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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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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

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
Mileage unknown · Mar 8, 2008
Vehicle Speed Control

IN NOV 2007 FORD MAILED ME A RECALL NOTICE ON THE CRUISE CONTROL SYSTEM ON MY 1997 MARK VIII 05S28. I IMMEDIATELY CONTACTED HARNISH LINCOLN MERCURY, PUYALLUP, WA AND WAS SCHEDUKED. IT IS A 37 MILE ROUND TRIP FROM MY HOME. THEY TOOK MY MARK VIII FOR LESS THA 1/2 HOUR AND ADVISED ME THAT FORD HAD NOT SENT THEM THE REPLACEMENT …

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IN NOV 2007 FORD MAILED ME A RECALL NOTICE ON THE CRUISE CONTROL SYSTEM ON MY 1997 MARK VIII 05S28. I IMMEDIATELY CONTACTED HARNISH LINCOLN MERCURY, PUYALLUP, WA AND WAS SCHEDUKED. IT IS A 37 MILE ROUND TRIP FROM MY HOME. THEY TOOK MY MARK VIII FOR LESS THA 1/2 HOUR AND ADVISED ME THAT FORD HAD NOT SENT THEM THE REPLACEMENT PART; BUT THEY WOULD CONTACT ME WHEN IT CAME IN. ON MARCH 4, 2008, I RECEIVED A NEW RECALL NOTICE INSTRUCTING ME TO CONTACT A DEALER. AGAIN, I CONTACTED THEIR HARNISH DEALER AND WAS SCHEDULED. AGAIN ,I DROVE THE 37 MILE ROUMD TRIP ONLY TO BE TOLD THAT FORD HAD NOT PROVIDED THE WITH THE MARK VIII REPLACEMENT PART. THEY WOULD CONTACT ME WHEM THE RECEIVED IT. I BELIEVE FORD MAY BE TRYING TO LEAD YOU TO BELIEVE THEY ARE FIXING THE PROBLEM; BUT, STALLING! AFTER ALL IT HAS BEEN 5 MONTHS SINCE I WAS FIRST NOTIFIED, AND I WOULD LIKE TO BE DRIVING A SAFE AUTO. PLEASE DO WHAT YOU CAN TO GET FORD TO STEP UP TO THEIR ASAP. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10220456

Mileage unknown · Mar 7, 2008
Vehicle Speed Control

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 LINCOLN MARK VIII. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A SAFETY RECALL NOTICE IN AUGUST OF 2007 FOR THE VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL. HE WAS INFORMED EVERY MONTH THEREAFTER THAT THE PART WOULD BE AVAILABLE THE FOLLOWING MONTH. HE RECEIVED ANOTHER NOTICE IN MARCH OF 2008, WHICH STATED THAT THE PARTS WERE AVAILABLE. WHEN …

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 LINCOLN MARK VIII. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A SAFETY RECALL NOTICE IN AUGUST OF 2007 FOR THE VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL. HE WAS INFORMED EVERY MONTH THEREAFTER THAT THE PART WOULD BE AVAILABLE THE FOLLOWING MONTH. HE RECEIVED ANOTHER NOTICE IN MARCH OF 2008, WHICH STATED THAT THE PARTS WERE AVAILABLE. WHEN HE CALLED, THE DEALER STATED THAT THERE WERE NO MORE PARTS AVAILABLE AND DID NOT KNOW WHEN MORE WOULD ARRIVE. THERE HAD BEEN NO FAILURE TO DATE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 111,000. UPDATED 03/26/08. *LJ

NHTSA ODI #10220343

Mileage unknown · Feb 21, 2008
Vehicle Speed Control

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 LINCOLN MARK VIII. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR THE VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL: CRUISE CONTROL. THE DEALER HAS NOT YET RECEIVED THE PART TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE NOTICE STATED THAT THE PART WOULD BE AVAILABLE IN DECEMBER OF 2007. THERE HAD BEEN NO FAILURE TO DATE. THE RECALL NUMBER WAS UN…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 LINCOLN MARK VIII. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR THE VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL: CRUISE CONTROL. THE DEALER HAS NOT YET RECEIVED THE PART TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE NOTICE STATED THAT THE PART WOULD BE AVAILABLE IN DECEMBER OF 2007. THERE HAD BEEN NO FAILURE TO DATE. THE RECALL NUMBER WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 101,000. UPDATED 03/11/08. *LJ THE CONSUMER HAS SCHEDULED AN APPOINT FOR THE REPAIR. UPDATED

NHTSA ODI #10218807

59,000 miles · Jan 8, 2008
Exterior Lighting

LOW BEAM HEADLIGHT (HID) ON RIGHT SIDE HAS FAILED AND NO REPLACEMENTS ARE OFFERED BY FACTORY OR DEALER. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10214224

Mileage unknown · Dec 23, 2007
Exterior Lighting

HID LIGHTS KEEP BURNING OUT AND RUINING THE LENSES ON MY LINCOLN MARK VIII 1997 LSC. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10212619

Mileage unknown · Dec 13, 2007
Vehicle Speed Control

1997 FORD MARK VIII SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION. DEALER STATED THAT THE PART WAS ON BACK ORDER AND WOULD NOT BE IN UNTIL MARCH 2008. CONSUMER WANTS TO REINSTALL HIS SPEED CONTROL SWITCH. *KB

NHTSA ODI #10212752

73,000 miles · Oct 30, 2007
Vehicle Speed ControlFire

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 LINCOLN MARK VIII. WHILE MERGING INTO TRAFFIC BETWEEN 5-10 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN MOVING ERRATICALLY FOR A FEW MINUTES. THE CONTACT NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM THE CABIN AND UNDER THE HOOD, ALONG WITH AN ELECTRICAL SMELL SURROUNDING THE VEHICLE. THE DRIVER STOPPED THE VEHICLE UNTIL THE SMOKING CEASED.…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 LINCOLN MARK VIII. WHILE MERGING INTO TRAFFIC BETWEEN 5-10 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN MOVING ERRATICALLY FOR A FEW MINUTES. THE CONTACT NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM THE CABIN AND UNDER THE HOOD, ALONG WITH AN ELECTRICAL SMELL SURROUNDING THE VEHICLE. THE DRIVER STOPPED THE VEHICLE UNTIL THE SMOKING CEASED. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN INSPECTED BY A DEALER OR A MECHANIC. NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 07V336000 (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL) WAS REFERENCED. THE SWITCH WAS DEACTIVATED, BUT HAS NOT BEEN REPLACED. THE PURCHASE DATE WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 73,000.

NHTSA ODI #10207414

49,941 miles · Sep 18, 2007
Electrical SystemExterior LightingVehicle Speed Control

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 CONS…

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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 LIGHTS TROUBLE. UPDATED 10/03/07 *TR THE CONSUMER IS SEEKING REIMBURSEMENT FOR THE HEADLIGHT REPLACEMENT. UPDATED. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10203307

88,500 miles · Aug 31, 2007
Exterior Lighting

IN NOVEMBER OF 2006, THE PASSENGER HEADLIGHT, LOW BEAM, WENT OUT IN MY 1997 LINCOLN MARK VIII. APPROXIMATELY ONE MONTH LATER, THE DRIVER'S SIDE, LOW BEAM, ALSO FAILED. I HAVE CHECKED WITH MY LOCAL FORD DEALERSHIP, AND TWO OTHER DEALERSHIPS. THERE ARE NO REPLACEMENT PARTS FOR THIS PROBLEM, PERIOD, IN THE ENTIRE UNITED STATES. …

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IN NOVEMBER OF 2006, THE PASSENGER HEADLIGHT, LOW BEAM, WENT OUT IN MY 1997 LINCOLN MARK VIII. APPROXIMATELY ONE MONTH LATER, THE DRIVER'S SIDE, LOW BEAM, ALSO FAILED. I HAVE CHECKED WITH MY LOCAL FORD DEALERSHIP, AND TWO OTHER DEALERSHIPS. THERE ARE NO REPLACEMENT PARTS FOR THIS PROBLEM, PERIOD, IN THE ENTIRE UNITED STATES. WHEN YOU CHECK WITH AFTER MARKET SUPPLIERS, YOU ARE TOLD YOU HAVE TO GO THROUGH FORD. SINCE THE SPRING OF 2007 I CALL THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP MONTHLY TO CHECK ON WHEN PARTS WILL BE AVAILABLE. EACH MONTH, THEY CHECK THEIR DATA BASE, AND LEARN THAT THE REPLACEMENT KIT, COSTING HUNDREDS OF DOLLARS, HAS BEEN PUSHED BACK A MONTH BEFORE IT WILL BE AVAILABLE. THE CURRENT TARGET DATE OF AVAILABILITY IS OCTOBER 2007. SO, FOR ALMOST A YEAR NOW, I HAVE A LINCOLN THAT CANNOT BE DRIVEN AT NIGHT, NOR CAN IT BE REPAIRED AT ANY PRICE. I WROTE A LETTER TO FORD MOTOR COMPANY EARLY IN 2007 ABOUT THIS, AND RECEIVED A FORM LETTER TELLING TO GO TO MY LOCAL FORD DEALER FOR PARTS. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10201631

105,000 miles · Nov 29, 2006
Exterior Lighting

I HAVE A 97 LINCOLN MARK VIII AND I WAS TOLD BY SEVERAL FORD/LINCOLN MERCURY DEALERS THAT THE HEADLIGHT LOW BEAM BULBS, HID 9500, ARE NOT AVAILABLE. I CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER, SYLVANIA, AND THE CUSTOMER SERVICE REP TOLD ME THE LIGHT BULBS ARE NO LONGER MANUFACTURED. WHAT ARE THE SEVERAL THOUSAND OWNERS OF LINCOLN MARK VIII OW…

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I HAVE A 97 LINCOLN MARK VIII AND I WAS TOLD BY SEVERAL FORD/LINCOLN MERCURY DEALERS THAT THE HEADLIGHT LOW BEAM BULBS, HID 9500, ARE NOT AVAILABLE. I CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER, SYLVANIA, AND THE CUSTOMER SERVICE REP TOLD ME THE LIGHT BULBS ARE NO LONGER MANUFACTURED. WHAT ARE THE SEVERAL THOUSAND OWNERS OF LINCOLN MARK VIII OWNERS EXPECTED TO DO? THIS IS A BLATANT SAFETY ISSUE AND SHOULD BE ADDRESSED BY FEDERAL AUTHORITIES. I WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK TO A NTSB REPRESENTATIVE, IF AVAILABLE, REGARDING THE LIGHTING ON THESE VEHICLES. THANK YOU FOR INVESTIGATING THIS ISSUE. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10174745

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.