at 49,000 miles
Oregon 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.
1988 Ford Tempo electrical problems
59 of the 176 complaints about the 1988 Ford Tempo are about the electrical system — 34% of everything reported for this model year. Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before 49,000 miles.
59
Complaints
1
Crashes
28
Fires
1
Injuries
Exactly what failed
Switch
21
35.6%
Alternator/Generator/Regulator
13
22.0%
Ignition
12
20.3%
Front Underhood
6
10.2%
Wiring
3
5.1%
Electrical System
2
3.4%
Interior/Under Dash
1
1.7%
Starter Assembly
1
1.7%
Electrical System across every Ford Tempo year
What owners said
Filed with NHTSA, in their own words.
Port Townsend, WA
Fire
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.
Loogootee, IL
Fire
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.
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.
Granada HI, CA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
IGNITION COIL AND MODULE FAILED. NLM
NHTSA complaint #559307 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Eureka, CA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
WHEN DRIVING AT ANY SPEED AND WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING VEHICLE CUTS OFF, CAUSING VEHICLE TO BE IN MIDDLE OF AN INTERSECTION OR IN SOME CASES IN MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC . CONSUMER HAS CONTACTED A MECHANIC WHO REPLACED PARTS. BUT, PROBLEM STILL OCCURS. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS.
NHTSA complaint #877148 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Highlands Ranch, CO
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
ENGINE WILL QUIT SUDDENLY AND USUALLY AT SPEEDS ABOVE 45 MPH. I NARROWLY AVOIDED AN ACCIDENT WHEN THE ENGINE STALLED BECAUSE A TRUCK WAS RIGHT BEHND ME. THE TRUCK WAS ABLE TO CHANGE LANES QUICK ENOUGH TO AVOID THE ACCIDENT. THE ENGINE FAILURE HAS OCCURED ABOUT 8 TIMES SINCE I HAVE OWNED THE CAR. I CANNOT DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE ENGINE FAILURE I.E. FROM EITHER IGNITION FAILURE OR FROM FUEL STARVATION FROM AN UNKNOWN CAUSE. IN EACH CASE, THE CAR WOULD RESTART AFTER A HALF HOUR WAIT. THIS REPRESENTS A POTENTIAL FOR A SERIOUS ACCIDENT ESPECIALLY FROM A REAR END COLLISSION HAZARD.
NHTSA complaint #737119 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Locust Grove, OK
Fire
1 injured
1 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.
Worcester, MA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOV EVEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #734036 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Tomahawk, WI
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
WHEN DRIVING AT ANY SPEED VEHICLE STALLED OUT AND CUT OFF WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING WHICH CAUSED A NEAR ACCIDENT. CONSUMER HAS CONTACTED DEALER.
NHTSA complaint #872938 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SAN Mateo, CA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
MOTIONLESS FORD IN GARAGE FAILED TO START 8-21-00, REPAIR SHOP INSTALLED FORD MODULE, SAYING THAT WAS CHIEF PROBEM. THE TROUBLE REMAINED; ENGINE STALLED AND THROBBED INDICATING FAULTY IGNITION. A SECOND REPAIR SHOP INSTALLED A "COIL" BUT TROUBLE (THROBBING AND STALLING) REMAINS. $800 IN REPAIRS AND THE ORIGINAL TROUBLE REMAINS. CO-OWNER IS WIFE PAULINE AND REPAIR BILLS ARE IN HER NAME.
NHTSA complaint #731047 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Lehigh, FL
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
WHEN TURNING IGNITION SWITCH TO THE OFF POSITION AND TURNING IT TOO FAR, WHEN COME BACK TO THE CAR, BATTERY IS DEAD.
NHTSA complaint #868696 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Columbia, SC
Fire
1 killed
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
VEHICLE FIRE RESULTING IN DEATH AND HOME DISTRUCTION, DUE TO THE POSSIBILITY OF A FAULTY IGNITION SWITCH.
NHTSA complaint #536334 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Temple, TX
Fire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD
VEHICLE EXPERIENCED UNDER THE HOOD FIRE WHILE TRAVELING ON THE HIGHWAY AT APPROX. 60 MPH. WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE LOST POWER. PULLED VEHICLE OVER, AND NOTICED FIRE UNDER THE HOOD. LOCAL FIRE DEPARTMENT ARRIVED AND EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. CAN NHTSA HELP IN THIS PROBLEM OR PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION.
NHTSA complaint #845013 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Winter Haven, FL
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
IGNITION SWITCH FAILED PRIOR TO RECALL NOTICE, REPLACED WITH SAME DEFECTIVE SWITCH.
NHTSA complaint #507249 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Jessievill, AR
Fire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
VEHICLE FIRE DUE TO FAULTY IGNITION SWITCH PRIOR TO RECALL NOTICE.
NHTSA complaint #507420 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Scranton, PA
Fire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR
A FAULTY ALTERNATOR CAUSED A FIRE IN THE VEHICLE. THE ALTERNATOR HAD BEEN REPLACED 3 TIMES DUE TO OVERHEATING WITH A RE-MANUFACTURED ALTERNATOR. *AK
NHTSA complaint #832391 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Peoria, AZ
Fire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
IGNITION SWITCH FAILED RESULTING IN VEHICLE FIRE.
NHTSA complaint #507513 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Kent, WA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR
ALTERNATORS HAVE MELTED AND FAILED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS.
NHTSA complaint #537133 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SAN Diego, CA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD
ALTERNATOR TERMINAL AND WIRING HARNESS FAILED.
NHTSA complaint #535507 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SAN Diego, CA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR
ALTERNATOR TERMINAL AND WIRING HARNESS FAILED.
NHTSA complaint #535507 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Warrensville Heights, OH
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED UNDER MANUFACTURER'S RECALL #95S28 ON 11/6/97. VEHICLE CUT OFF. THE OWNER DOES NOT THINK THAT THE DEALER REPLACED THE IGNITION SWITCH. THE MANUFACTURER WILL BE NOTIFIED.
NHTSA complaint #818524 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Brooklyn, WI
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:STARTER ASSEMBLY
VEHICLE WON'T START WHEN TEMPERATURE IS BELOW ZERO. IF BROUGHT INSIDE, EVEN IN AN UNHEATED GARAGE FOR TEN MINUTES, VEHICLE STARTS.
NHTSA complaint #523210 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Paliosades, NJ
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR
ALTERNATOR HARNESS CAUSED ALTERNATOR TO BURN OUT.
NHTSA complaint #808781 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Elyria, OH
Fire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
CONSUMER SMELLED SMOKE AFTER DRIVING THE AUTOMOBILE FOR ABOUT 2 HOURS. STOPPED THE VEHICLE AND SAW FLAMES, FIREMEN WERE CALLED, NO INJURIES,CONSUMER GOT DAUGHTER OUT OF AUTOMOBILE IN TIME.
NHTSA complaint #808626 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Winter Park, FL
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR
THE WIRING HARNESS CONNECTED TO THE ALNERNATOR OVERHEATS AND SOMETIMES SMOKE IS EVIDENT. THIS IS A MITSIBISHI ALTERNATOR, FORD DOESN'T RECOGNIZE PROBLEM . *AK AFTER MARKET MANUFACTURER WARNED OF FIRE HAZARD AND SUPPLIED A NEW CONNECTOR WITH REPLACEMENT ALTERNATOR- CONNECTOR IT MELTS EVEN THOUGH ALTERNATOR IS FUNCTIONING, EVEN 8 WIRING INSULATION BECOMES BRITTLE OR MELTS FROM HEAT, ON ONE OCCASION REPAIR SHOP DISCOVERED EXTENSIVELY SMOKING CONNECTOR ON THE VERGE OF FLAMES WHILE WORKING ON UNRELATED JOB, MECHANIC STATED THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM, LOCAL FORD DEALER DENIED ANY TYPE OF PROBLEMS OR COMPLAINTS.
NHTSA complaint #806309 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Cleveland, OK
Fire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
ELECTRICAL SHORT IN THE IGNITION SWITCH, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO CATCH FIRE IN THE STEERING COLUMN. *AK
NHTSA complaint #804364 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Fort Worth, TX
Fire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR
#PE 96-026, WHILE DRIVING A FIRE BROKE OUT IN THE ALTERNATOR . *AK CONSUMER STATES THE FIRE STARTED AT THE ALTERNATOR CONNECTOR, SHOOTING FLAMES, THE RESULTS WERE ENGINE COMPARTMENT PLASTIC CATCHING FIRE AND SPITTING BURNING PLASTIC ONTO FUEL LINES WHICH IN TURN PUNCTURED AND SPRAYED FUEL OVER ENGINE COMPARTMENT. *SLC
NHTSA complaint #804000 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Nashville, TN
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
IGNITION SWITCH FAILED PRIOR TO RECALL.
NHTSA complaint #507056 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Highland Park, NJ
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR
REPLACED ALTERNATOR FOUR TIMES, ALSO REPLACED WIRING HARNESS.
NHTSA complaint #509066 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.