Owners filed 90 complaints about this vehicle with federal regulators, most often about the exterior lighting › headlights. It has been recalled 2 times.
When it fails
06500065,000 milesMedian miles at failure
34 complaints record an odometer reading. Failures cluster around 60,000–75,000 miles.
What fails
Component
Reports
Crashes
Fires
Injuries
Exterior Lighting › Headlights
26
1
0
0
Visibility › Defroster/Defogger/Hvac System
15
0
0
0
Vehicle Speed Control
7
0
1
0
Unknown or Other
3
0
0
0
Exterior Lighting
3
0
0
0
Wheels
2
0
0
0
Visibility › Defroster/Defogger/Hvac System › Windshield › Electrical Heating Element
2
0
0
0
Visibility
2
0
0
0
Suspension
2
0
0
0
Steering › Steering Wheel/Handle Bar
2
0
0
0
2 safety recalls
Part 573 reports
Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components › Disc › Pads16E026000
Filed Apr 1, 201649,635 vehiclesRobert Bosch Llc
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.
Risk. A damaged or broken brake disc may reduce a vehicle's braking power, increasing the risk of a crash.
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.
Vehicle Speed Control07V336000
Filed Aug 3, 20073,600,000 vehiclesFord Motor Company
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.
Risk. 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.
What owners reported
Newest filings
Steering
Filed Mar 24, 201561,540 milesMD
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
Vehicle Speed Control
Filed Aug 5, 2014AZ
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
Equipment › Appliance › Air Conditioner
Filed Jun 13, 2012103,000 milesCT
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
Exterior Lighting › Headlights
Filed Jul 21, 200961,000 milesMI
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
Exterior Lighting
Filed Mar 11, 200945,000 milesCA
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
Visibility
Filed Jan 28, 200980,000 milesCA
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
Exterior Lighting
Filed Oct 28, 2008158,400 milesCA
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
Visibility
Filed Oct 20, 200876,000 milesCA
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
Exterior Lighting
Filed May 27, 2008144,900 milesFL
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
Vehicle Speed Control
Filed Apr 4, 2008MI
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.
Vehicle Speed Control
Filed Mar 8, 2008WA
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
Vehicle Speed Control
Filed Mar 7, 2008FL
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
Vehicle Speed Control
Filed Feb 21, 2008MO
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
Exterior Lighting › Headlights
Filed Jan 8, 200859,000 milesMO
LOW BEAM HEADLIGHT (HID) ON RIGHT SIDE HAS FAILED AND NO REPLACEMENTS ARE OFFERED BY FACTORY OR DEALER. *TR
Exterior Lighting › Headlights
Filed Dec 23, 2007NJ
HID LIGHTS KEEP BURNING OUT AND RUINING THE LENSES ON MY LINCOLN MARK VIII 1997 LSC. *TR
Vehicle Speed Control
Filed Dec 13, 2007TN
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
Vehicle Speed ControlFire
Filed Oct 30, 200773,000 milesFL
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.
Exterior Lighting › Headlights
Filed Sep 18, 200749,941 milesTX
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
Exterior Lighting › Headlights
Filed Aug 31, 200788,500 milesKS
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
Exterior Lighting › Headlights
Filed Nov 29, 2006105,000 milesCA
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
No unusual pattern of severe incidents in the complaint record.
Complaint counts track how many cars were sold and how long they have been on the road as much as they track quality. A common model from 2013 has had a decade to accumulate reports; a rare one from last year has not. The signal worth weighing is in the severity columns, in whether the same component keeps appearing, and in whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.
Recall repairs are free for as long as the recall stands. Check whether a specific car still has open work at NHTSA's VIN lookup.
Most recent recall on file: Apr 1, 2016. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.