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1991 Ford TempoProblems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 110 owner complaints about the 1991 Ford Tempo, most often about the engine and engine cooling. It is covered by 1 safety recall.

56
CarFlaw IndexSolid year21% below the Tempo median · #7 of 11 years by complaints
Safety recalls1Free fix at dealersOwner complaints11025 with a crash, fire or injuryTop problem31Engine and engine cooling

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through December 20, 2008. Updated daily.

Complaints by system

Where the 1991 Ford Tempo has problems

110 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
Engine and engine cooling313
Electrical system223
Service brakes, hydraulic181
Seat belts131
Fuel system, gasoline90
Vehicle speed control83
Seats84
Steering40
Visibility30
7 other systems93

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

1 recall

1991 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

Electrical system: ignition

Recall 96V-071 · Apr 25, 1996 · 7,900,000 vehicles

Risk. THIS CONDITION COULD CAUSE OVERHEATING, SMOKE, AND POSSIBLY FIRE IN THE STEERING COLUMN AREA OF THE VEHICLE.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

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

1991 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
4 investigations

NHTSA defect investigations

Federal investigations that included the 1991 Ford Tempo, and the recalls they led to.

  1. REAR BRAKE SYSTEM FAILUREDP96002 · closed Jan 19, 1996
    No recall
  2. ENGINE COOLING FAN FIRESEA96024 · closed Apr 15, 1997
    Led to recall 97V-019
  3. REAR BRK ADJUSTER FAILUREPE96005 · closed May 28, 1996
    No recall
  4. ENGINE COOLING FAN FIRESPE96033 · closed Sep 30, 1996
    Led to recall 97V-019
In owners' words

What Tempo owners report

Recent engine and engine cooling complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.

1991 FORD TEMPO STARTED SMOKING AND THEN DEBRIS FLEW OFF AND HIT THE VEHICLE BEHIND HER. *KB THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE STALLED AS SHE ATTEMPTED TO PULL OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE CONSUMER EXITED THE VEHICLE AND LOOKED UNDER IT AND DISCOVERED OIL WAS LEAKING AND PIECE OF FROM THE…
Complaint 10207171 · Oct 23, 2007
WHILE DRIVING ON FREEWAY PISTON ROD CAME LOOSE AND WENT THROUGH THE MOTOR CAUSED PIECES OF METAL TO FLY FROM CAR. PLEASE DESCRIBE. TT
Complaint 976421 · Dec 11, 1995
SILICONE SCREW GLUDED INTO ENGINE COMPARTMENT FELL OUT. OIL LEAKAGE ON HOUSING. COULD RESULT IN ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE. TT
Complaint 961362 · Mar 7, 1995

Own a 1991 Tempo?

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