1998 Lincoln Mark Viii: doors won't lock, open or latch

Filed May 16, 2016 · Lights, Steering · 104,527 miles · WI

Update to last complaint: the passenger side hid headlight has failed, no replacement except $1000 conversion kit. Have to drive with only "brights" on from now on. Danger to myself and those I'm passing, plus if the "brights" aren't on, then I have no headlights and could get pulled over. Passenger side ball joint/control arm broke while driving and tire fell off while driving in parking lot at work. After repair, hearing a bad creaking noise. Air suspension has to fill up all the way when I start the vehicle even after 5 minutes of it being shut off. Have paid $1,200 for repairs of suspension and steering in 6 months. (that's with my dealership employee discount). Seriously, I've heard too much about defective ball joints, headlights, no heat, door handles snapping off, and the air suspension going bad. Why is ford not doing anything about these obviously defective parts??? Because the car is rare and they don't make them anymore???

Filed Feb 4, 2016 · Suspension, Visibility · WI

I've had this gem since 2010, bought with 30,000 miles...now has 104,000 miles. It was great until 2014. Where do I start? (1) no heat- broken blender door actuator...manually set it to the warm setting for the winter behind glove box. (2) driver's door handle snapped last year(replaced for $100)...and now this year the passenger side snapped. (3) doors are constantly "ajar", alternating from one side to the other. (4) ball joint is starting to wear badly, (5) driver's seat won't recline, (6) steering wheel won't move forward/backward anymore, (7) suspension is starting to go...front end lowers to ground after shutting down engine. I'm sure there's more that I can't think of.

Filed Feb 23, 2009 · Visibility · 23,000 miles · TN

Weather change. Heater blend door will not open. No defroster or heater in winter weather causing problems with seeing out windshield and hypothermia. I've had fixed twice at a cost of $900 each time. On any forum dealing with the mark viii it is a continuing problem caused by a defective part. It should be a manufacturer's responsibility to replace defective parts which cause traffic hazards, I.e., failure to defrost due to blend door not opening. Part is less than $10, repair is labor intensive.

Filed Dec 16, 2004 · Locks · 59,301 miles · CT

My 1998 lincoln markviii outside driver door handle broke I have 59,000 miles on it ,it cost $70.00 for the part,$40.00 to paint the thing,over @200.00 labor,(igot to keep the broken one !),I feel that ford knows of this defect in materials >see also #10052604 plus countless others who have had this problem>

Filed Jan 7, 2004 · Locks · 52,000 miles · WI

I bought a 1996 lincoln mark viii 2 years ago. Not to long after owning it the drivers side outside door handle broke while trying to open it. (50,000 miles). $122.00 to fix. I traded the 96 for a 98 mark viii . I went to get into my car and the drivers outside door handle broke again.(52,000 miles)$257.00 to fix (defected part).

Filed Aug 27, 2002 · Body · IL

Outside door handle on driver side has snapped off while opening door. Dealer was contacted. Feel free to provide any further information.

Filed Jan 25, 2001 · Lights, Visibility · DC

The on-board computer indicates that the "drivers door is ajar". The sign does not go out when the door is opened and closed again. When door locks are depressed, they pop up again and the doors will not lock at all. The only operable setting of the heater blower motor is high fan/ the headlight assembly ballast is defective and the lowbeam setting is dim. It cannot be repaired by replacing the lamp.