1988 Ford TEMPO problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
84 owner complaints analyzed
2 distinct recall campaigns
34,790 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1988 model year. Data snapshot: . 3 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Electrical System:Ignition:Switch is the most frequently named component, appearing in 12 of 84 complaints (14.3%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Engine operation | 10 | 11.9% |
| Braking behavior | 10 | 11.9% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 9 | 10.7% |
| Steering behavior | 4 | 4.8% |
| Transmission and shifting | 2 | 2.4% |
| Fuel system concerns | 1 | 1.2% |
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 | 12 |
| Electrical System:Ignition | 10 |
| Electrical System:Alternator/Generator/Regulator | 7 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 7 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline | 6 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Drum | 5 |
| Seat Belts | 4 |
| Seat Belts:Front:Buckle Assembly | 4 |
Electrical System:Ignition:Switch: 12; Electrical System:Ignition: 10; Electrical System:Alternator/Generator/Regulator: 7; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine: 7; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline: 6; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Drum: 5; Seat Belts: 4; Seat Belts:Front:Buckle Assembly: 4
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 1 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 2 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 0 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 0 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 0 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 1; 25,000 to 49,999: 2; 50,000 to 74,999: 0; 75,000 to 99,999: 0; 100,000 to 149,999: 0; 150,000 and above: 0
25,000 to 49,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (2). 81 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 | 19 |
| 1996 | 34 |
| 2000 | 9 |
| 2001 | 10 |
| 2002 | 4 |
| 2003 | 4 |
| 2004 | 1 |
| 2005 | 2 |
| 2015 | 1 |
1995: 19; 1996: 34; 2000: 9; 2001: 10; 2002: 4; 2003: 4; 2004: 1; 2005: 2; 2015: 1
Pattern summary
Electrical System:Ignition:Switch leads the component reports. Engine operation appears in 10 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 10 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 9 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 10017750 · 2003-05-08 (May 8, 2003)
WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE STALLED. *AK *NLM
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10017750 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 484429 · 1995-07-20 (July 20, 1995)
VEHICLE STALLS UPON STOPPING AT STOP SIGNS/TRAFFIC LIGHTS. *AW
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 484429 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10127897 · 2005-07-08 (July 8, 2005)
DT: THE CONSUMER STATED SHE IS HAVING RETRACTION PROBLEMS WITH HER SEAT BELT. THE SEAT BELT IS NOT RETRACTING CORRECTLY FROM THE LAP BELT, FROM THE BUCKLE TO THE DOOR POST. THIS IS HAPPENING ON THE DRIVERS SIDE ONLY. THE SEAT BELT IS ALLOWING TOO MUCH WEBBING AND NOT RETRACTING ALL THE WAY BACK INTO THE HOLDER ON THE DOOR POST. WHEN THE DRIVER IS APPLYING BRAKE PRESSURE, THE SEAT BELT IS NOT HOLDING THE DRIVER SECURELY AND SAFELY IN THE SEAT. THE CONSUMER STATED THE DEALERSHIP WHERE SHE BOUGHT THE VEHICLE FROM HAS NOW GONE OUT OF BUSINESS AND S…
Owner-reported narrative. 34,790 miles reported. Look up ODI 10127897 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 501259 · 1995-12-13 (December 13, 1995)
REAR BRAKE DRUM RUSTED, CAUSING FAILURE OF BRAKE. *SD
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 501259 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10052515 · 2004-01-06 (January 6, 2004)
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 AWAY.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10052515 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 509066 · 1996-09-25 (September 25, 1996)
REPLACED ALTERNATOR FOUR TIMES, ALSO REPLACED WIRING HARNESS. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 509066 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 983031 · 1996-04-17 (April 17, 1996)
WHILE DRIVING, ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS NOTICED SMOKE COMING FRON STEERING COLUMN, NO FIRE. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 983031 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 983897 · 1996-05-01 (May 1, 1996)
THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE IN THE STEERING COLUMN NEAR THE IGNITON SWITCH. PLEASE DESCRIBE. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 983897 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10121481 · 2005-05-12 (May 12, 2005)
CONSUMER IS REQUESTING FREE REPAIRS TO 1988 FORD TEMPO GL'S TRANSMISSION AND MOTOR.*MR *NM
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10121481 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 479628 · 1995-04-14 (April 14, 1995)
TRANSMISSION SLIPS.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 479628 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 959133 · 1995-01-25 (January 25, 1995)
DEFECTIVE FUEL PUMP CAUSING VEHICLE TO STALL. TT
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 959133 at NHTSA ↗