2001 LS recall

[rjcsmall]

I recently had the left side ball joint on my 01 LS replaced at a cost of $500.
The stealership told me I also will shortly need the right side done.
Poking around the internet I found the following recall record:

Recall Date:
NOV 03, 2000

Summary:
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE FRONT SUSPENSION LOWER BALL JOINTS WERE NOT TIGHTENED TO SPECIFICATIONS WHEN THEY WERE ATTACHED TO THE LOWER CONTROL ARMS.

Consequence:
IF THE BALL JOINT ATTACHING NUTS ARE NOT ADEQUATELY TIGHTENED, THEY CAN LOOSEN AND, ULTIMATELY, RESULT IN FRACTURE OF THE BALL JOINT STUD. IF THE BALL JOINT FRACTURES, CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE COULD BE AFFECTED, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy:
DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE TORQUE ON THE TWO BALL JOINT ATTACHING NUTS. VEHICLES WITH LOOSE BALL JOINT ATTACHING NUTS WILL EITHER HAVE THE FASTENERS TIGHTENED TO SPECIFICATION, OR IF NECESSARY, THE BALL JOINTS WILL BE REPLACED.

Potential Units Affected:
82300

Notes:
FORD MOTOR COMPANY 00S39

I bought this car used last year from a corporate fleet program.
I have maintenance records that do not show a recall repair.
My question is, should the dealer cover the cost of this repair?
Thanks in advance for your replies.

 

[GrayGhost1]

I bought this car used last year from a corporate fleet program.
I have maintenance records that do not show a recall repair.
My question is, should the dealer cover the cost of this repair?
Thanks in advance for your replies.

Without question they are suppose to fix this due to a recall! Of course, if the service was already performed then they may not. I would recommend you contact Lincoln and ask them if your car has had the repair done under the recall. Here is their information:

Lincoln Customer Service
Toll Free: (800) 521-4140
Hours of Operation:
8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Local Time (Monday-Friday)

Make sure you have your VIN with you when you call. They will be able to tell you if your car has had the repair done.

 

[2001LS8Sport]

I just found out that recalls don't live forever...that they do expire. Someone from Canada just went through this exact same thing and they were denied.

 

[GrayGhost1]

I just found out that recalls don't live forever...that they do expire. Someone from Canada just went through this exact same thing and they were denied.

I can see the reason behind this but Lincoln can let you know if the recall was performed. I'd at least start there.

 

[rjcsmall]

Thanks for the replies.
I called Lincoln Customer Service who showed no recalls on my 01 LS. They said the recall listed earlier in this thread may not pertain to all cars.
I also went to www.genuineservice.com and entered my VIN which also showed no recalls. So where did the above recall come from? Should I trust them?

 

[LS4me]

The ball joint recall was for MY 2000 LSes. Not 2001 and later, therefore the recall wouldn't apply.

 

[GrayGhost1]

The ball joint recall was for MY 2000 LSes. Not 2001 and later, therefore the recall wouldn't apply.

Mike, that's not entirely true. According to the letter that Ford sent out to the dealers it was on CERTAIN 2000 & 2001 Lincoln LS's. I would imagine it was VIN specific. It looks like if your LS was built prior to September 29, 2000 then the recall would apply. Lincoln can inform the customer of the build date of the LS in question. Below is the information from Alldatadiy.com:

Recall 00V359001: Ball Joint Stud Fractures

The front suspension lower ball joints were not tightened to specifications when they were attached to the lower control arms.

If the ball joint attaching nuts are not adequately tightened, they can loosen and, ultimately, result in fracture of the ball joint stud. If the ball joint fractures, control of the vehicle could be affected, increasing the risk of a crash. Dealers will inspect the torque on the two ball joint attaching nuts. Vehicles with loose ball joint attaching nuts will either have the fasteners tightened to specification, or if necessary, the ball joints will be replaced. Owner notification is expected to begin during November 2000. 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 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).