RoadVitals

1988 Lincoln Mark Vii

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
26
Latest Aug 15, 2001
Safety recallsA safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
1
Latest Sep 4, 1987
InvestigationsNHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
1
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
6
4 injuries, 0 deaths reported

Overview

Our database contains 26 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1988 Lincoln Mark Vii, most frequently naming the electrical, seat belts and brakes categories. 1 safety recall has been issued covering this model year; 1 NHTSA investigation names it; and 14 manufacturer communications are on file.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

What owners report

Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded

  • Electrical723.3%
  • Seat belts413.3%
  • Brakes310.0%
  • Tires & wheels310.0%
  • Exterior lighting26.7%
  • Engine26.7%
  • Driver assistance26.7%
  • Suspension26.7%

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Safety recalls

1 campaign cover this model year

Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.

Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov
87V139000

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS

Sep 4, 1987
3,600,000 units potentially affected
The defect: SPRING LOCK FUEL LINE COUPLING MAY NOT BE PROPERLY ENGAGED.
The risk: COUPLING COULD DISENGAGE DUE TO FUEL PRESSURE,VIBRATION, AND ENGINE MOVEMENTS; THIS WOULD CAUSE LOSS OF FUEL WHICH, INPRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, CREATES A FIRE RISK.
The remedy: INSTALL RETAINER CLIPS OVER THE COUPLINGS TO PREVENT COUPLING SEPARATION AND FUEL LEAKAGE.
FORD MOTOR COMPANYView on NHTSA.gov

Safety investigations

NHTSA inquiries naming this vehicle. An investigation is not a finding of a defect.

PE88063ClosedPreliminary Evaluation

DRIVER SEAT FAILURE

Opened Jun 24, 1988
Closed Oct 13, 1988

There is no summary currently available

SEATS

Recent owner complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words

View all 26
Seat belts
Filed Aug 15, 2001

DRIVER'S SEAT BELT HAD TO BE REPLACED ON THREE SEPARATE OCCASIONS BECAUSE RETRACTOR FAILED TO RETRACT. PARTS WERE REPLACED ONCE BY DEALER UNDER WARRANTY, AND OTHER PARTS WERE REPLACED BY AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP WITH DEALER PARTS. WOULD LIKE NHTSA TO LOOK INTO THIS MATTER. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION ON THIS MATTER.*AK

NHTSA ID
894388
Incident
Aug 1, 2001
Tires & wheels
Filed Oct 12, 2000

UNIROYAL TIRE P225 60 R16 EXPERIENCED TREAD SEPARATION CAUSING OTHER DAMAGE TO VEHICLE. *SLC

NHTSA ID
555780
Incident
May 21, 2000
Tires & wheels
Filed Sep 15, 2000

THE UNIROYAL TIGAR PAW RADIAL P225/60R16 TIRE EXPERIENCED TREAD SEPARATION WHILE DRIVING CAUSING EXTENSIVE DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE. *MJS

NHTSA ID
554647
Incident
May 21, 2000
Brakes
Filed Sep 3, 2000

WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED, WHEN ATTEMPTING TO BRAKE, THE BRAKE PEDAL IS HARD AND THERE IS NO BRAKES WHATSOVER , NO MATTER HOW HARD YOU PUSH DOWN. AFTER STOPPING WITH EMERGENCY BRAKES, THE BRAKES RETURN TO NORMAL. THIS HAS HAPPENED NUMEROUS TIMES AND WE HAVE HAD THE CAR SERVICED BY OUR LOCAL FORD DEALER AS WELL AS OTHER REPAIR CENTERS AND THEY CANNOT LOCATE THE PROBLEM. THIS CAR IS UNAFE TO DRIVE AND WE DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO. IT IS TOO VALUABLE TO JUNK BUT WE MAY HAVE TO.

NHTSA ID
730026
Incident
Aug 1, 2000
Tires & wheels
Filed Aug 31, 2000

TIGER PAW GTS WITH ONLY 45,000 MILES AFTERMARKET, TIRE SIZE P225/60R16, DOT # BEXONC2U436. WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH REAR DRIVER'S SIDE TIRE TREAD SEPARATED ,AND PIECES OF RUBBER DESTROYED MIRRORS AND WHEELWELL ABOUT APPROX, $1,000 WORTH OF DAMAGE. DRIVER WAS ABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL AND PULL OVER TO RIGHT INTO THE GRASS MEDIAN. ALSO, 5 DAYS PRIOR TO INCIDENT FELT A VIBRATION AND THOUGHT IT HAD TO DO WITH GEARS, BUT ACTUALLY IT WAS THE TIRES IN THE PROCESS OF SEPARATING. *AK THE CUSTOMER STATES THAT THE UNIROYAL RUBBER COMPANY SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE CAUSED BY THE TIRE FAILURE. *YH

NHTSA ID
869221
Incident
May 21, 2000
Body & structureBrakesExterior lighting+1 more
Filed Jul 19, 1999

ALONG WITH BRAKES FAILING (WHICH I JUST HAD REPLACED) THE A/C, TURN SIGNALS, POWER LOCKS, AND WINDOWS ALSO FAILED. *AK

NHTSA ID
708812
Incident
Jul 18, 1999
Exterior lighting
Filed Jun 23, 1999

HEADLIGHTS ARE TURNING BROWN WITH AGE. REPLACING BULBS DO NOT HELP. THERE IS NO AFTER-MARKET REPLACEMENT FOR THIS ITEM. MANY CARES FORM BOTH FORD AND LINCOLN ARE HAVING THIS PROBLEM. THE HEADLIGHTS ARE DIM AND THE LIGHT PRODUCED BY THE BULB IS DIMMED BY THE PLASTIC COVERING. THERE ARE A GREAT NUMBER OF THESE CARS ON THE ROAD (BOTH FORD AND LINCOLNS THAT ARE HAVING THIS PROBLEM. THERE IS NO WORK AROUND FOR THIS PROBLEM. IT IS VERY DIFICULT TO SEE THE ROAD DURING RAIN AND FOG WITH THESE LIGHTS. *AK

NHTSA ID
707832
Engine
Filed May 19, 1999
Fire reported1 injury reported

DECORATIVE BLACK, PLASTIC COMPONENT'S GLUE ROTTED OFF OF INTAKE MANIFOLD. THEN DROPPED ONTO LEFT/BANK EXHAUST PIPES, CAUSING SMALL FIRE, SMOKE AND "SWEET" SMELLING FUMES. DRIVER WAS EXPOSED TO FUMES WHILE TRYING TO PULL VEHICLE OFF BUSY FREEWAY ONTO THE SHOULDER AND TRYING TO EXTINGUISH SMALL FLAMES. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO LOCAL SHOP WHERE IT WAS DISCOVERED WHAT HAPPENED ( ALL THE PLASTIC DID NOT BURN AND YOU COULD TELL WHAT THE PLASTIC WAS FROM THE HALF THAT DID NOT BURN). FORD MOTOR COMPANY WOULD NOT -- EVEN WHEN DRIVER REQUESTED INFORMATION FROM THEIR MSDS DEPARTMENT -- DISCLOSE THE CHEMICAL COMPOSITION OF THE PLASTIC OR HARMFUL EFFECTS IT MAY CREATE. THE DRIVER OF THIS PARTICULAR CAR HAD TO PAY AN INDEPENDENT LAB TO ANALYZE THE COMPOSITION. THIS HAD TO BE DONE DUE TO THE SEVERE SWELLING (TO THE POINT THAT THEIR SKIN WAS SPLITTING); NAUSIUSNESS, LOSS OF APPETITE, AND DRY COUGH THE DRIVER EXPERIENCED WITHIN THE FIRST 30 DAYS AFTER EXPOSURE (ALSO HOSPITALIZED TWICE DUE TO THESE CONDITIONS WITHIN THE FIRST 30 DAYS); KIDNEY BIOPSY WAS POSITIVE, HAVE BEEN UNDER A PHYSICIAN'S CARE AT SHAND'S TEACHING HOSPITAL, UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA, GAINESVILLE. IT'S NOT FAIR THAT I WAS EXPOSED TO THIS -- FOR NO REASON -- NO ONE ELSE SHOULD HAVE TO GO THOUGH WHAT I HAD TO DO -- THANKS TO THE UNCOOPERATIVE FORD MOTOR COMPANY AND THEIR MSDS DEPARTMENT. I BELIEVE THAT IF I HAD ACCESS TO THE PLASTIC'S CHEMICAL COMPOSTION, MY RECOVERY TIME WOULD HAVE BEEN MUCH LESS (STILL SEEKING TREATMENT FOR OCCASIONAL SPONTANEOUS SWELLING). THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME AND COOPERATION. PAMELA OAKES 11625-5 CLEVELAND AVENUE AVENUE, FORT MYERS, FL 33907 (941)278-0086. *AK

NHTSA ID
706674
Incident
Apr 3, 1998

Manufacturer communications

A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.

01194

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

THIS ARITLCE IS TO PROVIDE INFORMATION ON REPLACEMENT OF OLD STYLE HOOD LAMP SWITCH TO THE RVISED MECHANICAL HOOD LAMP SWITCH. *TT

01156

VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM:HEATER CORE

SOME VEHICLES MAY EXHIBIT HEATER CORE LEAKS. *SLC

01157

INFORMATION REGARDING TRANSMISSION FLUID USAGE CHARTS. *SLC

0015

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

INFORMATION REGARDING THE NEW TRANSMISSION COOLER FLUSHER- SERVICE TIP. *MJS

99222

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING

SUBJECT ON A WIRE HARNESS TERMINAL REPAIR KIT AVAILABLE FOR REPAIRING ELECTRICAL WIRING HARNESSES. *TT

99196

EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER

INFORMATION ON IDENTIFYING NON-APPROVED / ALTERNATE REFRIGERANTS WHICH COULD CAUSE SAFETY, AND PERFORMANCE CONCERNS IF INSTALLED IN FORD A/C SYSTEMS. *TT

Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

Lincoln Mark Vii by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
1998500—
1997200—
1996200—
1995300—
1994100—
1993300—
1992300—
1991140040.8
1990120038.9
1989130044.4
1988Viewing261154.5
1987710—
1986851—
1985621—
1984131—

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.