Most common 1997 Lincoln Mark VIII problems
Share of the 90 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
Lincoln Mark VIII complaints by model year
1997 Lincoln Mark VIII recalls (1)
Vehicle speed control
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…
What 1997 Lincoln Mark VIII owners say
Lights all 34 →
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. I took it to the shop only to find I could not afford to get the lights repaired because the headlights on this car cost $1600.00. The bright lights still work, it was only the dimm lights that went out for no reason. The manufacture of these lights should be punished for selling a product that's substandard to much cheaper and safer headlights. If a pair of dimm headlights cost $1600.00 they should last a lifetime. My car has 60,000 miles. I am thinking of filing a law suit.
In November of 2006, the passenger headlight, low beam, went out in my 1997 Lincoln Mark VIII. Approximately one month later, the driver's side, low beam, also failed. I have checked with my local Ford dealership, and two other dealerships. There are no replacement parts for this problem, period, in the entire united states. When you check with after market suppliers, you are told you have to go through Ford. Since the spring of 2007 I call the local dealership monthly to check on when parts will be available. Each month, they check their data base, and learn that the replacement kit, costing hundreds of dollars, has been pushed back a month before it will be available. The current target date of availability is October 2007. So, for almost a year now, I have a Lincoln that cannot be driven at night, nor can it be repaired at any price. …
A/C & heater all 20 →
Tl contact owns a 1997 Lincoln Mark VIII. The contact stated that the low beam headlights are known to burn out. The parts are no longer being manufactured so the only way to repair them is with a kit. The contact stated that this seemed like an expensive temporary remedy. In addition, the blend door, which opens the control for hot and cold air to defrost the windshield, does not work. The manufacturer was notified and stated that it was a safety issue. The dealer stated that this could be repaired at the contact's expense. The contact feels that he should not have to pay for the repair because it was caused by a manufacturer defect. There have been numerous complaints regarding this failure, but no decision on how the contact's vehicle will be repaired. He will wait until a recall is issued for this failure. The failure mileage was 61,000 and current mileage was 61,985. …
There is a part in the heater/defroster on the Lincoln Mark VIII that is prone to failure causing loss of heat or A/C for use in defrosting the windshield. This part has failed repeatedly, and as quickly as 1 year after replacement by the dealer. I purchased a 1997 Lincoln Mark VIII within in the past month from weisleder Lincoln Mercury, among the problems with the vehicle was there was no heat. The dealer repaired the the blend door, but I am concerned that this repair will be necessary again in short time because the construction/ design of the part is poor.
Speed control & acceleration
Tl contact owns a 1997 Lincoln Mark VIII. While merging into traffic between 5-10 MPH, the vehicle began moving erratically for a few minutes. The contact noticed smoke coming from the cabin and under the hood, along with an electrical smell surrounding the vehicle. The driver stopped the vehicle until the smoking ceased. The vehicle has not been inspected by a dealer or a mechanic. NHTSA campaign id number 07V336000 (vehicle speed control) was referenced. The switch was deactivated, but has not been replaced. The purchase date was unknown. The current and failure mileages were 73,000.
Tl contact owns a 1997 Lincoln Mark VIII. The contact stated that the front driver side low beam headlight failed. When he attempted to replace the bulb, he could not get the bulb unscrewed. The dealer replaced the headlight kit and charged him $700. The failure mileage was 49,941 and current mileage is 50,000. The consumer requested to have the recall performed on the vehicle pertaining to the speed control deactivation. The consumer provided a letter from Ford denying his claim for a partial reimbursement. The dealer stated warning lights trouble. Updated 10/03/07 the consumer is seeking reimbursement for the headlight replacement. Updated.
1997 Lincoln Mark VIII engines & fuel economy
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG city / hwy / combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4.6L 8-cyl | 4-speed automatic | RWD | 16 / 24 / 19 |
EPA ratings. Class: Midsize car.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 1997 Lincoln Mark VIII a good car?
Based on 90 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 1997 Mark VIII rates average: about as many complaints as a typical year of the Mark VIII at the same age. Complaint counts don't account for sales volume or individual maintenance, so have any used car inspected before buying.
What is the most common problem with the 1997 Lincoln Mark VIII?
The lights — 34 complaints, 38% of all complaints for this model year, most often about headlights. Next are the a/c & heater (20) and speed control & acceleration (8).
How many recalls does the 1997 Lincoln Mark VIII have?
There is 1 recall for the 1997 Lincoln Mark VIII, the most recent from August 3, 2007 (vehicle speed control). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer — check whether yours has been done with the VIN recall check.
What are the best and worst years of the Lincoln Mark VIII?
Years to avoid or approach with caution: 1995. See the full Lincoln Mark VIII years comparison.
At what mileage do 1997 Lincoln Mark VIII problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 65,000 miles; 24% of problems with a recorded mileage started before 50,000 miles.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.