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.