1997 Lincoln Mark Viii Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors) Problems
- Complaints
- 22about this part
- Share
- 24%of 90 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 78,000miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 22 complaints about the visibility of the 1997 Lincoln Mark Viii, 24% of the 90 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 78,000 miles.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“When proceeding to turn on the heat in my car to defrost the windshield I discovered that my heat did not work, and that the A/C only blew cold air. This is a common problem in the Lincoln Mark Viii. The problem is caused by the blend door breaking over time. This has been an issue that ford has known about; but, will not provide reimbursement for repairs needed. This repair is needed on almost all Mark Viii's after time.”
NHTSA complaint #10106592, filed 2005-01, 89,000 miles“1997 Lincoln Mark Viii defroster/heater/AC blend door: the blend door on my 1997 Lincoln has malfunctioned. This is a very common problem on all Mark Viii lincolns causing a malfunction in the windshield defroster. There is no heat applied to the windshield while attemting to defrost. Lincoln/ford has ignored this very common problem and has offered no help. I am suggesting a recall be made on all 1997 and 1998 lincolns.”
NHTSA complaint #10000569, filed 2003-01, 63,000 miles“The blend door actuator which allows warm air to be directed to the windshield to defrost it broke at a very bad time. My windshield was fogged up on the interstate and when I put the climate control on defrost, all I got was cold air. Not a very safe set of conditions. I have since read that over 40 of my Lincoln car club members have had the same part break. Some report as many as 3 failures. The Lincoln dealership quotes the repair at approx. $700.00. Ts”
NHTSA complaint #10000486, filed 2003-01, 88,095 miles“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.”
NHTSA complaint #10000707, filed 2003-01, 87,000 miles“Winshield washer bottom, broke, assembly includes signal light, wippers, low/high beem and flashers switch, steering wheel and air bag have to be removed to replace part, about two hours of labor and $200, according to dealer. Dealer should made this a two piece part to make job easierand less spensive. Driver's ajusment has to be reseted every time you start the vehicle, cause unknown.”
NHTSA complaint #10040831, filed 2003-09, 45,670 milesVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors): other model years
Other parts of the 1997 Lincoln Mark Viii
33 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 30, 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