1986 Ford Tempo
Safety record from NHTSA: recalls, owner complaints, investigations and service bulletins.
Have the VIN?
Vehicles › Ford › Tempo › 1986
These records cover every 1986 Ford Tempo. To see whether one car still needs a recall repair, decode its VIN or check it with NHTSA.
Recalls
1 recall names the 1986 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.
Owner complaints
31 complaints2 involved a crash11 involved a fire
What owners report most
Latest complaints
- Electrical system
TL* the contact owns a 1986 ford tempo. The contact stated that the vehicle would not start. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where they advised him that the ignition module needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and they offered no assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 80,000. The vin was unavailable.
- Electrical system › Alternator/generator/regulator
Dt: the contact stated when exiting the vehicle she smelled an odd odor. upon reentering and staring the vehicle white smoke came from under the hood. When checking under the hood she saw flames coming out. She immediately called 911. The fire went out on its own before the fire department…
Dt: the contact stated when exiting the vehicle she smelled an odd odor. upon reentering and staring the vehicle white smoke came from under the hood. When checking under the hood she saw flames coming out. She immediately called 911. The fire went out on its own before the fire department arrived. A police report was taken at the scene. The alternator appeared to be the source of the fire. the plug to the alternator melted. the vehicle was towed to the contact's residence. A replacement alternator was purchased, but the vehicle has not been repaired. *ak
- Electrical system › Ignition
On the ignition problem, the car died on the state highway & I had to get towed to my mechanic. My car was laid up for 16 days. He finally found out it was the ignition that was malfunctioning after doing a troubleshooting start & stalling condition. It cost me 118.07 fo the repairs and…
On the ignition problem, the car died on the state highway & I had to get towed to my mechanic. My car was laid up for 16 days. He finally found out it was the ignition that was malfunctioning after doing a troubleshooting start & stalling condition. It cost me 118.07 fo the repairs and another$30.00 for the tow. This has been a problem even before you did the recall. And I wish I could get compensated for the expensense,but you said only to 100,000 miles. I dont think that IS fair! on the drive train, I was driving along and thn lost power to the train, and I could not steer the car. Had to coast off to the side of the road. This happened on easter sunday,and the state police stopped and told me I had to move the car off the road and I could not leave it there. I again had to get towed! the drive axle cost me $100.00. it just fell off the car and the mechanic could not understand why because the pins were still intact. it should never had come apart like it did they said. It did not break! it just came apart.*ak
- Electrical system › Ignition
Vehicle stalls intermittently, no matter what speed. *ak
- Electrical system › 12v/24v/48v battery
Battery was defective. There were three batteries tested from pep boys. *ak
- Vehicle speed control
While driving about any speed vehicle could accelerate, even when stepping on the brakes. *ak
- Exterior lighting › Headlights
Headlights are malfunctioning. dealer says that it's the lens. But they are out of stock, and have no idea when they'll be in. owner cannot pass the state safety inspection without it. *ak *ML
- Electrical system › Wiring
Consumer went to start up car and went back into the house. Consumer came back out and car was smoking'. Consumer shut off car. went back inside, and when consumer returned, the entire car was on fire. Consumer has not contacted the dealer yet. *ak
- Electrical system › Ignition › Module
Intermittent stalling; consumer believed this problem was due to a malfunctioning computer model. Vehicle was inspected and repairs were made by an independent repair shop at consumer expense of approximately $600.00. Can nhtsa provide information or help in this matter. *Ak
- Fuel system, gasoline › Fuel injection system
The car excellerates on its own/pegs rpms/then lugs and wont run smoothly
- Power train › Driveline › Constant velocity joint · Service brakes, hydraulic › Foundation components › Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings · Steering › Hydraulic power assist › Pump · Suspension › Rear › Shock absorber
Shocks failed.
- Visibility › Windshield wiper/washer › Motor
Vehicle was parked and caught on fire. Fire department stated that the windshield wiper motor shorted out, causing the fire. Also dashboard melted. *ak
- Engine and engine cooling › Engine › Gasoline
Engine idles high, loses power over 20 mph, and stalls intermittently. *Dh
- Electrical system › Ignition
When at stop sign and making a turn the car stalls . please describe. *ak
- Power train › Manual transmission
Gears jumped from park to drive and then caught fire. please give more information. *ak
- Service brakes, hydraulic › Foundation components › Drum
Rear brake adjuster failure, causing partial loss of braking ability. *Dh
- Electrical system › Ignition › Switch
Ignition switch shorted, causing engine fire. *Dsh
- Electrical system
Electrical system shorted, causing fire. *Dsh
- Service brakes, hydraulic › Foundation components
Hydraulic brakes; when applying the brakes, vehicle pulls to the left. please describe. *Ak
- Parking brake › Conventional › Mechanical › Linkage and cable
Rear emergency brake cable sticks, causes excessive brake pad wear. *ak
- Electrical system › Ignition › Switch
Electrical short in the ignition switch, causing the vehicle to catch on fire. *ak
- Electrical system › Ignition › Switch
An electrical short caused the ignition to catch on fire while driving. please describe. *ak
- Engine and engine cooling › Engine › Gasoline · Fuel system, gasoline › Delivery › Fuel pump · Power train › Automatic transmission › Cooling unit and lines · Service brakes, hydraulic › Foundation components · Tires
Transmission cooling pipe leaks. *Sd
- Electrical system › Wiring › Interior/under dash
An electrical short or shock caused the vehicle wires to catch on fire under the dash while parked. please describe.
- Steering › Hydraulic power assist › Pump
Power steering pump IS leaking power stering fluid unto the exhaust manifold. *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
- Safety belt cut at webbing
There is no summary currently available
- Fuel pump failure
There is no summary currently available
- Speed cntrl malfunction
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- 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.
- 51735Rear engine mount concerns.
- 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.
- 41025A revised service windshield wiper motor IS now available.
- 39900Roughness concern during brake application.
- 39717Wiper motor replacement - upgraded service kits.
- 39237Revised wiper motor.
Every Ford Tempo model year
Bars are owner complaints, dots mark years with recalls. Select a year to open its report.