Recall 98V322000: 1990–1999 Ford Crown Victoria and 1 other model
- Report received
- Dec 16, 1998
- Manufacturer
- Ford motor company
- Potentially affected
- 175,000vehicles
- Model years
- 1990–1999
Check your own vehicle. A recall applies only to vehicles within the affected build range. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Recall repairs are free at a franchised dealer.
What NHTSA recorded
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.
Possible consequence
If this occurs while the vehicle is moving, reduced steering control could occur, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy
Dealers will replace the lower control arm ball joints (2).
Affected model years
Pages for each model year show complaints, parts, mileage and other recalls.
- 1990 Ford Crown Victoria43 complaints
- 1991 Ford Crown Victoria55 complaints
- 1992 Ford Crown Victoria310 complaints
- 1993 Ford Crown Victoria182 complaints
- 1994 Ford Crown Victoria192 complaints
- 1995 Ford Crown Victoria250 complaints
- 1996 Ford Crown Victoria276 complaints
- 1997 Ford Crown Victoria288 complaints
- 1998 Ford Crown Victoria119 complaints
- 1999 Ford Crown Victoria134 complaints
- 1990 Lincoln Town CAR209 complaints
- 1991 Lincoln Town CAR155 complaints
- 1992 Lincoln Town CAR249 complaints
- 1993 Lincoln Town CAR176 complaints
- 1994 Lincoln Town CAR155 complaints
- 1995 Lincoln Town CAR165 complaints
- 1996 Lincoln Town CAR259 complaints
- 1997 Lincoln Town CAR314 complaints
- 1998 Lincoln Town CAR154 complaints
- 1999 Lincoln Town CAR148 complaints
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.