RoadVitals

1990 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.
12
Latest May 28, 2002
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.
9%
of 133 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.
3
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 1990 Ford Tempo submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 12 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 28, 2002

CONSUMER SLOWED DOWN TO TURN A CORNER AND VEHICLE STOPPED IN ITS TRACKS.ENGINE WAS STILL RUNNING. MECHANIC STATED THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH STEERING. CONSUMER INDICATED TIRES WERE STUCK IN TURNING POSITION. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK

NHTSA ID
8010570
SteeringSuspension
Filed Oct 11, 1998

LOWER BALL JOINTS/LOWER CONTROL ARMS ON BOTH SIDES, AND INNER TIE ROD ASSEMBLY FAILED.

NHTSA ID
781130
Incident
Sep 26, 1998
EngineSteering
Filed Oct 29, 1996

MOTOR MOUNTS DISINTEGRATED, TIE ROD END BUSTED, CAUSED LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL, NO WARNING, SPEED 25 MPH. NO ACCIDENT. *AK

NHTSA ID
804187
Incident
Jul 15, 1994
Steering
Filed Jul 23, 1996

WHILE DRIVING HOME, TURNED INTO DRIVEWAY, AFTER ARRIVING AT HOUSE, FRONT STEERING TIE ROD (INSIDE) WAS SHEARED/BROKE OFF, COVERED W/RUBBER BOOT. *AK

NHTSA ID
987246
Incident
Dec 12, 1995
Steering
Filed Oct 18, 1995

BEARING THAT HOLDS THE STEERING COLUMN IN POSITION FELL APART IN THE STEERING ALMOST CAUSED AN ACCIDENT . TT

NHTSA ID
973511
Steering
Filed Aug 15, 1995
Crash reported

STEERING FAILED, CAUSING ACCIDENT. *DH

NHTSA ID
483007
Incident
Apr 25, 1994
ElectricalSteering
Filed Jul 21, 1995

STEERING VERY LOOSE CAUSING DRIVER TO NOT HAVE FULL CONTROL; VEHICLE HAS BEEN SOLD. TT

NHTSA ID
969244
Incident
Jun 15, 1990
Steering
Filed Jul 11, 1995

INNER TIE RODS BROKE ON VEHICLE, LOSS OF STEERING. *AK

NHTSA ID
968584
Incident
Jul 11, 1995
BrakesElectricalSteering
Filed Jun 14, 1995

WHILE DRIVING, LOW TO HIGH SPEEDS, ENGINE SUDDENLY SHUTS DOWN, CAUSING LOSS OF POWER STEERING AND BRAKES, NO PRIOR WARNING. TT

NHTSA ID
966858
Incident
Jun 12, 1995
Steering
Filed May 17, 1995
Crash reported

STEERING FAILURE, RESULTED IN LOSS OF CONTROL/ACCIDENT. *SKD

NHTSA ID
486119
Incident
Apr 25, 1994
Steering
Filed Apr 25, 1995
Crash reported

STEERING ASSEMBLY FAILED, CAUSING LOSS OF CONTROL/ACCIDENT. *AK

NHTSA ID
482972
Incident
Apr 8, 1995
EngineSeat beltsSteering
Filed Mar 8, 1995

THE DRIVER SIDE SEAT BELT WORKS ON OCCASION, BROKE MOTOR MOUNTS, TIE RODS, ETC. TT

NHTSA ID
961458
Incident
Feb 27, 1995

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

Electrical44Seat belts29Brakes22Engine20

Elsewhere on this vehicle

Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .