Total Complaints
120 filings
LINCOLN MARK VIII · model year
120 NHTSA complaints, 5 crash reports for this specific cohort.
NHTSA overall rating
Not crash-tested
New Car Assessment Program
The 1996LINCOLNMARK VIII carries 120 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 5 crashes, 2 fires, 4 injuries, and 0 fatalities. No NCAP 5-star crash-test rating is available for this model year in the federal database.
Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 1996 MARK VIII is exterior lighting:headlights with 73 filings, followed by vehicle speed control (4) and exterior lighting (4). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability.
NHTSA currently has 15 investigation files overlapping the 1996 MARK VIII, and 1 remain open. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page — a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.
Total Complaints
120 filings
Crashes Reported
5 reports
Source
NHTSA ODI
Federal complaints database
At or below the fleet median complaint volume.
| Component | Count |
|---|---|
| EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS | 73 |
| VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL | 4 |
| EXTERIOR LIGHTING | 4 |
| EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS:CONCEALMENT DEVICES | 4 |
| POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION | 3 |
| VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:CRUISE CONTROL | 3 |
| UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 2 |
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC | 2 |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:MODULE | 2 |
| AIR BAGS | 2 |
| TIRES | 2 |
| FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:CARBURETOR SYSTEM | 1 |
| EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER | 1 |
| SUSPENSION:FRONT:WHEEL BEARING | 1 |
| POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DRIVESHAFT | 1 |
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.
Mileage: 150,000
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
Mileage: 112,000
VERY POOR HEADLIGHTS, CAUSING AN UNSAFE DRIVING CONDITION WHILE ONLY BEING ABLE TO SEE A SHORT DISTANCE IN FRONT OF YOUR CAR AT NIGHT. *TR
DRIVING ON TOLLWAY ABOUT 60 MPH AND TIRE BLEW OUT. NO KNOWLEDGE OF HITTING ANYTHING. *TR
Mileage: 45,000
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 LINCOLN MARK VIII. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE INFORMING HIM THAT THE WIRING HARNESS SWITCH COULD LEAK INTERNALLY, OVERHEAT, SMOKE, AND BURN. THE IDENTICAL FAILURE HAS OCCURRED WITH THE CONTACTS VEHICLE WHILE DRIVING. THE INSIDE OF THE VEHICLE WAS DAMAGED AND WAS REPAIRED FOR $3800. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DEALER DID NOT REPLACED OR REPAIR HIS WIRING HARNESS SWITCH; THEREFORE, HE HAD TO PERFORM THE REPAIR HIMSELF AND HE WILL NOT BE REIMBURSED. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT IF THERE WAS A A RECALL THE VEHICLE WOULD BE REPAIRED OTHER THAN THAT THE CONTACT IS LIABLE FOR THE REPAIR COSTS. NHTSA 07V336000, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL IS RELATED TO THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 58,730
Mileage: 58,730
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
Mileage: 144,726
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.
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
Mileage: 39,000
PRODUCT RECALL = -SPEED CONTROL. AUG. 2007. DEALER DISCONNECTED IN 2007-NOT REPLACED...CAR NOW W/NO OVERDERIVE/SPEED CONTROL = WASTES GAS. *TR
PRODUCT RECALL = -SPEED CONTROL. AUG. 2007. DEALER DISCONNECTED IN 2007-NOT REPLACED...CAR NOW W/NO OVERDERIVE/SPEED CONTROL = WASTES GAS. *TR
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
Mileage: 2
CUSTOMER WANTS UPDATE TO CASE #10176001**CC
I AM THE ORIGINAL OWNER OF A 1996 LINCOLN MARK VIII EQUIPPED WITH LUMINARC HIGH INTENSITY HEADLIGHTS. THE VEHICLE HAS 56,089 MILES. THE DRIVER'S SIDE HEADLIGHT HAS FAILED AND APPARENTLY IS NO LONGER SERVICEABLE. THE MANUFACTURER'S DESIGN DID NOT ALLOW FOR THE SIMPLE REPLACEMENT OF A LIGHT BULB BUT INSTEAD REQUIRES THE REPLACEMENT OF THE ENTIRE HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLY AT A COST OF APPROXIMATELY $900.00 PLUS LABOR PER SIDE. 97 AND 98 MODELS ARE DESIGNED FOR SIMPLE BULB REPLACEMENT AT A COST OF APPROXIMATELY $260.00 PER BULB. WHILE INVESTIGATING THE FACILITATING OF HEAD LIGHT REPAIRS FOR MY AUTOMOBILE I HAVE DISCOVERED THAT HEAD LIGHT ASSEMBLIES FOR 1996 MODEL CARS ARE OBSOLETE AND REPLACEMENT BULBS FOR 1997-1998 MODEL CARS HAVE BEEN ON BACK ORDER FOR APPROXIMATELY SIX MONTHS AND ARE NOT DUE TO BE AVAILABLE FOR ANOTHER 3-4 MONTHS. MY INTERNET RESEARCH HAS LED ME TO AN UNKNOWN NUMBER OF OWNERS IN SIMILAR PERIL. WE ARE ALL SCRAMBLING FOR SOLUTIONS TO KEEP OUR AUTOS ON THE ROAD BOTH SAFELY
Mileage: 56,000
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
LIGHTS GOES COMPLETELY OUT WHEN PLACED ON DIM. *NM
HEAD LIGHT ON THE MARK VIII ARE NOT STRONG ENOUGH (LOW BEAM). *NM
THE HEADLIGHTS ON MY 1996 LINCOLN MARK VIII ARE TERRIBLE, I'VE OWNED THE CAR FOR 8 YEARS AND HAVE REPLACED THE BULBS WITH VARIOUS AFTERMARKET BULBS AND NOTHING INCREASES THE HEADLIGHT POWER. *JB
DRIVERS SIDE HID UNIT ON MY 1996 LINCOLN MARK VIII IS NOT WORKING AND I CAN NOT SEEM TO FIND ANOTHER ONE USED OR NEW TO REPLACE IT WITH, SEEMS TO BE A DEALER ONLY PART AND THE PARTS 'DEPTS. I"VE SPOKEN WITH WANT TO CHARGE ME $750.00 TO $850.00 FOR THE WHOLE HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLY WITH THE HID UNIT, I CAN ONLY DRIVE DURING THE DAY AND CANNNOT DRIVE AT NIGHT IN FEAR OF GETTING PULLED OVER OR GETTING INTO AN ACCIDENT!!!!!!!!!!!
Mileage: 76,325
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
Mileage: 85,000
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
Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.
Read our methodology — how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.