Six problems related to steering have been reported for the 1997 Lincoln Town Car. The most recently reported issues are listed below.
Son was operating the vehicle. As he made a left turn, he heard a loud clunking sound and the right side of the vehicle crashed to the ground. Had the car towed home and subsequently towed to the repair shop the next day. Was told that the lower right ball joint had failed, subsequently snapping the stabilizer link. This happened in August 2010. November 15, 2011, I was driving home. Stopped to air up my right rear tire. Upon re-entering the vehicle and backing out, the right front side fell to the ground. Again, the right front lower ball joint failed. This time, I had to also replace the right front lower control arm, right front stabilizer link, right front shock and right front ball joint. There is a serious problem with the 1997 Lincoln towncar's front end. When the mechanic went to install the right lower ball joint (which is a pressed fit) the ball joint went right in by hand, which indicated that the right front lower control arm was faulty. I now have a rattling sound coming from the left front side. I'm really scared to drive this car.
Excessive wear on the upper and lower control arm ball joints led to vague steering and a wandering car path. The control arm ball joints that were replaced were rubber on metal without zerk lube fittings. They were designed to fail. The replacement control arm ball joints are metal-on-metal with zerk lube fittings. In 1999 there was a recall on Lincoln Town Cars for replacement of the lower control arm ball joints. The recall numbers are NHTSA recall no. 98v322/Ford recall no. 98s37. However, we had to pay the full amount of the repair. Developed a crack in the intake manifold coolant crossover pipe and lost all engine coolant. We had to have it towed 80 miles for repair. Several Ford recalls were issued on the 4. 6l v8 engine for replacement of this defective part; but they were for police cars, limo fleets, etc. I was told I am not covered. The little guy is left paying a thousand dollars for Ford's engineering defect. Within a time period of 4 months, we have had to spend almost two thousand dollars to correct Ford's design defects.
While driving at interstate speed and over bumps vehicle moved to right and left which could cause loss of control and crash. Been to dealer several times. A new steering design for 1997. Please provide further information.
Steering is poor, vibration and loss of control.
When driving at highway speed at about 60mph, the vehicle began to wonder all over the road, it also does this in windy conditions. On two occasions lost control of vehicle, vehicle went into other lane.
Would be driving & the steering wheel would have too much play. Feels like losing control of vehicle. Took vehicle to dealer. Steering pressure sensor has been rplaced or changed & affects the steering of the vehicle. Rocker arm was cracked & needed replacing. Had an accident due to lack of control of steering wheel. Hit a telephone pole & the air bags deployed. Suffered injuries.