1987 Ford Tempo
Safety record from NHTSA: recalls, owner complaints, investigations and service bulletins.
Have the VIN?
Vehicles › Ford › Tempo › 1987
These records cover every 1987 Ford Tempo. To see whether one car still needs a recall repair, decode its VIN or check it with NHTSA.
Recalls
2 recalls name the 1987 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.
Lug nuts could gall and possibly seize on the wheel studs without providing adequate clamping load on the wheels.
Risk and remedy
Risk
Wheel studs could fracture creating a risk of a wheelseparating with little forewarning.
Remedy
Replace wheel lug nuts and if necessary, replace wheels and wheel studs.
Owner complaints
53 complaints2 involved a crash17 involved a fire1 injuries
What owners report most
Latest complaints
- Engine and engine cooling › Engine › Gasoline
Vehicle stalls intermittently at any speed when engine IS hot. Dealer has replaced numerous parts, including fuel pump. But it did not solve the problem.*ak *yh
- Engine and engine cooling › Engine › Gasoline
The vehicle stalls intermittently without warning making braking and steering more difficult, the vehicle has been taken to the dealer on several occasions but the problem could not be solved, on one occasion the drive struck a utility pole and damaged the vehicle when the vehicle stalled while making a turn.
- Electrical system › Ignition › Module
The vehicle would stall intermittently when stopped at a traffic light or when starting due to tfi module failure. *yh
- Electrical system › Ignition
The vehicle stalls without notice during several different scenarios and the braking and steering become difficult. the vehicle was taken to several different repair shops, including the local ford dealership and although the stalling was eveident, no one coul;d clarify why and how to repair the…
The vehicle stalls without notice during several different scenarios and the braking and steering become difficult. the vehicle was taken to several different repair shops, including the local ford dealership and although the stalling was eveident, no one coul;d clarify why and how to repair the problem. I am reproting this problem on behalf of my elderly mother, who has had this stalling problem since she purchased this used vehicle and has not been able to find anyone to successfully repair the vehicle. the tempo IS her only means of transportation and she has had to cope with the stalling problems because she can not afford a new vehicle. she recently struck a utility pole when the vehicle stalled while she was making a turn and damaged her vehicle. she desparately needs some assistance in having ford make her vehicle safe. I have contacted ford at their 1.800.392.3673 number and spoke with a representative by the name of selvin, who basically said that ford will not voluntarily do anything to assist at this time and he would not provide any additional contact information. please help!*ak
- Electrical system › Alternator/generator/regulator
Alternator rebuilt and bought from advance auto parts. This was the second alternator with problems, the first was taken back and this one the mechanic replaced and said that who does advance's rebuilding isn't that great. The time and money spent for their reject alternator's IS unjust. The red light indicator stayed on until this new alternator was put in.*ak
- Engine and engine cooling › Engine › Gasoline
Vehicle has been stalling off and on since purchase of vehicle, numerous repairs. Cannot remedy.*ak
- Electrical system › Alternator/generator/regulator · Fuel system, gasoline › Fuel injection system
I am financially obligated to past due bills; however I am trying to keep up with the car problems, I didn't know if there was any recall on this car! As mentioned I was given a fine of $50.00 for expired tags by about a week; I would have went to mva if given a warning for renewal! With all of…
I am financially obligated to past due bills; however I am trying to keep up with the car problems, I didn't know if there was any recall on this car! As mentioned I was given a fine of $50.00 for expired tags by about a week; I would have went to mva if given a warning for renewal! With all of the expenses in a car IS there any way to get some work done without being indebted to a high priced mechanic? Economics should not play a part for safety of a car; should have ways to help economically disadvantaged. Please read out of concern and not to be used against me but for the safety of my family and to help others who want a safe vehicle but can't afford all of the high bills.f. No safety defect mentioned . *ak
- Fuel system, gasoline › Delivery › Fuel pump
Car wont restart after it has been drivin and or stopped at idle speed. Causing me to be stranded continually. Ford motor was suppose to fix the fuel pump , but instead replaced tfi switch and two other sensors , but am still having same symtoms sent car back and now they tell me its the fuel…
Car wont restart after it has been drivin and or stopped at idle speed. Causing me to be stranded continually. Ford motor was suppose to fix the fuel pump , but instead replaced tfi switch and two other sensors , but am still having same symtoms sent car back and now they tell me its the fuel pump wich IS why I took the car to them to begin with.. Then I here on the news about this tfi switch that ford motor charged me an arm a leg and a foot for 640.00... I see a cover up or somthing IS not right at my expense.. Not to mention the stearing problems and the brake failure.. and numerous other problems never again will I trust ford.and I currently have a complaint filed with the attorney general of my state we want our money back and our car fixed right. This has been very frustrating I have sunk 700 plus another 400 for bakes on a car that only had 40.000 miles when I purchased it from a family member.*ak
- Steering › Linkages › Tie rod assembly
While driving into a driveway tie rod: inner broke out of gear box, causing a loss of steering. Ford has not been contacted yet. *ak
- Fuel system, gasoline › Delivery › Fuel pump
Fuel pump failed. Mjs
- Electrical system › Ignition › Module · Power train › Automatic transmission
Vehicle experienced continued stalling conditions due to failure of the electronic ignition module. Mjs
- Electrical system › Ignition › Module · Engine and engine cooling › Cooling system › Radiator assembly · Engine and engine cooling › Engine · Service brakes, hydraulic › Foundation components · Vehicle speed control › Cruise control
Idle speed control actuator and valve failed. Mjs
- Electrical system › Ignition · Steering · Vehicle speed control › Cruise control
My car started acting up 1ST by cutting out like it was going to die, the it would rev up,and then completely quit. then when I tried to start it the tachometer would spin around backwards. after setting for a few hours it would start and maybe run fine for a few days. then problem 2 happened.…
My car started acting up 1ST by cutting out like it was going to die, the it would rev up,and then completely quit. then when I tried to start it the tachometer would spin around backwards. after setting for a few hours it would start and maybe run fine for a few days. then problem 2 happened. my horn started beeping for no reason and I had to take the fuse out. the car will not start at all now. we have changed the computer brain and that wasn't the problem. sometimes when you shut the door the horn beeps with no fuse in the fuse box. we are now thinking it IS an electrical problem within the steering column. how can this problem be fixed, or even narrowed down to see if that IS the problem.
- Electrical system › Ignition
Thick film ignition module and dist stator failed causing vehicle to stall without warning.
- Engine and engine cooling › Engine › Gasoline
Vehicle experiences continued stalling, unable to rectify or find faulty component.
- Structure › Frame and members
While traveling rear subframe motor mounts broke, causing engine and transmission to drop, consumer has contacted dealer. *ak
- Power train › Automatic transmission
Transmission IS failing to operate properly. Vehicle making noise when shifting into high gear. Dealer was not notified at this time. *ak
- Engine and engine cooling › Engine › Gasoline
Engine failed causing fire. ohio state police report.
- Engine and engine cooling › Engine › Gasoline
Engine fire destroyed car(ohio state police)
- Engine and engine cooling › Exhaust system › Emission control
Egr sensors failed causing stalling
- Engine and engine cooling › Engine › Gasoline
Vehicle continuously loses power/stalls.
- Engine and engine cooling › Engine › Gasoline
Filled up a quarter of a tank of 87 octane, soon after, vehicle struggled to idle/stalled. Subsequently, filled up with gas at another station and vehicle ran better. Had to add gas for treatment for vehicle to run normally. *ak
- Engine and engine cooling › Engine › Gasoline
While driving about 10-15 mph vehicle stalled. The engine light came on after vehicle stalled out. Vehicle immediately started up. Owner states that the vehicle dies when coming to a stop, and when turning a corner. Owner has not contacted the dealer. *ak
- Engine and engine cooling › Engine › Gasoline
Owner states while driving vehicle it started to stall. when owner pulled over on the side of the highway vehicle then caught on fire. It took only 15min for the whole vehicle to burn down. *ak
- Seats
The spring that supports the seat cushions were cutting through the material around their attachment holes.
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
- Fuel pump failure
There is no summary currently available
- Failed passive restraint
We have received numerous reports which allege a malfunction or failure of the passive restraint system.additional reports allege that the passive restraint system failed to restrain/adequately protect the occupant during an accident
- Speed control malfunction
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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.
- 37800New revised clutch seals to correct a no reverse in extreme cold weather conditions.
- 37760Vehicles may exhibit the lack of reverse in extreme cold conditions.
Every Ford Tempo model year
Bars are owner complaints, dots mark years with recalls. Select a year to open its report.