NHTSA files every complaint against a named sub-assembly, not just a
system. This is the difference between knowing it was "the engine" and
knowing which part of it — the list to hand a mechanic.
Switch
733.3%
Ignition
419.0%
Linkage AND Cable
29.5%
Pump
29.5%
Gasoline
29.5%
Foundation Components
29.5%
Hoses, Lines/Piping, AND Fittings
14.8%
Constant Velocity Joint
14.8%
When owners complained
A spike years after the car went on sale usually means a part wearing
out on schedule across the whole fleet — the kind of pattern no single
owner can see from inside their own car.
Feb 1995peak 14Nov 2011
NHTSA investigations into the 1986 Ford Tempo
An investigation is the step before a recall: the agency has seen enough
complaints to look into a pattern itself. An open one means it thinks
something may be wrong and nothing has been fixed yet.
PE96005Opened 19 Jan 1996Closed 28 May 1996SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
REAR BRK ADJUSTER FAILURE
1984 - 1991 FORD TEMPO/MERCURY TOPAZ
DP96002Opened 11 Jan 1996Closed 19 Jan 1996SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
REAR BRAKE SYSTEM FAILURE
EA91052Opened 27 Nov 1991Closed 24 Nov 1992SEAT BELTS
SEAT BELT SEPARATION
PE91098Opened 12 Jul 1991Closed 27 Nov 1991SEAT BELTS:FRONT:WEBBING
SAFETY BELT CUT AT WEBBING
PE91025Opened 17 Dec 1990Closed 10 Apr 1991VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:LINKAGES
FUEL PUMP FAILURE
EA89037Opened 6 Sep 1989Closed 30 Nov 1990EQUIPMENT
PE88034Opened 18 Mar 1988Closed 19 Sep 1988POWER TRAIN
HALFSHAFT FAILURE
SUMMARY:THE SUBJECT VEHICLES MAY BE EQUIPPED WITH EITHER A 2.3 LITER4 CYLINDER ENGINE OR A 2.0 LITER DIESEL ENGINE.THE TRANSAXLE MAY BEEITHER A 5 SPEED MANUAL OR A 3 SPEED AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION.THEHALFSHAFT ASSEMBLIES ARE IDENTICAL FOR AUTOMATIC AND MANUAL USE, BUT THERIGHT INTERCONNECTING SHAFT ON A DIESEL EQUIPPED VEHICLE DOES NOT HAVE ATORSIONAL DAMPER.THE 1987 MODEL VEHICLES (GAS OR DIESEL) DO NOT USE THETORSIONAL DAMPER.THE RIGHT SIDE INTERCONNECTING SHAFT IS LONGER THANTHE LEFT SIDE SHAFT (25 INCHES VERSUS 12 INCHES).MOST OF THE REPORTED FAILURES INVOLVE THE RIGHT HALFSHAFT ASSEMBLY.FAI...
Recalls on the 1986 Ford Tempo
A complaint is one owner's allegation. A recall is the point at which
the manufacturer or a regulator agreed the defect is real and dangerous
enough to fix for free — however old the car is.
Canada — Transport Canada
Canada runs its own recall programme, and its campaigns do not
always mirror the American ones.
Recall 198909970,606 units in Canada
Emissions
THESE VEHICLES MAY NOT COMPLY WITH C.M.V.S.S. 1103 - EXHAUST EMISSIONS. THE CENTRAL FUEL INJECTOR (CFI) MAY OPERATE RICH DURING CERTAIN OPERATING CONDITIONS. CORRECTION: IMPROVED CFI FUEL INJECTORS WILL BE INSTALLED AND IDLE SPEED WILL BE ADJUSTED.
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
at 100,560 milesNEW Brunswick, NJFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR
DT: THE CONTACT STATED WHEN EXITING THE VEHICLE SHE SMELLED AN ODD ODOR. UPON REENTERING AND STARING THE VEHICLE WHITE SMOKE CAME FROM UNDER THE HOOD. WHEN CHECKING UNDER THE HOOD SHE SAW FLAMES COMING OUT. SHE IMMEDIATELY CALLED 911. THE FIRE WENT OUT ON ITS OWN BEFORE THE FIRE DEPARTMENT ARRIVED. A POLICE REPORT WAS TAKEN AT THE SCENE. THE ALTERNATOR APPEARED TO BE THE SOURCE OF THE FIRE. THE PLUG TO THE ALTERNATOR MELTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. A REPLACEMENT ALTERNATOR WAS PURCHASED, BUT THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED.
NHTSA complaint #10145189 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Stevens Point, WIFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING
CONSUMER WENT TO START UP CAR AND WENT BACK INTO THE HOUSE. CONSUMER CAME BACK OUT AND CAR WAS SMOKING'. CONSUMER SHUT OFF CAR. WENT BACK INSIDE, AND WHEN CONSUMER RETURNED, THE ENTIRE CAR WAS ON FIRE. CONSUMER HAS NOT CONTACTED THE DEALER YET.
NHTSA complaint #851402 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Carbondale, ILFire
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:MOTOR
VEHICLE WAS PARKED AND CAUGHT ON FIRE. FIRE DEPARTMENT STATED THAT THE WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR SHORTED OUT, CAUSING THE FIRE. ALSO DASHBOARD MELTED.
NHTSA complaint #817107 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Seymour, INFire
POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION
GEARS JUMPED FROM PARK TO DRIVE AND THEN CAUGHT FIRE. PLEASE GIVE MORE INFORMATION.
NHTSA complaint #802352 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
NHTSA complaint #504248 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Seattle, WAFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM SHORTED, CAUSING FIRE. *DSH
NHTSA complaint #504106 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
at 80,000 milesOxnard, CA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1986 FORD TEMPO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE THEY ADVISED HIM THAT THE IGNITION MODULE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND THEY OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 80,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
NHTSA complaint #10434235 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 100,560 milesNEW Brunswick, NJFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR
DT: THE CONTACT STATED WHEN EXITING THE VEHICLE SHE SMELLED AN ODD ODOR. UPON REENTERING AND STARING THE VEHICLE WHITE SMOKE CAME FROM UNDER THE HOOD. WHEN CHECKING UNDER THE HOOD SHE SAW FLAMES COMING OUT. SHE IMMEDIATELY CALLED 911. THE FIRE WENT OUT ON ITS OWN BEFORE THE FIRE DEPARTMENT ARRIVED. A POLICE REPORT WAS TAKEN AT THE SCENE. THE ALTERNATOR APPEARED TO BE THE SOURCE OF THE FIRE. THE PLUG TO THE ALTERNATOR MELTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. A REPLACEMENT ALTERNATOR WAS PURCHASED, BUT THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED.
NHTSA complaint #10145189 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Pittsfield, ME
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
ON THE IGNITION PROBLEM, THE CAR DIED ON THE STATE HIGHWAY & I HAD TO GET TOWED TO MY MECHANIC. MY CAR WAS LAID UP FOR 16 DAYS. HE FINALLY FOUND OUT IT WAS THE IGNITION THAT WAS MALFUNCTIONING AFTER DOING A TROUBLESHOOTING START & STALLING CONDITION. IT COST ME 118.07 FO THE REPAIRS AND ANOTHER$30.00 FOR THE TOW. THIS HAS BEEN A PROBLEM EVEN BEFORE YOU DID THE RECALL. AND I WISH I COULD GET COMPENSATED FOR THE EXPENSENSE,BUT YOU SAID ONLY TO 100,000 MILES. I DONT THINK THAT IS FAIR! ON THE DRIVE TRAIN, I WAS DRIVING ALONG AND THN LOST POWER TO THE TRAIN, AND I COULD NOT STEER THE CAR. HAD TO COAST OFF TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THIS HAPPENED ON EASTER SUNDAY,AND THE STATE POLICE STOPPED AND TOLD ME I HAD TO MOVE THE CAR OFF THE ROAD AND I COULD NOT LEAVE IT THERE. I AGAIN HAD TO GET TOWED! THE DRIVE AXLE COST ME $100.00. IT JUST FELL OFF THE CAR AND THE MECHANIC COULD NOT UNDERSTAND WHY BECAUSE THE PINS WERE STILL INTACT. IT SHOULD NEVER HAD COME APART LIKE IT DID THEY SAID. IT DID NOT BREAK! IT JUST CAME APART.
NHTSA complaint #754610 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Depew, NY
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
VEHICLE STALLS INTERMITTENTLY, NO MATTER WHAT SPEED.
NHTSA complaint #877418 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
NEW Brunswick, NJ
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY
BATTERY WAS DEFECTIVE. THERE WERE THREE BATTERIES TESTED FROM PEP BOYS.
NHTSA complaint #873170 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Long Island, IL
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
WHILE DRIVING ABOUT ANY SPEED VEHICLE COULD ACCELERATE, EVEN WHEN STEPPING ON THE BRAKES.
NHTSA complaint #859156 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
West Springfield, MA
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
HEADLIGHTS ARE MALFUNCTIONING. DEALER SAYS THAT IT'S THE LENS. BUT THEY ARE OUT OF STOCK, AND HAVE NO IDEA WHEN THEY'LL BE IN. OWNER CANNOT PASS THE STATE SAFETY INSPECTION WITHOUT IT. *AK
NHTSA complaint #857487 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Stevens Point, WIFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING
CONSUMER WENT TO START UP CAR AND WENT BACK INTO THE HOUSE. CONSUMER CAME BACK OUT AND CAR WAS SMOKING'. CONSUMER SHUT OFF CAR. WENT BACK INSIDE, AND WHEN CONSUMER RETURNED, THE ENTIRE CAR WAS ON FIRE. CONSUMER HAS NOT CONTACTED THE DEALER YET.
NHTSA complaint #851402 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Colchester, CT
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:MODULE
INTERMITTENT STALLING; CONSUMER BELIEVED THIS PROBLEM WAS DUE TO A MALFUNCTIONING COMPUTER MODEL. VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED AND REPAIRS WERE MADE BY AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP AT CONSUMER EXPENSE OF APPROXIMATELY $600.00. CAN NHTSA PROVIDE INFORMATION OR HELP IN THIS MATTER.
NHTSA complaint #850651 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Gladstone, OR
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM
THE CAR EXCELLERATES ON ITS OWN/PEGS RPMS/THEN LUGS AND WONT RUN SMOOTHLY
NHTSA complaint #709061 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Boothbay, ME
STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST:PUMP
POWER STEERING PUMP FAILED.
NHTSA complaint #525458 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Boothbay, ME
SUSPENSION:REAR:SHOCK ABSORBER
SHOCKS FAILED.
NHTSA complaint #525458 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Boothbay, ME
POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:CONSTANT VELOCITY JOINT
CV JOINT FAILED.
NHTSA complaint #525458 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Boothbay, ME
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
BRAKE LINES/HOSES FAILED.
NHTSA complaint #525458 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Carbondale, ILFire
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:MOTOR
VEHICLE WAS PARKED AND CAUGHT ON FIRE. FIRE DEPARTMENT STATED THAT THE WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR SHORTED OUT, CAUSING THE FIRE. ALSO DASHBOARD MELTED.
NHTSA complaint #817107 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Lorain, OH
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
ENGINE IDLES HIGH, LOSES POWER OVER 20 MPH, AND STALLS INTERMITTENTLY.
NHTSA complaint #507275 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Alhambra, CA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
WHEN AT STOP SIGN AND MAKING A TURN THE CAR STALLS . PLEASE DESCRIBE.
NHTSA complaint #805321 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Seymour, INFire
POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION
GEARS JUMPED FROM PARK TO DRIVE AND THEN CAUGHT FIRE. PLEASE GIVE MORE INFORMATION.
NHTSA complaint #802352 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Schaeffers, PA
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DRUM
REAR BRAKE ADJUSTER FAILURE, CAUSING PARTIAL LOSS OF BRAKING ABILITY.
NHTSA complaint #504903 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.