Issues with my Ford Territory

I have just had a lucky escape in my 2007 Ford Territory.

I was leaving one morning to go to work, and when I went around the first corner I heard a thump and a terrible grinding noise from my left-hand side. I pulled over as I thought I had blown a tyre, but found the nose of my car on the ground. After closer inspection I found what it looked like the lower ball joint had collapsed. So after contacting my mechanic who arranged for a tow truck to get me to his shop so he could inspect the damage I was then told that it was what I thought, but being an AWD Territory there was more damage than I had thought. He then advised me that this was a common fault with these cars and he believed there was a recall a few years ago and was shocked that I did not get any information about it. He also said that I was very lucky, as things may have turned out a lot worse if I was on the freeway at the time it happened.

I would like to find out if there is any way I can find out if the ball joints had been done, and if it was only wear and tear because of the age of the car. Should I be entitled for compensation from Ford, as it was a common fault that Ford knew about?