31/09.

- San Jose , CA, USA

The contact owns a 2001 Lincoln Ls. While making a turn at approximately 5 mph, there was an unexpected loss of power steering ability. The driver experienced extreme difficulty maneuvering the vehicle. The vehicle was pulled over to the side of the road with caution. Roadside assistance was called to the scene and the vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic for inspection. The technician stated that the failure was contributed to the lower ball joint. The VIN was excluded from NHTSA campaign id number 00V359001 (suspension: Front:control arm:lower ball joint), although the failures were identical. The vehicle has not been repaired. The failure and current mileages were 100,000.

- Olive Branch, MS, USA

The contact owns a 2001 Lincoln Ls. While the vehicle was undergoing an oil change, the mechanic stated that the front passenger side ball joints needed to be replaced. The contact discovered NHTSA campaign id number 00V359001 (suspension:front:control arm:lower ball joint) online, but was informed by the manufacturer that his VIN was excluded from the recall. The contact would be responsible for the repairs. He believes that the vehicle should be included in the recall. There had been no failure to date. The current mileage was 69,000. Updated 03/18/09. Updated 03/19/09.

- Knox, IN, USA

The contact owns a 2001 Lincoln Ls. The contact took the vehicle to the repair shop to have the front passenger side lower ball joint replaced. The mechanic informed him of NHTSA campaign id number 00V359001 (suspension:front:control arm:lower ball joint); however, the manufacturer stated that the VIN was not included in the recall. The failure mileage was 73,400. Updated 12/15/08. Updated 12/15/08.

- Ozone Park, NY, USA

2001 Lincoln Ls has a recall notice #00V359001 for front ball joints not being tightened to spec causing failure. My vehicle VIN number does not appear to be listed, however the ball joints failed causing $1800 worth of damage. I know that manufacturers can not determine exactly what cars were effected and what cars were not, so to exclude my vehicle from the repair does not make sense. With just 100,000 miles on a car that has been driven by a couple in the mid 50's the ball joints should not have failed to the point where the sway bar was also damaged. My wife and I could have been seriously injured if I did not fix the rattling noise coming from the front end of the vehicle.

- Plantsville, CT, USA