The defect
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. IF THE BALL JOINT ASSEMBLY IN THE REAR KNUCKLE, WHERE THE LOWER CONTROL ARM ATTACHES, IS DISPLACED LONGITUDINALLY FROM ITS INSTALLED POSITION, IT CAN CAUSE HIGHER STRESS LEVELS IN THE KNUCKLE CASTING. IF THIS OCCURS, THE CASTING COULD FRACTURE, ALLOWING THE CORNER OF THE VEHICLE TO DROP, AND THE LOWER CONTROL ARM COULD CONTACT THE INSIDE OF THE REAR WHEEL.
The risk
IN SOME CASES, DIRECTIONAL CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE COULD BE REDUCED.
The remedy
DEALERS WILL REPLACE BOTH REAR SUSPENSION KNUCKLES. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN APRIL 19, 2001. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-392-3673.
NHTSA's own wording · initiated by MFR
Vehicles covered
| Model | Model years |
|---|---|
| Ford Mustang Cobra | 1999, 2000 |
| Ford Mustang Cobra R | 2000 |
Components: SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER BALL JOINT
Model years in this recall
NHTSA complaints and the number of recall campaigns for each model year this recall covers.
| Model | Year | Complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ford Mustang Cobra | 1999 | 14 | 1 |
| Ford Mustang Cobra | 2000 | 0 | 1 |
| Ford Mustang Cobra R | 2000 | 0 | 1 |
Other suspension recalls in 2001
44 of the 461 recall campaigns reported to NHTSA in 2001 concerned the suspension; FORD MOTOR COMPANY filed 963 campaigns in all.
| 01V377000 11 Dec 2001 | JAYCO, INC. |
| 01V363000 29 Nov 2001 | FREIGHTLINER CORPORATION |
| 01V361000 28 Nov 2001 | GENERAL COACH AMERICA, INC. |
| 01V359000 13 Nov 2001 | MONACO COACH CORP. |
| 01V338000 2 Nov 2001 | BLUE BIRD BODY COMPANY |
| 01V317001 22 Oct 2001 | COACHMEN INDUSTRIES, INC. |
| 01V332000 17 Oct 2001 | FORD MOTOR COMPANY |
| 01V328000 11 Oct 2001 | MONACO COACH CORP. |
NHTSA recalls (public domain) · all recalls of 2001