U.S. public vehicle records

1998 Lincoln MARK VIII problems and owner complaints

Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.

Key facts

83 owner complaints analyzed

1 distinct recall campaigns

64,844 mi median reported failure mileage

Scope: 1998 model year. Data updated: 2026-10-01 (October 1, 2026). 26 complaints include usable failure mileage. View data status.

Owner-reported patterns

Most common problems

Visibility:Defroster/Defogger/Hvac System is the most frequently named component, appearing in 12 of 83 complaints (14.5%). A complaint can name multiple components.

Recurring terms in complaint narratives
Topic	Matching reports	Share of complaints
Steering behavior	8	9.6%
Braking behavior	7	8.4%
Transmission and shifting	1	1.2%
Electrical and battery issues	1	1.2%

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.

Visibility:Defroster/Defogger/Hvac System

Exterior Lighting:Headlights

Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip

Suspension:Front

Unknown Or Other

Visibility

Visibility:Rearview Mirrors/Devices:Exterior

Engine And Engine Cooling

Component breakdown data
Category	Count
Visibility:Defroster/Defogger/Hvac System	12
Exterior Lighting:Headlights	8
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip	5
Suspension:Front	5
Unknown Or Other	4
Visibility	4
Visibility:Rearview Mirrors/Devices:Exterior	4
Engine And Engine Cooling	3

Visibility:Defroster/Defogger/Hvac System: 12; Exterior Lighting:Headlights: 8; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip: 5; Suspension:Front: 5; Unknown Or Other: 4; Visibility: 4; Visibility:Rearview Mirrors/Devices:Exterior: 4; Engine And Engine Cooling: 3

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: 2; 25,000 to 49,999: 3; 50,000 to 74,999: 13; 75,000 to 99,999: 3; 100,000 to 149,999: 4; 150,000 and above: 1

50,000 to 74,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (13). 57 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.

1998

1999

2000

2001

2002

2003

2004

2005

2006

2007

2008

2009

2010

2011

2016

1998: 5; 1999: 17; 2000: 6; 2001: 6; 2002: 12; 2003: 4; 2004: 8; 2005: 4; 2006: 4; 2007: 4; 2008: 4; 2009: 2; 2010: 1; 2011: 4; 2016: 2

Pattern summary

Visibility:Defroster/Defogger/Hvac System leads the component reports. Steering behavior appears in 8 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 7 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 1 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 10038640 · 2003-09-10 (September 10, 2003)

STEERING HAS MALFUNCTIONED.*AK

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10038640 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10080863 · 2004-07-12 (July 12, 2004)

I ROLAND MATOS PURCHASED A LINCOLN MARK VIII ON 06\27\01. BEAUTIFUL CAR . BUT 2 WEEKS AFTER I WAS HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE POWERTILT\TELESCOPE STEERING. IT WASN'T MOVING BACK AND FORTH ANY-MORE, AND DROPPING ITS BALL BEARINGS ON DRIVERSIDE MAT. SO I CALLED COUNTY LINE LEXUS WHERE I PURCHASED CAR, THEY TOLD ME THAT I BOUGHT THE CAR "AS IS" THEY DIRECTED ME TO FORD. I CALLED FORD AND THEY TOLD ME THAT THE MANUFACTURE WARRANTY HAD EXPIRED. I HAD VEHICLE FOR LESS THAN A MONTH ,THAT I HAD TO PAY TO FIX IT. SO I CONTACTED NHTSA AND TOLD THEM T…

Owner-reported narrative. 58,158 miles reported. Look up ODI 10080863 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10186930 · 2007-04-03 (April 3, 2007)

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…

Owner-reported narrative. 50,250 miles reported. Look up ODI 10186930 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10342183 · 2010-07-09 (July 9, 2010)

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 LINCOLN MARK VIII. WHILE DRIVING AT A LOW SPEED THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR ABS FAILED. THE DEALER COULD NOT REPAIR THE VEHICLE BECAUSE THE REAR WHEEL ABS SENSOR WAS NO LONGER AVAILABLE. REPORT 238373 WAS FILED WITH THE MANUFACTURER. THE MANUFACTURER ATTEMPTED TO LOCATE THE PART, BUT THE PART WAS NO LONGER IN PRODUCTION; THEREFORE; THEY COULD NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE. THE DEALER DISCONNECTED THE REAR ABS SENSOR TO ENSURE THAT THE REAR BRAKES WOULD FUNCTION PROPERLY; YET, IT CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO VIBRATE AND THE A…

Owner-reported narrative. 88,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10342183 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10388611 · 2011-03-06 (March 6, 2011)

THE BRAKES CAN QUIT WORKING AFTER THE AUTOMATIC PARKING BRAKE RELEASE SOLENOID FAILS TO RELEASE THE REAR BRAKES WHEN THE TRANSMISSION LEVER IS MOVED OUT OF PARK. THE REAR BRAKES WILL THEN OVERHEAT AFTER SEVERAL MILES, WHICH CAUSES THE BRAKE FLUID TO EVENTUALLY BOIL AND BE EXPELLED FROM THE MASTER CYLINDER. THE FIRST SYMPTOM IS THAT THE BRAKE PEDAL GOES ALMOST ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR AND BRAKING BECOMES ERRATIC. SHORTLY THEREAFTER, THE BRAKING SYSTEM TOTALLY FAILED TO STOP THE CAR DUE TO LACK OF BRAKE FLUID IN THE MASTER CYLINDER. PUMPI…

Owner-reported narrative. 74,095 miles reported. Look up ODI 10388611 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 608582 · 1999-02-01 (February 1, 1999)

BATTERY FAILURE. *YC

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 608582 at NHTSA ↗

Explore the data

Vehicle analysis explorer

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

Data completeness

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

31.3%Usable mileage26 / 83 records

84.3%Valid incident date70 / 83 records

100.0%Valid filing date83 / 83 records

84.3%Ordered incident and filing dates70 / 83 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
Visibility:Defroster/Defogger/Hvac System	Too few reports for a range	64,049 mi	3 (sparse)	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 ↗ ODI 10103960 · 56,200 mi HEATER/AC BLENDER DOOR-DOORS,FAIL TO OPERATE AND OR HAVE "NO" TEMPETURE CONTROL,RESULTING IN POOR VISIBLITY.FOGGING ETC,LACK OF DEFROSTING AND OR A COLD DRIVER..SEE PREVIOUS 768368,768427,768529,768796,768173.7689173,769183,769959,10003517,10005626,10023956,10075009,AND NOW MINE ! THE ONLY THING THAT CHANGED IS THE COST OF REPAIRS BY THE DEALER HAS GONE UP. I HAVE A WRITTEN ESTIMATE FOR( THE DASH HAS TO BE REMOVED) $680.00 LABOR.. PARTS AS FOUND/ TO BE $38.00,,$68.00,,$5.00,,$35.00 AND THAN MAYBE $350.00 MORE FOR A PLEMUM.. ($1,176.00) I UN… Look up ODI 10103960 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10211874 · 85,500 mi THE BLEND DOOR THAT CONTROLS THE HEAT AND AIR CONDITIONING HAS STOPPED WORKING AND HAS RENDERED MY HEATING / COOLING SYSTEM DYSFUNCTIONAL. THIS SEEMS TO BE A WIDELY KNOWN ISSUE FOR THIS CAR (1998 LINCOLN MARK VIII LSC) - IT POSES A DANGEROUS AND TANGIBLE THREAT TO SAFETY CONSIDERING HEAT WILL NOT WORK TO DEFROST THE WINDOWS AND FRONT WINDSHIELD. *TR Look up ODI 10211874 at NHTSA ↗
Exterior Lighting:Headlights	Too few reports for a range	80,000 mi	3 (sparse)	ODI 10155023 · 80,000 mi HEADLIGHTS PLASTICC COVERING HAVE BECOME CLOUDY REDUCING HEADLIGHTS OUT PUT! NM Look up ODI 10155023 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10218052 · 71,800 mi 1998 LINCOLN MARK VLLL LSC (HID HEADLIGHT BULB;PASSENGER SIDE). POOR NIGHT VISIBILITY DUE TO SEVER DEGRADATION OF OEM HEADLAMP SYSTEM. THIS MAKES NIGHT DRIVING ILLEGAL,DANGEROUS, AND JUST IMPOSSIBLE WITH OUT SOME SORT OF AFTERMARKET LIGHTING SYSTEM OR OEM REPLACEMENTS WHICH WILL SOON FAIL AND CAUSE THE ISSUE ALL OVER AGAIN. THERE IS NO AFTER MARKET REPLACEMENT BULB. FORD DID NOT CONTRACT WITH SYLVANIA TO MAKE ONE. I WAS TOLD THAT MY HID HEADLIGHT BULB WOULD NEVER BURN OUT. NOW I CAN'T EVEN SELL MY CAR. IF I DID FIND A BUYER, IT WOULD NO… Look up ODI 10218052 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10219682 · 150,000 mi TLTHE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 LINCOLN MARK VIII. THE PASSENGER SIDE HEADLIGHT FAILED. THE LIGHT BULB WAS REPLACED LAST YEAR, BUT HAS FAILED AGAIN. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE NEEDED A CONVERSION KIT BECAUSE THE LIGHT BULB WAS NO LONGER BEING MANUFACTURED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 207,199. Look up ODI 10219682 at NHTSA ↗
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip	Too few reports for a range	69,125 mi	2 (sparse)	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 ↗ ODI 10342183 · 88,000 mi TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 LINCOLN MARK VIII. WHILE DRIVING AT A LOW SPEED THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR ABS FAILED. THE DEALER COULD NOT REPAIR THE VEHICLE BECAUSE THE REAR WHEEL ABS SENSOR WAS NO LONGER AVAILABLE. REPORT 238373 WAS FILED WITH THE MANUFACTURER. THE MANUFACTURER ATTEMPTED TO LOCATE THE PART, BUT THE PART WAS NO LONGER IN PRODUCTION; THEREFORE; THEY COULD NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE. THE DEALER DISCONNECTED THE REAR ABS SENSOR TO ENSURE THAT THE REAR BRAKES WOULD FUNCTION PROPERLY; YET, IT CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO VIBRATE AND THE A… Look up ODI 10342183 at NHTSA ↗
Suspension:Front	Too few reports for a range	93,500 mi	4 (sparse)	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 ↗ ODI 10207434 · 60,000 mi TLTHE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 LINCOLN MARK VIII. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE LOWERED WHEN HE SHUT OFF THE ENGINE. AS OF OCTOBER 30, 2007, THE DEALER HAD NOT DIAGNOSED THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT FELT THAT THE FRONT SUSPENSION WAS DEFECTIVE. HE STATED THAT THE FAILURE WOULD MAKE IT IMPOSSIBLE TO STEER THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 70,000. THE CONSUMER STATED THE DEFECT HAS BEEN DIAGNOSED AS A FAILURE OF THE AIR SUSPENSION SYSTEM WHEREIN ONE AIRBAG HAD DETERIORATED FAILED WITH A LEAK… Look up ODI 10207434 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10384340 · 131,000 mi TLTHE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 LINCOLN MARK VIII. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH OVER TRAIN TRACKS, THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE TIRE CAME OFF AND THE VEHICLE FELL TO THE GROUND. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE FAILURE OCCURRED THREE TIMES BEFORE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL SHOP WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE BALL JOINT AND CONTROL ARM NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED WHO DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 131,000. UPDATED 3/25/11 *CN UPDATED 03/30/11 Look up ODI 10384340 at NHTSA ↗
Unknown Or Other	Too few reports for a range	52,048 mi	2 (sparse)	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 ↗ ODI 10388611 · 74,095 mi THE BRAKES CAN QUIT WORKING AFTER THE AUTOMATIC PARKING BRAKE RELEASE SOLENOID FAILS TO RELEASE THE REAR BRAKES WHEN THE TRANSMISSION LEVER IS MOVED OUT OF PARK. THE REAR BRAKES WILL THEN OVERHEAT AFTER SEVERAL MILES, WHICH CAUSES THE BRAKE FLUID TO EVENTUALLY BOIL AND BE EXPELLED FROM THE MASTER CYLINDER. THE FIRST SYMPTOM IS THAT THE BRAKE PEDAL GOES ALMOST ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR AND BRAKING BECOMES ERRATIC. SHORTLY THEREAFTER, THE BRAKING SYSTEM TOTALLY FAILED TO STOP THE CAR DUE TO LACK OF BRAKE FLUID IN THE MASTER CYLINDER. PUMPI… Look up ODI 10388611 at NHTSA ↗
Visibility	Too few reports for a range	49,789 mi	3 (sparse)	ODI 10052376 · 74,000 mi AT DIFFERENT TIMES THE DOOR AJAR INDICATOR WILL COME ON. THIS CAUSES THE INTERIOR LIGHTS IN THE VEHICHLE TO LIGHT UP AND IS EXTREMELY HAZARDOUS AT NIGHT. OFTEN TIMES IT WILL SWITCH FROM THE DRIVERS DOOR TO THE RIGHT PASSENGER DOOR AND ON OCCASION WILL INDICATE BOTH.(ONE GOES OUT AND THE OTHER STARTS) THIS ALSO CAUSES THE ALARM SYSTEM TO ENGAGE. WHEN I EXIT THE VEHICLE, IF SENSORS INDICATE THAT ONE OF THE DOORS IS STILL AJAR, THE ALARM ACTIVATES INTERMITTENTLY. AK Look up ODI 10052376 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10259728 · 23,000 mi WEATHER CHANGE. HEATER BLEND DOOR WILL NOT OPEN. NO DEFROSTER OR HEATER IN WINTER WEATHER CAUSING PROBLEMS WITH SEEING OUT WINDSHIELD AND HYPOTHERMIA. I'VE HAD FIXED TWICE AT A COST OF $900 EACH TIME. ON ANY FORUM DEALING WITH THE MARK VIII IT IS A CONTINUING PROBLEM CAUSED BY A DEFECTIVE PART. IT SHOULD BE A MANUFACTURER'S RESPONSIBILITY TO REPLACE DEFECTIVE PARTS WHICH CAUSE TRAFFIC HAZARDS, I.E., FAILURE TO DEFROST DUE TO BLEND DOOR NOT OPENING. PART IS LESS THAN $10, REPAIR IS LABOR INTENSIVE. TR Look up ODI 10259728 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10425496 · 49,789 mi THE HEATER WILL NOT BLOW HOT AIR, NO DEFROSTER, CAN'T SEE OUT OF WINDSHIELD. *KB Look up ODI 10425496 at NHTSA ↗
Visibility:Rearview Mirrors/Devices:Exterior	Too few reports for a range	24,775 mi	1 (sparse)	ODI 10233023 · 24,775 mi TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 LINCOLN MARK VIII. WHILE BACKING OUT OF THE GARAGE, THE CONTACT COULD NOT SEE THROUGH A SMALL PORTION OF THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR MIRROR. APPROXIMATELY TWO WEEKS LATER, THE CONTACT COULD NOT SEE OUT OF THE ENTIRE MIRROR. THERE WERE NO RECALLS FOR THIS FAILURE. THE SPEED WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 24,875 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 24,775. Look up ODI 10233023 at NHTSA ↗
Engine And Engine Cooling	Too few reports for a range	43,262 mi	2 (sparse)	ODI 10055624 · 54,473 mi PROBLEMS WITH HEAT AND AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEM THAT HAS OCCURRED 4 TIMES. AK MR Look up ODI 10055624 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10101254 · 32,050 mi VEHICLE WAS RUNNING VERY ROUGH, AND MISSING. ALSO, STEERING MALFUNCTIONED. *AK Look up ODI 10101254 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	Visibility:Defroster/Defogger/Hvac System	Exterior Lighting:Headlights	Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip	Suspension:Front	Unknown Or Other	Visibility	Visibility:Rearview Mirrors/Devices:Exterior	Engine And Engine Cooling
Visibility:Defroster/Defogger/Hvac System	—	1 ODI 739944 THE ON-BOARD COMPUTER INDICATES THAT THE "DRIVERS DOOR IS AJAR". THE SIGN DOES NOT GO OUT WHEN THE DOOR IS OPENED AND CLOSED AGAIN. WHEN DOOR LOCKS ARE DEPRESSED, THEY POP UP AGAIN AND THE DOORS WILL NOT LOCK AT ALL. THE ONLY OPERABLE SETTING OF THE HEATER BLOWER MOTOR IS HIGH FAN/ THE HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLY BALLAST IS DEFECTIVE AND THE LOWBEAM SETTING IS DIM. IT CANNOT BE REPAIRED BY REPLACING THE LAMP. Look up ODI 739944 at NHTSA ↗	0	0	0	1 ODI 10005626 I HAVE BEEN REVIEWING THE FILE ON LINCOLN MARK 8'S '97 & 98 AND NOTICED THAT THERE WERE AT LEAST 10 COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE VENTILATION/HEATING/A/C BLEND DOOR PROBLEM WITH THIS CAR. HOW MANY COMPLAINTS DOES IT TAKE UNTIL YOU DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT???? THIS IS NOT ONLY A VERY EXPENSIVE REPAIR TO MAKE, BUT FAILURE, WHICH CAN HAPPEN WITHOUT WARNING, RESULTS IN WINDSHIELD FOGGING AND INABILITY OF THE SYSTEM TO CLEAR THE WINDSHIELD . THE LINCOLNS OF DISTINCTION CLUB, WHICH SUPPORTS MARK 8'S HAVE HAD OVER 30-40 FAILURES TO DATE, SOME REPEATEDLY. WE … Look up ODI 10005626 at NHTSA ↗	0	0
Exterior Lighting:Headlights	1 ODI 739944 THE ON-BOARD COMPUTER INDICATES THAT THE "DRIVERS DOOR IS AJAR". THE SIGN DOES NOT GO OUT WHEN THE DOOR IS OPENED AND CLOSED AGAIN. WHEN DOOR LOCKS ARE DEPRESSED, THEY POP UP AGAIN AND THE DOORS WILL NOT LOCK AT ALL. THE ONLY OPERABLE SETTING OF THE HEATER BLOWER MOTOR IS HIGH FAN/ THE HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLY BALLAST IS DEFECTIVE AND THE LOWBEAM SETTING IS DIM. IT CANNOT BE REPAIRED BY REPLACING THE LAMP. Look up ODI 739944 at NHTSA ↗	—	0	0	0	0	0	0
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip	0	0	—	0	0	0	0	0
Suspension:Front	0	0	0	—	1 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 ↗	0	0	0
Unknown Or Other	0	0	0	1 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 ↗	—	0	0	0
Visibility	1 ODI 10005626 I HAVE BEEN REVIEWING THE FILE ON LINCOLN MARK 8'S '97 & 98 AND NOTICED THAT THERE WERE AT LEAST 10 COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE VENTILATION/HEATING/A/C BLEND DOOR PROBLEM WITH THIS CAR. HOW MANY COMPLAINTS DOES IT TAKE UNTIL YOU DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT???? THIS IS NOT ONLY A VERY EXPENSIVE REPAIR TO MAKE, BUT FAILURE, WHICH CAN HAPPEN WITHOUT WARNING, RESULTS IN WINDSHIELD FOGGING AND INABILITY OF THE SYSTEM TO CLEAR THE WINDSHIELD . THE LINCOLNS OF DISTINCTION CLUB, WHICH SUPPORTS MARK 8'S HAVE HAD OVER 30-40 FAILURES TO DATE, SOME REPEATEDLY. WE … Look up ODI 10005626 at NHTSA ↗	0	0	0	0	—	0	0
Visibility:Rearview Mirrors/Devices:Exterior	0	0	0	0	0	0	—	0
Engine And Engine Cooling	0	0	0	0	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.

Brake response concerns

3 mentions · 3.6% of complaints

Median mileage: 74,095 mi (1 usable records).

ODI 10388611 · 74,095 mi

Look up ODI 10388611 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 865095

WHEN APPLYING BRAKES AND MAKING A NORMAL STOP, BRAKE PEDAL WENT ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOORBOARD. THERE WAS JUST A LITTLE BIT OF BRAKING. DRIVER HAD TO USE EMERGENCY BRAKE TO STOP VEHICLE. PROBLEM WAS REPORTED TO THE DEALERSHIP. PROBLEM HAS NOT BEEN CORRECTED. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK

Look up ODI 865095 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 891822

WHEN DRIVING AND WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES TO MAKE A GRADUAL STOP EITHER ON WET OR DRY PAVEMENT BRAKE PEDAL GOES STRAIGHT TO THE FLOORBOARD, CAUSING EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. CONSUMER HAS TAKEN VEHICLE TO THE DEALER WHO COULD NOT DUPLICATE PROBLEM OR DETERMINE THE CAUSE. *AK *SLC

Look up ODI 891822 at NHTSA ↗

Matching rule

Warning lights and dashboard alerts

2 mentions · 2.4% of complaints

Median mileage: 72,548 mi (2 usable records).

ODI 10139598 · 71,000 mi

AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT WENT ON AND LINCOLN/MERCURY DEALERSHIP SAYS THE AIRBAG MAY DEPLOY WITHOUT WARNING OR MAY NOT DEPLOY IN THE EVENT OF AN ACCIDENT. REPLACEMENT/REPAIR OF THE CLOCK SPRING ASSEMBLY SHOULD BE COVERED BY FORD/LINCOLN SINCE THIS IS A SAFETY DEVICE ONLY AND NOT A MECHANICAL DEVICE. *JB

Look up ODI 10139598 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 10388611 · 74,095 mi

Look up ODI 10388611 at NHTSA ↗

Matching rule

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

Hard or delayed shifting

1 mentions · 1.2% of complaints

Median mileage: Unavailable (0 usable records).

ODI 607466

VEHICLE EXPERIENCING FRONT SUSPENSION OUT OF ALIGNMENT, CAUSING PULLING, JERKING AND VIBRATIONS. *YC

Look up ODI 607466 at NHTSA ↗

Matching rule