SkipThatYearREAL DATA. SMARTER CAR DECISIONS.
← New search

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 →
124Owner complaints

Model-year median: 30

1Recall campaigns

View recall details →

4Investigations

View investigation details →

How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

Other model years Selected year
31
198653
1987126
1988124
1989133
1990110
1991176
1992
Compare all Tempo years →

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

What owners reported most

Electrical System
33Engine And Engine Cooling
26Seat Belts
20Exterior Lighting
16Service Brakes, Hydraulic
16
All reported categories
Steering
8Vehicle Speed Control
8Power Train
5Structure
5Fuel System, Gasoline
4Unknown Or Other
3Seats
2Parking Brake
1Service Brakes, Air
1Suspension
1Wheels
1

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

Power Train complaints

5 reports
Clear category filter
Mileage unknown · Feb 12, 1999
Engine And Engine CoolingPower TrainService Brakes, Hydraulic

ODOMETER READING IS NOT REGISTERING MILES, AND SPEEDOMETER IS NOT READING MPH. VEHICLE RUNS HOT, ELECTRONIC FAN IN COOLING SYSTEM DOES NOT OPERATE PROPERLY. ALSO, EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE OCCURS WHEN BRAKES ARE APPLIED, AND AUTOMATIC LOCK ON DRIVER'S SIDE DOES NOT OPERATE PROPERLY. DEALER CONTACTED SEVERAL TIMES, AND CANNOT …

Read full complaint

ODOMETER READING IS NOT REGISTERING MILES, AND SPEEDOMETER IS NOT READING MPH. VEHICLE RUNS HOT, ELECTRONIC FAN IN COOLING SYSTEM DOES NOT OPERATE PROPERLY. ALSO, EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE OCCURS WHEN BRAKES ARE APPLIED, AND AUTOMATIC LOCK ON DRIVER'S SIDE DOES NOT OPERATE PROPERLY. DEALER CONTACTED SEVERAL TIMES, AND CANNOT REMEDY THE PROBLEMS INCURRED. PROBLEMS STILL EXIST. PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK

NHTSA ODI #834793

Mileage unknown · May 9, 1997
Power TrainSteering

STEERING COLUMN LOOSE.

NHTSA ODI #517104

Mileage unknown · Jan 14, 1997
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingPower Train

ENGINE FAN FAILED.

NHTSA ODI #513946

Mileage unknown · Sep 23, 1996
Power TrainFire

TRANSMISSION FLUID LEAKED OUT OF THE RUBBER CONNECTOR HOSE AND SPRAYED ON THE NEARBY HOT EXHAUST SYSTEM.

NHTSA ODI #509039

Mileage unknown · Aug 24, 1995
Engine And Engine CoolingPower TrainSeat Belts

CLUTCH FAILED TWICE,TRANSMISSION FAILED, BRAKE SYSTEM MALFUCTIONED, AUTOMATIC SEAT BELT RETRACTOR FAILED, EXHAUST SYSTEM REPLACED, OIL PAN GASKET REPLACED. TT

NHTSA ODI #971018

Official recalls

1

96V071000 · 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

4

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

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