1997 Ford Crown Victoria Suspension Problems
- Complaints
- 45about this part
- Share
- 16%of 288 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 86,000miles
- Trend
- RisingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 45 complaints about the suspension of the 1997 Ford Crown Victoria, 16% of the 288 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 86,000 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved and 1 a fire, according to the filers. 1 recall campaign on record is filed under a similar system.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“I own a 1997 crown victory , with 98015 miles, and within 6 mo. Of each event I have had 3 lower ball joints to falling out. Please tell me if Ford doing anything to keep people driving 1997 Ford crown victory safe? This is very dangerous for the person that is driving and the on coming person, which could be Ford motor company ceo, or worst his wife, or my wife !!!!!!!!”
NHTSA complaint #10364094, filed 2010-11, 98,015 miles“Subject:Ford crown vic lower ball joint comments: I have a 1997 Ford crown vic manufactured in ontario. The lower right ball joint came apart in the fall of 2002 and was replaced. It is now 14 months later and it was replaced again. On your site I found that there was a recall for that issue. I have never received any information about it and have had to pay the full cost of repairs each time. What is my recourse?”
NHTSA complaint #10045348, filed 2003-11, 89,000 miles“I own a 1997 Ford Crown Victoria. I was pulling out of a parking spot in a mini mall when the front right tire fell off my vehicle. It turns out that the ball joint had snapped. Had this happened 10 minutes earlier, I would have been seriously hurt as I was driving on the new jersey turnpike doing 65 MPH. It has come to my attention that this has happened on other Ford products as well and as such I think that your agency is responsible. In addition, a previous letter to this defect was submitted, but I have not had any reply.”
NHTSA complaint #10115958, filed 2005-03, 86,000 miles“A recall on Ford Crown Victoria 1996-1999 built from march 15 1996 - december 14 1998 at the st.thomas assembly plant were produced with a lower control arm ball joint containing a one piece bearing. The lower control arm ball joint separation had reported incidents. After speaking with Ford it is unknown why my vehicle that was built during time frame at the st thomas assembly plant was not included on the recall. It should of been. After speaking with Ford it is unknown why it was not included. …”
NHTSA complaint #10637040, filed 2014-09, 166,000 miles“Dt: the contact states there is NHTSA recall campaign 98v322000 concerning the lower ball joint. This vehicle is experiencing the same problems as indicated in the recall, but is not included in the recall due to VIN. The contact repaired the vehicle at his own expense. Updated 12/27/2005 - the passenger side lower ball joint failed.”
NHTSA complaint #10143127, filed 2005-11, 76,000 milesRelated recalls
- 98V322000Dec 16, 1998Vehicle description: certain 1996-1999 ford crown victoria police, fleet, natural gas, and 1996-1999 lincoln town car limousine vehicles that were produced…Covers: Ford Crown Victoria 1990–1999, Lincoln Town CAR 1990–1999
Suspension: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2011 | 4 | 17% |
| 2010 | 1 | 8% |
| 2009 | 4 | 9% |
| 2008 | 6 | 12% |
| 2007 | 5 | 10% |
| 2006 | 4 | 8% |
| 2005 | 5 | 3% |
| 2004 | 4 | 3% |
| 2003 | 27 | 11% |
| 2002 | 3 | 5% |
| 2001 | 4 | 8% |
| 2000 | 9 | 11% |
| 1999 | 18 | 13% |
| 1998 | 18 | 15% |
| 1997 | 45 | 16% |
| 1996 | 51 | 18% |
| 1995 | 35 | 14% |
| 1994 | 26 | 14% |
| 1993 | 11 | 6% |
| 1992 | 13 | 4% |
| 1991 | 1 | 2% |
| 1990 | 2 | 5% |
| 1989 | 1 | 1% |
| 1988 | 1 | 2% |
| 1984 | 1 | 17% |
Other parts of the 1997 Ford Crown Victoria
84 complaintsBrakes
57 complaintsFuel system
29 complaintsVehicle speed control
23 complaintsElectrical system
14 complaintsSteering
11 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
11 complaintsExterior lighting
9 complaintsBody and structure
8 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
7 complaintsOther or unknown
6 complaintsLatches, locks and linkages
3 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1997 Ford Crown Victoria
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Nov 1, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology