Front Suspension Lower Ball Joint problems of the 2001 Lincoln LS - part 2

2001 Lincoln Ls with a recall for the lower ball joints. Consumer states that he was experiencing this failure but the manufacturer told him it was his problem to solve because his VIN was not included in the recall. The consumer stated he lost complete steering control of his vehicle.

Last summer I started having problems with ball joints continuously coming loose on my used 2001 Lincoln Ls. I went on the internet and discovered that there were over 82300 recalss for this exact problem. I tried to get it fixed but was told the recalls were VIN specific. Obviously this exact problem coninues to reoccur on my car and I have to continuously retighten the ball joints myself. On 12-29-07 I was traveling down the interstate at 70 mph when the ball joints completely split in half causing me to loose control of the car, spun me and 3 riders around in the road and landed us in the median. But for the grace of god no one was injured or worse yet killed. I contacted Ford human relations and explained the problem an mentioned the recalls but was very rudely told that it was up to the customer to make the repairs. I don't understand what the problem is when there is a recall on this make and model of car and this has reportedly been a continuous recurring problem for me. Ford does not appear to care. Meantime the car sits, and will be sitting until this gets resolved satisfactorily and Ford stands behind it.

The contact owns a 2001 Lincoln Ls. While driving approximately 25 mph and proceeding to make a turn, the steering wheel vibrated excessively. The vehicle began to pull to the right without assistance. The driver pulled the vehicle over to the side of the road. The contact made several attempts to maneuver the steering wheel, but was unsuccessful. The vehicle was immediately taken to an independent mechanic for inspection. The technician stated that the failure was contributed to the lower ball joint and lower control arm. The vehicle was not repaired. The VIN was excluded from NHTSA campaign id number 003359001 (suspension:front:control arm:lower ball joint). The failure mileage was 90,000 and current mileage was 106,000.

The contact owns a 2001 Lincoln Ls. The contact stated that her vehicle was experiencing the same failure as related to NHTSA campaign id number 00v359001 (suspension:front:control arm:lower ball joint). The dealer stated that they would not repair the vehicle since it was not included in the recall. The failure and current mileages were 100,000.

The contact owns a 2001 Lincoln Ls. The contact stated that the front passenger side lower ball joint fractured. While driving 35 mph, the contact heard a loud noise coming from the vehicle. The dealer performed a diagnostic that confirmed that the lower ball joint had fractured. The dealer stated that the VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign id number 00v359001 (suspension:front:control arm:lower ball joint). He went to another dealer and the representative did not bother to enter the VIN into the system; however, they stated that there was never a recall for the vehicle. The failure mileage was 81,000 and current mileage was 82,000.

The contact owns a 2001 Lincoln Ls. While driving between 5-60 mph, the steering wheel shook. The dealer stated that the lower ball joint needed to be replaced, but did not specify the reason. The manufacturer stated that the VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign id number 00v359001 (suspension:front:control arm:lower ball joint). The failure mileage was 60,000 and current mileage was 71,000.

The contact's daughter owns a 2001 Lincoln Ls. While driving 60 mph, the vehicle veered from left to right. The tire shop stated that the nuts loosened, which reduced the ability to control the vehicle. The upper and lower control arms and ball joints were replaced. The manufacturer stated that his VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign id number 00v359001 (suspension: front: control arm: lower ball joint). The current and failure mileages were 106,000.

The contact owns a 2001 Lincoln Ls. While driving between 10-20 mph on an off ramp, the stud of the ball joints separated from the vehicle and caused the lower ball joints to fall to the ground. The vehicle was towed to a repair shop, but was not repaired. The cost to replace the lower ball joints is $360 for each side of the vehicle. The vehicle is currently at the contact's residence. The purchase date was unknown. The failure mileage 135622 updated 01/07/08. Updated 12/12/07.

The contact owns a 2001 Lincoln Ls. While driving 30 mph, the screw dislodged from the lower ball joint. The vehicle collapsed and the tire detached from the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to the dealer. Recall number 00v359001 (suspension: front: control arm:lower ball joint) was found. The purchase date was unknown. The current and failure mileages were 104,000.

The contact owns a 2001 Lincoln Ls. While driving 45 mph, the driver side front wheel fell on its side without warning. The contact was able to pull to the side of the road. The vehicle was towed to a service shop where it was determined that the ball joint bolts sheered off. Recall number 00v359001 (suspension:front:control arm:lower ball joint) was found, but the vehicle is not included. The vehicle has not been repaired. The current and failure mileages were 76,188. The consumer stated the repair was performed on 08/08/07 and provided the repair invoices. The dealer stated the air bag light was on . Updated 08/22/07.

Lower ball joints on lelf side, now its the right side . Its sure be on recall.

The contact owns a 2001 Lincoln Ls. While driving approximately 5 mph, the contact heard a loud popping noise coming from the lower ball joints. The dealer replaced the driver side ball joints and the tie rod. Several months later, the failure recurred. The dealer stated that her VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign id number 00v359001 (suspension:front:control arm:lower ball joint), although she was experiencing a similar failure. The vehicle has not been repaired. The manufacturer did not provide any assistance. The powertrain was unknown. The failure mileage was 74,567 and current mileage was 80,000. Updated 3/5/08 the consumer stated went to jones Ford and informed her that she does need repair on the vehicle. Updated 03/05/08.

The contact owns a 2001 Lincoln Ls. While driving 5 mph, the vehicle felt as if the tires failed. The vehicle part was taken to the dealer and they stated that the screw worked its way free of the lower ball joints, and needs to be replaced. Nhtsa campaign id number 00v359001 (suspension:front: control arm:lower ball joint) was referenced. The current and failure mileages were 90,000. Updated 04/23/08 the consumer was informed her vehicle was not included in the recall.

- the contact owns a 2001 Lincoln Ls. The safety recall was 00v359001concerning lower ball joints. Ford told the contact that the recall didn't exist. He was also advised that on the recall the number should have an s instead of the letter v. The vehicle was making a metal on metal grinding sound when the contact made a turn. This failure occurred when the vehicle wasn't moving, and the steering wheel was turned from left to right. Speed and weather were not factors in the failure. The service technician stated that the lower ball joints were loose , causing the vehicle to make the grinding sound, and advised him to replace the entire unit. The current and failure mileage was 64,600. The grinding has been heard on 8 occasions.

- the contact owns a 2001 Lincoln lx. The contact complaiined about safety recall 00v359001 concerning lower ball joint. The contact has been told that the safety recall did not apply to this vehicle due to the VIN. The vehicle currently had a broken ball joint. The contact would like to have the vehicle repaired under the safety recall.

- the contact owns a 2001 Lincoln Ls. While driving at approximately 2 mph the wheel caved in. The car was towed to the dealer and repaired. The mechanic state the failure was due to the lower ball joints, and provided the contact with a copy of recall #00v359001. The contact called Ford, who stated the recall was not related to this vehicle. The contact felt Ford wasn't accepting responsibility for the incident. The contact will further investigate, and was concerned about the safety risk involved as the incident could have been devastating if it had occurred while driving at at a much faster speed. Updated 03/30/07.

- the contact stated that while driving tire came off of her 2001 Lincoln Ls. The contact called her insurance company and informed them of what happened. The insurance denied her claim because the car was part of a recall. When she contacted Ford motor CO. About this failure, they informed her that her car was not covered by the recall.

Car pulls and weaves. Took car to an independent shop. They indicated right lower ball joint/control arm broken. Ruined front tires ($177 each - less than 2000 miles on them). Found NHTSA recall info. Talked to local dealer and Ford corporate. Both assert that my VIN is not part of recall 00v359001. I'm paying independent shop to repair (and keeping old parts and receipts in the event Lincoln confess to their problem. ).

2001 Lincoln Ls v8. . . Loose ball joints causing major driving problems. First complaint in Nov. When the car appeared to be driving on ice. . . I couldn't control the steering. When took to get checked out, rep stated right front wheel was about to fall off. Found it to be a loose ball joint. Tightened, and then 2 weeks later, the problem was back. . . Worse. . . This time, both right and left ball joints were tightened, and this lasted til I drove the car home. Said they needed to be replaced. A big expense on my part. . . Not to mention the replacement of brakes, rotors, and tires. At this point, I have very little confidence in driving my children in this car.

: the contact stated the vehicle's steering made sounds from underneath the vehicle. A non-service dealer confirmed the lower ball joints and control arm needed to be replaced. The contact notified a service dealer, who determined the vehicle was not included in recall #00v359001 regarding suspension:front:control arm:lower ball joint due to the VIN.

: the contact stated the vehicle's front lower ball joints were defective. Every time the vehicle hits a bump there was a popping sound. The non service dealer expressed the wheels could fall off. The vehicle was not included in the lower ball joint recall #00v359001 due to the VIN.

Lower ball joint failure. I believe my left ball joint has worn out due to inadequate torque of the lower ball stud-attaching nuts. I contacted my local dealership and was told they would replace the ball joint, but not under safety recall 00s39.

: the contact stated that while driving at 10mph, the bolt on the lower ball joint sheared off, causing a loss of control of the vehicle. The front left tire hit the fender, and also damaged the door. The incident was reported to the police, however there was no official report filed. The vehicle was taken to a service dealer, where the dealer could not determine the cause of the problem.

I was traveling at 70 mph when my front lower ball joint came apart tearing my cars fender off and ruining my tire and wheel . I could have been killed.

Took car to shop thinking I had an alignment issue, the issue is the lower ball joint nut was almost off and caused much damage to my vehicle, dented rim, alignment, hole in splash shield, wore the rotor, etc.

The contact owns a 2001 Lincoln Ls. While driving 50 mph, the contact heard a loud scraping noise coming from the driver side front tire. He felt the vehicle shift and fall to the ground. He also noticed pieces of metal on the ground. Prior to this failure, the dealer stated that the vehicle needed new ball joints. However, the dealer has not inspected the vehicle since that time. Recall # 00v359001 (suspension:front:control arm:lower ball joint) was found. The manufacturer stated that the vehicle was not included in the recall. The current and failure mileages were 100,000.

: the contact stated while driving at various speed the front end of the vehicle shakes and vibrates. There is a NHTSA recall, # 00v359001, regarding the front control arm: lower ball joint. The vehicle has the same problems as indicated in the recall; however it is not included in the recall due to the VIN.

: the contact stated after driving over a bump, the vehicle has been hard to control. There is a NHTSA recall, # 00v359001, regarding the lower ball joint. The vehicle has the same problems as indicated in the recall; however, it is not included in the recall due to the VIN.

The contact states there is NHTSA recall campaign 00v359001 concerning the lower ball joint. This vehicle has the same problems as indicated in the recall, but nit is not included in the recall due to VIN. There has been a temporary repair made at the contact's expense.

Lincoln issued a recall on some (80,000) 2001 Lincoln Ls vehicles, for the lower ball joint assembly that if not tightened to specifications it could possibly cause a crash. My vehicle a 2001 Lincoln Ls was not part of this recall issued. Two mechanic's from neil Lincoln dealership service dept. & another mechanic both told me that this is the same problem that was issued under a recall from Lincoln for the 2001 Ls. After contacting Ford/Lincoln & reporting the problem they told they could not look into possibly issuing another recall or changing to include any additional vehicles. I am hoping that possibly you can help me! thank you!.

The Lincoln Ls was purchased July 1, 2001. First incident happened in sept. 2005. We were traveling back from colorado when we noticed that the car was floating. We made it back to arizona and took the car to our service company. They found that the under-torque condition loosened the lower ball joint lock nut. They tightened and repaired. At that time we extensive wear on our new front tires that had less than 12000 miles on them. On Nov. 11, 2005 I was driving, the lower left ball joint completely severed from the car making the wheel turned to a horizontal position (sideways) denting the left fender and the car dragged to a stop. We then found out that there had been a recall on the this particular model produced at the wixom assembly plant because of the problems I listed. We have a total bill of $1,421. 69 to fix this problem, also the purchase of two tires with less than 12000 miles. The damage to the tires was caused by the floating and the lack of steering control. We, however, did not get a recall letter because the window for recalls had closed, but the problems we experienced are identical to the recall letter. We have contacted the Lincoln and they say that there is nothing they can do at their level and they suggested we contact you and the Ford motor compny which I did. All to no avail.

The contact states there is NHTSA recall campaign 00v359001 concerning the front suspension:control arm: lower ball joint. This vehicle has the same problems as indicated in the recall, but it is not included in the recall due to VIN. Updated 01/04/06.

2001 Lincoln Ls has bad ball joints and found out there has been a recall on certain VIN #s but they say not mine.

Driving to drango colorado when the car started to weave from side to side of the road. Took the car to aspen auto doctor auto repair shop, was told that my the ball joint had came loose from the control arm.

Asked the Lincoln dealership to check the rotors because when the brakes are pressed there is a pulling back on the car. They diagnosed it to be a defect in the front suspension lower ball joints. . Read more...