1998 Lincoln Mark problems
The Continental Mark series (later Lincoln Mark series) is a series of personal luxury cars that was produced by Ford Motor Company. The nomenclature came into use with the Continental Mark II for 1956, which was a successor to the Lincoln Continental of 1939–1948. Following the discontinuation of the Mark II, Ford continued the use of the Mark series on Continental-branded vehicles from 1958 to 1960.
Following a hiatus, Lincoln-Mercury relaunched the Continental Mark series during 1968. This new model was branded as the Continental Mark III in order to suggest continuity with the flagship 1956–1957 Continental Mark II rather than the less-successful 1958–1960 models. The reborn Mark series went on to produce six successive generations through the 1998 model year.
Serving as the flagship vehicle of Ford Motor Company for its entire production, the Mark series beginning with the Mark III continued the use of Continental branding, similar to how the Continental nameplate was positioned above Lincoln before its discontinuation in July 1956 (and distinct from the 1961 and onward Lincoln Continental). All Continental Mark series models were marketed and serviced by Lincoln-Mercury.
In line with both the 1940s Lincoln Continental and the Continental Mark II, most versions of the Mark series were produced as two-door coupes (personal cars); at various times through its production, multiple body styles were simultaneously offered. With the exception of the nearly hand-built Continental Mark II, the model line has shared chassis underpinnings with other Ford or Lincoln-Mercury vehicles.
Derived from the original Lincoln Continental, the continental tire trunklid design feature was adopted by each generation (in various forms) from the Continental Mark II to the final Lincoln Mark VIII. The Lincoln four-point star emblem is a design feature that was introduced by the Continental Mark II.
To eliminate the branding confusion, the Mark series dropped Continental branding and adopted the Lincoln name from the 1986 model year onward. After the 1998 model year, Lincoln ended the Mark series with the Mark VIII, as the division shifted away from personal luxury cars to concentrate on four-door sedans and SUVs. From 2007 to 2020, Lincoln used a visually-similar "MK" prefix for many of its models, which includes the MKC, MKS, MKT, MKX and MKZ; the nomenclature was phased out in favor of conventional names.
From 1958 to 1998, Mark series vehicles were produced alongside Lincolns by Wixom Assembly at Wixom, Michigan.
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Common 1998 Lincoln Mark problems
The 1998 Lincoln Mark VIII has been known to have several common problems based on complaints from owners. Here are some of the issues:
- Exterior Lighting: Headlights High/Low Beam Dimmer Switch: The 1998 Lincoln Mark VIII has had recalls related to the headlights' high/low beam dimmer switch. The problem can lead to a loss of headlights, which can increase the risk of accidents, especially during night driving.
- Visibility: Rearview Mirrors/Devices: Interior: The 1998 Lincoln Mark VIII has also had recalls related to the interior rearview mirrors. The issue can lead to a loss of visibility, which can increase the risk of accidents.
- Seats: The 1998 Lincoln Mark VIII has had recalls related to the seats. The problem can lead to a loss of seat functionality, which can increase the risk of injury during accidents.
- Service Brakes, Hydraulic: Foundation Components: Disc: Pads: The 1998 Lincoln Mark VIII has had recalls related to the brake pads. The problem can lead to a loss of braking ability, which can increase the risk of accidents.
- Vehicle Speed Control: The 1998 Lincoln Mark VIII has had recalls related to the vehicle speed control. The problem can lead to a loss of speed control, which can increase the risk of accidents.
- Air Conditioning: Some owners have reported issues with the air conditioning system in the 1998 Lincoln Mark VIII. The problem can lead to a loss of cooling ability, which can be uncomfortable during hot weather.
- Electrical System: Wiring: Interior/Under Dash: Some owners have reported issues with the electrical system, specifically the wiring under the dashboard. The problem can lead to a loss of electrical functionality, which can increase the risk of accidents and make the car difficult to operate.
- Engine: Some owners have reported issues with the engine, specifically the head gaskets. The problem can lead to a loss of engine power, which can increase the risk of accidents.
- Transmission: Some owners have reported issues with the transmission, specifically the automatic transmission. The problem can lead to a loss of gear functionality, which can increase the risk of accidents.
- Suspension: Some owners have reported issues with the suspension, specifically the air suspension. The problem can lead to a loss of ride comfort, which can make the car difficult to operate.
These problems have led to recalls and service alerts for the 1998 Lincoln Mark VIII. Owners are advised to address these issues as soon as possible to ensure the safety and reliability of their vehicles.
How reliable is the Lincoln Mark 8?
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 VIII comes in at 0.79.
Are Lincoln Mark VIII rare?
We also get a photo showing the Collector's Edition badge, identifying it as number 424. According to Markviii.org, 1,386 were built all total so it's indeed a rare machine.
How many 1998 Lincoln Mark VIII were made?
Production figures of entire Mark VIII Series:
| Year Model | Number Built | Percentage up or down from previous year |
|---|---|---|
| 1995 | 20,782 | -26% |
| 1996 | 13,625 | -34% |
| 1997 | 16,805 | +23% |
| 1998 | 14,357 | -14.5% |
How much is a 1998 Lincoln Mark VIII?
$38/Month* *Estimated payments based on Kelley Blue Book® Fair Purchase Price of $2,234 at 3.19% APR for 60 months with $500 down for well-qualified buyers. For illustrative purposes only and not an offer/commitment to provide credit or financing.
How reliable is the Lincoln Mark 8?
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 VIII comes in at 0.79.
How many 1998 Lincoln Mark VIII were made?
Production figures of entire Mark VIII Series:
| Year Model | Number Built | Percentage up or down from previous year |
|---|---|---|
| 1995 | 20,782 | -26% |
| 1996 | 13,625 | -34% |
| 1997 | 16,805 | +23% |
| 1998 | 14,357 | -14.5% |
How much is a 1998 Lincoln Mark VIII?
$38/Month* *Estimated payments based on Kelley Blue Book® Fair Purchase Price of $2,234 at 3.19% APR for 60 months with $500 down for well-qualified buyers. For illustrative purposes only and not an offer/commitment to provide credit or financing.
Are Lincoln Mark VIII rare?
We also get a photo showing the Collector's Edition badge, identifying it as number 424. According to Markviii.org, 1,386 were built all total so it's indeed a rare machine.
1998 Lincoln Mark car problems categorized by type of issue
After analyzing all complaints sent to the NHTSA and researching popular Lincoln Mark problems, we found that the most common problems with these 2023 model year vehicles are:
- Steering problems
- Exterior lighting problems
- Engine and engine cooling problems
- Service brakes problems
- Hydraulic problems
The graph below shows statistics for all 1998 Lincoln Mark vehicle components and the number of complaints received.
1998 Lincoln Mark complaints
The NHTSA has received 8 complaints about various vehicle components related to the 1998 Lincoln Mark.
STEERING,UNKNOWN OR OTHER PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2015-07-23
- VIN: 1LNLM92V5WY
- Components: STEERING,UNKNOWN OR OTHER
- Summary: THE TELESCOPE PORTION OF THE STEERING COLUMN IS NOT OPERATIONAL. IT IS ADJUSTED ALL THE WAY OUT AND WILL NOT RETRACT.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2006-07-03
- VIN: 1LNFM92V0WY
- Components: EXTERIOR LIGHTING
- Summary: DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH ON NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS ONE OF THE HEAD LIGHTS BURNED OUT. THE CONTACT RESEARCHED MANY SOURCES FOR PARTS, HOWEVER THE BULB WAS AN OUT OF THE MARKET PRODUCT. THE MANUFACTURER SUGGESTED SALVAGE YARDS FOR THE PART. THE CONTACT EXPRESSED THE MANUFACTURER SHOULD GUARANTEE THE VEHICLE 1998 AND PARTS.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2004-01-21
- Components: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
- Summary: WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE STALLED. SMOKE WAS COMING IN THROUGH THE VENTS. CONSUMER HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR ANALYSIS, AND MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE VALVE COVER TO ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *AK
STEERING,SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC,ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,POWER TRAIN PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2002-12-15
- VIN: 1LNFM91V7WY
- Components: STEERING,SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC,ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,POWER TRAIN
- Summary: TRANSMISSION REPLACED AT 55K MILES. PRIMARY SYMPTOM WAS SHUDDERING DURING OVERDRIVE GEAR SHIFTS. (79K) HEATER WILL NOT WORK. UNIT ONLY BLOWS COLD AIR. VEHICLE EATS ROTORS. ROTORS NEED TO BE TURNED OR REPLACED AT LEAST ONCE A YEAR. ELECTRIC STEERING ADJUSTMENT WON'T GO UP OR DOWN. TEMPORARILY FIXED BY BEATING ON STEERING WHEEL.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2003-06-01
- Components: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
- Summary: WHEN APPLYING BRAKES VEHICLE PROCEEDS FORWARD CAUSING EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. DEALER NOTIFIED. *AK
STEERING PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2002-01-30
- VIN: 1LNFM91VXWY
- Components: STEERING
- Summary: WHILE DRIVING STEERING COLUMN WAS VERY LOOSE, MAKING IT DIFFICULT TO DRIVE VEHICLE.*AK CONSUMER ADDS THAT THE STEERING WHEEL CAME OFF THE VEHICLE. *TT
EXTERIOR LIGHTING PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2000-10-01
- VIN: 1LNFM92V9WY
- Components: EXTERIOR LIGHTING
- Summary: VEHICLE IS EXPERIENCING MOISTURE IN THE HEADLAMP HOUSING. PROBLEM IS ON THE RIGHT FRONT SIDE OF VEHICLE, WITH THE POSSIBILITY THAT THE LEFT HEADLAMP MAY BE AFFECTED. ALSO, THE REAR BRAKE STOPLIGHT HAS SIGNS OF MOISTURE IN IT AS WELL. A TSB WAS ISSUED BY FORD (98-13-10) IN JULY OF 1998 REGARDING THE MOISTURE PROBLEM. I WAS TOLD THAT THIS IS NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY, THOUGH I HAVE A 100,000 EXTENDED WARRANTY PURCHASED WITH THE VEHICLE IN AUGUST OF 1999. MOISTURE IS CAUSING LOSS OF REFLECTIVNESS AND DISCOLORATION OF SILVER REFLECTIVE HOUSING WITHIN THE HEADLAMP. I FEEL THAT THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND WOULD LIKE IT ADDRESSED.
STRUCTURE PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-11-24
- Fire: 1
- VIN: 1LNFM91V5WY
- Components: STRUCTURE
- Summary: A SMALL BULB PUT IN TRUNK DOME LIGHT MELTED THE PROTECTIVE PLASTIC SHIELD COVER WHICH THEN BURNT A PILLOW, CAUSING A FIRE. DEALER CANNOT DETERMINE PROBLEM,AND NO ELECTRICAL CHECK WAS GIVEN. *AK
Additional sources
More sources of information about 1998 Lincoln Mark problems:
Why shouldn't I buy a 1996 LINCOLN MARK VIII? — Car Forums at ...
May 24, 2002 ... I'm thinking about buying a used 1995/1996 Lincoln Mark VIII. What is the common problems with this vehicle and what should I be looking for
Lincoln Mark VIII Q&A: Reliability, Problems, Engine, Top Speed ...
Mar 25, 2018 ... 1998 Lincoln viii has a problem with a momentary engine stall. It has happened while idling in the driveway,driving down - Answered by a ...
Lincoln Mark VIII Problems and Complaints - 18 Issues
Top Lincoln Mark VIII Problems · Compressor Failure Due to Air Leaks From Air Suspension Struts and Drier · Problems With EGR System are Common in High Dust Areas.
Common Lincoln Mark VIII Problems: 1998 & 1997 Q&A
Aug 15, 2011 ... If it is shifting hard only from 1st to 2nd the most likely cause is the 1/2 shift accumulator.Most likely one of the springs have broken.
1998 Lincoln Mark VIII Problems and Complaints - 17 Issues
Top 1998 Lincoln Mark VIII Problems · Compressor Failure Due to Air Leaks From Air Suspension Struts and Drier · Problems With EGR System are Common in High ...
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