The headlights that came standard on 1993-1996 Mark viiis are not safe for public roads. They are probably the weakest headlights ever placed into a vehicle during the 1990S. IM surprised they even passed the dot regulations. The headlights provide very little lighting for the road and they do not even give enough light to the street signs so that they can be read legibly and easily. Driving on a poor lit road is impossible without turning on the high beams because other wise you become a hazard because of poor visibility. Ive been in countless near accidents due to the poor lights and because they barely light up the markers on the middle of the road. They either need to replaced with the hid units that are available, or at least improved drastically; otherwise the risk of having an accident with this car during the night increases at least 10 fold.

- Middletown , NY, USA

Head lights on both of my 1996 Lincoln mark vlll S are very poor and do not illuminate the road sufficiently. I just missed hitting a dog this evening on my way home as these lights on both cars are defective and the manufacturer refuses to replace them. They should be recalled.

- Port Clinton, OH, USA

I have another complaint for the same event that was just filled for the lack of proper head lamps on this year vehicle. As I own two of the same car I am also filing for this one as well.

- Port Clinton, OH, USA

"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.

- Westminster, MD, USA

While driving the headlight overheated and burned out.

- Southbridge, MA, USA

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

- Highland, CA, USA

None

- Manassas, VA, USA

Head lights not bright enough for night driving.

- Earlville, IL, USA

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.

- Silver Spring, MD, USA

Manufacture installed halogen (9005) headlights are too hot and have destroyed the housing and reflective materials so there is little to no visibility when using them.

- Clovis, CA, USA

Headlight output is inadequate. Numerous complaints on NHTSA website indicate poor design.

- Kings Mountain, NC, USA

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.

- Pennsauken, NJ, USA

Head light lenses have turned yellow. Consumer has to use high beams to see. Consumer feels this is a dangerous situation. Consumer states that the bulbs have been changed 3 times, consumer feels that the dealer broke the seals which causes water to seep in.

- Paramont, CA, USA

I have the hid headlights in my car. I have had problems with them from day one. Last night, my headlights went out, causing my headlights to completely fail. I was driving down the road and suddenly they went out completely - both low and high beams. No warning whatsoever. I drove with my headlights blinking on and off the entire way. I feel that there should be something installed in these cars to run the low and high beams separately so that if you lose one, at least you have some light. This could have been a very dangerous situation. I hope that the hid headlights are investigated and Ford is required to make them right. They are defective in many ways making them quite a hazard.

- Joliet, IL, USA

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

- Washington, PA, USA

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

- Fairview, NC, USA

No summary listed for above vehicle.

- Azle, TX, USA

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

- Midland, VA, USA

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.

- Owings Mills, MD, USA

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.

- Easton, MD, USA