NHTSA Campaign 96V135000

STEERING:LINKAGES

Issued by FORD MOTOR COMPANY · Reported Jul 18, 1996 · 72,000 vehicles affected

What's wrong

THE PITMAN ARMS WERE NOT FULLY LUBRICATED AT THE ASSEMBLY PLANT. THE "BALL JOINT" AT THE OUTER END OF THE PITMAN ARM CAN BECOME CONTAMINATED AND CORRODE.

Consequence

SUCH CORROSION CAN RESULT IN ABNORMAL WEAR OF THE JOINT, RESULTING IN SEPARATION OF THE JOINT. LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL CAN OCCUR INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE ACCIDENT.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE VEHICLES AND IF THE JOINT IS FOUND TO HAVE SIGNIFICANT WEAR, THE ARM WILL BE REPLACED. THOSE PITMAN ARMS NOT REPLACED WILL HAVE THE "BALL JOINT" FULLY GREASED.

Vehicles affected by this recall

Make Model Year Units
FORD CROWN VICTORIA 1995 72,000
FORD CROWN VICTORIA 1996 72,000
LINCOLN TOWN CAR 1995 72,000
LINCOLN TOWN CAR 1996 72,000

Source: NHTSA Campaign 96V135000 on nhtsa.gov. To check the current repair status for a specific vehicle, use our free VIN decoder.