1988 Ford TEMPO: complaints, problems and recalls
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.
Examples from the source records
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 10018053 · 2003-05-02 (May 2, 2003)
THE VEHICLE VIBRATED WHILE DRIVING. THE TIRES WERE BALANCED YET THE VIBRATION STILL OCCURRED. *NLM
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10018053 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10018059 · 2003-05-02 (May 2, 2003)
THE TREAD OF THE TIRE FAILED (BRIDGESTONE WEATHER FORCE TIRE). *NLM
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10018059 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10018062 · 2003-11-18 (November 18, 2003)
THE TREADS OF THE TIRE WARPED WITH ONLY 10000 MILES ON IT (FIRESTONE LEMANS RADIAL AT). *NLM SHORTLY AFTER THE TIRE WAS CHANGED A FIRE STARTED UNDER THE HOOD. *NLM
Owner-reported narrative. 5,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10018062 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 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 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 10750222 · 2015-08-21 (August 21, 2015)
ACK UP.NMENGINE LIGHT COMES ON AND MOTOR DIES. STARTS RIGHT.
Owner-reported narrative. 49,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10750222 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
2 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
88V024000 · Vehicle Speed Control
Reported: 1988-03-01 (March 1, 1988)
TWO ATTACHMENT SCREWS FOR THE THROTTLE POSITION SENSORS COULD LOOSEN AND BACK OUT.
Consequence: IF BOTH SCREWS COME OUT, SENSORS COULD DISENGAGE FROMTHE THROTTLE SHAFT, PREVENTING RETURN OF THE THROTTLE FROM MID POSITION.
Remedy: REPLACE ATTACHMENT SCREWS WITH SCREWS WITH PRE APPLIED ADHESIVE THAT WILL BE TIGHTENED TO A HIGHER TORQUE SPECIFICATION.
NHTSA campaign record ↗96V071000 · Electrical System:Ignition
Reported: 1996-04-25 (April 25, 1996)
THE IGNITION SWITCH COULD EXPERIENCE AN INTERNAL SHORT CIRCUIT.
Consequence: THIS CONDITION COULD CAUSE OVERHEATING, SMOKE, AND POSSIBLY FIRE IN THE STEERING COLUMN AREA OF THE VEHICLE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE IGNITION SWITCH.
NHTSA campaign record ↗