Model year record

1994 Ford Tempo

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

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.

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.