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Lincoln Mark Iii — Years to Avoid

Reliability breakdown of every Lincoln Mark Iii model year. Based on NHTSA owner complaints, federal recalls, and safety investigations.

Model Years
27
Years to Avoid
1994, 1993, 1990, 1971
Best Years
1997, 1996, 1995, 1992, 1991, 1989, 1988, 1987, 1986, 1985, 1984, 1983, 1982, 1981, 1980, 1979, 1978, 1977, 1976, 1975, 1974, 1973, 1972
1997Best Year
0 complaints0 recalls
1996Best Year
0 complaints0 recalls
1995Best Year
0 complaints0 recalls
1994Avoid
3 complaints0 recalls
1993Avoid
2 complaints0 recalls
1992Best Year
0 complaints0 recalls
1991Best Year
0 complaints0 recalls
1990Avoid
3 complaints0 recalls
1989Best Year
0 complaints0 recalls
1988Best Year
0 complaints0 recalls
1987Best Year
0 complaints0 recalls
1986Best Year
0 complaints0 recalls
1985Best Year
0 complaints0 recalls
1984Best Year
0 complaints0 recalls
1983Best Year
0 complaints0 recalls
1982Best Year
0 complaints0 recalls
1981Best Year
0 complaints0 recalls
1980Best Year
0 complaints0 recalls
1979Best Year
0 complaints0 recalls
1978Best Year
0 complaints0 recalls
1977Best Year
0 complaints0 recalls
1976Best Year
0 complaints0 recalls
1975Best Year
0 complaints0 recalls
1974Best Year
0 complaints0 recalls
1973Best Year
0 complaints0 recalls
1972Best Year
0 complaints0 recalls
1971Avoid
1 complaints1 recalls

How we calculate this

Each year receives a composite risk score based on NHTSA owner complaints, federal recalls, safety investigations, and technical service bulletins. Years scoring more than 2x the model's average are flagged as “years to avoid.” Years in the lowest risk bracket are marked as “best years.” All data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

Which Lincoln Mark Iii Years Should You Avoid?

Based on federal safety data, the 1994, 1993, 1990, 1971 Lincoln Mark Iii are the most problematic years, with significantly higher rates of owner complaints, recalls, and safety investigations compared to other model years.

If you're shopping for a used Lincoln Mark Iii, consider the 1997, 1996, 1995, 1992, 1991, 1989, 1988, 1987, 1986, 1985, 1984, 1983, 1982, 1981, 1980, 1979, 1978, 1977, 1976, 1975, 1974, 1973, 1972 model years — these have the fewest reported issues relative to other years.

27 model years analyzed