Suspension complaints by model year
| Year | Complaints | Share of year's complaints | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2011 | 4 | 17% | 25,000 miles |
| 2010 | 1 | 8% | 167,000 miles |
| 2009 | 4 | 9% | 112,000 miles |
| 2008 | 6 | 12% | 66,000 miles |
| 2007 | 5 | 10% | 124,000 miles |
| 2006 | 4 | 8% | 124,000 miles |
| 2005 | 5 | 3% | 88,000 miles |
| 2004 | 4 | 3% | 65,000 miles |
| 2003 | 27 | 11% | 85,000 miles |
| 2002 | 3 | 5% | 85,000 miles |
| 2001 | 4 | 8% | 81,000 miles |
| 2000 | 9 | 11% | 146,000 miles |
| 1999 | 18 | 13% | 70,000 miles |
| 1998 | 18 | 15% | 93,000 miles |
| 1997 | 45 | 16% | 86,000 miles |
| 1996 | 51 | 18% | 136,000 miles |
| 1995 | 35 | 14% | 94,000 miles |
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (struts, shocks, control arms, ball joints, springs).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
Steering this car was a nightmare always pulling to the right. Also brakes constantly grabbing and screeching. Also headlight and suspension problems. Was not happy with this car from start but was slammed into by dealership and chase... I am a senior citizen 76 years old. Please help.
Mar 25th 2013, my brother was coming back to home, suddenly car spin/scattered hit to tree and electric pole, mar 2014, I received safety recall # 13s08/NHTSA letter from Ford company steering column shaft problem. We contact to Ford company on March 18,2014 regarding the above issue. They issue us case # [redacted]. In the month of April 2014 we contact them again to check the status of above case, till to date we are waiting for their reply.
This was a police interceptor vehicle traveling at a speed of between 55 and 60mph. The right front wheel bearing had seized up and burnt the tire down until it blew, causing the vehicle to swerve into the ditch. Luckily the driver is okay and there was nobody on the shoulder of the road.
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 Ford Crown Victoria. The contact stated that while driving approximately 40 MPH, a loud roaring noise emitted underneath the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who stated that both front wheel bearings and hub assemblies needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. There was a recall related to the failure under NHTSA campaign id number 07V270000 (suspension) but the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was notified of the problem. The approximate failure mileage was 140,000. Updated 07/28/14 ma
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 Ford Crown Victoria. The contact stated that the upper and lower bearings separated from the vehcle, causing the power steering to fail. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact referenced NHTSA campaign number: 13V385000 (steering). The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 117,000.
In 2006 my husband was a deputy sheriff I'm mt.he was driving a 2006 Crown Victoria with approx 3000 miles. He was heading to an assistance call on the interstate at a high rate of speed. Road conditions were good that day and no abnormalities in the road. I hired a private investigator to investigate some issues. I was informed that the air bags never deployed he was in a head on collision through a fence and then wrapped around a metal sign pole. Cause severe damage to this vehicle. All windows busted out radiator came through the front of the vehicle. Tires were not noted to be defected but I due question a tie rod. And at the time the investigator did run a recall check and nothing noted at that time. His report did state there was deformity noted in the stering colum. In which I have now noticed that there has been some issues with the steering colum. …
1995 Ford Crown Victoria [redacted] upper and lower ball joints needed to be replaced. Tie rod and pitman arm replaced. Gas tank leaks. Moisture on piston which threw a rod and broke block. Headlight lenses turned dark orange.
I was driving and all the sudden I start hearing this real loud noise coming from passenger rear and all my brake lights ABS lights and traction lights came on . Well I was told it was wheel seals come to gind out there is a bit grove out of shaft wherr bearing rides. And shaft is very week
Related recalls (3)
Suspension › Front › Hub
On certain passenger vehicles, a front wheel bearing and hub assembly May fracture due to improper heat treatment.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect both front wheel bearing and hub assemblies and replace them free of charge. The recall began on June 22, 2007. Owners May contact Ford at 1-800-392-3673.
Suspension › Rear
Certain police, commercial, and passenger vehicles sold to fleets typically input higher loads into the vehicle chassis overloading the wheel bearings and axles.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the rear wheel bearings, seals,and axle shafts. The recall began on July 15, 2004. Owners should contact Ford at 1-800-392-3673.
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.
Frequently asked questions
Which Ford Crown Victoria years have suspension problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 1996 (51), 1997 (45), 1995 (35), 2003 (27) and 1998 (18) model years. Suspension complaints make up 18% of all complaints for the 1996.
Is there a recall for Ford Crown Victoria suspension problems?
Yes — 3 recalls, including 07V-270 (hub, Jun 26, 2007); 04V-328 (rear, Jul 7, 2004); 98V-322 (lower ball joint, Dec 16, 1998). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers; check a specific car with the VIN recall check.
At what mileage do Ford Crown Victoria suspension problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 92,000 miles; 17% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the front › control arm › lower ball joint (54 mentions), followed by the front (34).
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.