Headlights problems of the 1996 Lincoln Mark Viii - part 2

When turning on headlights they came on bright. Then, they just faded out. Consumer has to use high beams to see. Took vehicle to dealer, and they stated that both lights needed to be replaced.

Headlights are too dim while driving vehicle, visibility is reduced, and driving is dangerous. Please provide any additional information.

This is to register a complaint about the inadequate lighting system of the generation 1 Mark Viii. I have a 1996. This head light system is totally inadequate at nighttime, and frequently requires I use my "high beams" to see appropriately, even with lamp posts on and shining. I've often found myself swerving to avoid badly marked curbs on the left side, for example, because by the time I see these curbs, I'm almost on top of them. This is not an indication of bad driving, it's just plain bad lights. Ford fixes this problem with their hid lamps in the 1996 lsc, which according to many, is a "direct fit" replacement for these gen 1 Mark Viiis. I am unsure how many of these bad light systems are out on the road, but I am absolutely sure that these are a definite safety concern, these should be fixed. It is imperative this be addressed. I should not have to spend an extra $1000 or more to be able to see the road at night. If Ford had properly tested their system, it would not be an issue today. Replacement lenses alone will not work, as they will fail to provide light as quickly as the current ones did, negating the benefits. Brighter bulbs also do not work, either due to the bad lenses, or failure of the sockets and housings due to the higher heat. And if *that* isn't a saftey issue (electrical fire due to higher wattage by an attempt to fix a known problem) I don't know what is. Ford needs to fix this issue, bottom line, for the saftey of not only the owners of the gen1 Mark Viiis, but for the others on the road as well. Thank you .

Headlights had gone out. Dealership claimed defect existed in ballast which will result in replacement of entire headlight system.

This is a 1996 mrk viii Lincoln. The headlites have lost the reflective material off of the inside of them and are now so dim that I don't dare drive this car at night. I can't see the road! if I can't get where I'm going by dark I have to stop and stay at a motel, it's just to dangerous. . A 4 year old car shouldn't be like this. I have a 50 year old GMC that has brighter lites and is far safer to drive at night.

Headlights are too dim at night, headlights covers have become clouded.

The lighting from the original hid headlights are insufficient. This could lead to a wreck at any time. I have 20/20 vision and have to be very aware of my surroundings at night! I would be worried to drive through an area that I have never been in the evening. These need to be recalled with a better lighting solution given.

Defective design/manufacturer resulted in failure of headlamp assemblies. Cost to repair is $800 per side. Total cost approximately $1600 no aftermarket or substitute available. Replacement warranty is one year after installation. Lincoln and osram sylvania both contacted without acceptable resolution. Sylvania and Lincoln acknowledge problem and also refuse to replace with more reliable subsequently designed/manufactured replacements installed in later production runs of the same vehicle.

The headlight housing has deteriorated to the point that the lights are useless. The reflective material has yellowed & has also flaked off to the point is is almost all gone. I contacted Ford approx. 3 mos. Ago & was told that I was the only person that had called with this problem. Ya right. Looking on the internet I have found that I am not the only one.

Headlights are not bright enough for night driving, consumer has to use high beams. Problem has worsen over time.

"driving within your headlights" is impossible with the 93-96 generation Lincoln mark 8 unless your speed is under approximately 20mph. Debris, animal carcasses, and other obstacles suddenly appear causing the driver an immediate reaction of dangerously swerving out of the way risking loss of control and potential collision with other motorists, objects, people, etc. Replacement with the same part is not a sensible option because the flaw is inherent to the headlamp housings design. Ford motor company should step up and remedy this safety items design deficiency.

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.

The low beam headlights provide very poor illumination creating a dangerous situation for night driving. The cause appears to be a "hazy or frosty" corrosion on the reflectors of the low beams. The high beams exhibit no such corrosion and are quite satisfactory. Some owners have added "fog or driving lights" to help allieviate the problem.

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.

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.

The head lights were very dim, which made it difficult to see while driving.

Head lights not bright enough for night driving. Dt.

We have been noting the high number of 1993-1996 Lincoln mark 8 owners that have been reporting serious headlight problems with their cars, yet nothing has been done by your offices. Ford & Lincoln will apparently do nothing because you do nothing. These are serious safety concerns of the owners. They can't see down the road at night because of the serious apparent design flaws of their headlights. What is the good of having a government transportation agency that will not start an investigation with an issue such as this??? Ford/Lincoln will not acknowledge a problem beacuse they know you have not done anything . Probably they hope that time will run out and every one will trash these $40,000 cars or trade them in . It is interesting that the later models, 1997-1998 mark 8s, have a diffferent headlight system. But no help or retrofit to the older model owners. What good is the government in these cases where they do nothing??? a false sense of security to the owners who trust that you will do something and investigate. Headlights, come on - how much more serious can you get??? when you review the years in question, you can see that some accidents have occurred. And of course these are only the reports of owners who are aware of your agency. Dt.

Consumer states due to a design deficiency, the reflective lining inside of the plastic headlamp housing is being burned off, severely diminishing the output of the headlamps. This is caused by the extreme heat build-up from the 9005 halogen bulb used in the low beam section of the healamp housing.

Low beam headlights do not provide enough visibility at night. Dealer will be notified. Consumer has to use high beams to see the road.

Headlights are not at all bright, it is dangerous to drive at night due to this. There are numerous complaints concerning this specific problem listed on the Lincoln of distinction website, and there have been numerous Mark Viii owners complaining directly to Ford Lincoln Mercury, all to no avail. As this is a safety issue, I believe that action on the NHTSA 's part is required to protect the Mark Viii drivers and all other motorists which they might run into accidentally due to this identified safety problem with this vehicle. Please reply to my e-mail address to let me know this was received and what actions have, are , and will be taken concerning this. Thank you. Joe. Nlm.

Lighting on this vehicle is horrible ! can not see with low beams! have to use high and then everybody flicks their lights at you (just a big distraction and safety issue) I visit a Lincoln mark 8 club and this has been I know brought to your attention by others and I am just putting my 2 cents in. Thanks! please do something.

Simply cannot see at night. Very dangerous.

The headlights are too dim for safe night driving. I have replaced both assemblies and bulbs (right and left) with new ones, as well as checked the eletrical system, and the light output is still so weak that driving at night is unsafe. I replaced the assemblies because the reflective material on the inside of the assembly had been burned off by the bulbs. (the assembly is less than three inches in height. The close proximity to the bulb in combination with poor reflective material resulted in the material burning or flaking off. ) even with the new assemblies, with all the reflective material intact, and clear unyellowed lenses, the light output is still too weak for safe night driving. I can only assume the problem is due to bad design.

Low beam headlights are so dim it is a hazard. Refused to drive the car after dark because of poor lighting. There is no known recall that I am aware of. I have talked to other Mark Viii owners of 1993 to 1996 cars and they all are complaining of dim low beam headlights. These lights need to be recalled and replaced by lowbeam headlight that put out enough light to be safe driveing at night . These lights are a safty hazard . And I would not have bought the car if I had known this before hand.

The headlights have very poor coverage. The houseing show no wear or problems. The light output and beam angles can not cover a average street at night. There should be something done before a problem is created. We have techonolgy to create lighting that will be effective. Make the manufs. Do it. It should be a easy problem to quickly solve.

The lights are extremely dim, bulbs replaced with no help, etreme hazardous condition.

Headlights are very poor. Can hardly see at night. Often I have many close calls in the rain its almost impossible.

The headlamps on the vehicle provided little light, and thus, limited visibilty in lightless situations. Acceptable visibilty is limited to (an estimated) 25 ft. Even constant use of the high beams (which is a danger to other motorists, though many do not seem to notice) provides little more than slightly acceptable light.

Head lamps do not project light out to a safe distance. One side (left, drivers) inside the lens the chrome reflecting surface has dissintegrated. The other side just appears dim. On a wet night we do not want to drive this car.

Headlights have gotten dimmer as vehicle aged. I don't even like to drive it at night anymore.

Head lights are very dim when lit. I can barely notice if lights are on. I feel this is a very dangerous situation which could result in injury due to decrease of visibility. I try not to drive at night. This should be investigated and corrective action taken.

Headlights have insufficient beam power. There quite dim!!!.

The headlights are super dim. It is very scary driving in an uknown area at night.

Car has extremely dim headlights, factory design flaw. Brakes are undersized for a car this heavy. Rotors warp after only 5000 miles.