Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (struts, shocks, control arms, ball joints, springs).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 1996 Ford Crown Victoria owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
Tl* the contact owns a 1996 Ford Crown Victoria. The contact stated that while making a left turn off a driveway onto a lot, there was a loud metal braking noise coming from the front driver side of the vehicle. The contact stated that the front driver side collapsed to the ground. The contact noticed the lower ball joint detached. The vehicle was towed to a private independent parking lot where the contact was to inspect the vehicle. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer. The vehicle was diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 136,000. Consumer stated faulty rubber seal was due to corrosion and May have another one with same problem.
Dt: consumer has a 1996 Ford Crown Victoria. He complained about a lower ball joint problem. He found, on the internet NHTSA recall 98V322000 . He went to Ford web site and entered the VIN the web site showed that this vehicle was not included in recall. The vehicle is now not drivable due to ball join problem. Lower ball failed on 8-3-2005 while driving. There was no accident, he traveling ball joint separated just like mentioned in the recall. Consumer would like to have vehicle included in this recall.
Tl contact owns a 1996 Ford Crown Victoria. The contact stated while driving at a low speed the front drivers side lower control arm broke. The contact did not talk to the manufacturer regarding the lower control arm. The contact stated the vehicle was unsafe to drive. The failure mileage was 125,000.
Dt*: the contact stated the lower control arm ball joint fractured while driving 20 MPH on a dry highway. There was a NHTSA recall, # 98V322000, regarding the suspension: front: control arm: lower ball joint. The vehicle was not included in the recall due to the VIN.
While driving at any speed consumer heard a groaning sound. Vehicle was parked parked when the right front end collapsed. A repair shop examined the vehicle, and found that the lower right ball joints broke. Updated 11/18/09. Updated 11/19/09.
I recently got the vehicle and its already giving me problems. The car drifts to the side and the motor is giving me problems the car has not even reached 1500 miles since I got it and its already causing me problems.
Chief of police called to inform of recall notice received concerning Ford Crown Victoria lower ball joint failure. Door handles were replaced. Rear brake pads and rotors replaced at 18290, front pads and rotors were replaced at 28679 miles, front and rear brake pads replaced at 51031 miles. Intake manifold replaced twice. Heater hose replaced. Passenger side tail light replaced. Tire rotations are done every 3000 miles, however tires had to be replaced at approximately 9600 miles and at 600000 miles, no specific tire information given. Cooling fant and motor replaced. Tpc, pvc, and fuel regulator replaced.
On 06/05/1996 evening shift lt. C. Davis was driving vehicle #102, a 1996 Ford Crown Victoria police package sedan. Was coming to a stop on city street when lf ball joint nut came off. Lf suspension came loose and vehicle landed on pavement. Called wrecker service had vehicle towed to vehicle services. Ball joint nut was found and placed in ash tray of #102. Vehicle towed to bobby jones Ford on 06/06/1996. Replaced lf suspension arm assy. Vehicle services checked other cruisers. No other ball joint problems found. Saw article in fleet management-oct.98/vehicle recall report.
The vehicle has many more problems that are not listed and they started shortly after purchase. I have all the records with correct dates, times, mileages, and etc. Of all the problems. I would be more than happy to mail you copies of everything about my vehicle. Please feel free to contact me. // I used a family members computer to send in this complaint form so please contact me by mail or telephone. Thank you for your time and concern in this matter.
The defective lower ball joints broke off, causing loss of vehicle control. Also, a second vehicle, a new vehicle 1996 Ford Crown Victoria VIN# [redacted],had a similar problem which occurred June 23, 1998 with 60 miles, with lower ball joints broke, causing loss of vehicle control.
Related recalls
Suspension › Front › Control arm › Lower ball joint
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…
Remedy: Dealers will replace the lower control arm ball joints (2).
NHTSA investigations
Ball joint separation
See attached report.
Suspension complaints in other Crown Victoria years
Frequently asked questions
How common are suspension problems on the 1996 Ford Crown Victoria?
NHTSA has 51 complaints about the suspension of the 1996 Ford Crown Victoria, 18% of the model year's 276 complaints. The component named most often is front › control arm › lower ball joint (19 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1996 Ford Crown Victoria suspension problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 98V-322 (lower ball joint, Dec 16, 1998). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 1996 Ford Crown Victoria suspension problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 136,000 miles.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.