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1993 Lincoln Mark Viii

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

More warning signs than most Mark Viii years

Owner complaints for the 1993 Lincoln Mark Viii are substantially higher than the model-year median of 86.5.

About this comparison →

How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

Other model years Selected year
Compare all Mark Viii years →

Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

All reported categories

Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

Limited mileage data: 41 of 239 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Exterior Lighting. Review the 172 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Vehicle Speed Control. Review the 15 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Visibility. Review the 14 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

16 crash reports7 fire reports5 injury reports

Exterior Lighting complaints

172 reports
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Mileage unknown · Jan 11, 2002
Exterior Lighting

THE LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS ARE VERY DIM, DANGEROUSLY SO. THE REFLECTORS LOSE THEIR BRIGHTNESS WITH TIME AND THE HEADLIGHTS, WHICH WERE VERY POOR TO BEGIN WITH, BECOME WORTHLESS. IT IS OFTEN NECESSARY TO USE THE HIGH BEAMS TO DRIVE BY IN POORLY LIGHTED OR RURAL AREAS. THIS IS DANGEROUS TO OTHER DRIVERS, BUT THE LOW BEAMS ARE REALLY …

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THE LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS ARE VERY DIM, DANGEROUSLY SO. THE REFLECTORS LOSE THEIR BRIGHTNESS WITH TIME AND THE HEADLIGHTS, WHICH WERE VERY POOR TO BEGIN WITH, BECOME WORTHLESS. IT IS OFTEN NECESSARY TO USE THE HIGH BEAMS TO DRIVE BY IN POORLY LIGHTED OR RURAL AREAS. THIS IS DANGEROUS TO OTHER DRIVERS, BUT THE LOW BEAMS ARE REALLY THAT BAD.*AK

NHTSA ODI #756721

Mileage unknown · Jan 11, 2002
Exterior Lighting

THE PROBLEM IS WITH THE WEAK STOCK HEADLIGHTS. THEY MAKE VERY LITTLE DIFFERENCE WHEN ITS ON AND OFF. I FEEL FOR A $40,000 CAR I SHOULD HAVE SOME EFFECTIVE HEADLIGHTS. ON DARK STREETS WITH NO STREET LIGHTS IT IS VERY DIFFICULT TO SEE AND AS A RESULT I MUST DRIVE EXTREMLY SLOW AND HOLD UP TRAFFIC, DUE THE ABILITY OF MY HEADLIGH…

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THE PROBLEM IS WITH THE WEAK STOCK HEADLIGHTS. THEY MAKE VERY LITTLE DIFFERENCE WHEN ITS ON AND OFF. I FEEL FOR A $40,000 CAR I SHOULD HAVE SOME EFFECTIVE HEADLIGHTS. ON DARK STREETS WITH NO STREET LIGHTS IT IS VERY DIFFICULT TO SEE AND AS A RESULT I MUST DRIVE EXTREMLY SLOW AND HOLD UP TRAFFIC, DUE THE ABILITY OF MY HEADLIGHTS TO SHOW ME THE WAY. I HAVE SEEN FLASH LIGHTS MORE EFFECTIVE. I FEEL IF MY HEADLIGHTS CAN'T GUIDE ME THROUGH A DARK STREET THEN IT'LL ONLY PUT MY LIFE AND EVERYONE'S LIFE AROUND ME AT THE TIME IN DANGER. I WOULD GO TO A SHOP AND ADD NEW LIGHTS ON MY OWN BUT I FEEL THIS IS THE COMPANY'S PROBLEM THAT THEY SHOULD DEAL WITH. THEY MAKE MILLIONS A YEAR AND YET THEY CAN'T PUT DESCENT HEADLIGHTS IN. THEY TALK ABOUT SATISFYING THE CUSTOMER, BUT HOW IS PUTTING BAD HEADLIGHTS ON MY CAR SATISFYING ME.*AK

NHTSA ODI #756685

Mileage unknown · Nov 13, 2001
Exterior Lighting

HEADLIGHTS FLASH ON AND OFF WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT, CONSUMER CHANGED CIRCUIT BREAKER AND FOUND THAT HARNESS WAS DAMAGED, VEHICLE HAS NOT HAD ANY MORE PROBLEMS SINCE HEADLIGHTS CIRCUIT BREAKER WAS REPLACED. VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN RECALL 98V009000. *AK CONSUMER STATED THE WIRING HARNESS CONNECTOR HAD SOME HEAT DAMAGE DUE TO…

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HEADLIGHTS FLASH ON AND OFF WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT, CONSUMER CHANGED CIRCUIT BREAKER AND FOUND THAT HARNESS WAS DAMAGED, VEHICLE HAS NOT HAD ANY MORE PROBLEMS SINCE HEADLIGHTS CIRCUIT BREAKER WAS REPLACED. VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN RECALL 98V009000. *AK CONSUMER STATED THE WIRING HARNESS CONNECTOR HAD SOME HEAT DAMAGE DUE TO THE FAILED CIRCUIT BREAKER, BUT IT HAS NOT BEEN REPLACED.*SLC

NHTSA ODI #899024

Mileage unknown · Nov 2, 2001
Exterior Lighting

ALL 1993-1996 MARK VIII'S WERE BUILT WITH VERY LOW OUTPUT LOW BEAM LIGHTS. THESE LIGHTS MAKE IT VERY HAZARDOUS TO DRIVE AT NIGHT. THE HEADLAMPS ARE THE NUMBER ONE COMPLAINT OF MARK VIII OWNERS AND MANY HAVE RESORTED TO AFTERMARKET PRODUCTS TO ENSURE THEIR OWN SAFETY. THIS IS A MAJOR PROBLEM FORD SHOULD RECOGNIZE AND RECTIFY IMME…

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ALL 1993-1996 MARK VIII'S WERE BUILT WITH VERY LOW OUTPUT LOW BEAM LIGHTS. THESE LIGHTS MAKE IT VERY HAZARDOUS TO DRIVE AT NIGHT. THE HEADLAMPS ARE THE NUMBER ONE COMPLAINT OF MARK VIII OWNERS AND MANY HAVE RESORTED TO AFTERMARKET PRODUCTS TO ENSURE THEIR OWN SAFETY. THIS IS A MAJOR PROBLEM FORD SHOULD RECOGNIZE AND RECTIFY IMMEDIATELY.

NHTSA ODI #754016

Mileage unknown · Oct 13, 2001
Exterior Lighting

I HAVE BEEN AWARE OF THIS SINCE I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE. HEADLIGHTS ON THIS VEHICLE, AND SEVERAL OTHER MARK VIII'S I AM PERSONALLY FAMILIAR WITH ARE VERY DIM, TO THE POINT OF BEING DANGEROUS. ONLINE INVESTIGATION SHOWS MANY MARK VIII OWNERS HAVE THE SAME COMPLAINT. THE ONLY OPTION FORD/LINCOLN OFFERS IS AN UPGRADE TO THE NEWER …

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I HAVE BEEN AWARE OF THIS SINCE I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE. HEADLIGHTS ON THIS VEHICLE, AND SEVERAL OTHER MARK VIII'S I AM PERSONALLY FAMILIAR WITH ARE VERY DIM, TO THE POINT OF BEING DANGEROUS. ONLINE INVESTIGATION SHOWS MANY MARK VIII OWNERS HAVE THE SAME COMPLAINT. THE ONLY OPTION FORD/LINCOLN OFFERS IS AN UPGRADE TO THE NEWER HID SYSTEM, FOR NEARLY $1000.00. NOT A GOOD OPTION FOR A DESIGN FAILURE.*AK

NHTSA ODI #753179

Mileage unknown · Oct 10, 2001
Exterior Lighting

HEADLIGHTS DO NOT PROVIDE SUFFICIENT LIGHTING. *AK

NHTSA ODI #753082

Mileage unknown · Oct 10, 2001
Exterior Lighting

HEADLIGHTS CLOUD AND YELLOW OVER. THE REFLECTIVE MATERIAL ON THE INSIDE HAS WORN AWAY LEAVING DANGEROUS LIGHTING CONDTIONS. MANUFACTURE REQURIES TOTAL REPLACEMENT WITH THE SAME LIGHT HOUSINGS THAT HAVE NOT BEEN CORRECTED TO STOP THE PROBLEM.*AK

NHTSA ODI #753079

Mileage unknown · Sep 17, 2001
Exterior Lighting

LIGHTING IS TOTALLY INADEQUATE AT LOW BEAM. THIS IS A SERIOUS HEALTH HAZARD TO ALL NORTH AMERICANS. THE COMPANY HAS REBUFFED AND IGNORED MY ATTEMPTS TO SAVE HUMAN LIVES. THERE IS NO WAY THE LIGHTING IS APPROPRIATE - I HAVE SPENT $900 ON NEW LIGHT ASSEMBLIES AND HAVE DETERMINED A SERIOUS DESIGN FLAW EXISTS WITH THIS AUTOMOBILE…

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LIGHTING IS TOTALLY INADEQUATE AT LOW BEAM. THIS IS A SERIOUS HEALTH HAZARD TO ALL NORTH AMERICANS. THE COMPANY HAS REBUFFED AND IGNORED MY ATTEMPTS TO SAVE HUMAN LIVES. THERE IS NO WAY THE LIGHTING IS APPROPRIATE - I HAVE SPENT $900 ON NEW LIGHT ASSEMBLIES AND HAVE DETERMINED A SERIOUS DESIGN FLAW EXISTS WITH THIS AUTOMOBILE.*AK

NHTSA ODI #752266

Mileage unknown · Sep 16, 2001
Exterior Lighting

I BOUGHT THIS USED CAR FOR MY DAUGHTER. THE HEADLIGHTS ARE USELESS, THEY PROVIDE NO ILLUMINATION ON DIM SETTING, VERY LITTLE ON HIGH SETTING. I AM AFRAID FOR MY DAUGHTERS SAFETY DRIVING THIS CAR AFTER DARK.*AK

NHTSA ODI #752255

Mileage unknown · Sep 14, 2001
Exterior Lighting

HEADLIGHTS ARE INADEQUATE, I HAVE POLISHED THE LENSES TO IMPROVE VISIBILITY,BUT WITH LIMITED IMPROVEMENT. ALL FORD PRODUCT HEAD LAMPS SEEM TO SUFFER THE SAME PROBLEM, BUT THE MARK VIII IS THE WORST DUE TO ITS SMALL HEADLIGHT DESIGN. PLEASE ISSUE A RECALL AND HAVE MANUFACTURERS INSTALL A HIGHER QUALITY LEXAN FOR LIGHTING. THANK Y…

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HEADLIGHTS ARE INADEQUATE, I HAVE POLISHED THE LENSES TO IMPROVE VISIBILITY,BUT WITH LIMITED IMPROVEMENT. ALL FORD PRODUCT HEAD LAMPS SEEM TO SUFFER THE SAME PROBLEM, BUT THE MARK VIII IS THE WORST DUE TO ITS SMALL HEADLIGHT DESIGN. PLEASE ISSUE A RECALL AND HAVE MANUFACTURERS INSTALL A HIGHER QUALITY LEXAN FOR LIGHTING. THANK YOU. *AK

NHTSA ODI #752193

Official recalls

3

07V336000 · Vehicle Speed Control

Aug 3, 2007

ON CERTAIN PICKUP TRUCKS, PASSENGER VEHICLES, SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, AND MOTOR HOMES CHASSIS, THE SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH MAY, UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS, LEAK INTERNALLY AND THEN OVERHEAT, SMOKE, OR BURN.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THIS COULD RESULT IN AN UNDERHOOD FIRE.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A FUSED WIRING HARNESS. OWNERS OF THE PASSENGER CARS INCLUDED IN THIS CAMPAIGN WILL BE INSTRUCTED TO RETURN THEIR VEHICLES TO THEIR DEALERS TO HAVE THE SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH DISCONNECTED AS AN INTERIM REPAIR. AS SOON AS REPAIR PARTS ARE AVAILABLE (EXPECTED OCTOBER 2007), OWNERS WILL BE INSTRUCTED TO RETURN TO THE DEALERS FOR INSTALLATION OF A FUSED WIRING HARNESS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 13, 2007, AND MAILING COMPLETED BY SEPTEMBER 19, 2007. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD AT 1-888-222-2751.

98V009000 · Exterior Lighting:headlights:switch

Jan 21, 1998

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE HEADLIGHTS CAN FLASH INTERMITTENTLY AS A RESULT OF THE CIRCUIT BREAKER OPENING. THE VEHICLE'S HEADLIGHTS CAN GO OUT FOR BRIEF INTERVALS.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: LOSS OF HEADLIGHTS DURING VEHICLE OPERATION CAN AFFECT A DRIVER'S ABILITY TO NAVIGATE THE ROADWAY AND REDUCE THE VISIBILITY OF THE VEHICLE, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A HEADLIGHT SWITCH THAT INCORPORATES A CRICUIT BREAKER OF REVISED DESIGN AND INSTALLATION OF A WIRING HARNESS CONNECTOR AND WIRING, IF NEEDED.

92V166000 · Seat Belts:front:retractor

Nov 18, 1992

THE LINK LEVER TRUNION ON THE SAFETY BELT RETRACTOR MAY HAVE BEEN DAMAGED DURING INSTALLATION.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THE DAMAGED COMPONENT MAY BECOME DISLODGED DURING VEHICLEOPERATION, MAKING THE RETRACTOR VEHICLE-SENSITIVE LOCKING SYSTEM INOPERATIVE.THIS INCREASES THE POSSIBILTY OF A SERIOUS INJURY IN A SUDDEN STOP OR ACCIDENT.

Remedy: THE RETRACTORS WILL BE REPLACED IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

1

EA96019 · Headlight Failure

Opened Jul 31, 1996 · Closed Jan 26, 1998

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Exterior Lighting

EXCESSIVE HEAT IN AN IMPROPERLY MANUFACTURED CIRCUIT BREAKER WITHIN THE HEADLIGHT SWITCH CAUSED THAT CIRCUIT BREAKER TO OPEN FOR TIME PERIODS OF VARYING LENGTH TO COOL OFF.OPENING OF THE CIRCUIT BREAKER IN THIS MANNER INTERRUPTS ELECTRIC CURRENT FLOW TO THE HEADLIGHTS, SHUTTING THEM OFF.HEADLIGHT OUTAGES HAVE RANGER FROM BRIEF FLICKERS (LESS THAN ONE SECOND) TO GREATER THAN 20 SECONDS.OVER TIME, THE OUTAGES GROW IN LENGTH AND DURATION BECAUSE OF HEAT-INDUCED DETERIORATION OF THE SWITCH AND ASSOCIATED WIRING.RECALL 98V-009 WILL APPLY TO APPROXIMATELY 506,000 TAURUS, SABLE, MARK VIII, AND CONTINENTAL VEHICLES PRODUCED FROM 1-DEC.-92 THROUGH 30-SEP-93 AT THE ATLANTA, CHICAGO,AND WIXOM ASSEMBLY PLANTS.87% OF MY 1992-1995 TAURUS/SABLE AND 97% OF MY 1993-1995 MARK VIII WARRANTY REPAIRS (HEADLIGHT SWITCH REPLACEMENT) INVOLVED VEHICLES BUILT DURING THE DEC. 92 - OCT. 93 BUILD RANGE.