Ford Tempo problems by year
1,171 owner complaints filed with NHTSA across 12 Ford Tempo model years. Last verified Aug 7, 2026. Complaint totals are lifetime counts — years that have been on the road longer accumulate more reports.
| Year | Complaints | Recalls | Most reported problem | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1995 Fewer complaints | 3 | 0 | — | |
| 1994 | 161 | 0 | Engine and Engine Cooling | |
| 1993 | 227 | 0 | Engine and Engine Cooling | |
| 1992 | 176 | 0 | Engine and Engine Cooling | |
| 1991 | 110 | 0 | Engine and Engine Cooling | |
| 1990 | 133 | 0 | Electrical System | |
| 1989 | 124 | 0 | Electrical System | |
| 1988 | 126 | 0 | Electrical System | |
| 1987 | 53 | 0 | Electrical System | |
| 1986 Fewer complaints | 31 | 0 | Electrical System | |
| 1985 Fewer complaints | 30 | 0 | Electrical System | |
| 1984 Fewer complaints | 14 | 0 | — |
How to read this. Complaints are unverified reports owners file with NHTSA’s Office of Defects Investigation, counted once per case number. Raw totals are not adjusted for sales volume, and recent model years have had less time on the road. “Most complained” flags years well above the model’s median; treat it as a signal for deeper research, not a verdict. This page is not affiliated with Ford.