Model year record

1993 Ford Tempo

2 recall campaigns on file for this model year. 316 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
Seat belts38—
Engine and engine cooling: engine2658,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline26—
Electrical system: ignition1895,000 mi
Power train: automatic transmission14—
Electrical system: ignition: switch922,400 mi
Seat belts: front: retractor9—
Seat belts: front: anchorage8—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: rotor8—
Vehicle speed control7—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components6—
Electrical system: ignition: module5—
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system5—
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system: fan5—
Seat belts: front: webbing5—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: pads5—
Unknown or other558,000 mi
Latches/locks/linkages: doors: latch4—
Power train4—
Steering: steering wheel/handle bar4—
Structure: body: door4—
Tires: tread/belt4—
Vehicle speed control: accelerator pedal4—
Air bags3—
Electrical system: horn3—
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system: radiator assembly3—
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings3—
Tires3—
Visibility: power window devices and controls3180,000 mi
Air bags: frontal2—
Air bags: frontal: sensor/control module2—
Electrical system240,000 mi
Electrical system: wiring: interior/under dash2—
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline: belts and associated pulleys2137,582 mi
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system2—
Equipment2—
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: fuel pump2—
Fuel system, gasoline: fuel injection system2—
Seat belts: front2—
Seat belts: front: buckle assembly2—
Seats2—
Seats: front assembly: recliner2—
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip2—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: caliper2—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: drum: shoes/linings2—
Steering: linkages: tie rod assembly2—
Structure: body: door: hinge and attachments2—
Suspension: rear2—
Visibility: windshield wiper/washer2—
Electrical system: 12V/24V/48V battery1—
Electrical system: alternator/generator/regulator1—
Engine and engine cooling1—
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: emission control: catalytic convertor1—
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: emission control: gas recirculation valve (EGR valve)1—
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe1—
Equipment: appliance: air conditioner1—
Exterior lighting1—
Exterior lighting: hazard flashing warning lights: switch1—
Fuel system, gasoline1—
Fuel system, gasoline: carburetor system1—
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery1—
Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly1—
Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly: filler pipe and cap1—
Fuel system, other178,000 mi
Fuel system, other: delivery1—
Fuel system, other: delivery: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings1—
Interior lighting1—
Power train: automatic transmission: torque converter1—
Power train: axle assembly: axle shaft: seal1—
Power train: driveline: driveshaft1—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc1—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: master cylinder1—
Service brakes, hydraulic: power assist1—
Service brakes, hydraulic: power assist: hydraulic1—
Steering: column1—
Structure: frame and members1—
Suspension: front: control arm: lower ball joint1—
Suspension: front: stabilizer bar1—
Tires: sidewall1—
Vehicle speed control: cables1—
Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system: windshield: electrical heating element1—
Visibility: windshield1—
Wheels: hub1—
Wheels: lugs/nuts/bolts/studs1—

The 1992 model has roughly the same number of complaints as this one. The 1994 model has about 1.5 times as many 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.