1989 Chevrolet Cavalier vs 1989 Ford Tempo
Complaints, recalls, TSBs, investigations and safety ratings side by side, from official federal data. Last verified Aug 7, 2026. Raw complaint counts are not adjusted for sales volume.
| Metric | 1989 Chevrolet Cavalier | 1989 Ford Tempo |
|---|---|---|
| NHTSA complaints | 43 | 124 |
| Recall campaigns | 0 | 0 |
| Service bulletins (TSBs) | 1 | 36 |
| Investigations | 2 | 4 |
| Crash reports | 2 | 5 |
| Fire reports | 1 | 21 |
| NCAP overall rating | — | — |
| EPA MPG (combined) | 20–26 | 19–24 |
| Median reported mileage | — | — |
Reported problems side by side
| Component | Chevrolet Cavalier | Ford Tempo |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical System | 6 | 33 |
| Engine and Engine Cooling | 10 | 26 |
| Seat Belts | 4 | 20 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 2 | 16 |
| Exterior Lighting | 0 | 16 |
| Steering | 5 | 8 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 6 | 4 |
| Power Train | 5 | 5 |
Symptoms owners describe
| Stalling | 0 | 10 |
1989 Chevrolet Cavalier
1989 Ford Tempo
Compare all Chevrolet Cavalier vs Ford Tempo years →
Method. Complaints are unique NHTSA reports. A vehicle that sold more units will naturally accumulate more complaints — use shares and read the underlying reports before drawing conclusions.