1992 Ford Tempo: problems, recalls and reliability
2 recalls and 176 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is electrical system (23% of complaints).
Data updated weekly · latest recall Feb 1997
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 176 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“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”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · Mar 2009
“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”Owner report · Service Brakes, Hydraulic · Mar 2006
“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!”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · Jan 2003
Show 7 more owner reports
“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”Owner report · Electrical System · Aug 2002
“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”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · Aug 2002
“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”Owner report · Suspension · May 2002
“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”Owner report · Steering · May 2002
“Stalls/stops when warm, won't start after being driven for a long distance, runs rough, has shorted out 2 distributors. *ak”Owner report · Electrical System · Jun 2001
“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”Owner report · Power Train · May 2001
“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”Owner report · Power Train · Apr 2001
When filing, owners marked a crash in 11 of these complaints and injuries in 18 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 2 campaigns
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 1992-1994 LINCOLN CONTINENTAL VEHICLES WITH 3.8L ENGINES. DURING HIGH WINDS, HEAVY, BLOWING AND DRIFTING SNOW, AND LOW TEMPERATURES, THE ENGINE COOLING FAN CAN BECOME BLOCKED OR FROZEN WITH SNOW. THE FAN MOTOR MAY NOT ROTATE AND COULD OVERHEAT.
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.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE IGNITION SWITCH.
Specifications
Factory options offered for the 1992 model year, decoded from the NHTSA vPIC database. Individual vehicles have one of each.
How other years compare
Check your exact Tempo by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 1992 Ford Tempo reliable?
NHTSA has 176 owner complaints and 2 recall campaigns on record for the 1992 Ford Tempo. The most complained-about area is electrical system (23% of complaints).
At what mileage do 1992 Ford Tempo problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 101,000 miles or less.
Does the 1992 Ford Tempo have open recalls?
2 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning engine and engine cooling:cooling system:fan. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.