Model year record

1988 Ford Tempo

2 recall campaigns on file for this model year. 176 owner complaints on file.

Ford Tempo, 1988–1994 generation
Pictured: the 1988–1994 generation. IFCAR, Public domain · Wikimedia Commons

Recalls

Recall campaignNHTSA 96V071000

Electrical system: ignition

Component
Electrical system: ignition
Manufacturer
FORD MOTOR COMPANY
Vehicles affected
7,900,000
Reported to NHTSA
1996-04-25
Owners notified
1996-06-07

Defect description

THE IGNITION SWITCH COULD EXPERIENCE AN INTERNAL SHORT CIRCUIT.

Safety risk

THIS CONDITION COULD CAUSE OVERHEATING, SMOKE, AND POSSIBLY FIRE IN THE STEERING COLUMN AREA OF THE VEHICLE.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE IGNITION SWITCH.

Recall campaignNHTSA 88V024000

Vehicle speed control

Component
Vehicle speed control
Manufacturer
FORD MOTOR COMPANY
Vehicles affected
91,000
Reported to NHTSA
1988-03-01
Owners notified
1988-03-18

Defect description

TWO ATTACHMENT SCREWS FOR THE THROTTLE POSITION SENSORS COULD LOOSEN AND BACK OUT.

Safety risk

IF BOTH SCREWS COME OUT, SENSORS COULD DISENGAGE FROMTHE THROTTLE SHAFT, PREVENTING RETURN OF THE THROTTLE FROM MID POSITION.

Manufacturer remedy

REPLACE ATTACHMENT SCREWS WITH SCREWS WITH PRE APPLIED ADHESIVE THAT WILL BE TIGHTENED TO A HIGHER TORQUE SPECIFICATION.

Owner complaints

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

ComponentComplaintsMedian mileage
Electrical system: ignition: switch21—
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline17—
Electrical system: alternator/generator/regulator13—
Electrical system: ignition12—
Engine and engine cooling: engine75,000 mi
Electrical system: wiring: front underhood6—
Seat belts6—
Exterior lighting: headlights5—
Seat belts: front: buckle assembly5—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: drum5—
Electrical system: wiring3—
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe3—
Fuel system, gasoline3—
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: fuel pump3—
Seat belts: front: retractor3—
Tires3—
Vehicle speed control3—
Electrical system249,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system: fan2—
Exterior lighting: turn signal2—
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery2—
Fuel system, gasoline: fuel injection system2—
Parking brake: conventional2—
Power train: automatic transmission2—
Seat belts: front234,790 mi
Seats: front assembly: recliner2—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components2—
Air bags: frontal1—
Electrical system: starter assembly1—
Electrical system: wiring: interior/under dash1—
Engine149,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system1—
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system: radiator assembly1—
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system1—
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: emission control1—
Equipment: appliance: air conditioner1—
Exterior lighting: brake lights: switch1—
Fuel system, gasoline: carburetor system1—
Interior lighting1—
Power train1—
Power train: driveline: constant velocity joint1—
Power train: driveline: universal joint1—
Power train: manual transmission1—
Seat belts: front: anchorage1—
Seat belts: front: warning light/devices1—
Seat belts: front: webbing1—
Seats1—
Seats: front assembly: power adjust1—
Service brakes, air: antilock: wheel speed sensor1—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings1—
Steering1—
Steering: steering wheel/handle bar1—
Steering: rack and pinion1—
Structure: body: door1—
Structure: body: tailgate: hinge and attachments1—
Suspension1—
Suspension: front1—
Tires: tread/belt1—
Tires: valve1—
Unknown or other1—
Vehicle speed control: cruise control1—
Vehicle speed control: linkages1—
Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system: heater core1—
Visibility: windshield1—
Visibility: windshield wiper/washer: motor1—

The 1987 model has 2 times as many complaints as this one. The 1989 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.

Other Ford Tempo model years

All Ford Tempo recalls by year

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.