The problem
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.
The risk
If this occurs while the vehicle is moving, reduced steering control could occur, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix
Dealers will replace the lower control arm ball joints (2).
Recall details
| NHTSA campaign | 98V-322 (98V322000) |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer number | 98S37 |
| Manufacturer | Ford Motor Company |
| Component | Suspension › Front › Control arm › Lower ball joint |
| Report date | December 16, 1998 |
| Owners notified | January 18, 1999 |
| Vehicles affected | 175,000 |
| Initiated by | NHTSA investigation |
Vehicles covered
Owner complaints about the suspension
- 1995 Ford Crown Victoria suspension problems 35
- 1996 Ford Crown Victoria suspension problems 51
- 1997 Ford Crown Victoria suspension problems 45
- 1998 Ford Crown Victoria suspension problems 18
- 1999 Ford Crown Victoria suspension problems 18
- 1995 Lincoln Town Car suspension problems 23
- 1996 Lincoln Town Car suspension problems 25
- 1997 Lincoln Town Car suspension problems 50
- 1998 Lincoln Town Car suspension problems 19
- 1999 Lincoln Town Car suspension problems 21
Frequently asked questions
Is the recall 98V-322 repair free?
Yes. Ford dealers will fix the problem at no cost: Dealers will replace the lower control arm ball joints (2).
How do I know if my car is included?
Not every vehicle of the listed model years is affected — the recall covers 175,000 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.