1994 Lincoln Mark Viii: problems, recalls and reliability
3 recalls and 167 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is exterior lighting (75% of complaints).
Data updated weekly · latest recall Apr 2016
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 167 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“1993 through early 1996 lincoln mark viii's have a serious visibility problem at night due to their inferior headlight design. Because the headlight profile is so slim and the lenses yellow so easily with use, you can't see anything when it is dark. I find myself checking to make sure my headlights are in fact on they are so bad. No precautions can be taken to prevent this low visibility situation, it is a bad design. Ford switched over to hid in 1996 to correct the problem, but us older vehicle owners were left out with a dangerous car and our only choice is to pay one thousand plus dollars for a retrofit kit that we should not have to pay for. *tr”Owner report · Exterior Lighting · May 2012
“The head lights on the 94 lincoln mark 8 do not put out enough light to safely see while driving down the rd, it appears the reflective material is gone, the headlights have been polished to remove scratches and yellowing, they were also aimed, to make matters worse ford does not offer headlight assemblies for this car anymore nor do they have a solution to fix it available. *tr”Owner report · Exterior Lighting · Nov 2010
“1994 lincoln mark 8 headlights design does not permit adequate lighting for driving at night using low beams. Bulbs were replaced with higher power bulbs and the lighting still does not illuminate the roadway. *tr”Owner report · Exterior Lighting · Sep 2009
Show 7 more owner reports
“Tl*the contact owns a 1994 lincoln mark viii. While the vehicle was parked in the driveway, the cruise control activated itself. The contact could not deactivate the vehicle speed control. She placed the vehicle into park and the engine revved before bursting into flames. There were no injuries. The contact extinguished the fire, but the fuel rail and fuel pump were damaged. The vehicle was towed to a mechanic center. The dealer informed her to notify the manufacturer of the fire. She received a recall notice after the fire occurred. The NHTSA campaign id number was unavailable. The failure mileage was 100,000. Updated 3/3/09 *cn updated 03/04/09. *jb”Owner report · Vehicle Speed Control · Dec 2008
“The headlights failed prematurely causing multiple night time accidents, even after replacement night time visibility is poor at best. *tr”Owner report · Exterior Lighting · Jan 2008
“The headlights on my 1994 lincoln mark 8 are totally unacceptable in quality and performance. These are without a doubt the worst oem lights ever produced. They are dangerous due to their terrible light output and defective construction!! Lincoln will not stand behind their product and does not produce replacement part for this car. This car hes become undriveable at night due to the defective construction of the oem light housings! This is unacceptable! Please take the appropriate action!! *tr”Owner report · Exterior Lighting · Dec 2007
“Poor night drive ability due to poor oem design of headlight system. Lights get faded over time and the interior reflector material bakes off. Convert to a newer hid system is a very viable solution . *tr”Owner report · Exterior Lighting · Dec 2007
“Tl*the contact owns a 1994 lincoln mark viii. The contact received a recall notice for NHTSA campaign id number 07v336000 (vehicle speed control). The part for the recall repair was unavailable. The switch was not disconnected; however, the contact is aware of the safety hazard. There had been no failure to date. The current mileage was 150,000.”Owner report · Vehicle Speed Control · Dec 2007
“I received a letter from ford regarding recall #05s28, for the speed control deactivation switch back in august of 2007. I contacted my local dealer in fort collins, co and they did a snip and tape. I have since received a letter dated february 2008 stating that the parts were in for my vehicle to be repaired. The dealership, spradley barr, has supposedly put my name on a list to be called when they are ready to repair. I think it has been quite long enough to wait for such a part. I can't believe that there are so many lincoln mark viii's out there that mine can't get the part. *tr”Owner report · Vehicle Speed Control · Oct 2007
“Tl*the contact owns a 1994 lincoln mark viii. While driving 50 mph, the vehicle began smoking and caught fire without warning. The vehicle was destroyed. A police report was filed. The contact received NHTSA campaign id number 07v336000 (vehicle speed control) at the end of august of 2007. The current and failure mileages were 220,000. Eq-10203937-4200. Date received 12/12/07”Owner report · Vehicle Speed Control · Aug 2007
When filing, owners marked a crash in 8 of these complaints and injuries in 2 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 3 campaigns
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
How other years compare
Check your exact Mark Viii by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 1994 Lincoln Mark Viii reliable?
NHTSA has 167 owner complaints and 3 recall campaigns on record for the 1994 Lincoln Mark Viii. The most complained-about area is exterior lighting (75% of complaints).
At what mileage do 1994 Lincoln Mark Viii problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 89,000 miles or less.
Does the 1994 Lincoln Mark Viii have open recalls?
3 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning exterior lighting:headlights:switch. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.