1984 Ford TEMPO: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
13 owner complaints analyzed
6 distinct recall campaigns
70,651 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1984 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 13 complaints (38.5%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical and battery issues | 3 | 23.1% |
| Transmission and shifting | 1 | 7.7% |
| Engine operation | 1 | 7.7% |
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 | 1 |
| Electrical System:12v/24v/48v Battery | 1 |
| Electrical System:Ignition:Module | 1 |
| Electrical System:Wiring:Interior/Under Dash | 1 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System:Fan | 1 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline | 1 |
Electrical System:Ignition:Switch: 5; Electrical System:Ignition: 3; Electrical System: 1; Electrical System:12v/24v/48v Battery: 1; Electrical System:Ignition:Module: 1; Electrical System:Wiring:Interior/Under Dash: 1; Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System:Fan: 1; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline: 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). 12 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 | 4 |
| 1996 | 6 |
| 2000 | 1 |
| 2001 | 1 |
| 2004 | 1 |
1995: 4; 1996: 6; 2000: 1; 2001: 1; 2004: 1
Pattern summary
Electrical System:Ignition:Switch leads the component reports. Electrical and battery issues appears in 3 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 1 complaint narratives. Engine operation 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.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10055466 · 2004-03-17 (March 17, 2004)
CLASS ACTION FOR FORD TFI MODULE IN FORD TEMPO. *PH THE CONSUMER WAS REIMBURSED FOR THE REPLACEMENT TFI MODULE, HOWEVER HE WAS NOT REIMBURSED FOR THE LABOR AND TOWING BECAUSE THE COST WAS NOT LISTED ON THE INVOICE, BUT IT WAS ON THE PREVIOUS INVOICE WHEN THE PROBLEM WAS THOUGHT TO BE THE IGNITION SWITCH, IT WAS SOON DISCOVERED THE IGNITION SWITCH WAS NOT THE PROBLEM WHEN THE VEHICLE BROKE DOWN THE NEXT DAY. *JB *NM
Owner-reported narrative. 70,651 miles reported. Look up ODI 10055466 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 479631 · 1995-05-08 (May 8, 1995)
DRIVER'S SEAT BELT RETRACTOR FAILED. (2ND VEHICLE ON 486028) *AW
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 479631 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 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 504441 · 1996-05-05 (May 5, 1996)
IGNITION SWITCH FIRE. *SD
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 504441 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 557272 · 2000-11-13 (November 13, 2000)
WHILE DRIVING, THE ENGINE WILL SHUT OFF, POSSIBLY RELATED TO THE TFI MODULE. *SLC
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 557272 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 559354 · 2001-02-01 (February 1, 2001)
WHILE DRIVING THE ENGINE SHUTS OFF, VARIOUS PARTS REPLACED BUT DID NOT RECTIFY SITUATION, POSSIBLY THE TFI MODULE. *CJ
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 559354 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
6 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
83V055000 · Interior Lighting
Reported: 1983-05-16 (May 16, 1983)
IN THE EVENT OF A SHORT CIRCUIT IN THE INSTRUMENT PANEL, THE HEADLAMP AND INTERIOR ILLUMINATION CONTROL SWITCHES COULD OVERHEAT.
Remedy: THE HEADLAMP SWITCH WILL BE REPLACED AND FUSE AND FUSE PANEL WILL BE INSPECTED FOR SAFE OPERATION.
NHTSA campaign record ↗83V134000 · Seat Belts:Front:Anchorage
Reported: 1983-12-20 (December 20, 1983)
THE BOLTS THAT ATTACH THE D-SHAPED RING FOR THE SHOULDER BELT ARE INADEQUATELY SUPPORTED BY THE MATERIAL IN WHICH THEY ARE MOUNTED. THE ATTACHMENT DOES NOT COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 210, "SEAT BELT ASSEMBLY ANCHORAGES".
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL NEW ATTACHING HARDWARE TO IMPROVE THE STRENGTH OF THE MOUNTING.
NHTSA campaign record ↗84V071000 · Seats
Reported: 1984-06-15 (June 15, 1984)
SEAT FRAME STRUCTURE COULD SEVER FRONT SEAT BELTS IF VEHICLE IS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT, DEPENDING ON FORCE OF IMPACT.
Remedy: DEALER WILL INSTALL A MOLDED SPACER BETWEEN REINFORCEMENT PLATES AND LOWER DECORATIVE PLASTIC COVER.
NHTSA campaign record ↗85V086000 · Suspension:Rear
Reported: 1985-07-03 (July 3, 1985)
REAR SUSPENSION CONTROL ARM-TO-SPINDLE ATTACHMENT BOLTS MAY BE SUBJECT TO FRACTURE DURING USE OF CAR. CONSEQUENCE OF DEFECT: IF BOLTS FRACTURE, REAR SPINDLE COULD DISENGAGE FROM CONTROL ARM AND POSSIBLY RESULT IN LOSS OF CONTROL.
Remedy: REPLACE REAR SUSPENSION BOLTS AS NECESSARY.
NHTSA campaign record ↗85V145000 · Suspension:Rear
Reported: 1985-11-05 (November 5, 1985)
REAR SUPENSION CONTROL ARM-TO-SPINDLE ATTACHMENT BOLTS MAY BE SUBJECT TO FRACTURE CAUSING THE REAR SPINDLE TO SEPARATE DURING USE OF CAR. CONSEQUENCE OF DEFECT: IF BOLTS FRACTURE AND REAR SPINDLE DISENGAGES FROM CONTROL ARM, LOSS OF CONTROL WILL BE EXPERIENCE WHICH MAY RESULT IN AN ACCIDENT.
Remedy: REPLACE REAR SUSPENSION BOLTS AS NECESSARY.
NHTSA campaign record ↗86V082000 · Seats
Reported: 1986-06-24 (June 24, 1986)
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. CONSEQUENCE OF DEFECT: IF THIS BOLT BREAKS, THE DRIVER AND SEAT BACK WILL FALL BACK, WHICH COULD RESULT IN THE DRIVER LOSING CONTROL OF THE CAR AND POSSIBLY LEAD TO AN ACCIDENT.
Remedy: REPLACE SCREWS THAT ATTACH DRIVER'S SEAT BACK ASSEMBLY TO THE SEAT CUSHION FRAME.
NHTSA campaign record ↗