1997 Lincoln MARK: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
4 owner complaints analyzed
0 distinct recall campaigns
Not available median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1997 model year. Data updated: . 0 complaints include usable failure mileage. View data status.
This selection has limited data. It remains available for lookup but is excluded from search indexing.
Most common problems
Steering is the most frequently named component, appearing in 1 of 4 complaints (25.0%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Steering behavior | 2 | 50.0% |
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.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Steering | 1 |
| Steering: Steering Wheel/Handle Bar | 1 |
| Unknown Or Other | 1 |
| Wheels | 1 |
Steering: 1; Steering: Steering Wheel/Handle Bar: 1; Unknown Or Other: 1; Wheels: 1
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 0 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 0 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 0 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 0 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 0 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 0; 25,000 to 49,999: 0; 50,000 to 74,999: 0; 75,000 to 99,999: 0; 100,000 to 149,999: 0; 150,000 and above: 0
No usable failure mileage is recorded. 4 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.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 1997 | 1 |
| 2001 | 1 |
| 2003 | 1 |
| 2004 | 1 |
1997: 1; 2001: 1; 2003: 1; 2004: 1
Pattern summary
Steering leads the component reports. Steering behavior appears in 2 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.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10006986 · 2003-02-11 (February 11, 2003)
THE STEERING WAS LOOSE, CONSUMER WAS UNABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10006986 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10068788 · 2004-01-15 (January 15, 2004)
HORNS- ONE CORRODED SO MUCH THAT IT WONT BLOW AT ALL. THE OTHER IS ALSO CORRODED BUT DOES MAKE A SLIGHT SQUEAL. PROBLEM IS THEY ARE LOCATED BELOW AND BEHIND THE RADIATOR AND SUBJECT TO DIRT AND WATER FROM THE ROAD. SAFETY INVOLVED IN SOME SITUATIONS.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10068788 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 751087 · 2001-08-24 (August 24, 2001)
THE WHEELS ARE CRACKING FROM UNDERNEATH THE CHROME. A BLISTER APPEARS BEFORE THE CRACKING. THESE WHEELS ARE ALUMINUN UNDER THE CHROME AND WERE USED ON 96 TO 98 LSC MODELS ONLY. A FORD REPRESENTATIVE LOOKED AT THE PROBLEM, CONSULTED WITH ENGINEERING, AND OFFERED TO REPLACE THE WHEELS AT 40% OFF LISTED PRICE. IF MY VEHICLE WAS STILL UNDER WARRENTY (LESS THAN 50K MILES) LINCOLN WOULD HAVE REPLACED THEM WITHOUT COST TO ME.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 751087 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 814505 · 1997-07-29 (July 29, 1997)
DRIVING ABOUT 15MPH, GETTING READY TO GET ON PKWY AND STEERING WHEEL JUST POPPED OUT INTO LAP. HAD TAKEN IN 2 MONTHS AGO BECAUSE FELT VIBRATION IN STEERING. DIDN'T FIND ANY PROBLEM. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 814505 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
0 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
No recall campaigns are recorded in this snapshot.
Vehicle analysis explorer
Inspect model-year patterns, reported mileage, monthly activity and the evidence behind each signal.
Data completeness
4 unique complaints in this selection. Analysis snapshot: 2026-09-30.
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.
| Component | 1985 | 1986 | 1987 | 1988 | 1990 | 1992 | 1993 | 1994 | 1995 | 1996 | 1997 | 1998 | 1999 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Exterior Lighting:Headlights | 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. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 225.0%ODI 558529BOTH HEADLIGHTS ARE SO DIM THAT THE VEHICLE CANNOT BE DRIVEN AT NIGHT, VEHICLE HAS BEEN TAKEN TO THE DEALER ON 6 OCCASION BUT THE PROBLEM HAS NOT BEEN FIXED. NLM | 240.0%ODI 101531331 YELLOWING OF HEADLIGHTS 2 UNABLE TO SEE AT NIGHT 3 NEW HEADLIGHTS. *JB | 222.2%ODI 10153120HEADLIGHTS LOSE LUMINOSITY. HEAT FROM HEADLIGHTS DEGRADES THE BACK REFLECTIVE MATERIAL AND CAUSE HEADLIGHTS TO DIM AND MAKE NIGHT DRIVING EXTREMELY DANGEROUS. OEM REPLACEMENT HEADLIGHTS MAY BE PURCHASED FOR $250 WHICH WILL DO THE SAME IN ABOUT 1 TO 2 YEARS TIME. *NM | 342.9%ODI 10165519I UNDERSTAND THAT LAMPS ARE NO LONGER AVAILABLE FOR MY HID HEADLIGHTS. I AM CONCERNED THAT THE VEHICLE WILL BE UNSAFE AT NIGHT WHEN THEY EVENTUALLY REQUIRE REPLACEMENT. *NM | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 225.0%ODI 10165549 · 69,900 miDT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH ON NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS ONE OF THE HEAD LIGHTS BURNED OUT. THE CONTACT RESEARCHED MANY SOURCES FOR PARTS, HOWEVER THE BULB WAS AN OUT OF THE MARKET PRODUCT. THE MANUFACTURER SUGGESTED SALVAGE YARDS FOR THE PART. THE CONTACT EXPRESSED THE MANUFACTURER SHOULD GUARANTEE THE VEHICLE 1998 AND PARTS. | 1100.0%ODI 719490THE NEW BLUE CAST HEADLIGHTS ON SOME LINCOLNS ARE WAY TOO BRIGHT FOR ONCOMING DRIVERS. THEY GLARE AND ARE DIFFICULT TO FACE IN ONCOMING TRAFFIC. SOME OTHER LUXURY CARS HAVE THESE SAME LIGHTS. I THINK THEY SHOULD BE TAKEN OFF THE ROAD. *AK |
| 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. | 120.0%ODI 10070015 · 154,000 miI BOUGHT THE CAR FROM A INDIVIDUAL. IT IS A USED CAR DEALER IN MAYFIELD KY. THE ABS BRAKE STAYS ON, NOW. I ONLY HAVE FRONT BRAKE'S. SOMETIMES THE BRAKES WORK, I GUESS.THE PEDAL GOES TO THE FLOOR WITH GOOD BRAKES.SOMETIMES WITH TOO GOOD OF BRAKE'S. AFTER I DRIVE IT AWHILE,THE BRAKES PEDAL WILL FELL LIKE IT HAS NO BRAKES. SOMEONE TOLD ME THAT THE BRAKE PRESSURE CONTROL VALVE WAS THE PROBLEM.I CAN'T EVEN FIND IT! MY DASHLIGHTS WENT OUT.THEY ONLY WORK WHEN I OPEN THE DOOR.THEN WHEN I TURN THE KEY,THEY GO OUT. I HAVE TO TURN ON THE FLOOR/DE… | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 337.5% | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 111.1% | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 125.0%ODI 10068788HORNS- ONE CORRODED SO MUCH THAT IT WONT BLOW AT ALL. THE OTHER IS ALSO CORRODED BUT DOES MAKE A SLIGHT SQUEAL. PROBLEM IS THEY ARE LOCATED BELOW AND BEHIND THE RADIATOR AND SUBJECT TO DIRT AND WATER FROM THE ROAD. SAFETY INVOLVED IN SOME SITUATIONS. | 112.5%ODI 10806361 · 99,675 miTHE TELESCOPE PORTION OF THE STEERING COLUMN IS NOT OPERATIONAL. IT IS ADJUSTED ALL THE WAY OUT AND WILL NOT RETRACT. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. |
| Electrical System:Ignition:Switch | 350.0%ODI 983095VEHICLE WAS PARKED, UNDER THE HOOD, ELECTRICAL SHORT ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE, INVESTIGATED BY FIRE DEPT IGNITION SWITCH. *AK | 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. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 112.5%ODI 482211ELECTRICAL SYSTEM FAILURE, CAUSING POWER WINDOWS/AIR CONDITIONER/DOOR LOCKS TO FAIL. *AW | 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. | 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 | 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. | 240.0%ODI 504429ANTILOCK BRAKES ACTIVATE WITH LIGHT BRAKING, CAUSING PEDAL TO RATCHET. *SD | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 112.5% | 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. | 112.5%ODI 10029555 · 90,000 miWHEN APPLYING BRAKES VEHICLE PROCEEDS FORWARD CAUSING EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. DEALER NOTIFIED. *AK | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 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. | 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. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 114.3% | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 225.0%ODI 10055623WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE STALLED. SMOKE WAS COMING IN THROUGH THE VENTS. CONSUMER HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR ANALYSIS, AND MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE VALVE COVER TO ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *AK | 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. | 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. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 222.2% | 114.3%ODI 528018VEHICLLE JUMPED FROM PARK INTO REVERSE WHILE DRIVER HAD STEPPED OUT. VEHICLE HIT AN EMBANKMENT, WHILE TRAVELING BACKWARDS, JUMPED INTO DRIVE AND RAN OVER DRIVER, SEVERELY INJURING DRIVER. NEITHER LINCOLN DEALERSHIP NOR A FORD DESING ANALYSIS ENGINEER COULD FIND THE CAUSE FOR THIS ERRATIC OCCURRENCE. *AK | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. |
| Steering | 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. | 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. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 125.0%ODI 10006986THE STEERING WAS LOOSE, CONSUMER WAS UNABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. | 225.0%ODI 10069112TRANSMISSION REPLACED AT 55K MILES. PRIMARY SYMPTOM WAS SHUDDERING DURING OVERDRIVE GEAR SHIFTS. (79K) HEATER WILL NOT WORK. UNIT ONLY BLOWS COLD AIR. VEHICLE EATS ROTORS. ROTORS NEED TO BE TURNED OR REPLACED AT LEAST ONCE A YEAR. ELECTRIC STEERING ADJUSTMENT WON'T GO UP OR DOWN. TEMPORARILY FIXED BY BEATING ON STEERING WHEEL. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. |
| Steering:Linkages:Tie Rod Assembly | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 266.7% | 120.0% | 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. | 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. | 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 | Mileage range (25th–75th percentile) | Median | Usable records | Examples |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| No usable records for this analysis. | ||||
Complaint and recall timeline
Explore monthly filing activity alongside recall announcements. Up to ten years of monthly history is available.
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
| Month | Complaints | Campaigns announced | Examples |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024-10 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2024-11 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2024-12 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-01 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-02 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-03 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-04 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-05 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-06 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-07 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-08 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-09 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-10 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-11 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-12 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-01 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-02 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-03 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-04 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-05 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-06 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-07 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-08 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-09 (partial) | 0 | 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.
1998: 2 complaints · 1999: 1 complaints
| Model year | Through age 0 | Through age 1 | Through age 2 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1998 | 1 | 1 | 2 |
| 1999 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
Date coverage across each selected cohort
| Year | Incident dates used | Filing date fallbacks | Excluded dates |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1998 | 7 | 1 | 0 |
| 1999 | 0 | 1 | 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 | Steering | Steering: Steering Wheel/Handle Bar | Unknown Or Other | Wheels |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Steering | — | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Steering: Steering Wheel/Handle Bar | 0 | — | 0 | 0 |
| Unknown Or Other | 0 | 0 | — | 0 |
| Wheels | 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.
0 patterns with matching reports.
No narratives match the published patterns.