1988 Lincoln Mark Vii recalls & complaints
Source: NHTSA, updated daily. Last checked 2026-10-20. Recalls apply to specific VINs — run your VIN to confirm.
1 safety recall, most serious first
1. Fuel system
What's wrong, in plain English: Fuel lines, tank or pump. Fuel problems usually mean a leak, and leaks mean fire risk. SPRING LOCK FUEL LINE COUPLING MAY NOT BE PROPERLY ENGAGED.
What could happen: COUPLING COULD DISENGAGE DUE TO FUEL PRESSURE,VIBRATION, AND ENGINE MOVEMENTS; THIS WOULD CAUSE LOSS OF FUEL WHICH, INPRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, CREATES A FIRE RISK.
The fix: INSTALL RETAINER CLIPS OVER THE COUPLINGS TO PREVENT COUPLING SEPARATION AND FUEL LEAKAGE.
What to do
- Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 1988 MARK VII.
- Book a repair at any authorized Lincoln dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 87V139000.
- The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
- Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.
Official wording from NHTSA
Component: FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
Summary: SPRING LOCK FUEL LINE COUPLING MAY NOT BE PROPERLY ENGAGED.
Consequence: COUPLING COULD DISENGAGE DUE TO FUEL PRESSURE,VIBRATION, AND ENGINE MOVEMENTS; THIS WOULD CAUSE LOSS OF FUEL WHICH, INPRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, CREATES A FIRE RISK.
Remedy: INSTALL RETAINER CLIPS OVER THE COUPLINGS TO PREVENT COUPLING SEPARATION AND FUEL LEAKAGE.
Notes: SYSTEM: FUEL LINE COUPLINGVEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER CARS AND LIGHT TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH FUELINJECTION.
Useful for owners
- OBD2 code reader — see what the car's computer is reporting
- Compact car fire extinguisher
- 1988 Lincoln Mark Vii owner's manual
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA
Most complained-about parts: Electrical system (8), Seat belts (4), Wheels / tires (4), Brakes (4), Air (3).
Complaints are unverified reports from owners. A pattern (many complaints about the same part) matters more than any single one.
Read recent complaints (8)
08/15/2001 · Seat belts
DRIVER'S SEAT BELT HAD TO BE REPLACED ON THREE SEPARATE OCCASIONS BECAUSE RETRACTOR FAILED TO RETRACT. PARTS WERE REPLACED ONCE BY DEALER UNDER WARRANTY, AND OTHER PARTS WERE REPLACED BY AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP WITH DEALER PARTS. WOULD LIKE NHTSA TO LOOK INTO THIS MATTER. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION ON THIS MATTER.*AK
10/12/2000 · Wheels / tires
UNIROYAL TIRE P225 60 R16 EXPERIENCED TREAD SEPARATION CAUSING OTHER DAMAGE TO VEHICLE. *SLC
10/12/2000 · Wheels / tires
UNIROYAL TIRE P225 60 R16 EXPERIENCED TREAD SEPARATION CAUSING OTHER DAMAGE TO VEHICLE. *SLC
09/15/2000 · Wheels / tires
THE UNIROYAL TIGAR PAW RADIAL P225/60R16 TIRE EXPERIENCED TREAD SEPARATION WHILE DRIVING CAUSING EXTENSIVE DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE. *MJS
09/03/2000 · Brakes
WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED, WHEN ATTEMPTING TO BRAKE, THE BRAKE PEDAL IS HARD AND THERE IS NO BRAKES WHATSOVER , NO MATTER HOW HARD YOU PUSH DOWN. AFTER STOPPING WITH EMERGENCY BRAKES, THE BRAKES RETURN TO NORMAL. THIS HAS HAPPENED NUMEROUS TIMES AND WE HAVE HAD THE CAR SERVICED BY OUR LOCAL FORD DEALER AS WELL AS OTHER REPAIR CENTERS AND THEY CANNOT LOCAT…
09/03/2000 · Brakes
WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED, WHEN ATTEMPTING TO BRAKE, THE BRAKE PEDAL IS HARD AND THERE IS NO BRAKES WHATSOVER , NO MATTER HOW HARD YOU PUSH DOWN. AFTER STOPPING WITH EMERGENCY BRAKES, THE BRAKES RETURN TO NORMAL. THIS HAS HAPPENED NUMEROUS TIMES AND WE HAVE HAD THE CAR SERVICED BY OUR LOCAL FORD DEALER AS WELL AS OTHER REPAIR CENTERS AND THEY CANNOT LOCAT…
08/31/2000 · Wheels / tires
TIGER PAW GTS WITH ONLY 45,000 MILES AFTERMARKET, TIRE SIZE P225/60R16, DOT # BEXONC2U436. WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH REAR DRIVER'S SIDE TIRE TREAD SEPARATED ,AND PIECES OF RUBBER DESTROYED MIRRORS AND WHEELWELL ABOUT APPROX, $1,000 WORTH OF DAMAGE. DRIVER WAS ABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL AND PULL OVER TO RIGHT INTO THE GRASS MEDIAN. ALSO, 5 DAYS PR…
07/19/1999 · Brakes
ALONG WITH BRAKES FAILING (WHICH I JUST HAD REPLACED) THE A/C, TURN SIGNALS, POWER LOCKS, AND WINDOWS ALSO FAILED. *AK