Lincoln Mark iii problems
The Continental Mark III is a personal luxury car marketed by Lincoln from 1969–1971 model years. The namesake successor of the 1956–1957 Continental Mark II, the Mark III again served as the flagship vehicle of Ford Motor Company. Offered as a two-door hardtop coupe, the Mark III was noted for its hidden headlights, rear spare-tire trunk bulge recalling the Mark II and its Rolls-Royce styled grille.
The Mark III was developed as a direct competitor to the Cadillac Eldorado, creating a three-decade market rivalry between the Continental Mark series and the Eldorado.
To lower development and production costs over its largely hand-built predecessor, the Mark III shared its chassis underpinnings with the four door Ford Thunderbird. Model-specific design elements, including hidden headlamps (with body-color covers) and the Rolls-Royce-style grille distinguished the Mark III from the Thunderbird and Lincoln Continental — while borrowing the same roof structure and rear windows, retractable into the C pillar, from the two door Thunderbird. Later models featured genuine walnut interior accents and a Cartier-branded clock. In a first for an American car, the 1970 Mark III was fitted with Michelin "X" Radial Tires as standard equipment.
Ford manufactured the Continental Mark III at its Wixom Assembly Plant facility (Wixom, Michigan) alongside the Thunderbird and the Lincoln Continental. For 1972, in alignment with the redesign of the Thunderbird, the Mark III was superseded by the Continental Mark IV.
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Lincoln Mark iii model years
Common Lincoln Mark iii problems
The Lincoln Mark III is a classic car that has been appreciated by enthusiasts for its style and luxury. However, like any other vehicle, it is not without its common problems. Here are some of the issues that Lincoln Mark III owners have reported:
- Vacuum System Issues: The Lincoln Mark III uses a vacuum system to control various functions, including the transmission and headlight doors. However, the vacuum system can develop leaks or become clogged, leading to problems with the affected systems. For example, a vacuum leak in the transmission system can cause shifting problems, while a leak in the headlight door system can prevent the doors from opening or closing properly.
- Timing Gear Failure: The timing gears in the Lincoln Mark III's engine are known to fail due to the use of nylon cam sprockets, which decay with age. When the sprockets decay, they can break up and clog the oil pump, leading to engine failure. Replacing the timing gears with all-metal components can prevent this problem.
- Rear Suspension Bushings: The rear suspension of the Lincoln Mark III uses coil springs and stabilizer bars instead of leaf springs. However, the bushings in the stabilizer bars can decay over time, leading to a nauseating wander in the rear wheels. Replacing the bushings can solve this problem.
- Transmission Rebuild: In some cases, the Lincoln Mark III's transmission may require a rebuild due to problems such as sticking valves or vacuum leaks. Rebuilding the transmission can be a complex and expensive process, and it may be necessary to find a specialist with experience in American C-6 transmissions.
In summary, the Lincoln Mark III is a classic car that can provide years of enjoyment, but it is not without its common problems. Owners may encounter issues with the power steering pump, vacuum system, timing gears, rear suspension bushings, and transmission. However, with proper maintenance and care, these issues can be addressed, and the Lincoln Mark III can continue to provide a luxurious and enjoyable driving experience.
What year is the most sought after Lincoln Continental?
1961
The most valuable of this era are the first-year, 1961 cars; from there, values of most configurations drop. While sedans and coupes (across all model years) are usually worth within 5–7 percent of each other, the rare and desirable convertibles are worth approximately 250 percent more than their hardtop brethren.
How many Lincoln Mark III were made?
Production figures
| Production Year | Yearly Total |
|---|---|
| 1969 | 23,088 |
| 1970 | 21,432 |
| 1971 | 27,091 |
| Total | 79,381 |
Are Lincoln pickup trucks reliable?
Our reliability rank is based on our PainRank™ system. A higher number means you can expect more significant problems. The average Lincoln score is 6.19 while the Mark LT comes in at 1.6.
Are Lincoln Continental cars reliable?
According to carparts.com, the Lincoln Continental line of vehicles is generally quite reliable. Scores are usually four out of five or equivalent, particularly when it comes to safety reputation.
Percentage distribution of complaints by Lincoln Mark iii years
We have researched Lincoln problems and analysed all the complaints filed against Lincoln Mark iii cars and compiled the top 4 most problematic Lincoln Mark iii model years:
Below you can see the percentage distribution of known problems by Lincoln Mark iii model years.
Distribution of the number of complaints by Lincoln Mark iii years
We've also compiled a chart for you with the number of complaints about Volkswagen Jetta cars of certain model years:
Lincoln Mark iii car problems categorized by type of issue
After analysing all complaints related to Lincoln Mark iii , it was concluded that the most common issues with these cars are:
- Service brakes problems
- Hydraulic problems
The graph below shows statistics for all Lincoln Mark iii vehicle components and the number of complaints received.
The NHTSA has received 1 complaints about various vehicle components related to the Lincoln Mark iii . Below are the 25 most recent complaints reported for Lincoln Mark iii vehicles.
List of Lincoln Mark iii complaints
Lincoln Mark iii 1971
- Date Of Incident: 2002-12-01
- Date Complaint: 2002-12-09
- VIN: 1Y89A857733
- Components: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
- Summary: WHILE DRIVING AT NORMAL SPEED CONSUMER STATES WHEN APPLING BRAKES, THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR. CONSUMER HAD TO USE EMERGENCY PARKING BRAKE TO STOP. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION. PH
Recalls Lincoln Mark iii
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has issued 1 recalls for different components of the Lincoln Mark iii.You can explore the year of the Volkswagen Jetta you are interested in by selecting it from the list.
- Model: Lincoln Mark iii 1971
- Report Received Date: 1970-09-25
- Manufacturer: FORD MOTOR COMPANY
- Components: SEAT BELTS:FRONT:ANCHORAGE
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