# NHTSA recall 96V135000

A recall listed here may apply to a vehicle of this year, make and model. Only the manufacturer can say whether it applies to one vehicle: check the VIN with the official lookups.

- Published by: NHTSA \(United States\)
- Campaign number: 96V135000
- Manufacturer: FORD MOTOR COMPANY
- Reported: 1996\-07\-18
- Owners notified: 1996\-08\-28
- Component: STEERING:LINKAGES
- Units potentially affected: 72000

## What is wrong

THE PITMAN ARMS WERE NOT FULLY LUBRICATED AT THE ASSEMBLY PLANT. THE "BALL JOINT" AT THE OUTER END OF THE PITMAN ARM CAN BECOME CONTAMINATED AND CORRODE.


## What can happen

SUCH CORROSION CAN RESULT IN ABNORMAL WEAR OF THE JOINT, RESULTING IN SEPARATION OF THE JOINT. LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL CAN OCCUR INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE ACCIDENT.


## The remedy

DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE VEHICLES AND IF THE JOINT IS FOUND TO HAVE SIGNIFICANT WEAR, THE ARM WILL BE REPLACED. THOSE PITMAN ARMS NOT REPLACED WILL HAVE THE "BALL JOINT" FULLY GREASED.


## Notes

SYSTEM: STEERING; LINKAGES; ARM; PITMAN. VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: POLICE INTERCEPTORS, COMMERCIAL FLEET, TAXI, LIMOUSINES, OR LIVERY/TRAILER TOW PACKAGES. OWNER NOTIFICATION: OWNER NOTIFICATION IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN AUGUST 19, 1996. NOTE: 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. ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1\-800\-424\-9393.


## Vehicles this campaign lists

- [1995 FORD CROWN VICTORIA](/makes/ford/crown-victoria/1995/recalls.md). Built 1994\-08\-01 to 1996\-04\-01.
- [1996 FORD CROWN VICTORIA](/makes/ford/crown-victoria/1996/recalls.md). Built 1994\-08\-01 to 1996\-04\-01.
- [1995 LINCOLN TOWN CAR](/makes/lincoln/town-car/1995/recalls.md). Built 1994\-08\-01 to 1996\-04\-01.
- [1996 LINCOLN TOWN CAR](/makes/lincoln/town-car/1996/recalls.md). Built 1994\-08\-01 to 1996\-04\-01.

## Investigated as PE96029

This recall followed 1 NHTSA investigation. An investigation is NHTSA looking into a possible defect. It is not a finding that a defect exists, and it does not say that any one vehicle is affected.

- PE96029: Preliminary evaluation, opened 1996\-04\-17, closed 1996\-07\-30. STEERING GEAR SECTOR SHAFT ARM \(PITMAN A. STEERING:LINKAGES.

From NHTSA's investigation file, as of 2026-10-19. JSON: [/v1/recalls/nhtsa/96V135000/investigations](/v1/recalls/nhtsa/96V135000/investigations)

## Check a VIN

- [NHTSA recall lookup by VIN, United States](https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls)
- [Transport Canada recall search, Canada](https://wwwapps.tc.gc.ca/Saf-Sec-Sur/7/VRDB-BDRV/search-recherche/menu.aspx?lang=eng)

JSON: [/v1/recalls/nhtsa/96V135000](/v1/recalls/nhtsa/96V135000)

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