THE VEHICLE WOULD STALL INTERMITTENTLY WHEN STOPPED AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT OR WHEN STARTING DUE TO TFI MODULE FAILURE. *YH
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
Compare all Tempo years →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.
Electrical System complaints
28 reportsTHE 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
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
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
VEHICLE EXPERIENCED CONTINUED STALLING CONDITIONS DUE TO FAILURE OF THE ELECTRONIC IGNITION MODULE. MJS
MY CAR STARTED ACTING UP 1ST BY CUTTING OUT LIKE IT WAS GOING TO DIE, THE IT WOULD REV UP,AND THEN COMPLETELY QUIT. THEN WHEN I TRIED TO START IT THE TACHOMETER WOULD SPIN AROUND BACKWARDS. AFTER SETTING FOR A FEW HOURS IT WOULD START AND MAYBE RUN FINE FOR A FEW DAYS. THEN PROBLEM 2 HAPPENED. MY HORN STARTED BEEPING FOR NO …
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MY CAR STARTED ACTING UP 1ST BY CUTTING OUT LIKE IT WAS GOING TO DIE, THE IT WOULD REV UP,AND THEN COMPLETELY QUIT. THEN WHEN I TRIED TO START IT THE TACHOMETER WOULD SPIN AROUND BACKWARDS. AFTER SETTING FOR A FEW HOURS IT WOULD START AND MAYBE RUN FINE FOR A FEW DAYS. THEN PROBLEM 2 HAPPENED. MY HORN STARTED BEEPING FOR NO REASON AND I HAD TO TAKE THE FUSE OUT. THE CAR WILL NOT START AT ALL NOW. WE HAVE CHANGED THE COMPUTER BRAIN AND THAT WASN'T THE PROBLEM. SOMETIMES WHEN YOU SHUT THE DOOR THE HORN BEEPS WITH NO FUSE IN THE FUSE BOX. WE ARE NOW THINKING IT IS AN ELECTRICAL PROBLEM WITHIN THE STEERING COLUMN. HOW CAN THIS PROBLEM BE FIXED, OR EVEN NARROWED DOWN TO SEE IF THAT IS THE PROBLEM.
THICK FILM IGNITION MODULE AND DIST STATOR FAILED CAUSING VEHICLE TO STALL WITHOUT WARNING.
BRAKES FAILED. MJS
AT A STOP WHEN THE ALTERNATOR STARTED TO SMOKE THE CONSUMER UNPLUGGED THE ALTERNATOR AND THE SMOKING STOPPED. PLEASE DESCRIBE IN DETAIL *AK
CAR WAS PARKED AND IT CAUGHT ON FIRE. *AK CONSUMER STATES THE SWITCH APPARENTLY FAILED ,GAS WAS PUMPED INTO ENGINE COMPARTMENT FUMES MADE THEIR WAY BACK INTO THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT, THESE FUMES ENCOUNTERED THE SWITCH WHICH MUST HAVE BEEN PUTTING OUT A SPARK, THE FIRE MOVED FROM THE TOP RIGHT STEERING COLUMN TO THE RIGHT TOWAR…
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CAR WAS PARKED AND IT CAUGHT ON FIRE. *AK CONSUMER STATES THE SWITCH APPARENTLY FAILED ,GAS WAS PUMPED INTO ENGINE COMPARTMENT FUMES MADE THEIR WAY BACK INTO THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT, THESE FUMES ENCOUNTERED THE SWITCH WHICH MUST HAVE BEEN PUTTING OUT A SPARK, THE FIRE MOVED FROM THE TOP RIGHT STEERING COLUMN TO THE RIGHT TOWARD THE OUTLET FOR THE GAS IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT, THERE WAS NOT ENOUGH COMBUSTIBLE MATERIAL IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT TO SUSTAIN THIS FIRE, THE FUEL PUMP RAN UNTIL THE ELECTRICIAL SYSTEM SHORTED BETWEEN THE FUEL PUMP AND THE BATTERY.*JB
Official recalls
187V060000 · 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
6PE96005 · 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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