VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: CERTAIN 1996-1999 FORD CROWN VICTORIA POLICE, FLEET, NATURAL GAS, AND 1996-1999 LINCOLN TOWN CAR LIMOUSINE VEHICLES THAT WERE PRODUCED WITH A LOWER CONTROL ARM BALL JOINT CONTAINING A ONE PIECE BEARING; AND 1990-1996 FORD CROWN VICTORIA POLICE, FLEET, AND NGV VEHICLES AND 1990-1996 LINCOLN TOWN CAR LIMOUSINE VEHICLES THAT HAVE BEEN SERVICED WITH EITHER A BALL JOINT CONTAINING THE ONE-PIECE BEARING OR A FRONT LOWER CONTROL ARM CONTAINING A BALL JOINT WITH A ONE-PIECE BEARING. THE ONE-PIECE BEARING WITHIN THE LOWER CONTROL ARM BALL JOINT CAN WEAKEN SLOWLY DURING USE AND EVENTUALLY CRACK. THIS COULD RESULT IN SEPARATION OF THE BALL AND CAP OF THE JOINT, ALLOWING THE CONTROL ARM TO DROP TO THE GROUND.

Consequence: IF THIS OCCURS WHILE THE VEHICLE IS MOVING, REDUCED STEERING CONTROL COULD OCCUR, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE LOWER CONTROL ARM BALL JOINTS (2).

NHTSA campaign 98V322000

THE REAR BRAKE LINES HAVE INADEQUATE CLEARANCE BETWEEN THE BRAKE TUBE AND THE VEHICLE UNDERBODY IN THE AREA OF THE LEFT REAR WHEEL OPENING.

Consequence: INADEQUATE CLEARANCE CAN CAUSE ABRASION OF THE BRAKE LINEAND A LEAK CAN DEVELOP, RESULTING IN LOSS OF BRAKE FLUID TO THE REAR BRAKESYSTEM AND INCREASED STOPPING DISTANCES.

Remedy: REPAIR ANY BRAKE LINES THAT HAVE AN INDICATION OF CONTACT OR HAVE THE POTENTIAL FOR CONTACT WITH THE BODY OF THE VEHICLE. RELOCATE LINES, IF NECESSARY.

NHTSA campaign 92V075000

THREADED INFLATOR COMPONENTS MAY HAVE BEEN DAMAGED DURING ASSEMBLY WHICH MAY ALLOW COMPONENTS TO SEPARATE WHEN INFLATOR RECEIVES A SIGNAL TO DEPLOY THE AIR BAG.

Consequence: INFLATOR COMPONENT SEPARATION ALLOWS HOT COMBUSTION GASES TO ESCAPE INTO THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT WHICH COULD RESULT IN INJURIES TO VEHICLE OCCUPANTS.

Remedy: REPLACE AIR BAG MODULES CONTAINING POTENTIALLY DEFECTIVE INFLATORS.

NHTSA campaign 90E043001