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
2124.4%
Gasoline
1719.8%
Alternator/Generator/Regulator
1315.1%
Ignition
1214.0%
Engine
78.1%
Front Underhood
67.0%
Drum
55.8%
Buckle Assembly
55.8%
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.
Jan 1995peak 13Aug 2015
NHTSA investigations into the 1988 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
EA90042Opened 31 Aug 1990Closed 31 Dec 1991VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:LINKAGES
THROTTLE STICKING
EA90008Opened 27 Dec 1989Closed 31 Dec 1991SEAT BELTS
FAILED PASSIVE RESTRAINT
WE HAVE RECEIVED NUMEROUS REPORTS WHICH ALLEGE A MALFUNCTION OR FAILURE OF THE PASSIVE RESTRAINT SYSTEM.ADDITIONAL REPORTS ALLEGE THAT THE PASSIVE RESTRAINT SYSTEM FAILED TO RESTRAIN/ADEQUATELY PROTECT THE OCCUPANT DURING AN ACCIDENT
Recalls on the 1988 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 1995212834,368 units in Canada
Electrical
A SHORT CIRCUIT COULD DEVELOP IN THE IGNITION SWITCH THAT COULD LEAD TO OVERHEATING, SMOKE, AND POSSIBLY FIRE IN THE STEERING COLUMN OF THE VEHICLE. THIS CONDITION MAY OCCUR WHILE THE VEHICLE IS IN USE OR UNATTENDED. CORRECTION: IGNITION SWITCH WILL BE REPLACED WITH A REVISED DESIGN SWITCH.
Recall 198802719,050 units in Canada
Engine
THE ATTACHMENT SCREWS FOR THE THROTTLE POSITION SENSOR COULD LOOSEN AND BACK OUT ALLOWING THE THROTTLE SENSOR TO MOVE AWAY FROM THE THROTTLE SHAFT. A LOOSE SENSOR COULD PREVENT THE THROTTLE FROM RETURNING TO THE IDLE POSITION WHICH IN TURN COULD ADVERSELY AFFECT VEHICLE CONTROL. CORRECTION: ATTACHMENT SCREWS WILL BE REPLACED USING SCREWS WITH PRE-APPLIED ADHESIVE THAT WILL BE TIGHTENED TO A HIGHER TORQUE SPECIFICATION.
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
Port Townsend, WAFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:INTERIOR/UNDER DASH
SMELLED HOT WIRE SMELL WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY. NOTICED 1 INCH FLAME IN LEFT AIRVENT WHICH GREW TO 5 INCHES WHEN STOPPED CAR. UNHOOKED BATTERY, POURED LIQUID OVER DASHBOARD WHICH WAS ON FIRE, CLOSED DOOR, WAITED FOR FIRETRUCK. I THINK IT STARTED IN HEADLIGHT SWITCH. CAR TOTALED, MOST OF DASH BURNT AWAY.
NHTSA complaint #10052515 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 5,000 milesIndianapolis, INFire
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
THE TREADS OF THE TIRE WARPED WITH ONLY 10000 MILES ON IT (FIRESTONE LEMANS RADIAL AT). *NLM SHORTLY AFTER THE TIRE WAS CHANGED A FIRE STARTED UNDER THE HOOD. *NLM
NHTSA complaint #10018062 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Rosemount, MNFire
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM
GASOLINE LEAKS ON ENGINE. *AK CONSUMER NOTICED GASOLINE COMING OUT OF THE VACUUM HOSE THAT RUNS FROM THE FUEL PRESSURE REGULATOR TO THE VACUUM FITTING, CONSUMER REALIZED THE REGULATOR MUST BE FAULTY. *SLC
NHTSA complaint #8017131 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Loogootee, ILFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
NHTSA RECALL96V 071000/ MANUFACTURER'S RECALL 95S28 CONCERNING IGNITION FAI;URE. CONSUMER NOTICED FROM OUTSIDE WINDOW THAT VEHICLE WAS ON FIRE. VEHICLE HAD BEEN SITTING I DRIVEWAY FOR 30-45 MINUTES AFTER BEING DRIVEN HOME. VEHICLE HAD FLAMES COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. CONSUMER WAS CONFIRMING RECALL TO BE SERVICED. PLEASE PROVIDE MORE INFORMATION.
NHTSA complaint #8007359 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
West Haven, CT2 injured
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
BRAKE LINE RUPTURED CAUSING AN ACCIDENT, 2 PEOPLE WERE INJURED. *SLC
NHTSA complaint #785272 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Locust Grove, OKFire1 injured1 killed
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
I LOST MY 4-YEAR OLD SON IN MY CAR. IT WAS PARKED, I DON'T KNOW WHY HE GOT IN THE CAR. WE HAD JUST ARRIVED AT MY MOTHERS. NO ONE CAN PROVE ANYTHING BECAUSE THE DASH IS SO BURNT AND THE STERINGWHEEL WAS IN THE FLOOR. ALTHOUGH THEY FOUND NO TRACES OF ANYTHING THAT COULD OF STARTED IT OTHER THAN FAULTY IGNITION SWITCH. THE CAR STILL SITS AND THEY WANT ME TO FORGET ABOUT IT. LAWYERS KEEP BACKING OUT AFTER SO FAR. PLEASE HELP ME. I HAVE TO KNOW THE TRUTH AND GET WHAT I DESERVE. NO ONE CAN PUT A PRICE ON A LOST CHILD.
NHTSA complaint #734406 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
at 49,000 milesOregon City, OR
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
ACK UP.NMENGINE LIGHT COMES ON AND MOTOR DIES. STARTS RIGHT.
NHTSA complaint #10750222 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 49,000 milesOregon City, OR
ENGINE
ACK UP.NMENGINE LIGHT COMES ON AND MOTOR DIES. STARTS RIGHT.
NHTSA complaint #10750222 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 34,790 milesHeatsville, VA
SEAT BELTS:FRONT
DT: THE CONSUMER STATED SHE IS HAVING RETRACTION PROBLEMS WITH HER SEAT BELT. THE SEAT BELT IS NOT RETRACTING CORRECTLY FROM THE LAP BELT, FROM THE BUCKLE TO THE DOOR POST. THIS IS HAPPENING ON THE DRIVERS SIDE ONLY. THE SEAT BELT IS ALLOWING TOO MUCH WEBBING AND NOT RETRACTING ALL THE WAY BACK INTO THE HOLDER ON THE DOOR POST. WHEN THE DRIVER IS APPLYING BRAKE PRESSURE, THE SEAT BELT IS NOT HOLDING THE DRIVER SECURELY AND SAFELY IN THE SEAT. THE CONSUMER STATED THE DEALERSHIP WHERE SHE BOUGHT THE VEHICLE FROM HAS NOW GONE OUT OF BUSINESS AND SHE HAS NOT CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER OF THE VEHICLE. SHE HAS HAD THIS PROBLEM WITH THE SEAT BELT FOR ABOUT 6 MONTHS. SPEED IS NOT A FACTOR WITH THE SEAT BELT FAILURE. EVEN SITTING STILL THE SEAT BELT IS NOT WORKING.
NHTSA complaint #10127897 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Chicago, IL
POWER TRAIN
CONSUMER IS REQUESTING FREE REPAIRS TO 1988 FORD TEMPO GL'S TRANSMISSION AND MOTOR.*MR
NHTSA complaint #10121481 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Chicago, IL
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
CONSUMER IS REQUESTING FREE REPAIRS TO 1988 FORD TEMPO GL'S TRANSMISSION AND MOTOR.*MR
NHTSA complaint #10121481 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Port Townsend, WAFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:INTERIOR/UNDER DASH
SMELLED HOT WIRE SMELL WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY. NOTICED 1 INCH FLAME IN LEFT AIRVENT WHICH GREW TO 5 INCHES WHEN STOPPED CAR. UNHOOKED BATTERY, POURED LIQUID OVER DASHBOARD WHICH WAS ON FIRE, CLOSED DOOR, WAITED FOR FIRETRUCK. I THINK IT STARTED IN HEADLIGHT SWITCH. CAR TOTALED, MOST OF DASH BURNT AWAY.
NHTSA complaint #10052515 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Columbus, OH
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE STALLED. *AK *NLM
NHTSA complaint #10017750 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 5,000 milesIndianapolis, INFire
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
THE TREADS OF THE TIRE WARPED WITH ONLY 10000 MILES ON IT (FIRESTONE LEMANS RADIAL AT). *NLM SHORTLY AFTER THE TIRE WAS CHANGED A FIRE STARTED UNDER THE HOOD. *NLM
NHTSA complaint #10018062 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Indianapolis, IN
SUSPENSION
THE VEHICLE VIBRATED WHILE DRIVING. THE TIRES WERE BALANCED YET THE VIBRATION STILL OCCURRED. *NLM
NHTSA complaint #10018053 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Indianapolis, IN
TIRES
THE VEHICLE VIBRATED WHILE DRIVING. THE TIRES WERE BALANCED YET THE VIBRATION STILL OCCURRED. *NLM
NHTSA complaint #10018053 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Indianapolis, IN
TIRES:TREAD/BELT
THE TREAD OF THE TIRE FAILED (BRIDGESTONE WEATHER FORCE TIRE). *NLM
NHTSA complaint #10018059 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Rosemount, MNFire
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM
GASOLINE LEAKS ON ENGINE. *AK CONSUMER NOTICED GASOLINE COMING OUT OF THE VACUUM HOSE THAT RUNS FROM THE FUEL PRESSURE REGULATOR TO THE VACUUM FITTING, CONSUMER REALIZED THE REGULATOR MUST BE FAULTY. *SLC
NHTSA complaint #8017131 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Loogootee, ILFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
NHTSA RECALL96V 071000/ MANUFACTURER'S RECALL 95S28 CONCERNING IGNITION FAI;URE. CONSUMER NOTICED FROM OUTSIDE WINDOW THAT VEHICLE WAS ON FIRE. VEHICLE HAD BEEN SITTING I DRIVEWAY FOR 30-45 MINUTES AFTER BEING DRIVEN HOME. VEHICLE HAD FLAMES COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. CONSUMER WAS CONFIRMING RECALL TO BE SERVICED. PLEASE PROVIDE MORE INFORMATION.
NHTSA complaint #8007359 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Libby, MT
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:RETRACTOR
THE LAP BELT ON PASSENAGER SIDE FRONT WILL NOT STAY CLASPED. DRIVERS SHOULDER STRAP (AUTOMATIC) WILL NOT SLIDE OPEN. THE MOTOR CAN BE HEARD INSIDE, BUT WILL NOT MOVE.
NHTSA complaint #9005921 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Shermansville, VA
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
VEHICLE FAILS TO OPERATE IN DRIVE, BUT IT DOES OPERATE IN REVERSE, CAUSE UNKNOWN. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS.
NHTSA complaint #8001755 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Arcata, CA
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM
THIS VEHICLE HAS STALLED ON STARTUP POSITION IN TRAFFIC SINCE IT WAS NEW AND HAS CONTINUED TO DO SO AFTER NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS TO THE DEALER. THIS PRESENTS A SAFETY HAZARD AS CROSS TRAFFIC IS NOT RESPONSIBLE TO WAIT WHILE WE RESTART THE VEHICLE. THIS IS NOT DUE TO DRIVER ERROR AS IT OCCURS WITH SEVERAL DIFFERENT DRIVERS.
NHTSA complaint #754640 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Palmdale, CA
SEAT BELTS
I WAS DRIVING, WIFE IN PASSENGER SEAT WITH LAP BELT ENGAGED. UPON STOPPING, LAP BELT WOULD NOT RELEASE. IMPOSSIBLE FOR HER TO EXIT CAR BECAUSE OF AUTOMATIC RETRACTOR INSTALLED ON BELT ASSEMBLY. THIS IS A MOJOR SAFETY ITEM AND FORD WILL NOT ACCEPT ANY RESPONSIBILITY. HAD WE BEEN IN AN ACCIDNET AND CAR WAS BURING, WIFE WOULD HAVE BEEN BURNED TO DEATH. THE ONLY WAY I COULD GET WIFE OUT OF THE CAR WAS TO CUT THE BELT AND THERE WOULDN'T HAVE BEEN TIME TO DO THIS IN A BURNING CAR! EVEN WITH THE LAP BELT CUT, I AM STILL UNABLE TO RELEASE THE BUCKLE. THE LAW REQUIRES THAT BELTS BE USED YET FORD WILL NOT TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR SAFE AND NORMAL OPERATION OF THE LAP BELT THAT THEY INSTALLED IN THE VEHICLE. NO PREVIOUS INDICATIONS OF ANYTHING WRONG WITH LAP BELT SYSTEM ON EITHER SIDE OF VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #754264 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Baldwin Park, CA
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
WORK DONE ON ENGINE BEFORE RECALL WAS KNOWN. CAR NOT THE SAME SINCE. TOTAL COST TO ME ,ABOUT 1500.00.
NHTSA complaint #752178 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Rolla, MO
TIRES
WAS DRIVING IN TOWN ON 07/21/01 IN THE AFTERNOON GOING HOME, WHEN CAR STARTED VIBRATING REAL BADLY, AND WONDERED ALL OVER ROAD. THE TIRE IN QUESTIONED IS OFF THE RIGHT FRONT OF A 1988 FORD TEMPO. IT IS CHEWED UP AROUND THE INSIDE AND ALSO HAS "SEVERAL SOFT SPOTS" IN THE TIRE.*AK (DOT NUMBER: W2RV TIRESIZE: P18570R14)
NHTSA complaint #749336 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Dayton, OH
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
THE ENGINE STALLS WHILE DRIVING. SOMETIME IT WILL RESTART JUST TO STALL AGAIN AFTER A FEW MILES. THE IGNITION SWITCH WAS REPLACED UNDER A PREVIOUS RECALL BUT THE PROBLEM CONTINUES TO PERSIST. THE ELECTRONIC CONTROL UNIT WAS REPLACE TWICE IN THE LAST 12 MONTHS. I BELIEVE THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THE WIRING/MODULE THAT REGULATES THE ELECTRICAL PULSES THAT FIRE THE PLUGS. I WILL ASK THE DEALER TO RESEARCH. UNFORTUANTELY, THIS ELECTRICAL PROBLEM SEEMS TO BE VERY COMMON ON FORD TEMPO'S BUT NONE OF THE TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETINS ADDRESS IT.
NHTSA complaint #747522 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Carol Stream, IL
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
I SHOULDN'T HAVE TO WAIT FOR AN INJURY BEFORE FORD FIXES!. NO SAFETY DEFECT LISTED IN SUMMARY.
NHTSA complaint #744465 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Orlando, FL
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
AFTER PUTTING GAS IN THE CAR WITH THE WINDOWS ROLLED UP THERE IS AN ODOR OF GAS INSIDE THE CAR. THE ODOR IS ALSO THERE WITH THE WINDOWS DOWN WHILE DRIVING THE CAR. IT GOES AWAY AFTER ABOUT 15 MINUETS OF DRIVING.
NHTSA complaint #743383 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Granada HI, CA
POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION
TRANSMISSION WAS REBUILT. NLM
NHTSA complaint #559307 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Granada HI, CA
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS
THE FRONT AND REAR BRAKES FAULTY AND REPLACED SEVERAL TIMES. NLM
NHTSA complaint #559307 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Granada HI, CA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
IGNITION COIL AND MODULE FAILED. NLM
NHTSA complaint #559307 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.