Model year record

1994 Ford Tempo

1 recall campaign on file for this model year. 212 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.

Owner complaints

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

ComponentComplaintsMedian mileage
Engine and engine cooling: engine2099,900 mi
Seat belts17
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline13
Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly13
Electrical system: ignition12
Seat belts: front: webbing7
Air bags: frontal6
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe6
Power train: automatic transmission6
Vehicle speed control6
Seat belts: front: retractor5
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components5
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: rotor5
Unknown or other5
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: fuel pump4
Electrical system: wiring: interior/under dash3
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system3
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline: belts and associated pulleys3
Seat belts: front: anchorage3
Seat belts: front: buckle assembly3
Steering: linkages: tie rod assembly3
Suspension: rear3
Visibility: power window devices and controls3
Visibility: windshield wiper/washer3
Electrical system: ignition: switch2
Electrical system: wiring2
Fuel system, gasoline275,000 mi
Seat belts: front2
Seats: front assembly: recliner2
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc2
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: caliper2
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: pads2
Steering: steering wheel/handle bar2
Structure: body: door2
Structure: body: hatchback/liftgate: support device/strut2
Vehicle speed control: cruise control2
Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system2
Air bags1
Air bags: side/window1
Electrical system: 12V/24V/48V battery1
Electrical system: ignition: module1
Electrical system: wiring: front underhood1
Engine and engine cooling1137,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system: fan1
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system1
Exterior lighting: headlights1
Fuel system, gasoline: carburetor system1
Fuel system, gasoline: fuel injection system1
Fuel system, gasoline: storage: auxillary tank1
Power train1
Power train: manual transmission1
Seats1
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip1
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: drum1
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: drum: wheel cylinders1
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: master cylinder1
Steering: linkages1
Structure: body: door: hinge and attachments1
Structure: body: hood1
Suspension: front1
Suspension: front: control arm1
Vehicle speed control: accelerator pedal1
Vehicle speed control: linkages1
Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system: heater core1
Visibility: glass, side/rear1
Visibility: windshield wiper/washer: motor1

The 1993 model has about half as many complaints as this one. The 1995 model has 35 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.