This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.
So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.
The contact owns a 1995 Ford Crown Victoria. The vehicle had the same failure as mentioned in recall # 96V135000. In 2003, the vehicle accelerated, but the contact was unable to turn the steering wheel. The contact shut the vehicle off, and had it towed to the personal mechanic. The mechanic stated that the ball joints were corroded and detached from the sockets. In addition, the pitman arms were not lubricated. The manufacturer stated that there were no recalls on the vehicle. On April 8, 2007, the vehicle was involved in a crash. The insurance company checked the vehicle's history and stated that the vehicle was included in a recall. The contact called the manufacturer again, and was still being informed that there was never a recall on the vehicle. The current mileage was 89,200, and failure mileage was 49,200. The consumer states that there are 2 recalls for this specific car which are 98V322000 and the recall for steering listed above. The consumer states that the car was totaled while running into a ditch. Update 05/04/07
I saw smoke coming from a cylinder under the brake booster. I then checked under the hood, the smoke simmerd and went out. Just ariving home from work, I said ill get it checked out tomorow. Two hours later a neighbor knocked at the door, and said your car is on fire.
While driving ball joints/pitman arm malfunctioned. Was no prior warning. Vehicle was serviced by dealership before problem happened. Steering linkages were defective after having vehicle checked.
Loss of steering control, especially when changing lanes at highway speeds or making tight turns. Can also occur when holding steering wheel straight. Vehicle will have a noticeable "drift" or "shift" to either side, and seems quite dangerous. Dealer found that a recall had been done (96S45), but that this VIN was not included. The symptoms are exactly as described in recall 96S45. Visuall inspection by mechanic verified that this was the problem, and that the vehicle is probably dangerous to drive.
Loss of steering control, especially when changing lanes at highway speeds or making tight turns. Can also occur when holding steering wheel straight. Vehicle will have a noticeable "drift" or "shift" to either side, and seems quite dangerous. Dealer found that a recall had been done (96S45), but that this VIN was not included. The symptoms are exactly as described in recall 96S45. Visuall inspection by mechanic verified that this was the problem, and that the vehicle is probably dangerous to drive.
Loss of steering control, especially when changing lanes at highway speeds or making tight turns. Can also occur when holding steering wheel straight. Vehicle will have a noticeable "drift" or "shift" to either side, and seems quite dangerous. Dealer found that a recall had been done (96S45), but that this VIN was not included. The symptoms are exactly as described in recall 96S45. Visuall inspection by mechanic verified that this was the problem, and that the vehicle is probably dangerous to drive.
Loss of steering control, especially when changing lanes at highway speeds or making tight turns. Can also occur when holding steering wheel straight. Vehicle will have a noticeable "drift" or "shift" to either side, and seems quite dangerous. Dealer found that a recall had been done (96S45), but that this VIN was not included. The symptoms are exactly as described in recall 96S45. Visuall inspection by mechanic verified that this was the problem, and that the vehicle is probably dangerous to drive.
Recall 96V135000 ; the pittman arm was not lubricated enough which caused the ball joints to become corroded. Called manufacturer, but this vehicle is not included in the recall.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Carmel, IN, USA