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 made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 112,000. Updated 07/07/14 the consumer stated the driver was unable to beyond 50 feet. The reflective part inside the headlights were completely black. The light bulbs were replaced the failure persisted. Updated 05/28/2015

- Brookville, IN, USA

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 lamp needs replacing. Ford no longer makes the part and could not provide information on how it could be obtained. The purchase date was unknown. The current mileage was 40,000 and failure mileage was 39,000. Update 04-02-08

- Flint, MI, USA

The headlights on these cars (generation 1 Lincoln Mark viii, 1993 to 1996) are awful and it is virtually impossible to find replacements-the reflective coating on the inside deteriorates, the outer lens gets yellow and dull-difficult, almost impossible to see at night, especially low beams-Ford should make good on repairs for these models, there are thousands on the road, all are a hazard to the owner and to other drivers.

- Glenside, PA, USA

Customer wants update to case #10176001*

- South San Francisco, CA, USA

I am the original owner of a 1996 Lincoln Mark viii equipped with luminarc high intensity headlights. The vehicle has 56,089 miles. The driver's side headlight has failed and apparently is no longer serviceable. The manufacturer's design did not allow for the simple replacement of a light bulb but instead requires the replacement of the entire headlight assembly at a cost of approximately $900 plus labor per side. 97 and 98 models are designed for simple bulb replacement at a cost of approximately $260 per bulb. While investigating the facilitating of head light repairs for my automobile I have discovered that head light assemblies for 1996 model cars are obsolete and replacement bulbs for 1997-1998 model cars have been on back order for approximately six months and are not due to be available for another 3-4 months. My internet research has led me to an unknown number of owners in similar peril. We are all scrambling for solutions to keep our autos on the road both safely and legally. Internet searches for used parts (Lincoln customer service actually refers you to private used parts dealers rather than supply parts themselves), possible new parts and even fabricated new light systems (questionable legality) are being pursued. It has become apparent that there are no good solutions and we owners have few options available to us. The manufacturer has designed a vehicle lighting system that has failed to last or be successfully serviced within the vehicle's useful lifespan. In closing, Ford Motor Company has created a class of car owner that can not keep his car street legal or safe. Ford has abandoned these owners to fend for themselves in pursuit of safety. These are not ancient cars, they are well within their useful lifespan and Ford should be responsible for facilitating their safe operation during that time. Currently, Ford has no reasonable answers and the situation they have created is wholly absurd. Cory a. david.

- South San Francisco, CA, USA

Very poor headlights, causing an unsafe driving condition while only being able to see a short distance in front of your car at night.

- Saint Cloud, MN, USA

Lights goes completely out when placed on dim.

- Greenville, AL, USA

Head light on the Mark viii are not strong enough (low beam).

- Jonesboro, GA, USA

The headlights on my 1996 Lincoln Mark viii are terrible, I've owned the car for 8 years and have replaced the bulbs with various aftermarket bulbs and nothing increases the headlight power.

- Fairfield, OH, USA

I would like to make a complaint about my Lincoln Mark viii headlights from 1993-1996. The headlights after a couple years begin to degrade. The reflective coating inside the parabola turns chalky and therefore does not reflect light the way it was intended. This makes for very poor lighting at night which could cause serious injury or even death. Lincoln new about this and switched to hid (high intensity discharge) units in 1996, but only on the lsc models. Ford/Lincoln sells these units but at a very very high price. This should be a safety recall and hid's installed in the cars with the defective headlamps before someone dies.

- Chicopee, MA, USA

The design of the headlight lenses on the 1996 Lincoln Mark viii provides poor night visibility due to sever degradation of oem headlamp system. The reflective lens on the inside of the housing has melted away to the point that this makes night driving dangerous if not impossible with out some sort of aftermarket lighting system or oem replacements which will soon fail and cause the issue all over again.

- Maricopa, AZ, USA

The 1996 Lincoln Mark viii was purchased in November 2005 and the headlights have been deteriorating constantly since purchase. I now have to use the high beam at all times after dark. Other cars do not even flash there lights at me because the headlights are so weak. All of the chrome has fallen off of the surfaces in the headlights so no light is reflected out of the lights!

- Neshanic Station, NJ, USA

The headlight covers (housings?) for Lincoln Mark viii's 93-98, cloud over (turn gray inside and out) quickly. This defective clouding in the light covers results in night driving to be very hazardous, along with rain and fog. The kits to replace the lights average around 1,000. Lincoln knows of the visibility problem when the covers cloud over and has not taken corrective action.

- Reynoldsburg, OH, USA

I own a 1993 Lincoln Mark viii and at night you can barely see the road even with the brights on. The housing looks like the clear part has separated into about 3 layers. Please help!!!!!!!!!!!

- Louisville, KY, USA

: the contact stated the plastic cover for the headlights are discolored. This does not allow the headlight to project enough light for night driving. The contact has replaced the light bulbs, but this has not improved visibility. The headlight assembly must be replaced. The manufacturer was alerted. Updated 4/6/2006 -

- Huntsville, AL, USA

Poor headlights on car. Lights are as effective as a two cell flash light.

- Baytown, TX, USA

Poor headlight performance on a 1996 Lincoln Mark viii. I understand this results from a design problem in Mark viii's of that time period.

- Big Sandy, TX, USA

Very poor night driving conditions due to what seems to be poorly designed headlamp fixtures. The aging factory headlamp fixtures do not seem to produce enough light for night driving resulting in dangerous conditions due to low visibility. The fixtures seem to "yellow" and "fog" abnormally with age and it also seems that the heat produced by the factory specified lamps actually damage the internal reflective material, both conditions reduce effective output of the fixtures. These conditions seem to occur with age and use, new fixture output is acceptable.

- Green Bay, WI, USA

While driving, the headlights were very dim that the signal lights were far more brighter. The consumer stated he could not see at night. The consumer took the viehicle to the dealer and was told that even if he gets replacement headlights that the same thing would happen within a two year time span. Please provide any futher information.

- Fort Myers, FL, USA

I just purchased a 1996 Lincoln mark 8, while driving it home, it got dark and I turned on the lights...the lighting system was terrible. I could hardly see. This is extremely dangerous. How can a person drive at night, if the lights fail to properly illuminate the highway" as I got to checking, this is a severe problem with this car, as complained about by other owners. Is there anything that can be done" these are the orginal lighting units from the factory, and they are extremely dangerous.

- Vevay, IN, USA