43 of the 984 complaints filed about the Lincoln Mark Viii are about the electrical system — 4% of everything owners reported. The worst model year for it is 1993.
43
Complaints
4%
Share of all complaints
1
Crashes
6
Fires
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
THEFT ALARM GOES OFF WHEN EVER IT WANTS TO. DOESN'T MATTER IF DAY OR NIGHT. THE BATTERY HAS TO BE DISCONNECTED TO SHUT IT OFF. THE CAR DOESN'T NEED TO BE DISTURBED FOR THIS TO HAPPEN.
NHTSA complaint #10683462 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
HEADLIGHTS DO NOT ILLUMINATE VIEW OF THE ROAD WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT. MOST OF THE TIME I CANNOT EVEN TELL IF MY HEADLIGHTS ARE ACTUALLY ON WHEN I TURN THE HEADLIGHT SWITCH. I AM FORCED TO USE MY BRIGHTS JUST TO SEE THE ROAD IN ORDER TO DRIVE SAFELY, BUT THIS IMPAIRS THE VIEW FOR ON COMING TRAFFIC. IN ADDITION, CONVERSION KITS AND LABOR ARE EXPENSIVE, AND I SHOULD NOT BE SUBJECT TO PAY FOR AN AFTERMARKET MODIFICATION TO UPGRADE MY VEHICLE WHEN THIS IS A DESIGN FLAW THAT VIOLATES THE DRIVER'S SAFETY. IN ADDITION, THE HEADLIGHTS THEMSELVES HAVE BEEN DISCONTINUED SO WHEN THEY DO MALFUNCTION FROM NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR YOU ARE NOT ABLE TO PURCHASE THE HEADLIGHT OR AN UPGRADED VERSION. FURTHERMORE, NEWER MARK VIII'S (>1996) HAVE A TOTALLY DIFFERENT HEADLIGHT DESIGN AND DO NOT HAVE THIS PROBLEM, BUT PARTS ARE NOT INTERCHANGABLE AND APPLYING AN AFTERMARKET HEADLIGHT REQUIRES PRECISION AND EXPENSIVE BODY WORK.
NHTSA complaint #10457406 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
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.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
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.
NHTSA complaint #10256647 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1993 LINCOLN MARK VIII. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ODOMETER, SPEEDOMETER, AND CRUISE CONTROL ALL MALFUNCTIONED ON HIS VEHICLE. SINCE THE FAILURES, THE ON-BOARD COMPUTER ALSO FAILED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT, BASICALLY, THE ENTIRE DASHBOARD FAILED. THE AIR RIDE SYSTEM ALSO BEGAN TO LEAK. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE PARTS FOR THE SPEEDOMETER WERE NO LONGER AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT ALSO TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR TRANSMISSION SERVICE AND IT CAME BACK WITH A TRANSMISSION LEAK. HE REPLACED A SCREW, BUT THE LEAK STILL EXISTED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE PAID APPROXIMATELY $7,000 FOR THE REPAIRS AND THE FAILURE STILL CONTINUED. THE CONTACT WAS SENT A RECALL NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 07V336000 (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL) AND BELIEVED THAT THE RECALL CAUSED THE OTHER FAILURES WITH THE VEHICLE. THE PURCHASE DATE WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 161,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 159,000.
NHTSA complaint #10220786 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1993 LINCOLN MARK VIII. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED WITH THE ENGINE SHUT OFF, IT CAUGHT FIRE UNDER THE HOOD. THE WIRES CONNECTED TO THE FIRE WALL AND THE DASHBOARD WERE AFFECTED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO SPLICE THE WIRES ENOUGH TO START THE VEHICLE. THERE ARE NO PHOTOS AVAILABLE. THE VIN WAS INVALID. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 55,000 AND APPROXIMATE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 110,000.
NHTSA complaint #10220573 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
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.
NHTSA complaint #10203307 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE AFTER BEING PARKED FOR A FEW MONTHS. THE FIRE WAS LOCALIZED NEAR THE MASTER CYLINDER RESERVOIR. ASH WAS SCATTERED OVER THE ENTIRE ENGINE, AND BLOWN ONTO THE FRONT FENDERS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT SEEN BY A DEALER FOLLOWING THE FIRE, HOWEVER THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED.
NHTSA complaint #10170750 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
I OWN A 1995 LINCOLN MARK VIII. ON SATURDAY, AUGUST 12, 2006, WHILE I WAS ASLEEP IN MY HOME, MY CAR CAUGHT ON FIRE. THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH MY CAR. THE IGNITION WAS OFF. THE LAST IT HAD BEEN DRIVEN WAS THE PREVIOUS NIGHT. IT WAS PARKED AROUND 6:00 P.M. ON THE 11TH OF AUGUST. I WOULD NOT HAVE KNOWN IT WAS ON FIRE IF THE NEIGHBOR HAD NOT SEEN THE FIRE AND BEAT ON MY DOOR TO WAKE ME UP.
NHTSA complaint #10165438 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD
DRIVERS SIDE HID UNIT ON MY 1996 LINCOLN MARK VIII IS NOT WORKING AND I CAN NOT SEEM TO FIND ANOTHER ONE USED OR NEW TO REPLACE IT WITH, SEEMS TO BE A DEALER ONLY PART AND THE PARTS 'DEPTS. I"VE SPOKEN WITH WANT TO CHARGE ME $750.00 TO $850.00 FOR THE WHOLE HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLY WITH THE HID UNIT, I CAN ONLY DRIVE DURING THE DAY AND CANNNOT DRIVE AT NIGHT IN FEAR OF GETTING PULLED OVER OR GETTING INTO AN ACCIDENT!!!!!!!!!!!
NHTSA complaint #10155999 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING
1)WALKED INTO GARAGE IN EVENING AND FOUND WHITE, ACRID SMOKE. UPON PULLING CAR OUT OF GARAGE, HEARD WHOOSHING SOUND. 2 )UPON REMOVING THE RT FRONT FENDER WELL, FOUND THE SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATOR SWITCH HAD CAUGHT FIRE AND MELTED AND HAD MELTED THE RT FRONT AIR LINE TO SUSPENSION ROUTED ABOVE IT. LUCKY IT DIDN'T SET FIRE TO MY GARAGE. 3) I WILL NEED NEW AIR LINE (ORDERED FOR $15.00), WILL NEED SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATOR SWITCH AND CONNECTOR/ WIRING REPLACED, COST UNKNOWN-IF I CAN EVEN FIND THE PARTS. OF NOTE, THIS SWITCH HAS A PREVIOUS HISTORY OF FAILURE AND FIRES, BUT FORD HAS FAILED TO ISSUE A RECALL ON THIS MAKE OR MODEL YEAR. SWITCH WAS LOCATED UNDER HOOD AND FORD RELOCATED IT TO RT FRONT FENDER WELL. THIS MAY HAVE CUT DOWN ON FIRES AS INTENSE, BUT DID NOT FIX THE PROBLEM OF A DEFECTIVE DESIGN. THEIR FAILURE TO NOTIFY CONSUMERS CONCERNS ME.
NHTSA complaint #10104659 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
VALVE COVERS ARE VERY HARD TO TAKE OFF. SPARK PLUG SEALS LEAK OIL, INTO SPARK PLUGS AND COILS, THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS, AND COULD CASE A SERIOUS FIRE. THERE IS NO WAY TO TELL, IF THIS IS HAPPENING, UNTIL YOU TAKE THE COILS COVERS OFF, BECAUSE THE COILS COVERS HAVE A RUBBER SEAL.
NHTSA complaint #10081317 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING
WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE AT NIGHT, THE HEADLIGHTS WOULD DIM MAKING IT DIFFICULT TO SEE THE ROAD. THIS FORCES THE DRIVER TO PULL OFF THE ROAD. THE CONSUMER HAS MADE CONTACT WITH THE DEALERSHIP, AND THE MECHANIC INFORMED THE OWNER THAT THE HEADLIGHTS WIRING HAD MELT. *LA
NHTSA complaint #10074430 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
CONSUMER CALLED COMPLAINING ABOUT HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE ENGINE. ENGINE WAS DESIGNED THAT IT DID NOT GIVE THE SPARK PLUG ENOUGH SPACE FOR IT TO WORK PROPERLY. ALSO, SPARK PLUG BLEW OUT, AND CAUSED DAMAGES TO THE ENGINE.DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT CONTACTED AT THE TIME OF THIS CALL.
NHTSA complaint #10029817 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:MODULE
CONSUMERS WIFE LEFT FOR WORK AND COULD NOT GET THE SHIFT LEVER OUT OF PARK. THE MANUAL EXPLAINED HOW TO OVER RIDE THE LOCK OUT ALSO INDICATING THE BRAKE LIGHTS WOULD BE OUT. NOT WANTING TO BE WITH OUT BRAKE LIGHTS, CONSUEMRS WIFE TOOK VEHICLE TO THE NEAREST SERVICE SHOP TO HAVE THE FUSE REPLACED. WHEN THEY PROCEEDED TO BRING THE VEHICLE IN, THE STARTER CONTINUED TO STAY ENGAGED WITH THE ENGINE RUNNING EVEN WITH THE KEYS REMOVED. THE ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULE BRAKCET HAD COME LOOSE AND SHORTED THE BRAKE WIRES ALSO SHORTING THE WIRES TO THE STARTER.
NHTSA complaint #567862 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:MODULE
THE ECM BRACKET CAME LOOSE AND SHORTED OUT THE BRAKE WIRES AND OTHER WIRES WHICH CAUSED THE STARTER AND ENGINE TO CONTINUE TO RUN, THE CONSUMER IS REQUESTING REIMBURSEMENT FOR THIS REPAIR. NLM
NHTSA complaint #566837 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR
ALTERNATOR CAUGHT ON FIRE-CAR DISBLED ON FREEWAY.
NHTSA complaint #764392 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FUSES AND CIRCUIT BREAKERS
THIS APPEARS TO BE A PROBLEM WITH THE VOLTAGE GOING INTO THE BULBS THEMSELVES AND IS POTENTIONALLY VERY DANGEROUS. IFEEL THIS IS A MANUFACTURING DEFECT, AND SHOULD BE A RECALL SEEING AS THERE ARE SO MANY REPETETIVE COMPLAINTS.
NHTSA complaint #744628 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
TANSMISSION REAR SEAL REPLACED, CONTINUED TO SLIP, THEN THE POWER STEERING PUMP WENT OUT AIR RIDE SYSTEM WAS REPLACED BOTH LEFT AND RIGHT 4 TIMES (2) FRONT (2) REAR.. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM MALFUNCTIONED ALARM WOULD GO OFF WHILE DRIVING LOCKS WHOULD LOCK ON YOU WHILE TRYING TO ENTER CAR IF YOU COULD BET THE LOCKS THE ALARM WOULD GO OFF .. ALTERNATOR WENT OUT AGTER I WAS TOLD THEY COULD NOT FIND ANY PROBLEM WITH THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. VIBRATION IN CAR WHILD DRIVING AND IDILING. OVER HEATED NEW RADIATOR AND THERMOSTAT, 2 TIMING BELTS, INTAKE GASKETS NUMEROUS OTHER PARTS TO GET RID OF VIBRATATION ENGINE HAS BEEN TORN DOWN 3 TIMES ITS NOW IN A ENGINE SHOP. ENGINE MAY NEED TO BE REPLACED. I HAVE BEEN WITHOUT MY CAR SINCE AUG.2, 2000.
NHTSA complaint #734234 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR
TANSMISSION REAR SEAL REPLACED, CONTINUED TO SLIP, THEN THE POWER STEERING PUMP WENT OUT AIR RIDE SYSTEM WAS REPLACED BOTH LEFT AND RIGHT 4 TIMES (2) FRONT (2) REAR.. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM MALFUNCTIONED ALARM WOULD GO OFF WHILE DRIVING LOCKS WHOULD LOCK ON YOU WHILE TRYING TO ENTER CAR IF YOU COULD BET THE LOCKS THE ALARM WOULD GO OFF .. ALTERNATOR WENT OUT AGTER I WAS TOLD THEY COULD NOT FIND ANY PROBLEM WITH THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. VIBRATION IN CAR WHILD DRIVING AND IDILING. OVER HEATED NEW RADIATOR AND THERMOSTAT, 2 TIMING BELTS, INTAKE GASKETS NUMEROUS OTHER PARTS TO GET RID OF VIBRATATION ENGINE HAS BEEN TORN DOWN 3 TIMES ITS NOW IN A ENGINE SHOP. ENGINE MAY NEED TO BE REPLACED. I HAVE BEEN WITHOUT MY CAR SINCE AUG.2, 2000.
NHTSA complaint #734234 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.