VehicleVerdict

1998 Lincoln Mark Viii problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

A typical year for this model

The 1998 Lincoln Mark Viii sits mid-pack among Mark Viii years: 108 NHTSA complaints against a model median of roughly 106, with 2 recalls and no defect investigations.

Visibility & Wipers leads the complaint categories with 29 reports (27% of the total).

108

NHTSA complaints

2

Recalls

0

Investigations

2

Crash-involved

3

Fires reported

3

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 1998 compare to other Mark Viii years?

Mark Viii NHTSA complaints by model year, 1998 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, 1998 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Mark Viii years to avoid →

What are the most common 1998 Lincoln Mark Viii problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Visibility & Wipers2927%
Suspension1312%
Lighting1211%
Brakes87%
Steering87%
Electrical System76%
Engine55%
Other44%
Tires & Wheels44%
Speed Control44%
Latches & Locks33%
Body & Structure33%
Transmission33%
Seats22%
Climate Control (A/C & Heat)22%
Airbags11%

Does the 1998 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.

“THE BLEND DOOR THAT CONTROLS THE HEAT AND AIR CONDITIONING HAS STOPPED WORKING AND HAS RENDERED MY HEATING / COOLING SYSTEM DYSFUNCTIONAL. THIS SEEMS TO BE A WIDELY KNOWN ISSUE FOR THIS CAR (1998 LINCOLN MARK VIII LSC) - IT POSES A DANGEROUS AND TANGIBLE THREAT TO SAFETY CONSIDERING HEAT WILL NOT…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Visibility & Wipers · December 13, 2007

“THE FRONT SUSPENSION SINKS DOWN ON THE VEHICLE, CAUSING THE FRONT TO SCRAPE ON THE GROUND. THIS IS MAKING THE ABILITY TO DRIVE DIFFICULT. MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED BY OWNER.*AK THE CONSUMER STATED THAT THE MAIN COMPUTER IS FAILING. *TC”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Suspension · January 3, 2005

“TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 LINCOLN MARK VIII. THE PASSENGER SIDE HEADLIGHT FAILED. THE LIGHT BULB WAS REPLACED LAST YEAR, BUT HAS FAILED AGAIN. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE NEEDED A CONVERSION KIT BECAUSE THE LIGHT BULB WAS NO LONGER BEING MANUFACTURED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000 AND…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Lighting · July 1, 2007

“ABS SENSOR LIGHT CAME ON FOR TWO HOURS OR MORE, THEN IT WENT OFF. SINCE THEN, INTERMITTENTLY, THE VEHICLE WOULD PULL TO THE RIGHT OR LEFT AT FULL STOP WHENEVER BRAKES WERE APPLIED. DEALER NOTIFIED, AND INFORMED CONSUMER THAT NOTHING COULD BE DONE UNTIL THEY GET THE CODE FROM THE DIAGNOSTIC MACHINE,…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · October 11, 1999

“CONSUMER STATES STEERING WHEEL WOULD NOT TELESCOPE, THE DEALER REPLACED A PART WHICH WORKED, THEN IT DEVELOPED A VERY LOUD RUBBING NOISE, WHICH COULD BE HEARD OUTSIDE OF THE VEHICLE, CONSUMER HAS SINCE TAKEN VEHICLE INTO DEALERSHIP SEVEN TIMES WITHOUT ANY RESULTS, CONSUMER WAS THEN INFORMED THAT…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Steering · April 1, 2001

1998 Lincoln Mark Viii — common questions

Is the 1998 Lincoln Mark Viii reliable?

It is close to typical for the Mark Viii: 108 NHTSA complaints, 2 recalls, and no investigations on file.

What are the most common 1998 Mark Viii problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are visibility & wipers (29 complaints), suspension (13 complaints), lighting (12 complaints).

Does the 1998 Lincoln Mark Viii have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns affecting the 1998 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.