Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data
Data refreshed
Our database contains 124 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1989 Ford Tempo, most frequently naming the electrical, engine and seat belts categories. 1 safety recall has been issued covering this model year; 4 NHTSA investigations name it; and 36 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.
When owners filed reports about this model year
| Month | Complaints filed | Cumulative |
|---|---|---|
| Jan 1995 | 2 | 2 |
| Mar 1995 | 2 | 4 |
| Apr 1995 | 2 | 6 |
| May 1995 | 1 | 7 |
| Jul 1995 | 3 | 10 |
| Aug 1995 | 3 | 13 |
| Oct 1995 | 3 | 16 |
| Nov 1995 | 1 | 17 |
| Dec 1995 | 3 | 20 |
| Jan 1996 | 2 | 22 |
| Feb 1996 | 4 | 26 |
| Mar 1996 | 2 | 28 |
| Apr 1996 | 1 | 29 |
| May 1996 | 7 | 36 |
| Jul 1996 | 5 | 41 |
| Aug 1996 | 1 | 42 |
| Sep 1996 | 5 | 47 |
| Oct 1996 | 6 | 53 |
| Nov 1996 | 1 | 54 |
| Dec 1996 | 2 | 56 |
| Jan 1997 | 4 | 60 |
| Feb 1997 | 2 | 62 |
| Mar 1997 | 6 | 68 |
| Apr 1997 | 2 | 70 |
| May 1997 | 1 | 71 |
| Nov 1997 | 2 | 73 |
| Dec 1997 | 1 | 74 |
| Feb 1998 | 1 | 75 |
| May 1998 | 1 | 76 |
| Jun 1998 | 1 | 77 |
| Aug 1998 | 4 | 81 |
| Oct 1998 | 1 | 82 |
| Dec 1998 | 1 | 83 |
| Jan 1999 | 3 | 86 |
| Feb 1999 | 5 | 91 |
| Mar 1999 | 2 | 93 |
| May 1999 | 2 | 95 |
| Jun 1999 | 1 | 96 |
| Jul 1999 | 2 | 98 |
| Sep 1999 | 1 | 99 |
| Oct 1999 | 3 | 102 |
| Dec 1999 | 1 | 103 |
| May 2000 | 1 | 104 |
| Aug 2000 | 1 | 105 |
| Sep 2000 | 2 | 107 |
| Oct 2000 | 1 | 108 |
| Dec 2000 | 2 | 110 |
| Jan 2001 | 1 | 111 |
| Nov 2001 | 2 | 113 |
| Jan 2002 | 1 | 114 |
| Apr 2003 | 1 | 115 |
| May 2003 | 1 | 116 |
| Aug 2003 | 1 | 117 |
| Jan 2004 | 1 | 118 |
| Mar 2004 | 1 | 119 |
| Sep 2004 | 1 | 120 |
| Apr 2006 | 1 | 121 |
| Jan 2007 | 1 | 122 |
| Mar 2008 | 1 | 123 |
| May 2014 | 1 | 124 |
Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
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.govELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
NHTSA inquiries naming this vehicle. An investigation is not a finding of a defect.
REAR BRK ADJUSTER FAILURE
1984 - 1991 FORD TEMPO/MERCURY TOPAZ
REAR BRAKE SYSTEM FAILURE
There is no summary currently available
SEAT BELT SEPARATION
There is no summary currently available
FAILED PASSIVE RESTRAINT
WE HAVE RECEIVED NUMEROUS REPORTS WHICH ALLEGE A MALFUNCTION OR FAILURE OF THE PASSIVE RESTRAINT SYSTEM.ADDITIONAL REPORTS ALLEGE THAT THE PASSIVE RESTRAINT SYSTEM FAILED TO RESTRAIN/ADEQUATELY PROTECT THE OCCUPANT DURING AN ACCIDENT
Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words
THE CAR HAS MAJOR LEAKING ISSUES. EVERY TIME IT RAINS/SNOWS/SLEETS/HAIL IT LEAKS INTO THE CAR THROUGH THE DRIVERS SIDE INTO THE ROOF AND ONCE THAT AREA IS SOAKED IT STARTS TO DRIP SLOWLY ONTO THE SEAT AND FLOOR. THERE IS ALSO A LEAK IN THE TRUNK ON THE PASSENGER SIDE, OR AT LEAST THAT IS WHERE THE WATER ACCUMULATES UNTIL A SMALL PUDDLE HAS FORMED IN THE WELL THAT HOLDS THE SPARE TIRE. AND IT SEEMS TO ALSO SPREAD INTO THE BACKSEAT AND GATHERS IN THE BACKSEAT FOOTWELL BEHIND THE DRIVER'S SEAT. *TR
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.
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
CONSUMER LETTER CONCERNING THE SETTLEMENT IN A CLASS ACTION SUIT AGAINST FORD MOTOR COMPANY. *TS THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE. *JB
AUTOMOBILE CAUGHT ON FIRE IN THE PARKING LOT WHILE I WAS WORKING. TWO POLICE OFFICERS HEARD THE IGNITION CLICKING, BUT COULDN'T SEE A CAR WITH AN INDIVIDUAL IN IT. SHORTLY AFTER THE CAR WAS IN FLAMES. INSPECTION OF THE VEHICLE AFTER THE FIRE SHOWS THAT THE FIRE APPEARED TO HAVE STARTED IN THE STEERING COLUMN.*AK
CONSUMER HAD TO USE THE EMERGENCY BRAKE TO STOP THE VEHICLE. TOOK VEHICLETO A MECHANIC, AND BRAKING SYSTEM WAS REPLACED. *AK
BATTERY DRAIN---UNKNOWN CAUSE
HEAD COVERS ATTACHMENT ON THE HEADLIGHTS CAUSE LESS VISIBILITY WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING. INTERMITTENTLY THE LIGHT WILL APPEAR TO BE NORMAL. FAILURE IS UNDETERMINED AT THIS TIME. *AK
A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.
INFORMATION REGARDING TRANSMISSION FLUID USAGE CHARTS. *SLC
VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM:HEATER CORE
SOME VEHICLES MAY EXHIBIT HEATER CORE LEAKS. *SLC
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
INFORMATION REGARDING THE NEW TRANSMISSION COOLER FLUSHER- SERVICE TIP. *MJS
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING
SUBJECT ON A WIRE HARNESS TERMINAL REPAIR KIT AVAILABLE FOR REPAIRING ELECTRICAL WIRING HARNESSES. *TT
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
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.
Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model
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.