AI Damage1987 Lincoln Mark VII: common problems
Owners of the 1987 Lincoln Mark VII filed 7 complaints with NHTSA, most often about electrical system and engine and cooling. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 7
- involving a crash
- 2
What fails most often
- 1 Electrical system 29% of all complaints
- 2 Engine and cooling 29% of all complaints
- 3 Powertrain 29% of all complaints
- 4 Steering 14% of all complaints
- 5 Suspension 14% of all complaints
- 6 Vehicle speed control 14% of all complaints
- Electrical system: 2 complaints (29% of all), 1 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
- Engine and cooling: 2 complaints (29% of all).
- Powertrain: 2 complaints (29% of all), 1 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
- Steering: 1 complaints (14% of all).
- Suspension: 1 complaints (14% of all), 1 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
Engines and transmissions
US-market versions per EPA. On the right: how many NHTSA complaints name this engine or transmission type.
- 5 L · petrol · 8 cyl
- automatic, 4-speed
Drive: RWD
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 7 NHTSA complaints mention each symptom (automatic count from complaint text; one complaint can mention several).
Components owners complain about
| Component | Owner complaints | involving a crash | Technical service bulletins (TSB) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical system | 2 | 1 | 0 |
| Engine and cooling | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Powertrain | 2 | 1 | 0 |
| Steering | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Suspension | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Vehicle speed control | 1 | 1 | 0 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
Started car, released emergency brake, put car into gear and the car accelerated and hit a wall, nojury . Consumer states that the top of the gear selector came off while trying to shift into neutral. The original computer was replaced in june of 1994 due to hard starting and rough idle.
While driving right inner tie rod dropped, there was no impact,replace r/side inner and outer tie rod ends.
Ignition switch burned causing other electrical failures as well as brake loss resulting in consumer hitting curb.
While parked in secure parking lot approximately 3 hours; owner notified by building security vehicle was on fire, engine compartment fire, cause unkown, extinguished by fire department, vehicle totaled.
Failure of a "snap together" plastic bushing, which connects the shift selector cable to the transmission bellcrank, caused vehicle to lurch backwards. The owner was knocked down and foot was run over by vehicle as a result.
When owners complained
NHTSA complaints by filing year. The peak shows at what age the problems show up most.
Comparison
By complaint count this model year ranks 12,538 of 36,656 model years in the NHTSA data (top 34% most complained about).
On average one model year of the Mark VII has 7 complaints (15 years in the data). This year has 7, about average.
What to check before buying
- Electrical system. Scan all modules, test the battery and alternator, inspect connectors near the impact zone.
- Engine and cooling. Radiator and fan after a frontal hit, coolant level and condition, overheating.
- Powertrain. Shift quality under load, harsh shifts, transmission codes, CV joints.
- Steering. Steering play, power assist, rack and tie rods after a wheel impact.
Other years of this model
Questions and answers
What are the most common problems with the 1987 Lincoln Mark VII?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: electrical system, engine and cooling, powertrain. Total complaints: 7. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: smoke, burning smell, fire (29%), jerking, harsh shifts (14%), knocking, grinding or other noise (14%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 1987 Lincoln Mark VII?
NHTSA lists 0 manufacturer service bulletins for this year. A bulletin tells dealers how to diagnose or fix a known issue; it is not a recall.
Should I buy a 1987 Lincoln Mark VII from a US auction?
Owner complaints describe defects, not crash damage. Before bidding, check the components listed above and review the lot photos: VinWind builds a report of visible and hidden damage by VIN.
Other 1987 models
Read also
Sources: public NHTSA data (USA): service bulletins and owner complaints; YouTube: links to videos credited to their authors. Complaints are owner statements not verified by NHTSA, and describe defects rather than crash damage. Data updated 2026-11-05.