1997 Lincoln Mark Viii Exterior lighting Problems
- Complaints
- 33about this part
- Share
- 37%of 90 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 61,000miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 33 complaints about the exterior lighting of the 1997 Lincoln Mark Viii, 37% of the 90 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 61,000 miles. 1 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.
“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. …”
NHTSA complaint #10201631, filed 2007-08, 88,500 miles“I recently took my 97 Mark Viii to the shop to replace the low intensity beam. The cost of this item spiraled from $262.00 to $1493.00 within a matter of hours to replace one set of lights. This is highway robbery and usury at the highest level .”
NHTSA complaint #10047149, filed 2003-11, 60,000 miles“When the driver's side low-beam hid headlamp began failing, I took it to the dealer, since parts are not available anywhere else. Then I found out that parts will cost $780 ($200 for the headlamp + $580 for an upgraded mounting assembly which is required due to parts obsolescence and a Lincoln engineering mistake). After some complaining, I got ford and the dealer to reduce cost to $380 for parts plus $120 for labor. $500 to replace a headlight (required safety feature is absolutely unacceptable!”
NHTSA complaint #10023870, filed 2003-06, 65,000 miles“I have a 97 Lincoln Mark Viii and I was told by several ford/Lincoln mercury dealers that the headlight low beam bulbs, hid 9500, are not available. I contacted the manufacturer, sylvania, and the customer service rep told me the light bulbs are no longer manufactured. What are the several thousand owners of Lincoln Mark Viii owners expected to do? This is a blatant safety issue and should be addressed by federal authorities. I would like to speak to a ntsb representative, if available, regarding the lighting on these vehicles. Thank you for investigating this issue.”
NHTSA complaint #10174745, filed 2006-11, 105,000 miles“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. …”
NHTSA complaint #10037169, filed 2003-09, 55,000 milesExterior lighting: other model years
Other parts of the 1997 Lincoln Mark Viii
22 complaintsVehicle speed control
8 complaintsEquipment
5 complaintsSteering
5 complaintsElectrical system
4 complaintsOther or unknown
4 complaintsBrakes
3 complaintsEngine cooling
3 complaintsFuel system
3 complaintsSuspension
3 complaintsSeats
2 complaintsBody and structure
2 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1997 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