1991 Ford Tempo
Safety record from NHTSA: recalls, owner complaints, investigations and service bulletins.
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Vehicles › Ford › Tempo › 1991
These records cover every 1991 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 1991 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.
Owner complaints
110 complaints11 involved a crash6 involved a fire8 injuries1 deaths
What owners report most
Latest complaints
- Seat belts
Shoulder harness for both front occupants fails to lock when vehicle makes a drastic stop. Ford shows no recall. I had to modify the locking harness to make it a full time restraint
- Electrical system
Tl*the contact owns a 1991 ford tempo. the manufacturer informed the contact that his vin was not included in nhtsa campaign ID number 96v071000 (electrical system:ignition), although the failures were identical. the dealer would not honor the recall. the failure and current mileages were 45,000.
- Engine and engine cooling
1991 ford tempo started smoking and then debris flew off and hit the vehicle behind her. *kb the consumer stated the vehicle stalled as she attempted to pull over to the side of the road. The consumer exited the vehicle and looked under it and discovered oil was leaking and piece of from the vehicle was missing. (Ohio traffic crash report)*jb
- Unknown or other
Consumer purchased a 1991 tempo and was unaware of the defects. *Ts *jb
- Fuel system, other › Storage › Fuel gauge system · Service brakes, hydraulic › Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip · Service brakes, hydraulic › Foundation components › Disc › Caliper · Service brakes, hydraulic › Foundation components › Disc › Pads · Service brakes, hydraulic › Foundation components › Disc › Rotor · Vehicle speed control
Dt: the caller took vehicle to a repair shop for brakes, rotors, pads and calipers repairs. the vehicle came back in worse shape than it was before the repairs. The car was much harder to handle, and shook violently. When applying brakes the steering wheel shook violently and steered to the…
Dt: the caller took vehicle to a repair shop for brakes, rotors, pads and calipers repairs. the vehicle came back in worse shape than it was before the repairs. The car was much harder to handle, and shook violently. When applying brakes the steering wheel shook violently and steered to the left. When the vehicle was dropped off on june 21, 2005 the gas tank was full, and the trip odometer had just been reset, and mileage was 0. Consumer picked up the car 6 days later and the car was on empty and the trip odometer showed 136 miles. The shop owner was called the next morning and was very angry with the consumer because she had the nerve to bring this to his attention, that was what the repair shop owner said. There was a soda pop lid in the power steering fluid reservoir when the consumer checked the vehicle after she returned home. Nothing has been done to correct this as of yet. The consumer was afraid to drive the vehicle. The car was in the shop twice for brakes. Owner charged the consumer $425.00 and the brakes still did not work. Consumer has no information on the dealer, or an address. The repair shop was express, smog and tune on 1234 north boulder highway, henderson,nevada.*ak
- Seat belts › Front › Retractor
Intermittently front driver's side automatic seat belt retractor failed to function. dealership has replaced the seat belt retractor motor twice, but the failure recurred. *Ak *nm
- Electrical system › Alternator/generator/regulator
Traveling at a speed of 60 mph the car began to slow down rapidly the windshieldwipers began slowing down and the car was losing power a new alternator was installed a week prior when I popped the hood there was a smell of burning wires and the wires coming from the car to the alternator were…
Traveling at a speed of 60 mph the car began to slow down rapidly the windshieldwipers began slowing down and the car was losing power a new alternator was installed a week prior when I popped the hood there was a smell of burning wires and the wires coming from the car to the alternator were completely melted, and there was no connection to the alternator. The terminal was replaced and the alternator was also replaced, I drove 45 miles from the shop to my house and check under the hood the cable entering the alternator had already began to melt and bubble. *Ak
- Seat belts › Front
Door operated shoulder belt failed, it seems that there IS a large number of this thing happening, according to the mechanics in this area. No part of restraint system should ever fail. Manufacturers have discontinued using this. Wonder why? *jb
- Power train › Automatic transmission
When the vehicle was driven up an incline the transmission slipped out of gear which caused the vehicle to slide backward. *nlm
- Steering › Steering wheel/handle bar
While driving and without any indication steering wheel broke. Dealer has been contacted. Please provide further information. *Ak
- Seats › Front assembly › Recliner
Driver's seatback broke while driving. Dealer has been contacted. Please provide further information.*ak
- Engine and engine cooling › Engine › Gasoline
Consumer states that shortly after purchase of vehicle, it started experiencing stalling mostly after coming to a stop, consumer has taken vehicle to several ford dealers who can not remedy the problem and has spent a lot of money, the stalling has almost caused a collision, vehicle currently has 89767 miles. *slc
- Engine and engine cooling › Engine › Gasoline
My car has a stalling problem. Sometimes it just dies when you stop at a stop sign and sometimes it try's to die while you are driving it and I heard a recall on the year, make, and model of my car on the news but I didn't get a letter telling me or something that I could take to the dealer so I…
My car has a stalling problem. Sometimes it just dies when you stop at a stop sign and sometimes it try's to die while you are driving it and I heard a recall on the year, make, and model of my car on the news but I didn't get a letter telling me or something that I could take to the dealer so I can get it fixed. Because if I don't I'm going to be in an accadient if I don't and I had like to get the recall fixed because I have a 7 month old baby and don't want to be in an accadient thank you very much.*ak
- Engine and engine cooling › Engine › Gasoline
When traveling at 50mph and coming up to a stop light/sign, vehicle would stall for no reason. Had taken to dealership 3 times for problem. Each time a temporary fix, and then it would happen again. Mechanic had test driven vehicle and it stalled.*ak *slc
- Electrical system › Wiring › Front underhood
Car stalled in a intersection just missed being hit by a large truck. Car stalls alot. Ford attemped to fix but it continues to stall. *Ak
- Engine and engine cooling › Exhaust system › Manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe
While driving on turnpike, consumers muffler/resonator fell off causing damage to left rear bumper, also caused damage to another vehicle.(ohio traffic crash report#10-90-340)*jb
- Electrical system › Ignition
I always blamed my problem on the type of gas I was using! first time vehicle stalled was when it was just a year or so old. since then, over the years, it always manages to stall on a hot day. We don't have many hot days here. have only been in heavy traffic once - had to pull over to shoulder…
I always blamed my problem on the type of gas I was using! first time vehicle stalled was when it was just a year or so old. since then, over the years, it always manages to stall on a hot day. We don't have many hot days here. have only been in heavy traffic once - had to pull over to shoulder to wait for cooling. did this many times. am 73 yr. Old dumb blonde!! had the car checked by a mechanic, he couldn't find any problems. people threw out ideas - fuel pump? was alerted by the california case - now I know what my problem is!*ak
- Engine and engine cooling › Engine
Vehicle would stop without prior notice. *Ak
- Engine and engine cooling › Engine › Gasoline
When drving at any time and without prior warning vehicle cuts off in middle of traffic, causing loss of all power. Consumer has contacted dealer, dealer unable to determine cause of problem. Please provide any further details. *ak
- Engine and engine cooling › Engine › Gasoline
I have to drive through as many as 15 red lights, and I have to drive through these lights at a rate of 5 times a week. several of these red lights are located in high traffic areas. my car has stalled/died during idling over 50 times and counting. usually when it IS warm weather and the car IS…
I have to drive through as many as 15 red lights, and I have to drive through these lights at a rate of 5 times a week. several of these red lights are located in high traffic areas. my car has stalled/died during idling over 50 times and counting. usually when it IS warm weather and the car IS idling and heated up to a normal temperature. its random based, in the summer could be 10-20 stops before it stalls and dies, usually when I start to accelerate when the light turns green. I replaced all the electrical equiptment and egr parts, and the problem still occured. Diagnostic equiptment shows no problems. I did not learn about this hidden defect until the news media announced major lawsuits against ford for this hidden problem, which matches my symptoms exactly. it IS a shame that ford knew about this problem and did not put out any service advisories, and in fact, disclaimed this problem! I invited the ford people to come ride in the car since they claim the car IS safe. it IS not fun and safe for an 18-wheeler to have to stop at a green-light when I am stalled and trying to start my ford tempo!!!*ak
- Electrical system › Ignition › Switch
Ignition lock does not work properly. when sticking key into ignition lock it seems like having the wrong key.ak
- Electrical system › Ignition · Unknown or other
When driving at any speed and without prior warning engine check light illuminates on dash, and vehicle cuts off without prior warning. Consumer has contacted dealer, dealer has replaced parts. Please provide any further details. *Ak
- Engine and engine cooling › Engine › Gasoline
While driving, vehicle stalled 7 different times before the consumer got it home. *slc
- Electrical system › Ignition › Switch
While traveling and without any indication vehicle would stall. Please provide further information.*ak
- Suspension › Front
Right side of wheel IS unstable due to auto accident. *Ak
Defect investigations
NHTSA’s Office of Defects Investigation opened these reviews into vehicles including this one.
- Engine cooling fan fires
There is no summary currently available
- Engine cooling fan fires
In december 1995, ford recalled 119,313 vehicles in canada to remedy the subject condition in certain 1992-95 taurus, sable, tempo, topaz and continental vehicles.ford IS aware of similar incidents occurring in northern regions of the united states, but maintains that the frequencies do not warrant a finding of an unreasonable risk to motor vehicle safety.
- Rear brk adjuster failure
1984 - 1991 ford tempo/mercury topaz
- Rear brake system failure
There is no summary currently available
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.
- 45934Temperature gauge - fluctuating and /or inaccurate high readings.
- 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.
Every Ford Tempo model year
Bars are owner complaints, dots mark years with recalls. Select a year to open its report.