Reliability, what owners report, and what it costs to keep.
AVOIR's read: the numbers are mixed and the complaint record is worth reading before you commit.
Owners have filed 111 complaints with NHTSA about the 1996 Lincoln Mark VIII, and it carries 2 recalls. These are owner allegations rather than confirmed defects, but the pattern of what people complain about is the most useful signal a used buyer has.
| Area | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Exterior lighting | 78 | 70% |
| Vehicle speed control | 6 | 5% |
| Electrical system | 4 | 4% |
| Power train | 4 | 4% |
| Tires | 2 | 2% |
| Air bags | 2 | 2% |
| Wheels | 2 | 2% |
| Service brakes | 2 | 2% |
| Fuel system | 1 | 1% |
| Power train | 1 | 1% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 LINCOLN MARK VIII. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS POOR VISIBILITY WHEN DRIVING THE VEHICLE AT NIGHT. THE HEADLIGHT LENSES HAD A CONSTANT FILM, WHICH AFFECTED THE LOW BEAMS. THE CONTACT CLEA
NHTSA complaint: Exterior lighting
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 LINCOLN MARK VIII. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HEADLIGHTS WERE VERY DIM AND CAUSED POOR VISIBILITY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS
NHTSA complaint: Exterior lighting
VERY POOR HEADLIGHTS, CAUSING AN UNSAFE DRIVING CONDITION WHILE ONLY BEING ABLE TO SEE A SHORT DISTANCE IN FRONT OF YOUR CAR AT NIGHT. *TR
NHTSA complaint: Exterior lighting
DRIVING ON TOLLWAY ABOUT 60 MPH AND TIRE BLEW OUT. NO KNOWLEDGE OF HITTING ANYTHING. *TR
NHTSA complaint: Tires
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 LINCOLN MARK VIII. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE INFORMING HIM THAT THE WIRING HARNESS SWITCH COULD LEAK INTERNALLY, OVERHEAT, SMOKE, AND BURN. THE IDENTICAL FAILURE HAS O
NHTSA complaint: Vehicle speed control
MY NAME IS J.M. CARTER AND I RESIDE IN HENRICO COUNTY VIRGINIA. ON MAY 12, 2009, ONE OF THE FOUR COOPER TIRES, GOLDEN FURY GFT ON MY CAR EXPLODED. THANK GOD NEITHER I NOR ANYONE ELSE WAS INJURED, BUT THE VEHICLE SUSTAINE
NHTSA complaint: Tires
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 LINCOLN MARK VIII. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR THE VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL: CRUISE CONTROL IN AUGUST OF 2007. HE WAS INFORMED THAT THE PARTS FOR THE RECALL REPAIR WERE UNAVAILABLE.
NHTSA complaint: Vehicle speed control
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 LINCOLN MARK VIII. THE VEHICLE HAS HIGH INTENSITY HEADLIGHTS, BUT ONE HEADLIGHT IS BRIGHT WHILE THE OTHER IS DIM. IN 2007, THE PASSENGER SIDE HEADLIGHT WAS REPLACED AND NOW THE DRIVER SIDE LA
NHTSA complaint: Exterior lighting
NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for the 1996 Lincoln Mark VIII. Recalls are free to have fixed at a franchised dealer regardless of who owns the car now, but only if they were never done, so check the VIN of the specific car rather than trusting the model.
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, UltraStop ULT598, UltraLife MX598 and MX765, Brake
Risk: A damaged or broken brake disc may reduce a vehicle's braking power, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: 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.
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.
Risk: THIS COULD RESULT IN AN UNDERHOOD FIRE.
Fix: 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
| Reliability raw | 82 | excellent |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 77 | good |
| Maintenance | 61 | average |
| Depreciation | 52 | average |
| Performance | 69 | good |
| Efficiency | 34 | below average |
Percentile ranks against other midsize & large cars in the catalog.
What stands behind each score for this car:
Owners have filed 111 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and exterior lighting is the most reported area with 78 of them (70%). There are 2 recalls on record. Check any specific car against its VIN before buying.
AVOIR scores its reliability 82/100 (excellent) from NHTSA recall campaigns and complaint density. That figure is a raw complaint count, not yet adjusted for sales volume, so a high-volume model scores worse than it deserves.
AVOIR scores its longevity 77/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 1996 car has no 200,000-mile population to observe yet, so treat it as a prior rather than evidence.
AVOIR's read: be careful, because the numbers are mixed and the complaint record is worth reading before you commit. Its overall ownership score is 66/100. Condition, mileage and service history still matter more than any score, so get a pre-purchase inspection on the specific car.
Sources: NHTSA recalls and complaints, EPA fuel economy, IIHS awards, and live market listings. A score describes a model-year, not the individual car in front of you. Get a pre-purchase inspection.