Auto Recall Watch
U.S. public vehicle records

1987 Ford TEMPO problems and owner complaints

Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.

Key facts

53 owner complaints analyzed

1 distinct recall campaigns

Not available median reported failure mileage

Scope: 1987 model year. Data updated: . 0 complaints include usable failure mileage. View data status.

Owner-reported patterns

Most common problems

Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline is the most frequently named component, appearing in 10 of 53 complaints (18.9%). A complaint can name multiple components.

Recurring terms in complaint narratives
TopicMatching reportsShare of complaints
Engine operation1426.4%
Electrical and battery issues1120.8%
Steering behavior1018.9%
Braking behavior59.4%
Fuel system concerns59.4%
Transmission and shifting35.7%

Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.

Component breakdown

Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.

Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline
10
Electrical System:Ignition:Switch
8
Electrical System:Ignition
7
Electrical System:Alternator/Generator/Regulator
6
Electrical System:Ignition:Module
3
Power Train:Automatic Transmission
3
Electrical System:Wiring
2
Electrical System:Wiring:Interior/Under Dash
2
Component breakdown data
CategoryCount
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline10
Electrical System:Ignition:Switch8
Electrical System:Ignition7
Electrical System:Alternator/Generator/Regulator6
Electrical System:Ignition:Module3
Power Train:Automatic Transmission3
Electrical System:Wiring2
Electrical System:Wiring:Interior/Under Dash2

Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline: 10; Electrical System:Ignition:Switch: 8; Electrical System:Ignition: 7; Electrical System:Alternator/Generator/Regulator: 6; Electrical System:Ignition:Module: 3; Power Train:Automatic Transmission: 3; Electrical System:Wiring: 2; Electrical System:Wiring:Interior/Under Dash: 2

Reported problems by failure mileage

Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.

Under 25,000
0
25,000 to 49,999
0
50,000 to 74,999
0
75,000 to 99,999
0
100,000 to 149,999
0
150,000 and above
0
Reported problems by failure mileage data
CategoryCount
Under 25,0000
25,000 to 49,9990
50,000 to 74,9990
75,000 to 99,9990
100,000 to 149,9990
150,000 and above0

Under 25,000: 0; 25,000 to 49,999: 0; 50,000 to 74,999: 0; 75,000 to 99,999: 0; 100,000 to 149,999: 0; 150,000 and above: 0

No usable failure mileage is recorded. 53 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.

Complaints over time

Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.

1995
8
1996
20
1997
6
1998
4
1999
6
2000
3
2001
4
2002
2
Complaints over time data
CategoryCount
19958
199620
19976
19984
19996
20003
20014
20022

1995: 8; 1996: 20; 1997: 6; 1998: 4; 1999: 6; 2000: 3; 2001: 4; 2002: 2

Pattern summary

Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline leads the component reports. Engine operation appears in 14 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 11 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 10 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.

Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.

Complaint evidence

Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.

Owner report 520825 · 1997-09-30 (September 30, 1997)

FILLED UP A QUARTER OF A TANK OF 87 OCTANE, SOON AFTER, VEHICLE STRUGGLED TO IDLE/STALLED. SUBSEQUENTLY, FILLED UP WITH GAS AT ANOTHER STATION AND VEHICLE RAN BETTER. HAD TO ADD GAS FOR TREATMENT FOR VEHICLE TO RUN NORMALLY. *AK

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 520825 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 522822 · 1997-09-30 (September 30, 1997)

VEHICLE EXPERIENCES CONTINUED STALLING, UNABLE TO RECTIFY OR FIND FAULTY COMPONENT.

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 522822 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 706894 · 1999-05-26 (May 26, 1999)

MY CAR STARTED ACTING UP 1ST BY CUTTING OUT LIKE IT WAS GOING TO DIE, THE IT WOULD REV UP,AND THEN COMPLETELY QUIT. THEN WHEN I TRIED TO START IT THE TACHOMETER WOULD SPIN AROUND BACKWARDS. AFTER SETTING FOR A FEW HOURS IT WOULD START AND MAYBE RUN FINE FOR A FEW DAYS. THEN PROBLEM 2 HAPPENED. MY HORN STARTED BEEPING FOR NO REASON AND I HAD TO TAKE THE FUSE OUT. THE CAR WILL NOT START AT ALL NOW. WE HAVE CHANGED THE COMPUTER BRAIN AND THAT WASN'T THE PROBLEM. SOMETIMES WHEN YOU SHUT THE DOOR THE HORN BEEPS WITH NO FUSE IN THE FUSE BOX. …

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 706894 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 801537 · 1996-08-29 (August 29, 1996)

WHILE DRIVING THE WIRING UNDER THE DASH CONNECTED TO THE STEERING COLUMN BURNT OUT. PLEASE DESCRIBE.*AK

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 801537 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 478194 · 1995-01-01 (January 1, 1995)

FRONT END STARTED SHAKING, CAUSING DRIVER TO JERK STEERING WHEEL, RESULTING IN LOSE OF CONTROL/ACCIDENT (NEW JERSEY STATE POLICE ACCIDENT REPORT). *AMK

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 478194 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 507853 · 1996-08-23 (August 23, 1996)

STEERING WHEEL FAILED.

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 507853 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 501529 · 1996-01-12 (January 12, 1996)

MASTER BRAKE CYLINDER IS ONLY A SINGLE RESERVIOR, SHOULD BE DUAL. *SD

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 501529 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 562913 · 2001-09-05 (September 5, 2001)

THE VEHICLE STALLS INTERMITTENTLY WITHOUT WARNING MAKING BRAKING AND STEERING MORE DIFFICULT, THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN TAKEN TO THE DEALER ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS BUT THE PROBLEM COULD NOT BE SOLVED, ON ONE OCCASION THE DRIVE STRUCK A UTILITY POLE AND DAMAGED THE VEHICLE WHEN THE VEHICLE STALLED WHILE MAKING A TURN.

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 562913 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 548421 · 1999-09-09 (September 9, 1999)

FUEL PUMP FAILED. MJS

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 548421 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 731436 · 2000-09-14 (September 14, 2000)

CAR WONT RESTART AFTER IT HAS BEEN DRIVIN AND OR STOPPED AT IDLE SPEED. CAUSING ME TO BE STRANDED CONTINUALLY. FORD MOTOR WAS SUPPOSE TO FIX THE FUEL PUMP , BUT INSTEAD REPLACED TFI SWITCH AND TWO OTHER SENSORS , BUT AM STILL HAVING SAME SYMTOMS SENT CAR BACK AND NOW THEY TELL ME ITS THE FUEL PUMP WICH IS WHY I TOOK THE CAR TO THEM TO BEGIN WITH.. THEN I HERE ON THE NEWS ABOUT THIS TFI SWITCH THAT FORD MOTOR CHARGED ME AN ARM A LEG AND A FOOT FOR 640.00... I SEE A COVER UP OR SOMTHING IS NOT RIGHT AT MY EXPENSE.. NOT TO MENTION THE STEARIN…

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 731436 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 545892 · 1999-06-02 (June 2, 1999)

TRANSMISSION FAILED. MJS

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 545892 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 832659 · 1998-12-24 (December 24, 1998)

TRANSMISSION IS FAILING TO OPERATE PROPERLY. VEHICLE MAKING NOISE WHEN SHIFTING INTO HIGH GEAR. DEALER WAS NOT NOTIFIED AT THIS TIME. *AK

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 832659 at NHTSA ↗

Explore the data

Vehicle analysis explorer

Inspect model-year patterns, reported mileage, monthly activity and the evidence behind each signal.

Data completeness

53 unique complaints in this selection. Analysis snapshot: 2026-10-01.

0.0%Usable mileage0 / 53 records
58.5%Valid incident date31 / 53 records
100.0%Valid filing date53 / 53 records
58.5%Ordered incident and filing dates31 / 53 records

Missing, zero and invalid mileage is excluded. Dates after the snapshot are excluded. Examples are limited selections, not a representative sample.

Problems by model year

Model-wide comparison of the eight most reported components across the model. Cells show counts and shares within each model year. Open a cell for source examples.

Component complaint heatmap
Component198619871988198919901991199219931994199519961997199819992000
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline
26.5%
ODI 488691

BRAKES REPLACED. *SD

Look up ODI 488691 at NHTSA ↗

1018.9%
ODI 520825

FILLED UP A QUARTER OF A TANK OF 87 OCTANE, SOON AFTER, VEHICLE STRUGGLED TO IDLE/STALLED. SUBSEQUENTLY, FILLED UP WITH GAS AT ANOTHER STATION AND VEHICLE RAN BETTER. HAD TO ADD GAS FOR TREATMENT FOR VEHICLE TO RUN NORMALLY. *AK

Look up ODI 520825 at NHTSA ↗

1511.9%
ODI 484429

VEHICLE STALLS UPON STOPPING AT STOP SIGNS/TRAFFIC LIGHTS. *AW

Look up ODI 484429 at NHTSA ↗

1814.5%
ODI 503310

ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE. *SD

Look up ODI 503310 at NHTSA ↗

129.0%
ODI 484011

DRIVING LOW TO HIGH SPEEDS W/O WARNING CAR STALLS, CAUSING LOSS OF POWER STEERING/BRAKES. *SD

Look up ODI 484011 at NHTSA ↗

1917.3%
ODI 484586

VEHICLE FIRE. *AK

Look up ODI 484586 at NHTSA ↗

116.3%
ODI 488358

CARBON MONOXIDE ODOR COMING FROM AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEM. *SD

Look up ODI 488358 at NHTSA ↗

2611.5%
ODI 504132

VEHICLE STALLED ON HIGHWAY TWICE, SECOND TIME CAUSING ACCIDENT/INJURY. *DSH

Look up ODI 504132 at NHTSA ↗

127.5%
ODI 502009

WINDOW PROBLEMS.

Look up ODI 502009 at NHTSA ↗

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

Electrical System:Ignition
412.9%
ODI 754610

ON THE IGNITION PROBLEM, THE CAR DIED ON THE STATE HIGHWAY & I HAD TO GET TOWED TO MY MECHANIC. MY CAR WAS LAID UP FOR 16 DAYS. HE FINALLY FOUND OUT IT WAS THE IGNITION THAT WAS MALFUNCTIONING AFTER DOING A TROUBLESHOOTING START & STALLING CONDITION. IT COST ME 118.07 FO THE REPAIRS AND ANOTHER$30.00 FOR THE TOW. THIS HAS BEEN A PROBLEM EVEN BEFORE YOU DID THE RECALL. AND I WISH I COULD GET COMPENSATED FOR THE EXPENSENSE,BUT YOU SAID ONLY TO 100,000 MILES. I DONT THINK THAT IS FAIR! ON THE DRIVE TRAIN, I WAS DRIVING ALONG AND THN LOST POWE…

Look up ODI 754610 at NHTSA ↗

713.2%
ODI 504983

WHEEL CYLINDERS FAILED. DH

Look up ODI 504983 at NHTSA ↗

129.5%
ODI 559307

IGNITION COIL AND MODULE FAILED. NLM

Look up ODI 559307 at NHTSA ↗

86.5%
ODI 543849

LOCK CYLINDER FAILED CAUSING DRIVER TO BE SHOCKED WHEN KEY WAS INSERTED INTO IGNITION.

Look up ODI 543849 at NHTSA ↗

1813.5%
ODI 10096145 · 83,000 mi

CAR HAS REPEATABLE PROBLEM OF NOT STARTING...HAVE HAD IT TOWED, DUE TO THIS, NUMEROUS TIMES, SPENT THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS TRYING TO GET IT FIXED, ETC. ONLY TO DISCOVER THAT IT HAS TWO IGNITION DEFECTS...POTENTIALLY... SINCE THE CAR WAS NOT NEW WHEN I BOUGHT IT 3 YEARS AGO, I HAVE NO RECOURSE BUT TO BEAR THE COST OF REPAIRS MYSELF. I AM OUTRAGED THAT FORD GOT AWAY WITH NOT RECALLING THESE VEHICLES!!!

Look up ODI 10096145 at NHTSA ↗

98.2%
ODI 706532

THE CAR STALLS OUT WHEN COMING TO A STOP, ANOTHER TIME IT STALLED WHILE I WAS TRAVELING ON THE FREEWAY AT ABOUT 65 MILES PER HOUR. WHEN I COME TO A STOP I HAVE TO PUT THE CAR IN "N" AND GIVE IT GAS THEN PUT IN DRIVE AND FLOOR IT SO IT DOSE NOT STALL. IT ALSO STALLS AS I'M COMING TO A STOP OR I'VE STOPPED AND THEN GIVE IT GAS TO PROCEED. I HAVE HAD SO MANY CLOSE CALLS OF BEING REAR ENDED DUE TO THIS PROBLEM. I'M VERY LUCKY TO HAVE NOT SUFFERED ANY PERSONAL INJURY HOWEVER, MY NERVES ARE ALWAYS ON EDGE WHILE DRIVING THIS CAR. IF I COULD GET RID O…

Look up ODI 706532 at NHTSA ↗

169.1%
ODI 10010415

WHILE DRIVING MY CAR FROM BURDINES HIALEAH PARKING LOT, THE STEERING WHEEL STARTED SMOKING AND I PULLED INTO THE FIRST PARKING SPOT THAT I SAW. I TURNED THE CAR OFF, BUT THE SMOKE CONTINUED TO INCREASE AND FINALLY THE STEERING WHEEL CAUGHT ON FIRE. THE SECURITY GUARD IN THE PARKING LOT USED A FIRE EXTINGUISHER TO KILL THE FIRE AND THE HIALEAH FIRE DEPART. WAS ALSO CALLED AND CAME IN. WHEN I CALLED MY MECHANIC REGARDING THIS ISSUE, HE TOLD ME IT WAS WEIRD, BECAUSE HE NEVER HEARD OF A STEERING WHEEL CATCHING FIRE. I HAD THE CAR TOWED AT THE M…

Look up ODI 10010415 at NHTSA ↗

187.9%
ODI 10006832

THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE WHILE PARKED, THE FIRE ORIGINATED FROM THE IGNITION.*JB

Look up ODI 10006832 at NHTSA ↗

116.8%
ODI 729760

THIS CAR STALLS WHEN OVER HEATED IN STOP AND GO TRAFFIC,THE TEMP.GAUGE DOES NOT SHOW THAT IT IS HOT ,BUT THE CAR JUST STALLS AND WILL NOT START FOR ABOUT 30-45 MIN.I HAVE SPENT ALOT OF MONEY ON PARTS AND NOTHING IS WORKING.I HAVE HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE AND BEING STRANDED IN 106 DEGREE WEATHER IS NOT GOOD FOR ME .I HAVE ALMOST BEEN KILLED ON THE HIGHWAYS BY BEING STALLED IN A LANE AND NOT BEING ABLE TO RESTART THE CAR,ONCE IT STALLS IT WILL NOT BUDGE UNTIL IT COOLS DOWN .PLEASE HELP I CANNOT AFFORD TO KEEP PUTTING PARTS ON THIS CAR AND MY HEALYH I…

Look up ODI 729760 at NHTSA ↗

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

1100.0%
ODI 873497

VEHICLE STALLS WITH A LOSS OF TOTAL POWER. VEHICLE STALLED 3 TIMES TRYING TO GET IT HOME. IT WILL NOT START UNTIL IT HAS COOLED DOWN, THE REASON FOR THE STALLING IS BECAUSE THE IGNITION MODULE IS MOUNTED ON THE DISTRIBUTOR, WHEN THE TEMPERATURE GOES ABOVE 257 DEGRESS, THE MODULE IS LIKELY TO CUT OUT AND CAUSE VEHICLE TO STALL, SOME VEHICLES WERE RECALLED. *AK *SLC

Look up ODI 873497 at NHTSA ↗

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

Seat Belts
00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

64.8%
ODI 516580

THE FIRST CAR IN THIS DOCUMENT, SEAT BELT WARNING LAMP ON.

Look up ODI 516580 at NHTSA ↗

108.1%
ODI 10179485 · 72,000 mi

TL*- THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SEAT BELT SUPPORT ON THE 1989 FORD TEMPO HAD DISENGAGED ON DRIVER'S SIDE AND FRONT PASSENGER SIDE. THE CONTACT TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER , AND THE DEALER STATED THAT THEY WOULDN'T BE ABLE TO FIX THE VEHICLE UNDER WARRANTY BECAUSE THE VEHICLE WAS TOO OLD. *AK UPDATED 2/22/2007 - THE CONSUMER FEELS THAT THE SEAT BELT SUPPORT WAS MADE FROM AN INFERIOR PLASTIC WHICH BECAME BRITTLE. *NM

Look up ODI 10179485 at NHTSA ↗

1511.3%
ODI 10010168 · 55 mi

1.) ROUGH IDLE, AND OIL LIGHT INTERMITTENTLY COMES ON WHEN IDLING AND ONLY GOES OFF WHEN ACCELERATING, BUT OFTEN STALLS OUT, AND DOESN'T WANT TO RE-START. (HAD OIL CHANGED TWICE TO GET EXCESS GAS OUT OF IT FROM TRYING TO START IT.) HAD TO TOW CAR THREE TIMES. PAID $1,000 TO TRY TO GET IT FIXED, BUT ON THE WAY HOME IT DID THE SAME THING. 2.) COOLING FAN QUIT WORKING AND CAR OVERHEATED AND I PAID TO HAVE THE RADIATOR REPLACED, AS PETCOCK WAS LEAKING. MECHANIC DIDN'T NOTICE THAT FAN WASN'T WORKING, SO IT OVERHEATED ON THE WAY HOME WITH A N…

Look up ODI 10010168 at NHTSA ↗

32.7%
ODI 10252353 · 38,000 mi

SHOULDER HARNESS FOR BOTH FRONT OCCUPANTS FAILS TO LOCK WHEN VEHICLE MAKES A DRASTIC STOP. FORD SHOWS NO RECALL. I HAD TO MODIFY THE LOCKING HARNESS TO MAKE IT A FULL TIME RESTRAINT

Look up ODI 10252353 at NHTSA ↗

2011.4%
ODI 10071044 · 170,000 mi

THE HORN QUIT WORKING, THE COOLING FAN HAS QUIT TWICE AND HAD TO BE REPLACED , NOW THE FAN PROBLEN IS IN THE WIRING , HAVENT FIXED IT YET, THE FUEL PUMP HAS BEEN REPLACED TWICE, THE RIGH HEADLIGHT HS BEEN REPLACED 7 TIMES IN 3 YEARS, THE DRIVERS SIDE SEATBELT NO LONGER WORKS , THE TRANSMISSION LEAKS AT THE DRIVERS SIDE CV AXLE AND THE DRIVERS SIDE CV ASLE HAS HAD TO BE REPLACED 3 TIMES IN THE LAST 3 YEARS , THE MAX FUEL ECONOMY IS 16 MPG (HIGHWAY), THE ENGINE IDLES UP AND DOWN AT STOP SIGNS , THE IGNITION SWITCH ON THE STEERING WHEEL HAS CAME U…

Look up ODI 10071044 at NHTSA ↗

3816.7%
ODI 501003

BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER FAILED, CAUSING ACCIDENT/INJURIES. *DSH

Look up ODI 501003 at NHTSA ↗

1710.6%
ODI 509750

MOTORIZED SEAT BELTS FAILED.

Look up ODI 509750 at NHTSA ↗

133.3%
ODI 835057

DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 30MPH CONSUMER BROADSIDED A VEHICLE ON PASSENGER'S SIDE WHERE AUTOMATIC SHOULDER HARNESS DID NOT LOCK, CAUSING DRIVER TO BOUNCE OFF STEERING WHEEL, RESULTING IN SEVERE INJURIES. INVESTIGATING OFFICER SAID THIS WASN'T UNUSUAL, AND THAT THE SEAT BELTS WILL USUALLY NOT LOCK IF THE BRAKES ARE NOT HIT FIRST. *AK *ML

Look up ODI 835057 at NHTSA ↗

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

Electrical System:Ignition:Switch
412.9%
ODI 504248

IGNITION SWITCH SHORTED, CAUSING ENGINE FIRE. *DSH

Look up ODI 504248 at NHTSA ↗

815.1%
ODI 804284

CAR WAS PARKED AND IT CAUGHT ON FIRE. *AK CONSUMER STATES THE SWITCH APPARENTLY FAILED ,GAS WAS PUMPED INTO ENGINE COMPARTMENT FUMES MADE THEIR WAY BACK INTO THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT, THESE FUMES ENCOUNTERED THE SWITCH WHICH MUST HAVE BEEN PUTTING OUT A SPARK, THE FIRE MOVED FROM THE TOP RIGHT STEERING COLUMN TO THE RIGHT TOWARD THE OUTLET FOR THE GAS IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT, THERE WAS NOT ENOUGH COMBUSTIBLE MATERIAL IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT TO SUSTAIN THIS FIRE, THE FUEL PUMP RAN UNTIL THE ELECTRICIAL SYSTEM SHORTED BETWEEN THE FUEL PUMP A…

Look up ODI 804284 at NHTSA ↗

1814.3%
ODI 504240

IGNITION SWITCH SHORTED, CAUSING FIRE. *DSH

Look up ODI 504240 at NHTSA ↗

129.7%
ODI 504252

IGNITION SWITCH SHORTED, CAUSING FIRE. *DSH

Look up ODI 504252 at NHTSA ↗

139.8%
ODI 502224

IGNITION SWITCH SHORTED, CAUSING FIRE. *DH

Look up ODI 502224 at NHTSA ↗

43.6%
ODI 504894

IGNITION SWITCH SHORTS OUT.

Look up ODI 504894 at NHTSA ↗

158.5%
ODI 484086

OIL/TRANSMISSION LEAK REPAIRED. *SD

Look up ODI 484086 at NHTSA ↗

94.0%
ODI 10033227

BECAUSE I'M NOT THE ORIGINAL OWNER THEY HAVE REFUSED TO REPAIR MY CAR. I'VE PUT ALOT OF MONEY IN MY CAR AND I'M STILL HAVING PROBLEMS WITH IT. FROM IT CUTTING OFF WHEN I STOP TO CONSTANTLY HAVING TO GET MY ROTORS TURN . I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW HOW CAN I GET HELP? THEY DON'T EVEN SEND ME RECALL NOTICES. I WAS SURFING THE NET TONIGHT AND MOST OF THE PROBLEMS I HAVE WITH MY CAR IT'S LISTED IN THE RECALL LIST.MY CAR IS A 1993 FORD TEMPO.PLEASE HELP ME AS SOON AS YOU CAN BEFORE I HAVE A MAJOR ACCIDENT( MY BRAKES ACT LIKE THEY DON'T WONT TO STOP).THANK …

Look up ODI 10033227 at NHTSA ↗

21.2%
ODI 523792

IGNITION SWITCH FAILED CAUSING VEHICLE TO STALL.

Look up ODI 523792 at NHTSA ↗

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine
00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

23.8%
ODI 507853

STEERING WHEEL FAILED.

Look up ODI 507853 at NHTSA ↗

75.6%
ODI 10017750

WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE STALLED. *AK *NLM

Look up ODI 10017750 at NHTSA ↗

43.2%
ODI 544453

OIL LEAKING FROM VALVE COVER GASKET, REPAIRED, HOWEVER OIL LEAK IS STILL PRESENT, OIL LEAK HAS DAMAGED THE MOTOR.

Look up ODI 544453 at NHTSA ↗

32.3%
ODI 505205

SEAT BELT REPAIRS NOT PERFORMED DUE TO UNAVAILABILITY OF PARTS.

Look up ODI 505205 at NHTSA ↗

65.5%
ODI 480500

FRONT/REAR MOTOR MOUNTS FAILED, RESULTING IN LOSS OF CONTROL/ACCIDENT. *AK

Look up ODI 480500 at NHTSA ↗

2413.6%
ODI 10122321 · 89,000 mi

ALL GASKETS & SEALS LEAK. NEEDS ABOUT A QUART OF OIL PER 15 MILES. BECAUSE OF OIL DRIPPING, CAR CATCHES ON FIRE. NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE TO CORRECT PROBLEM, TOO EXPENSIVE!

Look up ODI 10122321 at NHTSA ↗

2511.0%
ODI 10026206

CONSUMER STATES THAT THE VEHICLE STALLS INTERMITTENTLY WHILE DRIVING.*AK

Look up ODI 10026206 at NHTSA ↗

2012.4%
ODI 10010555

"SERVICE ENGINE SOON" LIGHT GOES ON WHILE DRIVING, SOMETIMES GOING OFF AFTER A FEW MINUTES AND SOMETIMES STAYING ON FOR 20-40 MILES. SEVERAL PEOPLE HAVE LOOKED UP THE CODES AND CAN'T FIND A PROBLEM. THIS HAS BEEN HAPPENING FOR MORE THAN A YEAR. I DO NOT HAVE AN OWNER'S MANUAL AND CANNOT LOCATE ONE ONLINE, SO TROUBLESHOOTING IS EXTREMELY DIFFICULT. *NLM

Look up ODI 10010555 at NHTSA ↗

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

1100.0%
ODI 886229

IDLE PULLEY/CRANKSHAFT POPPED OFF. THIS CAUSED CAR TO MAKE A SQUEALING NOISE. *AK

Look up ODI 886229 at NHTSA ↗

Vehicle Speed Control
26.5%
ODI 859156

WHILE DRIVING ABOUT ANY SPEED VEHICLE COULD ACCELERATE, EVEN WHEN STEPPING ON THE BRAKES. *AK

Look up ODI 859156 at NHTSA ↗

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

32.4%
ODI 479628

TRANSMISSION SLIPS.

Look up ODI 479628 at NHTSA ↗

64.8%
ODI 10219949 · 99,200 mi

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.

Look up ODI 10219949 at NHTSA ↗

32.3%
ODI 816586

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

Look up ODI 816586 at NHTSA ↗

54.5%
ODI 10127279 · 40,000 mi

DT: THE CALLER TOOK VEHICLE TO A REPAIR SHOP FOR BRAKES, ROTORS, PADS AND CALIPERS REPAIRS. THE VEHICLE CAME BACK IN WORSE SHAPE THAN IT WAS BEFORE THE REPAIRS. THE CAR WAS MUCH HARDER TO HANDLE, AND SHOOK VIOLENTLY. WHEN APPLYING BRAKES THE STEERING WHEEL SHOOK VIOLENTLY AND STEERED TO THE LEFT. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS DROPPED OFF ON JUNE 21, 2005 THE GAS TANK WAS FULL, AND THE TRIP ODOMETER HAD JUST BEEN RESET, AND MILEAGE WAS 0. CONSUMER PICKED UP THE CAR 6 DAYS LATER AND THE CAR WAS ON EMPTY AND THE TRIP ODOMETER SHOWED 136 MILES. THE…

Look up ODI 10127279 at NHTSA ↗

105.7%
ODI 488358

CARBON MONOXIDE ODOR COMING FROM AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEM. *SD

Look up ODI 488358 at NHTSA ↗

73.1%
ODI 526411

GAS PEDAL ACCELERATES ON ITS OWN/STICKS. *AK

Look up ODI 526411 at NHTSA ↗

63.7%
ODI 803807

CRUISE CONTROL, VEHCILE STALLED IN TRAFFIC WITHOUT ANY PRIOR WARNING AND ACCELERATOR PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR. RESULTING IN TOTAL LOSS OF CONTROL. *AK

Look up ODI 803807 at NHTSA ↗

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

Seat Belts:Front:Retractor
00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

32.4%
ODI 9005921

THE LAP BELT ON PASSENAGER SIDE FRONT WILL NOT STAY CLASPED. DRIVERS SHOULDER STRAP (AUTOMATIC) WILL NOT SLIDE OPEN. THE MOTOR CAN BE HEARD INSIDE, BUT WILL NOT MOVE.

Look up ODI 9005921 at NHTSA ↗

54.0%
ODI 508850

MOTORBELT RETRACTOR FAILED.

Look up ODI 508850 at NHTSA ↗

32.3%
ODI 802393

THE DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BELT MAKES A HORRIBLE NOISE WENT IT RETRACTS.*AK

Look up ODI 802393 at NHTSA ↗

65.5%
ODI 10074147 · 105,000 mi

INTERMITTENTLY FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE AUTOMATIC SEAT BELT RETRACTOR FAILED TO FUNCTION. DEALERSHIP HAS REPLACED THE SEAT BELT RETRACTOR MOTOR TWICE, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. *AK *NM

Look up ODI 10074147 at NHTSA ↗

95.1%
ODI 10056854 · 102,000 mi

FRONT SEAT BELT AUTOMATIC RETRACTOR INOPERABLE.........VEHICLE NO LONGER HAS A THREE POINT RESTRAINT CAPABILITY.........UNSAFE!!!! THIS IS THE THIRD FAILURE FOR THE FRONT AUTOMATIC SEAT BELT RESTRAINT SYSTEM ON THREE DIFFERENT VEHICLES. I'M THE "DUTY" MECHANIC FOR OUR FAMILY AND HAVE BECOME QUITE ADEPT AT FIXING THESE RESTRAINTS. I'VE REPLACED THE NYLON "FEED BELT" IN THE AUTOMATIC RETRACTORS.........THIS IS THE "FAILING" PART. IN MY OBSERVATION, THIS IS A DESIGN FAILURE BY FORD. SPECIFICALLY, THE NYLON "FEED/DRIVE" BELT FAILS BECAU…

Look up ODI 10056854 at NHTSA ↗

94.0%
ODI 708369

RESTRAINT DOES NOT OPERATE. FORD DEALERS IN THIS AREA HAVE EXPRESSED A CONSISTENT PROBLEM WITH THIS ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE OF TEMPOS. I AM 3 MONTHS PREGNANT AND FEEL THAT A RECALL IS WARRANTED SINCE THIS A VERY SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE! *AK

Look up ODI 708369 at NHTSA ↗

53.1%
ODI 8017534

WHILE SEATING IN VEHICLE WHILE IT WAS RUNNING CONSUMER CLOSED DOOR AND NOTICED THAT DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BELT TIGHTENED TO CONSUMER'S BODY, AND CUT CONSUMER'S AIR OFF. CONSUMER WAS FREED BY SEAT BELT EING CUT OUT. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK

Look up ODI 8017534 at NHTSA ↗

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

Electrical System:Alternator/Generator/Regulator
13.2%
ODI 10145189 · 100,560 mi

DT: THE CONTACT STATED WHEN EXITING THE VEHICLE SHE SMELLED AN ODD ODOR. UPON REENTERING AND STARING THE VEHICLE WHITE SMOKE CAME FROM UNDER THE HOOD. WHEN CHECKING UNDER THE HOOD SHE SAW FLAMES COMING OUT. SHE IMMEDIATELY CALLED 911. THE FIRE WENT OUT ON ITS OWN BEFORE THE FIRE DEPARTMENT ARRIVED. A POLICE REPORT WAS TAKEN AT THE SCENE. THE ALTERNATOR APPEARED TO BE THE SOURCE OF THE FIRE. THE PLUG TO THE ALTERNATOR MELTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. A REPLACEMENT ALTERNATOR WAS PURCHASED, BUT THE VEHICLE HAS NOT…

Look up ODI 10145189 at NHTSA ↗

611.3%
ODI 737185

I AM FINANCIALLY OBLIGATED TO PAST DUE BILLS; HOWEVER I AM TRYING TO KEEP UP WITH THE CAR PROBLEMS, I DIDN'T KNOW IF THERE WAS ANY RECALL ON THIS CAR! AS MENTIONED I WAS GIVEN A FINE OF $50.00 FOR EXPIRED TAGS BY ABOUT A WEEK; I WOULD HAVE WENT TO MVA IF GIVEN A WARNING FOR RENEWAL! WITH ALL OF THE EXPENSES IN A CAR IS THERE ANY WAY TO GET SOME WORK DONE WITHOUT BEING INDEBTED TO A HIGH PRICED MECHANIC? ECONOMICS SHOULD NOT PLAY A PART FOR SAFETY OF A CAR; SHOULD HAVE WAYS TO HELP ECONOMICALLY DISADVANTAGED. PLEASE READ OUT OF CONCERN AND NOT …

Look up ODI 737185 at NHTSA ↗

1310.3%
ODI 504338

ALTERNATOR REPLACED. *SD

Look up ODI 504338 at NHTSA ↗

54.0%
ODI 10013933 · 99,000 mi

SINCE 2000, MY 1989 FORD TEMPO HAD BROKEN DOWN FOUR TIMES, TWICE IN HEAVY TRAFFIC. EACH TIME, I HAVE BEEN TOLD THE PROBLEM WAS WITH THE ALTERNATOR, AND I HAD IT REPLACED. NOW, IN APRIL OF 2003, THE ALTERNATOR IS ABOUT TO DIE YET AGAIN. MY CAR HAS 99,000 MILES AND IS DRIVEN LESS THAN 10,000 MILES PER YEAR. FIVE ALTERNATORS IN THREE YEARS IS NOT FROM NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR ON A CAR. I BELIEVE THERE IS A DEFECT IN THE FORD TEMPO SYSTEM THAT NEEDS TO BE INVESTIGATED. AND I SEE FROM OTHER FILED COMPLAINTS I AM NOT THE ONLY PERSON WHO HAS HAD THI…

Look up ODI 10013933 at NHTSA ↗

86.0%
ODI 505959

ALTERNATOR FAILED, CAUSING HARNESS TO MELT 5 TIMES. *SD

Look up ODI 505959 at NHTSA ↗

54.5%
ODI 10067760 · 112,633 mi

TRAVELING AT A SPEED OF 60 MPH THE CAR BEGAN TO SLOW DOWN RAPIDLY THE WINDSHIELDWIPERS BEGAN SLOWING DOWN AND THE CAR WAS LOSING POWER A NEW ALTERNATOR WAS INSTALLED A WEEK PRIOR WHEN I POPPED THE HOOD THERE WAS A SMELL OF BURNING WIRES AND THE WIRES COMING FROM THE CAR TO THE ALTERNATOR WERE COMPLETELY MELTED, AND THERE WAS NO CONNECTION TO THE ALTERNATOR. THE TERMINAL WAS REPLACED AND THE ALTERNATOR WAS ALSO REPLACED, I DROVE 45 MILES FROM THE SHOP TO MY HOUSE AND CHECK UNDER THE HOOD THE CABLE ENTERING THE ALTERNATOR HAD ALREADY BEGAN TO ME…

Look up ODI 10067760 at NHTSA ↗

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

10.4%
ODI 502250

ALTERNATOR FLEW OFF CAR, CAUSING INJURY TO DRIVER OF APPROACHING VEHICLE WHEN IT WENT THROUGH THE WINDSHIELD, CAUSING ACCIDENT. *DSH

Look up ODI 502250 at NHTSA ↗

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

Darker cells indicate a larger share of submitted complaints. Components overlap. This measures complaint composition, not failure probability.

Failure mileage by component

Median and middle 50% of usable owner-reported mileages. Ranges require at least five records.

Component failure mileage distribution
ComponentMileage range (25th–75th percentile)MedianUsable recordsExamples
No usable records for this analysis.

Complaint and recall timeline

Explore monthly filing activity alongside recall announcements. Up to ten years of monthly history is available.

1 reports2024-112026-10

Solid line: filed complaints. Dashed amber lines: recall announcement dates for this vehicle selection; markers include all recall components. The latest month is partial. Temporal proximity does not establish causation.

Monthly counts, recall campaigns and complaint examples
Monthly complaint and recall timeline
MonthComplaintsCampaigns announcedExamples
2024-110None

No examples available for this selection.

2024-120None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-010None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-020None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-030None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-040None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-050None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-060None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-070None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-080None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-090None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-100None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-110None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-120None

No examples available for this selection.

2026-010None

No examples available for this selection.

2026-020None

No examples available for this selection.

2026-030None

No examples available for this selection.

2026-040None

No examples available for this selection.

2026-050None

No examples available for this selection.

2026-060None

No examples available for this selection.

2026-070None

No examples available for this selection.

2026-080None

No examples available for this selection.

2026-090None

No examples available for this selection.

2026-10 (partial)0None

No examples available for this selection.

Emerging complaint spikes

Complete months in the latest six months with at least 10 complaints, at least twice the preceding 12-month average, and at least three square-root deviations above that average.

This is a descriptive screening rule, not a statistical defect finding. Publicity and reporting changes can increase submissions.

No complete months meet the spike thresholds for this selection.

Equal-age model-year comparison

Model-wide cumulative reports during the first three or five calendar years, starting with the model year (age 0). Only fully elapsed windows are compared.

Age 0Age 1Age 21 reports

1999: 1 complaints · 2000: 1 complaints

Equal observation windows
Model yearThrough age 0Through age 1Through age 2
1999001
2000011
Date coverage across each selected cohort
Date basis for all complaints in selected model years
YearIncident dates usedFiling date fallbacksExcluded dates
1999100
2000100

Incident date is preferred when valid and no later than filing; otherwise filing date is used. Model year approximates age. Equal observation time does not adjust for sales, distance driven or reporting delays. One complaint linked to multiple model years can appear in each cohort.

Components reported together

Each cell counts unique complaints naming both components. Open a nonzero cell for examples.

Component co-occurrence matrix
ComponentEngine And Engine Cooling:Engine:GasolineElectrical System:Ignition:SwitchElectrical System:IgnitionElectrical System:Alternator/Generator/RegulatorElectrical System:Ignition:ModulePower Train:Automatic TransmissionElectrical System:WiringElectrical System:Wiring:Interior/Under Dash
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline—0000000
Electrical System:Ignition:Switch0—000000
Electrical System:Ignition00—
1
ODI 958969

REPLACED BATTERY. *AK

Look up ODI 958969 at NHTSA ↗

0
1
ODI 958969

REPLACED BATTERY. *AK

Look up ODI 958969 at NHTSA ↗

00
Electrical System:Alternator/Generator/Regulator00
1
ODI 958969

REPLACED BATTERY. *AK

Look up ODI 958969 at NHTSA ↗

—0
1
ODI 958969

REPLACED BATTERY. *AK

Look up ODI 958969 at NHTSA ↗

00
Electrical System:Ignition:Module0000—
1
ODI 545892

TRANSMISSION FAILED. MJS

Look up ODI 545892 at NHTSA ↗

00
Power Train:Automatic Transmission00
1
ODI 958969

REPLACED BATTERY. *AK

Look up ODI 958969 at NHTSA ↗

1
ODI 958969

REPLACED BATTERY. *AK

Look up ODI 958969 at NHTSA ↗

1
ODI 545892

TRANSMISSION FAILED. MJS

Look up ODI 545892 at NHTSA ↗

—00
Electrical System:Wiring000000—0
Electrical System:Wiring:Interior/Under Dash0000000—

Co-reporting does not establish that one component caused another concern.

Recurring narrative patterns

Specific keyword mentions beyond broad component labels. Matching includes negations and comparisons and does not confirm a diagnosis.

3 patterns with matching reports.

Stalling or loss of power

14 mentions · 26.4% of complaints

Median mileage: Unavailable (0 usable records).

ODI 520825

FILLED UP A QUARTER OF A TANK OF 87 OCTANE, SOON AFTER, VEHICLE STRUGGLED TO IDLE/STALLED. SUBSEQUENTLY, FILLED UP WITH GAS AT ANOTHER STATION AND VEHICLE RAN BETTER. HAD TO ADD GAS FOR TREATMENT FOR VEHICLE TO RUN NORMALLY. *AK

Look up ODI 520825 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 522822

VEHICLE EXPERIENCES CONTINUED STALLING, UNABLE TO RECTIFY OR FIND FAULTY COMPONENT.

Look up ODI 522822 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 524595

VEHICLE CONTINUOUSLY LOSES POWER/STALLS.

Look up ODI 524595 at NHTSA ↗

Matching rule\b(stall\w*|loss of power|lost power|engine shut\w* off)\b

Brake response concerns

1 mentions · 1.9% of complaints

Median mileage: Unavailable (0 usable records).

ODI 731436

CAR WONT RESTART AFTER IT HAS BEEN DRIVIN AND OR STOPPED AT IDLE SPEED. CAUSING ME TO BE STRANDED CONTINUALLY. FORD MOTOR WAS SUPPOSE TO FIX THE FUEL PUMP , BUT INSTEAD REPLACED TFI SWITCH AND TWO OTHER SENSORS , BUT AM STILL HAVING SAME SYMTOMS SENT CAR BACK AND NOW THEY TELL ME ITS THE FUEL PUMP WICH IS WHY I TOOK THE CAR TO THEM TO BEGIN WITH.. THEN I HERE ON THE NEWS ABOUT THIS TFI SWITCH THAT FORD MOTOR CHARGED ME AN ARM A LEG AND A FOOT FOR 640.00... I SEE A COVER UP OR SOMTHING IS NOT RIGHT AT MY EXPENSE.. NOT TO MENTION THE STEARIN…

Look up ODI 731436 at NHTSA ↗

Matching rule\b(brake fail\w*|brakes fail\w*|brake pedal|braking distance|unintended braking|phantom braking)\b

Hard or delayed shifting

1 mentions · 1.9% of complaints

Median mileage: Unavailable (0 usable records).

ODI 478194

FRONT END STARTED SHAKING, CAUSING DRIVER TO JERK STEERING WHEEL, RESULTING IN LOSE OF CONTROL/ACCIDENT (NEW JERSEY STATE POLICE ACCIDENT REPORT). *AMK

Look up ODI 478194 at NHTSA ↗

Matching rule\b(hard shift\w*|rough shift\w*|delay\w* shift\w*|shift\w* hard|jerk\w*|lurch\w*)\b