no report yet
Electrical system: ignition
Risk. THIS CONDITION COULD CAUSE OVERHEATING, SMOKE, AND POSSIBLY FIRE IN THE STEERING COLUMN AREA OF THE VEHICLE.
1988 Ford TempoProblems, recalls & complaints
NHTSA has logged 126 owner complaints about the 1988 Ford Tempo, most often about the electrical system. It is covered by 2 safety recalls.
Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through August 21, 2015. Updated daily.
Complaints by system
Where the 1988 Ford Tempo has problems
126 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.
50Electrical system26 crash/fire/injury
26Engine and engine cooling5 crash/fire/injury
16Seat belts1 crash/fire/injury
11Fuel system, gasoline6 crash/fire/injury
8Service brakes, hydraulic
7Exterior lighting
5Tires
5Power train
4Vehicle speed control
2111 other systems3 crash/fire/injury
| System | Complaints | Crash, fire or injury |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical system | 50 | 26 |
| Engine and engine cooling | 26 | 5 |
| Seat belts | 16 | 1 |
| Fuel system, gasoline | 11 | 6 |
| Service brakes, hydraulic | 8 | 1 |
| Exterior lighting | 7 | 2 |
| Tires | 5 | 0 |
| Power train | 5 | 0 |
| Vehicle speed control | 4 | 2 |
| 11 other systems | 21 | 3 |
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.
2 recalls
1988 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.
no report yet
Vehicle speed control
Risk. IF BOTH SCREWS COME OUT, SENSORS COULD DISENGAGE FROMTHE THROTTLE SHAFT, PREVENTING RETURN OF THE THROTTLE FROM MID POSITION.
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
1988 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
5 investigations
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal investigations that included the 1988 Ford Tempo, and the recalls they led to.
- REAR BRAKE SYSTEM FAILURENo recall
- FAILED PASSIVE RESTRAINTNo recall
- THROTTLE STICKINGNo recall
- SEAT BELT SEPARATIONNo recall
- REAR BRK ADJUSTER FAILURENo recall
In owners' words
What Tempo owners report
Recent electrical system complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.
SMELLED HOT WIRE SMELL WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY. NOTICED 1 INCH FLAME IN LEFT AIRVENT WHICH GREW TO 5 INCHES WHEN STOPPED CAR. UNHOOKED BATTERY, POURED LIQUID OVER DASHBOARD WHICH WAS ON FIRE, CLOSED DOOR, WAITED FOR FIRETRUCK. I THINK IT STARTED IN HEADLIGHT SWITCH. CAR TOTALED, MOST OF DASH BURNT…
NHTSA RECALL96V 071000/ MANUFACTURER'S RECALL 95S28 CONCERNING IGNITION FAI;URE. CONSUMER NOTICED FROM OUTSIDE WINDOW THAT VEHICLE WAS ON FIRE. VEHICLE HAD BEEN SITTING I DRIVEWAY FOR 30-45 MINUTES AFTER BEING DRIVEN HOME. VEHICLE HAD FLAMES COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. CONSUMER WAS CONFIRMING…
CAR CAUGHT ON FIRE IN IGNITION SWITCH. CAR WAS TOTALED. *AK CONSUMER STATES APPROXIMATELY 2 BLOCKS FROM HOME CONSUMER SMELLED SMOKE AND THEN SAW SMOKE COMING UP FROM THE STEERING COLUMN, WENT APPROXIMATELY 100 TO 125 FEET STOPPED, HEARD A POPPING SOUND TURNED OFF KEY SAT IN VEHICLE FOR ABOUT 2…
Own a 1988 Tempo?
Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.