1985 Ford Tempo Problems
Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component
Data refreshed
What this page shows
Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 1985 Ford Tempo, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Reports by component
Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category
- Electrical1333.3%
- Engine717.9%
- Steering410.3%
- Fuel system37.7%
- Driver assistance37.7%
- Tires & wheels25.1%
- Airbags25.1%
- Suspension25.1%
- Transmission12.6%
- Other / unspecified12.6%
- Powertrain (other)12.6%
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
Each component in detail
What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words
Electrical
Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.
From owner reports, verbatim
MY 1985 FORD TEMPO GL HAS 3 RECALLS AND FORD SAYS IT DOESN'T. VIN# [XXX] 1.ECU DEFECTIVE THROTTLE REMAINS PARTIALLY OPENED OEM # 85V134000, 2.BACK TIRE REAR CONTROL ARM SPINDLE BOLT OEM # 85V086000, 3.FUEL PUMP OEM # 07E064000.WHERE DO I GO FROM HERE? *TR
OIL LEAKS FROM INTAKE MANIFOLD.
Engine
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.
From owner reports, verbatim
ENGINE WILL NOT START AT TIMES UNLESS YOU PUMP THE GAS PEDAL VERY HARD AND FAST DOESN'T DO THIS AT ALL TIMES ON OCCASIONALLY. *AK
ENGINE CYLINDER HEAD FAILED.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Steering
Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage.
From owner reports, verbatim
CAR STALLS WHEN STEERING WHEEL TURNED SHARPLY. *AK
HALF-SHAFT FAILURE.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Fuel system
Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.
From owner reports, verbatim
MY 1985 FORD TEMPO GL HAS 3 RECALLS AND FORD SAYS IT DOESN'T. VIN# [XXX] 1.ECU DEFECTIVE THROTTLE REMAINS PARTIALLY OPENED OEM # 85V134000, 2.BACK TIRE REAR CONTROL ARM SPINDLE BOLT OEM # 85V086000, 3.FUEL PUMP OEM # 07E064000.WHERE DO I GO FROM HERE? *TR
THIS CAR WAS GIVEN TO ME BY MY SISTER (ORIGINAL OWNER) AFTER ONLY 31000 MILES. THE FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM, ALL SENSORS, IGNITION MODULE, THROTTLE SOLENOID/SENSOR, AND CLUTCH HAVE GONE OUT WITHOUT WARNING, USUALLY WHEN STARTING THE CAR. I NOW HAVE A CAR WITH ANOTHER BLOWN CLUTCH, THROTTLE/IDLE SOLENOID AND MAIN COMPUTER PROBLEMS. I'VE PUT OVER $2,000 IN REPAIRS AND STILL HAVE A CAR THAT I NOW CAN'T AFFORD TO FIX ANY MORE. UPPON CONTACTING FORD REGARDING THE PROBLEMS, THEY DENIED ANY PROBLEMS EXCEPT FOR A REAR AXEL PART IN SOME {NOT MINE} MODELS. IS THERE ANY RECOURSE? I CAN'T EVEN SELL IT FOR PARTS. THANK YOU.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Driver assistance
Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems.
From owner reports, verbatim
THIS CAR WAS GIVEN TO ME BY MY SISTER (ORIGINAL OWNER) AFTER ONLY 31000 MILES. THE FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM, ALL SENSORS, IGNITION MODULE, THROTTLE SOLENOID/SENSOR, AND CLUTCH HAVE GONE OUT WITHOUT WARNING, USUALLY WHEN STARTING THE CAR. I NOW HAVE A CAR WITH ANOTHER BLOWN CLUTCH, THROTTLE/IDLE SOLENOID AND MAIN COMPUTER PROBLEMS. I'VE PUT OVER $2,000 IN REPAIRS AND STILL HAVE A CAR THAT I NOW CAN'T AFFORD TO FIX ANY MORE. UPPON CONTACTING FORD REGARDING THE PROBLEMS, THEY DENIED ANY PROBLEMS EXCEPT FOR A REAR AXEL PART IN SOME {NOT MINE} MODELS. IS THERE ANY RECOURSE? I CAN'T EVEN SELL IT FOR PARTS. THANK YOU.
WHEN PRESS ON GAS HOLD BACK LET OFF THE GAS CAR ACCELERATE. TT
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Tires & wheels
Reports naming tires, wheels, hubs, or the tire-pressure monitoring system.
From owner reports, verbatim
CONSUMER WAS INVOLVED IN ACCIDENT AND AIRBAG HAD NO DEPLOYMENT, CAUSING INJURY TO CONSUMER. *SLC
GOODYEAR VIVA TIRE (1) FLATTENED ON HIGHWAY ENTRY RAMP , 3 TIRES FAILED DUE TO BELT SLIPPAGE AND WERE REPLACED BUT FAILED AGAIN (175X80X13). NLM
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Airbags
Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights.
From owner reports, verbatim
CONSUMER WAS INVOLVED IN ACCIDENT AND AIRBAG HAD NO DEPLOYMENT, CAUSING INJURY TO CONSUMER. *SLC
VEHICLE HIT A GUARDRAIL AND THE AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY BUT IT MADE THE SENORS COME ON AND THEY WILL NOT GO OFF. *AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Suspension
Reports naming suspension components — springs, struts, shocks, control arms and related hardware.
From owner reports, verbatim
MY 1985 FORD TEMPO GL HAS 3 RECALLS AND FORD SAYS IT DOESN'T. VIN# [XXX] 1.ECU DEFECTIVE THROTTLE REMAINS PARTIALLY OPENED OEM # 85V134000, 2.BACK TIRE REAR CONTROL ARM SPINDLE BOLT OEM # 85V086000, 3.FUEL PUMP OEM # 07E064000.WHERE DO I GO FROM HERE? *TR
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Transmission
Reports naming the automatic or manual transmission, including shifting behaviour, shudder, slipping and transmission control modules.
From owner reports, verbatim
THIS CAR WAS GIVEN TO ME BY MY SISTER (ORIGINAL OWNER) AFTER ONLY 31000 MILES. THE FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM, ALL SENSORS, IGNITION MODULE, THROTTLE SOLENOID/SENSOR, AND CLUTCH HAVE GONE OUT WITHOUT WARNING, USUALLY WHEN STARTING THE CAR. I NOW HAVE A CAR WITH ANOTHER BLOWN CLUTCH, THROTTLE/IDLE SOLENOID AND MAIN COMPUTER PROBLEMS. I'VE PUT OVER $2,000 IN REPAIRS AND STILL HAVE A CAR THAT I NOW CAN'T AFFORD TO FIX ANY MORE. UPPON CONTACTING FORD REGARDING THE PROBLEMS, THEY DENIED ANY PROBLEMS EXCEPT FOR A REAR AXEL PART IN SOME {NOT MINE} MODELS. IS THERE ANY RECOURSE? I CAN'T EVEN SELL IT FOR PARTS. THANK YOU.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Other / unspecified
Reports whose component NHTSA recorded as unknown, or that do not map to one of the categories above.
From owner reports, verbatim
PURCHASE CAR USED ALL FOUR RIMS ARE CRACKING . TT
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Powertrain (other)
Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials.
From owner reports, verbatim
MY 1985 FORD TEMPO GL HAS 3 RECALLS AND FORD SAYS IT DOESN'T. VIN# [XXX] 1.ECU DEFECTIVE THROTTLE REMAINS PARTIALLY OPENED OEM # 85V134000, 2.BACK TIRE REAR CONTROL ARM SPINDLE BOLT OEM # 85V086000, 3.FUEL PUMP OEM # 07E064000.WHERE DO I GO FROM HERE? *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.
Elsewhere on this vehicle
Data sources
- NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation — owner-reported complaints and the components recorded on them
Data on this page last refreshed .