Model year record

1984 Ford Tempo

6 recall campaigns on file for this model year. 19 owner complaints on file.

Recalls

Recall campaignNHTSA 86V082000

Seats

Component
Seats
Manufacturer
FORD MOTOR COMPANY
Vehicles affected
195,732
Reported to NHTSA
1986-06-24
Owners notified
1986-06-20

Defect description

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.

Manufacturer remedy

REPLACE SCREWS THAT ATTACH DRIVER'S SEAT BACK ASSEMBLY TO THE SEAT CUSHION FRAME.

Recall campaignNHTSA 85V145000

Suspension: rear

Component
Suspension: rear
Manufacturer
FORD MOTOR COMPANY
Vehicles affected
227,027
Reported to NHTSA
1985-11-05
Owners notified
1985-11-05

Defect description

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.

Manufacturer remedy

REPLACE REAR SUSPENSION BOLTS AS NECESSARY.

Recall campaignNHTSA 85V086000

Suspension: rear

Component
Suspension: rear
Manufacturer
FORD MOTOR COMPANY
Vehicles affected
226,729
Reported to NHTSA
1985-07-03

Defect description

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.

Manufacturer remedy

REPLACE REAR SUSPENSION BOLTS AS NECESSARY.

Recall campaignNHTSA 84V071000

Seats

Component
Seats
Manufacturer
FORD MOTOR COMPANY
Vehicles affected
261,400
Reported to NHTSA
1984-06-15
Owners notified
1984-08-14

Defect description

SEAT FRAME STRUCTURE COULD SEVER FRONT SEAT BELTS IF VEHICLE IS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT, DEPENDING ON FORCE OF IMPACT.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALER WILL INSTALL A MOLDED SPACER BETWEEN REINFORCEMENT PLATES AND LOWER DECORATIVE PLASTIC COVER.

Recall campaignNHTSA 83V134000

Seat belts: front: anchorage

Component
Seat belts: front: anchorage
Manufacturer
FORD MOTOR COMPANY
Vehicles affected
530,000
Reported to NHTSA
1983-12-20
Owners notified
1983-12-22

Defect description

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".

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL INSTALL NEW ATTACHING HARDWARE TO IMPROVE THE STRENGTH OF THE MOUNTING.

Recall campaignNHTSA 83V055000

Interior lighting

Component
Interior lighting
Manufacturer
FORD MOTOR COMPANY
Vehicles affected
626
Reported to NHTSA
1983-05-16
Owners notified
1983-05-04

Defect description

IN THE EVENT OF A SHORT CIRCUIT IN THE INSTRUMENT PANEL, THE HEADLAMP AND INTERIOR ILLUMINATION CONTROL SWITCHES COULD OVERHEAT.

Manufacturer remedy

THE HEADLAMP SWITCH WILL BE REPLACED AND FUSE AND FUSE PANEL WILL BE INSPECTED FOR SAFE OPERATION.

Owner complaints

A complaint is one person's report to a federal agency. It is not a finding.

ComponentComplaintsMedian mileage
Electrical system: ignition: switch6
Electrical system: ignition3
Electrical system170,651 mi
Electrical system: 12V/24V/48V battery1
Electrical system: ignition: module1
Electrical system: wiring: interior/under dash1
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system: fan1
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline1
Power train: automatic transmission1
Seat belts: front: retractor1
Seat belts: front: webbing1
Seats: front assembly: recliner1

The 1985 model has about half as many complaints as this one. These figures reflect raw complaint counts, not failure rates. Higher-selling model years naturally receive more complaints.

Safety recall repairs are provided free of charge by franchised dealers, regardless of vehicle age or mileage. This page displays aggregated data for the model year. To check recall status for a specific vehicle, search its VIN at nhtsa.gov.