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Ford TempoYears to avoid, problems & recalls

Based on 1,195 NHTSA owner complaints across 17 model years, no Ford Tempo year stands out as one to avoid, and the strongest years are 1985, 1986, 1987 and 1991. The Tempo has 11 safety recalls on record.

Years to avoidNoneUse caution: 1993Best years'85 '86 '87 '91Fewest complaints for their ageOwner complaints1,195Top: Electrical systemSafety recalls111984–2000 model years

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports. Updated daily. How we score years.

Best & worst years

Ford Tempo years to avoid

Complaints by model year, colored by the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the Tempo median. Tap a year for its full report.

'84'85'86'87'88'89'90'91'92'93'94'95'96'97'98'99'00
  • Avoid
  • Caution
  • Solid
  • Best
  • Not rated
2000Not rated–/1001 complaint · 0 recalls1999Not rated–/1001 complaint · 0 recalls1998Not rated–/1001 complaint · 0 recalls1997Not rated–/1002 complaints · 0 recalls1996Not rated–/1002 complaints · 0 recalls1995Not rated–/1003 complaints · 0 recalls1994Solid46/100161 complaints · 1 recall1993Caution40/100227 complaints · 2 recalls1992Solid43/100176 complaints · 2 recalls1991Solid56/100110 complaints · 1 recall1990Solid46/100133 complaints · 1 recall1989Solid52/100124 complaints · 1 recall1988Solid48/100126 complaints · 2 recalls1987Best69/10053 complaints · 1 recall1986Best78/10031 complaints · 0 recalls1985Best80/10030 complaints · 3 recalls1984Not rated–/10014 complaints · 6 recalls
Complaints by system

Most common Ford Tempo problems

All model years combined: 1,195 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.

Box size = number of complaints naming that system. Darker = larger share. One complaint can name more than one system.
Complaints by system
SystemComplaintsCrash, fire or injury
Electrical system320126
Engine and engine cooling27832
Seat belts22029
Service brakes, hydraulic11511
Fuel system, gasoline779
Power train694
Vehicle speed control6714
Steering629
Exterior lighting402
15 other systems19748
11 recalls

Ford Tempo recalls

Newest first. The ring shows the share of affected vehicles repaired, from the manufacturer's latest report to NHTSA.

–Cooling system: fan97V-019 · 1992–1994 · Feb 25, 1997 · 75,200 vehicles–Electrical system: ignition96V-071 · 1988–1993 · Apr 25, 1996 · 7,900,000 vehicles–Vehicle speed control88V-024 · 1988 · Mar 1, 1988 · 91,000 vehicles–Wheels: lugs/nuts/bolts/studs87V-060 · 1987 · Apr 27, 1987 · 350 vehicles–Seats86V-082 · 1984 · Jun 24, 1986 · 195,732 vehicles–Suspension: rear85V-145 · 1984–1985 · Nov 5, 1985 · 227,027 vehicles–Ignition: module85V-134 · 1985 · Oct 22, 1985 · 3,988 vehicles–Suspension: rear85V-086 · 1984–1985 · Jul 3, 1985 · 226,729 vehicles–Seats84V-071 · 1984 · Jun 15, 1984 · 261,400 vehicles–Front: anchorage83V-134 · 1984 · Dec 20, 1983 · 530,000 vehicles–Interior lighting83V-055 · 1984 · May 16, 1983 · 626 vehicles
15 investigations

NHTSA investigations of the Tempo

  1. ENGINE COOLING FAN FIRESEA96024 · 1991–1995 · closed Apr 15, 1997
    Led to recall 97V-019
  2. ENGINE COOLING FAN FIRESPE96033 · 1991–1995 · closed Sep 30, 1996
    Led to recall 97V-019
  3. REAR BRK ADJUSTER FAILUREPE96005 · 1984–1991 · closed May 28, 1996
    No recall
  4. REAR BRAKE SYSTEM FAILUREDP96002 · 1984–1991 · closed Jan 19, 1996
    No recall
  5. SEAT BELT SEPARATIONEA91052 · 1985–1989 · closed Nov 24, 1992
    No recall
  6. SAFETY BELT CUT AT WEBBINGPE91098 · 1986 · closed Nov 27, 1991
    No recall
  7. FUEL PUMP FAILUREPE91025 · 1986–1987 · closed Apr 10, 1991
    No recall
  8. THROTTLE STICKINGEA90042 · 1988 · closed Dec 31, 1991
    No recall
  9. FAILED PASSIVE RESTRAINTEA90008 · 1987–1990 · closed Dec 31, 1991
    No recall
  10. SPEED CNTRL MALFUNCTIONEA89037 · 1986 · closed Nov 30, 1990
    No recall