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: 5 of 161 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.
Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 45 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Seat Belts. Review the 36 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Fuel System, Gasoline. Review the 21 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
19 crash reports5 fire reports11 injury reports
What owners actually said
161 reports
Mileage unknown · May 23, 2000
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
I HAVE REPLACED THE BRAKES, CALIPER 3 TIMES ROTORS 2 TIMES AND A MECHANIC CAN NOT FIND THE PROBLEM THE CAR DOES NOT STOP WELL IN HEAVY TRAFFIC CONSTANT GRINDING AND SQUEALING EVEN AFTER REPLACMENT THERE SHOULD HAVE BEEN A RECALL BY NOW THIS HAS BEEN A PROBLEM SINCE IVE HAD THE CAR UNDER WARRANTY FORD WOULD NEVER FIX THE PROBLEM …
Read full complaint
I HAVE REPLACED THE BRAKES, CALIPER 3 TIMES ROTORS 2 TIMES AND A MECHANIC CAN NOT FIND THE PROBLEM THE CAR DOES NOT STOP WELL IN HEAVY TRAFFIC CONSTANT GRINDING AND SQUEALING EVEN AFTER REPLACMENT THERE SHOULD HAVE BEEN A RECALL BY NOW THIS HAS BEEN A PROBLEM SINCE IVE HAD THE CAR UNDER WARRANTY FORD WOULD NEVER FIX THE PROBLEM THEY SAID THERE IS NOTHING WRONG. *AK
NHTSA ODI #723095
Mileage unknown · Apr 3, 2000
Engine And Engine Cooling
THE LOCATION OF DRAIN HOLE IN THE MUFFLER HAS CAUSED CONTROL ARMS AND FUEL TANK TO RUST. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP. NO REPAIRS WERE MADE TO THE VEHICLE. OWNER NOTICED THE RUSTING ABOUT A MONTH AGO.*AK.ET.
NHTSA ODI #859620
Mileage unknown · Mar 28, 2000
Fuel System, Gasoline
GAS TANK RUSTED AND LEAKED OIL ONTO THE EXHAUST SYSTEM. CONSUMER FEARED THAT THIS MAY HAVE STARTED A FIRE IF VEHICLE OERHEATED BECAUSE OF HOT WEATHER. *AK
NHTSA ODI #859296
Mileage unknown · Mar 25, 2000
Fuel System, Gasoline
CAR DIED WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE STREET; NO WARNING; NO NOTHING. *AK
NHTSA ODI #720579
Mileage unknown · Mar 14, 2000
Seat Belts
AUTOMATIC SEAT BELTS MALFUNCTIONED. DRIVER'S SIDE HAS BEEN REPAIRED BY DEALER. CURRENTLY, PASSENGER'S SIDE AUTOMATIC SEAT ALSO MALFUNCTIONED, AND NEEDS TO BE REPAIRED. DEALER WILL NOT REPAIR MOTORIZED SEAT BELT UNLESS COST GOES TO CONSUMER. *AK
NHTSA ODI #858466
Mileage unknown · Feb 17, 2000
Seat Belts
SEAT BELT RETRACTOR FOR PASSENGER'S SIDE IS BROKEN ,IT WILL STICK AND GRIND, CAUSING A LOSS OF PROTECTION. *AK
NHTSA ODI #857088
Mileage unknown · Feb 9, 2000
Seat Belts
I HAVE HAD MANY CONTINUOUS PROBLEMS WITH BOTH SEATBELTS. MAKE LOTS OF NOISE. *AK
NHTSA ODI #718509
Mileage unknown · Jan 28, 2000
Engine And Engine CoolingFuel System, Gasoline
GAS TANK WAS LEAKING AND SPRAYING GAS BACK ON THE MUFFLER. THERE WERE ALOT OF FUMES IN THE CAR. IF SOMEONE CAME BY, AND CAR BACKFIRED, IT COULD EXPLODE. TOOK TO DEALER, AND THEY REPLACED THE TANK. BUT FUMES ARE STILL THERE. CONSUMER FELT THEY SHOULD HAVE CHECKED MUFFLER ALSO. *AK
NHTSA ODI #855695
Mileage unknown · Jan 21, 2000
Fuel System, Gasoline
A HOLE IN THE TOP OF THE GAS TANK SPILLS OUT OF THE TANK WHILE DRIVING CAUSING FUMES TO ENTER CABIN OF VEHICLE RESULTING IN DRIVER FEELING ILL. THE VEHICLES MUFFLER FRAME EXPERIENCED SOME RUSTING FROM THE SPILLAGE. NLM
NHTSA ODI #550514
Mileage unknown · Jan 10, 2000
Seat Belts
AUTOMATIC RESTRAINTS ARE INOPERABLE, THEY WILL NOT MOVE BACK AND FORTH ON THE TRACKS. DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. *AK
THESE VEHICLES ARE ORIGINALLY SOLD OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE FOLLOWING STATES: ALASKA, IOWA, MINNESOTA, NEBRASKA, NORTH DAKOTA, AND SOUTH DAKOTA. THE VEHICLES INVOLVED ARE 1992-1994 TEMPO/TOPAZ VEHICLES WITH 3.0L ENGINES; 1994 TEMPO/TOPAZ WITH 2.3L ENGINES; 1992-1995 TAURUS/SABLE WITH 3.8L ENGINES; 1994-1995 TAURUS/SABLE WITH 3.0L ENGINES AND 1992-1994 LINCOLN CONTINENTAL VEHICLES WITH 3.8L ENGINES. DURING HIGH WINDS, HEAVY, BLOWING AND DRIFTING SNOW, AND LOW TEMPERATURES, THE ENGINE COOLING FAN CAN BECOME BLOCKED OR FROZEN WITH SNOW. THE FAN MOTOR MAY NOT ROTATE AND COULD OVERHEAT.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THIS CONDITION CAN CAUSE SMOKE OR FLAMES FROM THE FAN AND/OR SHROUD, THE FAN ELECTRICAL WIRING, OR THE FAN MOTOR RESULTING IN A VEHICLE FIRE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL AN ELECTRICAL JUMPER HARNESS CONTAINING AN AUTOMATIC RESETTING CIRCUIT BREAKER TO PROTECT THE FAN MOTOR LOW SPEED CIRCUITRY FROM OVERHEATING.
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
2
EA96024 · Engine Cooling Fan Fires
Opened Sep 30, 1996 · Closed Apr 15, 1997
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Engine And Engine Cooling
There is no summary currently available
PE96033 · Engine Cooling Fan Fires
Opened May 2, 1996 · Closed Sep 30, 1996
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Engine And Engine Cooling
IN DECEMBER 1995, FORD RECALLED 119,313 VEHICLES IN CANADA TO REMEDY THE SUBJECT CONDITION IN CERTAIN 1992-95 TAURUS, SABLE, TEMPO, TOPAZ AND CONTINENTAL VEHICLES.FORD IS AWARE OF SIMILAR INCIDENTS OCCURRING IN NORTHERN REGIONS OF THE UNITED STATES, BUT MAINTAINS THAT THE FREQUENCIES DO NOT WARRANT A FINDING OF AN UNREASONABLE RISK TO MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY.
1994 Ford Tempo Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year
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