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: 26 of 136 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 103 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Service Brakes, Hydraulic. Review the 12 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Structure. Review the 6 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
12 crash reports1 fire reports3 injury reports
What owners actually said
136 reports
Mileage unknown · Oct 30, 2001
Exterior Lighting
THE PROBLEM HAS TO DO WITH MOISTURE BUILDUP ON THE INSIDE OF THE HEADLIGHTS. THIS HAS BECOME AN EXTREME HAZARD AND A SAFTEY ISSUE. CAR CANNOT BE DRIVEN AT NIGHT DUE THIS HAZARD. THE MOISTURE BUILDUP HAS BEEN AN ISSUE WITH THESE CARS AND FORD HAS REFUSED TO ADDRESS THIS ISSUE. NEW PARTS ARE VERY EXPENSIVE AND SHOULD BE RECALL…
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THE PROBLEM HAS TO DO WITH MOISTURE BUILDUP ON THE INSIDE OF THE HEADLIGHTS. THIS HAS BECOME AN EXTREME HAZARD AND A SAFTEY ISSUE. CAR CANNOT BE DRIVEN AT NIGHT DUE THIS HAZARD. THE MOISTURE BUILDUP HAS BEEN AN ISSUE WITH THESE CARS AND FORD HAS REFUSED TO ADDRESS THIS ISSUE. NEW PARTS ARE VERY EXPENSIVE AND SHOULD BE RECALLED. THIS IS A SAFTEY HAZARD AND THE CAR CAN NOT BE DRIVEN AT NIGHT. THIS NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED ASAP. THANK YOU. *AK, DOMINIQUE LAMA
NHTSA ODI #753892
Mileage unknown · Oct 23, 2001
Exterior Lighting
DIM HEADLIGHTS (POOR LIGHTING). *AK
NHTSA ODI #753553
Mileage unknown · Oct 12, 2001
Exterior Lighting
HEADLIGHT OUTPUT ON 93-95 MARK VIII'S IS EXTREMELY WEAK TO THE POINT THAT DRIVER CANNOT TELL IF LOW BEAMS ARE ACTUALLY LIT. LIGHT OUTPUT IS LESS THAN THAT OF TURN SIGNAL LAMPS.*AK
NHTSA ODI #753165
Mileage unknown · Oct 12, 2001
Exterior Lighting
HEADLIGHTS ARE SO DIM ON ALL THESE VEHICLES EXCEPT FOR THOSE WITH THE OPTIONAL HEADLIGHT SYSTEM. THE POOR REFLECTOR DESIGN AND THE SHORT LIFETIME OF THE REFLECTIVE COATING MAKE IT AS IF THE VECHICLE HAS NO HEADLIGHTS. I DRIVE WITHE THE HIGHBEAMS ON ALL THE TIME AND THEY ARE STILL SO DIM THAT ONCOMING TRAFFIC DOESN'T NOTICE. EVEN…
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HEADLIGHTS ARE SO DIM ON ALL THESE VEHICLES EXCEPT FOR THOSE WITH THE OPTIONAL HEADLIGHT SYSTEM. THE POOR REFLECTOR DESIGN AND THE SHORT LIFETIME OF THE REFLECTIVE COATING MAKE IT AS IF THE VECHICLE HAS NO HEADLIGHTS. I DRIVE WITHE THE HIGHBEAMS ON ALL THE TIME AND THEY ARE STILL SO DIM THAT ONCOMING TRAFFIC DOESN'T NOTICE. EVEN WITH HIGH BEAM ILLUMINATION ON THE LUMEN LEVEL IS LOWER THAN THE AVEAGE LOW BEAM OF OTHER VECHICLES. APPARENTLY THE MANUFACTURER KNEW THAT THERE WAS A PROBLEM AND MADE "OPTIONAL" EFFECTIVE LIGHTING AVAILABLE AT THE TIME OF MANUFACTURE OF MY VECHICLE. I HAVE TALKED TO OTHERS WITH THE SAME VEHICLES AND THEY ALSO HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM. THE REPLACEMENT HEADLIGHTS ARE VERY EXPENSIVE AND STILL DO NOT CORRECT THE PROBLEM.*AK
NHTSA ODI #753150
Mileage unknown · May 15, 2001
Exterior Lighting
LOW BEAM HEADLAMPS ARE INADEQUATE FOR SAFE NIGHT HIGHWAY DRIVING. *AK
NHTSA ODI #745370
Mileage unknown · May 10, 2001
Interior LightingPower TrainVisibility
THE CAR SEEMS TO LOSE GEAR WHILE GOING SLOWAT HIGHER RATES OF SPEED IT SEEMS TO SHIFT OKAY.IT APPEARS LIKE IT IS 3RD. GEAR THAT SEEMS TO SLIP. .REGARDING WINDSHIELD WIPERS THEY STAY UP WHEN YOU STOP THEM AS OPPOSE TO SETTLING DOWN UNDERNEATH THE HOOD. FINALLY THE DOOR AJAR SENSOR STAYS ON EVEN THOUGH BOTH DOORS ARE CLOSED,IF I …
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THE CAR SEEMS TO LOSE GEAR WHILE GOING SLOWAT HIGHER RATES OF SPEED IT SEEMS TO SHIFT OKAY.IT APPEARS LIKE IT IS 3RD. GEAR THAT SEEMS TO SLIP. .REGARDING WINDSHIELD WIPERS THEY STAY UP WHEN YOU STOP THEM AS OPPOSE TO SETTLING DOWN UNDERNEATH THE HOOD. FINALLY THE DOOR AJAR SENSOR STAYS ON EVEN THOUGH BOTH DOORS ARE CLOSED,IF I PLAY WITH THE PASSENGER SEAT SOMETIMES THE SENSOR WILL STOP SHOWING DOOR AJAR SIGNAL.*AK
NHTSA ODI #745129
Mileage unknown · May 9, 2001
Exterior LightingCrash
THE STOCK HEADLIGHTS ARE INADEQUATE AND UNSAFE. WE HIT A DEER. LINCOLN SHOULD REPLACE STOCK LIGHTS WITH THE HID VERSION. MY DAUGHTER AND I WERE ALMOST KILLED HITTING A DEER. THE STANDARD LIGHTS ARE SO BAD WE DIDN'T STAND A CHANCE.
NHTSA ODI #745110
Mileage unknown · Apr 26, 2001
Exterior Lighting
FACTORY HEADLIGHTS (NON HID) INSUFFICIENT FOR NIGHT USE. DOES NOT DISPERSE ENOUGH LIGHT ON THE ROAD SURFACE TO BE SAFE. HEADLIGHTS NEED TO BE AUGMENTED WITH EITHER FOGLIGHTS/DRIVING LIGHTS TO BE SUFFICIENT FOR DRIVING AT NIGHT, ESPECIALLY IN THE RAIN. HEADLIGHTS CREATE A SAFETY HAZARD AND SHOULD BE RECALLED.*AK
NHTSA ODI #744581
Mileage unknown · Apr 26, 2001
Exterior LightingCrash
THE HEADLIGHTS ON THIS VEHICLE PERFORM EXTREMELY POOR AND DUE TO BAD DESIGN, THE LIGHT OUTPUT BECOMES EXTREMELY LOW WITH TIME DUE TO MELTING OF THE REFLECTIVE HOUSING AND BAD WIRING. THIS MAKES THE VEHICLE DANGEROUS TO DRIVE ON THE FREEWAY AT NIGHT OR IN POOR WEATHER(RAIN). I HAVE NEARLY GOTTEN INTO SEVERAL ACCIDENTS ON THE FR…
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THE HEADLIGHTS ON THIS VEHICLE PERFORM EXTREMELY POOR AND DUE TO BAD DESIGN, THE LIGHT OUTPUT BECOMES EXTREMELY LOW WITH TIME DUE TO MELTING OF THE REFLECTIVE HOUSING AND BAD WIRING. THIS MAKES THE VEHICLE DANGEROUS TO DRIVE ON THE FREEWAY AT NIGHT OR IN POOR WEATHER(RAIN). I HAVE NEARLY GOTTEN INTO SEVERAL ACCIDENTS ON THE FREEWAYS SINCE PURCHASING THIS CAR DUE TO THE LIGHTS NOT GIVING GOOD VISIBILITY. ALSO, FORD IS PRICE GAUGING CUSTOMERS FOR REPLACING THE HEADLIGHTS ON THESE VEHICLES(CHARGING UPWARDS OF $600 TO REPAIR THESE LIGHTS), ONLY TO HAVE THE LIGHTS BREAK IN A SHORT TIME PERIOD AGAIN. THERE ARE NUMEROUS ACCOUNTS OF THIS PROBLEM FROM OTHER LINCOLN MARK VIII OWNERS. THE STRUTS ON THIS VEHICLE ARE AIR INFLATED AND THEY BECOME EXTREMELY BOUNCY ON THE FREEWAY MAKING THE VEHICLE HARD TO CONTROL. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS FOR AVERAGE DRIVERS. *AK
NHTSA ODI #744573
Mileage unknown · Apr 15, 2001
Exterior Lighting
THE CURRENT HEADLIGHTS OF THE CAR DO NOT LIGHT THE ROAD ADEQUATELY AT NIGHT, ESPECIALLY IN THE RAIN! FORD HAS UPGRADED THE LIGHTS ON THE 96 VERSION AND UP TO SOLVE THE PROBLEM. BUT DRIVING MY 95 LINCOLN MARKVIII AT NIGHT PROVES DIFFICULT AND DANGEROUS. YOU CAN HARDLY EVEN TELL THE LIGHTS ARE ON AT NIGHT AND IN THE RAIN THEY ARE…
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THE CURRENT HEADLIGHTS OF THE CAR DO NOT LIGHT THE ROAD ADEQUATELY AT NIGHT, ESPECIALLY IN THE RAIN! FORD HAS UPGRADED THE LIGHTS ON THE 96 VERSION AND UP TO SOLVE THE PROBLEM. BUT DRIVING MY 95 LINCOLN MARKVIII AT NIGHT PROVES DIFFICULT AND DANGEROUS. YOU CAN HARDLY EVEN TELL THE LIGHTS ARE ON AT NIGHT AND IN THE RAIN THEY ARE USELESS. I HAVE THE VIN NUMBER IF YOU NEED ME TO SUPPLY IT, PLEASE CONTACT ME AND I WILL GLADLY GIVE IT TO YOU. I HAVE ALSO HEARD RUMORS OF FORD FIXING THIS PROBLEM ONCE IN A WHILE FOR CUSTOMERS SO THEY MUST KNOW IT IS A SERIOUS ISSUE! THANK YOU. *AK
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.
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
2
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.
PE95007 · Brake Pedal Separation From Pivot Arm
Opened Feb 1, 1995 · Closed May 4, 1995
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Service Brakes, Hydraulic
There is no summary currently available
1995 Lincoln Mark Viii Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year
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