1996 Lincoln Mark Viii: problems, recalls and reliability
2 recalls and 106 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is exterior lighting (71% 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 106 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“Tl* the contact owns a 1996 lincoln mark viii. The contact stated that there was poor visibility when driving the vehicle at night. The headlight lenses had a constant film, which affected the low beams. The contact cleaned the lenses several times and changed the bulbs, but the visibility remained poor. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was to be taken to the dealer for further inspection and repair. The approximate failure mileage was 150,000.”Owner report · Exterior Lighting · Nov 2015
“Tl* the contact owns a 1996 lincoln mark viii. The contact stated that the headlights were very dim and caused poor visibility. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, but was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 112,000. Updated 07/07/14*lj the consumer stated the driver was unable to beyond 50 feet. The reflective part inside the headlights were completely black. The light bulbs were replaced the failure persisted. Updated 05/28/2015 *js”Owner report · Exterior Lighting · May 2014
“My name is j.m. Carter and I reside in henrico county virginia. On may 12, 2009, one of the four cooper tires, golden fury gft on my car exploded. Thank god neither I nor anyone else was injured, but the vehicle sustained significant damages. I submitted a claim in good faith to cooper, and have received their denial stating the failure was due to an impact. I have pictures of the tire, and a video of the road traveled when the explosion (blow out) occurred. *tr”Owner report · Tires · May 2009
Show 7 more owner reports
“Tl*the contact owns a 1996 lincoln mark viii. The vehicle has high intensity headlights, but one headlight is bright while the other is dim. In 2007, the passenger side headlight was replaced and now the driver side lamp needs replacing. Ford no longer makes the part and could not provide information on how it could be obtained. The purchase date was unknown. The current mileage was 40,000 and failure mileage was 39,000. Update 04-02-08 *bf”Owner report · Exterior Lighting · Jan 2008
“The headlights on these cars (generation 1 lincoln mark viii, 1993 to 1996) are awful and it is virtually impossible to find replacements-the reflective coating on the inside deteriorates, the outer lens gets yellow and dull-difficult, almost impossible to see at night, especially low beams-ford should make good on repairs for these models, there are thousands on the road, all are a hazard to the owner and to other drivers. *tr”Owner report · Exterior Lighting · Dec 2007
“Product recall = -speed control. Aug. 2007. Dealer disconnected in 2007-not replaced...car now w/no overderive/speed control = wastes gas. *tr”Owner report · Vehicle Speed Control · Nov 2007
“Tl*the contact owns a 1996 lincoln mark viii. The contact received a recall notice for the vehicle speed control: cruise control in august of 2007. He was informed that the parts for the recall repair were unavailable. The contact had to wait nine months for the parts. The dealer stated that the parts would not be available until march of 2008. There had been no failure to date. The recall number was unknown. The current mileage was 102,321.”Owner report · Vehicle Speed Control · Aug 2007
“Very poor headlights, causing an unsafe driving condition while only being able to see a short distance in front of your car at night. *jb”Owner report · Exterior Lighting · Aug 2006
“Dt*: the contact stated the silver reflectors inside the headlights burned out. This made driving at night difficult due to the lack of light produced from the headlights. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for inspection who determined the headlights would have to be replaced to correct the problem. Updated 05/03/06”Owner report · Exterior Lighting · Apr 2006
“I would like to make a complaint about my lincoln mark viii headlights from 1993-1996. The headlights after a couple years begin to degrade. The reflective coating inside the parabola turns chalky and therefore does not reflect light the way it was intended. This makes for very poor lighting at night which could cause serious injury or even death. Lincoln new about this and switched to hid (high intensity discharge) units in 1996, but only on the lsc models. Ford/lincoln sells these units but at a very very high price. This should be a safety recall and hid's installed in the cars with the defective headlamps before someone dies. *nm”Owner report · Exterior Lighting · Apr 2006
When filing, owners marked a crash in 5 of these complaints and injuries in 4 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 2 campaigns
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 1996 Lincoln Mark Viii reliable?
NHTSA has 106 owner complaints and 2 recall campaigns on record for the 1996 Lincoln Mark Viii. The most complained-about area is exterior lighting (71% of complaints).
At what mileage do 1996 Lincoln Mark Viii problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 60,000 miles or less.
Does the 1996 Lincoln Mark Viii have open recalls?
2 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning vehicle speed control. 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.