Model year record

1992 Ford Tempo

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

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.

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.