Reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers, shown in full
Data refreshed
Complaints on fileComplaints 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.
161
Latest Nov 12, 2010
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
24
Filed in the last 12 monthsReports filed with NHTSA in the trailing 365 days. Recent volume reflects attention and vehicle age as much as anything else.
0
Reports on file since Jan 17, 1995
What this page shows
Our database holds 161 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1994 Ford Tempo. Each one is a report filed by an owner or driver and published by NHTSA without most of them being verified. A complaint is not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. Narratives are shown exactly as filed.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Complaints, most recent first
Showing 1–25 of 161 · page 1 of 7
Fuel system
Filed Nov 12, 2010
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1994 FORD TEMPO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FUEL TANK IN ROUTED OUT AND CAUSED FUEL TO LEAK. THE CONTACT NOTICED THE FUEL ODOR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHO STATED THAT SMELL OF FUEL WAS NORMAL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FUEL LEAKED WHENEVER THE FUEL TANK WAS FULL AND ONTO HOT EXHAUST PIPES. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 75,000.
NHTSA ID
10365456
Incident
Oct 10, 2010
Mileage
75,000 mi
Visibility
Filed Apr 7, 2008
THE WIPERS ON MY 94 FORD TEMPO STOP INTERMITTENTLY, THEN START A FEW SECONDS LATER. THIS IS DANGEROUS IN HEAVY RAIN. *TR
NHTSA ID
10223527
Incident
Jan 5, 2008
Engine
Filed Mar 5, 2008
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1994 FORD TEMPO. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE ENGINE STALLED AND THE SERVICE ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE RESTARTED AFTER TEN MINUTES. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN INSPECTED BY A DEALER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 99,900 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 100,000.
NHTSA ID
10220183
Incident
Feb 15, 2008
Mileage
99,900 mi
Engine
Filed Jan 11, 2005
Fire reported
WHILE DRIVING AT 40 MPH THE HEATING LEVEL WENT UP. THE CONSUMER PROCEEDED TO THE STORE TO PURCHASE ANTIFREEZE, NOTICED THE VEHICLE SMOKING, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON, THE CONSUMER GOT OUT OF THE VEHICLE, AND THE VEHICLE BURST INTO FLAMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALED.*AK......*AK IN THE TIME THE CONSUMER HAD THE CAR, THE TEMPERATURE GAUGE NEVER WENT PASS NORMAL UNTIL THAT DAY; THE ENGINE COOLING FAN WOULD COME ON BEFORE THE GAUGE WENT UP PASSED NORMAL. *BF
NHTSA ID
10107181
Incident
Dec 17, 2004
Mileage
137,000 mi
Engine
Filed Apr 6, 2004
I HAVE HAD MULTIPLE PROBLEMS WITH THE VEHICLE STALLING. AT A STOP, THE VEHICLE'S IDLE SPEED VARIES AND STARTS TO SHAKE AND WILL STALL IF I DON'T PUT THE CAR IN NEUTRAL. SOMETIMES IT HAS STALLED EVEN AFTER PUTTING IT IN NEUTRAL. I HAVE RECENTLY HAD A TUNE-UP AND MY GAS FILTER REPLACED, WITH NO RESULTS. *LA
NHTSA ID
10065642
Incident
Mar 24, 2004
Mileage
82,895 mi
Suspension
Filed Mar 21, 2004
BECAUSE OF AN EXTREMELY POOR DESIGN THE R. R. CONTROL ARM RUSTS THROUGH TOTALLY ON THE 1994 FORD TEMPO. I BELIEVE THIS IS CAUSED BY A POORLY PLACED EXHAUST RELEASE PERFORATION, DESIGNED INTO THE MUFFLER BY THE MANUFACTURER. MY CONTROL ARM FAILED AT 15 MPH. I WAS ADVISED BY THE MECHANICS THAT FIXED IT ($300 PLUS LATER) THAT A FAILURE AT HIGHWAY SPEED WOULD HAVE BEEN CATASTROPHIC FOR ANYONE IN THE VEHICLE AT THE TIME. I WAS ALSO ADVISED THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM. I CONTACTED FORD MONTHS AGO ABOUT THIS PROBLEM, THEY DENIED IT WAS ONE. *JB
NHTSA ID
10062745
Incident
Mar 17, 2004
Engine
Filed Mar 24, 2003
Fire reported
1994 FORD TEMPO GL. MY HUSBAND'S CAR WENT UP IN FLAMES AND SMOKE YESTERDAY WHILE DRIVING IT, THE FIRE DEPARTMENT AND POLICE CAME AND PUT IT OUT. THE CAR IS A TOTAL LOSS, AS WELL AS THE JACKET MY HUSBAND WAS (FORTUNATELY) WEARING WHEN THE FLAMES CAME SHOOTING OUT FROM THE ENGINE AREA INTO THE DRIVER'S SEAT. A FRIEND OF MINE SUGGESTED THAT I CHECK IF OTHERS HAD THIS PROBLEM, AND I CAME ACROSS THIS SITE. IT LOOKS LIKE OTHERS HAVE HAD THIS PROBLEM, IF THE NHTSA CAMPAIGN 97V019000 IS AN INDICATION OF SUCH. AS FAR AS I KNOW, WE WERE NEVER NOTIFIED THAT SOME FORD TEMPOS WERE POTENTIAL FIRE TRAPS. MY HUSBAND COULD HAVE BEEN SEVERELY BURNED, BUT FORTUNATELY, HIS JACKET TOOK THE BRUNT OF THE FLAMES. *JB
NHTSA ID
10010944
Incident
Mar 23, 2003
Mileage
137,000 mi
Engine
Filed Mar 16, 2003
"SERVICE ENGINE SOON" LIGHT GOES ON WHILE DRIVING, SOMETIMES GOING OFF AFTER A FEW MINUTES AND SOMETIMES STAYING ON FOR 20-40 MILES. SEVERAL PEOPLE HAVE LOOKED UP THE CODES AND CAN'T FIND A PROBLEM. THIS HAS BEEN HAPPENING FOR MORE THAN A YEAR. I DO NOT HAVE AN OWNER'S MANUAL AND CANNOT LOCATE ONE ONLINE, SO TROUBLESHOOTING IS EXTREMELY DIFFICULT. *NLM
NHTSA ID
10010555
Incident
Mar 16, 2003
Engine
Filed Jan 13, 2003
DUE TO FUMES EMITTING FROM MUFFLER BOTH OF THE LEFT REAR SUSPENSION BARS CORRODED WHICH CAUSED THEM TO DROP. CONSUMER WAS TRAVELING AT A LOW RATE OF SPEED. CONSUMER STATED THAT EITHER THE MUFFLER WAS MOUNTED BACKWARD OR HAD A DESIGN FLAW. THE MUFFLER DRAIN HOLE IS ON TOP.*JB
NHTSA ID
10003644
Incident
Dec 30, 2002
Seat belts
Filed Oct 16, 2002
MY STEPDAUGHTER WAS DRIVING. THE ELECTRONIC SEATBELT TIGHTENED WHILE DRIVING AND COULD NOT BE RELEASED. SHE HAD DIFFICULTY MOVING HER FOOT TO SHIFT THE BREAK PEDAL OR MOVEMENT OF ANY TYPE. THE BELT WAS LOCKED AND SHE WAS PINNED TO THE SEAT WHILE DRIVING. IT WAS CHOKING HER, ALSO. WHEN SHE WAS ABLE TO STOP THE CAR, SHE TRIED TO OPEN THE DOOR TO RELEASE THE SEAT BELT, THIS ONLY MADE IT TIGHTEN MORE, SHE MANAGED TO REMOVE A SMALL NAIL KNIFE FROM HER PURSE TO CUT HERSELF LOOSE. HAD THE CAR BEEN INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT WITH FIRE OR WATER SHE WOULD HAVE BURNED UP OR DROWNED FROM A SEATBELT. OR HUNG HERSELF. MR
NHTSA ID
768528
Incident
Oct 14, 2002
Seat belts
Filed Aug 29, 2002
WHILE SEATING IN VEHICLE WHILE IT WAS RUNNING CONSUMER CLOSED DOOR AND NOTICED THAT DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BELT TIGHTENED TO CONSUMER'S BODY, AND CUT CONSUMER'S AIR OFF. CONSUMER WAS FREED BY SEAT BELT EING CUT OUT. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK
NHTSA ID
8017534
Engine
Filed Aug 5, 2002
VEHICLE STALLLED WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH OR MORE. VEHICLE BEEN TO THE DEALER ON THREE OCCASIONS, AND PROBLEM STILL OCCURRING. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK
NHTSA ID
8015502
Incident
Jul 31, 2002
Seat belts
Filed Jul 3, 2002
WE BELIEVE THAT THE FAILURE OF A SEAT BELT, INCLUDING MOTORIZED RESTRAINT SYSTEMS, SHOULD BE FULLY SUPPORTED BY MANDATORY FACTORY WARRANTEES PAID FOR BY THE MANUFACTURER. FORD MOTOR COMPANY HAS REFUSED REPEATED ATTEMPTS TO GET REIMBURSEMENT FOR THE REPLACEMENT OF A MOTORIZED SHOULD BELT RESTRAINT SYSTEM. SUBSEQUENTLY, WE BROUGHT THIS COMPLAINT TO THE ATTENTION OF SENATOR JOHN MCCAIN, WHO RECOMMENDED THAT WE CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC AND SAFETY ADMINISTRATION. WE SEEK REIMBURSEMENT FOR THE $539, WHICH WE PAID TO HAVE THE FORD DEALER REPLACE THE SHOULD BELT RESTRAINT SYSTEM. R. UNGER. *AK
NHTSA ID
763819
Incident
Aug 21, 2000
Engine
Filed Apr 23, 2002
VEHICLE STALLS INTERMITTENTLY WHILE DRIVING. DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT NOTIFIED. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK
NHTSA ID
8008338
Incident
Apr 16, 2001
Electrical
Filed Apr 21, 2002
I HAVE JUST BECOME AWARE THAT THE PROBLEM I AM HAVING WITH MY VEHICLE STALLING IS DUE TO A TFI MODULE THAT FORD IS AWARE THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH. I HAVE STALLED MANY TIMES IN TRAFFIC AND THERE HAVE BEEN MANY TIMES I'VE ALMOST BEEN HIT AS A RESULT OF THIS. I DRIVE WITH A TODDLER IN THE CAR AND HAVE BEEN FORTUNATE THAT WE HAVE AVOIDED INJURY THUS FAR. THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM AND SOMEONE NEEDS TO MAKE FORD TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THIS PROBLEM BEFORE ANOTHER LIFE IS LOST.*AK
NHTSA ID
760977
Engine
Filed Mar 13, 2002
WHILE TRAVELING ON HIGHWAY AND WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING VEHICLE WILL SHUTDOWN. SHE WILL PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. *AK
NHTSA ID
8005600
Incident
Feb 27, 2001
Engine
Filed Feb 27, 2002
CONSUMER, UPON INVESTIGATION, FOUND THAT THE MAIN PULLEY BOLTS ARE WORKING LOOSE. THEY WEREN'T PROPERLY TORQUED FROM THE FACTORY. AS A RESULT THE ENGINE HAS OVERHEATED, PROBLEMS WITH THE ALTERNATOR, LIGHTING SYSTEM AND STEERING POWER WAS LOST BECAUSE OF CONNECTIONS TO THE MAIN PULLEY. *JG
NHTSA ID
564489
Fuel system
Filed Jan 31, 2002
WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED ENGINE CHECK LIGHT WOULD ILLUMINATE, VEHICLE WOULD SHUT OFF, DEALER INFORMED CONSUMER THAT FUEL PUMP OVERHEATED WHICH CAUSED VEHICLE TO SHUT OFF. *AK *SLC
NHTSA ID
8003297
Incident
Dec 1, 2001
Electrical
Filed Nov 27, 2001
WHILE DRIVING IN TRAFFIC, ENGINE SUDDENLY STOPPED WITHOUT WARNING. *AK VEHICLE WILL NOT START AFTER STOPPING AND SHUTTING OFF ENGINE, ENGINE WILL START AFTER ONE TO TWO HOURS OF COOL DOWN TIME. *TT
NHTSA ID
899468
Incident
Nov 6, 2001
Seat belts
Filed Nov 20, 2001
BOTH FRONT RESTRAINTS ARE INOPERABLE. PLEASE PROVIDE ADDITOINAL INFORMATION.*AK
NHTSA ID
899280
Incident
Nov 5, 2001
Engine
Filed Aug 20, 2001
WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE WILL STALL. ALSO, SOMETIMES VEHICLE STARTS INTERMITTENTLY. CONTACTED DEALER.*AK
NHTSA ID
894753
Incident
Jul 29, 2001
Engine
Filed Aug 15, 2001
ENGINE STALLS, MOTOR DIES, NEVER CAN TELL WHEN IT IS GOING TO HAPPEN, USUALLY IN TRAFFIC.*AK
NHTSA ID
750509
Seat belts
Filed Jun 5, 2001
AUTOMATIC SHOULDER BELT TRACK MECHANISM ON THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER HAVE BECOME STUCK IN ONE POSITION AND WILL NOT MOVE. DEALERSHIP REPAIRED DRIVERS SIDE SHOULDER BELT TRACK APPROXIMATELY 2 YEARS AGO WHILE VEHICLE WAS COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. CURRENTLY, PASSENGER'S SIDE SHOULDER BELT HAS BECOME STUCK IN FORWARD POSITION. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION/ATTACHMENTS.*AK
NHTSA ID
889797
Incident
Jun 1, 1999
Seat belts
Filed Apr 27, 2001
DRIVER SEAT BELT DOES NOT FULLY EXTEND FROM THE RETRACTING MECHANISM, CAUSING THE SEAT BELT TO BECOME INOPERABLE. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS.*AK
NHTSA ID
886911
BrakesDriver assistance
Filed Mar 14, 2001
Crash reported1 injury reported
CONSUMER WAS IN PARKING LOT DRIVING ABOUT 2 MPH WHEN VEHICLE ACCELERATED, ENGINE REVVED. CONSUMER APPLIED BRAKES, BUT VEHICLE CONTINUED. VEHICLE STRUCK A PEDESTRIAN, A TREE, AND WAS THEN STOPPED BY A POLE.*AK ONE PERSON WAS INJURED IN ACCIDENT. *SLC
NHTSA ID
883041
Incident
Mar 2, 2001
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.
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