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1984 Ford TempoProblems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 14 owner complaints about the 1984 Ford Tempo, most often about the electrical system. It is covered by 6 safety recalls.

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CarFlaw IndexNot enough dataHigher is better (0–100)
Safety recalls6Free fix at dealersOwner complaints146 with a crash, fire or injuryTypical failure mileage71kElectrical system, median miles

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through March 17, 2004. Updated daily.

Complaints by system

Where the 1984 Ford Tempo has problems

14 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 system116
Seat belts20
Engine and engine cooling10
Power train10
Seats10

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.

6 recalls

1984 Ford Tempo recalls and how many were fixed

Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

Show 2 more recalls

Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with Ford.

Best & worst years

1984 vs. every other Tempo year

Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the Tempo median. How we score

'84'85'86'87'88'89'90'91'92'93'94'95'96'97'98'99'00
  • Avoid
  • Caution
  • Solid
  • Best
  • Not rated
6 investigations

NHTSA defect investigations

Federal investigations that included the 1984 Ford Tempo, and the recalls they led to.

  1. REAR BRAKE SYSTEM FAILUREDP96002 · closed Jan 19, 1996
    No recall
  2. SEATBACK FAILUREEA86010 · closed Jul 28, 1989
    Led to recall 86V-082
  3. STEERING SYST. FAILURESPE87016 · closed Aug 6, 1987
    No recall
  4. STALLINGPE87028 · closed Jan 21, 1988
    No recall
  5. HALFSHAFT FAILUREPE88034 · closed Sep 19, 1988
    No recall
  6. REAR BRK ADJUSTER FAILUREPE96005 · closed May 28, 1996
    No recall
In owners' words

What Tempo owners report

Recent electrical system complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.

CLASS ACTION FOR FORD TFI MODULE IN FORD TEMPO. *PH THE CONSUMER WAS REIMBURSED FOR THE REPLACEMENT TFI MODULE, HOWEVER HE WAS NOT REIMBURSED FOR THE LABOR AND TOWING BECAUSE THE COST WAS NOT LISTED ON THE INVOICE, BUT IT WAS ON THE PREVIOUS INVOICE WHEN THE PROBLEM WAS THOUGHT TO BE THE IGNITION…
Complaint 10055466 · Mar 17, 2004 · 70,651 miles
WK. [PHONE], STARTED THE VEHICLE TURN IGNITION ON, VEHICLE CUT OFF, SAW SMOKE UNDER THE HOOD, ENGINE COMPARTMENT/UNDER THE DASH. *AK
Complaint 983079 · Apr 19, 1996

Own a 1984 Tempo?

Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.