1996 Lincoln Mark Viii Exterior lighting Problems
- Complaints
- 77about this part
- Share
- 73%of 106 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 56,000miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 77 complaints about the exterior lighting of the 1996 Lincoln Mark Viii, 73% of the 106 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 56,000 miles. 2 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“The 1996 Lincoln Mark Viii was purchased in november 2005 and the headlights have been deteriorating constantly since purchase. I now have to use the high beam at all times after dark. Other cars do not even flash there lights at me because the headlights are so weak. All of the chrome has fallen off of the surfaces in the headlights so no light is reflected out of the lights!”
NHTSA complaint #10154915, filed 2006-04, 138,795 miles“I have another complaint for the same event that was just filled for the lack of proper head lamps on this year vehicle. As I own two of the same car I am also filing for this one as well.”
NHTSA complaint #10043072, filed 2003-10, 20,000 miles“The design of the headlight lenses on the 1996 Lincoln Mark Viii provides poor night visibility due to sever degradation of oem headlamp system. The reflective lens on the inside of the housing has melted away to the point that this makes night driving dangerous if not impossible with out some sort of aftermarket lighting system or oem replacements which will soon fail and cause the issue all over again.”
NHTSA complaint #10154961, filed 2006-04, 40,000 miles“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.”
NHTSA complaint #10212592, filed 2007-12, 2 miles“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. …”
NHTSA complaint #10176001, filed 2006-12, 56,000 milesExterior lighting: other model years
Other parts of the 1996 Lincoln Mark Viii
7 complaintsElectrical system
5 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
5 complaintsAir bags
2 complaintsEngine cooling
2 complaintsFuel system
2 complaintsOther or unknown
2 complaintsTires
2 complaintsWheels
2 complaintsBrakes
1 complaintsEquipment
1 complaintsInterior lighting
1 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1996 Lincoln Mark Viii
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology