IllustrationHEAD COVERS ATTACHMENT ON THE HEADLIGHTS CAUSE LESS VISIBILITY WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING. INTERMITTENTLY THE LIGHT WILL APPEAR TO BE NORMAL. FAILURE IS UNDETERMINED AT THIS TIME. *AK
1989 Ford Tempo
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
More warning signs than most Tempo years
Owner complaints for the 1989 Ford Tempo are substantially higher than 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: 4 of 124 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 33 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 26 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Seat Belts. Review the 20 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
5 crash reports21 fire reports5 injury reports
Exterior Lighting complaints
16 reportsCONSUMER STATES THE PLASTIC COVER AROUND THE HEADLIGHTS IS CORRODED AND IT WILL NOT LET LIGHT SHINE THROUGH AND THE CONSUMER FEELS ITS VERY UNSAFE
PLASTIC COVER OF HEADLIGHT WILL NOT STAY CLEAR AFTER 5-6 YRS, CAUSING POOR VISIBILITY . *AK
HEADLIGHTS ARE SO DIM, CAN NOT SEE AT NIGHT WITH THEM ON. SAME PROBLEM WITH OTHER TEMPOS.
HEAD LIGHT COVERS ARE PLASTIC AND CAN'T BE CLEANED DUE TO DESIGN BECAUSE THEY ARE NOT GLASS.
STEERING COLUMN FAILED.
NYLON STRAP THAT RETRACTS SHOULDER BELT FAILED.
OVER A PERIOD OF TIME THE HEADLIGHT LENS CHANGES TO A YELLOWISH COLOR, CAUSING POOR VISIBILITY. *AK
HEADLIGHTS ARE LEAKING WATER AND NOT BRIGHT ENOUGH. *AK
WHILE DRIVING, LIGHTS WERE VERY DIM; VEHICLE'S HEADLAMP AREA GOT WET, HAD HEADLAMP CHANGED; LIGHT HOLDER CELL IS MELTING; CA NOT KEEP LIGHT AREA FROM GETTING WET; BEEN TO DEALERSHIP SEVERAL TIMES; DEALER CANNOT FIND/FIX PROBLEM. *AK
Official recalls
196V071000 · Electrical System:ignition
Apr 25, 1996
THE IGNITION SWITCH COULD EXPERIENCE AN INTERNAL SHORT CIRCUIT.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THIS CONDITION COULD CAUSE OVERHEATING, SMOKE, AND POSSIBLY FIRE IN THE STEERING COLUMN AREA OF THE VEHICLE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE IGNITION SWITCH.
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
4PE96005 · 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
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