U.S. public vehicle records

1997 Lincoln MARK VIII problems and owner complaints

Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.

Key facts

90 owner complaints analyzed

1 distinct recall campaigns

64,000 mi median reported failure mileage

Scope: 1997 model year. Data updated: 2026-10-01 (October 1, 2026). 34 complaints include usable failure mileage. View data status.

Owner-reported patterns

Most common problems

Exterior Lighting:Headlights is the most frequently named component, appearing in 26 of 90 complaints (28.9%). A complaint can name multiple components.

Recurring terms in complaint narratives
Topic	Matching reports	Share of complaints
Steering behavior	8	8.9%
Braking behavior	5	5.6%
Engine operation	3	3.3%
Electrical and battery issues	2	2.2%
Fuel system concerns	2	2.2%
Transmission and shifting	1	1.1%

Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.

Component breakdown

Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.

Exterior Lighting:Headlights

Visibility:Defroster/Defogger/Hvac System

Vehicle Speed Control

Unknown Or Other

Exterior Lighting

Electrical System

Equipment

Equipment:Electrical

Component breakdown data
Category	Count
Exterior Lighting:Headlights	26
Visibility:Defroster/Defogger/Hvac System	16
Vehicle Speed Control	8
Unknown Or Other	4
Exterior Lighting	3
Electrical System	2
Equipment	2
Equipment:Electrical	2

Exterior Lighting:Headlights: 26; Visibility:Defroster/Defogger/Hvac System: 16; Vehicle Speed Control: 8; Unknown Or Other: 4; Exterior Lighting: 3; Electrical System: 2; Equipment: 2; Equipment:Electrical: 2

Reported problems by failure mileage

Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.

Under 25,000

25,000 to 49,999

50,000 to 74,999

75,000 to 99,999

100,000 to 149,999

150,000 and above

Under 25,000: 0; 25,000 to 49,999: 8; 50,000 to 74,999: 11; 75,000 to 99,999: 8; 100,000 to 149,999: 6; 150,000 and above: 1

50,000 to 74,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (11). 56 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.

Complaints over time

Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.

1997

1998

1999

2000

2001

2002

2003

2004

2005

2006

2007

2008

2009

2012

2014

2015

1997: 2; 1998: 7; 1999: 10; 2000: 3; 2001: 7; 2002: 13; 2003: 14; 2004: 5; 2005: 4; 2006: 6; 2007: 5; 2008: 8; 2009: 3; 2012: 1; 2014: 1; 2015: 1

Pattern summary

Exterior Lighting:Headlights leads the component reports. Steering behavior appears in 8 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 5 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 3 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.

Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.

Complaint evidence

Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.

Owner report 10040831 · 2003-09-27 (September 27, 2003)

WINSHIELD WASHER BOTTOM, BROKE, ASSEMBLY INCLUDES SIGNAL LIGHT, WIPPERS, LOW/HIGH BEEM AND FLASHERS SWITCH, STEERING WHEEL AND AIR BAG HAVE TO BE REMOVED TO REPLACE PART, ABOUT TWO HOURS OF LABOR AND $200, ACCORDING TO DEALER. DEALER SHOULD MADE THIS A TWO PIECE PART TO MAKE JOB EASIERAND LESS SPENSIVE. DRIVER'S AJUSMENT HAS TO BE RESETED EVERY TIME YOU START THE VEHICLE, CAUSE UNKNOWN.

Owner-reported narrative. 45,670 miles reported. Look up ODI 10040831 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10701392 · 2015-03-24 (March 24, 2015)

VEHICLE WAS TRAVELING DOWN A BUSY URBAN STREET AND WHILE APPROACHING AN INTERSECTION, THE DRIVER BEGIN TURNING SLIGHTLY TO CHANGE LANES AND THE STEERING WHEEL SEPARATED FROM THE STEERING COLUMN, LEAVING THE VEHICLE WITH NO STEERING. *TR

Owner-reported narrative. 61,540 miles reported. Look up ODI 10701392 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10223396 · 2008-04-04 (April 4, 2008)

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 LINCOLN MARK VIII. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR THE VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL. SHE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A LOCAL DEALER TO HAVE THE RECALL REPAIRED. THE DEALER KEPT THE VEHICLE FOR AN HOUR AND THEN ADVISED HER THAT SHE WOULD NEED THE BRAKE LINE REPAIRED BEFORE THEY COULD PERFORM THE RECALL REPAIR. SHE CALLED THE MANUFACTURER TO REPORT THIS AND THEY INFORMED HER THAT WHATEVER THE SERVICE DEALER STATED, IS WHAT THEY ARE GOING TO HEED. THERE HAD BEEN NO FAILURE TO DATE. THE POWERTRAIN AND RECALL NUMBER WERE U…

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10223396 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 738078 · 2000-12-20 (December 20, 2000)

GAS GAUGE AND ELECTRONIC MESSAGE CENTER DISPLAY ERRONEOUS FUEL INFORMATION THAT RESULTS IN AN UNPREDICTABLE OUT-OF-GAS CONDITION WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE. WITHOUT WARNING THE VEHICLE LOSES POWER AND STALLS WITH NO POWER FOR ACCELERATION AND IMPAIRED BRAKING AND STEERING. THIS UNEXPECTED OUT-OF-GAS CONDITION DUE TO ERRONEOUS DASHBOARD INDICATORS PLACES THE VEHICLE, DRIVER, AND OCCUPANTS IN JEOPARDY OF POTENTIAL PERSONAL INJURY AND PROPERTY DAMAGE. THIS PROBLEM IS SIMILAR TO TSBS BC2303970501/ITEM SB052799 AND BC105799705/ITEM SB052859. MOST…

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 738078 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10220456 · 2008-03-08 (March 8, 2008)

IN NOV 2007 FORD MAILED ME A RECALL NOTICE ON THE CRUISE CONTROL SYSTEM ON MY 1997 MARK VIII 05S28. I IMMEDIATELY CONTACTED HARNISH LINCOLN MERCURY, PUYALLUP, WA AND WAS SCHEDUKED. IT IS A 37 MILE ROUND TRIP FROM MY HOME. THEY TOOK MY MARK VIII FOR LESS THA 1/2 HOUR AND ADVISED ME THAT FORD HAD NOT SENT THEM THE REPLACEMENT PART; BUT THEY WOULD CONTACT ME WHEN IT CAME IN. ON MARCH 4, 2008, I RECEIVED A NEW RECALL NOTICE INSTRUCTING ME TO CONTACT A DEALER. AGAIN, I CONTACTED THEIR HARNISH DEALER AND WAS SCHEDULED. AGAIN ,I DROVE THE 37 …

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10220456 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10111103 · 2005-02-08 (February 8, 2005)

OWNER WAS DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY AND EXPERIENCED ELECTRICAL PROBLEM. ALL THE HEAD LIGHTS WENT OUT. OWNER PULLED OVER TO THE RIGHT. THEN, CONTACTED THE DEALERSHIP, AND WAS TOLD THAT THE REPAIRS FOR THIS DEFECT WOULD COST $2200.00. *AK

Owner-reported narrative. 49,200 miles reported. Look up ODI 10111103 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10207414 · 2007-10-30 (October 30, 2007)

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 LINCOLN MARK VIII. WHILE MERGING INTO TRAFFIC BETWEEN 5-10 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN MOVING ERRATICALLY FOR A FEW MINUTES. THE CONTACT NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM THE CABIN AND UNDER THE HOOD, ALONG WITH AN ELECTRICAL SMELL SURROUNDING THE VEHICLE. THE DRIVER STOPPED THE VEHICLE UNTIL THE SMOKING CEASED. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN INSPECTED BY A DEALER OR A MECHANIC. NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 07V336000 (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL) WAS REFERENCED. THE SWITCH WAS DEACTIVATED, BUT HAS NOT BEEN REPLACED. THE PURCHASE DATE WAS U…

Owner-reported narrative. 73,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10207414 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10039785 · 2003-11-24 (November 24, 2003)

GAS GAUGE INDICATOR FAILED, IT DID NOT PROVIDE THE RIGHT INFORMATION. *AK THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT WITH LESS THAN 1/4 TANK OF GAS, THE CONSUMER ADDED TWO GALLONS OF GAS AND THE VEHICLE STILL DID NOT START, THE VEHICLE WAS PUSHED TO LEVEL FOR TOWING AND THEN IT STARTED, THE PROBLEM HAPPENED WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED ON AN ANGLE TO THE LEFT. THE DEALER REPLACED SEVERAL COMPONETS SUCH AS THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER AND GAS TANK, BUT THE PROBLEM CONTINUED. *JB *NM

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10039785 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10048738 · 2003-11-24 (November 24, 2003)

PROBLEMS WITH FUEL TANK READINGS ON GAS GAUGE.*MR THE CONSUMER STATED THE GAS GAUGE MOVED ERRATICALLY WHILE DRIVING. THE CLUSTER FUEL GAUGE AND FUEL SENDING UNIT WAS REPLACED, BUT THE PROBLEM REMAINED THE SAME. *JB *NM

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10048738 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 608592 · 1999-02-01 (February 1, 1999)

WIRE WORN BY RUIBBING TRANSMISSION. YH

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 608592 at NHTSA ↗

Explore the data

Vehicle analysis explorer

Inspect model-year patterns, reported mileage, monthly activity and the evidence behind each signal.

Data completeness

90 unique complaints in this selection. Analysis snapshot: 2026-10-01.

37.8%Usable mileage34 / 90 records

85.6%Valid incident date77 / 90 records

100.0%Valid filing date90 / 90 records

85.6%Ordered incident and filing dates77 / 90 records

Missing, zero and invalid mileage is excluded. Dates after the snapshot are excluded. Examples are limited selections, not a representative sample.

Problems by model year

Model-wide comparison of the eight most reported components across the model. Cells show counts and shares within each model year. Open a cell for source examples.

From model yearThrough model year

Component complaint heatmap
Component	1989	1992	1993	1994	1995	1996	1997	1998	1999	2000
Exterior Lighting:Headlights	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	1100.0% ODI 10161439 THE HEADLIGHTS ON MY 1995 LINCOLN MARK VIII HAVE BEGUN TO DIM SEVERELY. I REPLACED THE BULBS, THINKING THEY MAY BE THE PROBLEM, BUT IN DOING SO , I NOTICED THAT THE REFLECTIVE SURFACE INSIDE THE HEADLIGHT WAS VERY CLOUDY. THIS WOULD BE A MANUFACTURING DEFECT AND THE FAULT OF THE MANUFACTURER. *NM Look up ODI 10161439 at NHTSA ↗	15364.0% ODI 10000718 · 5,000 mi 1993-1996 LINCOLN MARK VIII HEADLIGHTS ARE ALL FAULTY. THEY TURN YELLOW AFTER ABOUT 6 MONTHS OF PURCHASE, THESE UNITS ARE NOT CHEAP, ABOUT $800 FOR A NEW HEADLIGHT SYSTEM. I CONSTANTLY DRIVE WITH MY BRIGHT LIGHTS ON AND I STILL CANT EVEN SEE THE LINES ON THE ROAD. TRY DRIVING WITH YOUR HEADLIGHTS OFF AND THATS HOW THE MARK VIII'S ARE. THIS IS A BIG SAFTEY ISSUE TOO WHICH FORD SHOULD HAVE RECALLED THIS A LONG TIME AGO. ITS SICK HOW THEY DONT WANT TO RECALL IT BECAUSE OF THE MONEY ISSUE, BUT IT CAN AND WILL SAVE LIFES. PLEASE WRITE ME A EMAI… Look up ODI 10000718 at NHTSA ↗	11166.5% ODI 10021220 · 1 mi HEADLIGHT OUTPUT IS NOT SUFFICIENT, LIGHTING IS VERY BAD, EVEN WITH BRAND NEW FACTORY REPLACEMENTS. IT IS DANGEROUS TO DRIVE THIS CAR AT NIGHT, AS THE ROAD IS NOT LIT OUT ENOUGH TO SEE PERSONS, ANIMALS OR OBSTRUCTIONS IN THE WAY. THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE WITH THESE CARS AND SOMETHING SHOULD BE DONE TO RESOLVE THAT, AS IT IS ONLY A MATTER OF TIME UNTIL SOMEONE WILL HAVE AN ACCIDENT, HOPEFULLY NOT INVOLVING THE LOSS OF HUMAN LIFE. *JB Look up ODI 10021220 at NHTSA ↗	9066.2% ODI 10000327 · 80,257 mi THE LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS PROVIDE ALMOST NO LIGHT WHEN DRIVING AT NIGHT. TS Look up ODI 10000327 at NHTSA ↗	6965.1% ODI 10007876 NONE Look up ODI 10007876 at NHTSA ↗	2628.9% ODI 10005583 · 44,000 mi LOW BEAM LIGHT (DRIVER'S SIDE) CEASED FUNCTION. OWNER'S MANUAL REQUIRES THAT ONLY FORD LINCOLN DEALER RENDERS REPAIR, AND THE LIGHT "UNIT" COSTS $750, WITH LABOR ESTIMATED AT $200 TO $400 ADDITIONAL. VEHICLE: 1997 FORD LINCOLN MARK VIII. Look up ODI 10005583 at NHTSA ↗	89.6% ODI 10155023 · 80,000 mi HEADLIGHTS PLASTICC COVERING HAVE BECOME CLOUDY REDUCING HEADLIGHTS OUT PUT! *NM Look up ODI 10155023 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.
Vehicle Speed Control	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	83.3% ODI 10204682 TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1993 LINCOLN MARK VIII. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER REGARDING NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 07V336000 (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL). THE REPAIR ORDER STATED THAT THE DEACTIVATION SWITCH WAS DISCONNECTED. HOWEVER, WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE CRUISE CONTROL WAS ACTIVATED AND DEACTIVATED AS NORMAL. THERE HAD BEEN NO FAILURE TO DATE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 93,000. Look up ODI 10204682 at NHTSA ↗	95.4% ODI 10203937 · 220,000 mi TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1994 LINCOLN MARK VIII. WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN SMOKING AND CAUGHT FIRE WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 07V336000 (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL) AT THE END OF AUGUST OF 2007. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 220,000. EQ-10203937-4200. DATE RECEIVED 12/12/07 Look up ODI 10203937 at NHTSA ↗	53.7% ODI 10002813 AT TIMES, THE IDLING SPEED MOTOR TAKES CONTROL OF THE CAR AND CAUSES THE CAR TO SPEED UP OUT OF CONTROL. THIS REQUIRES VERY HEAVY BRAKING . IT USUALLY HAPPENS AT VERY SLOW SPEED, AND AT DANGEROUS TIMES, (E.G. STOPPING FOR A CROSS WALKER). THIS HAS HAPPENED OVER A DOZEN TIMES IN THE PAST FIVE YEAARS AND HAS COME CLOSE TO NEAR FATALIITY OCCURANCES. AUTO MECHANICS SAY ONLY REPLACEMENT OF THE CONTROL WILL WORK AND THEY ARE NOT SURE IF THE PROBLEM WILL NOT REOCCUR DATE BELOW IS THE LAST OCCURANCE.. Look up ODI 10002813 at NHTSA ↗	43.8% ODI 10218516 PRODUCT RECALL = -SPEED CONTROL. AUG. 2007. DEALER DISCONNECTED IN 2007-NOT REPLACED...CAR NOW W/NO OVERDERIVE/SPEED CONTROL = WASTES GAS. *TR Look up ODI 10218516 at NHTSA ↗	88.9% ODI 10203307 · 49,941 mi TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 LINCOLN MARK VIII. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE LOW BEAM HEADLIGHT FAILED. WHEN HE ATTEMPTED TO REPLACE THE BULB, HE COULD NOT GET THE BULB UNSCREWED. THE DEALER REPLACED THE HEADLIGHT KIT AND CHARGED HIM $700. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 49,941 AND CURRENT MILEAGE IS 50,000. THE CONSUMER REQUESTED TO HAVE THE RECALL PERFORMED ON THE VEHICLE PERTAINING TO THE SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION. THE CONSUMER PROVIDED A LETTER FROM FORD DENYING HIS CLAIM FOR A PARTIAL REIMBURSEMENT. THE DEALER STATED WARNING … Look up ODI 10203307 at NHTSA ↗	33.6% ODI 10211607 TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 LINCOLN MARK VIII. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A SAFETY RECALL NOTICE IN AUGUST OF 2007 FOR THE VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL. THE DEALER INFORMED HIM IN DECEMBER OF 2007 THAT THEY DID NOT KNOW WHEN THE PARTS WOULD BE AVAILABLE. THE VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL SWITCH HAS NOT BEEN DISCONNECTED. THERE HAD BEEN NO FAILURE TO DATE. THE PURCHASE DATE AND RECALL NUMBER WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 13,000. Look up ODI 10211607 at NHTSA ↗	150.0% ODI 547871 WHEN THE CAR IS PLACED IN GEAR, THE BRAKES AUTOMATICALLY RELEASES AND THE CAR BOLTS FORWARD OR REVERSE DEPENDING ON THE GEAR SELECTED, WHICH CAUSED ACCIDENT. YH Look up ODI 547871 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.
Exterior Lighting	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	41.7% ODI 10020708 HEADLIGHT- NOT ENOUGH LIGHT IS PUT OUT TO SEE IN THE DARK, PUT NEW BULBS IN AND CLEANED LENES. SAFETY DEFECT Look up ODI 10020708 at NHTSA ↗	95.4% ODI 10161385 · 40,000 mi HEAD LIGHTS ON MY 1994 LINCOLN MARK VIII ARE VERY DULL. THIS IS DO TO THE REFLECTIVE SHIELD PITTING. LINCOLN ACKNOWLEDGES THE PROBLEM BUT WILL NOT FIX IT. THERE ARE NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS FROM ACROSS THE COUNTRY ON THIS PROBLEM. *NM Look up ODI 10161385 at NHTSA ↗	96.6% ODI 10153135 · 75,000 mi HEADLIGHTS DETERIORATED ON INSIDE,CHROME REFLECTOR BURNS AWAY. PURCHASED NEW HEADLAMP UNITS AND IN LITTLE OVER 2 YEARS SAME THING HAPPENED,1995 LINCOLN MARK VIII,VERY HARD TO USE CAR AT NIGHT WITH THIS PROBLEM, OVER $500 TO REPLACE. *JB Look up ODI 10153135 at NHTSA ↗	43.8% ODI 10025593 I OWN A 1996 LINCOLN MARK VIII AND HAVE BECOME VERY CONSERNED ABOUT THE POOR LIGHTING THIS VEHICLE HAS DURING THE NIGHT HOURS. IT IS BECOMMING HARDER AND HARDER TO USE THE FACTORY LIGHTING TO HAVE A GOOD FISION OF THE AREA AHEAD AND ANY OBSTICALS THAT MIGHT BE THERE.*AK Look up ODI 10025593 at NHTSA ↗	33.3% ODI 10228974 · 144,900 mi TLTHE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 LINCOLN MARK VIII. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE LOW BEAM HEADLIGHT ON HIS VEHICLE HAD BURNED OUT. HE WENT TO PURCHASE ANOTHER ONE AND WAS INFORMED THAT THEY WERE NO LONGER MANUFACTURED. THE DEALER OFFERED A REMEDY KIT AT THE COST OF $740 TO INSTALL ANOTHER LIGHTING SYSTEM, WHICH WOULD TOTAL $1,200 AFTER THE INSTALLATION. THE MANUFACTURER HAS NOT BEEN NOTIFIED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 145,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 144,900. UPDATED 07/15/08. LJ UPDATED 07/15/08 Look up ODI 10228974 at NHTSA ↗	22.4% ODI 10262952 · 101,000 mi I OWN A 1998 LINCOLN MARK VIII. I HAVE OWNED THIS CAR SINCE 1999. RECENTLY, ONE OF THE HEADLIGHT LAMPS BURNED OUT. I ATTEMPTED TO BUY A REPLACEMENT BULB AT SEVERAL AUTO PARTS STORES WITHOUT SUCCESS. I CONTACTED THE LOCAL LINCOLN DEALERS AND FOUND THAT THE BULB (SYLVANIA 9500) IS NO LONGER MANUFACTURED. I ALSO FOUND THAT THERE IS NO STOCK OF AVAILABLE BULBS IN THE UNITED STATES EXCEPT FOR USED BULBS ON E-BAY. (FOR $199). I RESEARCHED THIS ISSUE ON THE INTERNET AND DETERMINED THAT LINCOLN'S REMEDY FOR THIS PROBLEM WAS TO SELL A CONVERSION KIT… Look up ODI 10262952 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.
Visibility:Defroster/Defogger/Hvac System	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	10.7% ODI 769110 IT IS VIRTUALLY IMPOSSIBLE TO CLEAR THE WINDSHIELD ON FOGGY AND ICEY DAYS, WITH THE ENGINE COMPLETELY WARMED UP AT ANY TIME. THE HEAT IS RAISED TO 90, THERE IS NO HEAT AVAILABLE, ALL OTHER TEMPERATURES ARE GOOD. THE DEALER INFORMED ME THAT THE BLEND DOOR ACTUATOR FAILS, OR THE LEVER BRAKES, DUE TO A STICKY BLEND DOOR. I FIND THIS PROBLEM TO BE A SAFETY ISSUE, ESPECIALLY IF IT OCCURES WHILE DRIVING. OTHER OWNERS HAVE STATED THAT IT HAPPENS OFTEN, EVEN AFTER REPAIR, AND THAT NEW COMPONENTS ALSO FAIL. DT Look up ODI 769110 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	1617.8% ODI 10000486 · 88,095 mi THE BLEND DOOR ACTUATOR WHICH ALLOWS WARM AIR TO BE DIRECTED TO THE WINDSHIELD TO DEFROST IT BROKE AT A VERY BAD TIME. MY WINDSHIELD WAS FOGGED UP ON THE INTERSTATE AND WHEN I PUT THE CLIMATE CONTROL ON DEFROST, ALL I GOT WAS COLD AIR. NOT A VERY SAFE SET OF CONDITIONS. I HAVE SINCE READ THAT OVER 40 OF MY LINCOLN CAR CLUB MEMBERS HAVE HAD THE SAME PART BREAK. SOME REPORT AS MANY AS 3 FAILURES. THE LINCOLN DEALERSHIP QUOTES THE REPAIR AT APPROX. $700.00. TS Look up ODI 10000486 at NHTSA ↗	1214.5% ODI 10003517 · 64,049 mi BLEND DOOR ACTUATOR IS BROKEN. THIS CAUSES A SERIOUS VISIBILITY HAZARD DO TO FOG ON THE WINDOWS THAT COULD LEAD TO PERSONAL INJURY. Look up ODI 10003517 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.
Exterior Lighting:Headlights:Concealment Devices	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	62.5% ODI 10019044 · 105,000 mi HEADLIGHT LENSES CRACK & YELLOW MAKING SAFE NIGHT DRIVING IMPOSSIBLE. *JB Look up ODI 10019044 at NHTSA ↗	74.2% ODI 10093483 · 155,000 mi HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLYS ON MY CAR A LINCOLN MARK VIII/1994 HAS PROBLEM WITH CONSISANTLY DIMMING LIGHTS.. I HAVE CLEANED THEM AND REPLACED BULBS WITH SYVANA SILVER STARS/HIGHER OUT PUT AND LIGHTS ARE STILL GETTING DIMMER ..I UNDERSTAND A DESIGN FALURE WITH MANUFACTURE IS AT FAULT.. .E.G. 10/2/04*AK Look up ODI 10093483 at NHTSA ↗	21.5% ODI 10049255 · 24,000 mi UNSAFE NIGHT DRIVING DUE TO POOR HEADLIGHT DESIGN. HEADLIGHTS GETTING PROGRESSIVELY WORSE DUE TO HEAT BUILD-UP INSIDE OF HEADLIGHT HOUSING. THE BEST FIX IS UNFAIRLY EXPENSIVE ESPECIALLY CONSIDERING THE INITIAL COST OF THE VEHICLE.*JB Look up ODI 10049255 at NHTSA ↗	43.8% ODI 10082485 · 50,000 mi DEFECTIVE HEADLIGHT DESIGN. THE PLASTIC REFLECTOR GETS BURNED FROM THE LIGHT BULB HEAT. I CAN BARELY SEE AT NIGHT TIME. THIS IS AN EXTREMELY DANGEROUS SITUATION! THERE ARE NO "EASY-FIXES" AVAILABLE AND FORD/LINCOLN WANTS A FORTUNE TO REPLACE! *JB Look up ODI 10082485 at NHTSA ↗	22.2% ODI 10038107 THE CONSUMER STATED THE HEAD LIGHT LENSES WERE FOGGED, WHICH LIMITED VISIBILITY. AK JB Look up ODI 10038107 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip	1100.0% ODI 8012096 DURING NORMAL BRAKING PEDAL WOULD INTERMITTENTLY GO TO THE FLOOR AND CAUSE EXTENED BRAKING DISTANCE BEFORE STOPPING. DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER WERE NOT NOTIFIED AT THIS TIME. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK Look up ODI 8012096 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	62.5% ODI 10001481 · 87,000 mi CONSUMER HAD THE MASTER CYLINDER, AND THE VACUUM BOOSTER REPLACED. THE ANTI LOCK BRAKE UNIT STARTED TO LEAK AND WAS REPLACED. AFTER THE REPAIR, IT WAS LEAKING WORSE THAN BEFORE. JG JB Look up ODI 10001481 at NHTSA ↗	21.2% ODI 10020266 · 70,000 mi WHILE DRIVING THE ABS WARNING LIGHT STAYED ON CONTINUOUSLY. THE DEALERSHIP COULD NOT FIX THE PROBLEM. NLM THE CONSUMER REQUESTED FOR A HIGHER RELIABILITY STANDARD FOR THE BRAKES. SC Look up ODI 10020266 at NHTSA ↗	10.7% ODI 803402 ANTI -THEFT DEVICE INSTALLED IN VEHICLE BY FACTORY CAUSED AN ELECTRICAL SHORT; ALSO STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP, RESULTING IN LOSS OF CONTROL ACCIDENT, SPEED 35 MPH AND ANTI-LOCK BRAKE FAILURE. *AK Look up ODI 803402 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	22.2% ODI 809582 PEDAL WENT ALLTHE WAY TO THE FLOOR AND THERE WERE NO BRAKES AT ALL. PULLED OVER TO CHECK THERE WERE 2 PIECES OF BRAKE TUBING DRAGGING AND PROTRUDING ,THEY WERE SEVERED IN HALF. *AK Look up ODI 809582 at NHTSA ↗	56.0% ODI 10186930 · 50,250 mi THE FRONT ABS SPEED SENSOR HAS FAILED ON MY 1998 LINCOLN MARK VIII. THE CAR CURRENTLY HAS ONLY 50K MILES ON IT. THESE SENSORS HAVE BEEN DISCONTINUED BY FORD STARTING 2005. THEY ARE NOT INTERCHANGEABLE WITH ANY OTHER VEHICLE AND NO AUTOMOTIVE PARTS STORE CARRIES THEM. FORD MADE CLOSE TO 18,000 LINCOLN MARK VIII IN 1998, THE ABS SENSOR IS CRUCIAL IN THE PROPER OPERATION OF THE ABS AS WELL AS THE TRACTION CONTROL, AS IT IS RIGHT NOW THERE ARE NO REPLACEMENTS AVAILABLE ANYWHERE. THE MARK VIIIS THAT HAVE AND WILL BE AFFECTED BY THIS PROBLEM WILL… Look up ODI 10186930 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.
Power Train:Automatic Transmission	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	31.3% ODI 538783 TRANSMISSION FAILED. Look up ODI 538783 at NHTSA ↗	63.6% ODI 546356 VEHICLE EXPERIENCES STATIC IN THE RADIO AS STATED IN THE SERVICE BULLETIN (9709029718-4), HOWEVER DEALERSHIP DENIED SERVICE OF THE BULLETIN REPAIR STATING YEAR WAS NOT PROPER. MJS Look up ODI 546356 at NHTSA ↗	32.2% ODI 523770 CENTER CONSOLE RATTLES AROUND SHIFTER. Look up ODI 523770 at NHTSA ↗	32.8% ODI 10049419 · 50,000 mi THE HEADLIGHTS THAT CAME STANDARD ON 1993-1996 MARK VIIIS ARE NOT SAFE FOR PUBLIC ROADS. THEY ARE PROBABLY THE WEAKEST HEADLIGHTS EVER PLACED INTO A VEHICLE DURING THE 1990S. IM SURPRISED THEY EVEN PASSED THE DOT REGULATIONS. THE HEADLIGHTS PROVIDE VERY LITTLE LIGHTING FOR THE ROAD AND THEY DO NOT EVEN GIVE ENOUGH LIGHT TO THE STREET SIGNS SO THAT THEY CAN BE READ LEGIBLY AND EASILY. DRIVING ON A POOR LIT ROAD IS IMPOSSIBLE WITHOUT TURNING ON THE HIGH BEAMS BECAUSE OTHER WISE YOU BECOME A HAZARD BECAUSE OF POOR VISIBILITY. IVE BEEN IN COUNTLE… Look up ODI 10049419 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	11.2% ODI 608586 DRIVE TRAIN EXPERIENCING VIBRATION / NOISE. *YC Look up ODI 608586 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.
Unknown Or Other	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	10.6% ODI 734234 TANSMISSION REAR SEAL REPLACED, CONTINUED TO SLIP, THEN THE POWER STEERING PUMP WENT OUT AIR RIDE SYSTEM WAS REPLACED BOTH LEFT AND RIGHT 4 TIMES (2) FRONT (2) REAR.. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM MALFUNCTIONED ALARM WOULD GO OFF WHILE DRIVING LOCKS WHOULD LOCK ON YOU WHILE TRYING TO ENTER CAR IF YOU COULD BET THE LOCKS THE ALARM WOULD GO OFF .. ALTERNATOR WENT OUT AGTER I WAS TOLD THEY COULD NOT FIND ANY PROBLEM WITH THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. VIBRATION IN CAR WHILD DRIVING AND IDILING. OVER HEATED NEW RADIATOR AND THERMOSTAT, 2 TIMING BELTS, INTAKE GASKE… Look up ODI 734234 at NHTSA ↗	21.5% ODI 711955 NO SUMMARY Look up ODI 711955 at NHTSA ↗	21.9% ODI 10049419 · 50,000 mi THE HEADLIGHTS THAT CAME STANDARD ON 1993-1996 MARK VIIIS ARE NOT SAFE FOR PUBLIC ROADS. THEY ARE PROBABLY THE WEAKEST HEADLIGHTS EVER PLACED INTO A VEHICLE DURING THE 1990S. IM SURPRISED THEY EVEN PASSED THE DOT REGULATIONS. THE HEADLIGHTS PROVIDE VERY LITTLE LIGHTING FOR THE ROAD AND THEY DO NOT EVEN GIVE ENOUGH LIGHT TO THE STREET SIGNS SO THAT THEY CAN BE READ LEGIBLY AND EASILY. DRIVING ON A POOR LIT ROAD IS IMPOSSIBLE WITHOUT TURNING ON THE HIGH BEAMS BECAUSE OTHER WISE YOU BECOME A HAZARD BECAUSE OF POOR VISIBILITY. IVE BEEN IN COUNTLE… Look up ODI 10049419 at NHTSA ↗	44.4% ODI 607211 KEYLESS ENTRY SYSTEM FAILED. *YC Look up ODI 607211 at NHTSA ↗	44.8% ODI 10109284 · 30,000 mi THE FRONT SUSPENSION SINKS DOWN ON THE VEHICLE, CAUSING THE FRONT TO SCRAPE ON THE GROUND. THIS IS MAKING THE ABILITY TO DRIVE DIFFICULT. MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED BY OWNER.AK THE CONSUMER STATED THAT THE MAIN COMPUTER IS FAILING. TC Look up ODI 10109284 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.

Darker cells indicate a larger share of submitted complaints. Components overlap. This measures complaint composition, not failure probability.

Failure mileage by component

Median and middle 50% of usable owner-reported mileages. Ranges require at least five records.

Component failure mileage distribution
Component	Mileage range (25th–75th percentile)	Median	Usable records	Examples
Exterior Lighting:Headlights	49,971–76,750 mi	60,000 mi	15	ODI 10005583 · 44,000 mi LOW BEAM LIGHT (DRIVER'S SIDE) CEASED FUNCTION. OWNER'S MANUAL REQUIRES THAT ONLY FORD LINCOLN DEALER RENDERS REPAIR, AND THE LIGHT "UNIT" COSTS $750, WITH LABOR ESTIMATED AT $200 TO $400 ADDITIONAL. VEHICLE: 1997 FORD LINCOLN MARK VIII. Look up ODI 10005583 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10023870 · 65,000 mi WHEN THE DRIVER'S SIDE LOW-BEAM HID HEADLAMP BEGAN FAILING, I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER, SINCE PARTS ARE NOT AVAILABLE ANYWHERE ELSE. THEN I FOUND OUT THAT PARTS WILL COST $780 ($200 FOR THE HEADLAMP + $580 FOR AN "UPGRADED" MOUNTING ASSEMBLY WHICH IS REQUIRED DUE TO PARTS OBSOLESCENCE AND A LINCOLN ENGINEERING MISTAKE). AFTER SOME COMPLAINING, I GOT FORD AND THE DEALER TO REDUCE COST TO $380 FOR PARTS PLUS $120 FOR LABOR. $500 TO REPLACE A HEADLIGHT (REQUIRED SAFETY FEATURE IS ABSOLUTELY UNACCEPTABLE! *JB Look up ODI 10023870 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10037169 · 55,000 mi HEADLIGHTS ON MY 1997 LINCOLN MARK VIII SUDDENLY WENT OUT WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AT 70 MPH CAUSING A NEAR FATAL CRASH. I LUCKILY RAN OFF THE ROAD INTO A MUDDY GRASSY AREA AND BECAME STUCK AND NOT KILLED. I TOOK IT TO THE SHOP ONLY TO FIND I COULD NOT AFFORD TO GET THE LIGHTS REPAIRED BECAUSE THE HEADLIGHTS ON THIS CAR COST $1600.00. THE BRIGHT LIGHTS STILL WORK, IT WAS ONLY THE DIMM LIGHTS THAT WENT OUT FOR NO REASON. THE MANUFACTURE OF THESE LIGHTS SHOULD BE PUNISHED FOR SELLING A PRODUCT THAT'S SUBSTANDARD TO MUCH CHEAPER AND SAFER HEA… Look up ODI 10037169 at NHTSA ↗
Visibility:Defroster/Defogger/Hvac System	61,500–88,774 mi	75,548 mi	6	ODI 10000486 · 88,095 mi THE BLEND DOOR ACTUATOR WHICH ALLOWS WARM AIR TO BE DIRECTED TO THE WINDSHIELD TO DEFROST IT BROKE AT A VERY BAD TIME. MY WINDSHIELD WAS FOGGED UP ON THE INTERSTATE AND WHEN I PUT THE CLIMATE CONTROL ON DEFROST, ALL I GOT WAS COLD AIR. NOT A VERY SAFE SET OF CONDITIONS. I HAVE SINCE READ THAT OVER 40 OF MY LINCOLN CAR CLUB MEMBERS HAVE HAD THE SAME PART BREAK. SOME REPORT AS MANY AS 3 FAILURES. THE LINCOLN DEALERSHIP QUOTES THE REPAIR AT APPROX. $700.00. TS Look up ODI 10000486 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10000569 · 63,000 mi 1997 LINCOLN MARK VIII DEFROSTER/HEATER/AC BLEND DOOR: THE BLEND DOOR ON MY 1997 LINCOLN HAS MALFUNCTIONED. THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM ON ALL MARK VIII LINCOLNS CAUSING A MALFUNCTION IN THE WINDSHIELD DEFROSTER. THERE IS NO HEAT APPLIED TO THE WINDSHIELD WHILE ATTEMTING TO DEFROST. LINCOLN/FORD HAS IGNORED THIS VERY COMMON PROBLEM AND HAS OFFERED NO HELP. I AM SUGGESTING A RECALL BE MADE ON ALL 1997 AND 1998 LINCOLNS. Look up ODI 10000569 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10022833 · 49,000 mi PROBLEMS WITH DEFROST BLOWING OUT COLD AIR INSTEAD OF HEAT TO DEFROST WINDSHIELD. *MR PH Look up ODI 10022833 at NHTSA ↗
Vehicle Speed Control	Too few reports for a range	61,471 mi	2 (sparse)	ODI 10203307 · 49,941 mi TLTHE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 LINCOLN MARK VIII. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE LOW BEAM HEADLIGHT FAILED. WHEN HE ATTEMPTED TO REPLACE THE BULB, HE COULD NOT GET THE BULB UNSCREWED. THE DEALER REPLACED THE HEADLIGHT KIT AND CHARGED HIM $700. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 49,941 AND CURRENT MILEAGE IS 50,000. THE CONSUMER REQUESTED TO HAVE THE RECALL PERFORMED ON THE VEHICLE PERTAINING TO THE SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION. THE CONSUMER PROVIDED A LETTER FROM FORD DENYING HIS CLAIM FOR A PARTIAL REIMBURSEMENT. THE DEALER STATED WARNING … Look up ODI 10203307 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10207414 · 73,000 mi TLTHE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 LINCOLN MARK VIII. WHILE MERGING INTO TRAFFIC BETWEEN 5-10 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN MOVING ERRATICALLY FOR A FEW MINUTES. THE CONTACT NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM THE CABIN AND UNDER THE HOOD, ALONG WITH AN ELECTRICAL SMELL SURROUNDING THE VEHICLE. THE DRIVER STOPPED THE VEHICLE UNTIL THE SMOKING CEASED. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN INSPECTED BY A DEALER OR A MECHANIC. NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 07V336000 (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL) WAS REFERENCED. THE SWITCH WAS DEACTIVATED, BUT HAS NOT BEEN REPLACED. THE PURCHASE DATE WAS U… Look up ODI 10207414 at NHTSA ↗
Exterior Lighting	Too few reports for a range	144,900 mi	3 (sparse)	ODI 10228974 · 144,900 mi TLTHE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 LINCOLN MARK VIII. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE LOW BEAM HEADLIGHT ON HIS VEHICLE HAD BURNED OUT. HE WENT TO PURCHASE ANOTHER ONE AND WAS INFORMED THAT THEY WERE NO LONGER MANUFACTURED. THE DEALER OFFERED A REMEDY KIT AT THE COST OF $740 TO INSTALL ANOTHER LIGHTING SYSTEM, WHICH WOULD TOTAL $1,200 AFTER THE INSTALLATION. THE MANUFACTURER HAS NOT BEEN NOTIFIED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 145,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 144,900. UPDATED 07/15/08. LJ UPDATED 07/15/08 Look up ODI 10228974 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10246936 · 158,400 mi UNABLE TO PURCHASE REPLACEMENT BULBS FOR 1997 LINCOLN MARK VIII HEADLAMPS "LOW BEAM".....HIGH INTENSITY DISCHARGE H-95 SYLVANIA. NO LONGER PRODUCED..........RETOFIT KIT IS $1200............CAR IS ELEVEN YEARS OLD........OUTRAGEOUS. TR Look up ODI 10246936 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10261551 · 45,000 mi TLTHE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 LINCOLN MARK VIII. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT HEADLIGHTS BURNED OUT IN THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE REPLACEMENT BULB WAS UNAVAILABLE AND WOULD BE PLACED ON BACK ORDER. THEY ALSO REQUESTED A DEPOSIT FOR THE BULB, WHICH COST OVER $100. THE CONTACT CALLED SEVERAL FORD DEALERS AND THE MANUFACTURER, WHO ALL STATED THAT THE BULB WAS OBSOLETE AND WOULD NO LONGER BE MANUFACTURED. NO REPAIRS HAVE BEEN MADE TO DATE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 45,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 75,000. 4/01/09 *NJ UPDATED 04… Look up ODI 10261551 at NHTSA ↗
Electrical System	Too few reports for a range	64,971 mi	2 (sparse)	ODI 10203307 · 49,941 mi TLTHE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 LINCOLN MARK VIII. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE LOW BEAM HEADLIGHT FAILED. WHEN HE ATTEMPTED TO REPLACE THE BULB, HE COULD NOT GET THE BULB UNSCREWED. THE DEALER REPLACED THE HEADLIGHT KIT AND CHARGED HIM $700. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 49,941 AND CURRENT MILEAGE IS 50,000. THE CONSUMER REQUESTED TO HAVE THE RECALL PERFORMED ON THE VEHICLE PERTAINING TO THE SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION. THE CONSUMER PROVIDED A LETTER FROM FORD DENYING HIS CLAIM FOR A PARTIAL REIMBURSEMENT. THE DEALER STATED WARNING … Look up ODI 10203307 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10256647 · 80,000 mi TLTHE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 LINCOLN MARK VIII. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BLINDER DOOR WAS INOPERATIVE WHICH WILL NOT ALLOW HEAT TO COME FROM THE DEFROSTER.. THE FAILURE HAS BEEN OCCURRING FOR FOUR YEARS, BUT WAS NEVER REPAIRED BECAUSE THE PART IS MADE OUT OF PLASTIC. THE CONTACT IS HOPING THAT THE MANUFACTURER CHANGES THE PART TO METAL. DUE TO THE BLINDER DOOR NOT WORKING, THE DEFROSTER FAILS TO WORK PROPERLY. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 92,000. UPDATED 3/5/09 CN UPDATED 03/10/09. JB Look up ODI 10256647 at NHTSA ↗
Equipment	Too few reports for a range	39,212 mi	1 (sparse)	ODI 10102980 · 39,212 mi FAILURE OF BLEND DOOR ACTUATOR ON 1997 LINCOLN MARK VIII WHICH RESULTS IN FAILURE OF HVAC. THIS PREVENTS DEFROSTER FROM FUNCTIONING TO CLEAR WINDSHIELD OF FOG OR ICE THUS RESULTING IN A SAFETY HAZARD DUE TO POOR VISIBILITY. THIS PART FAILED IN MAY 3, 2002 AND WAS REPAIRED AT DEALERSHIP BY REPLACING THE PART. THE PART HAS FAILED AGAIN IN DECEMDBER 12, 2004. THIS PART HAS FAILED TWICE WITHIN A LITTLE OVER 2 YEARS AND LESS THAN 32,000 MILES SINCE IT WAS REPLACED IN MAY 2002. *AK Look up ODI 10102980 at NHTSA ↗
Equipment:Electrical	Too few reports for a range	49,200 mi	1 (sparse)	ODI 10111103 · 49,200 mi OWNER WAS DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY AND EXPERIENCED ELECTRICAL PROBLEM. ALL THE HEAD LIGHTS WENT OUT. OWNER PULLED OVER TO THE RIGHT. THEN, CONTACTED THE DEALERSHIP, AND WAS TOLD THAT THE REPAIRS FOR THIS DEFECT WOULD COST $2200.00. *AK Look up ODI 10111103 at NHTSA ↗

Complaint and recall timeline

Explore monthly filing activity alongside recall announcements. Up to ten years of monthly history is available.

ComponentPeriod

Solid line: filed complaints. Dashed amber lines: recall announcement dates for this vehicle selection; markers include all recall components. The latest month is partial. Temporal proximity does not establish causation.

Monthly counts, recall campaigns and complaint examples

Monthly complaint and recall timeline
Month	Campaigns announced	Examples
2024-11	None	No examples available for this selection.
2024-12	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-01	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-02	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-03	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-04	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-05	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-06	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-07	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-08	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-09	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-10	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-11	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-12	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-01	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-02	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-03	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-04	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-05	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-06	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-07	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-08	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-09	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-10 (partial)	None	No examples available for this selection.

Emerging complaint spikes

Complete months in the latest six months with at least 10 complaints, at least twice the preceding 12-month average, and at least three square-root deviations above that average.

This is a descriptive screening rule, not a statistical defect finding. Publicity and reporting changes can increase submissions.

No complete months meet the spike thresholds for this selection.

Equal-age model-year comparison

Model-wide cumulative reports during the first three or five calendar years, starting with the model year (age 0). Only fully elapsed windows are compared.

Observation windowFirst model yearSecond model year

1999: 2 complaints · 2000: 0 complaints

Equal observation windows
Model year	Through age 0	Through age 1	Through age 2
1999	2	2	2
2000	0	0	0

Date coverage across each selected cohort

Date basis for all complaints in selected model years
Year	Incident dates used	Filing date fallbacks	Excluded dates
1999	1	1	0
2000	1	0	0

Incident date is preferred when valid and no later than filing; otherwise filing date is used. Model year approximates age. Equal observation time does not adjust for sales, distance driven or reporting delays. One complaint linked to multiple model years can appear in each cohort.

Components reported together

Each cell counts unique complaints naming both components. Open a nonzero cell for examples.

Component co-occurrence matrix
Component	Exterior Lighting:Headlights	Visibility:Defroster/Defogger/Hvac System	Vehicle Speed Control	Unknown Or Other	Exterior Lighting	Electrical System	Equipment	Equipment:Electrical
Exterior Lighting:Headlights	—	1 ODI 10277640 · 61,000 mi TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 LINCOLN MARK VIII. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS ARE KNOWN TO BURN OUT. THE PARTS ARE NO LONGER BEING MANUFACTURED SO THE ONLY WAY TO REPAIR THEM IS WITH A KIT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THIS SEEMED LIKE AN EXPENSIVE TEMPORARY REMEDY. IN ADDITION, THE BLEND DOOR, WHICH OPENS THE CONTROL FOR HOT AND COLD AIR TO DEFROST THE WINDSHIELD, DOES NOT WORK. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND STATED THAT IT WAS A SAFETY ISSUE. THE DEALER STATED THAT THIS COULD BE REPAIRED AT THE CONTACT'S EXPENSE. THE CONT… Look up ODI 10277640 at NHTSA ↗	1 ODI 10203307 · 49,941 mi TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 LINCOLN MARK VIII. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE LOW BEAM HEADLIGHT FAILED. WHEN HE ATTEMPTED TO REPLACE THE BULB, HE COULD NOT GET THE BULB UNSCREWED. THE DEALER REPLACED THE HEADLIGHT KIT AND CHARGED HIM $700. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 49,941 AND CURRENT MILEAGE IS 50,000. THE CONSUMER REQUESTED TO HAVE THE RECALL PERFORMED ON THE VEHICLE PERTAINING TO THE SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION. THE CONSUMER PROVIDED A LETTER FROM FORD DENYING HIS CLAIM FOR A PARTIAL REIMBURSEMENT. THE DEALER STATED WARNING … Look up ODI 10203307 at NHTSA ↗	0	0	1 ODI 10203307 · 49,941 mi TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 LINCOLN MARK VIII. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE LOW BEAM HEADLIGHT FAILED. WHEN HE ATTEMPTED TO REPLACE THE BULB, HE COULD NOT GET THE BULB UNSCREWED. THE DEALER REPLACED THE HEADLIGHT KIT AND CHARGED HIM $700. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 49,941 AND CURRENT MILEAGE IS 50,000. THE CONSUMER REQUESTED TO HAVE THE RECALL PERFORMED ON THE VEHICLE PERTAINING TO THE SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION. THE CONSUMER PROVIDED A LETTER FROM FORD DENYING HIS CLAIM FOR A PARTIAL REIMBURSEMENT. THE DEALER STATED WARNING … Look up ODI 10203307 at NHTSA ↗	0	1 ODI 10111103 · 49,200 mi OWNER WAS DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY AND EXPERIENCED ELECTRICAL PROBLEM. ALL THE HEAD LIGHTS WENT OUT. OWNER PULLED OVER TO THE RIGHT. THEN, CONTACTED THE DEALERSHIP, AND WAS TOLD THAT THE REPAIRS FOR THIS DEFECT WOULD COST $2200.00. *AK Look up ODI 10111103 at NHTSA ↗
Visibility:Defroster/Defogger/Hvac System	1 ODI 10277640 · 61,000 mi TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 LINCOLN MARK VIII. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS ARE KNOWN TO BURN OUT. THE PARTS ARE NO LONGER BEING MANUFACTURED SO THE ONLY WAY TO REPAIR THEM IS WITH A KIT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THIS SEEMED LIKE AN EXPENSIVE TEMPORARY REMEDY. IN ADDITION, THE BLEND DOOR, WHICH OPENS THE CONTROL FOR HOT AND COLD AIR TO DEFROST THE WINDSHIELD, DOES NOT WORK. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND STATED THAT IT WAS A SAFETY ISSUE. THE DEALER STATED THAT THIS COULD BE REPAIRED AT THE CONTACT'S EXPENSE. THE CONT… Look up ODI 10277640 at NHTSA ↗	—	0	1 ODI 769126 THE KEYS ARE NOT AVAILABLE AT ANY DEALERSHIP OR AFTERNARKET. IMAGINE LOSING YOUR KEYS IN A STRANGE TOWN. IT TOOK THE DEALER 5 DAYS TO REPLACE THE KEY THEY LOST. AS FOR THE BLEND DOOR, GO TO THE SITE MARKVIII.ORG AND THERE ARE MANY COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS COMPONANT THAT IS ONLY $30.00 BUT COSTS $800.00 TO REPLACE DUE TO THE LABOR TO GET AT THE PART. WITH AS MANY FAILURES THE DOT NEEDS TO DO SOMETHING ASAP ABOUT THIS. DT Look up ODI 769126 at NHTSA ↗	0	0	0	0
Vehicle Speed Control	1 ODI 10203307 · 49,941 mi TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 LINCOLN MARK VIII. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE LOW BEAM HEADLIGHT FAILED. WHEN HE ATTEMPTED TO REPLACE THE BULB, HE COULD NOT GET THE BULB UNSCREWED. THE DEALER REPLACED THE HEADLIGHT KIT AND CHARGED HIM $700. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 49,941 AND CURRENT MILEAGE IS 50,000. THE CONSUMER REQUESTED TO HAVE THE RECALL PERFORMED ON THE VEHICLE PERTAINING TO THE SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION. THE CONSUMER PROVIDED A LETTER FROM FORD DENYING HIS CLAIM FOR A PARTIAL REIMBURSEMENT. THE DEALER STATED WARNING … Look up ODI 10203307 at NHTSA ↗	0	—	0	0	1 ODI 10203307 · 49,941 mi TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 LINCOLN MARK VIII. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE LOW BEAM HEADLIGHT FAILED. WHEN HE ATTEMPTED TO REPLACE THE BULB, HE COULD NOT GET THE BULB UNSCREWED. THE DEALER REPLACED THE HEADLIGHT KIT AND CHARGED HIM $700. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 49,941 AND CURRENT MILEAGE IS 50,000. THE CONSUMER REQUESTED TO HAVE THE RECALL PERFORMED ON THE VEHICLE PERTAINING TO THE SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION. THE CONSUMER PROVIDED A LETTER FROM FORD DENYING HIS CLAIM FOR A PARTIAL REIMBURSEMENT. THE DEALER STATED WARNING … Look up ODI 10203307 at NHTSA ↗	0	0
Unknown Or Other	0	1 ODI 769126 THE KEYS ARE NOT AVAILABLE AT ANY DEALERSHIP OR AFTERNARKET. IMAGINE LOSING YOUR KEYS IN A STRANGE TOWN. IT TOOK THE DEALER 5 DAYS TO REPLACE THE KEY THEY LOST. AS FOR THE BLEND DOOR, GO TO THE SITE MARKVIII.ORG AND THERE ARE MANY COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS COMPONANT THAT IS ONLY $30.00 BUT COSTS $800.00 TO REPLACE DUE TO THE LABOR TO GET AT THE PART. WITH AS MANY FAILURES THE DOT NEEDS TO DO SOMETHING ASAP ABOUT THIS. DT Look up ODI 769126 at NHTSA ↗	0	—	0	0	0	1 ODI 738078 GAS GAUGE AND ELECTRONIC MESSAGE CENTER DISPLAY ERRONEOUS FUEL INFORMATION THAT RESULTS IN AN UNPREDICTABLE OUT-OF-GAS CONDITION WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE. WITHOUT WARNING THE VEHICLE LOSES POWER AND STALLS WITH NO POWER FOR ACCELERATION AND IMPAIRED BRAKING AND STEERING. THIS UNEXPECTED OUT-OF-GAS CONDITION DUE TO ERRONEOUS DASHBOARD INDICATORS PLACES THE VEHICLE, DRIVER, AND OCCUPANTS IN JEOPARDY OF POTENTIAL PERSONAL INJURY AND PROPERTY DAMAGE. THIS PROBLEM IS SIMILAR TO TSBS BC2303970501/ITEM SB052799 AND BC105799705/ITEM SB052859. MOST… Look up ODI 738078 at NHTSA ↗
Exterior Lighting	0	0	0	0	—	0	0	0
Electrical System	1 ODI 10203307 · 49,941 mi TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 LINCOLN MARK VIII. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE LOW BEAM HEADLIGHT FAILED. WHEN HE ATTEMPTED TO REPLACE THE BULB, HE COULD NOT GET THE BULB UNSCREWED. THE DEALER REPLACED THE HEADLIGHT KIT AND CHARGED HIM $700. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 49,941 AND CURRENT MILEAGE IS 50,000. THE CONSUMER REQUESTED TO HAVE THE RECALL PERFORMED ON THE VEHICLE PERTAINING TO THE SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION. THE CONSUMER PROVIDED A LETTER FROM FORD DENYING HIS CLAIM FOR A PARTIAL REIMBURSEMENT. THE DEALER STATED WARNING … Look up ODI 10203307 at NHTSA ↗	0	1 ODI 10203307 · 49,941 mi TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 LINCOLN MARK VIII. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE LOW BEAM HEADLIGHT FAILED. WHEN HE ATTEMPTED TO REPLACE THE BULB, HE COULD NOT GET THE BULB UNSCREWED. THE DEALER REPLACED THE HEADLIGHT KIT AND CHARGED HIM $700. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 49,941 AND CURRENT MILEAGE IS 50,000. THE CONSUMER REQUESTED TO HAVE THE RECALL PERFORMED ON THE VEHICLE PERTAINING TO THE SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION. THE CONSUMER PROVIDED A LETTER FROM FORD DENYING HIS CLAIM FOR A PARTIAL REIMBURSEMENT. THE DEALER STATED WARNING … Look up ODI 10203307 at NHTSA ↗	0	0	—	0	0
Equipment	0	0	0	0	0	0	—	0
Equipment:Electrical	1 ODI 10111103 · 49,200 mi OWNER WAS DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY AND EXPERIENCED ELECTRICAL PROBLEM. ALL THE HEAD LIGHTS WENT OUT. OWNER PULLED OVER TO THE RIGHT. THEN, CONTACTED THE DEALERSHIP, AND WAS TOLD THAT THE REPAIRS FOR THIS DEFECT WOULD COST $2200.00. *AK Look up ODI 10111103 at NHTSA ↗	0	0	1 ODI 738078 GAS GAUGE AND ELECTRONIC MESSAGE CENTER DISPLAY ERRONEOUS FUEL INFORMATION THAT RESULTS IN AN UNPREDICTABLE OUT-OF-GAS CONDITION WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE. WITHOUT WARNING THE VEHICLE LOSES POWER AND STALLS WITH NO POWER FOR ACCELERATION AND IMPAIRED BRAKING AND STEERING. THIS UNEXPECTED OUT-OF-GAS CONDITION DUE TO ERRONEOUS DASHBOARD INDICATORS PLACES THE VEHICLE, DRIVER, AND OCCUPANTS IN JEOPARDY OF POTENTIAL PERSONAL INJURY AND PROPERTY DAMAGE. THIS PROBLEM IS SIMILAR TO TSBS BC2303970501/ITEM SB052799 AND BC105799705/ITEM SB052859. MOST… Look up ODI 738078 at NHTSA ↗	0	0	0	—

Co-reporting does not establish that one component caused another concern.

Recurring narrative patterns

Specific keyword mentions beyond broad component labels. Matching includes negations and comparisons and does not confirm a diagnosis.

Search patterns

3 patterns with matching reports.

Stalling or loss of power

3 mentions · 3.3% of complaints

Median mileage: Unavailable (0 usable records).

ODI 10220456

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ODI 738078

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ODI 8004127

VEHICLE STALLS AT ANY SPEED/ ANY TIME. DEALER CANNOT FIND A CAUSE. *AK

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Matching rule

\b(stall\w*|loss of power|lost power|engine shut\w* off)\b

Hard or delayed shifting

1 mentions · 1.1% of complaints

Median mileage: Unavailable (0 usable records).

ODI 753105

THE PROBLEM STARTED A YEAR OF TWO AFTER PURCHASE. IT ABRUPTLY JERKS TO THE RIGHT ON LEFT TURNS FROM A STAND STILL OR WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY. IT'S BEEN WORKED ON AT LEAST 4 TIMES BY THE DEALERSHIP BUT WITH NO SUCCESS. I HAVE REPORTED IT TO LINCOLN CUSTOMER SERVICE BUT GOT NO HELP.*AK

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Matching rule

Warning lights and dashboard alerts

1 mentions · 1.1% of complaints

Median mileage: 49,941 mi (1 usable records).

ODI 10203307 · 49,941 mi

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 LINCOLN MARK VIII. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE LOW BEAM HEADLIGHT FAILED. WHEN HE ATTEMPTED TO REPLACE THE BULB, HE COULD NOT GET THE BULB UNSCREWED. THE DEALER REPLACED THE HEADLIGHT KIT AND CHARGED HIM $700. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 49,941 AND CURRENT MILEAGE IS 50,000. THE CONSUMER REQUESTED TO HAVE THE RECALL PERFORMED ON THE VEHICLE PERTAINING TO THE SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION. THE CONSUMER PROVIDED A LETTER FROM FORD DENYING HIS CLAIM FOR A PARTIAL REIMBURSEMENT. THE DEALER STATED WARNING …

Look up ODI 10203307 at NHTSA ↗

Matching rule

\b(warning light\w*|check engine|dashboard warning\w*|malfunction indicator)\b