Ford Tempo Recalls — All NHTSA Recall Campaigns

Q: How many recalls does the Ford Tempo have?

The Ford Tempo has 2 recall campaigns on record with NHTSA, spanning model years 1992 through 1992. Individual vehicles may be subject to fewer recalls depending on their specific model year and production date.

Q: Is my Tempo under recall?

Whether your specific Tempo is subject to a recall depends on your vehicle's exact VIN, not just the model year. A recall may apply to a specific production date range or certain build configurations. Enter your 17-digit VIN at VinCheckEngine or NHTSA.gov/recalls to see which, if any, open recalls apply to your exact vehicle.

Q: What is the most recalled Tempo year?

Based on NHTSA recall data, the 1992 Ford Tempo has the most recall campaigns associated with it, with 2 campaigns. However, this reflects recall campaigns for that model year — not necessarily the number of defects in vehicles built that year.

2 recall campaigns on record across 1 model year of the Ford Tempo. Data sourced directly from NHTSA and updated daily.

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Recall Campaigns

890

Owner Complaints

Reported Injuries

Reported Deaths

1 affected model years61 crash-involved complaintsMost recalled year: 1992

Affected Model Years

19922R · 149C

R = recalls · C = complaints. Click a year to see the full problems report.

Recall Breakdown by Component Category

Engine2 campaigns (100%)

Most Common Owner Complaint Areas — Ford Tempo

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE

SEAT BELTS

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DRUM

SEAT BELTS:FRONT:RETRACTOR

Based on 890 owner complaints filed with NHTSA across all model years. 4 deaths and 59 injuries reported.

All Ford Tempo Recall Campaigns

#97V0190001992 Ford TempoEngine

Issued: Invalid Date

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:FAN

THESE VEHICLES ARE ORIGINALLY SOLD OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE FOLLOWING STATES: ALASKA, IOWA, MINNESOTA, NEBRASKA, NORTH DAKOTA, AND SOUTH DAKOTA. THE VEHICLES INVOLVED ARE 1992-1994 TEMPO/TOPAZ VEHICLES WITH 3.0L ENGINES; 1994 TEMPO/TOPAZ WITH 2.3L ENGINES; 1992-1995 TAURUS/SABLE WITH 3.8L ENG…

Risk: THIS CONDITION CAN CAUSE SMOKE OR FLAMES FROM THE FAN AND/OR SHROUD, THE FAN ELECTRICAL WIRING, OR THE FAN MOTOR RESULTING IN A VEHICLE FIRE.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL AN ELECTRICAL JUMPER HARNESS CONTAINING AN AUTOMATIC RESETTING CIRCUIT BREAKER TO PROTECT THE FAN MOTOR LOW SPEED CIRCUITRY FROM OVERHEATING.

#96V0710001992 Ford TempoEngine

Issued: Invalid Date

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION

THE IGNITION SWITCH COULD EXPERIENCE AN INTERNAL SHORT CIRCUIT.

Risk: THIS CONDITION COULD CAUSE OVERHEATING, SMOKE, AND POSSIBLY FIRE IN THE STEERING COLUMN AREA OF THE VEHICLE.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE IGNITION SWITCH.

Recalls by Component

2Engine Recalls

#97V019000MY 1992

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:FAN

THESE VEHICLES ARE ORIGINALLY SOLD OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE FOLLOWING STATES: ALASKA, IOWA, MINNESOTA, NEBRASKA, NORTH DAKOTA, AND SOUTH DAKOTA. THE VEHICLES INVOLVED ARE 19…

#96V071000MY 1992

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION

THE IGNITION SWITCH COULD EXPERIENCE AN INTERNAL SHORT CIRCUIT.

Ford Tempo Recall — Frequently Asked Questions

How many recalls does the Ford Tempo have?

The Ford Tempo has 2 recall campaigns in the NHTSA database, spanning model years 1992 through 1992.

Is my Tempo under recall?

Recall applicability depends on your specific VIN — not just the model year. Some recalls cover only certain production date ranges or trim levels. Enter your 17-digit VIN at VinCheckEngine or NHTSA.gov for an exact answer.

What is the most recalled Tempo year?

Based on NHTSA data, the 1992 Ford Tempo has the highest recall campaign count (2 campaigns). However, the total count of campaigns is not the same as the number of defects — some campaigns are issued as expansions of earlier recalls.

Does a Tempo recall mean my car is unsafe to drive?

Not necessarily. Recalls range from critical safety hazards — where NHTSA advises against driving — to minor inconveniences like a label error. Check the consequence field of each recall to understand the severity. If your specific VIN is subject to an open recall, contact an authorized dealer as soon as possible.

Who pays for recall repairs on a Tempo?

The manufacturer is legally required to pay for all recall repairs under the National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act. Recall repairs are always free at any authorized dealer, regardless of whether you are the original owner or whether the vehicle is out of warranty.

Check Your Specific Ford Tempo for Open Recalls

Model-level recall data tells you what campaigns exist. A VIN-specific check tells you exactly which ones apply to your vehicle — based on production date, serial number, and configuration.

Free VIN Check — Check My Tempo

Ford Tempo Problems & Complaints All Ford Recalls All Makes — Recall Center