1991 Ford Tempo Problems
Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component
Data refreshed
What this page shows
Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 1991 Ford Tempo, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Reports by component
Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category
- Engine3124.6%
- Electrical2217.5%
- Brakes1814.3%
- Seat belts1310.3%
- Fuel system107.9%
- Interior & seats97.1%
- Driver assistance86.3%
- Steering43.2%
- Visibility32.4%
- Transmission21.6%
- Powertrain (other)10.8%
- Heating & air conditioning10.8%
- Exterior lighting10.8%
- Suspension10.8%
- Airbags10.8%
- Body & structure10.8%
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
Each component in detail
What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words
Engine
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.
From owner reports, verbatim
1991 FORD TEMPO STARTED SMOKING AND THEN DEBRIS FLEW OFF AND HIT THE VEHICLE BEHIND HER. *KB THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE STALLED AS SHE ATTEMPTED TO PULL OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE CONSUMER EXITED THE VEHICLE AND LOOKED UNDER IT AND DISCOVERED OIL WAS LEAKING AND PIECE OF FROM THE VEHICLE WAS MISSING. (OHIO TRAFFIC CRASH REPORT)*JB
MY CAR HAS A STALLING PROBLEM. SOMETIMES IT JUST DIES WHEN YOU STOP AT A STOP SIGN AND SOMETIMES IT TRY'S TO DIE WHILE YOU ARE DRIVING IT AND I HEARD A RECALL ON THE YEAR, MAKE, AND MODEL OF MY CAR ON THE NEWS BUT I DIDN'T GET A LETTER TELLING ME OR SOMETHING THAT I COULD TAKE TO THE DEALER SO I CAN GET IT FIXED. BECAUSE IF I DON'T I'M GOING TO BE IN AN ACCADIENT IF I DON'T AND I HAD LIKE TO GET THE RECALL FIXED BECAUSE I HAVE A 7 MONTH OLD BABY AND DON'T WANT TO BE IN AN ACCADIENT THANK YOU VERY MUCH.*AK
Electrical
Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1991 FORD TEMPO. THE MANUFACTURER INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT HIS VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 96V071000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION), ALTHOUGH THE FAILURES WERE IDENTICAL. THE DEALER WOULD NOT HONOR THE RECALL. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 45,000.
TRAVELING AT A SPEED OF 60 MPH THE CAR BEGAN TO SLOW DOWN RAPIDLY THE WINDSHIELDWIPERS BEGAN SLOWING DOWN AND THE CAR WAS LOSING POWER A NEW ALTERNATOR WAS INSTALLED A WEEK PRIOR WHEN I POPPED THE HOOD THERE WAS A SMELL OF BURNING WIRES AND THE WIRES COMING FROM THE CAR TO THE ALTERNATOR WERE COMPLETELY MELTED, AND THERE WAS NO CONNECTION TO THE ALTERNATOR. THE TERMINAL WAS REPLACED AND THE ALTERNATOR WAS ALSO REPLACED, I DROVE 45 MILES FROM THE SHOP TO MY HOUSE AND CHECK UNDER THE HOOD THE CABLE ENTERING THE ALTERNATOR HAD ALREADY BEGAN TO MELT AND BUBBLE. *AK
Brakes
Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.
From owner reports, verbatim
DT: THE CALLER TOOK VEHICLE TO A REPAIR SHOP FOR BRAKES, ROTORS, PADS AND CALIPERS REPAIRS. THE VEHICLE CAME BACK IN WORSE SHAPE THAN IT WAS BEFORE THE REPAIRS. THE CAR WAS MUCH HARDER TO HANDLE, AND SHOOK VIOLENTLY. WHEN APPLYING BRAKES THE STEERING WHEEL SHOOK VIOLENTLY AND STEERED TO THE LEFT. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS DROPPED OFF ON JUNE 21, 2005 THE GAS TANK WAS FULL, AND THE TRIP ODOMETER HAD JUST BEEN RESET, AND MILEAGE WAS 0. CONSUMER PICKED UP THE CAR 6 DAYS LATER AND THE CAR WAS ON EMPTY AND THE TRIP ODOMETER SHOWED 136 MILES. THE SHOP OWNER WAS CALLED THE NEXT MORNING AND WAS VERY ANGRY WITH THE CONSUMER BECAUSE SHE HAD THE NERVE TO BRING THIS TO HIS ATTENTION, THAT WAS WHAT THE REPAIR SHOP OWNER SAID. THERE WAS A SODA POP LID IN THE POWER STEERING FLUID RESERVOIR WHEN THE CONSUMER CHECKED THE VEHICLE AFTER SHE RETURNED HOME. NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE TO CORRECT THIS AS OF YET. THE CONSUMER WAS AFRAID TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE. THE CAR WAS IN THE SHOP TWICE FOR BRAKES. OWNER CHARGED THE CONSUMER $425.00 AND THE BRAKES STILL DID NOT WORK. CONSUMER HAS NO INFORMATION ON THE DEALER, OR AN ADDRESS. THE REPAIR SHOP WAS EXPRESS, SMOG AND TUNE ON 1234 NORTH BOULDER HIGHWAY, HENDERSON,NEVADA.*AK
AUTOMATIC BRAKE ADJUSTER FELL OUT OF PLACE CAUSING WHEEL TO LOCK UP. *SLC
Seat belts
Reports naming seat belts, buckles, retractors and pretensioners.
From owner reports, verbatim
SHOULDER HARNESS FOR BOTH FRONT OCCUPANTS FAILS TO LOCK WHEN VEHICLE MAKES A DRASTIC STOP. FORD SHOWS NO RECALL. I HAD TO MODIFY THE LOCKING HARNESS TO MAKE IT A FULL TIME RESTRAINT
INTERMITTENTLY FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE AUTOMATIC SEAT BELT RETRACTOR FAILED TO FUNCTION. DEALERSHIP HAS REPLACED THE SEAT BELT RETRACTOR MOTOR TWICE, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. *AK *NM
Fuel system
Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.
From owner reports, verbatim
DT: THE CALLER TOOK VEHICLE TO A REPAIR SHOP FOR BRAKES, ROTORS, PADS AND CALIPERS REPAIRS. THE VEHICLE CAME BACK IN WORSE SHAPE THAN IT WAS BEFORE THE REPAIRS. THE CAR WAS MUCH HARDER TO HANDLE, AND SHOOK VIOLENTLY. WHEN APPLYING BRAKES THE STEERING WHEEL SHOOK VIOLENTLY AND STEERED TO THE LEFT. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS DROPPED OFF ON JUNE 21, 2005 THE GAS TANK WAS FULL, AND THE TRIP ODOMETER HAD JUST BEEN RESET, AND MILEAGE WAS 0. CONSUMER PICKED UP THE CAR 6 DAYS LATER AND THE CAR WAS ON EMPTY AND THE TRIP ODOMETER SHOWED 136 MILES. THE SHOP OWNER WAS CALLED THE NEXT MORNING AND WAS VERY ANGRY WITH THE CONSUMER BECAUSE SHE HAD THE NERVE TO BRING THIS TO HIS ATTENTION, THAT WAS WHAT THE REPAIR SHOP OWNER SAID. THERE WAS A SODA POP LID IN THE POWER STEERING FLUID RESERVOIR WHEN THE CONSUMER CHECKED THE VEHICLE AFTER SHE RETURNED HOME. NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE TO CORRECT THIS AS OF YET. THE CONSUMER WAS AFRAID TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE. THE CAR WAS IN THE SHOP TWICE FOR BRAKES. OWNER CHARGED THE CONSUMER $425.00 AND THE BRAKES STILL DID NOT WORK. CONSUMER HAS NO INFORMATION ON THE DEALER, OR AN ADDRESS. THE REPAIR SHOP WAS EXPRESS, SMOG AND TUNE ON 1234 NORTH BOULDER HIGHWAY, HENDERSON,NEVADA.*AK
VEHICLE WILL STALL INTERMITTENTLY AT A STOP WHILE DRIVING, POSSIBLY DUE TO A VAPOR LOCK THAT CANNOT BE FIXED. DEALER CONTACTED. *AK *ML
Interior & seats
Reports naming seats, latches, locks, linkages and interior fittings.
From owner reports, verbatim
DRIVER'S SEATBACK BROKE WHILE DRIVING. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK
DRIVER'S SIDE SEATBACK BROKE AND SEAT WENT INTO A RECLINING POSITION DURING A REAR END COLLISION. *AK
Driver assistance
Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems.
From owner reports, verbatim
DT: THE CALLER TOOK VEHICLE TO A REPAIR SHOP FOR BRAKES, ROTORS, PADS AND CALIPERS REPAIRS. THE VEHICLE CAME BACK IN WORSE SHAPE THAN IT WAS BEFORE THE REPAIRS. THE CAR WAS MUCH HARDER TO HANDLE, AND SHOOK VIOLENTLY. WHEN APPLYING BRAKES THE STEERING WHEEL SHOOK VIOLENTLY AND STEERED TO THE LEFT. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS DROPPED OFF ON JUNE 21, 2005 THE GAS TANK WAS FULL, AND THE TRIP ODOMETER HAD JUST BEEN RESET, AND MILEAGE WAS 0. CONSUMER PICKED UP THE CAR 6 DAYS LATER AND THE CAR WAS ON EMPTY AND THE TRIP ODOMETER SHOWED 136 MILES. THE SHOP OWNER WAS CALLED THE NEXT MORNING AND WAS VERY ANGRY WITH THE CONSUMER BECAUSE SHE HAD THE NERVE TO BRING THIS TO HIS ATTENTION, THAT WAS WHAT THE REPAIR SHOP OWNER SAID. THERE WAS A SODA POP LID IN THE POWER STEERING FLUID RESERVOIR WHEN THE CONSUMER CHECKED THE VEHICLE AFTER SHE RETURNED HOME. NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE TO CORRECT THIS AS OF YET. THE CONSUMER WAS AFRAID TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE. THE CAR WAS IN THE SHOP TWICE FOR BRAKES. OWNER CHARGED THE CONSUMER $425.00 AND THE BRAKES STILL DID NOT WORK. CONSUMER HAS NO INFORMATION ON THE DEALER, OR AN ADDRESS. THE REPAIR SHOP WAS EXPRESS, SMOG AND TUNE ON 1234 NORTH BOULDER HIGHWAY, HENDERSON,NEVADA.*AK
WHEN USING GAS PEDAL SOMETIMES A WARNING LIGHT WILL COME ON. THEN, MINUTES LATER THE CAR WILL JUST CUT OFF IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD. CONSUMER TOOK CAR TO DEALER.*AK
Steering
Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage.
From owner reports, verbatim
WHILE DRIVING AND WITHOUT ANY INDICATION STEERING WHEEL BROKE. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK
STEERING COLUMN STARTED SMOKING AND VEHICLE WOULD NOT RUN. *AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Visibility
Reports naming windshields, glass, wipers, defrosters and mirrors.
From owner reports, verbatim
SEAT BELT FAILED. NLM
ALTERNATOR BROKE.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Transmission
Reports naming the automatic or manual transmission, including shifting behaviour, shudder, slipping and transmission control modules.
From owner reports, verbatim
WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN UP AN INCLINE THE TRANSMISSION SLIPPED OUT OF GEAR WHICH CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO SLIDE BACKWARD. *NLM
TRANSMISSION FLUID LEAK CAUSED ENGINE FIRE.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Powertrain (other)
Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials.
From owner reports, verbatim
INTERMITTENT STALLING DUE TO FUEL INJECTION FAILURE; ALSO, CV BOOTS FAILED, RESULTING IN CLICKING NOISE. *AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Heating & air conditioning
Reports naming the heating, ventilation and air-conditioning system.
From owner reports, verbatim
FUEL PUMP FAILURE.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Exterior lighting
Reports naming headlights, tail lights, turn signals and other exterior lighting.
From owner reports, verbatim
HEADLIGHTS VERY DIM BECAUSE COVERS FADED BADLY. HAVE TALKED TO LOCAL DEALER AND SERVICE MANAGER SAID IT IS COMMON ON THIS MODEL TEMPO AS WELL AS MUSTANGS AND OTHER FORD VEHICLES. VERY DANGEROUS VISIBILITY LEVELS AT NIGHT. MY WIFE AND DAUGHTER HAVE HAD NUMEROUS ALMOST ACCIDENTS BECAUSE OF THE POOR LIGHTING, ALTHOUGH THEY HAVE HALOGEN BULBS, THE ARE INEFFECTIVE. *AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Suspension
Reports naming suspension components — springs, struts, shocks, control arms and related hardware.
From owner reports, verbatim
RIGHT SIDE OF WHEEL IS UNSTABLE DUE TO AUTO ACCIDENT. *AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Airbags
Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights.
From owner reports, verbatim
THE AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY IN A FRONT END ACCIDENT.PLEASE DESCRIBE. TT
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Body & structure
Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim.
From owner reports, verbatim
WHEN PUTTING NEW TIRES ON THE VEHICLE OWNER DISCOVERED THAT THE FRAME WELD WAS BROKEN. ALSO, WHEN DRIVING THE VEHICLE IT PULLS TO RIGHT AND WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES IT PULLS TO THE LEFT. THE DEALER IS NOT AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. *AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
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.
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 .