RoadVitals

1994 Lincoln Mark Viii

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.
167
Latest Jan 7, 2013
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.
3
Latest Apr 1, 2016
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.
13
2 injuries, 0 deaths reported

Overview

Our database contains 167 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1994 Lincoln Mark Viii, most frequently naming the exterior lighting, driver assistance and electrical categories. 3 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; 1 NHTSA investigation names it; and 55 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

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

3 campaigns 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
16E026000

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:PADS

Apr 1, 2016
49,635 units potentially affected
The defect: Bosch Brake Components LLC (Bosch) is recalling certain aftermarket replacement front brake pads, models Bosch QuietCast BC598 and BP765, Bosch Blue BE598 and BE598H, Prostop PD598 and PD765M, Duralast Gold DG598, Duralast MKD598, Stop Master ST598, UltraStop ULT598, UltraLife MX598 and MX765, BrakeBest MKD765, and Prostop Platinum PGD598. These brake pads, manufactured October 1, 2014, to October 31, 2015 are intended for use on 2001-2007 Ford Taurus, 2001-2005 Mercury Sable, 1995-1999 Ford Taurus SHO, 1995-2002 Lincoln Continental, and 1993-1998 Lincoln Mark VIII vehicles. The brake pad shim may shift out of position causing the shim to contact the brake disc resulting in damage to the disc.
The risk: A damaged or broken brake disc may reduce a vehicle's braking power, increasing the risk of a crash.
The remedy: Bosch will instruct the owners how to have the affected brake pads replaced, free of charge. The recall began on May 26, 2016. Owners may contact Bosch customer service at 1-888-715-3616.
Robert Bosch LLCView on NHTSA.gov
07V336000

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

Aug 3, 2007
3,600,000 units potentially affected
The defect: 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.
The risk: THIS COULD RESULT IN AN UNDERHOOD FIRE.
The 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.
FORD MOTOR COMPANYManufacturer number 05S28View on NHTSA.gov
98V009000

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS:SWITCH

Jan 21, 1998
506,000 units potentially affected
The defect: 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.
The risk: 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.
The 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.
FORD MOTOR COMPANYView on NHTSA.gov

Safety investigations

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

EA96019ClosedEngineering Analysis

HEADLIGHT FAILURE

Opened Jul 31, 1996
Closed Jan 26, 1998

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.

EXTERIOR LIGHTINGLed to recall 98V009000

Recent owner complaints

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

View all 167
Exterior lightingVisibility
Filed Jan 7, 2013

1993 THROUGH EARLY 1996 LINCOLN MARK VIII'S HAVE A SERIOUS VISIBILITY PROBLEM AT NIGHT DUE TO THEIR INFERIOR HEADLIGHT DESIGN. BECAUSE THE HEADLIGHT PROFILE IS SO SLIM AND THE LENSES YELLOW SO EASILY WITH USE, YOU CAN'T SEE ANYTHING WHEN IT IS DARK. I FIND MYSELF CHECKING TO MAKE SURE MY HEADLIGHTS ARE IN FACT ON THEY ARE SO BAD. NO PRECAUTIONS CAN BE TAKEN TO PREVENT THIS LOW VISIBILITY SITUATION, IT IS A BAD DESIGN. FORD SWITCHED OVER TO HID IN 1996 TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM, BUT US OLDER VEHICLE OWNERS WERE LEFT OUT WITH A DANGEROUS CAR AND OUR ONLY CHOICE IS TO PAY ONE THOUSAND PLUS DOLLARS FOR A RETROFIT KIT THAT WE SHOULD NOT HAVE TO PAY FOR. *TR

NHTSA ID
10491618
Incident
May 5, 2012
Mileage
150,852 mi
Exterior lighting
Filed Nov 12, 2010

THE HEAD LIGHTS ON THE 94 LINCOLN MARK 8 DO NOT PUT OUT ENOUGH LIGHT TO SAFELY SEE WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE RD, IT APPEARS THE REFLECTIVE MATERIAL IS GONE, THE HEADLIGHTS HAVE BEEN POLISHED TO REMOVE SCRATCHES AND YELLOWING, THEY WERE ALSO AIMED, TO MAKE MATTERS WORSE FORD DOES NOT OFFER HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLIES FOR THIS CAR ANYMORE NOR DO THEY HAVE A SOLUTION TO FIX IT AVAILABLE. *TR

NHTSA ID
10365530
Incident
Nov 9, 2010
Mileage
114,000 mi
Exterior lighting
Filed Sep 18, 2009

1994 LINCOLN MARK 8 HEADLIGHTS DESIGN DOES NOT PERMIT ADEQUATE LIGHTING FOR DRIVING AT NIGHT USING LOW BEAMS. BULBS WERE REPLACED WITH HIGHER POWER BULBS AND THE LIGHTING STILL DOES NOT ILLUMINATE THE ROADWAY. *TR

NHTSA ID
10284478
Incident
Sep 2, 2009
Mileage
95,000 mi
Body & structureExterior lighting
Filed Apr 15, 2009

MY VEHICLE HAS 2 DEFECTS WHICH I HAVE NOTICED ON NUMEROUS OTHER CARS LIKE MINE, EVEN LATER MODEL YEARS. THE HEADLIGHTS BECOME VERY DULL AND YELLOWED AFTER 3-4 YEARS, TO THE POINT THAT YOU HAVE TO DRIVE WITH HIGHBEAMS ON ALL THE TIME JUST TO BE ABLE TO SEE THE ROAD. I HAVE SEEN THIS AS THE #1 COMPLAINT ABOUT THIS MODEL CAR ON NUMEROUS BLOGS. THE 2ND PROBLEM IS WITH THE SEAL AROUND THE BACK WINDSHIELD. IT WARPS AFTER A FEW YEARS. VIRTUALLY EVERY MARK VIII THAT I SEE HAS THIS SAME PROBLEM, AND IT IS VERY EXPENSIVE TO REPAIR BECAUSE THE WHOLE WINDSHIELD HAS TO BE REMOVED, AND THE BACK WINDSHIELD IS MUCH MORE COMPLICATED THAN THE FRONT. *TR

NHTSA ID
10265456
Incident
Jun 15, 1998
Mileage
68,000 mi
Driver assistance
Filed Jan 21, 2009
Fire reported

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1994 LINCOLN MARK VIII. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN THE DRIVEWAY, THE CRUISE CONTROL ACTIVATED ITSELF. THE CONTACT COULD NOT DEACTIVATE THE VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL. SHE PLACED THE VEHICLE INTO PARK AND THE ENGINE REVVED BEFORE BURSTING INTO FLAMES. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE CONTACT EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE, BUT THE FUEL RAIL AND FUEL PUMP WERE DAMAGED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A MECHANIC CENTER. THE DEALER INFORMED HER TO NOTIFY THE MANUFACTURER OF THE FIRE. SHE RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE AFTER THE FIRE OCCURRED. THE NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000. UPDATED 3/3/09 *CN UPDATED 03/04/09. *JB

NHTSA ID
10255893
Incident
Dec 15, 2008
Mileage
100,000 mi
Exterior lighting
Filed Sep 27, 2008

93 THROUGH 96 LINCOLN MARK VIII HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLY THE PROBLEM IS ONE OF MANY FACTORS: HEAT, PLASTIC, ULTRAVIOLET EXPOSURE, BAD DESIGN, ALL ROLLED UP INTO A NICE MESS. THE HALOGEN BULBS USED ARE QUITE HOT. THIS IS A KNOWN FACT. ADD IN THE SHORT HEIGHT OF THE HOUSING, AND YOU HAVE A REAL PROBLEM. ALSO, INSIDE THE LOW BEAM HOUSING, THERE IS A DIFFUSER, WHICH IS USED TO CUT DOWN THE DIRECT LIGHT FROM THE BULB, AND PRODUCE A SLIGHTLY LOWER INTENSITY BEAM. ALL OF THESE "FEATURES" OF THE ASSEMBLY CONTRIBUTE TO GENERATING SO MUCH TRAPPED HEAT FROM THE BULB, THE TOP SIDE OF THE REFLECTOR MATERIAL IS BURNED AWAY. THIS REDUCES THE REFLECTIVE QUALITIES OF THE REFLECTOR, OF COURSE, BUT IT ALSO LEAVES A BLACK AND YELLOW CHARRED AREA WHICH ACTUALLY ABSORBS SOME OF THE LIGHT. NOT ONLY IS THERE LESS LIGHT BEING REFLECTED FROM THE TOP (AND THIS IS IMPORTANT IN THE DESIGN OF THE LIGHT ITSELF), THERE IS LESS LIGHT IN GENERAL DUE TO THE DARKENED SPOT! THE PROBLEM IS SO SEVERE THAT I BELIEVE, GIVEN ENOUGH TIME, THE ASSEMBLY ITSELF WILL ACTUALLY MELT AWAY. THERE IS SIMPLY NO WHERE FOR THE HEAT TO GO, EXCEPT UP. NOW COUPLE THESE PROBLEMS WITH THE FACT THAT THE PLASTIC CLEAR LENS TENDS TO NOT ONLY YELLOW WITH AGE (DUE TO CLEANING PROBLEMS AND ULTRAVIOLET EXPOSURE) BUT ALSO START TO HAVE HUNDREDS OF TINY STRESS CRACKS IN THE LENS ITSELF. THE YELLOW DIMS THE LIGHT AGAIN, AND THE TINY CRACKS DIFFUSE THE REMAINING LIGHT. THE RESULT IS A DANGEROUS SITUATION OF LOW LIGHTING OF THE ROAD. ALL IN ALL, A PRETTY BAD SYSTEM FOR SOMETHING THAT CAME ON A $35,000-$45,000 CAR, DON'T YOU THINK? *TR

NHTSA ID
10243594
Incident
Jan 15, 1994
Exterior lighting
Filed May 1, 2008

THIS CAR IS OK IF YOU DRIVE IT IN THE DAY LIGHT HOURS I TRY TO GET HOME BEFORE THE SUN GOES DOWN THE HEADLIGHTS WHEN ON DOES NOT LIGHT THE ROAD AND THE PRICE TO FIX THIS PROBLEM IS OUTRAGEOUS THIS SHOULD BE RECALLED YOU CANT SEE AT NIGHT HAD THIS CAR FOR SEVERAL YEARS AS HAME I REFUSE TO DRIVE AT NIGHT IN THIS CAR. *TR

NHTSA ID
10226424
Incident
Apr 23, 2005
Driver assistance
Filed Apr 24, 2008
Fire reported

1994 LINCOLN MARK VIII WITH SAFETY DEFECT WITH SPEED CONTROL. CONSUMER STATES THAT THE HIS VEHICLE DID SUSTAIN THE UNDERHOOD FIRE INDICATED IN THE RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS DEEMED A TOTAL LOSS. *KB

NHTSA ID
10226196
Incident
Aug 30, 2006

Manufacturer communications

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

03181

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

REMOTE KEYLESS ENTRY (RKE) - SERVICE TIPS. *TT

03148

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:COOLING UNIT AND LINES

NEW TRANSMISSION COOLER FLUSHER - SERVICE TIPS. 2003 ESCORT AND SUPER DUTY F SERIES INCLUDED. *TT

03261

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

NEW SERVICE PART - NUMBER 5 NEEDLE BEARING AND RACE KIT - 4R70W TRANSMISSION - SERVICE TIP. *TT

02208

EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER

CLIMATE CONTROL A/C SERVICE TECH TIPS. *EH

02176

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS:SWITCH

LAMP-BRAKE-INVADVERTENT DISABLING OF BRAKE SHIFT INTERLOCK. *MJ

02107

VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:MOTOR

TRANSFER SERVICE TIPS FOR THE FRONT WIPER MOTOR MOUNT BRACKET AND DEPRESSED PARK OUTPUT ARM. *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 Viii by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2000100—
1999200—
1998832046.8
1997902043.1
19961062050.9
19951362259.6
1994Viewing1673158.5
19932394159.2
1992100—
1989100—

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.