1985 Ford Tempo
Safety record from NHTSA: recalls, owner complaints, investigations and service bulletins.
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Vehicles › Ford › Tempo › 1985
These records cover every 1985 Ford Tempo. To see whether one car still needs a recall repair, decode its VIN or check it with NHTSA.
Recalls
4 recalls name the 1985 Ford Tempo. Newest first.
Certain federal-mogul aftermarket fuel pumps sold under the brand names of carter, accuflow, napa, truflow, parts depo, and parts master, shipped between august 2006 and july 2007 for use on the vehicles listed above. the fuel pump diaphragm in certain production runs may have been improperly installed or inadequately tested which may cause the fuel pump…
Risk and remedy
Risk
A leaking fuel pump could create a vehicle fire hazard.
Remedy
Federal-mogul will notify owners and replace the defective fuel pumps free of charge. the recall began on october 15, 2007. owners can contact federal-mogul at 248-354-7700.
Rear supension control arm-to-spindle attachment bolts may be subject to fracture causing the rear spindle to separate during use of car. consequence of defect: if bolts fracture and rear spindle…
The unexpected open throttle causes an increase in engine speed which could result in loss of control of the car and a potential crash. consequence of defect: the electronic engine control…
Risk and remedy
Remedy
Replace electronic engine control processor, if necessary.
Rear suspension control arm-to-spindle attachment bolts may be subject to fracture during use of car. consequence of defect: if bolts fracture, rear spindle could disengage from control arm and possibly result in loss of control.
Owner complaints
30 complaints3 involved a crash6 involved a fire1 injuries
What owners report most
Latest complaints
- Electrical system › Ignition › Module · Fuel system, gasoline · Power train · Suspension
My 1985 ford tempo GL has 3 recalls and ford says it doesn't. Vin# [xxx] 1.ECU defective throttle remains partially opened oem # 85v134000, 2.back tire rear control arm spindle bolt oem # 85v086000, 3.fuel pump oem # 07e064000.where do I go from here? *Tr
- Electrical system › Ignition › Module
Oil leaks from intake manifold.
- Suspension › Rear
No summary listed for above vehicle. *ak
- Steering › Steering wheel/handle bar
Car stalls when steering wheel turned sharply. *ak
- Engine and engine cooling › Engine › Gasoline
Engine will not start at times unless you pump the gas pedal very hard and fast doesn't do this at all times on occasionally. *ak
- Air bags › Frontal · Tires
Consumer was involved in accident and airbag had no deployment, causing injury to consumer. *slc
- Electrical system › Ignition
The car dies at any time, anywhere, my mechanic says it IS a faulty module. I am in great danger of the safety of my child and myself. something must be done on this vehicle, as I have been stalled numerous times on the railroad tracks. please do something about the recall of this module.*ak
- Electrical system › Ignition
Electronic module on distributor faulty and caused car to stall at highway speed. Narrowly avoided having an accident when engine died. Ford charged for a new part but other cars may still have this faulty part putting the public at risk
- Tires › Tread/belt
Goodyear viva tire (1) flattened on highway entry ramp , 3 tires failed due to belt slippage and were replaced but failed again (175x80x13). nlm
- Electrical system › Ignition · Fuel system, gasoline › Fuel injection system · Power train › Clutch assembly · Unknown or other · Vehicle speed control
This car was given to me by my sister (original owner) after only 31000 miles. The fuel injection system, all sensors, ignition module, throttle solenoid/sensor, and clutch have gone out without warning, usually when starting the car. I now have a car with another blown clutch, throttle/idle…
This car was given to me by my sister (original owner) after only 31000 miles. The fuel injection system, all sensors, ignition module, throttle solenoid/sensor, and clutch have gone out without warning, usually when starting the car. I now have a car with another blown clutch, throttle/idle solenoid and main computer problems. I've put over $2,000 in repairs and still have a car that I now can't afford to fix any more. Uppon contacting ford regarding the problems, they denied any problems except for a rear axel part in some {not mine} models. IS there any recourse? I can't even sell it for parts. Thank you.
- Steering › Hydraulic power assist › Hose, piping, and connections
Power steering high pressure hose broke due to chaffing against frame due to design location, resulting in vehicle accident.
- Steering › Steering wheel/handle bar
Half-shaft failure.
- Engine and engine cooling › Engine
Engine cylinder head failed.
- Engine and engine cooling › Engine
Engine cylinder head failed.
- Electrical system › Ignition › Module
Intermittent stalling due to thick film ignition module (tfi) failure. *ak
- Air bags › Frontal
Vehicle hit a guardrail and the air bag did not deploy but it made the senors come on and they will not go off. *ak
- Engine and engine cooling › Engine
Defective engine gaskets, causing vehicle to overheat. *Sd
- Steering › Steering wheel/handle bar
Steering wheel welds broke while turning a corner, lost control, impact 11:00 position, speed 20mph. *ak
- Engine and engine cooling › Engine › Gasoline
After being driven and parked for (20) minutes, owner informed vehicle was on fire. Please describe details. *ak
- Electrical system › Ignition › Switch
After driving for a while, ignition switch and steering column gets hot; ignition key becomes real hot; difficult to hold/remove with hand. *ak
- Electrical system › Wiring › Front underhood
The vehicle had a fire underneath the hood . Source unknown. Please describe. *ak
- Electrical system › Ignition › Switch
The vehicle was parked in a lot and the vehicle caught on fire from the igniton switch. *ak consumer states the whole dash was burned up. *slc
- Electrical system › Ignition › Switch
The vehicle caught on fire in the ignition system while the car was being driven. Please describe. *ak
- Electrical system › Ignition › Switch
Upon parking, moments later found engine and dash on fire, for no apparent reason. *ak
- Electrical system › Ignition › Switch
Ignition switch was starting to become excessively hot and was replaced. *ak
Defect investigations
NHTSA’s Office of Defects Investigation opened these reviews into vehicles including this one.
- Rear brk adjuster failure
1984 - 1991 ford tempo/mercury topaz
- Rear brake system failure
There is no summary currently available
- Seat belt separation
There is no summary currently available
- Speed control malfunction
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- Halfshaft failure
Summary:the subject vehicles may be equipped with either a 2.3 liter4 cylinder engine or a 2.0 liter diesel engine.the transaxle may beeither a 5 speed manual or a 3 speed automatic transmission.thehalfshaft assemblies are identical for automatic and manual use, but theright interconnecting shaft on a diesel equipped…
Summary:the subject vehicles may be equipped with either a 2.3 liter4 cylinder engine or a 2.0 liter diesel engine.the transaxle may beeither a 5 speed manual or a 3 speed automatic transmission.thehalfshaft assemblies are identical for automatic and manual use, but theright interconnecting shaft on a diesel equipped vehicle does not have atorsional damper.the 1987 model vehicles (gas or diesel) do not use thetorsional damper.the right side interconnecting shaft IS longer thanthe left side shaft (25 inches versus 12 inches).most of the reported failures involve the right halfshaft assembly.failure of the halfshaft appears to result in a loss of drive without anyloss of vehicle control. #===
- Stalling
No safety defect trend has been detected.===
- Seatback failure
Summary of information from manufacturer:ford believes that the al-leged defect only occurs in a small number of the subject vehicles andrecalled about 195,732 1984 tempo/topaz vehicles in june 1986.analysis: vehicles potentially involved include tempo/topaz, escort/lynx/exp, mustang/capri, ltd/marquis, and…
Summary of information from manufacturer:ford believes that the al-leged defect only occurs in a small number of the subject vehicles andrecalled about 195,732 1984 tempo/topaz vehicles in june 1986.analysis: vehicles potentially involved include tempo/topaz, escort/lynx/exp, mustang/capri, ltd/marquis, and thunderbird/cougar.ford sold about 110,000 replacement mio bolts, mainly for 1983 and 1984models. Low clamping force appears to be a large part of the problem.ford increased the torque requirements and required the use of a manualtorque tool in march and september 1985 production changes. 1987 modelswill be produced with a longer M10 bolt and a nut to increase and main-tain clamping force. Bolts were formerly self tapping. Reports listedabove specifically state that the bolt broke. None refer simply toseat back collapse alone.status:ford reply to odi ir dated 2/2/87.ford recalled 195,7321984 tempo/topaz vehicles in june 1986 (86v-082). Analyzing reponse,monitoring canadian progress. Response to 4/6/87 letter to fordreceived 7/15/87. Will probably close after canada completes theiractions.===
Service bulletins
Technical service bulletins and other communications the manufacturer sent dealers about this vehicle. Ask a dealer for the full document by its number.
- 6090087Information on identifying non-approved / alternate refrigerants which could cause safety, and performance concerns if installed in ford a/c systems.
- 6089681Subject on a wire harness terminal repair kit available for repairing electrical wiring harnesses.
- 3012200Unknown
- 623988Information regarding transmission fluid usage charts. *Slc
- 623944Some vehicles may exhibit heater core leaks. *Slc
- 612203Information regarding the new transmission cooler flusher- service tip. *Mjs
- 608431Information on the new flush and fill tool available through rotunda.
- 604059Ford motor company has released a new electrical grease ( F8AZ - 19g208-aa ) to reduce the possibility of moisture corrosion at the terminals.
- 601343A new silicone gasket and sealant.
- 601312Information on a buzzing or rattle noise from the exhaust system.
- 601290Information on tire company telephone numbers for customer assistance.
- 601012The use of petroleum-based grease as a lubricant in servicing disc brakes IS no longer acceptable.
- 53660Vehicles exhibiting a "squeaking" or "chirping" from the blower motor at low blower motor speeds.
- 51990Blower motor- "chirping" or "squeaking" from blower motor at low speeds.
- 51945Fluid- transmission fluid usage charts.
- 50997Transaxle - torque converter replacement guidelines and torque converter/transaxle cooling system cleaning procedures - service tip.
- 50940Windshield and interior glass - fog/film.
- 50908Torque converter - leak test procedure - service tip.
- 50905Wiring - electrical diode identification and service replacements.
- 46478The use of petroleum-based grease as a lubricant in servicing disc brakes IS no longer acceptable because it may be incompatible with the rubber material used in the disc brake system. If petroleum-based grease IS used to lubricate any part of the disc brake system, it could cause rubber parts to swell if lubricant contacts the rubber material.
- 39900Roughness concern during brake application.
Every Ford Tempo model year
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