1992 Ford Tempo
Safety record from NHTSA: recalls, owner complaints, investigations and service bulletins.
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Vehicles › Ford › Tempo › 1992
These records cover every 1992 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 1992 Ford Tempo. Newest first.
These vehicles are originally sold or currently registered in the following states: alaska, iowa, minnesota, nebraska, north dakota, and south dakota. the vehicles involved are 1992-1994 tempo/topaz vehicles with 3.0L engines; 1994 tempo/topaz with 2.3L engines; 1992-1995 taurus/sable with 3.8L engines; 1994-1995 taurus/sable with 3.0L engines and…
Risk and remedy
Risk
This condition can cause smoke or flames from the fan and/or shroud, the fan electrical wiring, or the fan motor resulting in a vehicle fire.
Remedy
Dealers will install an electrical jumper harness containing an automatic resetting circuit breaker to protect the fan motor low speed circuitry from overheating.
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
176 complaints11 involved a crash21 involved a fire18 injuries1 deaths
What owners report most
Latest complaints
- Engine and engine cooling › Exhaust system › Emission control › Catalytic convertor
TL * the contact owns a 1992 ford tempo. While driving at approximately 35 mph, the contact heard a noise. The contact stopped the vehicle and saw that some of the lug nuts were missing. A local mechanic inspected the vehicle. The vehicle was found to contain no catalytic converter; furthermore…
TL * the contact owns a 1992 ford tempo. While driving at approximately 35 mph, the contact heard a noise. The contact stopped the vehicle and saw that some of the lug nuts were missing. A local mechanic inspected the vehicle. The vehicle was found to contain no catalytic converter; furthermore, neither the horn and nor any of the electrical component functioned correctly. The contact returned the vehicle to the dealer. The current and failure mileages were approximately 66,000. updated 5/12/10 *cn updated 06/11/10. *Jb
- Electrical system
Car fire---car was parked in my mother's carport---caught on fire at night---burned the house---killed my mother... *Tr
- Electrical system › 12v/24v/48v battery › Cables · Service brakes, hydraulic › Foundation components › Disc › Caliper · Suspension
1992 tempo right caliper, battery cable needed to be replaced and the passenger side motor needed a cover. Springs and struts also needed replacing. *ts *jb
- Suspension › Front › Stabilizer bar
While driving eastbound on route 20 near oberlin, ohio I hit a pothole which was large enough to make my car swerve. The pothole was unavoidable because a car was driving past me in the other lane and at that point. No matter how far I would have gone to the right (near the white line) to avoid it…
While driving eastbound on route 20 near oberlin, ohio I hit a pothole which was large enough to make my car swerve. The pothole was unavoidable because a car was driving past me in the other lane and at that point. No matter how far I would have gone to the right (near the white line) to avoid it, I would have still hit it. Luckily there was no one behind the vehicle passing me when I hit the pothole or else I would have been involved in an accident. When I got home I noticed some difference in the way the car was driving but payed not attention because it was not noticeable enough to take any action. On the following thursday may 12, 2005 I noticed my tire was set back all the way against the wheel well and there was now a noticeable difference in the way the vehicle was driving and the way it sounded. I took it to a garage shop and they said the sway bar was broken, the tire was set back and from hitting the pothole the tire of the rim had been bent.
- Engine and engine cooling › Engine
All gaskets & seals leak. Needs about a quart of oil per 15 miles. Because of oil dripping, car catches on fire. Nothing has been done to correct problem, too expensive!
- Unknown or other
Peeling and fading paint
- Engine and engine cooling · Exterior lighting · Fuel system, gasoline · Power train · Seat belts · Service brakes, hydraulic · Steering · Unknown or other · Visibility · Wheels
The horn quit working, the cooling fan has quit twice and had to be replaced , now the fan problen IS in the wiring , havent fixed it yet, the fuel pump has been replaced twice, the righ headlight hs been replaced 7 times in 3 years, the drivers side seatbelt no longer works , the transmission…
The horn quit working, the cooling fan has quit twice and had to be replaced , now the fan problen IS in the wiring , havent fixed it yet, the fuel pump has been replaced twice, the righ headlight hs been replaced 7 times in 3 years, the drivers side seatbelt no longer works , the transmission leaks at the drivers side cv axle and the drivers side cv asle has had to be replaced 3 times in the last 3 years , the max fuel economy IS 16 mpg (highway), the engine idles up and down at stop signs , the ignition switch on the steering wheel has came unplugged while driving twice , the a/c has quit working , the clear coat has just about all peeled off , the rear brakes have to be adjusted manually about once every 2 months , the alternator squeels , the rack-n-pinion steering seal bursted so the power steering no longer works , .
- Seat belts › Front › Retractor
Front seat belt automatic retractor inoperable.........vehicle no longer has a three point restraint capability.........unsafe!!!! this IS the third failure for the front automatic seat belt restraint system on three different vehicles. I'm the "duty" mechanic for our family and have become…
Front seat belt automatic retractor inoperable.........vehicle no longer has a three point restraint capability.........unsafe!!!! this IS the third failure for the front automatic seat belt restraint system on three different vehicles. I'm the "duty" mechanic for our family and have become quite adept at fixing these restraints. I've replaced the nylon "feed belt" in the automatic retractors.........this IS the "failing" part. in my observation, this IS a design failure by ford. specifically, the nylon "feed/drive" belt fails because the restraint does not have a closed lubrication design which results in the belt binding in the motor gears and being destroyed as a direct result of dust/dirt entering the seat belt track under normal and resonable driving conditions. in my opinion, this IS a ******safety****** issue and needs to be corrected. a quick glance at the database indicates that this IS not an unusual problem. I'm requesting that the national highway traffic safety administration investigate. specific questions that I would like to see answered are: 1. how many of these automatic seat belt restraint systems are still on the road?? 2. how many fatalities can be attributed to the failure of these devices?? 3. what IS the incidence of supply requests for these restraints from the "ford" and, a final observation. I suspect that most folks who experiece problems with the automatic seat belt restraint systems on older ford vehicle choose to "abandon" their use instead of paying to have them fixed. there's a "purpose" for government.......the common good!!!
- Electrical system › Ignition
While driving my car from burdines hialeah parking lot, the steering wheel started smoking and I pulled into the first parking spot that I saw. I turned the car off, but the smoke continued to increase and finally the steering wheel caught on fire. The security guard in the parking lot used a fire…
While driving my car from burdines hialeah parking lot, the steering wheel started smoking and I pulled into the first parking spot that I saw. I turned the car off, but the smoke continued to increase and finally the steering wheel caught on fire. The security guard in the parking lot used a fire extinguisher to kill the fire and the hialeah fire depart. Was also called and came in. when I called my mechanic regarding this issue, he told me it was weird, because he never heard of a steering wheel catching fire. I had the car towed at the mechanic. Once I came home, I checked the internet and found there was a recall for the ignition. I called ford the next day and reported what happened, they agreed that there was a recall on my vehicle. They told me not to have the car fixed until they took a look at it and investigate. In the meantime, I had to borrow a car because ford refused to lend me a car to go to work. It took them approximately 1 week to get back to me and they called me to tell me that they are responsible to have the car fix as they had sent via mail some recall notices. I told them that I never received these notices and that I moved to florida 3 years ago and never got anything from them. I further emphasized that if I did get the notice I would have definitely taken my car to a ford dealer since it would not have cost me a dime. Their representative could not care less. She told me that far as ford IS concerned that the fire was my fault and that they are not responsible and would not help/assist with the expensive of repairing the car. In anticipation that I would be able to find an agency that might be able to help me recuperate my losses, I retained in the trunk of the car all the burned parts including the steering wheel in of the of chance that I may find some help. *jb
- Seat belts › Front › Anchorage · Vehicle speed control
Regarding the driver seat belt when opening the car door, the motor belt runs but the seat belt stays in place instead of retracting to allow me in the car seat. Once the lap belt IS attached, the panel light flashes constantly that the seatbelt IS not working. The retractor only goes as far as the…
Regarding the driver seat belt when opening the car door, the motor belt runs but the seat belt stays in place instead of retracting to allow me in the car seat. Once the lap belt IS attached, the panel light flashes constantly that the seatbelt IS not working. The retractor only goes as far as the upper left corner of the door. The motor runs but it will not allow the retractor to complete its full ascending and descending position. When I took the car to american ford in glendive, mt - I was told the part and labor would be in excess of $300. This IS outrageous, especially when it IS a law to wear a seatbelt, but how do you do that when the part IS defective. Luckily, there IS still the lap seatbelt. Regarding the cruise control - we have been at speeds of 70-75 mph and then the cruise control sticks. Once you turn off the cruise control - the car will continue to go speeds of 55-60 mph without having to press on the gas pedal. We have had this happen several times (4 times coming down a mountain pass - not a pretty picture). We no longer use the cruise control. dt
- Engine and engine cooling › Engine › Gasoline
The engine blew a rod while driving making a 3 inch whole in the bottom of the engine and causing smoke and oil to expell from the engine. nlm
- Electrical system › Ignition
Nhtsa recall 96 v 071 000/imanufacturer's recall 95s28 concerning igturn signal and the headlights would work intermittently when start key chime would continue to go off even after removing the key. Consumer had to tap steering column to deactivate the chime. Dealer notified,and informed that…
Nhtsa recall 96 v 071 000/imanufacturer's recall 95s28 concerning igturn signal and the headlights would work intermittently when start key chime would continue to go off even after removing the key. Consumer had to tap steering column to deactivate the chime. Dealer notified,and informed that this vehicle was not part of the recall due to vin. manufacturer stated that 1992 tempo was not involved. Feel free to provide any further information.*ak
- Seat belts
Front driver 'sseat belt retractor IS all stipped out. vehicle IS equipped with automatic seat belts.*ak
- Suspension
When starting vehicle there was a bad noise coming from under the hood. dealer stated there was a recall for the problem that caused that noise. please provide any further information.*ak
- Steering › Hydraulic power assist system
While driving vehicle pulled to the right. Tried to steer vehicle back. Steering wheel spun around. Driver lost control of vehicle,got into an accident,causing injuries.*ak
- Electrical system › Ignition
Stalls/stops when warm, won't start after being driven for a long distance, runs rough, has shorted out 2 distributors. *Ak
- Power train
When vehicle gets up to 60 mph in speed odometer reads 65mph and 85mph. when driving consumer doesn't know how fast he IS going. Consumer has contacted dealer.*ak *slc
- Engine and engine cooling › Engine
Vehicle experinceing on going/intermittent problem with stalling, mostly in hot weather condition. Vehicle would restart aproximately 1/2 hrs later on. Dealer/manufacturer were not notified at this time. Provide any further informaton.*ak
- Electrical system › Ignition
Intermittently vehicle will stall out and die without warning at highway speeds. dealer has inspected vehicle. *ak
- Power train › Automatic transmission
While driving vehicle started with a clanking noise, then it began to shake, and skip gears.*ak consumer states part has been replaced three times. *jb
- Vehicle speed control
While pulling out of a parking lot in a shopping center vehicle suddenly accelerated and hit vehicle which kept idling.driver had to turn off vehicle. *ak
- Seat belts
Motorized seatbelt has failed on both sides. shoulder belt has jammed, partially retracted and in a unsafe manner. dealer claimed motor and plastic track needed to be replaced. *ak
- Fuel system, gasoline › Storage › Tank assembly
Fuel tank was leaking. *slc
- Vehicle speed control › Accelerator pedal
Throttle sticks causing late shifting of automatic transmission. same problem causes early and rough downshifting. while early downshifting IS merely uncomfortable now, this could be a severe safty hazard on ice and snow. also the sticking throttle has required extra braking effort to keep the…
Throttle sticks causing late shifting of automatic transmission. same problem causes early and rough downshifting. while early downshifting IS merely uncomfortable now, this could be a severe safty hazard on ice and snow. also the sticking throttle has required extra braking effort to keep the vehicle from running away. your website lists eleven different service bulletins relating to this problem, and several previous complaints. I have contacted ford motor co about this matter, and they have replied that fixing their defect IS my problem. in light of the numerous bulletins and complaints, the potential safety problems(i.e. Loss of control on ice and snow and running away), I feel that an investigation of this defect should be made and a recall instituted.*ak
- Electrical system › Ignition · Seat belts
The car has recently began to stall after stopping at lights and intersections, it usually stalls immediately after hitting the gas, pushing me into the middle of an intersection. After repeated attempts the car will usually restart within a couple of minutes. As far as the seat belts, after purchasing the car the driver side automatic seat belt stopped working it IS now stuck in one position and will not move. *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.
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.
- 10008580Lamp-brake-invadvertent disabling of brake shift interlock.
- 6090087Information on identifying non-approved / alternate refrigerants which could cause safety, and performance concerns if installed in ford a/c systems.
- 6090051Service tip information on revised oil pan gasket replacement procedure.
- 6089681Subject on a wire harness terminal repair kit available for repairing electrical wiring harnesses.
- 3012200Unknown
- 625715Brake shift interlock.*jb
- 623988Information regarding transmission fluid usage charts. *Slc
- 623944Some vehicles may exhibit heater core leaks. *Slc
- 622665On some vehicles, engine oil may continue to leak from the engine oil pan gasket area after an engine oil pan gasket repair has been performed.
- 612203Information regarding the new transmission cooler flusher- service tip. *Mjs
- 608431Information on the new flush and fill tool available through rotunda.
- 606508Conditions with the brake lamps inadvertently disabling the brake shift interlock.
- 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.
- 603724Mass air flow (maf)- sensor contamination- service tip.
- 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.
- 51663Horn- inoperative- vehicles equipped without speed control and air bags.
- 51584Fead belts indicate that technicians are replacing belts unnecessarily.
- 51571Recall 97s66 - advance announcement - the engine cooling fan could stall due to accumulation of ice, snow and slush when the car IS operated under certain conditions of high wind, heavy blowing snow and low temperatures - if the fan motor IS blocked or frozen and IS automatically actuated (to lower the engine coolant temperature) or the windshield defroster IS manually activated (which activates the low speed of the cooling fan), the engine cooling fan motor and its wiring may overheat - in some cases, smoke or a fire could result - to correct this condition when parts are available, dealers are to install a jumper harness assembly which incorporates a 30 amp in-line circuit breaker in the cooling fan motor circuit recall 97s66.
- 51538Ghia pfe sensors requiring replacements should now be serviced with a wide mouth sensor.
- 51489Pfe sensors requiring replacement should now be serviced with a wide mouth sensor.
- 51451Field inspection of fead belts indicate that technichians are replacing belts unnecessarily.
- 50997Transaxle - torque converter replacement guidelines and torque converter/transaxle cooling system cleaning procedures - service tip.
- 50944Mass air flow sensor - replacement as an assembly - service tip.
Every Ford Tempo model year
Bars are owner complaints, dots mark years with recalls. Select a year to open its report.