DEFECTFILE
Vehicles / Ford / Tempo

Ford Tempo

1,649 federal complaints across 18 model years (1981-2000) ยท 11 recall campaigns

Complaints by model year

Federal complaints filed against each model year of the Ford Tempo. Hover a bar for the count.

1981
1984
1985
1986
1987
1988
1989
1990
1991
1992
1993
1994
1995
1996
1997
1998
1999
2000
Three most-complained-about yearsAll other years

Which years to avoid

Ranked from the same federal record. Click any year for its full file.

Years to look at twice

  1. 1993 Ford Tempo - 316 complaints
  2. 1992 Ford Tempo - 264 complaints
  3. 1994 Ford Tempo - 212 complaints
Highest raw complaint counts. Counts are not adjusted for sales volume.

Quieter years

  1. 1987 Ford Tempo - 79 complaints
  2. 1991 Ford Tempo - 143 complaints
  3. 1989 Ford Tempo - 168 complaints
Fewest complaints among years with a meaningful record; the two newest model years are excluded because they have had little time to accumulate filings.

What fails, all years combined

Electrical system
369
Engine & cooling
326
Seat belts
232
Brakes
148
Fuel system
87
Power train
72

Every model year

Model yearComplaintsRecalls
2000 Ford Tempo10
1999 Ford Tempo10
1998 Ford Tempo10
1997 Ford Tempo30
1996 Ford Tempo20
1995 Ford Tempo60
1994 Ford Tempo2121
1993 Ford Tempo3162
1992 Ford Tempo2642
1991 Ford Tempo1431
1990 Ford Tempo1741
1989 Ford Tempo1681
1988 Ford Tempo1762
1987 Ford Tempo791
1986 Ford Tempo420
1985 Ford Tempo403
1984 Ford Tempo196
1981 Ford Tempo20

Recall campaigns, all years

Every campaign filed against this model, with the model years it covers. Recall repairs are free at the dealer.

CampaignYearsComponentSummary
97V0190001992-1994Engine And Engine CoolingTHESE VEHICLES ARE ORIGINALLY SOLD OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE FOLLOWING STATES: ALASKA, IOWA, MINNESOTA, NEBRASKA, NORTH DAKOTA, AND SOUTH DAKOTA. THE VEHICLES INVOLVED ARE 199
96V0710001988-1993Electrical SystemTHE IGNITION SWITCH COULD EXPERIENCE AN INTERNAL SHORT CIRCUIT.
88V0240001988Vehicle Speed ControlTWO ATTACHMENT SCREWS FOR THE THROTTLE POSITION SENSORS COULD LOOSEN AND BACK OUT.
87V0600001987WheelsLUG NUTS COULD GALL AND POSSIBLY SEIZE ON THE WHEEL STUDS WITHOUT PROVIDING ADEQUATE CLAMPING LOAD ON THE WHEELS.
86V0820001984SeatsTHE FORWARD BOLT THAT PROVIDES PART OF THE ATTACHMENT BETWEEN THE DRIVER'S SEAT BACK ASSEMBLY AND THE SEAT CUSHION FRAME MAY BE SUBJECT TO FATIGUE FRACTURE. CONSEQUENCE OF DEFECT:
85V1450001984-1985SuspensionREAR SUPENSION CONTROL ARM-TO-SPINDLE ATTACHMENT BOLTS MAY BE SUBJECT TO FRACTURE CAUSING THE REAR SPINDLE TO SEPARATE DURING USE OF CAR. CONSEQUENCE OF DEFECT: IF BOLTS FRACTURE A
85V1340001985Electrical SystemTHE UNEXPECTED OPEN THROTTLE CAUSES AN INCREASE IN ENGINE SPEED WHICH COULD RESULT IN LOSS OF CONTROL OF THE CAR AND A POTENTIAL CRASH. CONSEQUENCE OF DEFECT: THE ELECTRONIC ENGINE
85V0860001984-1985SuspensionREAR SUSPENSION CONTROL ARM-TO-SPINDLE ATTACHMENT BOLTS MAY BE SUBJECT TO FRACTURE DURING USE OF CAR. CONSEQUENCE OF DEFECT: IF BOLTS FRACTURE, REAR SPINDLE COULD DISENGAGE FROM CO
84V0710001984SeatsSEAT FRAME STRUCTURE COULD SEVER FRONT SEAT BELTS IF VEHICLE IS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT, DEPENDING ON FORCE OF IMPACT.
83V1340001984Seat BeltsTHE BOLTS THAT ATTACH THE D-SHAPED RING FOR THE SHOULDER BELT ARE INADEQUATELY SUPPORTED BY THE MATERIAL IN WHICH THEY ARE MOUNTED. THE ATTACHMENT DOES NOT COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREM
83V0550001984Interior LightingIN THE EVENT OF A SHORT CIRCUIT IN THE INSTRUMENT PANEL, THE HEADLAMP AND INTERIOR ILLUMINATION CONTROL SWITCHES COULD OVERHEAT.