RoadVitals

1998 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.
83
Latest May 16, 2016
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.
2
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.
0
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.
5
3 injuries, 0 deaths reported

Overview

Our database contains 83 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1998 Lincoln Mark Viii, most frequently naming the visibility, exterior lighting and suspension categories. 2 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; and 97 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

2 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

Recent owner complaints

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

View all 83
Exterior lightingSteeringSuspension
Filed May 16, 2016

UPDATE TO LAST COMPLAINT: THE PASSENGER SIDE HID HEADLIGHT HAS FAILED, NO REPLACEMENT EXCEPT $1000 CONVERSION KIT. HAVE TO DRIVE WITH ONLY "BRIGHTS" ON FROM NOW ON. DANGER TO MYSELF AND THOSE I'M PASSING, PLUS IF THE "BRIGHTS" AREN'T ON, THEN I HAVE NO HEADLIGHTS AND COULD GET PULLED OVER. PASSENGER SIDE BALL JOINT/CONTROL ARM BROKE WHILE DRIVING AND TIRE FELL OFF WHILE DRIVING IN PARKING LOT AT WORK. AFTER REPAIR, HEARING A BAD CREAKING NOISE. AIR SUSPENSION HAS TO FILL UP ALL THE WAY WHEN I START THE VEHICLE EVEN AFTER 5 MINUTES OF IT BEING SHUT OFF. HAVE PAID $1,200 FOR REPAIRS OF SUSPENSION AND STEERING IN 6 MONTHS. (THAT'S WITH MY DEALERSHIP EMPLOYEE DISCOUNT). SERIOUSLY, I'VE HEARD TOO MUCH ABOUT DEFECTIVE BALL JOINTS, HEADLIGHTS, NO HEAT, DOOR HANDLES SNAPPING OFF, AND THE AIR SUSPENSION GOING BAD. WHY IS FORD NOT DOING ANYTHING ABOUT THESE OBVIOUSLY DEFECTIVE PARTS??? BECAUSE THE CAR IS RARE AND THEY DON'T MAKE THEM ANYMORE???

NHTSA ID
10865064
Incident
May 13, 2016
Mileage
104,527 mi
Other / unspecifiedSuspensionVisibility
Filed Feb 4, 2016

I'VE HAD THIS GEM SINCE 2010, BOUGHT WITH 30,000 MILES...NOW HAS 104,000 MILES. IT WAS GREAT UNTIL 2014. WHERE DO I START? (1) NO HEAT- BROKEN BLENDER DOOR ACTUATOR...MANUALLY SET IT TO THE WARM SETTING FOR THE WINTER BEHIND GLOVE BOX. (2) DRIVER'S DOOR HANDLE SNAPPED LAST YEAR(REPLACED FOR $100)...AND NOW THIS YEAR THE PASSENGER SIDE SNAPPED. (3) DOORS ARE CONSTANTLY "AJAR", ALTERNATING FROM ONE SIDE TO THE OTHER. (4) BALL JOINT IS STARTING TO WEAR BADLY, (5) DRIVER'S SEAT WON'T RECLINE, (6) STEERING WHEEL WON'T MOVE FORWARD/BACKWARD ANYMORE, (7) SUSPENSION IS STARTING TO GO...FRONT END LOWERS TO GROUND AFTER SHUTTING DOWN ENGINE. I'M SURE THERE'S MORE THAT I CAN'T THINK OF.

NHTSA ID
10824162
Incident
Feb 1, 2010
Visibility
Filed Sep 14, 2011

THE HEATER WILL NOT BLOW HOT AIR, NO DEFROSTER, CAN'T SEE OUT OF WINDSHIELD. *KB

NHTSA ID
10425496
Incident
Sep 14, 2011
Mileage
49,789 mi
BrakesElectrical
Filed Mar 6, 2011

THE BRAKES CAN QUIT WORKING AFTER THE AUTOMATIC PARKING BRAKE RELEASE SOLENOID FAILS TO RELEASE THE REAR BRAKES WHEN THE TRANSMISSION LEVER IS MOVED OUT OF PARK. THE REAR BRAKES WILL THEN OVERHEAT AFTER SEVERAL MILES, WHICH CAUSES THE BRAKE FLUID TO EVENTUALLY BOIL AND BE EXPELLED FROM THE MASTER CYLINDER. THE FIRST SYMPTOM IS THAT THE BRAKE PEDAL GOES ALMOST ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR AND BRAKING BECOMES ERRATIC. SHORTLY THEREAFTER, THE BRAKING SYSTEM TOTALLY FAILED TO STOP THE CAR DUE TO LACK OF BRAKE FLUID IN THE MASTER CYLINDER. PUMPING THE BRAKE PEDAL RAPIDLY AND SHEER LUCK ARE THE ONLY THINGS THAT HAVE PREVENTED A MAJOR CRASH (SO FAR...)! THE REAR BRAKE PADS AND FLUID HAVE BEEN REPLACED, BUT THERE SEEMS TO BE NO FIX AVAILABLE THAT WOULD PREVENT THE PROBLEM FROM RE-OCCURRING. THIS SAFETY DEFECT APPEARS TO BE CAUSED BY THE PARKING BRAKE POSITION SENSOR SWITCH FAILING TO NOTIFY THE COMPUTER SOFTWARE THAT THE PARKING BRAKE IS SET,, SO THE CONTROLLING SOFTWARE DOESN'T BOTHER TO RELEASE THE BRAKE AT DRIVE-OFF. THE WARNING LIGHT ALSO FAILS TO INDICATE A PROBLEM TO THE DRIVER, WHICH MAKES THIS A VERY DANGEROUS COMBINATION OF HARDWARE AND SOFTWARE FAILURE AFTER THIS PROBLEM HAPPENED TO MY WIFE TWICE, I BEGAN TO DRIVE THE CAR TO SEE WHAT WAS HAPPENING. SURE ENOUGH, AFTER A COUPLE OF DAYS, THE PROBLEM OCCURRED EXACTLY AS DESCRIBED ABOVE. THE ONLY WORKAROUND IS TO USE THE EMERGENCY MECHANICAL RELEASE BEFORE DRIVING OFF. IF ONE FORGETS TO DO THIS, THERE IS NO WAY OF KNOWING THAT THE REAR BRAKES ARE DRAGGING AND IMPENDING BRAKE FAILURE IS A CERTAINTY..

NHTSA ID
10388611
Incident
Mar 4, 2011
Mileage
74,095 mi
Suspension
Filed Feb 24, 2011

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 LINCOLN MARK VIII. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 15 MPH, THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE TIRE SEPARATED FROM THE VEHICLE, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO SUDDENLY DROP TO THE GROUND. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHO STATED THE BALL JOINT WAS BROKEN. THE MECHANIC REPLACED THE BALL JOINT WITH A MASTER PRO CP426. THE CONTACT EXPERIENCED THE FAILURE A SECOND TIME, BUT WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER TO THE SHOULDER OF THE ROAD. THE MECHANIC INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND STATED THE BALL JOINT WAS BROKEN AND REPLACED IT A SECOND TIME. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 127,000. UPDATED 03/24/11*LJ UPDATED 03/30/11

NHTSA ID
10384353
Incident
Sep 17, 2010
Mileage
127,000 mi
Suspension
Filed Feb 24, 2011

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 LINCOLN MARK VIII. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH OVER TRAIN TRACKS, THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE TIRE CAME OFF AND THE VEHICLE FELL TO THE GROUND. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE FAILURE OCCURRED THREE TIMES BEFORE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL SHOP WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE BALL JOINT AND CONTROL ARM NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED WHO DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 131,000. UPDATED 3/25/11 *CN UPDATED 03/30/11

NHTSA ID
10384340
Incident
Dec 3, 2010
Mileage
131,000 mi
BrakesOther / unspecified
Filed Jul 9, 2010

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 LINCOLN MARK VIII. WHILE DRIVING AT A LOW SPEED THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR ABS FAILED. THE DEALER COULD NOT REPAIR THE VEHICLE BECAUSE THE REAR WHEEL ABS SENSOR WAS NO LONGER AVAILABLE. REPORT 238373 WAS FILED WITH THE MANUFACTURER. THE MANUFACTURER ATTEMPTED TO LOCATE THE PART, BUT THE PART WAS NO LONGER IN PRODUCTION; THEREFORE; THEY COULD NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE. THE DEALER DISCONNECTED THE REAR ABS SENSOR TO ENSURE THAT THE REAR BRAKES WOULD FUNCTION PROPERLY; YET, IT CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO VIBRATE AND THE ABS LIGHT TO ILLUMINATE CONSTANTLY. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 88,000. UPDATED 8/25/10 *CN UPDATED 08/27/10

NHTSA ID
10342183
Incident
Jul 1, 2010
Mileage
88,000 mi
Exterior lighting
Filed Mar 24, 2009

I OWN A 1998 LINCOLN MARK VIII. I HAVE OWNED THIS CAR SINCE 1999. RECENTLY, ONE OF THE HEADLIGHT LAMPS BURNED OUT. I ATTEMPTED TO BUY A REPLACEMENT BULB AT SEVERAL AUTO PARTS STORES WITHOUT SUCCESS. I CONTACTED THE LOCAL LINCOLN DEALERS AND FOUND THAT THE BULB (SYLVANIA 9500) IS NO LONGER MANUFACTURED. I ALSO FOUND THAT THERE IS NO STOCK OF AVAILABLE BULBS IN THE UNITED STATES EXCEPT FOR USED BULBS ON E-BAY. (FOR $199). I RESEARCHED THIS ISSUE ON THE INTERNET AND DETERMINED THAT LINCOLN'S REMEDY FOR THIS PROBLEM WAS TO SELL A CONVERSION KIT (FROM HID LIGHTS TO HALOGEN) FOR OVER $1,000.00. I DO NOT KNOW IF THEY ARE CHARGING $1,000.00 FOR A PAIR OF LIGHTS OR FOR ONLY ONE SIDE. AT THIS POINT I CANNOT SAFELY DRIVE MY VEHICLE AFTER DARK. I CANNOT FIND A REASONABLY PRICED REPLACEMENT PART. I AM LEFT WITH LINCOLN'S "REMEDY" OF SPENDING AT LEAST $1,000 TO REPLACE A HEADLIGHT BULB. I AM ALSO CONCERNED THAT IF I DO DRIVE THE CAR WITH ONE HEADLIGHT OUT THE OTHER ONE MAY GO OUT LEAVING ME WITH NO HEADLAMPS. *TR

NHTSA ID
10262952
Incident
Mar 1, 2009
Mileage
101,000 mi

Manufacturer communications

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

041601

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

WDS COP KIT DIAGNOSTIC TIP - COIL ON PLUG (COP) IGNITION SYSTEMS - ENGINE MISFIRE OR ROUGH RUNNING. *TT

042107

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:CONTROL MODULE (TCM/PCM/TECM)

GENERAL (PCM) POWER TRAIN CONTROL MODULE PROGRAMMING PROCEDURES. *TT

04217

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:CONTROL MODULE (TCM/PCM/TECM)

GENERAL POWER TRAIN CONTROL MODULE (PCM) PROGRAMMING PROCEDURES. *TT

031404

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

ENGINE MISFIRE OR RUNNING - COIL ON PLUG (COP) IGNITION SYSTEMS - WDS COP KIT DIAGNOSTIC TIPS. TO INCLUDE VARIOUS 2005 MODELS. * AR THIS ARTICLE 04161 SUPERSEDES TSB 03-14-04.

03203

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LAMP ILLUMINATED WITH DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODES (DTCS) P0442, P0455, P0456, P0457 OR P1442 OR A CHECK FUEL CAP LAMP ILLUMINATED WITH DTC P0457 FOR THE EVAPORATIVE EMISSION SYSTEM. *TT

03181

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

REMOTE KEYLESS ENTRY (RKE) - SERVICE TIPS. *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—
1998Viewing832046.8
1997902043.1
19961062050.9
19951362259.6
19941673158.5
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.