Model year record

1992 Ford Tempo

2 recall campaigns on file for this model year. 264 owner complaints on file.

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

Recalls

Recall campaignNHTSA 97V019000

Engine and engine cooling: cooling system: fan

Component
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system: fan
Manufacturer
FORD MOTOR COMPANY
Vehicles affected
75,200
Reported to NHTSA
1997-02-25
Owners notified
1997-03-31

Defect description

THESE VEHICLES ARE ORIGINALLY SOLD OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE FOLLOWING STATES: ALASKA, IOWA, MINNESOTA, NEBRASKA, NORTH DAKOTA, AND SOUTH DAKOTA. THE VEHICLES INVOLVED ARE 1992-1994 TEMPO/TOPAZ VEHICLES WITH 3.0L ENGINES; 1994 TEMPO/TOPAZ WITH 2.3L ENGINES; 1992-1995 TAURUS/SABLE WITH 3.8L ENGINES; 1994-1995 TAURUS/SABLE WITH 3.0L ENGINES AND 1992-1994 LINCOLN CONTINENTAL VEHICLES WITH 3.8L ENGINES. DURING HIGH WINDS, HEAVY, BLOWING AND DRIFTING SNOW, AND LOW TEMPERATURES, THE ENGINE COOLING FAN CAN BECOME BLOCKED OR FROZEN WITH SNOW. THE FAN MOTOR MAY NOT ROTATE AND COULD OVERHEAT.

Safety risk

THIS CONDITION CAN CAUSE SMOKE OR FLAMES FROM THE FAN AND/OR SHROUD, THE FAN ELECTRICAL WIRING, OR THE FAN MOTOR RESULTING IN A VEHICLE FIRE.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL INSTALL AN ELECTRICAL JUMPER HARNESS CONTAINING AN AUTOMATIC RESETTING CIRCUIT BREAKER TO PROTECT THE FAN MOTOR LOW SPEED CIRCUITRY FROM OVERHEATING.

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.

Owner complaints

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

ComponentComplaintsMedian mileage
Engine and engine cooling: engine2889,000 mi
Seat belts21170,000 mi
Electrical system: ignition17—
Electrical system: ignition: switch15—
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline11—
Vehicle speed control10—
Seat belts: front: retractor9102,000 mi
Unknown or other9100,000 mi
Air bags: frontal7—
Power train: automatic transmission7—
Seat belts: front: anchorage7—
Vehicle speed control: cruise control5—
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system: fan4—
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: fuel pump4—
Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly4—
Power train4170,000 mi
Seat belts: front: webbing4—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: caliper4—
Electrical system3—
Electrical system: ignition: module3—
Electrical system: wiring3—
Electrical system: wiring: interior/under dash3—
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: emission control: catalytic convertor366,000 mi
Exterior lighting: headlights3—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components3—
Steering: steering wheel/handle bar3—
Suspension: front3—
Electrical system: 12V/24V/48V battery: cables2—
Electrical system: horn2—
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system2—
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline: belts and associated pulleys2—
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: emission control2—
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: emission control: gas recirculation valve (EGR valve)2—
Equipment: appliance: air conditioner2—
Exterior lighting2170,000 mi
Fuel system, gasoline2170,000 mi
Latches/locks/linkages: doors: latch2—
Service brakes, hydraulic2170,000 mi
Steering2170,000 mi
Steering: hydraulic power assist system2—
Steering: linkages: tie rod assembly2—
Structure: body: door2—
Structure: body: trunk lid2—
Suspension2—
Wheels2170,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling1170,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe1—
Equipment: electrical1—
Equipment: mechanical: accessory scissor/screw/bottle jack/lift1—
Exterior lighting: brake lights1—
Fuel system, gasoline: fuel injection system1—
Power train: axle assembly: axle shaft1—
Power train: manual transmission1—
Seat belts: front1—
Seat belts: front: buckle assembly1—
Seats: front assembly: recliner1—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: pads1—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: rotor1—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: drum: drum1—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: drum: shoes/linings1—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: drum: wheel cylinders1—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: master cylinder1—
Steering: linkages1—
Steering: linkages: knuckle: spindle: arm1—
Steering: rack and pinion1—
Structure: body: door: hinge and attachments1—
Structure: body: hood1—
Suspension: front: control arm1—
Suspension: front: shock absorber1—
Suspension: front: stabilizer bar1104,650 mi
Vehicle speed control: accelerator pedal1—
Visibility1170,000 mi
Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system1—
Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system: heater core1—
Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system: windshield: electrical heating element1—
Visibility: rearview mirrors/devices: exterior1—

The 1991 model has 2 times as many complaints as this one. The 1993 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.