Complaints by model year
Distinct federal complaints filed against each model year of the Ford Tempo, to date. Hover a bar for the count. Older years have had longer to accumulate filings; the rankings below correct for that.
1981
1984
1985
1986
1987
1988
1989
1990
1991
1992
1993
1994
1995
1996
1997
1998
1999
2000
Highest totals within an 8-year windowAll other years
Model years compared
Ranked from the same federal record on an equal exposure window. Click any year for its full file.
Highest complaint totals
- 1993 Ford Tempo - 200 complaints in its first 8 years (227 to date)
- 1992 Ford Tempo - 155 complaints in its first 8 years (176 to date)
- 1994 Ford Tempo - 152 complaints in its first 8 years (161 to date)
Ranked on distinct complaints filed within eight years of the model year, so old and new years get the same exposure window. Not adjusted for sales volume; a best-selling year files more complaints at the same failure rate.
Lowest totals among mature years
- 1991 Ford Tempo - 78 complaints in its first 8 years (110 to date)
- 1990 Ford Tempo - 90 complaints in its first 8 years (133 to date)
- 1994 Ford Tempo - 152 complaints in its first 8 years (161 to date)
Same eight-year window, among model years old enough to have completed it and with at least 25 complaints in it. Model years before 1990 are excluded because the federal file begins in 1995. A low total is not proof of reliability.
What owners report, all years combined
Every model year
| Model year | Complaints to date | Within 8 years | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2000 Ford Tempo | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| 1999 Ford Tempo | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| 1998 Ford Tempo | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| 1997 Ford Tempo | 2 | 2 | 0 |
| 1996 Ford Tempo | 2 | 2 | 0 |
| 1995 Ford Tempo | 3 | 3 | 0 |
| 1994 Ford Tempo | 161 | 152 | 1 |
| 1993 Ford Tempo | 227 | 200 | 2 |
| 1992 Ford Tempo | 176 | 155 | 2 |
| 1991 Ford Tempo | 110 | 78 | 1 |
| 1990 Ford Tempo | 133 | 90 | 1 |
| 1989 Ford Tempo | 124 | 70 | 1 |
| 1988 Ford Tempo | 126 | 57 | 2 |
| 1987 Ford Tempo | 53 | 7 | 1 |
| 1986 Ford Tempo | 31 | 0 | 0 |
| 1985 Ford Tempo | 30 | 0 | 3 |
| 1984 Ford Tempo | 14 | 0 | 6 |
| 1981 Ford Tempo | 2 | 0 | 0 |
Recall campaigns, all years
Every campaign filed against this model, with the model years it covers. Safety-recall remedies are normally provided at no charge. Under US federal law the mandatory free remedy applies when the vehicle was no more than 15 years old at the time the defect was determined; manufacturers often cover older vehicles voluntarily. Canadian rules differ. Confirm eligibility with the manufacturer using the VIN.
| Campaign | Years | Component | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| 97V019000 | 1992-1994 | Engine And Engine Cooling | THESE VEHICLES ARE ORIGINALLY SOLD OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE FOLLOWING STATES: ALASKA, IOWA, MINNESOTA, NEBRASKA, NORTH DAKOTA, AND SOUTH DAKOTA. |
| 96V071000 | 1988-1993 | Electrical System | THE IGNITION SWITCH COULD EXPERIENCE AN INTERNAL SHORT CIRCUIT. |
| 88V024000 | 1988 | Vehicle Speed Control | TWO ATTACHMENT SCREWS FOR THE THROTTLE POSITION SENSORS COULD LOOSEN AND BACK OUT. |
| 87V060000 | 1987 | Wheels | LUG NUTS COULD GALL AND POSSIBLY SEIZE ON THE WHEEL STUDS WITHOUT PROVIDING ADEQUATE CLAMPING LOAD ON THE WHEELS. |
| 86V082000 | 1984 | Seats | THE FORWARD BOLT THAT PROVIDES PART OF THE ATTACHMENT BETWEEN THE DRIVER'S SEAT BACK ASSEMBLY AND THE SEAT CUSHION FRAME MAY BE SUBJECT TO FATIGUE FRACTURE. |
| 85V145000 | 1984-1985 | Suspension | REAR SUPENSION CONTROL ARM-TO-SPINDLE ATTACHMENT BOLTS MAY BE SUBJECT TO FRACTURE CAUSING THE REAR SPINDLE TO SEPARATE DURING USE OF CAR. |
| 85V134000 | 1985 | Electrical System | THE UNEXPECTED OPEN THROTTLE CAUSES AN INCREASE IN ENGINE SPEED WHICH COULD RESULT IN LOSS OF CONTROL OF THE CAR AND A POTENTIAL CRASH. |
| 85V086000 | 1984-1985 | Suspension | REAR SUSPENSION CONTROL ARM-TO-SPINDLE ATTACHMENT BOLTS MAY BE SUBJECT TO FRACTURE DURING USE OF CAR. |
| 84V071000 | 1984 | Seats | SEAT FRAME STRUCTURE COULD SEVER FRONT SEAT BELTS IF VEHICLE IS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT, DEPENDING ON FORCE OF IMPACT. |
| 83V134000 | 1984 | Seat Belts | THE BOLTS THAT ATTACH THE D-SHAPED RING FOR THE SHOULDER BELT ARE INADEQUATELY SUPPORTED BY THE MATERIAL IN WHICH THEY ARE MOUNTED. |
| 83V055000 | 1984 | Interior Lighting | IN THE EVENT OF A SHORT CIRCUIT IN THE INSTRUMENT PANEL, THE HEADLAMP AND INTERIOR ILLUMINATION CONTROL SWITCHES COULD OVERHEAT. |