1985 Ford TEMPO problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
22 owner complaints analyzed
3 distinct recall campaigns
72,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1985 model year. Data snapshot: . 1 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Electrical System:Ignition:Switch is the most frequently named component, appearing in 5 of 22 complaints (22.7%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Engine operation | 4 | 18.2% |
| Steering behavior | 2 | 9.1% |
| Braking behavior | 1 | 4.5% |
| Fuel system concerns | 1 | 4.5% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Electrical System:Ignition:Switch | 5 |
| Electrical System:Ignition | 3 |
| Electrical System:Ignition:Module | 3 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 3 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline | 2 |
| Air Bags:Frontal | 1 |
| Electrical System:Wiring:Front Underhood | 1 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System | 1 |
Electrical System:Ignition:Switch: 5; Electrical System:Ignition: 3; Electrical System:Ignition:Module: 3; Vehicle Speed Control: 3; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline: 2; Air Bags:Frontal: 1; Electrical System:Wiring:Front Underhood: 1; Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System: 1
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 0 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 0 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 1 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 0 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 0 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 0; 25,000 to 49,999: 0; 50,000 to 74,999: 1; 75,000 to 99,999: 0; 100,000 to 149,999: 0; 150,000 and above: 0
50,000 to 74,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (1). 21 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 1995 | 5 |
| 1996 | 7 |
| 2000 | 5 |
| 2001 | 2 |
| 2002 | 2 |
| 2011 | 1 |
1995: 5; 1996: 7; 2000: 5; 2001: 2; 2002: 2; 2011: 1
Pattern summary
Electrical System:Ignition:Switch leads the component reports. Engine operation appears in 4 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 2 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 1 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 734103 · 2000-10-12 (October 12, 2000)
ELECTRONIC MODULE ON DISTRIBUTOR FAULTY AND CAUSED CAR TO STALL AT HIGHWAY SPEED. NARROWLY AVOIDED HAVING AN ACCIDENT WHEN ENGINE DIED. FORD CHARGED FOR A NEW PART BUT OTHER CARS MAY STILL HAVE THIS FAULTY PART PUTTING THE PUBLIC AT RISK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 734103 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 734929 · 2000-10-23 (October 23, 2000)
THE CAR DIES AT ANY TIME, ANYWHERE, MY MECHANIC SAYS IT IS A FAULTY MODULE. I AM IN GREAT DANGER OF THE SAFETY OF MY CHILD AND MYSELF. SOMETHING MUST BE DONE ON THIS VEHICLE, AS I HAVE BEEN STALLED NUMEROUS TIMES ON THE RAILROAD TRACKS. PLEASE DO SOMETHING ABOUT THE RECALL OF THIS MODULE.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 734929 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 754839 · 2001-11-24 (November 24, 2001)
CAR STALLS WHEN STEERING WHEEL TURNED SHARPLY. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 754839 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 984874 · 1996-05-28 (May 28, 1996)
AFTER DRIVING FOR A WHILE, IGNITION SWITCH AND STEERING COLUMN GETS HOT; IGNITION KEY BECOMES REAL HOT; DIFFICULT TO HOLD/REMOVE WITH HAND. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 984874 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 969385 · 1995-07-25 (July 25, 1995)
WHEN BRAKES PRESS, VEHICLE INCREASE IN POWER, POSSIBLE DEFECTIVE COMPUTER. TT
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 969385 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10381366 · 2011-02-09 (February 9, 2011)
MY 1985 FORD TEMPO GL HAS 3 RECALLS AND FORD SAYS IT DOESN'T. VIN# [XXX] 1.ECU DEFECTIVE THROTTLE REMAINS PARTIALLY OPENED OEM # 85V134000, 2.BACK TIRE REAR CONTROL ARM SPINDLE BOLT OEM # 85V086000, 3.FUEL PUMP OEM # 07E064000.WHERE DO I GO FROM HERE? *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 72,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10381366 at NHTSA ↗