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1993 Lincoln Mark Viii

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

More warning signs than most Mark Viii years

Owner complaints for the 1993 Lincoln Mark Viii are substantially higher than the model-year median of 86.5.

About this comparison →

How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

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Compare all Mark Viii years →

Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

All reported categories

Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

Limited mileage data: 41 of 239 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Exterior Lighting. Review the 172 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Vehicle Speed Control. Review the 15 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Visibility. Review the 14 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

16 crash reports7 fire reports5 injury reports

Exterior Lighting complaints

172 reports
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Mileage unknown · Sep 4, 2000
Exterior Lighting

THE HEADLIGHTS ON THE LINCOLN MARK VIII YEAR MODEL 1993-1996 ARE BECOMING A SAFETY PROBLEM. THESE HEADLIGHTS ARE BECOMING YELLOWED AND DECREASING VISIBLITY TO THE POINT THAT YOU CAN NOT EVEN TELL IF THE LIGHTS ARE ON. THE INSIDE REFLECTIVE COATING ALSO IS FALLING OFF AND LOWERING THE LIGHTING EVEN MORE. AS A WEB SITE OWNER OF…

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THE HEADLIGHTS ON THE LINCOLN MARK VIII YEAR MODEL 1993-1996 ARE BECOMING A SAFETY PROBLEM. THESE HEADLIGHTS ARE BECOMING YELLOWED AND DECREASING VISIBLITY TO THE POINT THAT YOU CAN NOT EVEN TELL IF THE LIGHTS ARE ON. THE INSIDE REFLECTIVE COATING ALSO IS FALLING OFF AND LOWERING THE LIGHTING EVEN MORE. AS A WEB SITE OWNER OF A MARK VIII SITE I HAVE RECEIVE NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS AND CONCERNS ABOUT THESE HEADLIGHTS. MOST OWNERS ARE WILLING TO PAY FOR NEW HEADLIGHT ASSY'S BECAUSE OF THE POOR QUALITY. THESE ASSY'S ARE SUPPOSEDLY WARRANTEED BY SYLVANIA, BUT NO ONE HAS BEEN ABLE TO RESOLVE ANYTHING WITH THEM OR LINCOLN. THIS IS A GROWING CONCERN AMONG MARK VIII OWNERS BECAUSE OF THE SAFETY ISSUES THAT COME UP FROM NOT BEING ABLE TO SEE.

NHTSA ODI #730085

Mileage unknown · Jun 12, 2000
Exterior Lighting

HEADLIGHT INTENSITY HAS GRADUALLY DECLINED DUE TO DETERIORATION OF REFLECTIVE COATING INSIDE HEADLAMP LENS ASSEMBLY. INSPECTION OF INSIDE OF LENS REFLECTOR WITH LAMP REMOVED USING A DENTAL MIRROR SHOW PLASTIC HAS MELTED AND TURNED DARK BROWN IN COLOR INSTEAD OF A REFLECTIVE CHROME FINISH.*AK

NHTSA ODI #723902

Mileage unknown · Dec 18, 1999
Exterior Lighting

HEADLIGHTS ARE WEAK, EVEN WHEN REPLACED WITH NEW ONES. *AK

NHTSA ODI #716214

Mileage unknown · Nov 13, 1999
Exterior LightingInterior Lighting

THE FIRST INCIDENT HAPPENED WHILE I WAS ON THE ON-RAMP TO THE MASS. TURNPIKE AT 11:00 P.M. I WAS DRIVING APPROX. 35 MPH AND MY HEADLIGHTS SHUT OFF AS WELL AS THE DASHBOARD LIGHTING. I IMMEDIATELY HIT MY BRAKES SO THAT THE CARS BEHIND ME WERE AWARE OF MY EXISTENCE. IT SEEMED LIKE THEY WERE OFF FOREVER, IN REALITY IT WAS PROBAB…

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THE FIRST INCIDENT HAPPENED WHILE I WAS ON THE ON-RAMP TO THE MASS. TURNPIKE AT 11:00 P.M. I WAS DRIVING APPROX. 35 MPH AND MY HEADLIGHTS SHUT OFF AS WELL AS THE DASHBOARD LIGHTING. I IMMEDIATELY HIT MY BRAKES SO THAT THE CARS BEHIND ME WERE AWARE OF MY EXISTENCE. IT SEEMED LIKE THEY WERE OFF FOREVER, IN REALITY IT WAS PROBABLY ABOUT 20 SECONDS. IT PROCEEDED TO HAPPEN AS I DROVE THE SPEED LIMIT ON THE PIKE, AND MANY TIMES THEREAFTER. IT CAME TO THE POINT THAT I WOULD NOT DRIVE AT NIGHT UNLESS ABSOLUTELY NECESSARY. I PROCEEDED TO LOOK INTO VEHICLE RECALL INFORMATION, BECAUSE TO ME THIS IS DEFINATE RECALL STUFF, THIS IS NOT NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR OF AN AUTOMOBILE. I WAS NOT SURPRISED TO SEE IN THE CONSUMER GUIDE, THAT IT WAS IN FACT A RECALL ON 1993, LINCOLN MARK VIII VEHICLES. HOWEVER, WHAT I WAS SURPRISED ABOUT WAS THE TREATMENT I RECEIVED FROM LINCOLN. I GAVE THEM THE INFORMATION, AS WELL AS THE RECALL #98V009000, THEY TOLD ME THAT RECALLS ARE VEHICLE SPECIFIC AND THAT THEY WOULD NEED MY VIN . *AFTER PROVIDING THEM WITH THIS INFORMATION, I WAS TOLD THAT THE HEADLAMP RECALL DID NOT PERTAIN TO MY CAR. WELL, OBVIOUSLY THERE HAS BEEN SOME KIND OF A MISTAKE!?!????? I AM NOT UNDERSTANDING THE LOGIC OR REASONING IN THIS, LET ME GET THIS STRAIGHT, O.K.: THERE IS A RECALL FOR HEADLAMP FAILURE ON 1993, LINCOLN MARK VIII'S, I OWN A 1993, LINCOLN MARK VIII, I AM HAVING HEADLIGHT FAILURE, BUT MY VEHICLE IS NOT LISTED AS PART OF THE RECALL??????? WELL THEN SHOULDN'T IT BE? WHAT IS THE EXPLANATION THEN FOR THE PROBLEM AND WHY DOES LINCOLN FAIL TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY AND REINBURSE ME. MY LIFE WAS IN DANGER UNTIL I COULD GET THE FUNDS TO REPAIR THIS PROBLEM, AND LINCOLN JUST SIMPLY KEEPS SAYING" I AM SORRY MAM, THERE IS NOTHING WE CAN DO, YOUR CAR IS NOT PART OF THE RECALL" I ASK , " WELL THERE IS DEFINATELY AN ERROR. AND WHAT CAN I DO NOW?" THEY GAVE ME A COUPLE OF TOLL FREE NUMBERS TO CALL, BUT NO-ONE IS BEING HELPFUL, AND NO-ONE CAN JLOGICALLY ANSWER MY QUESTION.

NHTSA ODI #714721

Mileage unknown · Sep 8, 1999
Exterior Lighting

AFTER RECALL WORK COMPLETED ON THE HEAD LIGHT SWITCH (98V-009) THE AUTO LIGHT FUNCTION FAILED. MJS

NHTSA ODI #548394

Mileage unknown · Apr 21, 1999
Exterior Lighting

THE HEADLIGHTS DO NOT OFFER SUFFICIENT LIGHTING AT NIGHT WITHOUT THE USE OF THE HIGH BEAMS. A MECHANIC DETECTED A METAL BLOCKAGE IN THE HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLY IN THE LOW BEAM SECTION. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *AK

NHTSA ODI #836952

Mileage unknown · Apr 3, 1999
Exterior Lighting

HEADLIGHTS ARE VERY DIM. AT NIGHT THEY ARE ABOUT AS BRIGHT AS PARKING LIGHTS. CHARGING AND ELECTRICAL SYSTEM IS OK. *AK

NHTSA ODI #705255

Mileage unknown · Jun 30, 1998
Exterior Lighting

NHTSA RECALL 98V009000, MANUFACTURER'S RECALL 98S01, HEADLIGHTS. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR REPAIRS. AFTER MAKING AN APPOINTMENT, THE DEALER HAD NO PARTS TO FIX THE VEHICLE. UPON ARRIVAL, THE CONSUMER WANTED TO SPEAK TO THE MANAGER AND THE REQUEST WAS REFUSED. *AK

NHTSA ODI #824245

Mileage unknown · Apr 15, 1998
Electrical SystemExterior Lighting

HEADLAMP SWITCH AND WIRING HARNESS FAILED CAUSING THE ENTIRE LIGHTING SYSTEM TO SHUT DOWN.

NHTSA ODI #534174

Mileage unknown · Apr 10, 1998
Exterior Lighting

DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS AND USING HIGH BEAM LIGHTS FOR 20 SECONDS ALL LIGHTS WILL BECOME INOPERATIVE. WILL COME BACK ON WHEN CONSUMER PUT IT BACK ON REGULAR LIGHT MODE. DEALER CLAIMS NEEDS TO EXCHANGE SWITCH. *AK

NHTSA ODI #822364

Official recalls

3

07V336000 · Vehicle Speed Control

Aug 3, 2007

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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: 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.

98V009000 · Exterior Lighting:headlights:switch

Jan 21, 1998

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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: 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.

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.

92V166000 · Seat Belts:front:retractor

Nov 18, 1992

THE LINK LEVER TRUNION ON THE SAFETY BELT RETRACTOR MAY HAVE BEEN DAMAGED DURING INSTALLATION.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THE DAMAGED COMPONENT MAY BECOME DISLODGED DURING VEHICLEOPERATION, MAKING THE RETRACTOR VEHICLE-SENSITIVE LOCKING SYSTEM INOPERATIVE.THIS INCREASES THE POSSIBILTY OF A SERIOUS INJURY IN A SUDDEN STOP OR ACCIDENT.

Remedy: THE RETRACTORS WILL BE REPLACED IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

1

EA96019 · Headlight Failure

Opened Jul 31, 1996 · Closed Jan 26, 1998

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Exterior Lighting

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.