Equal-exposure complaint evidence and changes in the reported problem mix

1997 vs 1998 LINCOLN MARK VIII

NHTSA Consumer Complaints complaints · snapshot 2026-08-21

Share shifts show how a vehicle's problem mix changed. They do not measure reliability, and complaint counts are not normalized for sales volume.

First 347 months on market for each model year

Exposure window calculated through Aug 22, 2026

Age-matched reports

▼ 7.9% fewer reports in the equal exposure window

NHTSA Consumer Complaints complaints · snapshot 2026-08-21

Component share shift

Bars start at the neutral midpoint. Left means a smaller share; right means a larger share.

View component share data as a table
Component 1997 share 1998 share Share change
EXTERIOR LIGHTING 33.7% 12.2% ▼ 21.5 pts smaller share
VISIBILITY 20.2% 28.1% ▲ 7.8 pts larger share
SERVICE BRAKES 3.4% 7.3% ▲ 4.0 pts larger share
SUSPENSION 3.4% 7.3% ▲ 4.0 pts larger share
FUEL SYSTEM 3.4% not reported ▼ 3.4 pts smaller share
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL 7.9% 4.9% ▼ 3.0 pts smaller share
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 3.4% 6.1% ▲ 2.7 pts larger share
ENGINE 2.3% 4.9% ▲ 2.6 pts larger share
POWER TRAIN 1.1% 3.7% ▲ 2.5 pts larger share
WHEELS 2.3% 3.7% ▲ 1.4 pts larger share
STRUCTURE 2.3% 3.7% ▲ 1.4 pts larger share
TIRES not reported 1.2% ▲ 1.2 pts larger share
STEERING 4.5% 4.9% ▲ 0.4 pts larger share
AIR BAGS 1.1% 1.2% ▲ 0.1 pts larger share
UNKNOWN OR OTHER 76.4% 78.1% ▲ 1.7 pts larger share

NHTSA Safety Recalls recalls · snapshot 2026-08-22

Recall campaigns

1997 2

Campaign components: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

1998 2

Campaign components: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

NHTSA Consumer Complaints complaints · snapshot 2026-08-21

Safety signals

◆ Fires
1 → 3
◆ Injuries
0 → 2