TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1989 FORD TEMPO. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED, IT SUDDENLY ACCELERATED TO AN UNKNOWN SPEED. THE VEHICLE CRASHED THROUGH THE GARAGE WALL AND EVENTUALLY STOPPED AND SHUT OFF AFTER A HALF MILE. THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED AND DRIVEN BACK TO THE GARAGE. THE WINDSHIELD WAS DAMAGED AND THE DRIVER SUSTAINED SCRA…
Read full complaint
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1989 FORD TEMPO. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED, IT SUDDENLY ACCELERATED TO AN UNKNOWN SPEED. THE VEHICLE CRASHED THROUGH THE GARAGE WALL AND EVENTUALLY STOPPED AND SHUT OFF AFTER A HALF MILE. THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED AND DRIVEN BACK TO THE GARAGE. THE WINDSHIELD WAS DAMAGED AND THE DRIVER SUSTAINED SCRATCHES. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS PRIOR TO THE FAILURE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 99,200.
NHTSA ODI #10219949
Mileage unknown · Jan 17, 2002
Electrical SystemVehicle Speed Control
WHILE DRIVING, VEHICLE STALLED DUE TO THICK IGNITION MODULE THAT FAILED, CONSUMER FEELS THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL. *TT
NHTSA ODI #563989
Mileage unknown · Sep 15, 2000
Electrical SystemFuel System, GasolineVehicle Speed Control
AFTER VEHICLE IS OPERATED AT CONTINUOUS HIGH SPEEDS (60MPH) VEHICLE WILL STALL WHEN APPROACHING A STOP SIGN, RED LIGHT ETC. VEHICLE WILL RESTART IMMEDIATELY, BUT WILL CONTINUE TO STALL AT NEXT STOP. I CONSIDER THIS TO BE DANGEROUS BECAUSE FOLLOWING TRAFFIC IS NOT EXPECTING THE STALL, AND GETTING THROUGH AN INTERSECTION CAN BE AD…
Read full complaint
AFTER VEHICLE IS OPERATED AT CONTINUOUS HIGH SPEEDS (60MPH) VEHICLE WILL STALL WHEN APPROACHING A STOP SIGN, RED LIGHT ETC. VEHICLE WILL RESTART IMMEDIATELY, BUT WILL CONTINUE TO STALL AT NEXT STOP. I CONSIDER THIS TO BE DANGEROUS BECAUSE FOLLOWING TRAFFIC IS NOT EXPECTING THE STALL, AND GETTING THROUGH AN INTERSECTION CAN BE ADVENTUROUS. VEHICLE HAS HAD A MAJOR TUNEUP, (INCLUDING WIRES ROTOR ETC), THROTTLE BODY CLEANING, FUEL INJECTOR CLEANING BUT THE PROBLEM PERSISTS. I HEARDTHAT NHSTA WAS TRYING TO GET FORD TO RECALL THIS MODEL BECAUE THE IGNITION MODULE WAS PLACED TOO CLOSE TO THE ENGINE AND WAS SUBJECTED TO INTENSE HEAT, LEADING TO STALLING.
NHTSA ODI #731582
Mileage unknown · Feb 17, 1999
Vehicle Speed Control
THE CAR ACCELERATES WHEN FOOT IS ON THE BRAKE. ITS AS IF THE CRUISE CONTROL WAS SET WHEN IT WASN'T. I HAVE HAD THIS HAPPEN TO ME SEVERAL TIMES, AND IN TRANSPORT OF A YEAR OLD CHILD, AND MY MOTHER IS ON OXYGEN, AND WHEEL CHAIR BOUND. I MYSELF AM DISABLED, AND HAVE NO WAY TO PAY TO HAVE THIS PROBLEM FIXED, OR TO SELL THIS CAR. …
Read full complaint
THE CAR ACCELERATES WHEN FOOT IS ON THE BRAKE. ITS AS IF THE CRUISE CONTROL WAS SET WHEN IT WASN'T. I HAVE HAD THIS HAPPEN TO ME SEVERAL TIMES, AND IN TRANSPORT OF A YEAR OLD CHILD, AND MY MOTHER IS ON OXYGEN, AND WHEEL CHAIR BOUND. I MYSELF AM DISABLED, AND HAVE NO WAY TO PAY TO HAVE THIS PROBLEM FIXED, OR TO SELL THIS CAR. MY AUTOMOBILE INSURANCE HAS TOLD ME THEY WILL NO LONGER INSURE MY CAR, AS THIS IS A WELL KNOWN PROBLEM WITH THIS YEAR OF FORD. I CALLED FORD, AND THEY HAVE TOLD ME THAT THERE WILL BE NO RECALL ON THIS, THAT THE CAR IS 10YEARS OLD, THERE WILL NOT BE ANYTHING DONE BY THEM. I CAN'T GET RID OF THIS CAR, NOR CAN I BUY ANOTHER ONE. WHAT AM I SUPOSE TO DO? I REFUSE TO DRIVE THIS CAR, AS WHEN IT ACCERATES, THERE REALLY IS NO WAY OF STOPPING IT, AND I AM AFRAID I WILL KILL SOMEONE, OR MY FAMILY WILL BE KILLED. THIS IS A REAL PROBLEM, AND I CAN ASSURE YOU THAT I AM NOT PRESSING THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL INSTEAD OF THE BRAKE PEDAL. *AK
NHTSA ODI #703407
Mileage unknown · Mar 20, 1997
Vehicle Speed ControlCrash
WHEN PUTTING THE VEHICLE INTO REVERSE, THE VEHICLE INCREASED ITS SPEED, CAUSING A COLLISION. SPEED UNKNOWN. *AK
NHTSA ODI #809269
Mileage unknown · Jan 14, 1997
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingPower Train
ENGINE FAN FAILED.
NHTSA ODI #513946
Mileage unknown · Nov 13, 1995
Vehicle Speed Control
CRUISE CONTROL CABLE BROKE, CAUSING SUDDEN ACCELERATION WHEN VEHICLE MOVED IN REVERSE. *SD
NHTSA ODI #488085
Mileage unknown · Oct 26, 1995
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingFuel System, Gasoline
PURCHASE CAR USED HAD TO REPLACE THE FUEL PUMP THREE TIMES AND REPLACED MOTOR MOUNT ONE TIME AND REPLACED THE STARTER TWO TIMES . TT TFI REPLACED. TP SENSOR REPLACED. EGR VALVE REPLACED. INNER TIE ROD END REPLACED. *SLC
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
1989 Ford Tempo Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year
Illustration