One problem related to front suspension lower control arm has been reported for the 1997 Ford Thunderbird. The most recently reported issues are listed below.
This occurred while driving in the parking lot of a shopping plaza. I was only going about 10 - 15 mph and never even hit a bump or pot hole. The front end made a load poping noise and I thought the tires went flat. But the lower control arm snapped and the car frame rested on the tires. West herr claims they had people from Ford come in and look at it. The ball joint popped out of the socket . If I was driving on the thruway I wouldn't be writing this letter today, I would be dead. They replaced both sides at my request.