ElectricalEngine
Filed Aug 21, 2015
ACK UP.NMENGINE LIGHT COMES ON AND MOTOR DIES. STARTS RIGHT.
- NHTSA ID
- 10750222
- Incident
- Jul 1, 2015
- Mileage
- 49,000 mi
1988 Ford Tempo Electrical Problems
Owner-reported complaints naming the electrical system, filed with NHTSA
Data refreshed
Electrical reportsComplaints 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.
49
Latest Aug 21, 2015
Share of all reportsThis category as a share of every owner report on file for this model year. One report can name more than one component, so the categories overlap.
39%
of 126 total
Crash or fire reportedReports in this category whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. The reporter's own answer on the NHTSA form, not a verified finding.
25
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
3
What this page shows
Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 1988 Ford Tempo submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 49 reports on file name it.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Owner reports naming electrical
The 25 most recent of 49, in the owner's own words
Electrical
Filed Apr 11, 2002
Fire reported
NHTSA RECALL96V 071000/ MANUFACTURER'S RECALL 95S28 CONCERNING IGNITION FAI;URE. CONSUMER NOTICED FROM OUTSIDE WINDOW THAT VEHICLE WAS ON FIRE. VEHICLE HAD BEEN SITTING I DRIVEWAY FOR 30-45 MINUTES AFTER BEING DRIVEN HOME. VEHICLE HAD FLAMES COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. CONSUMER WAS CONFIRMING RECALL TO BE SERVICED. PLEASE PROVIDE MORE INFORMATION.*AK
- NHTSA ID
- 8007359
- Incident
- Apr 10, 2002
Electrical
Filed Jun 28, 2001
THE ENGINE STALLS WHILE DRIVING. SOMETIME IT WILL RESTART JUST TO STALL AGAIN AFTER A FEW MILES. THE IGNITION SWITCH WAS REPLACED UNDER A PREVIOUS RECALL BUT THE PROBLEM CONTINUES TO PERSIST. THE ELECTRONIC CONTROL UNIT WAS REPLACE TWICE IN THE LAST 12 MONTHS. I BELIEVE THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THE WIRING/MODULE THAT REGULATES THE ELECTRICAL PULSES THAT FIRE THE PLUGS. I WILL ASK THE DEALER TO RESEARCH. UNFORTUANTELY, THIS ELECTRICAL PROBLEM SEEMS TO BE VERY COMMON ON FORD TEMPO'S BUT NONE OF THE TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETINS ADDRESS IT. *AK
- NHTSA ID
- 747522
- Incident
- Jun 28, 2001
BrakesElectricalEngine+5 more
Filed Jan 30, 2001
THE SPEED SENSOR FAILED. NLM
- NHTSA ID
- 559307
- Incident
- Jan 30, 1990
Electrical
Filed Dec 28, 2000
WHEN DRIVING AT ANY SPEED AND WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING VEHICLE CUTS OFF, CAUSING VEHICLE TO BE IN MIDDLE OF AN INTERSECTION OR IN SOME CASES IN MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC . CONSUMER HAS CONTACTED A MECHANIC WHO REPLACED PARTS. BUT, PROBLEM STILL OCCURS. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *AK
- NHTSA ID
- 877148
Electrical
Filed Dec 1, 2000
ENGINE WILL QUIT SUDDENLY AND USUALLY AT SPEEDS ABOVE 45 MPH. I NARROWLY AVOIDED AN ACCIDENT WHEN THE ENGINE STALLED BECAUSE A TRUCK WAS RIGHT BEHND ME. THE TRUCK WAS ABLE TO CHANGE LANES QUICK ENOUGH TO AVOID THE ACCIDENT. THE ENGINE FAILURE HAS OCCURED ABOUT 8 TIMES SINCE I HAVE OWNED THE CAR. I CANNOT DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE ENGINE FAILURE I.E. FROM EITHER IGNITION FAILURE OR FROM FUEL STARVATION FROM AN UNKNOWN CAUSE. IN EACH CASE, THE CAR WOULD RESTART AFTER A HALF HOUR WAIT. THIS REPRESENTS A POTENTIAL FOR A SERIOUS ACCIDENT ESPECIALLY FROM A REAR END COLLISSION HAZARD.*AK
- NHTSA ID
- 737119
Electrical
Filed Oct 16, 2000
Fire reported1 injury reported1 death reported
I LOST MY 4-YEAR OLD SON IN MY CAR. IT WAS PARKED, I DON'T KNOW WHY HE GOT IN THE CAR. WE HAD JUST ARRIVED AT MY MOTHERS. NO ONE CAN PROVE ANYTHING BECAUSE THE DASH IS SO BURNT AND THE STERINGWHEEL WAS IN THE FLOOR. ALTHOUGH THEY FOUND NO TRACES OF ANYTHING THAT COULD OF STARTED IT OTHER THAN FAULTY IGNITION SWITCH. THE CAR STILL SITS AND THEY WANT ME TO FORGET ABOUT IT. LAWYERS KEEP BACKING OUT AFTER SO FAR. PLEASE HELP ME. I HAVE TO KNOW THE TRUTH AND GET WHAT I DESERVE. NO ONE CAN PUT A PRICE ON A LOST CHILD.
- NHTSA ID
- 734406
- Incident
- Jul 31, 1995
Electrical
Filed Oct 13, 2000
WHEN DRIVING AT ANY SPEED VEHICLE STALLED OUT AND CUT OFF WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING WHICH CAUSED A NEAR ACCIDENT. CONSUMER HAS CONTACTED DEALER. *AK
- NHTSA ID
- 872938
Electrical
Filed Oct 11, 2000
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOV EVEHICLE. *AK
- NHTSA ID
- 734036
- Incident
- Jan 14, 2000
Electrical
Filed Sep 11, 2000
MOTIONLESS FORD IN GARAGE FAILED TO START 8-21-00, REPAIR SHOP INSTALLED FORD MODULE, SAYING THAT WAS CHIEF PROBEM. THE TROUBLE REMAINED; ENGINE STALLED AND THROBBED INDICATING FAULTY IGNITION. A SECOND REPAIR SHOP INSTALLED A "COIL" BUT TROUBLE (THROBBING AND STALLING) REMAINS. $800 IN REPAIRS AND THE ORIGINAL TROUBLE REMAINS. CO-OWNER IS WIFE PAULINE AND REPAIR BILLS ARE IN HER NAME.*AK
- NHTSA ID
- 731047
- Incident
- Aug 21, 2000
Electrical
Filed Aug 25, 2000
WHEN TURNING IGNITION SWITCH TO THE OFF POSITION AND TURNING IT TOO FAR, WHEN COME BACK TO THE CAR, BATTERY IS DEAD.*AK
- NHTSA ID
- 868696
- Incident
- Aug 25, 1999
Electrical
Filed Aug 12, 1999
Fire reported
VEHICLE EXPERIENCED UNDER THE HOOD FIRE WHILE TRAVELING ON THE HIGHWAY AT APPROX. 60 MPH. WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE LOST POWER. PULLED VEHICLE OVER, AND NOTICED FIRE UNDER THE HOOD. LOCAL FIRE DEPARTMENT ARRIVED AND EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. CAN NHTSA HELP IN THIS PROBLEM OR PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. *AK
- NHTSA ID
- 845013
- Incident
- Aug 7, 1999
Electrical
Filed Dec 17, 1998
Fire reported
A FAULTY ALTERNATOR CAUSED A FIRE IN THE VEHICLE. THE ALTERNATOR HAD BEEN REPLACED 3 TIMES DUE TO OVERHEATING WITH A RE-MANUFACTURED ALTERNATOR. *AK *ML
- NHTSA ID
- 832391
- Incident
- Dec 11, 1998
Electrical
Filed Jun 19, 1998
ALTERNATORS HAVE MELTED AND FAILED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS.
- NHTSA ID
- 537133
- Incident
- Dec 1, 1996
Electrical
Filed Jun 8, 1998
Fire reported1 death reported
VEHICLE FIRE RESULTING IN DEATH AND HOME DISTRUCTION, DUE TO THE POSSIBILITY OF A FAULTY IGNITION SWITCH.
- NHTSA ID
- 536334
- Incident
- Nov 27, 1993
Electrical
Filed May 13, 1998
ALTERNATOR TERMINAL AND WIRING HARNESS FAILED.
- NHTSA ID
- 535507
- Incident
- May 10, 1998
Electrical
Filed Nov 7, 1997
VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED UNDER MANUFACTURER'S RECALL #95S28 ON 11/6/97. VEHICLE CUT OFF. THE OWNER DOES NOT THINK THAT THE DEALER REPLACED THE IGNITION SWITCH. THE MANUFACTURER WILL BE NOTIFIED. *AK
- NHTSA ID
- 818524
- Incident
- Nov 6, 1997
Electrical
Filed Sep 11, 1997
VEHICLE WON'T START WHEN TEMPERATURE IS BELOW ZERO. IF BROUGHT INSIDE, EVEN IN AN UNHEATED GARAGE FOR TEN MINUTES, VEHICLE STARTS. *AK
- NHTSA ID
- 523210
Electrical
Filed Feb 11, 1997
ALTERNATOR HARNESS CAUSED ALTERNATOR TO BURN OUT. *AK
- NHTSA ID
- 808781
Electrical
Filed Feb 4, 1997
Fire reported
CONSUMER SMELLED SMOKE AFTER DRIVING THE AUTOMOBILE FOR ABOUT 2 HOURS. STOPPED THE VEHICLE AND SAW FLAMES, FIREMEN WERE CALLED, NO INJURIES,CONSUMER GOT DAUGHTER OUT OF AUTOMOBILE IN TIME. *AK
- NHTSA ID
- 808626
- Incident
- Jan 31, 1997
Electrical
Filed Dec 13, 1996
THE WIRING HARNESS CONNECTED TO THE ALNERNATOR OVERHEATS AND SOMETIMES SMOKE IS EVIDENT. THIS IS A MITSIBISHI ALTERNATOR, FORD DOESN'T RECOGNIZE PROBLEM . *AK AFTER MARKET MANUFACTURER WARNED OF FIRE HAZARD AND SUPPLIED A NEW CONNECTOR WITH REPLACEMENT ALTERNATOR- CONNECTOR IT MELTS EVEN THOUGH ALTERNATOR IS FUNCTIONING, EVEN 8 WIRING INSULATION BECOMES BRITTLE OR MELTS FROM HEAT, ON ONE OCCASION REPAIR SHOP DISCOVERED EXTENSIVELY SMOKING CONNECTOR ON THE VERGE OF FLAMES WHILE WORKING ON UNRELATED JOB, MECHANIC STATED THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM, LOCAL FORD DEALER DENIED ANY TYPE OF PROBLEMS OR COMPLAINTS.*JB
- NHTSA ID
- 806309
- Incident
- Jun 1, 1996
Electrical
Filed Oct 31, 1996
Fire reported
ELECTRICAL SHORT IN THE IGNITION SWITCH, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO CATCH FIRE IN THE STEERING COLUMN. *AK *JB
- NHTSA ID
- 804364
- Incident
- Sep 13, 1996
Electrical
Filed Oct 24, 1996
Fire reported
#PE 96-026, WHILE DRIVING A FIRE BROKE OUT IN THE ALTERNATOR . *AK CONSUMER STATES THE FIRE STARTED AT THE ALTERNATOR CONNECTOR, SHOOTING FLAMES, THE RESULTS WERE ENGINE COMPARTMENT PLASTIC CATCHING FIRE AND SPITTING BURNING PLASTIC ONTO FUEL LINES WHICH IN TURN PUNCTURED AND SPRAYED FUEL OVER ENGINE COMPARTMENT. *SLC
- NHTSA ID
- 804000
- Incident
- Jul 1, 1996
Electrical
Filed Oct 4, 1996
IGNITION SWITCH FAILED PRIOR TO RECALL NOTICE, REPLACED WITH SAME DEFECTIVE SWITCH.
- NHTSA ID
- 507249
- Incident
- Aug 22, 1994
Electrical
Filed Sep 25, 1996
REPLACED ALTERNATOR FOUR TIMES, ALSO REPLACED WIRING HARNESS. *AK
- NHTSA ID
- 509066
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.
Other components reported on this vehicle
Categories with enough reports to have a page of their own
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 .