The most-reported Mark run is 1LNLM91V3PY (1993 builds) with 30 complaints, 7× the typical run. Exterior lighting problems make up 67% of reports; 1994 is the worst model year at 8.9 complaints per run.
Which build runs owners report most
A production run is the first 11 characters of the VIN: plant, model year, body and engine. The Lincoln Mark has 100 of them on record. The five runs at the top of this table hold 27% of every Mark complaint on file.
| Production run (VIN 1–11) | Year | Complaints | Involved a crash | Fire |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1LNLM91V3PY•••••• | 1993 | — | — | |
| 1LNLM91V2PY•••••• | 1993 | 2 | — | |
| 1LNLM91V6PY•••••• | 1993 | 5 | — | |
| 1LNLM91V5PY•••••• | 1993 | 3 | 3 | |
| 1LNLM91V8PY•••••• | 1993 | 1 | — | |
| 1LNLM91V9PY•••••• | 1993 | — | — | |
| 1LNLM91V4RY•••••• | 1994 | 1 | — | |
| 1LNLM91V6RY•••••• | 1994 | 2 | — | |
| 1LNLM91V3RY•••••• | 1994 | 2 | 2 | |
| 1LNLM91V5RY•••••• | 1994 | — | — | |
| 1LNLM91VXPY•••••• | 1993 | — | 1 | |
| 1LNLM91V7PY•••••• | 1993 | — | — |
Each of the other 88 Mark runs has 15 complaints or fewer.
Which model years to check twice
Complaints per production run, so a year that simply sold more does not top the list. On the Lincoln Mark the gap between build years is 8.9×: a 1994 car draws 8.9 complaints per run, a 1985 one 1.
| Year | Per run | Complaints | Runs | Crashes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1998 | 6 | 6 | — | |
| 1997 | 3 | 3 | — | |
| 1996 | 7 | 7 | 1 | |
| 1995 | 9 | 8 | — | |
| 1994 | 142 | 16 | 7 | |
| 1993 | 218 | 26 | 12 | |
| 1992 | 4 | 4 | — | |
| 1991 | 8 | 7 | 1 | |
| 1990 | 14 | 11 | — | |
| 1988 | 5 | 4 | — | |
| 1985 | 4 | 4 | — |
Heaviest year here is 1994 at 8.9 complaints per run; lightest is 1985 at 1.
What to inspect on this car
One system accounts for 67% of everything Lincoln Mark owners report: Exterior Lighting, 274 of 426 complaints. Start the pre-purchase inspection there.
| System | Complaints | Involved a crash | Fire |
|---|---|---|---|
| Exterior Lighting | 11 | — | |
| Electrical System | 1 | 8 | |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 5 | 8 | |
| Service Brakes | 1 | — | |
| Hydraulic | 1 | — | |
| Power Train | 1 | — | |
| Visibility | — | — | |
| Suspension | — | — |
The Mark against its rivals
The Mark draws 4.3 complaints per production run; the Buick Riviera 1.8. That is the highest rate of the 2.
| Model | Complaints | Runs | Per run | Involved a crash |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lincoln Mark | 426 | 100 | 4.9% | |
| Buick Riviera | 246 | 136 | 4.9% |
How serious were they
Of the 426 reports on the Lincoln Mark, 4.9% involved a crash against 5.8% across all vehicles, below the norm.
| Outcome | Lincoln Mark | All vehicles |
|---|---|---|
| Complaints filed | 426 | 1,115,966 |
| Involved a crash | 21 (4.9%) | 64,194 (5.8%) |
| Involved a fire | 19 (4.5%) | 26,974 (2.4%) |
| Injuries reported | 8 | 58,013 |
| Deaths reported | 6 | 2,728 |
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How this check works
The file behind this page holds 1,115,966 complaints filed with NHTSA between 1981 and 2026, across 298,921 production runs. The Lincoln Mark share of that is 426 complaints over 100 runs, 0.04% of everything on record.
Frequently asked questions
How do I check a Lincoln Mark VIN for free?
Enter the 17 characters above. ForCar matches the first eleven, the production run, against 426 NHTSA complaints from 100 Mark runs and 0 recall campaigns. No account, no card.
Which Mark production run has the most complaints?
1LNLM91V3PY, a 1993 build, with 30 complaints. The typical Mark run has 4.3.
Which Mark years have the most complaints?
Per production run, 1994 is heaviest at 8.9 complaints per run and 1985 lightest at 1.
Does the Mark get more complaints than the Buick Riviera?
Yes: 4.3 complaints per production run for the Mark against 1.8 for the Buick Riviera.
How many Mark complaints involve a crash?
4.9% of 426 reports, against 5.8% across all vehicles; 19 involved a fire.
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