RoadVitals

1986 Ford Tempo

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
31
Latest Nov 4, 2011
Safety recallsA safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
1
Latest Aug 27, 2007
InvestigationsNHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
10
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
13

Overview

Our database contains 31 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1986 Ford Tempo, most frequently naming the electrical, brakes and engine categories. 1 safety recall has been issued covering this model year; 10 NHTSA investigations name it; and 25 manufacturer communications are on file.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

What owners report

Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded

  • Electrical1436.8%
  • Brakes513.2%
  • Engine25.3%
  • Driver assistance25.3%
  • Transmission25.3%
  • Interior & seats25.3%
  • Fuel system25.3%
  • Steering25.3%

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Safety recalls

1 campaign cover this model year

Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.

Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov
07E064000

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP

Aug 27, 2007
34,000 units potentially affected
The defect: CERTAIN FEDERAL-MOGUL AFTERMARKET FUEL PUMPS SOLD UNDER THE BRAND NAMES OF CARTER, ACCUFLOW, NAPA, TRUFLOW, PARTS DEPO, AND PARTS MASTER, SHIPPED BETWEEN AUGUST 2006 AND JULY 2007 FOR USE ON THE VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. THE FUEL PUMP DIAPHRAGM IN CERTAIN PRODUCTION RUNS MAY HAVE BEEN IMPROPERLY INSTALLED OR INADEQUATELY TESTED WHICH MAY CAUSE THE FUEL PUMP TO LEAK.
The risk: A LEAKING FUEL PUMP COULD CREATE A VEHICLE FIRE HAZARD.
The remedy: FEDERAL-MOGUL WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE DEFECTIVE FUEL PUMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 15, 2007. OWNERS CAN CONTACT FEDERAL-MOGUL AT 248-354-7700.
FEDERAL-MOGUL CORPORATIONView on NHTSA.gov

Safety investigations

NHTSA inquiries naming this vehicle. An investigation is not a finding of a defect.

PE96005ClosedPreliminary Evaluation

REAR BRK ADJUSTER FAILURE

Opened Jan 19, 1996
Closed May 28, 1996

1984 - 1991 FORD TEMPO/MERCURY TOPAZ

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
DP96002ClosedDefect Petition

REAR BRAKE SYSTEM FAILURE

Opened Jan 11, 1996
Closed Jan 19, 1996

There is no summary currently available

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
EA91052ClosedEngineering Analysis

SEAT BELT SEPARATION

Opened Nov 27, 1991
Closed Nov 24, 1992

There is no summary currently available

SEAT BELTS
PE91098ClosedPreliminary Evaluation

SAFETY BELT CUT AT WEBBING

Opened Jul 12, 1991
Closed Nov 27, 1991

There is no summary currently available

SEAT BELTS:FRONT:WEBBING

Recent owner complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words

View all 31
Electrical
Filed Nov 4, 2011

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1986 FORD TEMPO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE THEY ADVISED HIM THAT THE IGNITION MODULE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND THEY OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 80,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

NHTSA ID
10434235
Incident
Nov 1, 2007
Mileage
80,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Dec 14, 2005
Fire reported

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 BEEN REPAIRED. *AK

NHTSA ID
10145189
Incident
Dec 4, 2005
Mileage
100,560 mi
Electrical
Filed Nov 16, 2001

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 POWER TO THE TRAIN, AND I COULD NOT STEER THE CAR. HAD TO COAST OFF TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THIS HAPPENED ON EASTER SUNDAY,AND THE STATE POLICE STOPPED AND TOLD ME I HAD TO MOVE THE CAR OFF THE ROAD AND I COULD NOT LEAVE IT THERE. I AGAIN HAD TO GET TOWED! THE DRIVE AXLE COST ME $100.00. IT JUST FELL OFF THE CAR AND THE MECHANIC COULD NOT UNDERSTAND WHY BECAUSE THE PINS WERE STILL INTACT. IT SHOULD NEVER HAD COME APART LIKE IT DID THEY SAID. IT DID NOT BREAK! IT JUST CAME APART.*AK

NHTSA ID
754610
Incident
Apr 24, 2000
Electrical
Filed Jan 4, 2001

VEHICLE STALLS INTERMITTENTLY, NO MATTER WHAT SPEED. *AK

NHTSA ID
877418
Incident
Jan 1, 1998
Electrical
Filed Oct 17, 2000

BATTERY WAS DEFECTIVE. THERE WERE THREE BATTERIES TESTED FROM PEP BOYS. *AK

NHTSA ID
873170
Incident
Aug 1, 2000
Driver assistance
Filed Mar 24, 2000

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

NHTSA ID
859156
Incident
Mar 23, 2000
Exterior lighting
Filed Feb 24, 2000

HEADLIGHTS ARE MALFUNCTIONING. DEALER SAYS THAT IT'S THE LENS. BUT THEY ARE OUT OF STOCK, AND HAVE NO IDEA WHEN THEY'LL BE IN. OWNER CANNOT PASS THE STATE SAFETY INSPECTION WITHOUT IT. *AK *ML

NHTSA ID
857487
Incident
Dec 30, 1999
Electrical
Filed Oct 21, 1999
Fire reported

CONSUMER WENT TO START UP CAR AND WENT BACK INTO THE HOUSE. CONSUMER CAME BACK OUT AND CAR WAS SMOKING'. CONSUMER SHUT OFF CAR. WENT BACK INSIDE, AND WHEN CONSUMER RETURNED, THE ENTIRE CAR WAS ON FIRE. CONSUMER HAS NOT CONTACTED THE DEALER YET. *AK

NHTSA ID
851402
Incident
Oct 21, 1999

Manufacturer communications

A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.

01157

INFORMATION REGARDING TRANSMISSION FLUID USAGE CHARTS. *SLC

01156

VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM:HEATER CORE

SOME VEHICLES MAY EXHIBIT HEATER CORE LEAKS. *SLC

0015

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

INFORMATION REGARDING THE NEW TRANSMISSION COOLER FLUSHER- SERVICE TIP. *MJS

99222

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING

SUBJECT ON A WIRE HARNESS TERMINAL REPAIR KIT AVAILABLE FOR REPAIRING ELECTRICAL WIRING HARNESSES. *TT

99196

EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER

INFORMATION ON IDENTIFYING NON-APPROVED / ALTERNATE REFRIGERANTS WHICH COULD CAUSE SAFETY, AND PERFORMANCE CONCERNS IF INSTALLED IN FORD A/C SYSTEMS. *TT

99152

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

INFORMATION ON THE NEW FLUSH AND FILL TOOL AVAILABLE THROUGH ROTUNDA. *TT

Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

Ford Tempo by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2000100—
1999100—
1998100—
1997200—
1996200—
1995302—
19941611253.2
19932272258.6
19921762261.2
19911101455.6
19901332367.3
19891241457.7
19881262569.2
1987532671.3
1986Viewing3111066.9
1985304771.6
1984147676.7
1983001—
1981200—

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. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.