1991 Ford TEMPO: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
73 owner complaints analyzed
1 distinct recall campaigns
67,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1991 model year. Data snapshot: . 6 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline is the most frequently named component, appearing in 9 of 73 complaints (12.3%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Engine operation | 19 | 26.0% |
| Braking behavior | 11 | 15.1% |
| Fuel system concerns | 5 | 6.8% |
| Transmission and shifting | 3 | 4.1% |
| Steering behavior | 3 | 4.1% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 2 | 2.7% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline | 9 |
| Electrical System:Ignition | 7 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Drum | 6 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 5 |
| Electrical System:Alternator/Generator/Regulator | 4 |
| Electrical System:Ignition:Switch | 4 |
| Seats:Front Assembly:Recliner | 4 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 4 |
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline: 9; Electrical System:Ignition: 7; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Drum: 6; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine: 5; Electrical System:Alternator/Generator/Regulator: 4; Electrical System:Ignition:Switch: 4; Seats:Front Assembly:Recliner: 4; Vehicle Speed Control: 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 | 0 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 3 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 0 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 1 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 2 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 0; 25,000 to 49,999: 3; 50,000 to 74,999: 0; 75,000 to 99,999: 1; 100,000 to 149,999: 2; 150,000 and above: 0
25,000 to 49,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (3). 67 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 | 20 |
| 1996 | 21 |
| 2000 | 10 |
| 2001 | 10 |
| 2002 | 3 |
| 2003 | 2 |
| 2004 | 2 |
| 2005 | 1 |
| 2006 | 1 |
| 2007 | 1 |
| 2008 | 2 |
1995: 20; 1996: 21; 2000: 10; 2001: 10; 2002: 3; 2003: 2; 2004: 2; 2005: 1; 2006: 1; 2007: 1; 2008: 2
Pattern summary
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline leads the component reports. Engine operation appears in 19 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 11 complaint narratives. Fuel system concerns appears in 5 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 10015743 · 2003-04-14 (April 14, 2003)
WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN UP AN INCLINE THE TRANSMISSION SLIPPED OUT OF GEAR WHICH CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO SLIDE BACKWARD. *NLM
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10015743 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10018597 · 2003-05-13 (May 13, 2003)
DOOR OPERATED SHOULDER BELT FAILED, IT SEEMS THAT THERE IS A LARGE NUMBER OF THIS THING HAPPENING, ACCORDING TO THE MECHANICS IN THIS AREA. NO PART OF RESTRAINT SYSTEM SHOULD EVER FAIL. MANUFACTURERS HAVE DISCONTINUED USING THIS. WONDER WHY? *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 89,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10018597 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10067760 · 2004-04-24 (April 24, 2004)
TRAVELING AT A SPEED OF 60 MPH THE CAR BEGAN TO SLOW DOWN RAPIDLY THE WINDSHIELDWIPERS BEGAN SLOWING DOWN AND THE CAR WAS LOSING POWER A NEW ALTERNATOR WAS INSTALLED A WEEK PRIOR WHEN I POPPED THE HOOD THERE WAS A SMELL OF BURNING WIRES AND THE WIRES COMING FROM THE CAR TO THE ALTERNATOR WERE COMPLETELY MELTED, AND THERE WAS NO CONNECTION TO THE ALTERNATOR. THE TERMINAL WAS REPLACED AND THE ALTERNATOR WAS ALSO REPLACED, I DROVE 45 MILES FROM THE SHOP TO MY HOUSE AND CHECK UNDER THE HOOD THE CABLE ENTERING THE ALTERNATOR HAD ALREADY BEGAN TO ME…
Owner-reported narrative. 112,633 miles reported. Look up ODI 10067760 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10074147 · 2004-06-22 (June 22, 2004)
INTERMITTENTLY FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE AUTOMATIC SEAT BELT RETRACTOR FAILED TO FUNCTION. DEALERSHIP HAS REPLACED THE SEAT BELT RETRACTOR MOTOR TWICE, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. *AK *NM
Owner-reported narrative. 105,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10074147 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10127279 · 2005-07-01 (July 1, 2005)
DT: THE CALLER TOOK VEHICLE TO A REPAIR SHOP FOR BRAKES, ROTORS, PADS AND CALIPERS REPAIRS. THE VEHICLE CAME BACK IN WORSE SHAPE THAN IT WAS BEFORE THE REPAIRS. THE CAR WAS MUCH HARDER TO HANDLE, AND SHOOK VIOLENTLY. WHEN APPLYING BRAKES THE STEERING WHEEL SHOOK VIOLENTLY AND STEERED TO THE LEFT. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS DROPPED OFF ON JUNE 21, 2005 THE GAS TANK WAS FULL, AND THE TRIP ODOMETER HAD JUST BEEN RESET, AND MILEAGE WAS 0. CONSUMER PICKED UP THE CAR 6 DAYS LATER AND THE CAR WAS ON EMPTY AND THE TRIP ODOMETER SHOWED 136 MILES. THE…
Owner-reported narrative. 40,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10127279 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10155201 · 2006-04-06 (April 6, 2006)
CONSUMER PURCHASED A 1991 TEMPO AND WAS UNAWARE OF THE DEFECTS. *TS *JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10155201 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10207171 · 2007-10-23 (October 23, 2007)
1991 FORD TEMPO STARTED SMOKING AND THEN DEBRIS FLEW OFF AND HIT THE VEHICLE BEHIND HER. *KB THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE STALLED AS SHE ATTEMPTED TO PULL OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE CONSUMER EXITED THE VEHICLE AND LOOKED UNDER IT AND DISCOVERED OIL WAS LEAKING AND PIECE OF FROM THE VEHICLE WAS MISSING. (OHIO TRAFFIC CRASH REPORT)*JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10207171 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10249702 · 2008-11-24 (November 24, 2008)
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1991 FORD TEMPO. THE MANUFACTURER INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT HIS VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 96V071000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION), ALTHOUGH THE FAILURES WERE IDENTICAL. THE DEALER WOULD NOT HONOR THE RECALL. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 45,000.
Owner-reported narrative. 45,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10249702 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
1 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
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 ↗