The defect
CERTAIN POLICE, COMMERCIAL, AND PASSENGER VEHICLES SOLD TO FLEETS TYPICALLY INPUT HIGHER LOADS INTO THE VEHICLE CHASSIS OVERLOADING THE WHEEL BEARINGS AND AXLES.
The risk
THIS COULD LEAD TO EARLY BEARING FAILURE AND ULTIMATELY TO AXLE SHAFT FRACTURE. IN THE EVENT OF AXLE SHAFT FRACTURE, THE VEHICLE WOULD LOSE DRIVE FUNCTION AND WOULD COAST TO A STOP. LOSS OF DRIVE FUNCTION COULD LEAD TO A CRASH.
The remedy
DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE REAR WHEEL BEARINGS, SEALS,AND AXLE SHAFTS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 15, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-392-3673.
NHTSA's own wording · initiated by ODI
Vehicles covered
| Model | Model years |
|---|---|
| Ford Crown Victoria | 2003 |
| Lincoln Town Car | 2003 |
Components: SUSPENSION:REAR
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 Crown Victoria | 2003 | 249 | 5 |
| Lincoln Town Car | 2003 | 201 | 1 |
Other suspension recalls in 2004
28 of the 601 recall campaigns reported to NHTSA in 2004 concerned the suspension; FORD MOTOR COMPANY filed 963 campaigns in all.
| 04V604000 22 Dec 2004 | FORD MOTOR COMPANY |
| 04V596000 21 Dec 2004 | DAIMLERCHRYSLER CORPORATION |
| 04V594000 20 Dec 2004 | AUTOCAR, LLC |
| 04V535000 8 Nov 2004 | MITSUBISHI FUSO TRUCK OF AMERICA, INC. |
| 04V508000 27 Oct 2004 | INTERNATIONAL TRUCK & ENGINE CORPORATION |
| 04V506000 25 Oct 2004 | AIRSTREAM, INC. |
| 04V496000 14 Oct 2004 | TRIUMPH MOTORCYCLES (AMERICA) LTD |
| 04V477000 7 Oct 2004 | MITSUBISHI FUSO TRUCK OF AMERICA, INC. |
NHTSA recalls (public domain) · all recalls of 2004