Ford TEMPO problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
727 owner complaints analyzed
11 distinct recall campaigns
82,948 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1981 to 2000 model years. Data snapshot: . 38 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Electrical System:Ignition is the most frequently named component, appearing in 87 of 727 complaints (12.0%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Engine operation | 119 | 16.4% |
| Braking behavior | 99 | 13.6% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 61 | 8.4% |
| Steering behavior | 57 | 7.8% |
| Fuel system concerns | 31 | 4.3% |
| Transmission and shifting | 21 | 2.9% |
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 | 87 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline | 65 |
| Electrical System:Ignition:Switch | 60 |
| Seat Belts | 54 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 50 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Drum | 35 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 33 |
| Electrical System:Alternator/Generator/Regulator | 27 |
Electrical System:Ignition: 87; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline: 65; Electrical System:Ignition:Switch: 60; Seat Belts: 54; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine: 50; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Drum: 35; Vehicle Speed Control: 33; Electrical System:Alternator/Generator/Regulator: 27
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 3 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 6 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 5 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 13 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 9 |
| 150,000 and above | 2 |
Under 25,000: 3; 25,000 to 49,999: 6; 50,000 to 74,999: 5; 75,000 to 99,999: 13; 100,000 to 149,999: 9; 150,000 and above: 2
75,000 to 99,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (13). 689 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 | 159 |
| 1996 | 237 |
| 2000 | 137 |
| 2001 | 81 |
| 2002 | 40 |
| 2003 | 28 |
| 2004 | 17 |
| 2005 | 9 |
| 2006 | 3 |
| 2007 | 2 |
| 2008 | 7 |
| 2009 | 1 |
| 2010 | 2 |
| 2011 | 2 |
| 2014 | 1 |
| 2015 | 1 |
1995: 159; 1996: 237; 2000: 137; 2001: 81; 2002: 40; 2003: 28; 2004: 17; 2005: 9; 2006: 3; 2007: 2; 2008: 7; 2009: 1; 2010: 2; 2011: 2; 2014: 1; 2015: 1
Pattern summary
Electrical System:Ignition leads the component reports. Engine operation appears in 119 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 99 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 61 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 490856 · 1995-12-31 (December 31, 1995)
DISTRIBUTOR FAILED TWICE, CAUSING VEHICLE TO STALL.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 490856 at NHTSA ↗
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 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 488691 · 1995-09-28 (September 28, 1995)
BRAKES REPLACED. *SD
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 488691 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 504584 · 1996-05-11 (May 11, 1996)
WIRING HARNESS UNDER DASH SHORTED OUT, CAUSING FIRE. *DH
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 504584 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 982946 · 1996-04-18 (April 18, 1996)
WHILE PARKED, AN ELECTRICAL SHORT OR SHOCK CAUSED THE VEHICLE IGNITION SWITCH TO CATCH ON FIRE. PLEASE DESCRIBE.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 982946 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 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 ↗
Owner report 731436 · 2000-09-14 (September 14, 2000)
CAR WONT RESTART AFTER IT HAS BEEN DRIVIN AND OR STOPPED AT IDLE SPEED. CAUSING ME TO BE STRANDED CONTINUALLY. FORD MOTOR WAS SUPPOSE TO FIX THE FUEL PUMP , BUT INSTEAD REPLACED TFI SWITCH AND TWO OTHER SENSORS , BUT AM STILL HAVING SAME SYMTOMS SENT CAR BACK AND NOW THEY TELL ME ITS THE FUEL PUMP WICH IS WHY I TOOK THE CAR TO THEM TO BEGIN WITH.. THEN I HERE ON THE NEWS ABOUT THIS TFI SWITCH THAT FORD MOTOR CHARGED ME AN ARM A LEG AND A FOOT FOR 640.00... I SEE A COVER UP OR SOMTHING IS NOT RIGHT AT MY EXPENSE.. NOT TO MENTION THE STEARIN…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 731436 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 483986 · 1995-09-09 (September 9, 1995)
TRANSMISSION FAILED WITHOUT WARNING. *TW
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 483986 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 ↗
Recalls by model year
All campaigns in the snapshot affecting each model year, including recalls announced years later.
Recall campaigns
Shared campaigns appear once in each affected model year.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 1984 | 6 |
| 1985 | 3 |
| 1986 | 0 |
| 1987 | 1 |
| 1988 | 2 |
| 1989 | 1 |
| 1990 | 1 |
| 1991 | 1 |
| 1992 | 2 |
| 1993 | 2 |
| 1994 | 1 |
| 1995 | 0 |
| 1996 | 0 |
| 1997 | 0 |
| 1998 | 0 |
| 1999 | 0 |
| 2000 | 0 |
1984: 6; 1985: 3; 1986: 0; 1987: 1; 1988: 2; 1989: 1; 1990: 1; 1991: 1; 1992: 2; 1993: 2; 1994: 1; 1995: 0; 1996: 0; 1997: 0; 1998: 0; 1999: 0; 2000: 0