RoadVitals

1989 Ford Tempo Steering Problems

Owner-reported complaints naming the steering system, filed with NHTSA

Data refreshed

Steering 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.
8
Latest May 20, 2000
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.
6%
of 124 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.
1
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
0

What this page shows

Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 1989 Ford Tempo submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 8 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 steering

Shown in the owner’s own words, exactly as filed

Steering
Filed May 20, 2000
Crash reported

FRONT RIGHT TIE ROD SNAPPED IN TWO PIECES. CAUSING LOSS OF STEERING. RIGHT TIRE WAS UNCONTROLLABLE. CAUSING VEHICLE TO SWERVE SHARPLY INTO CURB. POTENTIAL FOR SERIOUS INJURY BUT WAS ON A "GET ON" RAMP TO FREEWAY. SO WAS VERY LUCKY BECAUSE NO UNCOMING TRAFFIC AND NO PEDESTRIAN TRAFFIC. VEHICLE WAS NEVER INVOLVED IN ANY PREVIOUS ACCIDENT. *AK

NHTSA ID
722961
Incident
Jun 6, 1998
Exterior lightingSteering
Filed Dec 30, 1997

STEERING COLUMN FAILED.

NHTSA ID
527154
Steering
Filed Nov 14, 1997

FRONT END TIE ROD FAILED CAUSING CONSUMER TO LOOSE CONTROL OF VEHICLE. NLM

NHTSA ID
605585
Incident
Apr 23, 1991
Powertrain (other)Steering
Filed May 9, 1997

STEERING COLUMN LOOSE.

NHTSA ID
517104
Incident
Apr 1, 1994
Driver assistanceElectricalEngine+3 more
Filed Jan 14, 1997

ENGINE FAN FAILED.

NHTSA ID
513946
Incident
Aug 1, 1996
Driver assistanceElectricalEngine+2 more
Filed Oct 26, 1995

PURCHASE CAR USED HAD TO REPLACE THE FUEL PUMP THREE TIMES AND REPLACED MOTOR MOUNT ONE TIME AND REPLACED THE STARTER TWO TIMES . TT TFI REPLACED. TP SENSOR REPLACED. EGR VALVE REPLACED. INNER TIE ROD END REPLACED. *SLC

NHTSA ID
973969
Incident
Sep 2, 1993
Steering
Filed Mar 2, 1995

TIE ROD BROKE, CAUSING LOSS OF CONTROL. (OTHER VEHICLE ON 479568) *AW

NHTSA ID
481651
Incident
Sep 1, 1994
Steering
Filed Mar 2, 1995

TIE ROD BROKE, CAUSING LOSS OF CONTROL. (2ND VEHICLE ON 481651) *AW

NHTSA ID
479568
Incident
Dec 1, 1994

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

Electrical32Engine26Seat belts20Brakes17Exterior lighting16Driver assistance8

Elsewhere on this vehicle

Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .