MYRModel Year Report

1997 Lincoln Mark Viii

▲ Better than typical
1997 Lincoln Mark Viii
RENDERED 2026-11-01T17:04:45.130Z

This year had at least 30% fewer complaints than this model's typical year.

This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.

How is this computed?

Complaints
90
Recalls
2

Campaigns on file for 1997

Investigations
0

None on file

Top problem
Exterior lighting

37% of complaints

Complaints per year

1989: 1 complaint 1989 1992: 1 complaint 1993: 239 complaints 1993 1994: 167 complaints 1995: 136 complaints 1995 1996: 106 complaints 1997: 90 complaints 1997 90 1998: 83 complaints 1999: 2 complaints 1999 2000: 1 complaint
1989: 1 complaint 1989 1992: 1 complaint 1992 1993: 239 complaints 1993 1994: 167 complaints 1994 1995: 136 complaints 1995 1996: 106 complaints 1996 1997: 90 complaints 1997 90 1998: 83 complaints 1998 1999: 2 complaints 1999 2000: 1 complaint 2000
1989: 1 complaint 1989 1992: 1 complaint 1992 1993: 239 complaints 1993 1994: 167 complaints 1994 1995: 136 complaints 1995 1996: 106 complaints 1996 1997: 90 complaints 1997 90 1998: 83 complaints 1998 1999: 2 complaints 1999 2000: 1 complaint 2000

1997: 90 complaints

View as data table
YearComplaints
19891
19921
1993239
1994167
1995136
1996106
199790
199883
19992
20001

Known problem areas

Percentages can add to more than 100% — a complaint can name more than one system.

Exterior lighting

37% · 33 reports

Most commonly citing headlights and concealment devices.

CRASH
Show complaint excerpts

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.

NHTSA ODI report, 2003-09-03

Visibility

24% · 22 reports

Most commonly citing defroster/defogger/hvac system and electrical heating element.

Vehicle speed control

9% · 8 reports
FIRE
Show complaint excerpts

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.

NHTSA ODI report, 2007-10-30

Fiesta Lincoln Mercury 1720 s mesa dr, mesa, az 85210 (480) 719-3090 is refusing to correct action under recall 05S28 NHTSA campaign number: 07V336000.

NHTSA ODI report, 2014-08-05

Steering

6% · 5 reports

Most commonly citing steering wheel/handle bar and anti-theft device.

Show complaint excerpts

Vehicle was traveling down a busy urban street and while approaching an intersection, the driver begin turning slightly to change lanes and the steering wheel separated from the steering column, leaving the vehicle with no steering.

NHTSA ODI report, 2015-03-24

Equipment

6% · 5 reports

Most commonly citing electrical and air conditioner.

Show complaint excerpts

Tl* the contact owns a 1997 Lincoln Mark Viii lsc. The contact stated that the refrigeration discharge line failed due to rust and corrosion.

NHTSA ODI report, 2012-06-13

Safety timeline

2 recalls · 0 investigations · oldest first

To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →

  1. R
    2007-08-13Vehicle speed control07V336000 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…

    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…

    Check if this car was fixed →

  2. R
    2016-05-26Service brakes, hydraulic16E026000 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,...

    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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

Buy-smart checklist

1997 Lincoln Mark Viii — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

  • Exterior lighting: 33 reports on file for this year.
  • Visibility: 22 reports on file for this year.
  • Vehicle speed control: 8 reports on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

  • Recall 07V336000 · Vehicle speed control
  • Recall 16E026000 · Service brakes, hydraulic
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

Other years of this model

See all years ranked →

Best years1 year

Worst years3 years

FAQ

Is the 1997 Lincoln Mark Viii reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 1997 Lincoln Mark Viii is rated "better than typical".
What are the most common problems with the 1997 Lincoln Mark Viii?
The most-reported component is exterior lighting, accounting for 37% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 1997 Lincoln Mark Viii have?
2 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-11-01 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.