Model year record

1993 Ford Tempo

2 recall campaigns on file for this model year. 316 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
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.

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.