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1994 Ford TempoProblems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 161 owner complaints about the 1994 Ford Tempo, most often about the engine and engine cooling. It is covered by 1 safety recall.

46
CarFlaw IndexSolid year1.2× the Tempo median · #4 of 11 years by complaints
Safety recalls1Free fix at dealersOwner complaints16137 with a crash, fire or injuryTypical failure mileage118kEngine and engine cooling, median miles

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through November 12, 2010. Updated daily.

Complaints by system

Where the 1994 Ford Tempo has problems

161 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 cooling452
Seat belts367
Fuel system, gasoline210
Electrical system194
Service brakes, hydraulic154
Visibility90
Vehicle speed control92
Power train80
Air bags77
5 other systems182

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

1 recall

1994 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

Cooling system: fan

Recall 97V-019 · Feb 25, 1997 · 75,200 vehicles

Risk. THIS CONDITION CAN CAUSE SMOKE OR FLAMES FROM THE FAN AND/OR SHROUD, THE FAN ELECTRICAL WIRING, OR THE FAN MOTOR RESULTING IN A VEHICLE FIRE.

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

1994 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
NHTSA crash tests

1994 Ford Tempo safety ratings

1994 Ford Tempo 4-DR in NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program. Photos are from NHTSA's crash tests.

  • Stability control: No
  • Forward collision warning: No
  • Lane departure warning: No
2 investigations

NHTSA defect investigations

Federal investigations that included the 1994 Ford Tempo, and the recalls they led to.

  1. ENGINE COOLING FAN FIRESEA96024 · closed Apr 15, 1997
    Led to recall 97V-019
  2. 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.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1994 FORD TEMPO. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE ENGINE STALLED AND THE SERVICE ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE RESTARTED AFTER TEN MINUTES. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN INSPECTED BY A DEALER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 99,900 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 100,000.
Complaint 10220183 · Mar 5, 2008 · 99,900 miles
WHILE DRIVING AT 40 MPH THE HEATING LEVEL WENT UP. THE CONSUMER PROCEEDED TO THE STORE TO PURCHASE ANTIFREEZE, NOTICED THE VEHICLE SMOKING, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON, THE CONSUMER GOT OUT OF THE VEHICLE, AND THE VEHICLE BURST INTO FLAMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALED.*AK......*AK IN THE TIME THE…
Complaint 10107181 · Jan 11, 2005 · 137,000 miles
I HAVE HAD MULTIPLE PROBLEMS WITH THE VEHICLE STALLING. AT A STOP, THE VEHICLE'S IDLE SPEED VARIES AND STARTS TO SHAKE AND WILL STALL IF I DON'T PUT THE CAR IN NEUTRAL. SOMETIMES IT HAS STALLED EVEN AFTER PUTTING IT IN NEUTRAL. I HAVE RECENTLY HAD A TUNE-UP AND MY GAS FILTER REPLACED, WITH NO…
Complaint 10065642 · Apr 6, 2004 · 82,895 miles

Own a 1994 Tempo?

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