VehicleVerdict

1997 Lincoln Mark Viii problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

A typical year for this model

The 1997 Lincoln Mark Viii sits mid-pack among Mark Viii years: 103 NHTSA complaints against a model median of roughly 105, with 2 recalls and no defect investigations.

Lighting leads the complaint categories with 34 reports (33% of the total).

103

NHTSA complaints

2

Recalls

0

Investigations

1

Crash-involved

1

Fires reported

0

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 1997 compare to other Mark Viii years?

Mark Viii NHTSA complaints by model year, 1997 highlighted286 complaints1989: 1 complaints1992: 1 complaints1993: 286 complaints1994: 190 complaints1995: 172 complaints1996: 120 complaints1997: 103 complaints1998: 108 complaints1999: 2 complaints2000: 1 complaints
Mark Viii NHTSA complaints by model year, 1997 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Mark Viii years to avoid →

What are the most common 1997 Lincoln Mark Viii problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Lighting3433%
Visibility & Wipers2221%
Speed Control88%
Electrical System66%
Other66%
Steering55%
Fuel System33%
Engine33%
Suspension33%
Brakes33%
Seats22%
Body & Structure22%
Tires & Wheels22%
Transmission22%
Airbags11%
Climate Control (A/C & Heat)11%

Does the 1997 Lincoln Mark Viii have recalls?

2 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

16E026000BrakesApril 1, 2016 · 49,635 units

Defect

Bosch Brake Components LLC (Bosch) is recalling certain aftermarket replacement front brake pads, models Bosch QuietCast BC598 and BP765, Bosch Blue BE598 and BE598H, Prostop PD598 and PD765M, Duralast Gold DG598, Duralast MKD598, Stop Master ST598, UltraStop ULT598, UltraLife MX598 and MX765, BrakeBest MKD765, and Prostop Platinum PGD598. These brake pads, manufactured October 1, 2014, to October 31, 2015 are intended for use on 2001-2007 Ford Taurus, 2001-2005 Mercury Sable, 1995-1999 Ford Taurus SHO, 1995-2002 Lincoln Continental, and 1993-1998 Lincoln Mark VIII vehicles. The brake pad shim may shift out of position causing the shim to contact the brake disc resulting in damage to the disc.

Consequence

A damaged or broken brake disc may reduce a vehicle's braking power, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Bosch will instruct the owners how to have the affected brake pads replaced, free of charge. The recall began on May 26, 2016. Owners may contact Bosch customer service at 1-888-715-3616.

07V336000Speed ControlAugust 3, 2007 · 3,600,000 units

Defect

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

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.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“HEADLIGHTS ON MY 1997 LINCOLN MARK VIII SUDDENLY WENT OUT WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AT 70 MPH CAUSING A NEAR FATAL CRASH. I LUCKILY RAN OFF THE ROAD INTO A MUDDY GRASSY AREA AND BECAME STUCK AND NOT KILLED. I TOOK IT TO THE SHOP ONLY TO FIND I COULD NOT AFFORD TO GET THE LIGHTS REPAIRED BECAUSE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Lighting · April 8, 2003 · crash

“THIS BLEND DOOR PART ON ALMOST ALL 97 & 98 MODEL OF THE MARK VIII FAILS IT IS A SAFTEY FACTOR. WHEN THIS PART FAILS, THERE IS NO HEAT WITH NO HEAT THE DE-FROSTER DOES NOT WORK!!. HOW MANY TIMES, HAVE HAD TO USE A TOWEL TO WIPE THE WINDOW, SO I COULD SEE! THE PART IS ABOUT $30.00 BUT THE LABOR CAN…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Visibility & Wipers · November 10, 2002

“TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 LINCOLN MARK VIII. WHILE MERGING INTO TRAFFIC BETWEEN 5-10 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN MOVING ERRATICALLY FOR A FEW MINUTES. THE CONTACT NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM THE CABIN AND UNDER THE HOOD, ALONG WITH AN ELECTRICAL SMELL SURROUNDING THE VEHICLE. THE DRIVER STOPPED THE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Speed Control · October 20, 2007 · fire

“THE KEYS ARE NOT AVAILABLE AT ANY DEALERSHIP OR AFTERNARKET. IMAGINE LOSING YOUR KEYS IN A STRANGE TOWN. IT TOOK THE DEALER 5 DAYS TO REPLACE THE KEY THEY LOST. AS FOR THE BLEND DOOR, GO TO THE SITE MARKVIII.ORG AND THERE ARE MANY COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS COMPONANT THAT IS ONLY $30.00 BUT COSTS…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Other · August 18, 2002

“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.”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · July 15, 2004

1997 Lincoln Mark Viii — common questions

Is the 1997 Lincoln Mark Viii reliable?

It is close to typical for the Mark Viii: 103 NHTSA complaints, 2 recalls, and no investigations on file.

What are the most common 1997 Mark Viii problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are lighting (34 complaints), visibility & wipers (22 complaints), speed control (8 complaints).

Does the 1997 Lincoln Mark Viii have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns affecting the 1997 Lincoln Mark Viii. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Which Lincoln Mark Viii years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Mark Viii years to avoid are 1993, 1994, 1995. The cleanest record among Mark Viii years belongs to 2000.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.