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 1997 Ford Crown Victoria owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact owns a 1997 Ford Crown Victoria. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the steering wheel jerked, and the vehicle became difficult to maneuver. Additionally, the contact stated that the seat belt warning light was illuminated, and other unknown warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the lower ball joints failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer was notified of the failure and the contact was informed that the vehicle needed to be diagnosed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 170,000.
While traveling 55 MPH, the frame control arm bracket pulled away from the vehicle and caused a collision. (pulled a "big chunk" out of the frame) the consumer requested that Ford cover the expenses for the repair. Recall# 98V322000.
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. The parts mentioned above failed and nearly causing a accident lucky that I was not traveling at a high speed when incident took place. I addressed the safety issues for vehicles that failed to be included. Ford advised me that there was no reporting agency that could add my vehicle. There was every bit of proof that indeed it should of been included on that list. …
Tl contact owns a 1997 Ford Crown Victoria. The contact stated that while driving 25 MPH the front end of the vehicle collapsed. The vehicle was towed to a local mechanic. The mechanic replaced the lower and upper ball joints on the passenger side of the vehicle. The contact called the manufacturer regarding the dangers of the lower and upper ball joints. The manufacturer informed the contact that since there isn't a recall there was nothing they could do. The failure could have caused a crash to occur. The failure mileage was 50,017. Updated 04/01/10. The lower suspension support stuck the pavement and the wheel became detached from the steering mechanism, which made the vehicle uncontrollable. Updated 06/07/10 the consumer no longer owns the vehicle as it was involved in an accident and totaled. The accident was not related to the ball joint failure. Updated 06/30/10.
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.
Tl contact owns a 2007 Crown Victoria. During an oil change, the mechanic stated that the bracket that attaches to the front lower control arm was broken. The contact also spoke with the dealer about NHTSA#98V322000 since the bracket is attached. The vehicle has not been repaired. The vehicle does not have anti lock brakes. The failure mileage was 143,995 and the current mileage was 144,000. Updated 3/7/08 the local dealer stated poor factory weld LED to stress which facilitated the failure.
Tl contact owns a 1997 Ford Crown Victoria. While driving 25 MPH, the driver's side control arm separated from the ball joint. As a result, the vehicle was scraping the ground. The contact is in the process of taking the vehicle to the dealer for inspection. The manufacturer stated that no compensation would be provided because the vehicle was not included in the current recall regarding the failure. The failure and current mileages were 85,000.
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?
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 !!!!!!!!
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.
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 1997 Ford Crown Victoria?
NHTSA has 45 complaints about the suspension of the 1997 Ford Crown Victoria, 16% of the model year's 288 complaints. The component named most often is front › control arm › lower ball joint (19 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1997 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 1997 Ford Crown Victoria suspension problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 86,000 miles, and 6% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 1 fire and 0 injuries to suspension problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
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.