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: 3 of 133 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 46 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Seat Belts. Review the 28 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Service Brakes, Hydraulic. 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.
16 crash reports27 fire reports9 injury reports
What owners actually said
133 reports
Mileage unknown · Mar 3, 1998
Electrical SystemFire
VEHICLE PARKED IN DRIVEWAY. HORN WAS BLARING & OWNER LOOKED OUT WINDOW & NOTICED VEHICLE IN FLAMES. WAS TOLD FIRE OCCURRED NEAR IGNITION SWITCH AREA. CALLED DEALER & INFORMED UNDER RECALL (#96V071000). WILL REPAIR IGNITION SWITCH & WIRING HARNESS ONLY & NOTHING ELSE. OWNER NEVER RECEIVED NOTICE. HAD OWNED VEHICLE SINCE NEW. …
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VEHICLE PARKED IN DRIVEWAY. HORN WAS BLARING & OWNER LOOKED OUT WINDOW & NOTICED VEHICLE IN FLAMES. WAS TOLD FIRE OCCURRED NEAR IGNITION SWITCH AREA. CALLED DEALER & INFORMED UNDER RECALL (#96V071000). WILL REPAIR IGNITION SWITCH & WIRING HARNESS ONLY & NOTHING ELSE. OWNER NEVER RECEIVED NOTICE. HAD OWNED VEHICLE SINCE NEW. *AK
NHTSA ODI #821804
Mileage unknown · Dec 15, 1997
Seat Belts
AUTOMATIC SHOULDER BELT; THE PASSENGER'S SIDE SEAT BELT WILL NOT RETRACT WHEN CLOSING THE DOOR OR TURNING ON THE IGNTION. *AK
NHTSA ODI #819170
Mileage unknown · Oct 22, 1997
Seat Belts
CENTER REAR LAP BELT PULLED COMPLETELY OUT FROM THE ANCHOR POINT.
NHTSA ODI #523750
Mileage unknown · Sep 30, 1997
Engine And Engine Cooling
WHILE DRIIVNG 50-55 MPH THE CAR JUMPS LIKE IT IS TRYING TO CUT OFF. AT STOP SIGNS, IF DOES NOT HAVE FOOT ON BRAKE THE VEHICLE WILL SURGE. WHEN DRIVING AND COMING TO A SLOW DOWN OR STOP DRIVER HAS TO KEEP FOOT ON THE GAS PEDAL AND BRAKE PEDAL SO THE VEHICLE WILL NOT DIE. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER ARE AWARE OF PROBLEM. PROB…
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WHILE DRIIVNG 50-55 MPH THE CAR JUMPS LIKE IT IS TRYING TO CUT OFF. AT STOP SIGNS, IF DOES NOT HAVE FOOT ON BRAKE THE VEHICLE WILL SURGE. WHEN DRIVING AND COMING TO A SLOW DOWN OR STOP DRIVER HAS TO KEEP FOOT ON THE GAS PEDAL AND BRAKE PEDAL SO THE VEHICLE WILL NOT DIE. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER ARE AWARE OF PROBLEM. PROBLEM NOT CORRECTED. *AK
NHTSA ODI #816754
Mileage unknown · Sep 23, 1997
Vehicle Speed ControlCrashInjury
WHILE IN REVERSE POSITION AND FOOT ON THE BRAKE PEDAL VEHICLE ACCERLATED TO 60 MPH, CRASHING INTO A HOME AND BRAKING SYSTEM DID NOT WORK, CAUSING INJURIES AND DAMAGES. DEALER CANNOT DETERMINE THIS PROBLEM. *AK
NHTSA ODI #816586
Mileage unknown · Apr 30, 1997
Structure
THE ELECTRIC LOCK ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOES NOT WORK. THE DRIVER'S DOOR CAN ONLY BE OPENED FROM THE PASSENGER'S SIDE
NHTSA ODI #811826
Mileage unknown · Mar 25, 1997
SeatsCrashInjury
FRONT SEAT BACKS COLLAPSED DURING COLLISION, CAUSING INJURIES.
NHTSA ODI #515912
Mileage unknown · Mar 17, 1997
Seat Belts
THE DRIVER'S SIDE MOTORBELT/SHOULDER STRAP DOES NOT SLIDE FORWARD ON ITS OWN.
NHTSA ODI #515696
Mileage unknown · Mar 6, 1997
SeatsCrashInjury
INVOLVED IN A FRONTAL AND REAR IMPACT. AFTER BEING HIT FROM THE FRONT THE DRIVER'S AND PASSENGER'S FRONT SEATBACKS GAVE OUT(COLLAPSED) AND WENT BACK INTO THE UPRIGHT POSITION AND CAUSED DRIVER TO HIT HIS FACE ON STEERING WHEEL; THE PASSENGER'S SEAT REMAINED WHERE IT WAS, PINNING THE PASSENGER'S LEGS. *AK
NHTSA ODI #807622
Mileage unknown · Feb 28, 1997
Electrical SystemFire
ELECTRICAL:IGNITION SWITCH RECALL#96V071. VEHICLE PARKED IN DRIVEWAY, WALKED ABOUT 6 HOUSES DOWN .PEOPLE STARTED SCREAMING THAT VEHICLE WAS SMOKING,SUDDENLY BURST INTO FALMES. VEHICLE TOTALED. *AK
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
3
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
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
1990 Ford Tempo Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year
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