The problem
Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. The front suspension lower ball joints were not tightened to specifications when they were attached to the lower control arms.
The risk
If the ball joint attaching nuts are not adequately tightened, they can loosen and, ultimately, result in fracture of the ball joint stud. If the ball joint fractures, control of the vehicle could be affected, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix
Dealers will inspect the torque on the two ball joint attaching nuts. Vehicles with loose ball joint attaching nuts will either have the fasteners tightened to specification, or if necessary, the ball joints will be replaced.
Recall details
| NHTSA campaign | 00V359001 (00V359001) |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer number | 00S39 |
| Manufacturer | Ford Motor Company |
| Component | Suspension › Front › Control arm › Lower ball joint |
| Report date | November 3, 2000 |
| Owners notified | November 24, 2000 |
| Vehicles affected | 82,300 |
| Initiated by | Manufacturer |
Vehicles covered
Owner complaints about the suspension
Frequently asked questions
Is the recall 00V359001 repair free?
Yes. Lincoln dealers will fix the problem at no cost: Dealers will inspect the torque on the two ball joint attaching nuts. Vehicles with loose ball joint attaching nuts will either have the fasteners tightened to specification, or if necessary, the ball joints will be replaced.
How do I know if my car is included?
Not every vehicle of the listed model years is affected — the recall covers 82,300 vehicles built in a certain window. Check your 17-character VIN with our VIN recall check or at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
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.