1988 Ford Tempo
Safety record from NHTSA: recalls, owner complaints, investigations and service bulletins.
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Vehicles › Ford › Tempo › 1988
These records cover every 1988 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 1988 Ford Tempo. Newest first.
The ignition switch could experience an internal short circuit.
Risk and remedy
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.
Two attachment screws for the throttle position sensors could loosen and back out.
Risk and remedy
Risk
If both screws come out, sensors could disengage fromthe throttle shaft, preventing return of the throttle from mid position.
Remedy
Replace attachment screws with screws with pre applied adhesive that will be tightened to a higher torque specification.
Owner complaints
126 complaints3 involved a crash36 involved a fire9 injuries2 deaths
What owners report most
Latest complaints
- Electrical system · Engine
Ack up.nmengine light comes on and motor dies. Starts right.
- Seat belts › Front
Dt: the consumer stated she IS having retraction problems with her seat belt. The seat belt IS not retracting correctly from the lap belt, from the buckle to the door post. This IS happening on the drivers side only. The seat belt IS allowing too much webbing and not retracting all the way back…
Dt: the consumer stated she IS having retraction problems with her seat belt. The seat belt IS not retracting correctly from the lap belt, from the buckle to the door post. This IS happening on the drivers side only. The seat belt IS allowing too much webbing and not retracting all the way back into the holder on the door post. When the driver IS applying brake pressure, the seat belt IS not holding the driver securely and safely in the seat. The consumer stated the dealership where she bought the vehicle from has now gone out of business and she has not contacted the manufacturer of the vehicle. She has had this problem with the seat belt for about 6 months. Speed IS not a factor with the seat belt failure. Even sitting still the seat belt IS not working. *Jb
- Engine and engine cooling › Engine · Power train
Consumer IS requesting free repairs to 1988 ford tempo GL'S transmission and motor.*mr *nm
- Electrical system › Wiring › Interior/under dash
Smelled hot wire smell while driving on highway. noticed 1 inch flame in left airvent which grew to 5 inches when stopped car. unhooked battery, poured liquid over dashboard which was on fire, closed door, waited for firetruck. I think it started in headlight switch. car totaled, most of dash burnt away.*ak
- Engine and engine cooling › Engine
While driving the vehicle stalled. *ak *nlm
- Engine and engine cooling › Engine
The treads of the tire warped with only 10000 miles on it (firestone lemans radial at). *nlm shortly after the tire was changed a fire started under the hood. *nlm
- Tires › Tread/belt
The tread of the tire failed (bridgestone weather force tire). *nlm
- Suspension · Tires
The vehicle vibrated while driving. the tires were balanced yet the vibration still occurred. *nlm
- Fuel system, gasoline › Fuel injection system
Gasoline leaks on engine. *ak consumer noticed gasoline coming out of the vacuum hose that runs from the fuel pressure regulator to the vacuum fitting, consumer realized the regulator must be faulty. *slc
- Electrical system › Ignition › Switch
Nhtsa recall96v 071000/ manufacturer's recall 95s28 concerning ignition fai;ure. consumer noticed from outside window that vehicle was on fire. vehicle had been sitting I driveway for 30-45 minutes after being driven home. vehicle had flames coming from under the hood. consumer was confirming recall to be serviced. Please provide more information.*ak
- Seat belts › Front › Retractor
The lap belt on passenager side front will not stay clasped. Drivers shoulder strap (automatic) will not slide open. the motor can be heard inside, but will not move.
- Power train › Automatic transmission
Vehicle fails to operate in drive, but it does operate in reverse, cause unknown. please give any further details.*ak
- Fuel system, gasoline › Fuel injection system
This vehicle has stalled on startup position in traffic since it was new and has continued to do so after numerous complaints to the dealer. this presents a safety hazard as cross traffic IS not responsible to wait while we restart the vehicle. this IS not due to driver error as it occurs with several different drivers.*ak
- Seat belts
I was driving, wife in passenger seat with lap belt engaged. upon stopping, lap belt would not release. impossible for her to exit car because of automatic retractor installed on belt assembly. this IS a mojor safety item and ford will not accept any responsibility. had we been in an accidnet…
I was driving, wife in passenger seat with lap belt engaged. upon stopping, lap belt would not release. impossible for her to exit car because of automatic retractor installed on belt assembly. this IS a mojor safety item and ford will not accept any responsibility. had we been in an accidnet and car was buring, wife would have been burned to death. the only way I could get wife out of the car was to cut the belt and there wouldn't have been time to do this in a burning car! even with the lap belt cut, I am still unable to release the buckle. the law requires that belts be used yet ford will not take responsibility for safe and normal operation of the lap belt that they installed in the vehicle. no previous indications of anything wrong with lap belt system on either side of vehicle.*ak
- Engine and engine cooling › Engine › Gasoline
Work done on engine before recall was known. Car not the same since. Total cost to me ,about 1500.00.*ak
- Tires
Was driving in town on 07/21/01 in the afternoon going home, when car started vibrating real badly, and wondered all over road. The tire in questioned IS off the right front of a 1988 ford tempo. It IS chewed up around the inside and also has "several soft spots" in the tire.*ak (dot number: W2RV tiresize: p18570r14)
- Electrical system › Ignition
The engine stalls while driving. sometime it will restart just to stall again after a few miles. the ignition switch was replaced under a previous recall but the problem continues to persist. the electronic control unit was replace twice in the last 12 months. I believe there IS a problem with…
The engine stalls while driving. sometime it will restart just to stall again after a few miles. the ignition switch was replaced under a previous recall but the problem continues to persist. the electronic control unit was replace twice in the last 12 months. I believe there IS a problem with the wiring/module that regulates the electrical pulses that fire the plugs. I will ask the dealer to research. unfortuantely, this electrical problem seems to be very common on ford tempo's but none of the technical service bulletins address it. *ak
- Engine and engine cooling › Engine › Gasoline
I shouldn't have to wait for an injury before ford fixes!. No safety defect listed in summary. *Ak
- Fuel system, gasoline
After putting gas in the car with the windows rolled up there IS an odor of gas inside the car. the odor IS also there with the windows down while driving the car. It goes away after about 15 minuets of driving.*ak
- Electrical system › Ignition · Engine and engine cooling › Cooling system · Engine and engine cooling › Engine · Engine and engine cooling › Exhaust system › Manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe · Power train › Driveline › Constant velocity joint · Power train › Manual transmission · Service brakes, air › Antilock › Wheel speed sensor · Service brakes, hydraulic › Foundation components · Steering › Rack and pinion · Tires › Valve · Visibility › Defroster/defogger/hvac system › Heater core
Valve stems failed. nlm
- Service brakes, hydraulic › Foundation components › Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
Brake line ruptured causing an accident, 2 people were injured. *slc
- Engine and engine cooling › Engine › Gasoline
While driving vehicle for a high amount of time engine dies out when coming to a stop or even driving at high speeds. No one knows problem.*ak *slc
- Electrical system › Ignition
When driving at any speed and without prior warning vehicle cuts off, causing vehicle to be in middle of an intersection or in some cases in middle of traffic . Consumer has contacted a mechanic who replaced parts. But, problem still occurs. please provide any further details. *ak
- Electrical system › Ignition
Engine will quit suddenly and usually at speeds above 45 mph. I narrowly avoided an accident when the engine stalled because a truck was right behnd me. the truck was able to change lanes quick enough to avoid the accident. the engine failure has occured about 8 times since I have owned the car.…
Engine will quit suddenly and usually at speeds above 45 mph. I narrowly avoided an accident when the engine stalled because a truck was right behnd me. the truck was able to change lanes quick enough to avoid the accident. the engine failure has occured about 8 times since I have owned the car. I cannot determine the cause of the engine failure i.e. From either ignition failure or from fuel starvation from an unknown cause. in each case, the car would restart after a half hour wait. this represents a potential for a serious accident especially from a rear end collission hazard.*ak
- Electrical system › Ignition
I lost my 4-year old son in my car. it was parked, I don't know why he got in the car. we had just arrived at my mothers. no one can prove anything because the dash IS so burnt and the steringwheel was in the floor. Although they found no traces of anything that could of started it other than…
I lost my 4-year old son in my car. it was parked, I don't know why he got in the car. we had just arrived at my mothers. no one can prove anything because the dash IS so burnt and the steringwheel was in the floor. Although they found no traces of anything that could of started it other than faulty ignition switch. the car still sits and they want me to forget about it. Lawyers keep backing out after so far. please help me. I have to know the truth and get what I deserve. No one can put a price on a lost child.
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
- Throttle sticking
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
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.
- 605564Issues concerning the malfunction of the indicator lamp.
- 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.
- 601269Announcing the ford oem air conditioning retrofit kit availability.
- 601238Information on a new transmission fluid usage chart.
- 601012The use of petroleum-based grease as a lubricant in servicing disc brakes IS no longer acceptable.
- 601010Recommended guidelines for towing behind recreational vehicles.
- 600586Front and rear bumpers made of xenoy plastic have had the conductive primer removed from service parts.
- 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.
- 40073Blower motor chirp or squeak from blower motor at low speeds.
- 39900Roughness concern during brake application.
- 39717Wiper motor replacement - upgraded service kits.
- 39237Revised wiper motor.
- 39128Delayed and/or intermittent no upshift of 1-2 gear.
- 37800New revised clutch seals to correct a no reverse in extreme cold weather conditions.
- 37772The tv plunger valve position may be incorrect causing vehicles to have an intermittent no 1-2 upshift problem or cold/hard accelerator pedal effort.
- 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.