Verdict · NHTSA data
Limited data — recalls on file
NHTSA has just 9 complaints on file for the 1987 Lincoln Mark Vii — too few to judge reliability from owner reports alone — but one recall campaign applies to this year, so any used example should have its VIN checked for completed recall work. Reports tied to this model year include 2 deaths and 5 injuries, per the complaint records themselves.
9
NHTSA complaints
1
Recalls
0
Investigations
4
Crash-involved
3
Fires reported
5
Injuries
2
Deaths
—
NCAP overall
| Component | Complaints | Share | vs prior year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical System | 2 | 22% | ▼ down |
| Engine | 2 | 22% | — flat |
| Transmission | 2 | 22% | new |
| Speed Control | 1 | 11% | new |
| Steering | 1 | 11% | new |
| Suspension | 1 | 11% | ▼ down |
1 NHTSA recall campaign on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Defect
SPRING LOCK FUEL LINE COUPLING MAY NOT BE PROPERLY ENGAGED.
Consequence
COUPLING COULD DISENGAGE DUE TO FUEL PRESSURE,VIBRATION, AND ENGINE MOVEMENTS; THIS WOULD CAUSE LOSS OF FUEL WHICH, INPRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, CREATES A FIRE RISK.
Remedy
INSTALL RETAINER CLIPS OVER THE COUPLINGS TO PREVENT COUPLING SEPARATION AND FUEL LEAKAGE.
Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.
“WHILE PARKED IN SECURE PARKING LOT APPROXIMATELY 3 HOURS; OWNER NOTIFIED BY BUILDING SECURITY VEHICLE WAS ON FIRE, ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE, CAUSE UNKOWN, EXTINGUISHED BY FIRE DEPARTMENT, VEHICLE TOTALED. *AK”
“STARTED CAR, RELEASED EMERGENCY BRAKE, PUT CAR INTO GEAR AND THE CAR ACCELERATED AND HIT A WALL, NOJURY . *AK CONSUMER STATES THAT THE TOP OF THE GEAR SELECTOR CAME OFF WHILE TRYING TO SHIFT INTO NEUTRAL. THE ORIGINAL COMPUTER WAS REPLACED IN JUNE OF 1994 DUE TO HARD STARTING AND ROUGH IDLE. *SLC”
“STARTED CAR, RELEASED EMERGENCY BRAKE, PUT CAR INTO GEAR AND THE CAR ACCELERATED AND HIT A WALL, NOJURY . *AK CONSUMER STATES THAT THE TOP OF THE GEAR SELECTOR CAME OFF WHILE TRYING TO SHIFT INTO NEUTRAL. THE ORIGINAL COMPUTER WAS REPLACED IN JUNE OF 1994 DUE TO HARD STARTING AND ROUGH IDLE. *SLC”
“STARTED CAR, RELEASED EMERGENCY BRAKE, PUT CAR INTO GEAR AND THE CAR ACCELERATED AND HIT A WALL, NOJURY . *AK CONSUMER STATES THAT THE TOP OF THE GEAR SELECTOR CAME OFF WHILE TRYING TO SHIFT INTO NEUTRAL. THE ORIGINAL COMPUTER WAS REPLACED IN JUNE OF 1994 DUE TO HARD STARTING AND ROUGH IDLE. *SLC”
The record is thin — 9 NHTSA complaints — so owner-report data can't strongly confirm reliability either way, though 1 recall should be verified as completed.
Yes — NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign affecting the 1987 Lincoln Mark Vii. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.
Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Mark Vii years to avoid are 1988. The cleanest record among Mark Vii years belongs to 1994.
Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.
Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.