45 of the
984 complaints filed about the Lincoln Mark Viii
are about the braking system —
5% of everything owners reported.
The worst model year for it is 1995.
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 complaint #10388611 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1993 LINCOLN MARK VIII. WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH THE BRAKE LINE ERUPTED. HE CONTINUED TO PUMP THE BRAKES AS THE PEDAL EXTENDED TO THE FLOOR. HE WAS ABLE TO SAFELY DRIVE ONTO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND TURN THE VEHICLE OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT THE BRAKE LINE WAS COVERED WITH RUST AND WAS CAUSED BY SALT. THE MECHANIC REPLACED THE BRAKE LINE WITH NEW STEEL ONES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED BUT THEY WERE UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF FAILURE. THE CONTACT WAS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE REPAIR COST OF $485. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 172,000.
NHTSA complaint #10357201 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
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 complaint #10342183 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
THE FRONT ABS SPEED SENSOR HAS FAILED ON MY 1998 LINCOLN MARK VIII. THE CAR CURRENTLY HAS ONLY 50K MILES ON IT. THESE SENSORS HAVE BEEN DISCONTINUED BY FORD STARTING 2005. THEY ARE NOT INTERCHANGEABLE WITH ANY OTHER VEHICLE AND NO AUTOMOTIVE PARTS STORE CARRIES THEM. FORD MADE CLOSE TO 18,000 LINCOLN MARK VIII IN 1998, THE ABS SENSOR IS CRUCIAL IN THE PROPER OPERATION OF THE ABS AS WELL AS THE TRACTION CONTROL, AS IT IS RIGHT NOW THERE ARE NO REPLACEMENTS AVAILABLE ANYWHERE. THE MARK VIIIS THAT HAVE AND WILL BE AFFECTED BY THIS PROBLEM WILL NOT PASS A SAFETY INSPECTION AND COULD POSSIBLY CAUSE OTHER PROBLEMS LIKE INCREASED BRAKING DISTANCES AND EVEN ACCIDENTS.
NHTSA complaint #10186930 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
WHILE VEHICLE WAS PARKED EMERGENCY BRAKE DID NOT DISENGAGE WHEN THE LEVER WAS RELEASED. ALSO, THE BRAKES WOULD LOCK UP THE REAR RIGHT WHEEL WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED. VEHICLE HAD BEEN TO THE DEALER THREE TIMES IN THE LAST SIX MONTHS FOR THESE PROBLEMS.
NHTSA complaint #10075740 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
WHILE VEHICLE WAS PARKED EMERGENCY BRAKE DID NOT DISENGAGE WHEN THE LEVER WAS RELEASED. ALSO, THE BRAKES WOULD LOCK UP THE REAR RIGHT WHEEL WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED. VEHICLE HAD BEEN TO THE DEALER THREE TIMES IN THE LAST SIX MONTHS FOR THESE PROBLEMS.
NHTSA complaint #10075740 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
WHILE DRIVING THE ABS WARNING LIGHT STAYED ON CONTINUOUSLY. THE DEALERSHIP COULD NOT FIX THE PROBLEM. *NLM THE CONSUMER REQUESTED FOR A HIGHER RELIABILITY STANDARD FOR THE BRAKES.
NHTSA complaint #10020266 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
WHILE APPLYING THE BRAKES AND PULLING INSIDE OF A GAS STATION THE BRAKES FAILED. ALSO THE UNDERCARRIAGE OF THE VEHICLE WAS RUSTED. THE DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. *NLM
NHTSA complaint #10016130 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:MASTER CYLINDER
CONSUMER HAD THE MASTER CYLINDER, AND THE VACUUM BOOSTER REPLACED. THE ANTI LOCK BRAKE UNIT STARTED TO LEAK AND WAS REPLACED. AFTER THE REPAIR, IT WAS LEAKING WORSE THAN BEFORE. *JG
NHTSA complaint #10001481 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
CONSUMER HAD THE MASTER CYLINDER, AND THE VACUUM BOOSTER REPLACED. THE ANTI LOCK BRAKE UNIT STARTED TO LEAK AND WAS REPLACED. AFTER THE REPAIR, IT WAS LEAKING WORSE THAN BEFORE. *JG
NHTSA complaint #10001481 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
CONSUMER HAD THE MASTER CYLINDER, AND THE VACUUM BOOSTER REPLACED. THE ANTI LOCK BRAKE UNIT STARTED TO LEAK AND WAS REPLACED. AFTER THE REPAIR, IT WAS LEAKING WORSE THAN BEFORE. *JG
NHTSA complaint #10001481 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
DURING NORMAL BRAKING PEDAL WOULD INTERMITTENTLY GO TO THE FLOOR AND CAUSE EXTENED BRAKING DISTANCE BEFORE STOPPING. DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER WERE NOT NOTIFIED AT THIS TIME. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.
NHTSA complaint #8012096 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
WHEN DRIVING AND WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES TO MAKE A GRADUAL STOP EITHER ON WET OR DRY PAVEMENT BRAKE PEDAL GOES STRAIGHT TO THE FLOORBOARD, CAUSING EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. CONSUMER HAS TAKEN VEHICLE TO THE DEALER WHO COULD NOT DUPLICATE PROBLEM OR DETERMINE THE CAUSE. *AK *SLC
NHTSA complaint #891822 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
WHEN DRIVING AND WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES TO MAKE A GRADUAL STOP EITHER ON WET OR DRY PAVEMENT BRAKE PEDAL GOES STRAIGHT TO THE FLOORBOARD, CAUSING EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. CONSUMER HAS TAKEN VEHICLE TO THE DEALER WHO COULD NOT DUPLICATE PROBLEM OR DETERMINE THE CAUSE. *AK *SLC
NHTSA complaint #891822 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR
THE DISC BRAKE ROTOR DISC SEPARATED FROM ROTOR HUB CAUSING THE RIGHT FRONT TIRE TO LOCK UP FORCING CAR INTO A SPIN RESULTING IN THE CAR COMING TO A STOP IN A DITCH. MY 3 CHILDREN IN THE BACK SEAT RECEIVED MINOR BUMPS AND BRUISES. I WASTRAVELING AT 45 MPH WHEN THIS OCCURRED. IF I HAD BEEN TRAVELING FASTER THE CAR PROBABLY WOULD HAVE ROLLED OVER. *AK( DOT NUMBER: )
NHTSA complaint #740821 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
THE DISC BRAKE ROTOR DISC SEPARATED FROM ROTOR HUB CAUSING THE RIGHT FRONT TIRE TO LOCK UP FORCING CAR INTO A SPIN RESULTING IN THE CAR COMING TO A STOP IN A DITCH. MY 3 CHILDREN IN THE BACK SEAT RECEIVED MINOR BUMPS AND BRUISES. I WASTRAVELING AT 45 MPH WHEN THIS OCCURRED. IF I HAD BEEN TRAVELING FASTER THE CAR PROBABLY WOULD HAVE ROLLED OVER. *AK( DOT NUMBER: )
NHTSA complaint #740821 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC
THE FACTORY HEADLIGHTS ARE SUBSTANDARD AT BEST AND DANGEROUS IN LOW LIGHT CONDITIONS, SUCH AS POORLY LIT STREETS.THE BRAKE ROTORS FRONT AND REAR ARE FAILING ON MY CAR AND MANY OTHERS CARS AT AN ALARMING RATE. I'VE CHANGED BRAKE PADS BEFORE IN AS LITTLE AS 5000 MILES, NEVER HAVE I HAD TO REPLACE A ROTOR AT 3000 MILES. 3000 MILES IS AN INTERVAL FOR ENGINE SERVICE...NOT BRAKES, BRAKES SHOULD LAST 10,000 MILES EASY. MY ROTORS WERE WARPED IN 3000 MILES FROM THE PURCHASE. THIS IS CAUSEING BRAKE AND CONTROL PROBLEMS WITH MY CAR.
NHTSA complaint #738780 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC
HEADLAMPS ARE OF INFERIOR DESIGN AND UNSAFE FOR NIGHT TIME DRIVING. EXTEMELY LOW LIGHT OUTPUT AT NIGHT MAKING IT AN UNSAFE VEHICLE TO BE DRIVEN AT NIGHT ! BRAKE ROTORS HAVE EXTEMELY POOR DESIGN AND ARE NOT MANUFACTURED THICK ENOUGH TO WITHSTAND NORMAL USAGE AND HEAT. WARPAGE WITHIN 5,000K MILES ON EVERY NEW FACTORY ROTOR. DEFINITELY UNSAFE ROTORS.
NHTSA complaint #730149 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.