Illustration1993 LINCOLN MARK VIII WITH SPEED CONTROL SWITCH RECALL. CONSUMER STATES THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED FOR THE PROBLEM. THE DEALER DEACTIVATED THE SWITCH BUT DID NOT REPLACE THE WIRING ASSEMBLY. *KB
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
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
What owners actually said
239 reportsDEFECTIVE HEADLIGHTS NOT DISPLAYING ENOUGH LIGHT TO SEE AT NIGHT. *CN
MY 1993 LINCOLN MARK VIII HEAD LIGHTS ARE DEFECTIVE. THEY ARE CLOUDED OVER FROM AGE OR THE ENVIRONMENT. MAKES THE ROAD AND OBJECTS HARD TO SEE. *TR
CAR IS UNUSABLE AT NIGHT DUE TO POOR HEADLIGHT DESIGN/BUILD QUALITY. PLASTIC HEADLIGHT LENSES REQUIRE REGULAR REPOLISHING TO REMOVE HAZE. CHROME INSIDE HEADLIGHTS HAS BURNED OFF FROM THE HEAT OF THE OEM BULBS, RESULTING IN VIRTUALLY NO LIGHT OUTPUT ON ROAD. WILL REQUIRE RECHROMING. THIS IS THE 2ND SET OF OEM HEADLIGHTS TO DISPLA…
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CAR IS UNUSABLE AT NIGHT DUE TO POOR HEADLIGHT DESIGN/BUILD QUALITY. PLASTIC HEADLIGHT LENSES REQUIRE REGULAR REPOLISHING TO REMOVE HAZE. CHROME INSIDE HEADLIGHTS HAS BURNED OFF FROM THE HEAT OF THE OEM BULBS, RESULTING IN VIRTUALLY NO LIGHT OUTPUT ON ROAD. WILL REQUIRE RECHROMING. THIS IS THE 2ND SET OF OEM HEADLIGHTS TO DISPLAY THESE SYMPTOMS ON THIS CAR. *TR
I AM AN OWNER OF A GENERATION 1 LINCOLN MARK VIII (1993). THE HEADLIGHTS ON MY CAR (BRIGHTS AND REGULAR) ARE HORRIBLE. I HAVE TRIED REPLACING THE BULBS WITH DIFFERENT AFTERMARKET BRANDS, AND NOTHING HELPS. THIS IS A MAJOR COMPLAINT ABOUT THE GEN 1 MARK VIII'S ACCORDING TO THE OTHER OWNERS I KNOW. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1993 LINCOLN MARK VIII. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER REGARDING NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 07V336000 (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL). THE REPAIR ORDER STATED THAT THE DEACTIVATION SWITCH WAS DISCONNECTED. HOWEVER, WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE CRUISE CONTROL WAS ACTIVATED AND DEACTIVATED AS NORMAL. THERE HAD BE…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1993 LINCOLN MARK VIII. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER REGARDING NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 07V336000 (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL). THE REPAIR ORDER STATED THAT THE DEACTIVATION SWITCH WAS DISCONNECTED. HOWEVER, WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE CRUISE CONTROL WAS ACTIVATED AND DEACTIVATED AS NORMAL. THERE HAD BEEN NO FAILURE TO DATE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 93,000.
HEADLAMPS IN THESE VEHICLES ARE NON-FUNCTIONING. THEY NEED TO BE REPLACED WITH THE 1996 HID SYSTEM. NIGHT VISIBILITY IS ZERO. THE DRIVER CANNOT SEE AT NIGHT. THIS CAR CLEARLY SHOULD HAVE BEEN RECALLED FOR THIS MATTER GIVEN THE AMOUNT OF CONTENT WRITTEN ABOUT ITS FAMOUS HEADLAMP FAILURE. THERE IS NO VEHICLE WITH POORER HEADL…
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HEADLAMPS IN THESE VEHICLES ARE NON-FUNCTIONING. THEY NEED TO BE REPLACED WITH THE 1996 HID SYSTEM. NIGHT VISIBILITY IS ZERO. THE DRIVER CANNOT SEE AT NIGHT. THIS CAR CLEARLY SHOULD HAVE BEEN RECALLED FOR THIS MATTER GIVEN THE AMOUNT OF CONTENT WRITTEN ABOUT ITS FAMOUS HEADLAMP FAILURE. THERE IS NO VEHICLE WITH POORER HEADLAMP ILLUMINATION. IT IS VERY DANGEROUS TO DRIVE THESE CARS AT NIGHT. *JB. UPDATED 01/02/08. *LJ UPATED 12/12/07
MY SON WAS DRIVING A LINCOLN MARK 8 1993, APPROX. 89,900 MILES. AS HE WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD THE ENGINE CAUGHT FIRE, HE TRIED TO PULL OVER BUT THE FIRE HAD CAUSED THE BRAKES TO GO OUT, HE AND HIS PASSENGER WERE KILLED ON IMPACT OF A TREE, MY SON TRIED AS MUCH AS HE COULD WITHOUT BRAKES TO AVOID. BOTH BODIES WERE BURNED BEYON…
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MY SON WAS DRIVING A LINCOLN MARK 8 1993, APPROX. 89,900 MILES. AS HE WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD THE ENGINE CAUGHT FIRE, HE TRIED TO PULL OVER BUT THE FIRE HAD CAUSED THE BRAKES TO GO OUT, HE AND HIS PASSENGER WERE KILLED ON IMPACT OF A TREE, MY SON TRIED AS MUCH AS HE COULD WITHOUT BRAKES TO AVOID. BOTH BODIES WERE BURNED BEYOND RECOGNITION. FORD MOTOR COMPANY KNEW THE CRUISE CONTROL SWITCH ON MY CAR WAS THE SAME ONE THEY HAD ALREADY RECALLED, BUT IF THEY RECALLED ALL OF THEM IT WOULD HAVE CAUSED A BIG STORY BEING THE LARGEST RECALL IN MOTOR HISTORY. MY SON IS DEAD NOW ,AS A RESULT OF A 27.00 PART. *JB
TL* - WHILE DRIVING THE CONTACT'S CAR CAUGHT FIRE AND BOTH THE DRIVER AND A PASSENGER RECEIVED FATAL INJURIES. THE CRUISE CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH WAS NOT DEACTIVATING THE CRUISE CONTROL. ACCORDING TO THE POLICE, THE CAR CAUGHT FIRE THE DRIVER ATTEMPTED TO PULL OVER. THE BRAKES WERE NOT OPERATIONAL AND HE STRUCK A TREE. TH…
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TL* - WHILE DRIVING THE CONTACT'S CAR CAUGHT FIRE AND BOTH THE DRIVER AND A PASSENGER RECEIVED FATAL INJURIES. THE CRUISE CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH WAS NOT DEACTIVATING THE CRUISE CONTROL. ACCORDING TO THE POLICE, THE CAR CAUGHT FIRE THE DRIVER ATTEMPTED TO PULL OVER. THE BRAKES WERE NOT OPERATIONAL AND HE STRUCK A TREE. THE POLICE REPORTED THAT THERE WERE NO SKID MARKS ON THE ROAD. THE CONTACT NOTICED SHORTLY AFTER PURCHASING THE VEHICLE THAT THE CRUISE CONTROL WOULD NOT TURN OFF BY HITTING THE BRAKE OR WITH THE SWITCH. THE CAR IS AT CROWS TOWING IN TYLER, TX. SHE HAS VIDEO OF THE SCENE AND THE POLICE DEPARTMENT IS STILL WORKING ON THE POLICE REPORT.
MY SON WAS DRIVING HIS GIRLFRIEND HOME WHEN HIS CAR BURST INTO FLAMES. HE PULLED THE CAR OFF THE ROAD TELLING HIS GIRLFRIEND TO JUMP OUT THE WINDOW AS THE FLAMES CONTINUED TO GROW WITH EACH PRESS ON THE BRAKE PEDAL. THE CAR SLID INTO THE DARK HITTING A TREE. BOTH PEOPLE DIED. MY SON WAS 22, HIS GIRLFRIEND WAS 21. *JB
Official recalls
307V336000 · 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
1EA96019 · 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.