Ford Tempo recalls and complaints by year
Comprehensive recall and complaint data for the Ford Tempo, sourced from official National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) records.
Last updated: (NHTSA data snapshot)
At a Glance
Stats focus on model years from 1960 onwards. Earlier years appear in the detailed table below where data exists.
Ask About This Model
Get plain-language explanations of recalls and complaints for the Ford Tempo. Powered by AI, backed by NHTSA data.
Key Takeaways
A quick scan of where recalls and complaints concentrate for the Ford Tempo, based on aggregated NHTSA counts and campaign metadata.
- Coverage spans model years 1981–2000 with 20 recall campaigns and 1649 complaints in NHTSA data.
- Years with the most recall activity: 1984 (6), 1985 (3), and 1993 (2).
- Years with the most complaint volume: 1993 (316), 1992 (264), and 1994 (212).
- Top recall themes: Seats and restraints, Electrical, and Other.
- Most reported complaint areas (across all years): Engine and engine cooling:engine:gasoline, Electrical system:ignition, Seat belts.
- Complaints are not proof of a defect, but repeated themes can be useful signals when researching a used vehicle.
- Always check your specific VIN for open recalls (open recalls are VIN-specific and can change over time).
Recall Themes
Instead of listing long campaign narratives, this groups recall campaigns into a few recurring areas. Each theme links back to official notices as evidence.
Seats and restraints
3 campaigns · Years: 1984These campaigns relate to seats, belts, airbags restraint integration, or child restraint anchoring components.
Electrical
2 campaigns · Years: 1985, 1988–1993These campaigns relate to wiring or electrical components that can cause warning lights, loss of function, or fire risk in some cases.
Other
2 campaigns · Years: 1987–1988These campaigns do not fit a single dominant theme, or the component taxonomy is broad.
Steering and suspension
2 campaigns · Years: 1984–1985These campaigns relate to steering or suspension components that can affect vehicle control or stability.
Engine and cooling
1 campaign · Years: 1992–1994These campaigns relate to engine or cooling components where failures can lead to stalling or overheating risk.
- 97V019000 · Engine and engine cooling: Fan
Visibility and lighting
1 campaign · Years: 1984These campaigns relate to lighting, glass, or visibility components (lamps, wipers, and related systems).
- 83V055000 · Interior lighting
Most Reported Issues
Across all model years, the most frequently reported areas for the Ford Tempo in NHTSA complaint data are Engine and engine cooling:engine:gasoline, Electrical system:ignition, Seat belts.
Jump to Model Year
Year-by-Year Overview
Each row shows how often this model appears in NHTSA recalls and consumer complaints for a given model year. These are counts of campaigns and complaints, not risk predictions.
| Model Year | Recalls | Complaints | Details |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2000 | 0 | 1 |
Complaints recorded; no recall campaigns issued.
Top complaint areas: Engine and engine cooling:engine. |
| 1999 | 0 | 1 |
Complaints recorded; no recall campaigns issued.
Top complaint areas: Visibility:windshield wiper/washer. |
| 1998 | 0 | 1 |
Complaints recorded; no recall campaigns issued.
Top complaint areas: Electrical system:ignition. |
| 1997 | 0 | 3 |
Complaints recorded; no recall campaigns issued.
Top complaint areas: Service brakes, hydraulic:foundation components:disc:rotor, Tires, Seats:front assembly:recliner. |
| 1996 | 0 | 2 |
Complaints recorded; no recall campaigns issued.
Top complaint areas: Power train:axle assembly:axle shaft, Power train:automatic transmission:lever and linkage:floor shift. |
| 1995 | 0 | 6 |
Complaints recorded; no recall campaigns issued.
Top complaint areas: Tires:tread/belt, Electrical system:ignition:module, Seat belts. |
| 1994 | 1 | 212 |
Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Engine and engine cooling:engine, Seat belts, Engine and engine cooling:engine:gasoline. |
| 1993 | 2 | 316 |
Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Seat belts, Engine and engine cooling:engine, Engine and engine cooling:engine:gasoline. |
| 1992 | 2 | 264 |
Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Engine and engine cooling:engine, Seat belts, Electrical system:ignition. |
| 1991 | 1 | 143 |
Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Engine and engine cooling:engine:gasoline, Electrical system:ignition, Engine and engine cooling:engine. |
| 1990 | 1 | 174 |
Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Electrical system:ignition, Seat belts, Electrical system:ignition:switch. |
| 1989 | 1 | 168 |
Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Engine and engine cooling:engine:gasoline, Exterior lighting:headlights, Service brakes, hydraulic:foundation components:drum. |
| 1988 | 2 | 176 |
Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Electrical system:ignition:switch, Engine and engine cooling:engine:gasoline, Electrical system:alternator/generator/regulator. |
| 1987 | 1 | 79 |
Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Electrical system:ignition:switch, Engine and engine cooling:engine:gasoline, Electrical system:alternator/generator/regulator. |
| 1986 | 0 | 42 |
Complaints recorded; no recall campaigns issued.
Top complaint areas: Electrical system:ignition:switch, Electrical system:ignition, Electrical system. |
| 1985 | 3 | 40 |
Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Electrical system:ignition:switch, Electrical system:ignition:module, Engine and engine cooling:engine. |
| 1984 | 6 | 19 |
Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Electrical system:ignition:switch, Electrical system:ignition, Electrical system:12v/24v/48v battery. |
| 1981 | 0 | 2 |
Complaints recorded; no recall campaigns issued.
Top complaint areas: Steering:linkages, Electrical system:ignition:switch. |
What to Do Next
- Check open recalls by VIN on the official NHTSA site (open recalls are VIN-specific).
- If buying used, ask for proof of recall remedy completion (dealer paperwork helps).
- If symptoms match common complaint themes, consider a mechanic inspection before purchase or long trips.
Recall Evidence by Year
A compact evidence view of recall campaigns that include this model. The default text is an original summary line, with official notice text available on demand.
Most common areas involved: Electrical system , Suspension and Engine and engine cooling
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Explore recall and complaint data for other Ford models.
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- B-750 2002–2002
- B600 1981–1994
- B6000 1986–1986
- B700 1981–1994
- B7000 1981–1987
- B800 1995–1997
- Bronco 1981–2027
- Bronco II 1983–1990
- Bronco Sport 2021–2027
- C-Max 2013–2018
- C600 1981–1986
- C700 1981–1986
- C7000 1981–1987
- C800 1981–1990
- C8000 1981–1990
- CF6000 1981–1990
- CF7000 1981–1996
- CF8000 1981–1997
- CFT8000 1981–1997
- Contour 1995–2000
- Crown Victoria 1987–2011
- CT800 1981–1983
- CT8000 1981–1990
- E-100 1981–1983
- E-150 1981–2014
- E-250 1981–2014
- E-350 1981–2027
- E-450 1995–2027
- E-550 2002–2015
- Ecosport 2018–2027
- Edge 2007–2027
- Escape 2001–2027
- Escort 1981–2002
- Excursion 2000–2005
- Expedition 1997–2027
- Explorer 1991–2027
- Explorer Sport 2003–2003
- Explorer Sport Trac 2001–2010
- F-100 1981–1983
- F-150 1981–2027
- F-250 1981–2027
- F-350 1981–2027
- F-450 1999–2027
- F-550 1999–2027
- F-600 1981–2027
- F-650 2000–2027
- F-700 1981–1998
- F-750 2000–2027
- F-800 1981–2002
- F-Super Duty 1981–1997
- F6000 1981–1985
- F7000 1981–1987
- F8000 1981–1987
- Fairmont 1981–1983
- Festiva 1988–1994
- Fiesta 2011–2027
- Five Hundred 2005–2007
- Flex 2009–2027
- Focus 2000–2027
- Freestar 2004–2007
- Freestyle 2005–2007
- FT800 1981–1990
- FT8000 1981–1987
- FT900 1981–1998
- Fusion 2006–2020
- Granada 1981–1982
- GT 2004–2022
- L800 1981–1984
- L8000 1981–1997
- L8501 1997–1998
- L9000 1981–1997
- LA9000 1981–1997
- LL9000 1981–1997
- LN600 1981–1985
- LN700 1981–1986
- LN7000 1981–1997
- LN800 1981–1984
- LN8000 1981–1997
- LN9000 1981–1997
- LNT800 1981–1984
- LNT8000 1981–1997
- LNT9000 1981–1997
- LS8000 1981–1997
- LS9000 1981–1997
- LT800 1981–1984
- LT8000 1981–1997
- LT9000 1981–1997
- LTA9000 1981–1997
- LTD 1981–1986
- LTL9000 1981–1997
- LTS8000 1981–1997
- LTS9000 1981–1997
- Maverick 2022–2027
- Mustang 1981–2027
- Mustang Mach-E 2021–2027
- P600 1981–1994
- P800 1995–1997
- Probe 1988–1997
- Ranger 1982–2027
- Taurus 1986–2019
- Taurus X 2008–2009
- Thunderbird 1981–2005
- Transit 2015–2027
- Transit Connect 2010–2027
- Windstar 1995–2003
⚠️ Important Safety Information
Recall Explained provides independent analysis of official NHTSA data. This site does not replace the official NHTSA VIN lookup and should not be treated as legal or safety advice for your specific vehicle.
For any safety concerns: Always check your VIN on the official NHTSA site and contact an authorized dealer.