Model year record

1985 Ford Tempo

3 recall campaigns on file for this model year. 40 owner complaints on file.

Recalls

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 85V134000

Electrical system: ignition: module

Component
Electrical system: ignition: module
Manufacturer
FORD MOTOR COMPANY
Vehicles affected
3,988
Reported to NHTSA
1985-10-22

Defect description

THE UNEXPECTED OPEN THROTTLE CAUSES AN INCREASE IN ENGINE SPEED WHICH COULD RESULT IN LOSS OF CONTROL OF THE CAR AND A POTENTIAL CRASH. CONSEQUENCE OF DEFECT: THE ELECTRONIC ENGINE CONTROL PROCESSOR MAY EXPERIENCE AN INTERMITTENT TIMING PROBLEM. THIS PROBLEM CAUSES IMPROPER EXECUTION ENGINE PERFORMANCE WHICH MAY MAINTAIN OR CAUSE A PARTIALLY OPEN THROTTLE.

Manufacturer remedy

REPLACE ELECTRONIC ENGINE CONTROL PROCESSOR, IF 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.

Owner complaints

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

ComponentComplaintsMedian mileage
Electrical system: ignition: switch5
Electrical system: ignition: module472,000 mi
Electrical system: ignition3
Engine and engine cooling: engine3
Steering: steering wheel/handle bar3
Vehicle speed control3
Air bags: frontal2
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline2
Electrical system: wiring: front underhood1
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system1
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: emission control1
Fuel system, gasoline172,000 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery1
Fuel system, gasoline: fuel injection system1
Power train172,000 mi
Power train: clutch assembly1
Steering: hydraulic power assist: hose, piping, and connections1
Suspension172,000 mi
Suspension: rear1
Tires1
Tires: tread/belt1
Unknown or other1
Wheels: rim1

The 1984 model has 2 times as many complaints as this one. The 1986 model has roughly the same number of 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.