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1986 Ford TempoProblems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 31 owner complaints about the 1986 Ford Tempo, most often about the electrical system. It has no vehicle safety recalls on record.

78
CarFlaw IndexOne of the best years72% below the Tempo median · #9 of 11 years by complaints
Safety recalls0None on recordOwner complaints3113 with a crash, fire or injuryTypical failure mileage90kElectrical system, median miles

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through November 4, 2011. Updated daily.

Complaints by system

Where the 1986 Ford Tempo has problems

31 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 system159
Service brakes, hydraulic40
Power train31
Vehicle speed control21
Engine and engine cooling20
Steering20
Fuel system, gasoline20
Air bags11
Visibility11
6 other systems60

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

0 recalls

1986 Ford Tempo recalls and how many were fixed

No vehicle safety recalls are on record for this model year.

Best & worst years

1986 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
10 investigations

NHTSA defect investigations

Federal investigations that included the 1986 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. SPEED CNTRL MALFUNCTIONEA89037 · closed Nov 30, 1990
    No recall
  4. SEAT BELT SEPARATIONEA91052 · closed Nov 24, 1992
    No recall
  5. STALLINGPE87028 · closed Jan 21, 1988
    No recall
  6. HALFSHAFT FAILUREPE88034 · closed Sep 19, 1988
    No recall
  7. SPEED CONTROL MALFUNCTIONPE89118 · closed Sep 6, 1989
    No recall
  8. FUEL PUMP FAILUREPE91025 · closed Apr 10, 1991
    No recall
  9. SAFETY BELT CUT AT WEBBINGPE91098 · closed Nov 27, 1991
    No recall
  10. 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.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1986 FORD TEMPO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE THEY ADVISED HIM THAT THE IGNITION MODULE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND THEY OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE…
Complaint 10434235 · Nov 4, 2011 · 80,000 miles
DT: THE CONTACT STATED WHEN EXITING THE VEHICLE SHE SMELLED AN ODD ODOR. UPON REENTERING AND STARING THE VEHICLE WHITE SMOKE CAME FROM UNDER THE HOOD. WHEN CHECKING UNDER THE HOOD SHE SAW FLAMES COMING OUT. SHE IMMEDIATELY CALLED 911. THE FIRE WENT OUT ON ITS OWN BEFORE THE FIRE DEPARTMENT ARRIVED.…
Complaint 10145189 · Dec 14, 2005 · 100,560 miles
CONSUMER WENT TO START UP CAR AND WENT BACK INTO THE HOUSE. CONSUMER CAME BACK OUT AND CAR WAS SMOKING'. CONSUMER SHUT OFF CAR. WENT BACK INSIDE, AND WHEN CONSUMER RETURNED, THE ENTIRE CAR WAS ON FIRE. CONSUMER HAS NOT CONTACTED THE DEALER YET. *AK
Complaint 851402 · Oct 21, 1999

Own a 1986 Tempo?

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