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1987 Ford Tempo

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 1987 Ford Tempo do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 30.

About this comparison →

How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

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Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

All reported categories

Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

Limited mileage data: 0 of 53 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Electrical System. Review the 28 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 14 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Fuel System, Gasoline. Review the 6 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

2 crash reports17 fire reports1 injury reports

What owners actually said

53 reports
Mileage unknown · Sep 4, 2002
Engine And Engine Cooling

VEHICLE STALLS INTERMITTENTLY AT ANY SPEED WHEN ENGINE IS HOT. DEALER HAS REPLACED NUMEROUS PARTS, INCLUDING FUEL PUMP. BUT IT DID NOT SOLVE THE PROBLEM.*AK *YH

NHTSA ODI #8017879

Mileage unknown · May 8, 2002
Electrical System

THE VEHICLE WOULD STALL INTERMITTENTLY WHEN STOPPED AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT OR WHEN STARTING DUE TO TFI MODULE FAILURE. *YH

NHTSA ODI #565704

Mileage unknown · Sep 5, 2001
Engine And Engine Cooling

THE VEHICLE STALLS INTERMITTENTLY WITHOUT WARNING MAKING BRAKING AND STEERING MORE DIFFICULT, THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN TAKEN TO THE DEALER ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS BUT THE PROBLEM COULD NOT BE SOLVED, ON ONE OCCASION THE DRIVE STRUCK A UTILITY POLE AND DAMAGED THE VEHICLE WHEN THE VEHICLE STALLED WHILE MAKING A TURN.

NHTSA ODI #562913

Mileage unknown · Sep 4, 2001
Electrical SystemCrash

THE VEHICLE STALLS WITHOUT NOTICE DURING SEVERAL DIFFERENT SCENARIOS AND THE BRAKING AND STEERING BECOME DIFFICULT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO SEVERAL DIFFERENT REPAIR SHOPS, INCLUDING THE LOCAL FORD DEALERSHIP AND ALTHOUGH THE STALLING WAS EVEIDENT, NO ONE COUL;D CLARIFY WHY AND HOW TO REPAIR THE PROBLEM. I AM REPROTING THIS PR…

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THE VEHICLE STALLS WITHOUT NOTICE DURING SEVERAL DIFFERENT SCENARIOS AND THE BRAKING AND STEERING BECOME DIFFICULT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO SEVERAL DIFFERENT REPAIR SHOPS, INCLUDING THE LOCAL FORD DEALERSHIP AND ALTHOUGH THE STALLING WAS EVEIDENT, NO ONE COUL;D CLARIFY WHY AND HOW TO REPAIR THE PROBLEM. I AM REPROTING THIS PROBLEM ON BEHALF OF MY ELDERLY MOTHER, WHO HAS HAD THIS STALLING PROBLEM SINCE SHE PURCHASED THIS USED VEHICLE AND HAS NOT BEEN ABLE TO FIND ANYONE TO SUCCESSFULLY REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE TEMPO IS HER ONLY MEANS OF TRANSPORTATION AND SHE HAS HAD TO COPE WITH THE STALLING PROBLEMS BECAUSE SHE CAN NOT AFFORD A NEW VEHICLE. SHE RECENTLY STRUCK A UTILITY POLE WHEN THE VEHICLE STALLED WHILE SHE WAS MAKING A TURN AND DAMAGED HER VEHICLE. SHE DESPARATELY NEEDS SOME ASSISTANCE IN HAVING FORD MAKE HER VEHICLE SAFE. I HAVE CONTACTED FORD AT THEIR 1.800.392.3673 NUMBER AND SPOKE WITH A REPRESENTATIVE BY THE NAME OF SELVIN, WHO BASICALLY SAID THAT FORD WILL NOT VOLUNTARILY DO ANYTHING TO ASSIST AT THIS TIME AND HE WOULD NOT PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL CONTACT INFORMATION. PLEASE HELP!*AK

NHTSA ODI #751648

Mileage unknown · May 2, 2001
Electrical System

ALTERNATOR REBUILT AND BOUGHT FROM ADVANCE AUTO PARTS. THIS WAS THE SECOND ALTERNATOR WITH PROBLEMS, THE FIRST WAS TAKEN BACK AND THIS ONE THE MECHANIC REPLACED AND SAID THAT WHO DOES ADVANCE'S REBUILDING ISN'T THAT GREAT. THE TIME AND MONEY SPENT FOR THEIR REJECT ALTERNATOR'S IS UNJUST. THE RED LIGHT INDICATOR STAYED ON UNTIL T…

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ALTERNATOR REBUILT AND BOUGHT FROM ADVANCE AUTO PARTS. THIS WAS THE SECOND ALTERNATOR WITH PROBLEMS, THE FIRST WAS TAKEN BACK AND THIS ONE THE MECHANIC REPLACED AND SAID THAT WHO DOES ADVANCE'S REBUILDING ISN'T THAT GREAT. THE TIME AND MONEY SPENT FOR THEIR REJECT ALTERNATOR'S IS UNJUST. THE RED LIGHT INDICATOR STAYED ON UNTIL THIS NEW ALTERNATOR WAS PUT IN.*AK

NHTSA ODI #744823

Mileage unknown · Apr 12, 2001
Engine And Engine Cooling

VEHICLE HAS BEEN STALLING OFF AND ON SINCE PURCHASE OF VEHICLE, NUMEROUS REPAIRS. CANNOT REMEDY.*AK

NHTSA ODI #885779

Mileage unknown · Dec 2, 2000
Electrical SystemFuel System, Gasoline

I AM FINANCIALLY OBLIGATED TO PAST DUE BILLS; HOWEVER I AM TRYING TO KEEP UP WITH THE CAR PROBLEMS, I DIDN'T KNOW IF THERE WAS ANY RECALL ON THIS CAR! AS MENTIONED I WAS GIVEN A FINE OF $50.00 FOR EXPIRED TAGS BY ABOUT A WEEK; I WOULD HAVE WENT TO MVA IF GIVEN A WARNING FOR RENEWAL! WITH ALL OF THE EXPENSES IN A CAR IS THERE AN…

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I AM FINANCIALLY OBLIGATED TO PAST DUE BILLS; HOWEVER I AM TRYING TO KEEP UP WITH THE CAR PROBLEMS, I DIDN'T KNOW IF THERE WAS ANY RECALL ON THIS CAR! AS MENTIONED I WAS GIVEN A FINE OF $50.00 FOR EXPIRED TAGS BY ABOUT A WEEK; I WOULD HAVE WENT TO MVA IF GIVEN A WARNING FOR RENEWAL! WITH ALL OF THE EXPENSES IN A CAR IS THERE ANY WAY TO GET SOME WORK DONE WITHOUT BEING INDEBTED TO A HIGH PRICED MECHANIC? ECONOMICS SHOULD NOT PLAY A PART FOR SAFETY OF A CAR; SHOULD HAVE WAYS TO HELP ECONOMICALLY DISADVANTAGED. PLEASE READ OUT OF CONCERN AND NOT TO BE USED AGAINST ME BUT FOR THE SAFETY OF MY FAMILY AND TO HELP OTHERS WHO WANT A SAFE VEHICLE BUT CAN'T AFFORD ALL OF THE HIGH BILLS.F. NO SAFETY DEFECT MENTIONED . *AK

NHTSA ODI #737185

Mileage unknown · Sep 21, 2000
Steering

WHILE DRIVING INTO A DRIVEWAY TIE ROD: INNER BROKE OUT OF GEAR BOX, CAUSING A LOSS OF STEERING. FORD HAS NOT BEEN CONTACTED YET. *AK

NHTSA ODI #871166

Mileage unknown · Sep 14, 2000
Fuel System, Gasoline

CAR WONT RESTART AFTER IT HAS BEEN DRIVIN AND OR STOPPED AT IDLE SPEED. CAUSING ME TO BE STRANDED CONTINUALLY. FORD MOTOR WAS SUPPOSE TO FIX THE FUEL PUMP , BUT INSTEAD REPLACED TFI SWITCH AND TWO OTHER SENSORS , BUT AM STILL HAVING SAME SYMTOMS SENT CAR BACK AND NOW THEY TELL ME ITS THE FUEL PUMP WICH IS WHY I TOOK THE CAR …

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CAR WONT RESTART AFTER IT HAS BEEN DRIVIN AND OR STOPPED AT IDLE SPEED. CAUSING ME TO BE STRANDED CONTINUALLY. FORD MOTOR WAS SUPPOSE TO FIX THE FUEL PUMP , BUT INSTEAD REPLACED TFI SWITCH AND TWO OTHER SENSORS , BUT AM STILL HAVING SAME SYMTOMS SENT CAR BACK AND NOW THEY TELL ME ITS THE FUEL PUMP WICH IS WHY I TOOK THE CAR TO THEM TO BEGIN WITH.. THEN I HERE ON THE NEWS ABOUT THIS TFI SWITCH THAT FORD MOTOR CHARGED ME AN ARM A LEG AND A FOOT FOR 640.00... I SEE A COVER UP OR SOMTHING IS NOT RIGHT AT MY EXPENSE.. NOT TO MENTION THE STEARING PROBLEMS AND THE BRAKE FAILURE.. AND NUMEROUS OTHER PROBLEMS NEVER AGAIN WILL I TRUST FORD.AND I CURRENTLY HAVE A COMPLAINT FILED WITH THE ATTORNEY GENERAL OF MY STATE WE WANT OUR MONEY BACK AND OUR CAR FIXED RIGHT. THIS HAS BEEN VERY FRUSTRATING I HAVE SUNK 700 PLUS ANOTHER 400 FOR BAKES ON A CAR THAT ONLY HAD 40.000 MILES WHEN I PURCHASED IT FROM A FAMILY MEMBER.*AK

NHTSA ODI #731436

Mileage unknown · Sep 9, 1999
Fuel System, Gasoline

FUEL PUMP FAILED. MJS

NHTSA ODI #548421

Official recalls

1

87V060000 · Wheels:lugs/nuts/bolts/studs

Apr 27, 1987

LUG NUTS COULD GALL AND POSSIBLY SEIZE ON THE WHEEL STUDS WITHOUT PROVIDING ADEQUATE CLAMPING LOAD ON THE WHEELS.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: WHEEL STUDS COULD FRACTURE CREATING A RISK OF A WHEELSEPARATING WITH LITTLE FOREWARNING.

Remedy: REPLACE WHEEL LUG NUTS AND IF NECESSARY, REPLACE WHEELS AND WHEEL STUDS.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

6

PE96005 · Rear Brk Adjuster Failure

Opened Jan 19, 1996 · Closed May 28, 1996

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Service Brakes, Hydraulic

1984 - 1991 FORD TEMPO/MERCURY TOPAZ

DP96002 · Rear Brake System Failure

Opened Jan 11, 1996 · Closed Jan 19, 1996

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Service Brakes, Hydraulic

There is no summary currently available

EA91052 · Seat Belt Separation

Opened Nov 27, 1991 · Closed Nov 24, 1992

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Seat Belts

There is no summary currently available

PE91025 · Fuel Pump Failure

Opened Dec 17, 1990 · Closed Apr 10, 1991

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Vehicle Speed Control:linkages

There is no summary currently available

EA90008 · Failed Passive Restraint

Opened Dec 27, 1989 · Closed Dec 31, 1991

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Seat Belts

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

PE89118 · Speed Control Malfunction

Opened Apr 19, 1989 · Closed Sep 6, 1989

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Equipment

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