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1985 Ford TempoProblems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 30 owner complaints about the 1985 Ford Tempo, most often about the electrical system. It is covered by 3 safety recalls.

80
CarFlaw IndexOne of the best years75% below the Tempo median · #10 of 11 years by complaints
Safety recalls3Free fix at dealersOwner complaints3010 with a crash, fire or injuryTypical failure mileage72kElectrical system, median miles

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through February 9, 2011. Updated daily.

Complaints by system

Where the 1985 Ford Tempo has problems

30 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 system134
Engine and engine cooling71
Steering41
Fuel system, gasoline31
Vehicle speed control30
Air bags22
Power train20
Suspension20
Tires21
1 other systems10

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

3 recalls

1985 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.

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

1985 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
7 investigations

NHTSA defect investigations

Federal investigations that included the 1985 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. SEAT BELT SEPARATIONEA91052 · closed Nov 24, 1992
    No recall
  4. STALLINGPE87028 · closed Jan 21, 1988
    No recall
  5. HALFSHAFT FAILUREPE88034 · closed Sep 19, 1988
    No recall
  6. SPEED CONTROL MALFUNCTIONPE89118 · closed Sep 6, 1989
    No recall
  7. 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.

MY 1985 FORD TEMPO GL HAS 3 RECALLS AND FORD SAYS IT DOESN'T. VIN# [XXX] 1.ECU DEFECTIVE THROTTLE REMAINS PARTIALLY OPENED OEM # 85V134000, 2.BACK TIRE REAR CONTROL ARM SPINDLE BOLT OEM # 85V086000, 3.FUEL PUMP OEM # 07E064000.WHERE DO I GO FROM HERE? *TR
Complaint 10381366 · Feb 9, 2011 · 72,000 miles
AFTER DRIVING FOR A WHILE, IGNITION SWITCH AND STEERING COLUMN GETS HOT; IGNITION KEY BECOMES REAL HOT; DIFFICULT TO HOLD/REMOVE WITH HAND. *AK
Complaint 984874 · May 28, 1996
THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN A LOT AND THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE FROM THE IGNITON SWITCH. *AK CONSUMER STATES THE WHOLE DASH WAS BURNED UP. *SLC
Complaint 983535 · Apr 25, 1996

Own a 1985 Tempo?

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