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1997 Lincoln Mark Viii

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 1997 Lincoln Mark Viii do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 86.5.

About this comparison →

How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

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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

34 reports with mileage · 56 unknown

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 33 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Visibility. Review the 22 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Vehicle Speed Control. Review the 8 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

1 crash reports1 fire reports0 injury reports

What owners actually said

90 reports
61,540 miles · Mar 24, 2015
Steering

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

NHTSA ODI #10701392

Mileage unknown · Aug 5, 2014
Vehicle Speed Control

FIESTA LINCOLN MERCURY 1720 S MESA DR, MESA, AZ 85210 (480) 719-3090 IS REFUSING TO CORRECT ACTION UNDER RECALL 05S28 NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 07V336000. ASSOCIATED DOCUMENT RCRIT-07V336-8625 LISTED THE CORRECT PART NUMBERS AND PROCEDURE FOR THE SPECIFIC VEHICLE THAT IS IN QUESTION. - SERVICE ADVISER [XXX] AT THE DEALERSHIP …

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FIESTA LINCOLN MERCURY 1720 S MESA DR, MESA, AZ 85210 (480) 719-3090 IS REFUSING TO CORRECT ACTION UNDER RECALL 05S28 NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 07V336000. ASSOCIATED DOCUMENT RCRIT-07V336-8625 LISTED THE CORRECT PART NUMBERS AND PROCEDURE FOR THE SPECIFIC VEHICLE THAT IS IN QUESTION. - SERVICE ADVISER [XXX] AT THE DEALERSHIP STATED THAT THEY WOULD ONLY INSTALL A HARNESS ON THE VEHICLE IF NOT LEAKING. FORD HAS PROVIDED SUPPLEMENTAL 14, WHICH LISTS A DIFFERENT PART NUMBER FOR BOTH LEAKING AND NOT LEAKING FOR THE AFFECTED VEHICLE, AND [XXX] WOULD NOT VALIDATE THE INFORMATION BEING PRESENTED TO HIM IN THE RECALL DOCUMENTATION. [XXX] ALSO STATED THAT THEY ARE UNABLE TO PERFORM ANY OF THE RECALLS AT THIS TIME DUE TO NO PARTS BEING IN STOCK TO PERFORM THE RECALL. - PARTS DEPARTMENT AT THE SAME DEALERSHIP ([XXX]) CONFIRMED THE PART NUMBER LISTED IN SUPPLEMENTAL 14 ARE IN FACT IN STOCK AND AVAILABLE TO PERFORM THE RECALL 05S28. 05S28 SUPPLEMENTAL 14 ATTACHMENT V PAGE 1 Q3 EXPLAINS THE USAGE OF THE SWITCH ASSEMBLY FOR THIS APPLICATION. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

NHTSA ODI #10619039

103,000 miles · Jun 13, 2012
Equipment

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 LINCOLN MARK VIII LSC. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REFRIGERATION DISCHARGE LINE FAILED DUE TO RUST AND CORROSION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER BECAUSE THE AIR CONDITIONER FAILED AFTER THEY INSTALLED R134A REFRIGERATION. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED WHO STATED HE SHOULD CALL THE DEALER TO GET T…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 LINCOLN MARK VIII LSC. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REFRIGERATION DISCHARGE LINE FAILED DUE TO RUST AND CORROSION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER BECAUSE THE AIR CONDITIONER FAILED AFTER THEY INSTALLED R134A REFRIGERATION. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED WHO STATED HE SHOULD CALL THE DEALER TO GET THE VEHICLE REPAIRED AGAIN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 103,000. UPDATED 07/13/12 *BF A LEAK WAS FOUND IN THE HOSE THAT RAN FROM THE COMPRESSOR TO THE CONDENSER. ALSO, THE METAL PART OF THE HOSE WAS RUSTED. UPDATED 07/31/12

NHTSA ODI #10461456

61,000 miles · Jul 21, 2009
Exterior LightingVisibility

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 CON…

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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 CONTACT FEELS THAT HE SHOULD NOT HAVE TO PAY FOR THE REPAIR BECAUSE IT WAS CAUSED BY A MANUFACTURER DEFECT. THERE HAVE BEEN NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS REGARDING THIS FAILURE, BUT NO DECISION ON HOW THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE WILL BE REPAIRED. HE WILL WAIT UNTIL A RECALL IS ISSUED FOR THIS FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 61,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 61,985. UPDATED 09/11/09 *BF UPDATED 09/15/09.*JB

NHTSA ODI #10277640

45,000 miles · Mar 11, 2009
Exterior Lighting

TL*THE 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…

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TL*THE 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 04/06/09. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10261551

80,000 miles · Jan 28, 2009
Electrical SystemVisibility

TL*THE 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 PA…

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TL*THE 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

NHTSA ODI #10256647

158,400 miles · Oct 28, 2008
Exterior Lighting

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

NHTSA ODI #10246936

76,000 miles · Oct 20, 2008
Visibility

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 LINCOLN MARK VIII. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BLENDER DOOR IS MADE OUT OF PLASTIC AND BREAKS, WHICH CAUSES THE HEATER AND THE DEFROSTER TO FAIL. AS A CONSEQUENCE, HER VISIBILITY IS SIGNIFICANTLY REDUCED DURING COLD WEATHER CONDITIONS. SHE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT SHE WOUL…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 LINCOLN MARK VIII. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BLENDER DOOR IS MADE OUT OF PLASTIC AND BREAKS, WHICH CAUSES THE HEATER AND THE DEFROSTER TO FAIL. AS A CONSEQUENCE, HER VISIBILITY IS SIGNIFICANTLY REDUCED DURING COLD WEATHER CONDITIONS. SHE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT SHE WOULD HAVE TO REPLACE THE BLENDER DOOR AT AN EXPENSE EXCEEDING $1,000. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE COMPANY UTILIZES THE SAME PLASTIC PIECE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 76,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 91,000. UPDATED 11/12/08 *BF UPDATED 11/13/08. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10246123

144,900 miles · May 27, 2008
Exterior Lighting

TL*THE 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 A…

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TL*THE 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

NHTSA ODI #10228974

Mileage unknown · Apr 4, 2008
Vehicle Speed Control

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 REP…

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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 UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 68,000.

NHTSA ODI #10223396

Official recalls

1

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.

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

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.