1990 Ford Tempo
Safety record from NHTSA: recalls, owner complaints, investigations and service bulletins.
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Vehicles › Ford › Tempo › 1990
These records cover every 1990 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 1990 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.
Threaded inflator components may have been damaged during assembly which may allow components to separate when inflator receives a signal to deploy the air bag.
Risk and remedy
Risk
Inflator component separation allows hot combustion gases to escape into the passenger compartment which could result in injuries to vehicle occupants.
Remedy
Replace air bag modules containing potentially defective inflators.
Owner complaints
133 complaints16 involved a crash27 involved a fire12 injuries
What owners report most
Latest complaints
- Electrical system › Ignition
Car has repeatable problem of not starting...have had it towed, due to this, numerous times, spent thousands of dollars trying to get it fixed, etc. Only to discover that it has two ignition defects...potentially... since the car was not new when I bought it 3 years ago, I have no recourse but to bear the cost of repairs myself. I am outraged that ford got away with not recalling these vehicles!!!
- Seat belts › Front
Driver's side seat belt malfunctioned. dealer refused to repair seat belt without payment. *ak
- Electrical system › Wiring
Just after pulling into the driveway, the consumer smelled smoke . he opened the hood and noticed the top of the alternator plug was burning followed by wiring burning across to the battery. the terminal block on the left fender began burning and melting. *jb *nm
- Tires › Tread/belt
The tread on all four tires separated while driving 60 mph (kelly metric radial size 18570r14). please provide the dot number. *nlm
- Engine and engine cooling · Power train · Seat belts · Structure
1.) rough idle, and oil light intermittently comes on when idling and only goes off when accelerating, but often stalls out, and doesn't want to re-start. (had oil changed twice to get excess gas out of it from trying to start it.) had to tow car three times. paid $1,000 to try to get it fixed…
1.) rough idle, and oil light intermittently comes on when idling and only goes off when accelerating, but often stalls out, and doesn't want to re-start. (had oil changed twice to get excess gas out of it from trying to start it.) had to tow car three times. paid $1,000 to try to get it fixed, but on the way home it did the same thing. 2.) cooling fan quit working and car overheated and I paid to have the radiator replaced, as petcock was leaking. mechanic didn't notice that fan wasn't working, so it overheated on the way home with a new radiator. I figured that out. once the fan was replaced with a working fan, no more overheating. after-market radiator was bigger than the original, causing the at fluid line to get sawed off by the pulley 3 times, before someone just plugged the line and installed a separate at fluid "MINI radiator type" cooler. 3.) transmission drags; car has just over 70,000 miles on it. Has repeatable problem when starting out and shifting from first to second gear, usually jerking forward when it shifts. putting car into drive after starting it usually ends up in the car stalling, and the idle IS different when it's in gear than when in park or neutral. 4.) I received a notice about a class action settlement regarding a defective tfi module, but every mechanic I spoke with said that wasn't the problem, but the notice said that a bad tfi module wouldn't necessarily always make the car stall when it's going bad, just sometimes. Stalled in rush hour once. 5.) the driver side automatic seatbelt quit working, which caused the plastic guide for the belt to break, and when I went to ford to try to get the part, they couldn't figure out which one it was, and said that they weren't planning to have the parts available after 2002 anyway. often, I about got strangled, as did others who rode in my tempo, when we opened the door to get out of the car. 6.)from the car overheating, the finish on the hood IS peeling and cracking. *nlm
- Service brakes, air › Slack adjusters
Brake adjusters failed 3 times causing brake failure
- Electrical system › Ignition
No summary
- Steering › Steering wheel/handle bar
Consumer slowed down to turn a corner and vehicle stopped in its tracks.engine was still running. Mechanic stated there was a problem with steering. Consumer indicated tires were stuck in turning position. Please provide any further information.*ak
- Exterior lighting › Headlights
Light lenses have turned from clear to white and no longer focus the beam ahead, light lenes are made from plastic, suspect that uv protection provided on outside surface to protect plastic from sunlight and not also to the inside surface to protect light from uv rays given off by quartz bulbs. This problem was also on an 85 tempo and seems to be on many other cars. nlm
- Engine and engine cooling › Engine › Gasoline › Belts and associated pulleys
While traveling on highway alternator belt snapped without prior warning, and vehicle shut down. dealership was aware of problem.*ak
- Electrical system · Engine and engine cooling › Engine › Gasoline
While driving 40mph and without warning, engine stalled, consumer applied brakes and vehicle did not stop resulting in a collision, which totaled vehicle. Prior to the accident vehicle shut off 4 times, dealer replaced battery, alternator, plugs/wires, and starter but this did not correct the problem.
- Exterior lighting › Brake lights · Service brakes, hydraulic › Foundation components
Brake lights are defective,. When stepping on brakes brake lights do not come on. Also, stopping distance has increased. *Ak
- Exterior lighting › Brake lights · Service brakes, hydraulic › Foundation components
While at a stop sign another driver pulled along side of consumer and stated that brake lights were out. consumer pressed brake pedal, and pedal went to the floor. Please provide any further information. *ak
- Engine and engine cooling › Engine › Gasoline
Vehicle cuts off without warning, but it will start back up again. also, consumer can hear it when it IS getting ready to cut, which gives her time to apply brakes and pull to side out of traffic.*ak
- Electrical system › Ignition · Seat belts › Front › Buckle assembly · Visibility › Defroster/defogger/hvac system › Windshield › Electrical heating element
Replaced seatbelt and they do the same thing lock in the buckle position when wife put in ditch she had to squeze to get outeven when open door would not release the heater control has been burnt 3 times and currently IS burnt again then the ignition has been replaced under a recall and that dings…
Replaced seatbelt and they do the same thing lock in the buckle position when wife put in ditch she had to squeze to get outeven when open door would not release the heater control has been burnt 3 times and currently IS burnt again then the ignition has been replaced under a recall and that dings now when the key isn't even in it nice recall I went to the dealer about the seatbelts they told me it would cost about 300.00 per door to fix my wife was quite upset about it wrote ford motor a letter they never ecnolledge it. she won't even let me replace the engine in it cause she says she will not drive that car that could go up in flames or doesn't have seatbelt that work cause ford don't know how to make something that works proper she feels the ford company has done nothing but endangered many adults and childrens lives with these problems and says someone otta take control over this matter sincerely [xxx] and [xxx]. *ak parts of this document have been redacted to protect personally identifiable information pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(B)(6).
- Seat belts
I was in a car accident on 9-29-01. A car pulled out in front of me and I hit the front of my car into the left front (passangers) corner panel. The car would have been totaled had I had full coverage. The seatbelt IS an automatic seatbelt, so when the key IS turned on, the seat belt automatically…
I was in a car accident on 9-29-01. A car pulled out in front of me and I hit the front of my car into the left front (passangers) corner panel. The car would have been totaled had I had full coverage. The seatbelt IS an automatic seatbelt, so when the key IS turned on, the seat belt automatically comes back on the door. Well, that day in the accident, the seatbelt never locked, the top didnt, the automatic part. What saved me from hitting the windsheild was the steering wheel and the lap belt. I know have lumps in my breast that wont go away from bouncing off the steering wheel. I dont have a job and there IS nothing I can do about it. I still and will awalys have problems with my upper back, chest and neck from bouncing off the steering wheel. And yes, I was taken to the hospital right after the accident in an ambulence on a stretcher. I contacted ford through their web site to see if there was a recall on the seatbelts and they said theyc oulnt come up with anything cause of the year of the car. As for the mileage on the car, I am unsure, I know it had high mileage. About six months after the accident or less than that, I had to sell the car, I couldnt afford to keep it in storage and I wasnt allowed to have it like it was at my apartment. Thank you. *Ak
- Exterior lighting › Headlights
Plastic headlight lens has become discolored, causing brightness of headlights to be extremely dim. *ak *jb
- Electrical system › Ignition
96 v 071 000/electrical system ignition: vehicle would stall while driving at highway speed or while pulling off from a stop position. Manufacturer was notified, and informed consumer that vehicle was covered under that recall. But, dealer refused to honor recall. *ak *slc
- Engine and engine cooling › Engine › Gasoline
Consumer states as she was driving, vehicle began to stall, she then pulled over and that IS when she saw that the vehicle was on fire, possibly engine related.(ohio traffic crash report#10-90-330)*jb
- Electrical system › Ignition
I had to have my ignition modual replaced because my car would stall on me while going down the road. I read in the paper today that ford IS fighting the recall on this exact problem. I have e-mailed ford in hopes of rectifing this situation, but thought I would also contact you for help. thank you for your help.*ak
- Suspension › Rear
Consumer states while driving the rear suspension failed, the part which came off of suspension IS near the exhaust and IS causing rust on the driver's side, the passenger side has no rust. *jb
- Engine and engine cooling › Engine › Gasoline · Vehicle speed control
While at a stop sign or stop light, vehicle stalls at take off. Paint IS peeling off of vehicle.*ak consumer also stated that the tfi ignition module was replaced after one incident where the vehicle would not start but did not help the problem, vehicle surges foward at times, it can move foward up an incline without pressing on the accelerator.*jb
- Engine and engine cooling › Cooling system · Engine and engine cooling › Engine › Gasoline
No summary listed for above vehicle. *ak
- Electrical system › Alternator/generator/regulator
Generator ignited a spark, and coating on roof caught on fire. mechanic said that it looked like ther was problem with harness connector. consumer felt its was a manufacturer' defect. *ak
- Electrical system › Ignition
This vehicle has a stalling problem when coming to a stop sign or intersection. Dealer has been contacted.*ak the consumer says that ignition system was replaced and there IS no more stalling problem. *yh
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
- 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.
- 606460Experiencing a whine / buzz type noise in the speakers of the entertainment radio or two-way radio on vehicles with an in-tank electric fuel pump.
- 606451Information on "whining" / "buzzing" noise coming through entertainment or two-way radio speaker caused by the fuel pump.
- 606420Ford motor company now recommends sae 5W-30 viscosity grade for servicing any ford gasoline-powered vehicle regardless of model year.
- 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.
- 601341Experiencing a whining / buzzing noise in the speakers of the entertainment radio or two-way radio.
- 601312Information on a buzzing or rattle noise from the exhaust system.
- 601290Information on tire company telephone numbers for customer assistance.
- 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.
- 51987Fuel economy- customer expectations versus vehicle usage.
- 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.
- 46460Certain 1989 model tempo & topaz cars equipped w/ 2.3L hsc engines built from 5/31/89 at kansas city & 6/22/89 at oakville through the end of the 1989 model year and all 1990 through 1994 tempo & topaz cars equipped with 2.3L hsc engines that are currently registered in the following states: ak, mt, nd, mn, wi, mi (upper peninsula), ny, me, vt, nh. The positive crankcase ventilation (pcv) system may freeze causing the crankcase to pressurize which could force oil out of the crankcase through the dipstick tube or past some other gasket or seal of the engine.
- 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.
Every Ford Tempo model year
Bars are owner complaints, dots mark years with recalls. Select a year to open its report.