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
What owners actually said
124 reports
Mileage unknown · May 20, 2000
SteeringCrash
FRONT RIGHT TIE ROD SNAPPED IN TWO PIECES. CAUSING LOSS OF STEERING. RIGHT TIRE WAS UNCONTROLLABLE. CAUSING VEHICLE TO SWERVE SHARPLY INTO CURB. POTENTIAL FOR SERIOUS INJURY BUT WAS ON A "GET ON" RAMP TO FREEWAY. SO WAS VERY LUCKY BECAUSE NO UNCOMING TRAFFIC AND NO PEDESTRIAN TRAFFIC. VEHICLE WAS NEVER INVOLVED IN ANY P…
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FRONT RIGHT TIE ROD SNAPPED IN TWO PIECES. CAUSING LOSS OF STEERING. RIGHT TIRE WAS UNCONTROLLABLE. CAUSING VEHICLE TO SWERVE SHARPLY INTO CURB. POTENTIAL FOR SERIOUS INJURY BUT WAS ON A "GET ON" RAMP TO FREEWAY. SO WAS VERY LUCKY BECAUSE NO UNCOMING TRAFFIC AND NO PEDESTRIAN TRAFFIC. VEHICLE WAS NEVER INVOLVED IN ANY PREVIOUS ACCIDENT. *AK
NHTSA ODI #722961
Mileage unknown · Dec 20, 1999
Electrical System
RECALL ON THIS VEHICLE (1989 FORD TEMPO) WAS ISSUED AT 1996, BUT WE NEVER RECEIVED ANY NOTIFICATION FROM MANUFACTURER. CONTACTED MANUFACTURER BY PHONE ON 12/20/1999. MANUFACTURER'S CUSTOMER REPRESENTATIVE TOLD ME THAT I WILL NOT RECEIVE ANY FREE REMEDY FROM THIS 1996 RECALL ON MY VEHICLE (1989 FORD TEMPO) SINCE THE RECALL IS CLO…
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RECALL ON THIS VEHICLE (1989 FORD TEMPO) WAS ISSUED AT 1996, BUT WE NEVER RECEIVED ANY NOTIFICATION FROM MANUFACTURER. CONTACTED MANUFACTURER BY PHONE ON 12/20/1999. MANUFACTURER'S CUSTOMER REPRESENTATIVE TOLD ME THAT I WILL NOT RECEIVE ANY FREE REMEDY FROM THIS 1996 RECALL ON MY VEHICLE (1989 FORD TEMPO) SINCE THE RECALL IS CLOSED AND MY VEHICLE IS NOT UNDER ANY WARRANTY. CONTACTED NHTSA OFFICE BY PHONE ON 12/20/1999 AND WAS GIVEN ADVISE OF FILING SAFETY COMPLAINT ABOUT THIS MATTER. *AK
NHTSA ODI #716260
Mileage unknown · Oct 29, 1999
Engine And Engine CoolingFire
ENGINE FIRE. YH
NHTSA ODI #549404
Mileage unknown · Oct 22, 1999
Exterior Lighting
CONSUMER STATES THE PLASTIC COVER AROUND THE HEADLIGHTS IS CORRODED AND IT WILL NOT LET LIGHT SHINE THROUGH AND THE CONSUMER FEELS ITS VERY UNSAFE
NHTSA ODI #851544
Mileage unknown · Oct 12, 1999
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
WHILE DRIVING CAR SUDDENLY STOPPED AND COULDN'T GO FORWARD. TOOK THE WHEEL OFF,AND SAW THART CALIPER PIN BROKE WHICH CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO STOP. *AK
NHTSA ODI #850490
Mileage unknown · Sep 17, 1999
Electrical System
WHILE DRIVING ALONG CITY STREET THE MOTOR JUST STOPPED, NO WARNING OR ANYTHING.TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A MECHANIC AND WAS TOLD THAT IT IS THE IGNITION COIL MODULE. *AK
NHTSA ODI #847978
Mileage unknown · Jul 27, 1999
Exterior Lighting
PLASTIC COVER OF HEADLIGHT WILL NOT STAY CLEAR AFTER 5-6 YRS, CAUSING POOR VISIBILITY . *AK
NHTSA ODI #843565
Mileage unknown · Jul 9, 1999
Wheels
WHILE TURNING OFF ONTO HIGHWAY AT 25 MP REAR WHEEL HUB CAME OFF. DEALER/ MANUFACTURER WERE NOT NOTIFIED. CAN NHTSA PROVIDE HELP OR ADDITION INFORMATION ON THIS MATTER. *AK
NHTSA ODI #842041
Mileage unknown · Jun 8, 1999
Engine And Engine CoolingFireInjury
REAR MAIN SEAL IN THE ENGINE FAILED CAUSING FIRE. *YH
NHTSA ODI #782495
Mileage unknown · May 25, 1999
Engine And Engine Cooling
AFTER DRIVING SOME DISTANCE, CAR WILL STALL AND FAIL TO START UNTIL IT COOLS DOWN, ESPECIALLY IN WARM WEATHER. PROBLEM IS ONGOING AND SPASMODIC. RESTART AFTER COOLING DOWN IS ALWAYS WITHOUT ANY PROBLEM. ENGINE COOLING SYSTEM HAS BEEN FLUSHED, REFILLED AND WORKS PERFECTLY.
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
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